Wow, I can't believe the explanation Sioa just gave. You really think the arrest of Keil is about that? The problem is, Samoa has not done anything to allow the US to recognized them (The country). ok, we have Samoans in the arm service but so as other countries. We sit back in amazement and criticized the US for what they have and can do, but do nothing to put ourselve on the world's map.

Is Samoa doing too little to associate themselves with the US government and other major countries to be recognized. So when people of our goverment are outside the walls of the South Pacific they're not just regular people but those of importance. And you're right, if Rise was in any country, she would not even hear about the subject "passport status" because someone would be out of a job way before she finds out. The US are not that sloppy. It's that important. A name as big as Keil, only Samoa knows who he is because we don't do much with other countries besides China as far as his position goes. I bet China would do the same to Keil but worse.

Do not trust China it is a communist country. Please, thats not why Keil was incarcerated. I'm sure there was a good reason. Someone dropped the ball somewhere. If Keil is a very important person, doesn't he have someone going all his traveling arrangements. Why don't we start with that person. I'm sure Samoa's not going to tel us the real reason it will make them look bag. Just like any country, you blame it on someone else, We're used to being in the dark.

Keil, I'm glad to know you're doing well. You've done a lot and Samoa owes you an apology along with the United State. The US should be ashame for not doing their homework. I tell this, someone in the INS better have a good explanation why it happened.

Faafetai faitau.

I just had a good conversation with Hon Joe Keil and he is very glad to be out and enjoying some valuable time with his family in Missouri. I sent emails to many people that I know in Utah especially the Samoan Community to kindly please voice their support for Mr Keil as I know him to be a great and straight foward gentleman. The best thing we can do to help him is to foward letters of support to his attorney's office. he was treated badly and and called illegal alien after being in and out of the US for many times. He is very happy to be out and waiting for the day of his trial. We will keep you in our prayers for as long as you needed it.

Best of luck.
F.Taala.

You know as an American resident it is hard to disagree with what you said Pio. This whole fiasco has illustrated the true state of our diplomatic relations with the US. Crap! And if anything it will create more of an anti-American sentiment as if the world does not hate us enough already. One of Samoa's beloved leaders has been treated in every way but diplomatic. Why does Samoa not have better ties with the US one might ask. Well its because we are of no strategic importance to them. For what they do need they have claimed Am Samoa. The rape and pillaging of our ocean for our fish, and a port of strategic presence. Even in Am Samoa, every now and then the feds swoop in and cuff a few govt officials. You know for good measure and to lay down the long arm of the law. If Joe was a diplomat from the oil drilling Saudi Arabia he would be on a flight back home faster than you can say "Sweet Potatoe Pie". It really begs the question, is America a true messenger of peace and democracy or are they self serving? Something to ponder.

Samoa has been an Official Country for the past 1000 years......way before Miss/Mrs or Mr.Loi came to Earth.....accept that other Island called American Samoa. Dude, over here, when ever we hear the word US, we laugh our elegis out....... GOSH!!!! its the biggest living joke ever DUDE!!!! Look around you, do you have any friends? Kolea i Matu (North Korea) threatens to kick your butt dude!!!! LOL

With all due respect, i don't want to be devil's advocate and i'm very sad to hear what about happened with Joe Kiel, as we Samoan all knows what a great man he is and has done a lot for our country. As a Samoan residing in the US, i travel to Samoa quite often and i don't have the priviledge coming to Samoa and make a statement that i'm a Samoa citizen when holdinig a American passport. It's a lot easier for us to critize the US government for Joe's arrest, when we don't have all the facts. Based on the information provided, Joe presented his US passport and claimed that he was a US citizen and the fact of the matter is, he is not. He may be a US national since his mother was born in American Samoa. We also read about his citizen application which was dined back in 1967. When questioned about the passport, he then claimed that he is a Samoan diplomat. Given those information, Joe may have used his diplomat status every time he traveled back and forth from Samoa to US, and this time, he finally decided to use his US passport, and then alarm set off.

Now, we can't compare Dr Rice with Joe becasue Dr. Rice never claimed she was a Samoa Citizen, and i bet she has an American passport when she travel abroad. Let's not blame the situation on US government becasue our little Samoa was not attacked on September 11 2001. As far as Samoa coming home in body bags, let's keep in mind that American Samoa and the country of Indepedent country Samoa are totally different countries. Yes, we have families in both Samoa and American Samoan and that makes us all Samoan. Let's not compare apples with oranges. Samoa is an independent country and they have their own government laws to live by. American Samoa is under the US watch, so yes, we all Samoan, but each country have its governments system. It was obvious when the indepedent of Samoa decided to chage the side of the road to travel without given consideration to other Samoan in American Samoa and United States, so that mean, the Independent country of Samoa cut all ties with all Samoan in American Samoa as well. You can't serve two masters, and in this case, Joe was caught in between countries.

So, let's not jump to conclusion and blame the US government for what has happened with Joe Kiel. As i mentioned earlier, i'm sadden to have see this happened to Joe as we all know him and the good deeds that he has done for our people, but the agents were just doing their jobs and follow protocals.
Faafetai lava, Sau mai Samoa

I wonder if some of these American based Samoans expressing their opinions here are aware of what they are truly saying or how they really sound.

See if you agree with what some are saying.
….”Yes I’m a Samoan but I love America…” “Yes I’m Samoan but America can never be wrong…” “Yes I’m Samoan but if it is a choice between shooting a Samoan and an American I will shoot the Samoan…” etc etc..

