Recent comments

Well said as above. Sincerest heartfelt condolences. I was also told by a female observer that was there that the driver was on the phone talking to someone. I don't know if it's true, but that is what I was told. Talking on phone and Texting is a REAL problem and will lead to fatality, which should be illegal and BANNED in the Territory. Representatives, get on this and do right . People need to report or take pictures of those talking and Texting as well as carrying children in their arms without seat belts or child safety seats in the cars... Tang ewwww

First, I would like to send my condolences to the victim's family. May the peace of God dwell in your hearts by faith, and may you folks be comforted by God's Holy Spirit in these hard times, in Jesus's name.

I've read the bus driver's poor excuse here, "He fell asleep at the wheel." However, operating any vehicle while sleepy is NO EXCUSE. It becomes a health & safety issue. An innocent life is gone becaue of this. Whatever your case may be. Mr. Bus Driver, YOU (knowingly) that you do not have enough rest from the night before should've used your common-sense, instead, you ignored your issues and still went ahead and operated the bus, thus, an innocent life you've taken due to your poor judgements and lack of common sense. This is a "Wake-Up Call" for most of you bus drivers out there (you know who you are). You folks get behind the wheel of a bus and all of a sudden; you folks become "Speedy Gonzalez" on the road. Why? What is the point when we only have two-lanes? Most of you bus drivers drive too agressive on the road; cutting corners and love to "overtake" other buses that's picking up passengers on your time. Some of you folks would pass-up another bus you dislike and release a cloud of black-smoke from your mufflers towards another bus due to whatever differences you folks have. Yet, when you release that cloud of black-smoke, do know this...you folks are releasing poisonous gas in the air which not only pollutes the air we breathe, but also, causes people to get sick immediately. Thus, anyone doing this should be charged with accordingly in the court of law.

Let's work together folks. Be considerate of others. Drive safely. Cause, Together we can make a difference. Soifua and God Bless America and the Pacific Islands.

Whoever the next Governor/Lt. Gov. is that comes into office will definitely have their job cut out for them.

Here's just a few ideas and I welcome any feedback:

1)American Samoa Government needs to be downsized. Judging from the multi-million dollar budget shortfalls, I think everyone would agree that the government is living way beyond its means. Get rid of dead weight and consolidate departments, smaller governments are almost always more efficient and more streamlined than fat, over-bloated ones.

2)Begin the process of selling off expensive assets (not really assets) such as the local television station, ASPA, ASTCA, and other entities that can and should be run by the private sector.

3)Cut down on the number of government vehicles being issued to government employees. Sell off the government vehicles! The lease payments, insurance and fuel costs alone would save much needed dollars.

4)Cut out the bureaucratic red tape and make it easier for local American Samoans to start up, own and operate businesses. It's the "people" that will create the jobs and grow the economy, not the government.

5)Invite new "environmental friendly" industries to come to the island such as solar energy manufacturing, sport shoe manufacturing etc. (talk to the Chinese, maybe we can pick up some spill-off business from them).

6)Explore the possibility of getting more cruise ships on island, not just for a few hours but for a night or two...anyway, just saying.

whoever it is that gets voted in deserves our support and respect. To quote one of the greatest US Presidents in history, "It's the governments job to protect the people, not run their lives." -Ronald Reagan.

Why don't you do us all a favor Sina and put some thought behind your remarks. I too am a L&L supporter and I see nothing wrong with Paulo invoking his First Amendment right to free speech. As a matter of fact, you're enjoying that very right now by remarking to Paulo's remarks. Sina, this is the 21st century. The days of having one's voice dictated by others are long gone. It is individuality that builds societies and it's developments. If everyone was to stifle their beliefs and ideologies about what they think of the world and it's leaders, where would America be right now? May I suggest you stop listening to others and start thinking for yourself. Don't follow the norm, think outside the box. Believe me, it's so refreshing when one uses their own mental capacity without being policed. Do you think that the local businesses have not heard these types of political critics before? Did you just arrive on island? You mentioned wanting to make changes, well how in God's green earth does one make changes, if one is too afraid to speak up? Listen Sina, if you are not up to date with the local issues, may I suggest you start reading the local newspapers or talk to someone that is versed in local politics? If the candidates running for political office cannot endure the insults and innuendoes, then perhaps they are in the wrong game? Politics is a vicious game that knows no boundries. If you haven't learned that by now, then you should educate yourself quickly.

