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Letters and Editorial Policies
Letters and Editorial Policies
Freedom of the press does not equate to irresponsible journalism nor does it condone it. Before you print "draft" reports and stir up the public, try some thorough investigative reporting and actually contact the people who prepared the report and the people who are affected by your report, and get some facts to back up your stories so you have fair and balanced reporting.
Unless you're the tabloids masquerading as a legitimate news source, you don't just jump on any draft report or hearsay that someone hands to you and print it without doing the research, and call it journalism. Otherwise I wouldn't need to read a newspaper as I can actually walk two flight of stairs down EOB and get the same type of unreliable albeit sensational gossip. And then when people who actually understand something about the concept of freedom of the press call you out on your irresponsible and lazy journalism, you hide behind "freedom of the press" and pretend that your liberties are being attacked and even trashed. There is such a thing as slander/libel and it doesn't belong in a newspaper. Back up your allegations with hard facts and irrefutable evidence, not draft reports that are being discredited by the head of the same agency responsible for this draft report.
I recently read this same article on the American Samoa official web site. It is to my understanding that the only media group that was present the day of this meeting was per office of the Governor. Sharing government information with our media brothers and sisters--"I have no problems with", but coping and pasting an article directly from its source deserves to be credited. I apologize if I seem blunt or rude to point this out, but for the spirit of true or good journalism, I suggest you just copy and paste the whole thing and credit the source or author. Simple as that!
Editor's note: We referenced it as from an ASG press release in the second paragraph. However we failed to add source at the bottom as we usually do. We have corrected that, thanks for pointing it out.
How we allow Starkist et al to throw trash under Pago Bay? I do not understand how EPA has allowed this filth garbage and foul smell with poison toxins to be thrown into the damn bay? Our children swim in the damn bay, from Pago, Utulei, to villages that border the bay. They don't know that the poison they swim is toxic soup and one day will cause cancer to them. Someone be an adult for god sake and stand the hell up for a reason and take up this special cause. The Bay is poisoned and the canneries have to pay, now or later. Their is Huge damage to the ecosystem and the childens lives. Our People for God's sake swim in the damn waters. Stand the hell up and demand they clean up THEIR F$&-cking mess.
Paulo
Why don't we try to determine if the allegations are true or not, rather than trying to deflect the issue onto what the Samoa News may or may not have done wrong? Deflecting the issue or the focus onto someone or something else and off of oneself when allegations are made is common in American Samoa.
Why are you trying to change the subject by talking about who outshines who? Stick to the subject matter please....
If Save and Sandra's complaint is upheld that means "it was upheld". It doesn't mean that all the past elections will be nullified and void. No one had the guts to challenge this issue back then. There is due process here buddy that we have to follow. So if no one challenged this issue back then, the elections are still considered valid. Geez...I just graduated from THS (CO 2012, baby) and I have to spell this out for you? I sure hope Lolo doesn't have you on his advisory panel. He should just keep you here on the comment section of Samoa News to be the 'News Watch DOG' (COPS theme playing in the backgound - I love that show).
Signed,
Because I Can
How insulting that you question how Sandra can complement Save in the election and then try to cover up with a kissass line trying to say that she is hardworking, intelligent, etc..! Get a life!
You are the father of "innuenndos, allegations, hearsay and speculations" Jr. I see corrections by Samoa News several times to YOUR allegations, innuendos, hearsay and speculations. Look at yourself in the mirror instead of passing judgement. This is what we are taught as Christians. I wonder, have you said anything positive about anyone except your candidates and yourself? Stop being ridiculous. Again, Innuendos, allegations, hearsay and speculations, these are special words describing who you are and your comments. Samoa news, please continue reporting. Thank you.
I suppose someone certified Lolo to determine which writers are good or not? Oooooh, beware and be careful writers and reporters, if you are not nice to Lolo, The almighty Lolo might not bestow the title of "tusitala lelei" upon you, and you cannot be BFFs with his press officer JR. Lol.
Signed (for JRs sake) anonymous
How do we find any truth if questions asked were very general? Then, the messenger, in this case, Samoa News, ended up being stoned instead of talking about the details of the report? I think a child can do better with questions. How is this fair to the public?