Sau mai Samoa, I beg to differ. The facts as I've read them are these - Joe Keil is a member of Parliament in the Independent State of Samoa who has dual citizenship, one US and the other Samoan. By the way that is the norm nowadays, I too have dual citizenship, US and Samoan - This is all legal and recognized and approved by the USA - you can hold dual citizenship as long as the other country you are citizen of is neither a terrorist regime or communist. In Joe Keil's case as I understand it, when he travels on government business he uses his diplomatic passport(Samoan passport) but when he's on personal business to the US then he uses his US passport. He could have easily used his diplomatic passport, but being the honest person that he is, he doesn't, as that would be abusing the privileges of a diplomatic passport. If it was anyone else but Joe they would have happily used the diplomatic passport everywhere they travel especially in the US as that would mean no wating in line, being treated like royalty, immunity from local and federal laws and all the other perks that comes with it. But Joe Keil, a person of integrity and honesty did the right thing and used the passport of the country he thought he was also a citizen of, after all, he used this same passport when he joined the air force and fought for this country, he's also had it renewed four times in the past 40 years without any problem. Also according to facts presented, he has travelled back and forth to the US at least six times or more a year for the last 30 plus years on this same passport with no problem. His mother and children all live here, he lived here for a long time before moving to Samoa. Also he was not arrested in Los Angeles where you enter the US and have to show your passport, he was arrested at the residence or place of business of his daughter in Branson Missouri after traveling from Los Angeles to Missouri where we all know you don't show a passport when you're traveling between States. So the question, if the passport was questionable why wasn't he apprehended in Los Angeles, the port of entry and where he spent a couple days before boarding a domestic flight to Missouri, also why wasn't he arrested when he landed in Missouri but waited until he was home with his family, probably a good day later. You said you're playing Devil's Advocate, that's all well and good but I believe you need to play Devil's Advocate with our US government not Joe Keil as this looks more and more like innocent citizen profiling and if you've lived in America all your life like I have then you know that the America we use to know where our basic rights are guaranteed by the Constitution is no more. Be afraid, be very afraid as one morning you might wake up and there'll be homeland security personnel at your door informing you that everyone who's a naturalized citizen is no longer a citizen and must go back to the country they're from. Don't forget what happened to the Japanese when America got too paranoid - a lot of innocent America loving Japanese were locked up and all their rights and properties taken in the blink of an eye. I am a true blue blood American born and raised in this great country and I will do everything to defend it's honour but when there is a grave miscarriage of justice as in Joe Keil's case then I won't blindly defend those deeds. I for one will not go quietly into the night and I hope Joe Keil will do the same - there is no excuse for this character assassination, especially of an honourable person like Joe Keil. Joe , keep the faith and believe that our Heavenly Father is on the side of the righteous and that you will overcome. As you have so unselfishly give to those who have less than you, may God give to you now all that you need to fight this great injustice.

Very good responses. Right on the money "Sau mai Samoa". I moved from Upolu as a young 9 year old and have spent now 21 years in the US. Samoa still holds a special place in my heart. I speak fluent Samoa and encouraged my children to speak Samoan in my home. I do though avoid 99% of the fa'aamoa practice, it does not work in America. Please, stop it now, I can just hear it, its not "Fia palagi" its what's best for me and my family. Anyone of you would do the same for your family. My point is..I love Samoa, it's the country where I was born and where my parents were born, but the US is what I call home. Every Samoan living outside of Samoa feels the same with whereever they are.

Samoa will always be a concern to me because I want to see it do well and progress. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Keil in 2008, and when speaking with him I know he is very sincere and a good man. I was sad to see this happen but we don't know the facts and so I don't want to assume anything.

My question is, why does he not use his diplomatic passport? I know it was said that may be he does not want to abuse the privelege, but in his position " It comes with the territory" as we call it here in the US. When someone like him work so hard to get to where he's at then he deserves it. To avoid any missunderstanding, why not?

Fa'afetai faitau

No one really knows all the details about Keil's detention. Only he knows the FACTS and until he publicly explains the situation, we can't really accuse the US of wrongdoing because the heightened security is for good reason.
Maybe there was a lack of diplomacy with the INS agents part, but we don't know all the facts once again.
The good news is Keil is safe with his family. US Immigration could have opted to have him remain in their custody until his hearing date.

"Talofae", learn the history of our country(s) before you maasiasi yourself "DUDE". Na fa'atuina Samoa i le tausaga 1 9 6 0. You must not live or ever lived in the US in your short life "DUDE". If you did, not long enough to know whats best for you. Look, there are things in politics you and I really DO NOT understand. Well, in your case, I probably know a little bit more than you do "DUDE". What has the country of our parents offered you? What does it have to offer your children or neices and nephews still living in Samoa, better education, how about a fair shot at life? I really don't see people flocking to live in Samoa. New Zealand has more Samoan that Samoa itself. Kids in Samoa have no chance to progress after they graduate from school, and if they do go to college there what jobs waiting for them. What, Ma'umaga? If thats what you went to school for, then your goal has been reached. Hopefully the Tiapula are all in the ground by now.
What I was getting at in this whole fiasco was, no one cares about Samoa because Samoa don't care much for their own and lack resources. Someone as important as Kiel, gets arrested for something as simple as a passport. Is it his fault, probably not. He has put time and effort in the government of Samoa, he shouldn't have to deal with this kind of problem anywhere. Whereever he spends his time it should be made known to that country. He can not travel in this manner and get caught up with cituation as foolish as this one. It's embarrassing to the country and it shows what kind of a government Samoa runs. We have to get better at letting the world know that we are on top of things and their is no flaw anywhere evethough there are.
I am not going to sit here and make it sound like the US has a flawless government. I know there's dents and cracks all over and we're all working to repair it but it will take years if not the next generations. We are still repairing damages from hundred of years ago.
Tell me this, can you go to Korea or China, so-call friend to Samoa, and not have to worry about getting yourself in some kind of problem with the government. Or would you be better off in the US and be free from those worries. If you're saying you can get along well in Korea or China, then you are a fool.

As a United States-born citizen, I take offense to your statement of "typical American arrogance and lack of cultural pedigree." The U.S.A is a country born of culture. Made up of diversity. A melting pot of ethnic flavor. I take nothing from Mr. Kiel. I don't doubt that he is an inspiration to those who have had the pleasure of his company. BUT...he is also ONE of MILLIONS of visitors to the US that are detained due to various laws regarding citizenship. Even more so now with 9/11 opening our eyes to those who act as if they were in medieval times.

As for your friends in China, well, I wouldnt brag about that. The EUP(European Union Parliament) threatened to boycott the Olympics if violence in Tibet continued. Of course, the Olympics went on as scheduled. Just hope and pray that China doesnt do to Samoa what they are doing to Tibet. China is a communist country and they expect those "funds" to be paid back. Where is Samoa going to get the money to pay China for all of their "friendship"? From the citizens of Samoa of which 75% are unemployed? Or maybe the funds are a gift from China. But then again you know that old proverb "beware of Greeks bearing gifts" in this case I would replace Greeks with China. You know the story of the Greeks sending the Trojans a wooden horse blah blah blah...anyway...true story. History tends to repeat itself when we dont learn from it.

I appreciate your remarks, but if you read my comments correctly, i never metioned anything about Joe was arrested in LA. Of course, i knew he was arrested in Brunson, but the fact of the matter is, he was arrested. You mentioned that Joe is an honest man and a man of intergerity. I never questioned that, but the fact of the matter is, he was arrested when he used his US passport. So, obviously someting went wrong, of which led the US fedreal agents to Brunson and arrested him. We don't know all the facts, but it's best to let the court system takes it course and hope the best for Joe.

