Bits and Pieces

American Samoa’s garment factory was told by a judge it can’t deport Vietnamese employees who have spoken up of alleged mistreatment. It’s only fair that Interior’s OIA (Allen Stayman) bring the Human Rights Squad to the South Pacific territory if for no other reason than to demonstrate fairness in its agenda to right all human rights abuses.

Well, Allen, I’m only interested in your imposing equal application of your human rights agenda in all insular areas. If you fail to do so, then it only goes to confirm a statement by Senator Frank Murkowski that OIA has its own “favorite constituency”. Let’s see you put your mouth where your money is on human rights issues.
Your action or inaction should demonstrate what your true colors are on equality and justice.

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Since the onslaught of the current economic crisis two years ago, the assault and contraction of revenue generation has equally translated into substantial reduction in the number of jobs in both sectors.

But there’s also an increase in the number of idle labor comprised of guest workers released from their jobs who choose to stay around rather than return home. The Department of Labor and Immigration must step-up enforcement on overstayers who subsequently turn into illegals.

Overstayers get to moonlight for jobs at way below the legal minimum wage. They won’t complaint when their wages aren’t paid for fear of being caught. They never pay taxes but still use public facilities. It’s a drain in the financial system all the way around. It is for this reason that DOLI must improve enforcement in this area.
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We engage in a see-saw debate over the immigration status of our friends from the freely associated states. We should pick-up a copy of Senator Frank Murkowski’s statement on this issue and fax it daily to Interior’s OIA.

Murkowski is right on the money when he lambasted OIA for making a financial commitment without the approval of Congress. It is a substantive policy matter its fate solely the purview of the US Congress. But then with mediocrity inundating OIA, what can we reasonably expect from the confused Pinto Boys.
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It is good tidings to see the constant increase in the participation of parents in school activities. It illustrates a sense of care about the performance of their children in class as they lend in-kind contributions to raise certain funds for specific needs at school. Such was the forte of the local community then. Let us revive it. It’s a positive step towards reviving our once powerful sense of community.

Too, it is really comforting that more parents are also involved in the spiritual development of their children. It’s an important aspect of a child’s overall development. Their spiritual being becomes their guiding star down the stretch in the constellation of life’s myriad of challenges. Yes, there’s truth to the saying that
“A family that prays together stays together”.
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Somewhere in Chalan Piao, I saw a huge billboard that yells out “Open 24 Hours”. But a sign right below it says “Closed”. It’s one or the other. It can’t be both. Oddity?