Since ASESRO says that the report isnt entirely confirmed, then that means some parts are true and some are not. Can someone clarify and point out which is which?
Samoa News please report more for us the unfortunates that dont have access to such reports or 'inside government' information and goodies like these $$$$$. The witness spent more time talking about trash than the report. What a disservice to our community to have leaders that are only interested in hiding things rather than being transparent about it. These people must think everyone is stupid!
Samoa News printed excerpts from this draft report in 3 different editions, and I never found any part of the articles where the writer inserted anything other than quotes from the report. In essence, the author was essentially ASESRO, but bitter JR. Couldnt find any part of it worthy to write a 10-page analysis on such as this detailed account of the senate hearing that only lasted an hour? Lord help us if lolo wins and his main man Jr Faaola becomes an advisor. He would never be looking for the interests of our community as he is so blinded like a love sick puppy kissing lolo's butt that he cant see anything or anyone else except his adoration for Lolo. This is a little freaky!
I bet if this same report had another candidate and not JRs idol Lolo, JR would be the first in this forum to analyze every line and exaggerate it to death. I can just see JRs version if this was the case. He would probably say that the 3 sisters were all girlfriends of the candidate and maybe the brother was gay too.
Someone save JR, hes drowning.
JR. the fact that you can put "impeccable" and "Christian" a few sentences apart from each other is hillarious! When your candidate has a "girlfriend"...from a Christian perspective, it automatically TRUMPS ANY right for him to be portrayed as "impeccable"....
And when you are having tea with your candidate, awaiting the flight of the "pink elephant"...ask him about why the Late Governor Lutali removed him from Budget Director, and what was DOI's role in it.
Yes, this is your perspective...it is good that you acknowledge that. Because you must also be aware of dangers of perspectives and how it is misleading when you are SELECTIVE in choosing the experiences that BEST suits your current argument, dismissing all else. This then creates a paradigm that is false and biased....
just saying...get rid of the double standards buddy.
You responded regardless. I don't have to provide my name to point out the flaws in your response JR. You sound like one of those "Talk but can't walk the talk" type of people.
Support your candidates and inform us, citizens of American Samoa, why we should vote for your team. Don't add on to the negative PR. Stop trying to make excuses for Lolo about vindication and whatnot. Blaming Samoa News on reportable news is ridiculous AND annoying. If you haven't read CNN or BBC, those news networks report news regardless if they are confirmed. They would note that it's a "Developing story" if the news is not Final.
Samoa News did the same thing. From your responses sole, you are the one who obviously have your undies in a twist with the personal and emotional comments. lol. Relax, it's only Saturday. I agree with you, and JR, search YOUR soul for answers before you throw the first stone. Enjoy your weekend.
Maguia lava le afiafi.
And the answer to your question if we can handle that....ABSOLUTELY. As I said in my prior responses, I have nothing personal against the Save Sandra team. I think they are doing a very good job in their campaigning. My only question is, "who's actually running for Governor, Save or Sandra?" I'm not making a mockery of your candidates, I'm just wondering why Sandra outshines Save during many of your recent events. Perhaps it's just me....I could be wrong. If I am, my deepest apologies. As a matter of fact, this same thing happened to the Afoa & Taeaoafua team in 2004. I should know, I was a supporter of Afoa at the time. I could see that everytime Taeaoafua or Meki(as we like to call him) would make a speech or political remark, Afoa seemed to be taken aback at the relentless campaigning of his runningmate. Meki made Afoa seem irrelevant and out of place, which is what I see with the Save Sandra team. Again, perhaps I'm mistaken. But I've been involved in this game for a while to know, understand and to identify the weak-link or "liability" in any campaign. I just don't see how Sandra can complement Save in this election. Although, I do give credit to Save for picking a very intelligent, hardworking woman to be his runningmate. I wish them the very best.
Soifua,
JR Faaola
(this is how you sign your name, care to do the same?....I didn't think so)
Sorry, I would really like to dignify your statement with a response, but, since you're one of those people that like to hide in dark corners and throw stones without signing your true name, I guess your remarks have no relevancy. Perhaps, when you can forgive yourself and right your ways with the Lord, we can start a mature and civil discussion as adults.
