(printed in the Samoa Observer, November 6, 2010 under "Letters to the Editor")
In Savea’s recent editorial "Dictatorship and Politics" he stated this: "Here in Samoa, someone may have to invent a new name for "dictatorship" to suit our political system and way of life."
Now, whether serious or just tongue-in-cheek, the suggestion is still worth a prodding (pun intended), at least in a risible and satirical approach, which the following intends to borrow.
I suggest "Pricktatorship". It has a nice ring to it especially in mimicking "dictatorship". But more than that, it fits the notion and objective of the editorial’s "request".
"A’itui" is a contractive pronunciation of the factual expression "a’a i tui" which probably has come into the Samoan language through the Bible, as the translation for "kicking against the pricks" (Acts 9:5). The native meaning is understood by many Samoans. The etymology - of the English version - however may not be apparent to many.
The expression comes from the practice of tilling or ploughing of the soil using oxen to pull the plough/plow. If the ox - or oxen - strays from the furrow it is jabbed or poked by the ploughman using a prick (tui) - a long stick with a sharp point. It is a means of exerting control, influence and authority. The prick inflicts pain on the animal and the more the animal resists or rebels, the more it is jabbed. Hence it is hard to "kick against the pricks". The same instrument and concept is also used in herding animals like sheep and goats.
As a metaphor for Samoa’s current political system, "pricktatorship" is founded on the root word "prick", which can be interpreted - literally or figuratively - to mean different things within the political context.
"Prick" collectively, can refer to the government or ruling party (HRPP) which is inflicting pain on the people/subjects keeping them reined and restrained. As a result, the people are "pricked" into conformity, compliance and passivity. The people therefore are dumbfounded and have become stupefied - and "stupid". As effectively articulated in the editorial, the people are "stuck in the mud of intolerance and futility ....[and] are made to look like fools...."
Pricks, individually, are the HRPP "herdsmen" running around with their pricks (no pun intended) pricking people into passive submissiveness and goaded servility. Our "political genius" is the master prick, living up to his name - Tui. So as Samoans, today, we dare not "kick against the pricks" or the "Prick" and we might as well, in translation, say: "Aua le a’a i tui" or "Aua le a’a ia sTui" - "Mister Prickster!" On the same takeoff, HRPP just as well stand for the "Human Rights Pricking Party".
"Prickmanship", is just as applicable, if not equally effective. It’s a pun on "brinkmanship" - a political coinage of the Cold War years which is based on the threat motif. Moreover, the stick seems a fitting political symbol in light of another popular political expression by Teddy Roosevelt - "speak softly but carry a big stick".
So while others - according to the editorial - had the "barrels of the guns", Samoa has its pointed pricks or sharp sticks. Befittingly, therefore, we can say that presently the government (HRPP) controls and dictates using "pricks, sticks and tricks" - or, simply, Pricktatorship.
Ia manuia le alo atu i faiga palota Samoa.
11/8/10
11/5/10
Suspicious "Mines"
Wow! I have something in common with one of the Chilean miners rescued just recently. It’s the admiration for the late King of Rock ‘n Roll - Elvis. This particular miner was on the Letterman Show last night. Through a translator, he chatted with the show’s host - David Letterman.
The miner recounted some of the experiences he had with other miners while trapped and waiting for the rescue. He was asked to comment on some of the things they did to maintain their sanity and keep them entertained. Mr. Letterman then said that he had heard stories of him (miner) singing Elvis songs with the group. The miner nodded affirmatively and then soon started to sing some lines from “Suspicious Minds” one of Elvis’ all-time favorites.
The late night show band immediately picked it up with an instrumental backing and soon the miner was on his feet with a “whole lotta shaking”, pelvic gyrations and kicks complete with arm twirls and drum cues typical of the Elvis’ Las Vegas rendition. Simply hilarious!
Here’s an interesting impression I had while watching and listening to the interview, but especially having to do with the song “Suspicious Minds”. While it may have been the miner’s favorite, it was also fitting and ironic in the words of the verse he sang which contains the allusion of being trapped. It goes: “We’re caught in a trap; I can’t walk out.....we can’t go on together with suspicious minds”.
