The Fish Perspective

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Seriously our police need help

The controversy over who can or cannot apply for the police commissioner position is ironic.

Over the last few years there has been some damning reports about our police department which leads me to believe that there has certainly been an absense of sound leadership at the top.

A commission of inquiry report last year highlighted among other things corruption, abuse of power and sexual harassement or assault within the department. As a result the last police commissioner was not asked to return after he was suspended. More recently the department was criticised for locking up a 3 year old child!

Now the police association and politicians have gotten on the band wagon accusing the government of over stepping its authority. They seem adament to maintain the status quo which so far has been male dominated and archaic by today’s policing standards.

Seriously, its time to drag this institution out of the 19 century into the 21st century and if it takes someone from outside the police department to do it so be it. I don’t argue for this only for the people of this country but also for the many dedicated police officers in that Ministry. They deserve better.

[thefishperspective-blog]

The only things we’re entitled to in this life is air, water from the sky and the fruits of our labour…everything else is a matter of perspective

The Fish Perspective

[thefishperspective-blog]

Gaining perspective is as easy as 1,3,4,5,6,...

the fish perspective

[thefishperspective-blog]

A difference between reality and a dream

The Fugalei market maybe a shining example of what Samoa wanted...

versus (perhaps) what is needed...

That's life for you, sometimes you need to make some adjustments to your big dreams. :) The first photo is what was planned for new Fugalei market but the government nixed that in bud and replaced it with a cheaper single story structure - as shown in the second photo. Its good to have dreams, though. Images: Savalinews & RNZI

[thefishperspective-blog]

Fugalei market opens but not everyone is happy

The long awaited new Fugalei market has finally opened to no small amount of continuing criticism. Local vendors have had to brave the hot tropical sun to sell their taros and vegetables while the government officials and contractors have been pointing fingers at each other over the delay of the new structure. Now new rules have upset market vendors to the point that the market is not yet filled with goods to be sold. However a few good things may have come out of this delay, a number of enterprising business owners have opened small market spaces nearby for some vendors to rent. It is not clear whether this will have any long term impact the new market usage -- but time will only will tell. Which perhaps only goes to show that when public programs come up short, local business may see an opportunity to exploit.

[thefishperspective-blog]

To loss perspective is human, to forgive divine...so get over it

A fish perspective

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The notorious Samoan prison system

Samoan prison has been getting a lot of bad rap lately - excuse the pun. A special commission of inquiry report on some of the going on at the prisons has been quite damning. Corruption, sexual harassment, physical abuse and drug trade seem be rampant within the prison system. The report noted that part of the problem is poor training and morale among prison staff. The commission review was prompted by an anonymous so called ghost letter which claimed irregularities which went as high as the now suspended Police Commissioner. No doubt sweeping changes are required but do the authorities have the necessary will? That remains to be seen. But perhaps one of the most telling passage in the reported noted that rehabilitation has never been a feature of our prison system. Perhaps its time to change that.

[thefishperspective-blog]

There is no such thing as historical fact just competing perspectives.

A fish perspective.

[thefishperspective-blog]

Chikungunya anyone?

Anxiety levels are raising in Samoa as in addition to hosting a global UN conference for small island states, a mysterious virus has decided to inflict itself upon our population. According to local health officials they are not sure what the illness is but suspect that it chikingunya which apparently it is transmitted by mosquitoes. Hopefully, it comes and goes -- otherwise I'm breaking out the bio-hazard suit. Image source:

[thefishperspective-blog]

Who was driving?

It’s a mystery worthy of great Samoan novel. A young teenager was accused of driving a vehicle under the influence. The vehicle crashed ending the lives of two promising young men. But this week the courts acquitted her of all charges leaving many wondering if not her then who was driving? Apparently the court could not decide beyond a reasonable doubt that she was behind the wheel. The defense had also suggested that a third male passenger who also survived the crash could have been behind the wheel. Incidentally, that young man had been a witness for the prosecution. The truth may never be known but ultimately the biggest tragedy in this story is the young lives that were lost.

Photo:MJCA Samoa

[thefishperspective-blog]

"Instead of waiting for your ship to come in, perhaps one should learn how to swim"

- the fish perspective

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Mandela is dead, long live Mandela in our hearts

In Samoa we say that "e iloa le tamalii i lona savali, lona tautala, lona nofo, lona ai" (A chief is known by his walk, by his talk, by how sits and how he eats), in that respect there is no doubt that Nelson Mandela is a great Alii. In others like great people before him, he has lived what he believed (not many of us could be so courageous) and as a result inspire millions of people across the world.  For generations to come, when we speak of sacrifice, forgiveness and hope Mandela's name will resound with the likes of Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, etc.  In world that seemed gripped by mediocrity and self-absorption, a beautiful light has been extinguished for the last time.  We are sadden but still we are glad to have known and admire you Mandela even from afar.  Ia manuia lou malaga Nelson Mandela!

(Image: United Nations)

[thefishperspective-blog]

To be or Not To be that is WTO Question

As one who has mixed feelings regarding the benefits that a country like Samoa would get from the World Trade Organization, I am curious to see what the outcome will be from that organization's Ministerial meeting in Indonesia.  Will the WTO continue to exist or will Samoa have ducked a proverbial bullet if the organization teeters into irrelevance?  I have a problem with any organization that seems to believe that there is only one way to achieve development.  However western nations - especially the US and UK - who have promoted or wielded WTO effectively as an ideological tool may step in to stop it falling to pieces.  We shall have to wait and see.

(Image by Shubert Ciencia)

[thefishperspective-blog]

Ua tofo i tino matagi lelei (A favorable wind is felt on the body)

Samoan Proverbial Expression

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A bit of communication problem?

Can't say that this wasn't bound to happen sooner or later.  For several years now some of our local broadcasters, TV1  and TV3, have blatantly shown movies and shows that they didn't have the rights to, now the hens have come home to roost so to speak -- in form of an copyright infringement lawsuit by some media group out of the US.  One good thing that can come out of this could be more locally produced content which would be a million times better then seeing z grade American movies for the umpteenth time.

(image by factoryjoe)

[thefishperspective-blog]

So true

Paraphrasing something I read recently...if you have money for submarines and 99 flavors of ice cream you can afford to teach a child to read!

[thefishperspective-blog]

Fugelai Market: What a Mess

Sad, pathetic, incompetent, shame are just some of the words that pop into mind every time I pass by the Fugalei and see all people squatting on the side of the road selling their fruits and vegetables.  Seriously, this is Samoa in the 21st Century?   These vendors were forcible moved out of Fugalei Market in order to make way for reconstruction work.  The sad thing about this is that despite the media coverage over the last few months there is no sign that work will start or finish anytime soon.  So farmers are having to sell their wares in the elements.  As some commentators have put it this is a real cock-up and those responsible should take responsibility and resign.  Hear, hear!