Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Defensive much? Obama gives rambling, incoherrent 17 minute response to concern about being ‘overtaxed’ | Washington Examiner
Defensive much? Obama gives rambling, incoherrent 17 minute response to concern about being ‘overtaxed’ | Washington Examiner
By: MARK HEMINGWAY
Commentary Staff Writer
04/03/10 9:30 PM EDT
We constantly hear about the President’s supposedly cool demeanor and unflappability, regardless of evidence to the contrary. Keep that in mind as you read this Washington Post account:
Toward the end of a question-and-answer session with workers at an advanced battery technology manufacturer, a woman named Doris stood to ask the president whether it was a “wise decision to add more taxes to us with the health care” package.
“We are over-taxed as it is,” Doris said bluntly.
Obama started out feisty. “Well, let’s talk about that, because this is an area where there’s been just a whole lot of misinformation, and I’m going to have to work hard over the next several months to clean up a lot of the misapprehensions that people have,” the president said.
He then spent the next 17 minutes and 12 seconds lulling the crowd into a daze. His discursive answer – more than 2,500 words long — wandered from topic to topic, including commentary on the deficit, pay-as-you-go rules passed by Congress, Congressional Budget Office reports on Medicare waste, COBRA coverage, the Recovery Act and Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (he referred to this last item by its inside-the-Beltway name, “F-Map”). He talked about the notion of eliminating foreign aid (not worth it, he said). He invoked Warren Buffett, earmarks and the payroll tax that funds Medicare (referring to it, in fluent Washington lingo, as “FICA”).
But wait, there’s more!
Always fond of lists, Obama ticked off his approach to health care — twice. “Number one is that we are the only — we have been, up until last week, the only advanced country that allows 50 million of its citizens to not have any health insurance,” he said.
A few minutes later he got to the next point, which seemed awfully similar to the first. “Number two, you don’t know who might end up being in that situation,” he said, then carried on explaining further still.
“Point number three is that the way insurance companies have been operating, even if you’ve got health insurance you don’t always know what you got, because what has been increasingly the practice is that if you’re not lucky enough to work for a big company that is a big pool, that essentially is almost a self-insurer, then what’s happening is, is you’re going out on the marketplace, you may be buying insurance, you think you’re covered, but then when you get sick they decide to drop the insurance right when you need it,” Obama continued, winding on with the answer.
Halfway through, an audience member on the riser yawned.
But Obama wasn’t finished. He had a “final point,” before starting again with another list — of three points.
“What we said is, number one, we’ll have the basic principle that everybody gets coverage,” he said, before launching into the next two points, for a grand total of seven.
Again, please remember this episode next time a liberal pundit tells you Obama’s speechifying “is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair.”
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/defensive-much-obama-gives-rambling-incoherrent-17-minute-response-to-concern-about-being-overtaxed-89850972.html#ixzz0k8J3VU4p
By: MARK HEMINGWAY
Commentary Staff Writer
04/03/10 9:30 PM EDT
We constantly hear about the President’s supposedly cool demeanor and unflappability, regardless of evidence to the contrary. Keep that in mind as you read this Washington Post account:
Toward the end of a question-and-answer session with workers at an advanced battery technology manufacturer, a woman named Doris stood to ask the president whether it was a “wise decision to add more taxes to us with the health care” package.
“We are over-taxed as it is,” Doris said bluntly.
Obama started out feisty. “Well, let’s talk about that, because this is an area where there’s been just a whole lot of misinformation, and I’m going to have to work hard over the next several months to clean up a lot of the misapprehensions that people have,” the president said.
He then spent the next 17 minutes and 12 seconds lulling the crowd into a daze. His discursive answer – more than 2,500 words long — wandered from topic to topic, including commentary on the deficit, pay-as-you-go rules passed by Congress, Congressional Budget Office reports on Medicare waste, COBRA coverage, the Recovery Act and Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (he referred to this last item by its inside-the-Beltway name, “F-Map”). He talked about the notion of eliminating foreign aid (not worth it, he said). He invoked Warren Buffett, earmarks and the payroll tax that funds Medicare (referring to it, in fluent Washington lingo, as “FICA”).