Anyhow, the miners’ ordeal is one of hope, heroism and survival. It’s one that typifies the strength, valor and durability of the human spirit; and apparently it didn’t hurt either to have a bit of rock ’n roll in the mix - both of which (rock and roll), incidentally, are things native to mines.
For these miners, this might be a good protest chorus:
“We’re caught in a trap, we can’t walk out .......and we can’t work on together in suspicious mines.”
The miner recounted some of the experiences he had with other miners while trapped and waiting for the rescue. He was asked to comment on some of the things they did to maintain their sanity and keep them entertained. Mr. Letterman then said that he had heard stories of him (miner) singing Elvis songs with the group. The miner nodded affirmatively and then soon started to sing some lines from “Suspicious Minds” one of Elvis’ all-time favorites.
The late night show band immediately picked it up with an instrumental backing and soon the miner was on his feet with a “whole lotta shaking”, pelvic gyrations and kicks complete with arm twirls and drum cues typical of the Elvis’ Las Vegas rendition. Simply hilarious!
Here’s an interesting impression I had while watching and listening to the interview, but especially having to do with the song “Suspicious Minds”. While it may have been the miner’s favorite, it was also fitting and ironic in the words of the verse he sang which contains the allusion of being trapped. It goes: “We’re caught in a trap; I can’t walk out.....we can’t go on together with suspicious minds”.
Anyhow, the miners’ ordeal is one of hope, heroism and survival. It’s one that typifies the strength, valor and durability of the human spirit; and apparently it didn’t hurt either to have a bit of rock ’n roll in the mix - both of which (rock and roll), incidentally, are things native to mines.
For these miners, this might be a good protest chorus:
“We’re caught in a trap, we can’t walk out .......and we can’t work on together in suspicious mines.”
11/4/10
"Be calm as a dove but discerning as a serpent."
"Filemu pei o le lupe, ae atamai pei o le gata."
The ongoing saga between Samoa’s PM and John Campbell is already a hot news item. The PM is in the “hot seat” while Mr. Campbell keeps and maintains his cool. Personally, I think the PM does not look composed or dignified on that TV3 (NZ) video. He looks agitated and I feel for him. He desperately and urgently needs help in his media dealing skills especially those that would make him calm and cool under pressure - namely impromptu interview pressure. I don’t think that he’s the kind of person who would have handled that well since he has always been belittling, belligerent and petulant. Perhaps the biggest liability in such demeanor is the fact that the whole country looks bad when its leader loses his cool and composure in such circumstances - especially with a foreign media.
There’s an irony in the whole exchange. The PM tells Mr. Campbell to have some manners and respect and yet he disrespects Mr. Campbell by slamming the door of the SUV in Campbell’s face. (Wait a minute, was that an LHD vehicle? ... more on that later.)
I have some suggestions for future candidates for the PM post.
As part of their tenure/term, if not their preparations, they need effective training in media presence, appearance conduct and mannerisms. In today’s world of ubiquitous and pervasive high-speed communication, it’s critical if not obligatory for leaders to be current and competent in these areas. They need to learn how to remain calm cool and collected in the presence of cameras, lights and fact-finding microphones.
Candidates also need to undergo psychological evaluation. This is not a farfetched suggestion, by the way. Certainly we don’t have any nuclear weapons and secret codes but public embarrassment by the leaders - especially in foreign deals, liaisons and involvement - is just as damaging and insulting to the people. In fact the “luma” (public humiliation) concept is well etched in Samoa’s social and moral conscience and psyche and so sanity and self control are effective and necessary antidotes.
Lastly, welcome to the Internet and Youtube age - not a conch shell and lali (large wooden drum) one. High-speed streaming technologies are pervasive and powerful forces as well as the norm in today’s global society. If bad news traveled fast yesterday, today it travels in super meteoric speed measured in seconds and nanoseconds. In the real world of contemporary politics and its media dependent nature, a candidate can lose an election or even ruin his/her whole political career from a gaffe, an outburst or other bloopers. Samoa politics is not immune to this, if not now, very soon.