As for as our beloved country of Samoa, i'm really concerned, because i feel that all the Samoa living in US and American Samoa are not really considered Samoan. Samoa only applies their laws only to the Samoa in Australia and NZ. Where's that leave us, Samoan in American Samoa and Samoan in US? I think our government should focus on developing a better relationship with US and less askiing China for hand out. It seems to me that every other month or so, our PM and other MP have made many trips to China. PLEASE SAMOA, DON'T SELL US OUT!

China has done a lot for our country, but only benefit the rich, and not the poor. Yeah, the new building has been set up for all the MP offices and other luxury treatment, vip, gym and spa, and yet, i read on Samoaobserever about children illness are been neglected because of the lack of doctors and nurses. In every country, health care and education have always been a priority, and yet, Samoa are focusing on building more building, when lof of the empty buildings Faleata are not being used. Focus on the needs of the people of Samoa and not the empty building. God help us!

Somebody please stop me giggling silly at people like Samoan Gal in the USA and especially that insignificant ant of a person who calls himself/herself Loi.
So Samoan Gal takes offence at ‘typical arrogance and lack of cultural pedigree’ Mr. Sioa wrote…. Heh heh heh…if America is ‘a melting pot of ethic culture’, what then is the real culture you so called American have?….Germans have German culture, Samoans have Samoan culture, Chinese have Chinese culture…what exactly do you Americans (with Samoan extraction) have…perhaps…a culture of arrogance directed at your own flesh and blood? Maybe it’s better if we leave it there Samoan Gal!
As for you Loi, let me respond to you in the Samoan language (supposedly a mother tongue for you if not your parents).
Your command of English ( Her Royal Majesty’s beloved language…not American) is not proficient enough to express yourself properly.
So let me put it this way for you …..“ O outou o lupe na faia mai le fuifui e fa’alele aua se ai o Samoa.”
Talofae. Talosia ua folau i lagima si ou tuaa na saili malo atu ile malo o Meleke aua se ai mo Samoa.
Talofa i lona maasiasi i lou fulitua mai i elele sa, ma le tapuaiga mamana a le atunu’u, sa fa’anono manu aua se manuia o sailiga malo o ana tama fanau.
Talofae Samoa i le tali fa’aaliali ua aumai e au lupe fa’alele.
In case you missed the cultural depth of what has been said in your own Samoan tongue, let me sum it up for you.
Samoans who leave the roost for new nesting in foreign land are heroes/heroines. Leaving the warmth and security of the home in search of a better future is supposed to be beyond the call of service to the motherland. Is Samoa no longer good enough for you?
When you do your prayers tonight Loi, be reminded there are others praying for you…and not just in the great US of A.
I’ll leave it there for you, Samoan Gal and all, the other special ‘lupe na faia mai le fuifui’ to ponder.
Either you are a Samoan or not.

Im sorry you werent allowed to leave the motherland.

Americans have American culture. We are a melting pot of other cultures. We think McDonalds, Burger King and Kentucky Fried Chicken are cheap foods. We are American Football, Baseball and Basketball. We celebrate Labor Day and Thanksgiving. We dosey doe and we love rock n roll.

I am Samoan and dang proud of it. I support Samoan owned businesses. I send money to Samoa so that my family can spend it IN Samoa, thereby stimulating Samoa's economy. I speak the Samoan language respectively and with much admiration. I represent my Samoan culture with heartfelt gratitude. I am an educated Samoan woman, a threat to some backward thinking Samoan men.

On another note...
I find it very disturbing when people like Loi and Samoan gal think they are so much better the rest of us living in Samoa. The type of people who came for a visit and stay in hotels because they are not used to the heat and cold showers. Please come to Samoa and bring lots of cash (from your unemployment benefit) but leave the attitude. "E vave ai oga fasia oe" My two senes worth...

I read every common and everyone make sense from the east to the west from north and south. I agree I believed the all our point of perspective is comming from where you live and who we are as samoan. People in the U.S know how it constitude and regulate because they live there, people in Samoa thinks that love should wash away every wrongdoing if there is in this case. We understand Keil has devoted his time and effort into the U.S military, we also understood his integrity and his time serving diligently into our country of samoa. Understand that man will always be flawless no matter what position he holds in one country. I will not be little Keil but I do know that if his immigration status was the issue he would have been arrested in LA port of entry coming from Samoa, if he was comming from Am. Samoa his port of entry woul be Hawaii. He would be held in L.A or Hawaii if immigration status was the problem. We are all Samoan no matter where we live or work our heart will always be where we originate and migrate from. We all live a bitter and sweet life no matter where we are. I give my hat out to those who can speak maturily and elegantly with customary manner both Samoan and English. I had never come across a board full of educated Samoan whom speak so proudly of their culture and share the best thoughts in mind. I had sense a little conflict here, I did not sense any arrogancy nor any thoughs of malice, I have taken a keen intrest in how educated everyone thoughts were. I do wonder why Samoa has taken a lot of intrest in merging with a communist Party like China, I do wonder why Samoa is not trying to get AID from the U.S like every other country in the world including china. I do understand that the U.S can take samoa out of our misery as far as resources, I also uinderstand that Samoa has nothing to offer the U.S. I have nothing against china but the fact is China works for the U.S, The U.S give china the resources they need and yet they always bite the hand that feed. Don't let China bite our hands Samoa . Male ava Faatatau.

Loi....aisea ua e oo atu ai i US? le mafaia le life a Samoa? DUDE...e a la ona o ese tagata ma Samoa ua le mafaia le life...so guys were chossen to live outside of Samoa and send the money over DUDE. In my case...I can support my family over here DUDE...no need to send anyone outside to bring any money inside...no I can do all that with just one hand....lol...Loi my DUDE, which school did you go to? Harvard University? Stanford University? niversityornia - Berkeley? Massachusetts Inst Tech (MIT)? or California Inst Tech? coz if none of these Unis is in your list then I strongly advice you to come to the National University of Samoa....LOL
KASI lau mea sa'o Loi!!! Im a faimaumaga....ae o lau maumaga e run i computers....high tech plantation DUDE!!! hahahaha....

LOI!!! its not 1960...its 1962.... ia vaai laia o lea e iloa e le famaumaga ae e ke leiloa.... faapea o oe e ke faigaluega i le NASA as a tea lady...LOL

Bye LOI....

What does this saga tells us? I think the best line to describe it is....WHERE THE HELL IS SAMOA! 170,000 people in a tiny island in the middle of the ocean... does not mean anything at all to US or even China? Those US officials carry out their official duties and they have due process to follow. Does not matter whether you are a Prime Minister of Samoa or a faifeau, makes no sense to those officials.... Hope Joe will get out soon.