But wait, there’s more!
Always fond of lists, Obama ticked off his approach to health care — twice. “Number one is that we are the only — we have been, up until last week, the only advanced country that allows 50 million of its citizens to not have any health insurance,” he said.
A few minutes later he got to the next point, which seemed awfully similar to the first. “Number two, you don’t know who might end up being in that situation,” he said, then carried on explaining further still.
“Point number three is that the way insurance companies have been operating, even if you’ve got health insurance you don’t always know what you got, because what has been increasingly the practice is that if you’re not lucky enough to work for a big company that is a big pool, that essentially is almost a self-insurer, then what’s happening is, is you’re going out on the marketplace, you may be buying insurance, you think you’re covered, but then when you get sick they decide to drop the insurance right when you need it,” Obama continued, winding on with the answer.
Halfway through, an audience member on the riser yawned.
But Obama wasn’t finished. He had a “final point,” before starting again with another list — of three points.
“What we said is, number one, we’ll have the basic principle that everybody gets coverage,” he said, before launching into the next two points, for a grand total of seven.
Again, please remember this episode next time a liberal pundit tells you Obama’s speechifying “is not the Word made flesh, but the triumph of word over flesh, over color, over despair.”
Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/defensive-much-obama-gives-rambling-incoherrent-17-minute-response-to-concern-about-being-overtaxed-89850972.html#ixzz0k8J3VU4p
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Poor Journalism by Tagata Pasifika on Easter/Religion
by Vinepa Aiono
(Images TVNZ website)
It's Easter Sunday, the day memorialised by most Pacific and other christians around the globe as the 3rd day that Jesus the son of God conquered death by his resurrection following his crucificion. I awoke to a discussion on the TVNZ Tagata Pasifika programme on the relevance of religion to Pacific people, given the declining number of Pacific youth and young families now opting for the charismatic style of praise and worship instead of attending the traditionally based church groups such as the Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist sects. So stop - is that reflective of the growing irrelevance of religion. Not really or so I thought. In fact it only reinforced the shift not decline in religious experiences. The rest of the programme involved a facilitated discussion led by Adrian Stevanon with a select panel of 2 traditional church ministers, one charismatic church attendee and Radio NZ Pacific issues reporter Richard Pamatatau trying to validate the notion that spirituality could be anything other than compliance with christian religious doctrine.
What a shambles the programmes was!!! Adrian Stevanon did not have an intelligent grasp of the definiton of religion. It became progressively worse as the panelists voiced their own definitions of religion and Stevanon failed to extract the differences and limited the discussion to a narrowly driven understanding of religion being church attendance. What might have been a lively and informed discussion that had the potential to influence positive attitudinal changes on the religious and social front for many of our Pacific families fell flat.
It has become common place to expect the usual lack of informed understanding by most conservative journalists when facilitating debates on TV1's Close Up or TV3's John Campbell involving christian based ideology and practice on subjects such as child discipline, abortion or the now popular tithing issues. On issues of the economy the media have become financially savvy and ask pertinent questions, if its about Treaty issues, certainly there will be no tom foolery over the significance of taonga. But on issues of Biblical concern the christian community is subjected to a shallow unresearched journalistic treatment of Biblical scriptural material that is often misquoted and misunderstood. Couple that with those invited by the media who lack the depth and scholarship of Biblical tenets and principles like the guests on TVNZ Tagata Pasifika today. Tithing had different meanings to everyone on the panel and Stevanon failed to identify that.
What was learned from today's Tagata Pasifika episode? What was Tagata Pasifika's social responsibility in reporting upon the religious topic? For me -it was to explore the truth. The truth is uncovered when journalists equip themselves with an understanding of the issues at hand. Religion is such an integral part of NZ Pacific settler history and it deserved to be handled with care and integrity. Rather than presuming religion is only about going to church, the first question ought to have been - what is the definition of religion for NZ Pacific people of today? Is there one single definition?