At least consider the favorite Samoan expression: “Filemu pei o le lupe ae atamai pei o le gata.” (Be calm as a dove but discerning as a serpent.)
This is Houston: "Damage control mode! Damage control mode! ...Over!"
The ongoing saga between Samoa’s PM and John Campbell is already a hot news item. The PM is in the “hot seat” while Mr. Campbell keeps and maintains his cool. Personally, I think the PM does not look composed or dignified on that TV3 (NZ) video. He looks agitated and I feel for him. He desperately and urgently needs help in his media dealing skills especially those that would make him calm and cool under pressure - namely impromptu interview pressure. I don’t think that he’s the kind of person who would have handled that well since he has always been belittling, belligerent and petulant. Perhaps the biggest liability in such demeanor is the fact that the whole country looks bad when its leader loses his cool and composure in such circumstances - especially with a foreign media.
There’s an irony in the whole exchange. The PM tells Mr. Campbell to have some manners and respect and yet he disrespects Mr. Campbell by slamming the door of the SUV in Campbell’s face. (Wait a minute, was that an LHD vehicle? ... more on that later.)
I have some suggestions for future candidates for the PM post.
As part of their tenure/term, if not their preparations, they need effective training in media presence, appearance conduct and mannerisms. In today’s world of ubiquitous and pervasive high-speed communication, it’s critical if not obligatory for leaders to be current and competent in these areas. They need to learn how to remain calm cool and collected in the presence of cameras, lights and fact-finding microphones.
Candidates also need to undergo psychological evaluation. This is not a farfetched suggestion, by the way. Certainly we don’t have any nuclear weapons and secret codes but public embarrassment by the leaders - especially in foreign deals, liaisons and involvement - is just as damaging and insulting to the people. In fact the “luma” (public humiliation) concept is well etched in Samoa’s social and moral conscience and psyche and so sanity and self control are effective and necessary antidotes.
Lastly, welcome to the Internet and Youtube age - not a conch shell and lali (large wooden drum) one. High-speed streaming technologies are pervasive and powerful forces as well as the norm in today’s global society. If bad news traveled fast yesterday, today it travels in super meteoric speed measured in seconds and nanoseconds. In the real world of contemporary politics and its media dependent nature, a candidate can lose an election or even ruin his/her whole political career from a gaffe, an outburst or other bloopers. Samoa politics is not immune to this, if not now, very soon.
At least consider the favorite Samoan expression: “Filemu pei o le lupe ae atamai pei o le gata.” (Be calm as a dove but discerning as a serpent.)
This is Houston: "Damage control mode! Damage control mode! ...Over!"
11/2/10
Happy Days
We’re approaching that part of the year that we Samoans often refer to as “aso fiafia” (happy days), and especially for those of us who live in the US, ‘cause our aso fiafia start sooner than those in the islands. In October, it’s Halloween ...so we say “Happy Halloween”, then in November we celebrate “Thanksgiving” and yes, we say “Happy Thanksgiving”, then come December with Christmas and again we say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” ...ioe, o le heppi lava ...!!
But I never had much of a penchant for Halloween. In fact it’s gotten worse in Utah because of the cold weather. I believe that candies are nowhere enough incentive to be out in cold and wet weather - if lucky - of late October, let alone in a funny or ridiculous outfit. ...hahaha.... But all that is changing s-l-o-w-l-y. The kids love it though that even the cold rain this past weekend did not stop them. I guess I like Halloween as long as I’m inside and not out there knocking on doors with frozen knuckles. Another family came to our house last Saturday and asked: “Where’s the singing Elvis?” ...they remember the year when I greeted the trick-or-treaters each with a different Elvis song. Adults too enjoy dressing up in their favorite costumes. Some companies encourage their employees to wear costumes while others have jovial and convivial Halloween parties.