My apology if I struck a painful vain in your head Brother. Nothing to lose sleep over.If your happy with what Samoa can offer you, then good on ya. But you are a fool if you can't look beyond the shores of Samoa to know whats best for you. Let me give you some examples of why I do not live there. (1)The last time I looked, Samoa's hospitals is filled with unqualified people. It's filthy when it should be the cleanest. How many people do you know have died in Mato'otua because of the lack of medicine and good doctors. The Indians come and do their thing and then they're gone. You think they want to spend their lives and many years of school treating people there when they can make million elsewhere? (2) The business owner's prices are outragious. Can you work with the wages there and afforded? Doubt it. Whatever, deep down inside you're feeling the squeez by the government and poverty just like everyone else there. Your little "2 sene" an hour ain't worth your trouble. Your head's too big for that little body of yours to know when to stand down. It's not how big and strong you are Brother, It's how well you nigotiate that'll get things flowing. With all the energy I feel from you I hope you're putting it somewhere good to help out the country for everyone's sakes.
And your fa'asamoa, I'm impressed. Brother, don't waste your time with that stuff. Even in your own government they don't speak that way. They all speak the language of the world, and thats simple Samoan and simple english. Can you imagine yourself talking like that to every Samoan you come in contact with?

Fia matamata i lou maumaga ga e run i le computer,fia iloa foi le ituaiga computer na ete faaogaina poo se dell,e machine,hp poo se Imac (apple) ae ta te lei toe foi i Savaii i le afiafi nanei.

How is this blog evolving into a clash between Samoans in Samoa and Samoans as sojourners and foreign residents (esp. in the US)? Not smart! - It’s just a non-stimulating and non-invigorating debate topic. Anyhow, let me get to the more important issues.

Well, here’s another example of Pio’s extreme and accusatory style of journalism.

I have expressed some of my opinions regarding Mr. Keil’s troubles with some moderate anti-US sentiments and speculation. In other words, I have tried to avoid being too presumptuous in my assessment of the situation, mainly because of insufficient available knowledge and facts surrounding the case.

I am, without a doubt, on Mr. Keil’s side, and I hope that in the end that the US is wrong. At the same time, I have to remain open-minded about the whole thing. It’s an emotion-filled issue, because of our great love and admiration for Mr. Keil, not only as a fellow Samoan and a friend, but also as an honorable individual and a government official. But our emotions should not override our rational minds and faculties. Therefore, we should not be too quick in issuing indictments and drawing hasty conclusions about the US. Not the least of which is the use of stereotypical biased and demeaning foreign policy concoctions and slogans as headlines. It is only fair that we employ objectivity in these matters.

What is perhaps more bothersome to me is Mr. Sioa’s constant endearing treatment of China as Samoa’s better ally and friend than the US. Worse still, is depicting this burgeoning friendship as a possible - not probable - motive and cause for Mr. Keil’s detainment. This is too farfetched - speculative at best and malicious at worst. I don’t mind the pro-China sentiments, but to use them to impugn and condemn the US is proof of being irresponsible. If I may digress for a moment, Mr. Keil aside for now.

This whole China-Samoa friendship should be viewed with caution and through informed and educated lenses. Let me expound.

It’s a fact that two dissimilar individuals - and countries for that matter - can become the best of friends and allies. The question is for how long, and is it an enduring friendship especially if each side insists on its own beliefs, unwilling to compromise - most notably - their core ideals and founding principles?

Samoa and China are at extreme opposites of their political and religious ideologies. China is a Communist country; Samoa is a democratic one. China is non-Christian, God-less, atheistic and largely irreligious; Samoa is founded on God and Christian principles, and perhaps the most religious country in the world. For a more meaningful, serious and lasting relationship to exist, there needs to be compromises in these basic fundamentals of nation-building. Can they, and will they? Which of the two will give up or compromise its basic ideologies to cement an enduring friendship with the other? Do you think Samoa should and would? Do you think China should and would?

In international relations, serious allies are not and should not be born of and/or based exclusively on material aid or other superficial means. Gifting multi-million dollar buildings do not necessarily mean that the benefactor is a true friend, especially, again, if the core and founding principles of the two countries are at odds. This kind of relationship may better be explained in terms of a host-parasite partnership. One or the other will eventually be exterminated. Personally, I think Samoa, because of its dependence inclinations towards China, is more likely to become the victim. Samoa, ironically, is politically independent yet seemingly dependent in all other aspects.
Here’s a more important, and practical question (I would invite Mr. Sioa to write an op-ed on it):
“If the US is at war with China, and barring neutrality, on whose side will Samoa be - China as a supplier of material aid, or the US as an advocate and protector of fundamental human rights and core democratic principles?
For me, I guess it will depend what Samoa values the most. It will be sad though if Samoa chooses sides based on gifting buildings and monies and not on her founding principles.

As a supporter of China (vs. Taiwan) as the “legal” member of the UN, Samoa stands to continue receiving aid from Salamasina’s (Jan Jungi) country. I think that Sino-Samoa relationship should be aptly called “frienemies”.

Briefly, back to Keil’s case. With the detainment happening around the 9/11 anniversary, I’m wondering if profiling was used by the INS officer. In addition to his Middle-Eastern impressions, as others have noted, Mr. Keil is also a pilot by trade, and tohether with a suspicious passport, he “matches the typical sketch” of the 9/11 pilots. The bottom line is, based on further evidence presented by family members, Mr. Keil will be cleared and, hopefully, indemnified. Good luck Joe!

Soifua.

SamoaMoSamoa: I dont think im better than you because I dont live in Samoa. I dont stay in hotels when I visit Samoa. I take cold showers. I wash my clothes by hand. I live as my family lives. I bring enough money to give to my family so that they can make necessary repairs to their home to withstand the next hurricane. I pack no bags except for my purse because I leave everything I come with to my family. I would gladly give up this extravagant lifestyle, you seem to think I have here in America, to live without worry of where is my next meal coming from. We may be a poor family but we are humbled and thankful for our lives.

To the Dead horse comment: DUDE! You need to bring it down a notch. You are one of the very few that can afford to live on your wages in Samoa. I congratulate you on a job well done. My family in Samoa are farmers. They sell their wares in the market. Sometimes they come home with 2 tala in one day. Sometimes they come home with no tala. I'm one of those Americans that just went to high school. No kinda college or trade school. My computer? A friend bought a new one and gave me the old one. I wish I had a high tech ma'umaga like you. You're freakin' rich DUDE!! If you think that your words are impressing people on this thread ITS NOT! If you want people to be impressed by you then open up a computer lab on your high tech ma'umaga and teach the samoan people the basics of the computer. Do something productive instead of belittling your Samoan people living abroad. Go and raise funds to purchase medical supplies and take a weekend out of your busy schedule and have a book drive. There is so much you can do for Samoa.