Remember, don't take it so personally and emotional. I can see from your writing that you're practically straining to get your point across....relax. It's only one person's perspective against another person's perspective. No reason to get a heart-attack over mere words.
Search your soul for answers before you throw the first stone my friend.
JR Faaola
(this is how you sign your name, care to do the same?….I didn’t think so)
I too would like to add my thank you and a job well done to our hard working employees at DBAS for the excellent job in your relentless efforts to ensure that our people were privy to the 1602 program.
I second Lolo's remarks to the recent Senate committee on Government Operations, to explore the so-called ASESRO draft report, that the employees, our son's and daughter's, of DBAS deserve to be recognized for their outstanding work. It's so sad that during this gubernatorial campaigning that there are those hiding in dark corners, willing to chastise and condemn the good work of DBAS for the entire community. Were these naysayer’s part of a conspiracy to disrupt the good foundation built on hard work by DBAS....I don't know.
Were these naysayer’s rejected by the DBAS Board on their 1602 application....I don't know. Is this a conspiracy to attack the impeccable record of a man, who’s only ambition is to serve the people to the best of his ability?….again, I don’t know. What I can echo is the same thing that President of the Senate, Gaoteote Palaie, has stated in the recent hearing "ole fili leaga" or as I like to interpret "evil spirit"" lurking in one's heart.
For a society that prides itself on being Christians with family values, it's so disheartening to know that there are still those out there that believe there is something wrong with the 1602 program. These are the same people that will not rest, they will not sleep, they will not be satisfied until the reputation of a good man is destroyed.
I asked Samoa News to show me proof of Lolo’s guilt in this report, instead they show me allegations, innuendos, mere speculations and hearsay from a report that even the author, Pat Galea’i, of ASESRO, disclaimed as truthful. It came from the very horse’s mouth, but, did Samoa News care to investigate further….and disrupt the flow of papers sold daily, based on this draft….absolutely NOT.
For the sake of argument, let me hypothesize this scenario to Samoa News and political opponents of Lolo. Lets just say that a common, everyday Joe saw a huge, pink elephant flying across the beloved village of Fagatogo with Rhonda Annesley riding on it’s back. Now lets hypothesize further that Joe drafted this down in a police report with the Fagatogo police precinct. Now, for some reason this report was leaked from within the police precinct in Fagatogo to Samoa News. Now, let me ask Samoa News this, would you buy into that report filed by a common, everyday person or would you file it if it was from the Police Commissioner personally? Of course, you would believe the P.C. over a common person any day of the week. Why, because it must be true if it came from a higher up, instead of someone walking the street of Fagatogo.
But, based on Samoa News’ logic and journalistic purview, the sighting of Rhonda on a flying, pink elephant must be true. Allegations, innuendos, hearsay, speculations….do these even matter? The fact is, if it will sell newspaper to a news-hungry public, Samoa News will definitely sell it. It has and it will always be the bottom dollar. Hey, I completely understand….it’s basic economics. Hell with the truth, facts, proper investigation to find the facts….that don’t matter at all.
So in essence, Samoa News committed a tomfoolery with the people of the territory in a vain attempt to sell newspapers. Nice. Perhaps, the next time I see Carlos Sanchez riding on a Lochness monster, swimming off Pago Bay, I’ll have to track down Pat Galea’i to confirm it’s authenticity, since you hold such high value on his reports and not someone like a “tama-faiumu” like myself.
JR Faaola
Thank you Rhonda and Samoa News staff for reporting/updating the community on this issue. Faafetai fo'i to the ASESRO staff and CEO Pat Galea'i for your diligent efforts and assessments to follow-up on the Section 1602 projects on-Island.
Faafetai fo'i to the DBAS staff and board for sharing this program with the people of Amerika Samoa. Viia lava le Atua mo le faaogaina/valaauina o outou i a outou tiute i totonu o le malo ma le atunuu. O ala manuia ma tupe sa maua mai i le Porokalama Section 1602 e matua'i tele sona aoga mo lo tatou atunuu, ae maise lava mo nai tagata matitiva ma aiga e i lalo mai o latou totogi ma le $15,000 i le tausaga, pe na o le toatasi fo'i se tagata faigaluega i totonu o le aiga.
