Equal application of law, anybody?

American Samoa’s soon to be opened garment factory (Daewoosa Samoa) is reportedly mistreating its foreign workers, allegations fiercely denied by its company attorney.

To attain equilibrium in the equal application of law and fairness in propped-up dirt-kicking bids by the Office of Insular Affairs against apparel industries in insular areas, Interior’s “Marianas Bash Squad” ought to fly out to American Samoa and execute, with equal vigor, an investigation of allegations into human rights abuses in that territory.

When the Marianas Bash Squad probes these allegations demanding that American Samoa too be rendered its favorite agenda of a federal take-over, only then would it clear itself of playing a “favorite constituency” to some while willfully and warpedly punitive to others. Fair is fair and to top it all off, OIA must employ use of
US mainland taxpayers money to do its private spy investigation of human rights abuses.

While at it, the Marianas Bash Squad headed by Allen Stayman ought to ensure that Congressman George Miller is extended a red carpet invitation, including ABC’s Brian Ross of 20/20. I challenge these guys to put their money where their mouths are in striking a semblance of equal application of laws they’ve advocated in recent years for the NMI. Perhaps Brian Ross may get another award for his advocacy piece against the apparel industry here. Notice that all I’m only asking from the Marianas Bash Squad is equal application of proposed federal policy and fairness to one and all?

When cops park common sense elsewhere

I spent time doing mental planning on a photo-shoot of the annual Mt. Tagpochau march by the faithful to erect the cross atop the highest mountain here. I had planned where exactly would the best photos be taken as parishioners climb through three steep hills carrying the cross. I was interested in capturing the tired faces of parishioners, sweating, panting for air, braving the dusty road, and all the hard work that comes with it.

There were cops all over doing traffic and crowd control. I asked the first police officer near the GQ Building for permission to drive up the hill. I cleared at least three stops and was given permission to proceed. When I came to the top, a police officer asked if I had a pass to drive my car to the end of the stretch. The officer was just doing his job and told, via police hand radio, “revert, revert, revert”. I asked for his supervisor (Lt. Juan Maratita) but couldn’t figure out his whereabouts. What with several patrol cars kicking-up dust against the faces of parishioners with steely and godly faces staring at every participant as though we’re all criminals. No wonder police officers have secured a serious problem of alienation in the community they serve. Not so smart, yeah?

I don’t recall a public announcement that the press must secure a pass in order to drive up to the top. Furthermore, if I had been cleared in three stops by, believe it or not, police officers, why would the order be given that I be turned around? I know that DPS is the dumping ground of the less than smart bunch in any graduating class here. Boy, did they confirm it last Good Friday. They grandly parked their common sense in their holsters hoping it’ll voluntarily pop out at an instant when it becomes a dire necessity. No sir, Mr. Police Officers, it must be lodged permanently in your shallow cranium for use at all times. And if DPS Commissioner Charles Ingram needs assistance on meaningful public relations program for his hard headed bunch, I’d be more than willing to give it for free once a week for the balance ofthe year.

Make no mistake about it: I respect the work and dedication of officers of the peace in this community. But this unearned godly arrogance must go or else turn in your badge and start collecting dead dogs and cats along the road.