The responsibility for Pacific journalists to address Pacific issues with reverence for research of the complexities inherent within Pacific communities is fundamental to ensuring we are perceived honestly and respectfully by the wider community. Tagata Pasifika need only remind itself that it wasn't long ago when attempts to cut it's viewing time was once a reality.
(Images TVNZ website)
It's Easter Sunday, the day memorialised by most Pacific and other christians around the globe as the 3rd day that Jesus the son of God conquered death by his resurrection following his crucificion. I awoke to a discussion on the TVNZ Tagata Pasifika programme on the relevance of religion to Pacific people, given the declining number of Pacific youth and young families now opting for the charismatic style of praise and worship instead of attending the traditionally based church groups such as the Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist sects. So stop - is that reflective of the growing irrelevance of religion. Not really or so I thought. In fact it only reinforced the shift not decline in religious experiences. The rest of the programme involved a facilitated discussion led by Adrian Stevanon with a select panel of 2 traditional church ministers, one charismatic church attendee and Radio NZ Pacific issues reporter Richard Pamatatau trying to validate the notion that spirituality could be anything other than compliance with christian religious doctrine.
What a shambles the programmes was!!! Adrian Stevanon did not have an intelligent grasp of the definiton of religion. It became progressively worse as the panelists voiced their own definitions of religion and Stevanon failed to extract the differences and limited the discussion to a narrowly driven understanding of religion being church attendance. What might have been a lively and informed discussion that had the potential to influence positive attitudinal changes on the religious and social front for many of our Pacific families fell flat.
It has become common place to expect the usual lack of informed understanding by most conservative journalists when facilitating debates on TV1's Close Up or TV3's John Campbell involving christian based ideology and practice on subjects such as child discipline, abortion or the now popular tithing issues. On issues of the economy the media have become financially savvy and ask pertinent questions, if its about Treaty issues, certainly there will be no tom foolery over the significance of taonga. But on issues of Biblical concern the christian community is subjected to a shallow unresearched journalistic treatment of Biblical scriptural material that is often misquoted and misunderstood. Couple that with those invited by the media who lack the depth and scholarship of Biblical tenets and principles like the guests on TVNZ Tagata Pasifika today. Tithing had different meanings to everyone on the panel and Stevanon failed to identify that.
What was learned from today's Tagata Pasifika episode? What was Tagata Pasifika's social responsibility in reporting upon the religious topic? For me -it was to explore the truth. The truth is uncovered when journalists equip themselves with an understanding of the issues at hand. Religion is such an integral part of NZ Pacific settler history and it deserved to be handled with care and integrity. Rather than presuming religion is only about going to church, the first question ought to have been - what is the definition of religion for NZ Pacific people of today? Is there one single definition?
The responsibility for Pacific journalists to address Pacific issues with reverence for research of the complexities inherent within Pacific communities is fundamental to ensuring we are perceived honestly and respectfully by the wider community. Tagata Pasifika need only remind itself that it wasn't long ago when attempts to cut it's viewing time was once a reality.
Monday, March 8, 2010
BARBARA DREAVER - TVNZ to APOLOGISE following NZ Broadcasting Standards Authority Decision
(Photo: TVNZ)by Vinepa Aiono
So Barbara Dreaver must (if many on the Pacific media jury panel have their way) now bear the shame for shoddy journalism following the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA )decision that a TVNZ report by Dreaver in April 2009 that portrayed Samoa as a nation of gun smugglers, rife with gang violence and a truly flourishing but illegal drug trade was grossly inaccurate and failed to offer a balanced view on the issue that now seems to have been a non issue. Some media sources in Samoa have already ditched Dreaver into the 'Pacific Ocean' for drawing negative attention to the island nation that had the potential to spoil the growth of tourism in Samoa. An article in the Samoa Observer by Dr Amosa in April 2009 described Dreavers report as a "case of lies and deceit." A rather harsh description of Dreaver's news item but perhaps justified given the findings of the BSA. And rightly so it was that the Samoan government filed a complaint with the NZ BSA over the inaccuracy of information gathered from what appears to have been from spurious sources sought by Dreaver an employee of TVNZ, to bring together the news item for public viewing. I have skimmed through the 30 page adjudication and the key findings are focussed largely upon the failure of TVNZ to uphold an even balance and accuracy on the topic. TVNZ is also required to make a public apology and make specific payments for costs to the Crown and Samoan government.
