I dont condone child abuse. But I do believe in disciplining with words and to make sure my words stick, I end it with an exclamation point (sasa). Its becoming a common trend to just not care anymore. People want what they want, when they want it, without any regard to the consequences. Unfortunately, it sometimes results in violence. There has been a breakdown of respect in our society or a lack thereof. Its how we walk, talk, act and think. Who do we have to blame but ourselves. We each have a responsibility and the ability to control our thoughts and conduct ourselves in an orderly manner. Our youth are impressionable. Parents need to be the role models for their children. Not movie stars and star athletes.

There is a real problem with violence and no doubt it needs to be addressed.

I am of mixed Heritage Samoan / Maori, (Faogali) and was brought up to respect our elders. I suspect that this trend with our youth in regards to violence is reflective of our ever evolving journey as a people, with the bad there is always the good and at this point in time there is a imbalance with in our youth in my day I responded to my peers who were doing well. which rubbed off on me. We must support our youth more as the pressure of todays youth is ten fold. As adults we must role model to our youth in laugauge they understand. (I see you smiling No not a slap) a pat on the back. just watch them smile its worth it.

The topic is the culture of violence. Violence comes in all forms and is prevalent in our homes, schools, government and in our communities. Well it seems to be a double standard when it comes to the law between females and males in Samoa. I have learned and read articles about such matters:

Involving 3 high profile lawyers from New Zealand Leulua’iali’i Olinda and Annette Woodroffe (mother and daughter) who were being harrassed by the local police. Woodroofe was summoned outside of the residence she was staying at in Samoa by a group of ununiformed police officers, for her arrest without a search warrant and Iuni Sapolu who was asked by Samoa's police to be stripped naked. This is appauling and a blatant misuse of authority and treatment of Samoan women by Samoan men!

Last week a New Zealand man was detained by Samoa police who received injuries during his detainment. The New Zealand Foreign Affairs Ministry are questioning Samoa police as to why they were notified immediately.

But then you have Samoan officials questioning the U.S. embassy about Keil's situation who happens to be male getting all of this attention. I am not disregarding that his situation is not important but what are we saying to our sisters, New Zealand Attorneys Sapolu and Woodroofe that Samoan women deserve less attention and are less important because they are Samoan professional females and do not reside in Samoa? Doesn't anyone find this to be odd? Why aren't the people of Samoa questioning and rallying on their behalf? Knock knock on Samoa Government's door hello can anyone in there address this issue also?

My gosh if they treat Samoans overseas this way I hate to think how the police treat their citizens who don't know the laws nor their rights! Talofa e what about those citizens who can't afford a defense lawyer to represent them what happens to them? Do they slip through the cracks of the Samoan justice system as being the less fortunate therefore insignificant? Wow these thoughts are disturbing aren't they!

But then you have criminals who make it a career out of breaking the laws of Samoa running around committing such criminal acts that are not to be considered as petty crimes as the listed below and other public nuisance instances of violent crimes being reported on a weekly regular basis. The crimes that were reported below were reported just this month alone!:

- Usoali’i Ali’iva’a, a 27-year-old Samoan man who indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl on Jan. 9, 2008 other charges a repeat offender, included 3 thefts October 30 last year and March 10 this year, and included the theft of $21 cash from Age Concern, the theft of cash and cheques valued at $160 from Auto Radiators, and the theft of a $99 cellphone, demanding money by threat in October 29 last year, and unlawfully interfering with a motor vehicle. He was sentenced for only 6 months!

- A 22 year old pregnant Vaitele lady lost her baby from a beating she suffered from the hands of her brother and sister in law.

-A 43 Vaitele-uta woman, Liu Fiaui dies from a fractured skull. Her 38 year old husband Falanisis Talataina is being faced with murder charges.

-Another woman beaten by her brother in law after telling him that the owner of the pot was not present but he proceeded to take it without permission and beat her over the head with it.

What's going on?

I think being violent comes from the frustration of not being able to cope with life.
The lack of intelligence and commonsense. In other words total ignorance and stupidity. I myself hope that all of my relatives no matter where they live have enough smarts to know the consequence of this form of stupidity. If you could only freeze your anger for a split second and think how your action is gonna affect lives including yours, you will probably walk away and be the better person.
I hope that all the violence committed by these people are well documented and would disqualify them from coming to America..