The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution is part of the Bill of Rights. The amendment prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. And because of this amendment, I applaud Paulo for exercising his right to free speech.

There are a lot of you in here that are clearly exercising this same God-given right, just like Paulo. Just because you don't like Paulo's ideology of what he thinks good government should be, does not give you the right to censure his thoughts. You seem to forget that there is a political campaign going on in the territory.

Either it be a gubernatorial, congressional or representatives for the Fono, the individuals who decided on their own recognizance to run for public office are open for public scrutiny. If the President of the United States is open to public scrutiny, what makes our local candidates any different? Every individual has the right to speak whats on their mind, as long as it does not cause physical irreparable harm to the recipient of said remarks.

Was there any physical harm or "proven" untruths committed by Paulo's remarks? Listen, if you are not the recipient of these political attacks, then perhaps you need to step aside and let the person being challenged defend themselves....or is that too much to ask? After all, if these candidates cannot defend their political positions, then why the heck are they running for public office? Leave the back-seat driving to the one thats doing the driving.....comprende?

We are a close knit community, and as such, we have a tendency of defending our families and friends. And that's where the problem lies. Let those competing for office defend their positions in person. Let them do battle(rhetorically) with their critics. We don't need "pro-bono" activists to be involved. If you are running for public office, then I suggest you get in on the discussion and debates.

There is no harm or distraction from Paulo's comments that would be volatile to any campaign, especially the Lolo & Lemanu team. If this is the first time you've been involved in political wrangling and debates, may I suggest you sit back and learn from these discussions. Educate yourselves in the latest issues and think outside the box. You can always tell the wanna-be political novices from their wanton attacks and lack of competency. There is no such thing as a "safe-zone" in a political campaign.

Paulo,
You obviously don't have any BETTER suggestions. Depending SOLELY on Uncle Sam for funds is ridiculous. That is what Lolo and Lemanu offer as a solution to our Economic Problems. Be constructive and positive. So what are the other industries are you referring to? Please enlighten us with your expertise. You fit in the category of complainers, pessimists and those who criticize yet fail to provide any constructive solutions to problems. Save yourself the energy and go do something good for yourself and our people.

Paulo, i read your previous comments, and as a fellow L&L supporter, I dont think you are doing us a favor when you are insulting everyone without reaon or facts. We know there will be a run off, and we need all the votes. You also cannot start insulting businesses that could be supporting us. If you are frustrated, you can share your frustrations silently with others that share your views. We want to make change with ideas that are better than other' ideas and not insults. We have to show class and professionalism.

Shout out to our dear brother in Christ and close friend in our lives: Epa Moananu. So happy to hear your starting off good out there on the fields. We send our utmost love and prayers to you in all that you do out there!...Good luck with school and football. Manatua atu pea oe i talosaga molia i aso uma.

Love,
Pati Family(Solomona,Denise, esp. Baby Simon)

Its a good thing Mapu talks so highly about himself because his boxers don't, oh wait, he doesn't have any boxers. Mapu says he's all about the children, ha I think not. Mapu needs a lesson on being humble. Anyone who watch Olympic boxing knows the officiating was lousy.

I am glad that someone has finally and personally got the wits to challenge one of the governor's silly orders. Although I strongly support the fight against global warming and what not, I certainly do not see how the governor's "ten-year" rule will ever have the slightest effect on the preservation of the current global climate situation!

What is the guarantee that a '06 truck will be more efficient than a truck dated '96? Numerous factors (ex: periodic maintenance, aftermarket modifications, etc.) have to be considered before any determination can be made to justify that a vehicle ten years newer is a more fuel efficient, cleaner gas-emitting vehicle. Relying solely on the model year of a vehicle to determine its efficiency totally ridiculous, senseless, and a sign of premature decision-making!

And oh, what does Executive Order NO 010A-2007 say of our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS based on the FREEDOM of CHOICE, and the "pursuit of happiness"? Well, that's an entirely different story.

Actually it is a scam by the local Homeland Security just to show that they're doing something. People just need to challenge it in Court.