I hope Samoan's leaders are smart enough not get deep into the communist philosophy with China. You will regret the day you allowed China to built buildings, and the day you bestowed upon the Chinese leaders the titles that only belong to the Samoan people. The country will suffer because of it. I guarantee it will come back to haunt the land of my heritage, although, I'm an American by definition.

Ah yes, my fellow Samoans are upset because one of our own was detained for further questioning and interview by Immigration services and department in the U.S. with handcuffs and supposedly shackles? Don't get me wrong my fellow Samoans, I may disagree with the shackles that some of you described in an article or comment on here with Mr. Kiel while being detained? However, let’s put away the emotional twist that has everyone angry, upset, fuming and ticked off!
Let’s replace everyone’s emotions with logic and some common sense, can we?
Mr. Kiel is a key player as a business person first and unofficially a Samoan government representative second. Mr. Kiel may handle an affair here or there for the Samoan government and its interest globally, in some way? But we all can agree that Mr. Kiel is a big boy and he handled himself well and professionally as an individual during his time of questioning and detention. He was able to make bail, and if found cleared of any charges he gets his money back.

But that’s the least of any concern for now in what took place here. The process in a situation such as this one that took place with Mr. Kiel, is thorough and time consuming as described in the article. But to make it sound like he was in Guantanamo and not sitting at a table having tea with the officials looking into his background and citizenship? Is like me saying, “Any Samoan who is a suspect of anything in foreign countries should not be questioned?” If you do question them, then you must have lots of food, water, entertainment and family visits that come and go as they please.

Mr. Kiel will clear everything out and the U.S. will offer an apology for the inconvenience this has caused him and his family. The U.S. will not be sorry however for detaining Mr. Kiel and investigating his background and citizenship, due to the frequent visits that he makes to the U.S. and communist China.

My fellow Samoans, I understand your frustration with one of our own being detained and questioned by the U.S. government. Many foreigners are detained for further questioning everyday and the system does not discriminate.

The Patriot Act is in full affect and that should be a reality for foreign travelers and tourist visiting the U.S. It’s a different world today folks! Terrorist bombing around the world and destroying American interest is the reason the Patriot Act is in full play. The protection of U.S. interest and national security at home here in the U.S. is the right of any country. Samoa has a system in place also to protect its interest and sovereignty, however little or small it maybe in comparison to the U.S.

Having said all this, Mr. Kiel will be fine and get an apology from the government and he will be cleared and assurances will be made so that this does not happen again.

I mean, the Samoan government can just put this to rest and make him a traveling diplomat for Samoa where diplomat paper work can be filed and produced to provide diplomatic immunity in the U.S. for Mr. Kiel and we can forget about this ever happening again!??!

God Bless you Mr. Kiel for your service and sacrifice you give to the Samoan people as an ambassador to Samoa in your travel. And Heaven save those of my fellow Samoans who somehow find it convenient to trash and sound ignorant on matters such as this to label the U.S. as some evil monster in their imagination.

Soifua lava
Robert in OC, California

I have read all t he comments upz and downz point, but people lets not go there, o ai g aoga? faigaluega pe leai pe fai maumaga foi, everyone entitles to her/his words mindful, but let me remind u we are samoanz sao pe sese? ia fiafia laia ae aua le misa.

Be happy dont worry

Thank You Robert!

Great job Sifa and Robert, and well done! I'm with you Loi and Samoan Gal. Mr Samoa is way off to the left. I guess he is the only Samoa with the high tech maumaga. Maybe if he could help my family in Savaii with your high tech computer maumaga Mr Samoa, because i'm tire of setting home remittance every week. You are totally lost dude! Don't hate us because you couldn't get away! I for one was born and raised in Samoa and i know how difficult life is there. I'm just very fortunate to make good money to support my aiga back home. You can't fool anybody with your nonsense. You need to look in the mirror and a grip of reality about life in Samoa.

Mr. Samoa, are you kidding me with your explanation of what Germans, Samoan & Chinese culture have as oppose to American culture? Let me remind everyone that read these comments, that the countries you just named off are all countries with 90-95% occupancy of Germans living in Germany, Samoans living in Samoa and Chinese living in China. Samoa, Germany & China couldn’t afford people from other countries moving in with their cultural back ground and changing the social fabric Germany, Samoa & China wrap themselves in. Nothing is wrong with protecting the culture and cherishing it with pride to identify where one comes from.
Samoa would not exist if 25% of its population were Chinese, 25% were Germans if they chose to migrate and take advantage of the warm sun, beaches and limited land it has to offer.
The only arrogance in this great country of the U.S. is three parts.
One, the U.S. feeds the world in times of trouble and famine, earthquakes and hurricanes.
Two, the U.S. has freed more people from socialism and communism with its military force that is the best in the world. Notice, never once has America tried to colonize these countries (her Royal Majesty’s) after saving their rear ends (England, France, eastern Europe & Russia), in world war 1 and 2 from Hitler and Germany.
Japan was given a dose of reality after its attack on Pearl Harbor. Only to be built up by American ingenuity and financing with their own democracy in the end; with a full hand over to the Japanese. Central America is free from communist influence and takeover tactics by Russia, with the help of America and its military. Iraq, Afghanistan is voting, creating their own democracy and government with the help of the great country U.S. and its strong Allies of U.K. and Australia.
Third, Capitalism in this great country and parts of Western Europe has made more people live better lives financially and economically, than socialism and communism could only dream of!
China is the only communist country that is succeeding today that Russia and parts of Eastern Europe could not do. How is that?
Because the Chinese know how to play the capitalism market and do it well. Only the people of China will bring the controlled government of China to its knees, when people who prosper in life are going to want to break free from the barriers of communism to use their prosperity through capitalism expand beyond the government regulations.
Money that is pumped into Samoa from outside families in the U.S., Australia, U.K., NZ, and other countries is a major reason that the economy in Samoa is able to function. Money sent into Samoa is a major service to the mother land! Without this financial influx, the economy in Samoa comes to a halt!
By the way, American culture is all around you in Samoa. McDonald’s, pizza places, internet café, and the American style sports facilities that were built by Chinese, golfing range, hotels, rental car companies and even down to the religions that the western Europeans and American missionaries embedded into Samoan way of life.
I won’t even start with the Polynesians who had a spoken language but didn’t have a written language, which was introduced by the missionaries in the 19th century. Oh, and the Boeing aircraft that Samoans board everyday to migrate to and from Samoa. Culture is also a social form, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group and the American culture is right there in the thick of it in Samoa.
So when I do pray at night, I pray for my family first here in the U.S. and Samoa, the military personnel that is defending American interest and national security globally, and the continued blessing on this great nation which feeds the world when they hunger or tragedy occurs, defends foreign lands when others with evil intentions would like to take it over and do ethnic cleansing when given the power to do so.
I pray for the ignorance that some have against the U.S. and hope someday they dig deeper to educate themselves on the greatness of America and not just the hatred spewed by socialist around the world. Ignorance is a costly expense for the rest of society.
I even pray for the leftist nuts! Who promotes peace in the face of their enemies by thinking they can sit and have tea with them and wear their tie-die shirts together and hug, hug, kiss, kiss? In the end, its action that comes in to save the peace talking socialist-liberals who sit with their enemies and try to be lovers?
“Peace through strength!” Not strength through peace?
God Bless America! & God Bless Samoa!