Is Dreaver guilty of poor journalism? Yes in this instance I believe so - but she also has 19 years of worthy reporting of the Pacific under her belt. At a time when many Pacific journalists were focussed solely upon reporting about politically safe - left issues in the local community, Dreaver was already getting down and dirty with seeking the truth. We remember the baby smuggling in Samoa, Dreaver throwing light on the vigilante movements in various parts of the Pacific, expulsion from Fiji and only last week reporting on TVNZ's donation of equipment for TV stations in Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga.
Dreaver made a mistake, perhaps TVNZ put too much faith in her journalistic dealings with Pacific communities. We make mistakes. But we move on. Dreaver will recover and shall continue to tackle the difficult stories. She will become better. Not invincible. She's human. I look forward to more great journalism from Barbara Dreaver in and of the Pacific.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
HOUSING INTEREST RATES
I got a chance to re-evaluate my mortgage interest rates again this week. What a gamble it all is? Choosing between different interest rates whether fixed or floating. It became a bit of a game. I even ventured to think about gambling on the share market with money belonging to others. I gained some insight into the cognitive drivers that would propel one to become reckless on the share market with money belonging to others. It is a game with no definite outcomes.
I read up on market trends and reminded myself of the huge numbers of those who applied for a limited number of available jobs at Countdown in Manukau. Now thats a sign of more depressing times coming.
BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS
Couple that with my nephew who just walked in after a long sleep with news that a tsunami may hit New Zealand. He's only 9 years old so of course I'm dismissive. BUT - tsunami's are not uncommon so I decided to tweet the word on Twitter and blow me down - there is one forecast.
Well I shall put this blogging away again and review my emergency procedures. See you after the Tsunami.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
1st Samoan Born PHD Graduate in Law at Otago University
So many Pacific firsts have emerged from Otago University and Fanaafi Aiono - Le Tagaloa is no exception. Click here to read about another Pacific pioneer.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
LEN BROWN - The Mayor For Auckland
(S. Pacific Music Awards)Who wouldn't be proud of an up and coming politician from Southside role modelling the possibilities of becoming the 1st Lord Mayor of Auckland? Especially since Mayor Len Brown and I both attended the same primary school, although I was a new entrant and he was fine tuning his last years toward Intermediate level. For years I had heard Len Brown's name being flung about the room in many community circles but I didn't quite make sense of the 'Brown' connection.
Growing up in a cold damp home in Otara where there was little money for thermal drapes or carpeted floors, I was an asthmatic who spent most of my early schooling years in bed. The Principal of Mayfield Primary School Mr Brown (Mayor Len Brown's father) was concerned that I had missed so many school days that he made home visits to check on my progress. I still remember the Principal, Mr Brown standing at my bedside, helping me to read the only book I possessed "Dr. Seuss' 'The Cat in The Hat". Principal Brown was popular in the school community. He was community focussed and every school gala was a community day out.