There's a lot of "low-income" families on Island who are well qualified to fill the 1602 low-income housing but the **rent** is high and unaffordable for many who receives $500 - $1000 monthly gross income. (Taga'i tonu i le mafuaaga na ala ai ona faia lenei porokalama - "LOW INCOME" HOUSING - simply "we can't charge/overcharge people, example: $700 for rent w/utilities included if their monthly gross income is $800.)
I filled a Section 1602 application back in 2010 but I'm so grateful to the Lord for not allowing my application to go through because the blue-print was declined twice at the Public Works, but interestingly enough the blue-print was provided by a gifted/certified architect on Island.
It was with high hopes that as I was applying for the Section 1602, I have considered providing "shelters" for battered women and anyone who faced eviction from their sponsors or families on Island (as to which this is common in the neighborhoods).
The Section 1602 stood out because non-profit organizations were also eligible to apply to aid the less fortunate, low-income families and whatever services they can aid those in dire need of a place to stay. Ae ui i lea, e lelei lava le Atua! Tatalo ia maua e le atunuu le agaga o le alofa moni mo tagata lima vaivai faapea e matitiva i totonu o lo tatou atunuu.
There are vacant Section 1602 low-income homes on Island, and I'm hopeful that the landlords/property owners will help meet the needs of those who are eligible/well qualified to stay in a nice home until they can become prosperous one day.
E faamanuia mai le Atua i se tagata e alofa atu ma le loto mama, ma e toe faamanuia le Atua i lou fanua, fanau, lau ato, ma lou ulufale ma lou ulufafo. Ia alofa le Tama i le lagi e faaali le mea moni ma ia faatupuina le fealofani i totonu o le atunuu. ***Samoa muamua le Atua! Faavae i le Atua Samoa!***
Get off of that high horse you are riding on Jr Faaola and stop BLAMING, yes you are blaming, others for the report on the 1602 Program. Samoa News did a great job reporting the 'draft report' as is! The materials were drawn directly from the draft and there were no accusations made by Samoa News.
As I have responded to your other comment, your responses seem to be targeting Mr. Afoa Lutu, when in fact, he had nothing to do with the reporting. You are also blaming Mr. Pat Galea'i, when he actually confirmed that the report was the most CURRENT DRAFT of another draft of the same report.
You are blaming everyone.
From the draft report, the take home message for me was to determine if there was any truth to the many instances of conflict and whether the DBAS Board exercised due diligence in reviewing ALL applications before approving grants/loans.
You obviously need to go back and look up what "Freedom of the Press" before referring to news as trash.
Again, I thank Samoa News for bringing this news to our attention because whether or not you like what was in that report, I'm sure you are bitter regardless. Maybe it's not the Samoa News that bothers you, or the materials in the report in general. Maybe it's because the report mentioned that Lolo has a girlfriend when he is actually still married...lol. Sorry about it.
That last one was just for laughs because you seem to include nonsense comments in your responses as well.
Good Day to you.
I would be worried if you were in charge of the ASESRO report. You, Jr Faaola, is very biased. Your reasons in supporting/not supporting efforts made by HONEST people in the community are ridiculous. You can continue to speculate and call Faoa/Taufete'e and Afoa/Le'i camps on conspiring on this issue, but the truth of the matter is, SAMOA NEWS received the report. The aforementioned candidates had nothing to do it.
As its obligation and due diligence to the Community of American Samoa, Samoa News reported the materials of the report, AS IS.
From your comments, you have a personal issue with Mr. Afoa Lutu. You sound very bitter by making false comments about him have an ownership share in Samoa News. Maybe you should check your facts before you post your comments.
As I recall, you were always very critical of the shipyard and how it was a bad idea for the government to take over the shipyard again.
From last week's news of reviewing the budget and projections for 2013, it was clearly reported that the Shipyard was the only government entity that is projected to return profitable funds back to the government (Lemanu also praised Mr. Sanches for his hard work).