Our family, for several years now, had been holding a Halloween get together - a costume party. Everybody dresses up in their favorite costume and we have treats, snacks, desserts, and sometimes a typical Samoan feast of kalo, palusami, pisupo, mamoe, etc. (Now that's my kind of partay.) We also have lots of fun games during which the men are pitted against the women. We play charades, pictionaries ... perform skits, talents, etc. ...something for everyone...the children ma le aiga akoa uma lava - immediate and exteeeeended ... :)
I actually do not like to spend money on a costume, I’d rather be creative and use anything lying around the house. I’m cheapo! ....hehehe.... Actually, last time I had a bought Elvis costume- a cheap one - but it was for/from another gig. And this year I had to go with my other idol Vin Diesel (re: Idol Worship post) of triple X (xXx) and other action thrillers. I drew the tattoo from memory - a rough replica of Diesel’s armband ... dabs of face paint on face, arms and neck ... sunglasses, of course, a cutoff and a couple of chain necklaces .. and ... voila!!
The most hilarious costume of the night - though extremely unorthodox and tragicomical - was the pregnant nun (pic is copyrighted...lol). It quickly reminded me of another Halloween in California some years ago. A fellow employee dressed up as a nun (an impregnable one...punning of course ..haha), and a customer came in and told her jestingly: “That’s the closest you’ll ever get to being righteous.”
If that customer is right, then I think I’ll keep a habit hanging in the closet, just to get that righteous feeling, ... even if I have to cross-dress to get it....LOL! Conversely, I doubt the priest’s robe consigns the same righteous feeling, considering the much publicized scandal.
Anyway it was a fun night, like other previous costume parties. Thank you family ...keep it up! ... again, o le Heppi lava!
But I never had much of a penchant for Halloween. In fact it’s gotten worse in Utah because of the cold weather. I believe that candies are nowhere enough incentive to be out in cold and wet weather - if lucky - of late October, let alone in a funny or ridiculous outfit. ...hahaha.... But all that is changing s-l-o-w-l-y. The kids love it though that even the cold rain this past weekend did not stop them. I guess I like Halloween as long as I’m inside and not out there knocking on doors with frozen knuckles. Another family came to our house last Saturday and asked: “Where’s the singing Elvis?” ...they remember the year when I greeted the trick-or-treaters each with a different Elvis song. Adults too enjoy dressing up in their favorite costumes. Some companies encourage their employees to wear costumes while others have jovial and convivial Halloween parties.
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| Family costume party 2010 |
I actually do not like to spend money on a costume, I’d rather be creative and use anything lying around the house. I’m cheapo! ....hehehe.... Actually, last time I had a bought Elvis costume- a cheap one - but it was for/from another gig. And this year I had to go with my other idol Vin Diesel (re: Idol Worship post) of triple X (xXx) and other action thrillers. I drew the tattoo from memory - a rough replica of Diesel’s armband ... dabs of face paint on face, arms and neck ... sunglasses, of course, a cutoff and a couple of chain necklaces .. and ... voila!!
 |
| "triple X" |
If that customer is right, then I think I’ll keep a habit hanging in the closet, just to get that righteous feeling, ... even if I have to cross-dress to get it....LOL! Conversely, I doubt the priest’s robe consigns the same righteous feeling, considering the much publicized scandal.
Anyway it was a fun night, like other previous costume parties. Thank you family ...keep it up! ... again, o le Heppi lava!
10/29/10
The Office
It was freezing this morning (Thursday) in the office when I arrived at work. I had a light sports jacket on (over the shirt/pants and tie dress code) and a beanie ... yes, it snowed a little this morning but not anything like yesterday’s storm.
I removed the jacket and the skull cap and sat down at my desk. After fifteen minutes it was still freakin’ cold. I complained audibly and Angela offered a portable space heater. “You have a heater?” “Yeah it’s here under my desk.” “Oh sure!” I grabbed it. Plugged it....and walaah, I had heeeat! I started to bask in the warmth of the quiet stream from the low buzzing device.