It's often said that 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree'. Mayor Len Brown has tree roots in establishing communities. He comes from a tradition of community networkers, educators and most importantly a focus on caring about citizens. He's been a community man all of his life. His father, School Principal, Mr Brown was a wonderful man. As for Mayor Len Brown, he was born to be 1st Lord Mayor of Auckland. This is his time.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
New Zealand - The Pacific - Michael Jackson & Swine Flu
by Vinepa Aiono
All in the space of a fortnight, Michael Jackson died and his memorial service is held at the Staples Centre in LA, watched by millions around the world. In the same stretch 3 New Zealanders died of the swine flu, an out of control man is held by the Police for some hours while a Taser is flown in from another part of the country - crazy. The place had gone mad, meanwhile Prime Minister John Key headed off on a trade mission to the South Pacific and announced increased aid to the Pacific over the next few years, he vowed to assist with Tamiflu supplies and when asked which kava or ava he preferred (from Fiji or Samoa) - he found it hard to make a decision and referred to both Pacific nations as 'children'. Such fence sitting is unbecoming let alone 'weak'. Couldn't he just say when in Samoa (or Rome) it tastes the best, when in Fiji likewise ...., no points for wit there.
In between all of this - North Korea was busy silently testing seven of their missiles over the weekend. We all slept quite soundly though in our winter beds.
But the response from Premier Talagi in Niue certainly sums up the new found courage of Pacific leaders toward the west. Premier Talagi left nothing to the democratic imagination when he made it clear that any promised but slow to surface financial assistance would be met with a move on Niue's part to start knocking on China's door. And "ay there's the rub." As an observant relative of mine has informed me, "many building contracts in Samoa do not involve the hiring of local workers, nearly all workers are from China."
The Pacific must beware of seeking aid from the East. What are the real benefits and what might we lose in the longterm. There are vast ideological and cultural differences between the Pacific and China that still make me nervous. I need only remind myself of the contaminated baby milk powder that our giant Fonterra became enmeshed within 2008.
I hope Obama has a better plan for restoring the USA and western world economy because right now job losses are continuing to roll all the way downunder.
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All in the space of a fortnight, Michael Jackson died and his memorial service is held at the Staples Centre in LA, watched by millions around the world. In the same stretch 3 New Zealanders died of the swine flu, an out of control man is held by the Police for some hours while a Taser is flown in from another part of the country - crazy. The place had gone mad, meanwhile Prime Minister John Key headed off on a trade mission to the South Pacific and announced increased aid to the Pacific over the next few years, he vowed to assist with Tamiflu supplies and when asked which kava or ava he preferred (from Fiji or Samoa) - he found it hard to make a decision and referred to both Pacific nations as 'children'. Such fence sitting is unbecoming let alone 'weak'. Couldn't he just say when in Samoa (or Rome) it tastes the best, when in Fiji likewise ...., no points for wit there.
In between all of this - North Korea was busy silently testing seven of their missiles over the weekend. We all slept quite soundly though in our winter beds.
But the response from Premier Talagi in Niue certainly sums up the new found courage of Pacific leaders toward the west. Premier Talagi left nothing to the democratic imagination when he made it clear that any promised but slow to surface financial assistance would be met with a move on Niue's part to start knocking on China's door. And "ay there's the rub." As an observant relative of mine has informed me, "many building contracts in Samoa do not involve the hiring of local workers, nearly all workers are from China."
The Pacific must beware of seeking aid from the East. What are the real benefits and what might we lose in the longterm. There are vast ideological and cultural differences between the Pacific and China that still make me nervous. I need only remind myself of the contaminated baby milk powder that our giant Fonterra became enmeshed within 2008.
I hope Obama has a better plan for restoring the USA and western world economy because right now job losses are continuing to roll all the way downunder.
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Friday, June 26, 2009
MICHAEL JACKSON - THE KING OF POP HAS DIED
Michael Jackson music was essential to party life for me in the 80s. Nothing could "BEAT IT" back then. The white socks, the black shoes, ankle breezer pants was what I waited for hours to watch when Michael Jackson performed his concert at Mt Smart, Auckland. And I was not let down. I remember the repetitive "I love U" lines he kept flinging out at the audience and for months after that Robbie Rakete and Stephie T would utter such mockery over MAI FM air waves. He truly was and always shall be the KING OF POP.