The main issue is whether Lolo's girlfriend and her siblings ALL qualified to receive sub grants for the program. There are also those other instances of conflict that still need to be reviewed. No where in the reports was it mentioned that low income families were to own the low-income units, as you mentioned in your comment. It was clearly noted in the report by Samoa news that the program would provide housing for low-income families and those qualify and met all program requirements would be granted the loans.
You need to take a chill pill, open your biased eyes and take a clear look at the issue. Samoa news reported on NEWS and they have every right to report this news.
Thank you Samoa News.
Junior are you really listening to what you were saying? Because all I can hear is that you are endorsing something that is illegal just because it has been done in the past.
It is people like you that will continue to leave corruption in the government. Which goes to show why you were voting for a team that is under investigation at this very moment.
Save and Sandra are not the ones doing the complaining its our people... people who are tired of corruption, people who want transparency and integrity brought back into our government, people who are tired of getting scraps while others in high position abuse their power and do things like....oh i dont know, grant their family and their girlfriends and their girlfriends family $100,000 plus each federal government money, people who are educated and highly qualified for government positions and return home but cant get a job, we are the ones crying out and Save and Sandra are actually standing up to these big shot families and trying to do something about it.
I believe that they are doing a helluva job in their campaign... I hear them on the radio talking about issues, they are out in the community walking the villages, and I have personally seen them out in the early morning hours on the weekend cleaning up our land.
This team has no integrity issues, unlike the camp that you are with. They will actually put people first, and not just people they are related to or know.
Save and Sandra...you keep fighting the good fight and continue to do what is right, because if this the worst they can say is that you guys complain...well then, I think that you folks can handle that.
Mr. Jr Faaola correct me if I'm wrong: It appears you are advising S&S that b/c we have "Unorganized and Unincorporated Territory" status we have an excuse for violating the law passed by the legislature of the "Unorganized and Uncorporated Territory".
You also appear to be saying S&S are "frivolously complaining" and that neither they nor the voter electorates can be adversely affected by candidates who remain in their high govt positions and "actively campaign."
If that's your thinking and I were Save or Sandra ...I would ask you to please stop dishing this kind of advice and sharing these little 'Sponge Bob" type secrets of yours with them.
Hey Larry, not only is it "refreshing", your very words, but, it's a vindication of an innocent man, Lolo Moliga. His testimony at the Senate's Government Operations Cmte. put the truth of this entire, orchestrated dilemma, to rest once and for all. Now that his enemies have been rooted out by Senator Velega and his Cmte., the team of Lolo & Lemanu can proceed with their juggernaut march towards November's election.
Despite all the political obstacles laid out as IED by their political nemesis, the team of Lolo & Lemanu have only one agenda that is the driving force of their campaign……to serve the PEOPLE FIRST, everything else is secondary
JR Faaola
Aren't you missing the other side of the coin? I'm betting that you are the type of person that wants the truth and facts to come out, am I correct? Or, am I wrong?
You are looking at this from just one side, the side that this 1602 allegation can be true. But, what about looking at this from another angle, like perhaps that these so-called draft reports from ASESRO are merely based on unproven allegations, innuendos, mere speculations and hearsay from an unknown individual's perspective. Having no real base of truth or foundation, are you saying that you would rather err on the side of an opinionated allegation, which is exactly what this draft report is based on, no corrections or actual research from ASESRO as to it’s authenticity.
As a matter of fact, Pat Galea’i, the Director of ASESRO, made a disclaimer in the Samoa News that this draft report was not complete and that there were still allegations that needed to be confirmed by his office. But, nevertheless, the draft report was somehow “leaked” to the public via Samoa News, as per Pat Galea’i’s claim. It’s ironic that this leak should suddenly happen during a critical moment in the gubernatorial campaign of Lolo and Lemanu.
