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Letters and Editorial Policies
Letters and Editorial Policies
It is centuries old question...and it is asked everywhere in the world. The issue with our children is the lack of self-esteem on the part of the child who's old enough to exercise his or her confidence to tell the prepetrator to go stick his head in the sewer or find a three legged dog on the street for the attention he's looking for.
A child full of confidence is the child who's displaying all the values taught by the parents. And that very child will be left alone by those moekolos in every waking hours of the day.
Too much oke doesn't do it, too much fasi just fuels the curiosity and determination of the child to seek attention elsewhere. Furthermore, the tone of the oke can be very devastating to the child's ego. The harsh and hurtful words thrown to a child's face is worse than physical abuse in my opinion. The sting to a child's ego and self-esteem is similar to that of an adult being called names. No one needs to hear or be told of negative things, both parents and child(ren). It is and always will be a taboo thing to discuss sex between parents and child in the samoan culture.
But, it is my hope that mothers and daughters, fathers and sons will find ways to bond and nurture their relations so when the topic arises, each will find the courage and understanding to tackle the issue face to face with respect and comfort to eachother's views.
How are the sex offenders tracked in Am.Samoa's court system?
...soifua
So. with the fish freezer located right in the middle of the business hub, {Fagatogo} where the post office, Bank, Newsroom, Restaurants, Museum, the landing spot for tourists, The Old Rainmaker Hotel, Utulei Beach Etc. Etc.
With the US Postal System loosing 5.5 Billion Dollars over the first quarter of 2012, I rather doubt that there are any plans to Build the New Post Office in the Tafuna Plains area.
This is where people go to receive their mail.
In my humble opinion, The Petition should be honored, and the plans to build the Freezer in Fagatogo should be scrapped.
Doug Harrington
Blue Sky, please improve your service first. You've been trolling us all this time with your lame service.
Proud of you brother!
I voted yes well, because an increase in the minimum wage will just hurt local legit businesses in Am. Samoa. An increase will do no good especially at the current state that we're in. Plus, the hike will continue in 2013. They're not stopping it completely. Eventually Am. Samoas minimum will meet with federal labor law requirements but we just can't afford it now.
So, they're making US pay for the corruption THEY'RE engaged in, in addition to the hospital fee increase, taking worker's comp money to fix part of the situation...and WE, the people, are made to pay and fix their mess? highway robbery! And we're supposed to file taxes this month? Will there be any money for THAT? This is the worst government I've ever heard of!!
o lau ia manatu i ai ua leva lava ona maliliu tagata i le falema'i a o na ua otou sisi'o fua tu ai pea lava le govana ia ma laga filifiliga e fai
2% wage tax to finance LBJ long term is not the solution. WHY?
1) That money will get mixed in with all other general funds and it will be re-allocated according to priorities. We have all seen how that works. So LBJ will continue to be underfunded; 2) Many people don't work, or collect retirement pensions. The 2% wage tax unfairly supporting them.
Fairer Solution: We need a mandatory pre-paid self insurance plan where money goes directly to the LBJ and is matched by the ASG. With everyone participating, the risk is pooled, the premiums very low. Everyone gets off-island and on-island coverage. The poor who can't afford even a low $10-$20 per mos premium will get medicaid coverage.
The ASG role is to PASS LEGISLATION AND GET THIS GOING! BINGO!
Thank you Mr. McCuddin for stating the truth that there have been many unsung heros who have worked "heart and soul" to improve health care in this Territory throughout the years.
You too were instrumental in bringing the medicaid which we have benefited from. Our biggest problem is we keep voting in aiga to leadership position but do not vote in people w/ progressive minds "who have the guts" to make the tough decisions that will help our people. But one thing is for sure, the more expert and grounded information you and people like Lafaele give the public, the more we can all see where we need to apply pressure.
We are adamant to not let our leaders give us the "run around" anymore on LBJ financing for patient care and for continued employee jobs.
I am happy to see that there is a 4-H club back home in American Samoa. I think that all the schools on the island should have 4-H programs to help the kids learn the value of community service and leadership. I was amazed to learn all about 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) when I arrived here in college and I must say that I wish my elementary and high school had such chapters. I am currently a member of my collegiate FFA chapter here in New Mexico and we do a lot of work with local 4-H clubs. Let's keep it going strong and continue to spread the word!
bottom line everyone. The past 8 years or so under Gov. Togiola have brought us to this point. We are all voicing our displeasure with his decision making and leadership. The bottom line is we need to start over with some NEW leadership. Everyone is mad right now but when the time comes to vote for our new governor don't forget where we are right now, figuring out whether we'll be able to afford our next trip to the hospital.
