Manu'a's Off-Island Connection

Letter To Editor_

Dear Editor

"ASG Clean Up the Corruption"

I just read and saw something on the CNN worldwide news about the local ASG administrative misuse of FEMA funds slated for a siren alert system for the territory. Such corruption practice by our Governor Tulafono and his administration is a blatant misstep that in no doubt has attributed to the loss of 34 lives in the recent tsunami. Perhaps, if the corruptive misuse of FEMA funds that reportedly occurred in years prior to 2002 and years that followed had not happened, American Samoa would have had in place an emergency siren alerting system as intended for set up in FY02-03 and FEMA freezing of grants in 2005 would never have happened. It is just sad that it has taken FEMA so long to refer the matter to the FBI for investigation. Arguably, such bureaucratic and administrative delay of actions and follow up between FEMA and the Governor's administration to mitigate accountability problems has led to the crisis we now face. Obviously, Governor Togiola is ultimately to be blamed because all these precipitating problems occurred during his watch and the deadly consequences to our people who voted him and his cronies into office.

Watching Governor Togiola on national world news and hearing his voice trying to avoid the questions and lying through his teeth is very disheartening. This has undoubtedly brought embarrassment, shame, and hurt to the pride of all Samoans living in the United States and all over the world who value our culture and traditions. I have never encountered so many non-Samoan colleagues and friends who have asked me about the CNN report and the alleged corruption in our islands. Maybe, it takes something like this for our government leaders to advocate for reforms to stamp down on corruption.

Corruption in government is inevitably a fact of life and it happens in every level of government when those in charged are either evil intended culprits or overzealous about their accountability and fiduciary responsibility to the people. This does not mean that we expect this to be the case in our territory. It is unacceptable at any rate. When corruption happens in big government the negative ire is usually confronted by public outrage from the voters that demand immediate investigation and justice. When corruption happens in American Samoa, there is no public outrage except for the Common Cause group. The red tape to involve the FBI to investigate and bring the culprits to justice is sometimes comes with an untimely process. The local law enforcement seems to fall short of conducting investigations let alone filing charges on those involved if they are related or political foes. So far, where is the outrage from our people of American Samoa? I guess our territory is too small or our people are too ambivalent about taking a precise action because of cultural and familial repercussion. If our people don't take a stance, corruption will continue to be a standard stalemate within our government from the top to bottom.

Mr. Birdsall Alailima the former head of American Samoa Homeland Security is spilling the beans of the corruption within the current local administration. The Governor of AS or one of his cronies should be held accountable not only for the misuse of federal monies, but also face criminal charges for dereliction of duty and other unintended consequences that attributed the loss of human life and property damage caused by the tsunami. The 34 lives lost with millions of property damages during the tsunami could have been avoided if the Governor had spend the 13 million of federal funds to mount 30 siren alarm system throughout Tutuila. There is no one to blame but the governor and his administration. Our current Governor and his administration have down right failed to protect the health, welfare and safety of our people of American Samoa.

Governor Tulafono Togiola needs to use the 5 million dollars his is trying to take from the local retirement fund investment to buy the COS fish cannery divert it for another good use. These funds can be used to buy and to upgrade the early siren warning system throughout Tutuila and Manu?a Island. We understand the motivation the current Governor is trying to create Jobs for the local people; but at what cost?

We call upon the local leadership and Congressman Eni to have the FBI and the DOI to look into the current ASG local administration if there is a dereliction of duty and misuse of federal funds by the current Governor and his administration. Our people are fed up with the corruption by our local government leadership. Enough is enough! Our people have lost 34 lives and over millions of dollars homes and properties damages with an uncertain future. We need help to clean up the corruption within our local ASG or our people will continue to pay the price with our lives and cost. A wise man once said; "When corrupted government leaders presides over their people; the people begin to mourn and suffer."

Soifua;

Amerika Samoa ia mataala!
Savai'i P. Amito'elau
Olosegia, Manu'a

A moment captured in history

Today I have witnessed history. Today we celebrate many victories and acknowledge the struggle of many minority groups that have fought the good fight, and today, watch proudly in tears as the whole WORLD watch in awe, some in fear, many, such as I with sheer admiration as I watch the strongest country in the world governed by a black man. this is how I know that although our society may be going through one of the worst economic times in history, we are also going through one of the greatest times in history.