Despite the disclaimer by Pat, Samoa News decided to go ahead with this blasphemous report. And what they got in return was “disgust and frustration” from the Senate chambers of a once promising and pillar-model of a newspaper in the community. The leaders of the country called it “RUBBISH” or “LAPISI” in Samoan. Perhaps the time has truly come for the territory to entertain another newspaper in the islands. We need competition to avoid the corporate greed and monopolization of the media by just one mogul in town. We need honest reporting and journalistic integrity. I mean, who’s to say that just because Afoa Moega Lutu is part owner of Samoa News or Pat Galea’i is a member of the Publicity Cmte. for the Faoa & Taufete’e team or some woman by the name of “Gail” was the culprit who leaked the report to Samoa News, and who incidentally is a die-hard supporter of the Afoa & Le’i team, or a Mr. Petersen, a deputy at ASESRO, who is alleged to have helped draft this report, are said to be the main conspirators behind this political plot to assassinate Lolo’s chances of becoming the next Governor of our great territory. Certainly, not I.
But that does not mean I do not have reservations of my own, as to who might be involved. If you put the puzzle together of the alleged conspirators in this fiasco, one can only imagine the spill-out this will do to their campaign for transparency and moral guidance. What does this say about how they fair in the election. One can only speculate, I guess. The bottom line, do your research and don’t depend on other people’s point of view for confirmation of the truth and facts.
JR Faaola
Editor's note: As stated on other of your comments JR, Afoa does not have an ownership share in Samoa News and hasn't since Lewis Wolman bought the paper from Tolani Teleso, many years before the Annesley family bought SN from Wolman.
Fa'amolemole ia, soia le gaoi. Vaai totogi a fa'atonu.............fa'apopo ai ma le totogi annual leave........excess ........alofa le atunu'u. Fai muamua le si'i a le aufaigaluega a le malo. Enough excess nonsense!!
The latest 1602 Low Income Housing Program initiative “sensationalism” campaign that Samoa News has been riding on since last week to sell a few papers and to manipulate the gubernatorial campaign of Lolo Moliga, can only be characterized as science fiction at it’s best. I applaud Lolo for taking the Christian path of forgiveness and the tofa mamao of a true Samoan chief. If this Bollywood(Indian version) style of journalism was committed in the states or in any other democracy in the world, there would be multi-million dollar lawsuits galore.
The Government Operations Cmte. chaired by Senator Velega Velega, Jr., held a hearing in the Senate chambers on Friday, 9.7.2012 at 8:00 a.m., to address this devastating draft report that originated from the American Samoa Economic Stimulus Recovery Office(ASESRO) that has elevated the wrath of the public against the Development Bank of American Samoa(DBAS) and it’s former President, Lolo Moliga. It was my understanding that every member of this Cmte. was present in chambers. Every membership was given a chance to ask questions of the witnesses that were present: Lolo Moliga as former President, Jason Betham as current V.P. and Malemo as current chairman of the DBAS Board. From my perspective, the entire Senate membership considered the draft reporting from Samoa News as “trash” or “lapisi” to be discarded in the trash disposal.
I applaud Lolo for not holding the rest of the hard working employees of Samoa News accountable, but, a few particular unnamed individuals that were politically motivated, especially the author of this article to print such trash in the territory’s only major newspaper. That’s not to say that Afoa Moega Lutu, as a shareholder with ownership percentage with Samoa News is responsible or to even suggest that a mysterious woman by the name of “Gail”, or something like that, who happens to allegedly be a strong Afoa supporter, was the culprit that leaked the ASESRO report to Samoa News or to suggest that Pat Galea’i, as director of ASESRO and an alleged chairman and member of the, Faoa & Taufete’e team publicity committee, had a political motivation to side-track the gubernatorial election by dismantling an impeccable and honorable record of a man who did nothing more than to serve the people of this great territory to the best of his ability. Nor am I blaming Pat's deputy at ASESRO...some palagi guy...lol. Am I blaming these people for their alleged wanton-attack against Lolo…..of course not. I am not here to judge, I am merely making a common man’s perspective of the events that led to this unethical and immoral act of personal debauchery.
It was reported by Malemo that the U.S. Treasury did not find any wrong doing with the inner workings of the 1602 program. As a matter of fact, the auditors hired by the federal government reported that there was no misappropriation of 1602 funds by DBAS or it’s personnel….period. What these conspirator’s failed to realize was that Lolo cannot make any decisions on who gets a loan or not, that decision is left with the Board. The other failed attempt by these conspirator’s was the fact that they were banking on our people’s naiveness and ignorance in not understanding what the 1602 Low Income Housing program was about. Mr. Jason Betham explained to the Senate membership that the program was open to anyone that wanted to apply. It didn’t matter if you were poor or rich or whatnot.
