Saturday, July 26, 2008

CONDOLEZZA RICE LANDS IN THE PACIFIC

PHOTO-OLA THORSEN

Referred to as the most powerful woman in the world, and perhaps the only person who may have beaten Barack Obama in the popularity stakes had she chosen to run as a candidate in the USA elections, arrived in New Zealand last night. She stops off in Apia on Sunday to attend the Pacific Islands Forum. What better way is there for USA to light the fires again with New Zealand after the historical nuclear fallout of last century, than for Condolezza Rice to stir up the diplomatic friendship that was for years a "pot of cold soup". Rice's visit is a symbolic message to Asia that USA still has a strong presence in the Pacific. This is a message (despite the Free Trade Agreement with China) that USA is an ancient friend of NZ, the small nation known as for it's Treaty of Friendship with the Pacific. And what better way but for Condolezza Rice to complete her final journey with her last Pacific Islands Forum meeting as second in command to USA President Bush. Is she really the most powerful woman? I think - perhaps the most impressive Black woman in American political history who really should have been the USA president rather than the President's adviser. My dream was to meet her in person.Technorati Profile

Saturday, July 5, 2008

DWAYNE JOHNSON HONOURED WITH CONGRESSIONAL AWARD 2008

All Pictures - Credit: (Mandatory): Carrie Devorah / WENN




This news is about three weeks old but hey! I thought it was still worth drawing attention to an exceptional Pacific person.
Who hasn't heard of the Rock? Who doesn't know that this man has roots in the soil of the Pacific? Imagine - he even spent part of his childhood growing up in Grey Lynn. And now he has been recognised for his contribution to American life and society. Pacific people from all over the globe can take pride in knowing that even from small tiny island nations are those who can also impact the world positively. That is our destiny.

I came across this You Tube segment in which Dwayne Johnson discusses his Samoan ancestry. Great to listen to.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

NATASHA URALE BAKER

Picture taken from www.myspace.com/natashauralebaker


So there I was sitting at my desk writing up a report when an email sailed past my screen with news of Natasha Urale Baker and her Release Party launch for her new album "Across An Ocean". Of course I emailed her instantly with all sorts of questions that are supposed to fill a twenty year vacuum since the last time we spoke in person. And true to the test of friendship, like others who have responded to me on this blog, she emailed me her phone number within the hour. Always courageous and clear about her goals, "Across An Ocean" plays like a testament to Natasha's travels, learnings and accomplishments. Also another one I met at university in the last century, I almost feel the necessity to boast about the achievements of those from the class of the 1980s. But in this instance Natasha Urale Baker is another who keeps achieving in the 2000 and beyond. It's no wonder that "Where are Your Dreams" is my favourite from her album ACROSS AN OCEAN.

Support NATASHA URALE BAKER & her new album "Across An Ocean" - Release Party 15th July 2008, Safari Lounge