Soifua Lava,
Robert

Mr. Samoa, are you kidding me with your explanation of what Germans, Samoan & Chinese culture have as oppose to American culture? Let me remind everyone that read these comments, that the countries you just named off are all countries with 90-95% occupancy of Germans living in Germany, Samoans living in Samoa and Chinese living in China. Samoa, Germany & China couldn’t afford people from other countries moving in with their cultural back ground and changing the social fabric Germany, Samoa & China wrap themselves in. Nothing is wrong with protecting the culture and cherishing it with pride to identify where one comes from.
Samoa would not exist if 25% of its population were Chinese, 25% were Germans if they chose to migrate and take advantage of the warm sun, beaches and limited land it has to offer.
The only arrogance in this great country of the U.S. is three parts.
One, the U.S. feeds the world in times of trouble and famine, earthquakes and hurricanes.
Two, the U.S. has freed more people from socialism and communism with its military force that is the best in the world. Notice, never once has America tried to colonize these countries (her Royal Majesty’s) after saving their rear ends (England, France, eastern Europe & Russia), in world war 1 and 2 from Hitler and Germany.
Japan was given a dose of reality after its attack on Pearl Harbor. Only to be built up by American ingenuity and financing with their own democracy in the end; with a full hand over to the Japanese. Central America is free from communist influence and takeover tactics by Russia, with the help of America and its military. Iraq, Afghanistan is voting, creating their own democracy and government with the help of the great country U.S. and its strong Allies of U.K. and Australia.
Third, Capitalism in this great country and parts of Western Europe has made more people live better lives financially and economically, than socialism and communism could only dream of!
China is the only communist country that is succeeding today that Russia and parts of Eastern Europe could not do. How is that?
Because the Chinese know how to play the capitalism market and do it well. Only the people of China will bring the controlled government of China to its knees, when people who prosper in life are going to want to break free from the barriers of communism to use their prosperity through capitalism expand beyond the government regulations.
Money that is pumped into Samoa from outside families in the U.S., Australia, U.K., NZ, and other countries is a major reason that the economy in Samoa is able to function. Money sent into Samoa is a major service to the mother land! Without this financial influx, the economy in Samoa comes to a halt!
By the way, American culture is all around you in Samoa. McDonald’s, pizza places, internet café, and the American style sports facilities that were built by Chinese, golfing range, hotels, rental car companies and even down to the religions that the western Europeans and American missionaries embedded into Samoan way of life.
I won’t even start with the Polynesians who had a spoken language but didn’t have a written language, which was introduced by the missionaries in the 19th century. Oh, and the Boeing aircraft that Samoans board everyday to migrate to and from Samoa. Culture is also a social form, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group and the American culture is right there in the thick of it in Samoa.
So when I do pray at night, I pray for my family first here in the U.S. and Samoa, the military personnel that is defending American interest and national security globally, and the continued blessing on this great nation which feeds the world when they hunger or tragedy occurs, defends foreign lands when others with evil intentions would like to take it over and do ethnic cleansing when given the power to do so.
I pray for the ignorance that some have against the U.S. and hope someday they dig deeper to educate themselves on the greatness of America and not just the hatred spewed by socialist around the world. Ignorance is a costly expense for the rest of society.
I even pray for the leftist nuts! Who promotes peace in the face of their enemies by thinking they can sit and have tea with them and wear their tie-die shirts together and hug, hug, kiss, kiss? In the end, its action that comes in to save the peace talking socialist-liberals who sit with their enemies and try to be lovers?
“Peace through strength!” Not strength through peace?
God Bless America! & God Bless Samoa!

Soifua Lava,
Robert in OC, California

American culture?? hahaha nice propaganda there.

The Chinese invented paper. The paper that americans use to print their money.
The chinese invented gunpowder and rockets. The rockets and guns that americans use to invade other countries.
The Greeks invented democracy, the French improved it, the Americans copied it.
The American legal system is from Britain.
The official languages of America are English and Spanish (from Europe).

Americans are just displaced Europeans who stole the land off the indians.

and God Bless all of us

THANK YOU SOLE. I was gonna say it but then you said it before me. Who are these fia Americans. Ive been here in New York for over 45 years now and all my kids were born here.Not once that they ever replied to anyone that they are Americans.
Remember your ROOTS people, cause you are just another foreigner in this land.
To, Dead horse...DUDE!!! You really hurt my feelings.You know, its pain to me because, you are right. Please be nice. I know its because of Lois comment why you said it out loud, but I'll said it again. Be nice!

Samoan Gal in the U.S.A!!!You really believe there are plantations in Samoa that runs on Computers....HAHAHAHA.. somebody bull me down!!! by the way, Im from the village of Nuusafee Falealii DUDE...so vaai oe lea e lei alu i Savaii, lau susuga MATA ae VAVE e sau e vaai lau maumaga e te lei alu.....Sole...e le lavea tou US PCs ga o le Mac, HP i lau lisi...Dell is ok and its not a US product. Bro!!! this was between me and Loi...so aua le Bell!!!
Loi, why does all your points points to money.....hehehehe!! another correct english phrase for you. Loi, when was the last hour, minute and second and hour you were in Samoa? hehehehe....PLUS!!! What do you mean falemai palapala...?? Kele le au feoki i Motootua?? Unqualfied Doctors?? Inikia mumu working in Samoa??? no DUDE!!! no more Inikia mumu....the US wiped them out of the equation. and by the way..o le falemai palapala lea sa e ulufafo mai ai mai le pogisa sa e iai.... if not you and your other gang bang.....your great grammies !!!!...great great great a grammies!!!.....a? Sorry Loi, I think o le vaitaimi o a Palemia iinei Winston P. G.Bush lena e te sese mai ai....