It isn't the hospitals fault they have to raise prices to offset costs. If the government was supposed to pay the hospital then it's is the governments fault that LBJ has to raise prices. So I would just ask that we all keep in mind when election time rolls, around who we are putting into office. We need to start over.
We need new blood in the government and it starts at the top. We need to elect officials we are confident will do the job the right away, with honesty and integrity. We need to stop electing officials who we are related to or we are friends with. We need change. I love the people and island of American Samoa, but i don't think we can survive another 4 or even 8 years of corruption and dishonesty.
N.P.
People of American Samoa,
Don't be fooled. The "smells like fish" argument is just a cover. On a good day, anyone can smell the canneries in Utulei, so is the storage facility really going to make a difference?
The REAL reason he is opposed to the location is because his friend David Robinson wants to develop a marina there. He has been trying for years, and even became the Kovana's best buddy so he could get that land. Mr. Robinson and Mr. Sanchez are in cahoots over dis Shipyard and dis marina.
Our Kovana is being played by these two foreigners who think they can get rich of us. He should know dey are just using him.
Fake friends are just like dead fish, you can smell them across the bay... Wake up people.
Carlos, what is your problem? MAYBE the Governor does NOT need your so-called advice? If you are just an advisor to the Governor, leave it at that and accept the fact that YOUR opinion sometimes really does not matter. Beat down an 'old horse' why don't you...didn't get your way, awwww you poornBABY!!
If you worked for the cannery at all like you say you did, than you would know that frozen fish does not smell. Or were you too busy trying to make Mr. Butler appear to be the 'bad guy' with all this when it is YOU that is making this a bigger issue than it should?
STOP blaming others get over it...the Governor does NOT need your expert advice anymore. Obviously the Governor sees something that will benefit the economy instead of your interests.
PROTEST all you want, because you will only see the high school students that signed that petition. Quit being bitter with Star Kist and Mr. Butler and get a life, go work on your campaign!!
Please allow me to set the record straight...first of all, these 4 physicians did not have an appointment to see the Governor. Governor has a full schedule on Thursday and could not have accommodated these folks.
It was suggested by the Gov's secretary that they have the option to meet with Lt. Governor Faoa, but, they refused....not does that sound like folks that wish to have their voice and petition heard??
Additionally, no one was running away from them....what for? we are all in this together, suffering together etc..etc..
We all pray for a peaceful and good solution to this drama!
Faafetai uma lava mo manatu, e leai se manatu e sese masalo o le tele fo'i o le ita ua fai vave ai nei manatu. Ae tatou fai manatu i le nei mataupu ua tupu i le tatou atunuu o Samoa. Leaga le ese o lo'u alofa isi tatou atunuu o Samoa, hearing this news all the way from Afghan put my morale down.
I left home back in 1986 and my heart is still there in Samoa. Hopefully someone working in ASG reads these messages and do something about it. One of the comment was made was us in the military, yes thats why alot of us dont want retire and come home cause of this kind of situation. It happen long time ago and nobody fix it. The only way we can fix it is to bring someone from the outside and be the Governor of our island. Cause everytime we received money it always goes to somebody pocket but not thinking about our people. ASG is the blame for all this.
Please hopefully we will find a solution for this problem before it gets any worst. I will keep our Island of Samoa in my prayer.
If there are two sides to the story, you should read through SAMOA NEWS' stories of the last week and review responses from all parties...and then if you have time, go check out the financial statements from LBJ and ASG, the last was filed in FY2009. There, you will see that WE DO PAY for services rendered.
Do you NOT pay $20 when you go to LBJ? Do you NOT get charged income taxes, does the fed govt NOT provide subsidies specifically to FUND LBJ for your health and mine?? So...before you make "your" statements about LBJ being independent and people not paying their bills as a "cause"...GO GET THE FACTS!!!
You people need to stop throwing around words but LOOK THINGS UP before you speak!!! That is WHY GOVERNOR TOGIOLA IS GETTING AWAY WITH ALL OF THIS!!! NOT enough of us are REALLLY looking at the FACTS!!!
Togiola is the most disgraceful and incompetent governor this island has ever had. Its well known he "talks" way too much with nothing to show but to actually hear and watch him publically cowar and run, classic and typical "Togiola Run".
Next time, 4 physicians, let your employees march. If the governor refuses to help, then maybe Washington, D.C. can at least know what there tax dollars is funding! Make some noise people!