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Thursday, June 11, 2009
MT ALBERT ELECTORATE - 2009 BELONGED TO RAVI MASUKU
Whatever happened to hard working folks earning the right to reap the fruits of their own hard labour. What a big mistake that Ravi Masuku should not be standing in Mt Albert in place of Melissa Lee. Not only do I find her annoyingly anti South Auckland, but she never answers questions with a speck of hope that somewhere there beneath the smart hairdo is also something slightly more astute. Add to that her own self confessed prophecy that she would not win the Mt Albert seat. I can hear the music to the lyrics..."fools rush in where angels fear to tred...."
Poor ol' Ravi Masuku shoved to the back of the bus in Mt Albert so that his hard work over six years would be trampled on by someone who I believe is an idiot. Please no more casting of pearls before ..., after all we are fighting off 'swine flu' in the middle of a recession.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
FIJI - An Island Nation In Crisis
by Vinepa Aiono
Should we send in a peace keeping mission or should we leave Fiji to sort out its own affairs. Who are we kidding? Fiji is in crisis. There are so many in the once prosperous island nation of Fiji who are suffering. Do we have a duty to intervene or is the recession such an obstacle that we cannot allow ourselves to exercise more than diplomatic talk sessions to assist Fiji to navigate itself toward a style of island democracy that will set the course for a lifestyle of positive multi-coexistence.
I am shocked over the current comments from our Foreign Affairs office. "There is nothing (NZ) can do but allow Fiji to sort out it's own problems." If we are not careful the political ideology of the East will surely offer Fiji a solution that will mean the end of NZ/Australian influence in the Pacific. And the economic recession is certainly offering our cousins in the East a prime platform to move closer. Tonga has made no secret that it looks to the East for economic assistance, do we all remember the seating arrangements at the funeral of Tonga's last monarch.
Do we have a duty to assist Fiji to steer it's course? I think so. As long as there are citizens suffering in our Pacific backyard, it will always be wrong to ignore that. To do so is political cowardice, a trait that our previous Prime Minister could never be accused of exhibiting. She understood the importance of the Pacific.
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Should we send in a peace keeping mission or should we leave Fiji to sort out its own affairs. Who are we kidding? Fiji is in crisis. There are so many in the once prosperous island nation of Fiji who are suffering. Do we have a duty to intervene or is the recession such an obstacle that we cannot allow ourselves to exercise more than diplomatic talk sessions to assist Fiji to navigate itself toward a style of island democracy that will set the course for a lifestyle of positive multi-coexistence.
I am shocked over the current comments from our Foreign Affairs office. "There is nothing (NZ) can do but allow Fiji to sort out it's own problems." If we are not careful the political ideology of the East will surely offer Fiji a solution that will mean the end of NZ/Australian influence in the Pacific. And the economic recession is certainly offering our cousins in the East a prime platform to move closer. Tonga has made no secret that it looks to the East for economic assistance, do we all remember the seating arrangements at the funeral of Tonga's last monarch.
Do we have a duty to assist Fiji to steer it's course? I think so. As long as there are citizens suffering in our Pacific backyard, it will always be wrong to ignore that. To do so is political cowardice, a trait that our previous Prime Minister could never be accused of exhibiting. She understood the importance of the Pacific.
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Friday, April 17, 2009
Everyone's doing it. It's fast. It's short. It's often the first thing you think of when you get up in the morning. That's what makes for a TWITTER of a comment. I'm addicted. So are many others. Haven't worked out why yet, but I think the off the cuff comments are what makes for us being such a species of gossips. That's why we enjoy texting. Whether at dinner, a meeting or waiting for an interview, we think nothing is wrong when diverting our attention to sending a return text.
TWITTER is a massive social networking beast that makes the rich and famous so much more familiar if we embark on a twitter fanclub of followers.
Come on join in the tweet tweet! It's far better than facebook or bebo. No fuss for all of us who can't sit still.