Unite us Loi!!!!....Not Unite US Loi!!!!

Fa laia...but, I'll be black...sou alu e igu seisi au...giu sui i le vodka!!! Ae ia ou koe oo mai ii ua makala J.Keil...or else laa ou aloalo aku foi i lau paopao...

Uso, ua ese le mea ua o'o iai lou agaga. Fa'afetai fo'i mo lou manatu. Ua matou iloa fo'i le mea o lo'o i lou loto. Fa'atoese atu pe'a iai se tala ua so'oga lafo atu. O a'u o se tagata loto alofa ma loto maualalo ae o le a ou le gugu fo'i pe a o iai se mea e tatau ona fa'asa'o.
O tagata Samoa e le nonofo i Samoa, e leai lava se tasi ua fa'agaloina le tatou atunu'u ma tagata. E fa'anoanoa o matou loto o na ua matou iloa e le o alualu i luma le atunu'u. O le suiga fo'i o tatou auala taluai nei, ose mea o le a fai ma avega mamafa i tagata o na o latou o le totogiina. E leai se tupe tele a le malo e fai ai le na suiga tele. O le alai lea ua matou talatalanoa atu ai ma fai manatu atu ai. E leai se mea e leaga i le na mea? E le o oe fo'i po o seisi ua nofo i Neusila po'o Ausetalia ua matou le malilie i ai, o latou o e ua ta'ita'ina le atunu'u. Matou te le o fa'apea atu fo'i, e sili atu matou i Amerika i se isi lava. O la'u manatu o le fa'aleoina o lo'u ia mafaufau ae le o se manatu o se isi tagata. O le a lava se mea e mana'o ai le tagata mo lona ia lelei, ia o le sa'olotoga na o le lalolagi. Fa'amoemoe ua lava ma totoe manatu ua tu'umaiina e fesoasoani ai i nisi fa'alavelave se'i tulou.

WOW! WOW! So shocked and amazed by all comments! Very interesting to find out that some people don't really want to claim or remember their roots. I couldn't believe that because I'm one of those Proud Samoans that was born and raised in Savaii in a faleoo, eating a fasipopo and esi in the morning, and moved to US at my early teenage years...have been a US citizen for more than 30 years, but will never forget my language and will never ever turn my back to a country called 'HOME'.

PLEASE EVERYONE, BE PROUD Of WHO YOU ARE & DON'T DEGRADE SAMOA!

se Loi ku'u ia lou faakele savili; ia o le magaku o oe e ke alu overseas e su'e ai sou better life and you expect samoa to be developed like a mini america... all developed with first class hospitals; roads; sub ways;...blah blah..or wherever the hell you're at? come on; its people like you that tick me off;...come back to samoa and see if you can hack the life here. what can you give samoa? empty criticisms?...this is the life...e ke fiu lava e ke fia amelikai ma kaukala solo lou guku kasi lava le vaai a le palagi amelika ia oe; o o'e lava o le samoa muli pou'a!....hahahaha....fa laia....gotta get back to work..yes i work here in Samoa and i'm emailing from my own office computer..choohoo...

I thought Valea was just a character on Bro Town, but its actually not. I think all these vale's from Amerika should be Identify, so our Samoan government can deny them access back home when their adopted homeland disown them. These people living in amerika call themselves Americans, well try looking in to your census stats, your known as Samoan American, which means not American at all. If you were you should have been know as American, but no Samoan has to be added there so you and all those other vale can be identify accordingly. So before all you vale's open your fly traps again, think of where you should run to.
Oh and the American culture???? Dam look at the world today, our finances are going hay wire, banks collapsing, cost of living going up and war war war, darn it

Ia, malo oe Uso. O le a matou taumafai atu pea la i Amerika nei. Ua matou iloa uma lava o oe matua le lava lau onosa'i. O upu mea e le mafo'e ai se pa'ui. A fa'apea o le a malie lou loto i se taimi o i luma, toe faimanatu mai. Mnuia le aso.

se ma oukou lava amelika ua kumu oukou i le fia kama auk'u ha ha..se ua kelolisi akoa kagaka uma i kou mafaufau alii..ma sei soia le sooga kasuega kagaka pe a ui aku i kou malae vaalele..o Osama lale e gasegase koeikiiki oki ae kou sooga kafai ai fua kagaka malaga..e koe suegi loa a'u ako e kou kama la e i le airport i LA o le a faakaikai loa ga faa-oso le kipolo i fela o kou kama,,magaia foi le sau i le news, MAKUA I PAPAKU LAVA FOLIGA O LE USA CUSTOM AND IMMIGRATION OFFICER ua kuma e le kama faipopo.

Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish. - Euripides

Minds are like parachutes - they only function when they're open. - Dewar

Stay focused my dear brothers and sisters.

Dont critisize USA . If you live here in US and dont like the system or critisizing the US Govt , then GO BACK TO SAMOA . OH by the way , You Samoan Independent ! This the greatest country on earth ! I'm Samoan live and citizising in US ok, and let me tell you this,the Samoa economy is NOTHING !!! The biggest economy in Samoa is Foreign Money Exchange ,and the highest rate dollar in Samoa is US$$$$. Withou US, The world is NOTHING ! Thats why people swim here , people will do anything to get here in US. I send a lot of money to my family in Samoa to support what ever they need. I spent money to Samoa everytime i come visit my family , so thats helping the economy also . YOU GOT THAT .

kafefe ai foi gi mea ga ao mai ia Platos ma laga vaega hehehe..e, mea ga ua leaga ai kou ulu i Amerika ua malosi kele le filosofia ua kumu ai oukou i le fefe,,one of your own presidents once said "WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR BUT FEAR ITSELF"

Without the Bank of China, the American economy is nothing. haha

Gotta love brain-washed americans. They're so cute when they rush to the defence of their Fatherland.

Thats how politics are played when you ( and Samoa) tread too far to the other side, remember there are no neutral grounds especially with the Patriotic Act in full force!! God forbid if we speak to harsh about your detain-ers, My prayers are with you, God bless you and everyone here and god bless me!!

Soifua ms ia manuia

Sorry shalom ! The bank of china is helping the pacific also NOT U.S , The bank of America can buy out the China country. I'm talking 1 bank out of thousands.