And we should report this serious misappropriation to the Dept of Interior, US Congress, and to the White House...enough is enough!
We will pay for the 2% tax, we will pay LBJ fees, and God forbid, if they start to ask employers to provide medical insurance, guess who will be paying for that??? yes...think again my fellow SAMOAN brothers and sisters..the next candidates we vote into office we must NO LONGER TRUST THEM ON THEIR WORD...THEY MUST BE LEGISLATED & MANDATED to produce RESULTS of any improvements they promise, they are NOT to be trusted with discretion to make the right decisions for the island! And to those who say we are enjoying a "free" medical care system...we already pay taxes and LBJ fees from on our $10K paychecks that we get annually so if you want to get "technical" about "free"...UMMM you are SADLY mistaken, IT WAS NEVER FREE!!!
Now, its just going to be 1/2 of my low wages to pay for that "FREE" healthcare instead of we get instead of a third of it! Thanks for the FREE HEALTHCARE!
SAMOAN NEWS..have you confirmed that he is ON the island right now?? SO you mean to tell me, he was there and STILL didnt have the courtesy to address the concerns of the people?? THats even WORSE!!! Thanks for the clarification!!!
Man go after the ICE and the big fish...That's why Samoan is so screwed up priority is backward. Stop the new stuff from coming in.
Funny how people are quick to point fingers...there are always two sides to every story...first of all, LBJ is independent just like ASPA, ASTCA, and ASCC...yes, i know that the govt needs to pay the subsidies in a timely manner but one of the major requirements of being independent is being able to stand on your own two feet. Now i do not know why the governor did not see these doctors, but we have to give him a chance to explain to the people why.
My question is "what is the hospital doing to collect da millions of dollars that people owe them for services rendered?" it is sad.
If we dont pay our bills with ASPA and ASTCA then they can easily stop services to our homes. If we dont pay our tuition with ASCC, then we dont get our degree..but with LBJ they have no choice but to provide services even though they did not receive payment...so we also have to be responsible and make sure we make our hospital payments. This is hurting all of us.
This is my business, I for one the tax payer own this mess,I don't blame anyone else but myself, you alone "if your a voter" put your sense in that ballot and enjoying the free food during campaign.
So easy there tiger, relax and enjoy paradise, We are all in this together bradah and sistahs. I'm a healthy buggah,I do come to that hospital to visit," bringing business," even if I'm not sick. live off the land and enjoy life, I guess money is the evil, then again "its my business",and I am handling very well.
ps;grow a tree while your at it.
farmerboy
Amazing Carlos that you continue to beat on an issue when you "don't get your way." Everyone knows that your preference was always at the other side of the bay where you are the big honcho.
IN simple English Carlos, get over it and move on. As to your signatures, it is mostly students both at the college and the high school right infront of your house in Utulei. Let's don't mince apples and oranges in your comparison, the public are smarter than you think. You have urged a lot of your friends to write letters and do anything they can to stop this project, but too bad Carlos, the Honorable Governor has sided with the local cannery.
Oh by the way, why don't explain the truth to the people that a "frozen fish stored in a cold freezer does not smell." It takes hours for a frozen fish to smell, and it take another hour for any blood off of that fish to drop any smell at all in to the environment. Fish smells when it is cooked, cleaned and put in to a can. That's the truth, why don't explain that in simple English.
Carlos you can fool some of the people some of the time, but the smart ones will always win out at the end, and they are the ones that were not fooled at all. Good luck to your latest ventures, wonder what you'll do when a new governor takes office and you are removed from running the Marine Railway.
Also rememer Carlos, "what goes around comes around."
It is amazing how American Samoa receives so much funding from the Federal and yet we are still in debt.
Ana tu'u le ai afu ma le ai tupe o tagata o le malo o lo'o faia nei uiga mataga, e le toe tigaiga tagata Amerika Samoa. For those who are good with economics and so forth, how does the government expect people of American Samoa to survive when the price of living is going through the roof and yet their paychecks aren't getting any bigger????
The Hospital has just raised their fees from $10 to $50 just to see the doctors, and $40 per prescription. Now you do the calculation. That don't make any sense and it is just pathetic.
If I was to work for Starkist to support my family, and I am making $100 per pay, I would finish my check just for one visit to the doctor and one prescription. Now that is just wrong. Minimum wage shouldn't be stopped at all. The governor and the government should do something about it rather than just stopping the minimum wage and saving money for themselves.