Others - Kevin, Jim, Dwight - started to complain, albeit nonchalantly. My complaint on the other hand was incendiary - yeeepp, literally. It was seriously intended to elicit heat. But just as I was starting to feel cozy and comfy, it was time for staff meeting. The conference room was definitely going to be colder, I thought. So I again donned my sports jacket - fully zipped up - and beanie and went to the meeting ..oh, and a space heater to boot. I was the last one to arrive. Our whole IT staff was already seated around the huge desk in the center of the room. They were talking about some mechanical problems with the heating system in the building but none was clad in any fashion close to what I was wearing, especially with the tie, now being stashed inside by the jacket’s chin-high zipper. I plugged in the heater and the staff looked at me ruefully; some giggled at my casual non-conforming mufti.... Tomorrow, Friday (casual day), my early “Samoan snow watcher” Halloween costume would have been more appropriate. Anyway, I said to my fellow Americans, “Hey, where I come from this is considered sub-zero weather.”
As I sat there I wanted to lapse into a trance and wishing I was a bird flying south in the winter for warmer weather. Then I can shed all the layers of clothing and slip into a simple ‘ie lavalava and a cutoff shirt (uhmm...on a second thought, no cutoff) just the ‘ie lavalava ... like the olden days of ... strolling along the remote virgin beach on a sunny afternoon, with palm trees swaying in soft breezy obeisance ...my feet dipping flirtatiously in the waves as they ripple, lap, hiss and kiss the soft white sand. Meanwhile, sweet melodious strains of “Samoa Matalasi” fill the air, synched to the sways of the palms and the gentle ebb and flow of the warm soothing tide. Feelings of allurement, romance, enchantment and fantasy that befit a tropical paradise soon becharm and overwhelm me ....I sing along “Tu lata oe i le Ekueta, e mafanafana fo’i e le vevela .....” as my bare upper body absorbs the cool breeze which gradually lulls and transfixes me to a world that transcends the environs of sports coats, beanies, space heaters, staff meetings and The [freezing] Office....
10/26/10
"...emotions recollected in tranquility."
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| The picture is my rendering and recreation of how it might have looked on that fateful Tuesday morning in the area of my village hit worst by the wave. |
What I find more fascinating is Wordsworth’s claim that "poetry is most just to its own divine origin when it administers the comforts and breathes the spirit of religion." Poems - with the spirit of religion - have been my main source of solace and reassurance. I’ve intended "Tuesday Mourning" to be one such poem.
Tuesday Mourning - by LV Letalu
From far beneath the fiery earthly core
A deadly force gushed crushed and tore
It squirmed skyward and defied sanity
It defied gravity and magnified vanity
It opened the mantle the plates and crust
Through solid rocks and ocean floor it thrust
Upward and heavenward until it surfaced
A sad story of sorrow and death it prefaced
The calm giant ocean would soon tremble
Speed and strength it would quietly assemble
In a different deadly disguise it would travel
Indiscriminate disaster for Man to marvel
The wave formed and the beast was born
Alive and angry it came that Tuesday morn
With resounding roar and rumbling to foretell
The fatal and fiery fiend fleeing from Hell
The villagers had never seen such a beast
With sharp horns and fangs ready to feast
It billowed like a monster in a silver hood
It was vicious violent and in vengeful mood
This Tuesday the sea was a mount not a hill
It grew taller, higher then closed in for the kill
It crept and swept those who suddenly slept
After it left, families wailed waned and wept
The old the young the mothers and infants
Met their fates as if were merciless miscreants
Though stripped unexpectedly of life and dignity
Will one day see the Light and solemn serenity
The Sun was true and had risen that morning
No doubt it stopped to witness Tuesday mourning
Though it sets it still rises with gleaming glory
And so with man as heroes in Heaven’s story
The Hero wounded died and went to Earth’s core
Calmed the beast, conquered Death and slept no more
He rose early morn and ascended to Home supernal
To raise the quick and the dead to Life eternal
**********************
more renderings ....
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| "Galu Afi" (Wave of Fire) |
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| "Galu Lolo" (Tidal Wave) |
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