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Eni wasn't invited

Posted Fri, 01/15/2010 - 09:23 by John

Here's commentary on national news expressing disgust with the number of people invited and taken on a joy ride to Copenhagen.  Three jets, family members, swank hotels, etc.  And even with all this Eni was not invited.  And Eni is Chairman of the very subcommittee directly responsible for climate control.  It looks very much like our not-so-esteemed congressman is being shunned by those he and we need most.

AMERICAN SAMOA CONGRESSMAN BLASTS OBAMA

Posted Tue, 01/12/2010 - 10:34 by John

Faleomavaega: U.S. continues to ignore Pacific.

APIA, Samoa (Samoa Observer, Jan. 9, 2010) - Samoa’s lone voice in the United States Congress has blasted President Barack Obama in relation to Hillary Clinton’s visit to the Pacific.

Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin has accused the United States of “fly-by diplomacy” over the U.S. Secretary of State’s visit.

In what’s being classed as her first official visit to the Pacific, Clinton is scheduled to visit Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

“I am truly disappointed that President Obama, whom I supported and endorsed from the beginning of his presidential campaign, did not weigh in upon learning that Secretary Clinton’s first visit to the Pacific region excluded all Pacific Island nations except Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea,” said Faleomavaega.

American Samoa Congressman Attacks Clinton (from Stuff.co.nz)

Posted Sun, 01/10/2010 - 12:42 by John

There seems to be no limit to the trouble Eni manages to get himself into.  Although I can agree that the US needs to spend a little more time in the Pacific Islands, attacking our Secretary of State is hardly an intelligent way to make that happen. 

This guy has been our diplomat for over 20 years and he has left a long trail of blunders like this.  Just last week he said things in Cambodia that drew sharp criticism from people there leaving them wondering if he has both oars in the water.

Eni the World Traveler

Posted Sat, 01/09/2010 - 08:55 by John

Here's Our Man

Is this the image we want to project to the world?  So disrespectful that he looks like he is attanding a pajama party, not a high-level international conference.  And click here to see what they thought of him over there.

Let’s get back to business

Posted Thu, 01/07/2010 - 08:42 by John

I would like to call a truce between Congressman Faleomavaega and myself in the current war of words we are waging. I have raised some important points regarding our economic future that are being obscured in rhetoric about the value of our cannery workers. As far as I can see Faleomavaega and I are in agreement that they are valuable workers, okay? Enough said about that. Let’s not squabble over rhetorical devices.

Learn More About Our Not So Esteemed Congressman

Posted Wed, 12/30/2009 - 08:56 by John

I must admit that I am more than a little tired of Eni’s attacks on my person. His attempts to discredit me are not working. In fact, this is all backfiring on him. He is looking like a very poor politician, nothing more. 

Eni Continues to Use Fish Cleaners as Political Pawns

Posted Sun, 12/20/2009 - 09:32 by John

Washington, D.C. -- FALEOMAVAEGA WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT ABOUT SAMOAN FISH CLEANERS

Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he will not remain silent about things that matter. He will continue to speak up and defend Samoan fish cleaners despite the personal attacks being launched against him by Mr. John Newton.

“Recently, Samoa News published offensive remarks made by Mr. Newton which disparaged and demeaned our Samoan fish cleaners for the work they do,” Faleomavaega said. “When I came to the defense of our Samoan workers, Mr. Newton accused me of being a racist. But I do not think it is racist to stand up for Samoans. I do not think it is racist to defend our fish cleaners.”

Let Us Aspire to Do Better

Posted Fri, 12/11/2009 - 13:43 by John
I am saddened Congressman Faleomavaega obscured the thrust of my essay and instead launched a personal attack on me. He knows that “Mommy I Want to Be a Fish Cleaner” was merely a metaphor for lack of career choices that in no way disparaged that noble work. Saying I “demean our fish cleaners, and imply this is all Samoans are good for and nothing more,” frankly strikes me as race-baiting if not racist. He is the one guilty of demeaning fish cleaners and using them as pawns to gain political points. I resent it and so should they.
 

Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members are calling for tighter controls

Posted Tue, 12/08/2009 - 08:16 by John

(BASED ON PRESS RELEASE)—Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) members are calling for tighter controls on fishing at the 6th Regular Session of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) meeting which opened this week.

Pacific Island countries are the owners of the last remaining healthy tuna stocks in the world and manage a marine area of 30 million square kilometres, supported with technical support and services from the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).

Eni Still Doesn’t Get It

Posted Sun, 11/29/2009 - 21:41 by John

Well, Mr. Congressman, you have certainly outdone yourself this time. I am pleased that you came out and responded to my commentary but rather dismayed that you took so much of the taxpayers’ time to attack me. The only thing I ask is that you go back and reread my editorial so that you can respond more accurately. Either that or accept my statement that you are a master at obfuscation.

I am disappointed you would turn my commentary into an argument about fish cleaners and imply they do demeaning work. What I am criticizing is the system that has allowed us to rely on their toil for so many years. And, Mr. Congressman, you are right at the pinnacle of those who have thrived on the plight of those disadvantaged people.