TWITTER is a massive social networking beast that makes the rich and famous so much more familiar if we embark on a twitter fanclub of followers.
Come on join in the tweet tweet! It's far better than facebook or bebo. No fuss for all of us who can't sit still.
Monday, February 16, 2009
PACIFICA WOMENS CONFERENCE
Echoing Barack Obama ..... P.A.C.I.F.I.C.A. are holding a YES WE CAN conference and dinner on the 20th February 2009. Workshops cost $50-00 per person starting 8.30am to 5.00pm at the Pacific Business Trust.
A conference dinner ($55.00 a ticket) will be held in the evening and at the Centra Hotel, Mangere with guest speakers the Hon. Pansy Wong and Hon. Georgina Te Heu Heu.
For more information contact Josephine Bartley 0211205812
A conference dinner ($55.00 a ticket) will be held in the evening and at the Centra Hotel, Mangere with guest speakers the Hon. Pansy Wong and Hon. Georgina Te Heu Heu.
For more information contact Josephine Bartley 0211205812
PASIFIKA FESTIVAL
Facing cancellation, the Auckland City Council voted in favour of funding the $355,000 shortfall that may have seen the back end of the Pasifika Festival had it been pulled from the cultural landscape if the rescue package did not survive voting ranks. Deputy Mayor David Hay is said to have strongly opposed rescuing the Pasifika Festival and there have been many stern comments from within the Pacific community against Auckland's Deputy Mayor. 
After all this is recession time and cutbacks are the norm when the national economic purse jangles only coppers, so why the backlash at this time. Our continual focus on public funding to prop up Pacific events that are significant to the Pacific community has got to stop. I'm sure that the Lantern Festival would survive the withdrawal of the public coffers and would be propped up immediately by the Asian business community.
The Pacific business community should be targeted to support the Pasifika Festival as should the Asian business community who have chosen to re-establish themselves in the Pacific Ocean alongside us. This is the time for PasifikAsia alliances to be drawn up and we cannot continue to rely on the government to draft the altering cultural landscape for us. We need only look at the census population figures to note that Pacific population figures are stabilising alongside a strong and growing Asian population. How long can a largely underfunded Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs survive before it becomes absorbed into the Ethnic Affairs portfolio. It's a numbers game. But the Pacific community must become smart, savvy and rethink it's future alliances. If the Pasifika Festival is to survive - stop focussing on the issues, rethink, alter, plan and modify how to recreate the future. The annual school cultural festival held in south Auckland every year has already moved in that direction. No longer the Polynesian Festival it now includes Asian and Middle Eastern dance groups. The Pasifika Festival must do the same. This is the age of PasifikAsia NOT Asia - Pacific and Pacific or Pasifika communities must forge that new identity now before we become subject to change.
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After all this is recession time and cutbacks are the norm when the national economic purse jangles only coppers, so why the backlash at this time. Our continual focus on public funding to prop up Pacific events that are significant to the Pacific community has got to stop. I'm sure that the Lantern Festival would survive the withdrawal of the public coffers and would be propped up immediately by the Asian business community.The Pacific business community should be targeted to support the Pasifika Festival as should the Asian business community who have chosen to re-establish themselves in the Pacific Ocean alongside us. This is the time for PasifikAsia alliances to be drawn up and we cannot continue to rely on the government to draft the altering cultural landscape for us. We need only look at the census population figures to note that Pacific population figures are stabilising alongside a strong and growing Asian population. How long can a largely underfunded Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs survive before it becomes absorbed into the Ethnic Affairs portfolio. It's a numbers game. But the Pacific community must become smart, savvy and rethink it's future alliances. If the Pasifika Festival is to survive - stop focussing on the issues, rethink, alter, plan and modify how to recreate the future. The annual school cultural festival held in south Auckland every year has already moved in that direction. No longer the Polynesian Festival it now includes Asian and Middle Eastern dance groups. The Pasifika Festival must do the same. This is the age of PasifikAsia NOT Asia - Pacific and Pacific or Pasifika communities must forge that new identity now before we become subject to change.