With so much going on around us, it is evident, it is imperative that we take a step towards change. Today, just as we did on September 11, the world stood watching and waiting to see what the US would bring and the change is here, its time for the whole world to follow suit. In the words of Martin Luther King, ?I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results. Nations have frequently won their independence in battle. But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace. It solves no social problem; it merely creates new and more complicated ones. Violence is impractical because it is a descending spiral ending in destruction for all. It is immoral because it seeks to humiliate the opponent rather than win his understanding; it seeks to annihilate rather than convert. Violence is immoral because it thrives on hatred rather than love. It destroys community and makes brotherhood impossible. It leaves society in monologue rather than dialogue. Violence ends up defeating itself. It creates bitterness in the survivors and brutality in the destroyers.? Nobel lecture, 1964

The fight for change is bigger than you and I, its about a global unity to make for a brighter tomorrow. Even on the other side of the world, I like many others eagerly watched the events of the day unfold, I have not been dissappointed, but we must remain vigilant in the fight for change, we must make more of an effort to keep a firm front and continue with the daily challenges, the obstacles that we as samoans find ourselves in at the current time in Australia and New Zealand. You are in our prayers, although we may not be related, although we may not even know each other, our culture is under scrutiny for the actions of what our brothers and sisters have us in the limelight doing. Do not be discouraged by the actions of the few that have brought negativity and hate crimes upon our people but pray for them, spend time with your children, remind each other the true Fa?samoa is not about being in gang crimes and in causing violence, remind each other that we are warriors not gangsters. Fight the GOOD fight, you represent your families, your parents, your churches & villages. As a Samoan you are not 1, you are 1 of many, do not let your anger overwhelm you. If we continue on as we are, If we dont support each other in the media outlash that our culture is currently undergoing, where will it end? Today is your chance to make a change.

Matai
(as seen on www.1samoana.com)

Dear Editor,

The genesis of the housing crisis

Ever wonder where our current economic crisis came from... Here's a 1999 article that points it out. You can connect the dots. Interesting information about the genesis of the housing crisis. Go to the following website:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/easescredit.asp

Yes - It's true, confirmed by SNOPES. I couldn't help but think of Congressman Eni Faleomavaega's simplistic statement on the Malama Channel interview; that "the Democratic Party is for the "Little Guy", and the Republican Party is for "Big Business and Less Government", Well now look at where has this policy gotten us?

Ronald Regan Said: "I'm sure everyone feels sorry for the individual who has fallen by the way side or who can?t keep up in our competitive society, but my own compassion goes beyond that to the millions of unsung men and women who get up every morning, send the kids to school, go to work, try and keep up the payments on their house, pay exorbitant taxes to make possible compassion for the less fortunate, and as a result have to sacrifice many of their own desires and dreams and hopes. Government owes them something better than always finding a new way to make them share the fruit of their toils with others."

The Republican Party has lost sight of his proclamation: "We, the members of the New Republican Party, believe that the preservation and enhancement of the values that strengthen and protect individual freedom, family life, communities and neighborhoods and the liberty of our beloved nation should be at the heart of any legislative or political program presented to the American people... Our task now is not to sell a philosophy, but to make the majority of Americans, who already share that philosophy, see that modern conservatism offers them a political home... The job is ours and the job must be done. If not by us, who? If not now, when?

Our party must be the party of the individual. It must not sell out the individual to cater to the group. No greater challenge faces our society today than ensuring that each one of us can maintain his dignity and his identity in an increasingly complex, centralized society. Extreme taxation, excessive controls, oppressive government competition with business... frustrated minorities and forgotten Americans are not the products of free enterprise. They are the residue of centralized bureaucracy, of government by a self-anointed elite. Our party must be based on the kind of leadership that grows and takes its strength from the people. Any organization is in actuality only the lengthened shadow of its members.