As long as a person was qualified and able to make their loan payments, was the requirement. The low income housing was intended for those who will build low-income housing units for our low-income families in the territory. It is NOT for low-income families to own a low-income unit. This is what the conspirators were banking on. They were hoping that our people did not know the difference. Well, it backed fire on them at the Senate chambers. Every membership was crying for justice and someone to be held accountable for this draft report. Yes, they wanted another hearing with Samoa News and ASESRO Director Pat Galea’i as witnesses.
I think it’s safe to say that Lolo has been vindicated of all allegations, innuendos and speculations. There are still people out there that strongly believe that, although this draft report by ASESRO was questionable, they are still of the opinion that it must be true. Amazing how the mind works, when you refuse to allow the cerebrum, frontal lobe, of the brain to dictate right from wrong. These are the people that will always let rumors, innuendos, speculations and hearsay dictate their lives. So sad, but, unfortunately so true.
Unless, you come to terms, despite your political affiliations or which political team you support, with what is truth and what is lies, you will never truly understand the goodness that politics has to offer….if you do it right. This stuff is science at it’s best. We need people that can analyze with methodical consistency, not supporting-actors for commercials.
Let me ask Samoa News and Pat Galea'i a few questions. Besides all the fabricated allegations, was Lolo "guilty" of any wrong doing? Did he violate any local or federal laws with regards to the 1602 program? Did any employees of DBAS committed a crime, including the Board, in this issue? If the federal governemnt found no fault, how did you come to this alleged conclusion that there was fault in this matter? I'm sure Afoa Moega Lutu, as an investor to Samoa News, can answer that question, considering he is a well respected and learned attorney in the territory with years of legal experience.
I don’t know about you people, but, I hope and pray that the good Lord will give guidance and somberness to these conspirators that have tried to roll the dice and lost. God bless our beloved American Samoa, the United States, our military men and women and especially our families. I pray that this election will bring our people together through these difficult times. JR Faaola (I'm not expecting Samoa News to print this, but, there's always hope)
Editor's Note: Afoa is not a stockholder or investor in Samoa News. He had a financial interest in Samoa News many years ago when it was owned by Tolani Teleso. When the paper was sold to Lewis Wolman, Lewis was sole owner. The Annesley family purchased Samoa News from Lewis and they are now the sole owners of the newspaper.
Complain, complain, complain.....that’s all the Save Sandra team has ever done since getting into the gubernatorial race. Our territory has been campaigning and politicking since well before we were given the right to elect our first Governor.
If the Save Sandra team's complaint is upheld, then what does that say about past gubernatorial elections. This means every election since Coleman will be nullified and void, this also includes the House of Representatives(Fono). This will also affect the congressional office to Washington.
Here's a bit of sound advice to the Save Sandra team, concentrate on your race and do the best to achieve your message of change to your constituents and the rest of American Samoa. Because if "complaining" is your main strategy in attempting to get votes in this election, then you are in the wrong business.
I'm surprised your counsel, Charlie Alailima, didn't give you a few pointers and political advice in how politics is done in the islands. But, from a business perspective, I can understand where Charlie is coming from. He is definitely a legal asset to the Save Sandra team.
Listen, you have less than 2 months left till election time in November. Why don't you use that time sparingly and go full throttle with your campaign. I'm not demeaning your campaign, I'm simply saying do the best you can. Our people are not naive or ignorant of their surroundings, especially local politics.
Let me give you a little secret. What you seem to have forgotten is that there's a little thing called "Unorganized and Unincorporated Territory". As a layman, I'm not privy to the legal complexities of such rhetorical intricacies of governance, but, I'm pretty sure my ECE teacher told me it had something to do with limited interaction by the federal government with local governance.
Hey, what do I know, I'm just a common "tama-faiumu" from Alataua. I'm lucky if I know how to operate a cell phone, let alone own one. I pray the good Lord to give your campaign guidance and tofa mamao. Good luck Save Sandra team.
JR Faaola