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Saturday, January 24, 2009
NEW ERA IN WORLD POLITICS - 2009
President Obama has been sworn in, Prime Minister John Key walked into the Ratana day celebrations with the Maori Party and the Gaza strip has been torn apart by Israeli military forces. The global recession has not ended and the impact of globalisation will no longer be restricted solely to the west. Asia has also weathered the recessionary winds. Coupled with bad weather patterns, it would appear that globalisation is being battered by elements beyond human control. What are the lessons for us dependent upon foreign trade, the ever changing exchange rate or indeed the dictatorial fashion trends set by the Euro-western catwalks. Is the answer - a focus upon Internalisation and independence. Looking internally for home grown talent is perhaps the appropriate pathway. Our homing instincts set in when we encounter difficulties, likewise Obama has called all Americans to refocus, regroup, rekindle and respond with what is truly the American "way" given the pressure that America is now experiencing on all its economic, political and social borders.
So far, Prime Minister John Key has made few major changes since coming to power. What we have instead is a new focus and more of a cautionary approach to change. I found it partly amusing but also praiseworthy that the Honourable Paula Bennett,
got herself into the middle of a teenage street brawl last week and became the street saviour of west Auckland. Some of the young people interviewed for comment made special mention of Hon Bennett's specific concern for the pale complexion brawlers rather than the darker toned participants. Nonetheless, that was political intervention at its finest. Any MP that can step into a brawling event on the street with the intention of maintaining peace and order - deserves 'national' respect. How appropriate that she is the Minister of Social Development!!!
So far, Prime Minister John Key has made few major changes since coming to power. What we have instead is a new focus and more of a cautionary approach to change. I found it partly amusing but also praiseworthy that the Honourable Paula Bennett,
got herself into the middle of a teenage street brawl last week and became the street saviour of west Auckland. Some of the young people interviewed for comment made special mention of Hon Bennett's specific concern for the pale complexion brawlers rather than the darker toned participants. Nonetheless, that was political intervention at its finest. Any MP that can step into a brawling event on the street with the intention of maintaining peace and order - deserves 'national' respect. How appropriate that she is the Minister of Social Development!!!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS - Su'a WIlliam Sio
If anyone deserves to get into parliament, it's Su'a William Sio, one who has worked tirelessly on the ground floor of the Manukau community to raise the awareness at a local and national level of the issues impacting not only for Pacific peoples but across the ethnic specific spectrum.
Su'a will be a great sounding board for promised changes that National may not deliver upon to the community and I suspect a rather seasoned political animal in the "house". Pacific peoples are fortunate to have a Pacific representative not only in government but across the benches to keep the government of the day accountable. All the best to Su'a Wiliam Sio over the next three years as he battles to keep the current government honest.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga
I have said it before that Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga would win the previously Labour held seat of Maungakiekie - and he is on his way to doing so (well as at 10:42pm). Peseta Sam Lotu - I'iga is the man to watch in the future. I have no doubt that he will one day become the 1st Pasifika Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand. Keep watching this man - over the next few years as he gains experience in the political realm.
Congratulations once again to Peseta Sam Lotu I'iga.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
PRESIDENT OBAMA - AMERICA HAS SPOKEN
I have waited for this victory speech for almost five years. What else is there to say about President Obama other than that he is 'the man' for such a time as this. I love the closing remarks of his victory speech " May God bless you, May God bless America."
This Saturday New Zealand will also vote in a new Prime Minister and I have no doubt that it will be John Key. The polls indicate that New Zealand is also searching for political and spiritual change. No one is really interested in placing faith in trusted historical leadership - the public are searching for new ideas, new personalities and in short something different. I predict that New Zealand will awake on Sunday morning with John Key on the front page of every newspaper as the new Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand. And in that respect I hope that like President Barack Obama - John Key will look to God to bless this nation as well.
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