A political party is a mechanical structure created to further a cause. The cause, not the mechanism, brings and holds the members together. And our cause must be to rediscover, reassert and reapply America's spiritual heritage to our national affairs. Then with God?s help we shall indeed be as a city upon a hill with the eyes of all people upon us." from Ronald Reagan's "New Republican Party" And under a Barak Obama Redistribution of wealth, we will see the "Compassionate Democrats lining their own pockets with the 'wealth of others', all the while saying this is the best for All Americans.And when there are no more wage earners because the business machinery is broke... It will be theend of the American Dream.

Lorn Cramer
684-699-7149

"Frustrated Christian"

Dear Editor;

I would like to address the concern of the Frustrated Christian Samoan citizen who posted and article last Thursday on Samoan news. The person must have been a fourth or fifth generation Samoan who seems well educated and must have grown up in the traditional fa'asamoa culture and is now frustrated about the fa'asamoa fa'alavelave and the Faifeau alofa or donations.

I do not envy you for going through the pain of supporting the belief in your religious faith. The fa'alavelave has been in the Samoan culture since the beginning and we have changed it throughout time. I am sure it was very simple back in the old days and the old ways, because we never had very much to share with family and the clan. When we give, we give from the heart or whatever little we have. Since the people of American Samoa have become more affluent when exposed to the outside world with money and wealth, our attitude and outlook have changed to a greater extend including but not limited to greed and acquiring more material wealth to determine our social status and influence in our community.

In my humble opinion our culture relation and tradition was very simple and inexpensive. When the so call outside world discovered our island and introduced our people to paper money. Our whole concept of self preservation and exploitation has changed our whole view and understanding of self reliance. We must keep in mind that some faifeau?s in your faith or churches do not have a full time job. They?re full time job is preaching the gospel in their own way they seems correct base on their teaching and believes. So, of course they are going to ask his church members for more money so he can feed his family and support their life style.

If you do not like this then stop giving your money away to support the church or faifeau. Use your money wisely and fix up your house because no one is going to give you money to repair your home. Use the God given common sense you have and start making the right choices that make you happy. If supporting and giving money away to these organizations doesn't make you happy then change it. I do not blame you for seeking out other opinions on this very important financial dilemma. It has become very painful for all of us who go through the same fa'alavelave almost every week something happen and 99.9 percent it always involves dishing out money.

Then there is the matter of family, peer pressure and pride with in the village and community not donating to fa'alavelaves or the faifeau alofa. In my humble opinion preaching the word of God should be freely given. The said preacher or faifeau should find his own job just like everyone else to support themselves instead of depending on the people for support. Preachers and faifeaus are servants to their villages and communities not the other way around. On the other hand, if these preachers are doing their job they should be working 24/7 throughout the week teaching and counseling with the people in his community and not just on Sunday service.

This of course is a matter of public opinion because there are some churches and organized religion in the territories that have become a business vendor and prey on the needy and the poor spiritual sympathizers. As some of these so call TV evangelist preachers who ask for money and your sin will be forgiven. So what it boils down is this, if you are not happy with your religious faith or denomination than by all means stop supporting them financially. You have the free agency to choose what faiths or religious to believe in and support.

If you are looking for the right church and religious organization to join I would suggest you look into a scripture in the bible that said; "by their fruits you shall know them" look at what fruits that particular church or religion put forth and judge for yourself whether it is a good fruit to partake.

Fa'alavelave will also grow old on you and it does become very trying and stressful at times. Especially, when you're making a decision whether to use your funds for home improvement, fa'alavelave or donate to the faifeau alofa. Another dilemma might come into play is feeding your children and family first or donate to the fa'alavelave and faifeau alofa. I will leave my answer like this. A mother of three children once said; "I will not allow my children to starve then donate any money for fa?alavelave and faifeau alofa".

Fa'alavelave is in our culture blood and tradition it is a very good thing if we do not abuse it. There are some who have taken advantage of his neighbor and use the fa'alavelave as business for personal gain. These kinds of people will be immediately recognized by the people and will not be support by the local village or community. When the said perpetrator is found guilty then the faasamoa tradition of forgiveness takes place, but this doesn't help others who have given so much who believe in the preacher or God?s servant. Your money will never be returned if you have willfully donated to your faifeau. If it doesn't make you happy then you have the free agency to change it. Good luck in your decision making process.

Soifua;

Amerika Samoa ia mataala!

Savaii P. Amitoelau
Olosegia, Manu'a