And you are so very quick to defend China. Go live in China...see if you like it.

the bank of china need their money back from the U.S, check your listing for details.......................lol

U.S$ is not the biggest in Samoa. British money (pound) check your bank for more details...............lol

The Bank of China and other Chinese banks are considering buying out American banks hahaha

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE48R0PF20080928Read it and weep

Are you guys Samoan, Do you live in America? Are you guys truthfully honor our country in Samoa. Are you guys citizens of America? Samoan Gal and SamoaAmerican why is it that you guys attack Tango so much? She is only speaking in regards to whom she is and speaking the truth economically about Samoa. I don't think that she likes it when you proclaim the U.S and nothing from the U.S is pouring into the economic growth of our country Samoa. Tango why do not like the information you recieve from Samoan Gal and SamoaAmerican? What in specific do you dislike about them? Tango I think that you hold your grounds well but, You are not hearing them as well. Don't attack me Samoan Gal, SamoanAmerica and Tango....

but I am sure that they will get it...

Samoangal, sorry to burst your bubble, but Samoa's foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, external debt is stable, and inflation is low.

Don't believe me? Ask the CIA, it is their assessment of the Samoan economy as per 4 September 2008. CIA world factbook - go check it.

By the way, it is funny how you criticise Samoa being indebted to China but you seem to think nothing of America being in the same boat! America is in greater debt to China than Samoa will ever be!

Samoa's economy has been averaging high growth rates since 2001. It certainly has challenges to meet - the economy is susceptible to cyclones and the cost of trade is high given it is out of the way of the major trade routes, and the agricultural export sector remains dead. However, the tourism sector is expanding (not just big-resorts either, many family-owners are in the market) and that will provide valuable foreign cashflow in the local economy. The key factor in this latest "monumental" building project is to centre key govt ministries in one building to improve efficiency and service-delivery to Samoan people. It cuts down the red-tape. Other pacific island nations have huge and wasteful public sector, but Samoa's public sector has improved out of sight since the 1990s. It has decreased and its efficiency is improving given. This govt is big on privatisations.

It is not just china helping the country. The EU, Aust, NZ, the Asia Development Bank, and the World Bank are all major players in Samoan infrastructure development. Debt-repayment has been a hallmark of this current HRPP government. Samoa's credit-rating with the ADB and the World Bank is very high. So much progress has been made that the UN wishes to move Samoa off the Least Developed Country index.

Shalom: Majority of banks in the US are FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insured. Which means that to the average Joe, all of your deposits, up to $100k is backed up by the US. Meaning that if your bank should fold you will receive your money back up to $100k. Just this passed week, Washington Mutual (WAMU) went belly up. The US government stepped in and sold all of their assets and liabilities, with a big chunk going to JP Morgan. WAMU is still open for business. China can consider anything they want. They'd have to apply through the US Federal Reserve to buy into any US bank. Its not just the US thats in a financial crisis. You should read the other articles on that website you posted. And dont just look at the pictures...read the actual article. Oh, one more thing Shalom, dont drink the milk from China.

Lajolla: Thanks for asking. I am Samoan. I was born in the US so therefore I am a US citizen. I reside here in the US. Most importantly I am concerned about Samoa. My mother is from Samoa and my father is from American Samoa. Any issues regarding their homeland affects me. Im in no way against Samoa, but I have no trust for China because of the human suffering they're causing in Tibet. I am not angry with anyone and their opinions as long as its based on fact and not personal feelings and I would hope that they show me the same courtesy. Thanks Lajolla!

Yes , the reason china's $ in US is they are investing in into the US STOCK MARKET , They will get the rate of return to help their economy. U.S is helping every country no matter what. You must love that rice Shalom!!!
The enviroment in china is so poluted that , in matter of fact is the worst country in world with polution problem that she has to have US to hold and acumulate their money for them. Better nutralize that rice before you eat it, its contaminated !!!.

hahaha kafefe ia Mike ma lana kaukala mamafa... just bow down and accept your fate like a good boy Mike. China is coming to rescue your economy because of one single fact that is irrefutable. Here it is: Chinese people SAVE at rates far higher than anyone else in the world. They are THE "go-to" country to hold your debt in check. Uncle Sam is going bankrupt and is crawling to Uncle Saiga for a handout. Whether you like it or not Mike, uncle sam has no choice but to eat that humble rice!!

The American economy is a sick piggie Mike, and no matter how much you try to put your lipstick on that sick piggie, it is still a sick piggie Mike.

Kalofae, Everyone! We can solve all the back and forth among the economic 101 debaters on here between the pro U.S.A. Samoans & the Samoans who were either educated in N.Z., Samoa or off Island somewhere?
Let’s put it all to rest and not bail anything out!

Let Wall Street crash! Let the market crash! Sit back and watch the Asian market crash! The European market crash! Clear the table off and lick their wounds of failure in a free market arena.
Because in the end Ladies and Gentlemen, Wall Street is the center of the world’s financial institution where capitalism lives or dies. The market will correct itself and corporations and companies come out stronger from their failures.

I wonder if China’s Asia market is on a life of its own and is leaping towards the opportunity to take over the world financial institutions as the new world leader.

The U.S. government should not bail out Wall Street with tax payer money that they don’t have and are borrowing into the future to payoff these bad business decisions created by failed Fannie Mae & Freddy Mac, heavily regulated by the government! With every other banking institution that is rolling over and going belly up with other U.S. institutions stepping in to buy them (JP Morgan, etc.) and showing that capitalism and the free market corrects itself during good times and bad times.

Why would I (a U.S. citizen) want $700 Billion U.S. tax payer money to go into bailing out foreign investors and corporations that made millions of dollars in the free market by creating 5% of the nations bad mortgages and loans, to people who had no business owning homes and receiving these loans!!! So that these foreign investors (China, Europe etc.) can take the U.S. tax payers money that rewarded them for bad behavior, to turn around and buy up more American companies! No, no, no!

We don’t need more Treasury bonds sold to Asia and the rest of the world for our government to help bail out Wall Street!

Yeah, some of my Samoan buddies on here like to bring up the foreign debt of America and wave it around like its kryptonite?
America’s biggest foreign securities are Japan and China. Japan owns $593.4 Billion and China owns $518.7 Billion.

They buy American treasury securities bonds from the treasury department at a market rate with an interest percentage along with it, and expect it to increase because it’s guaranteed. It’s like you and I opening a CD account and then coming to collect it later when we need it! If the Chi-cons or the Japanese start calling for their bonds to be cashed out right now, the U.S. government would go bankrupt!!! That is correct.
I added the last comment there myself because I am fair and balance.

95% of people in America are paying their mortgages and loans and the economy is sound. Unemployment in July 2006 was 4.6%; today it’s tinkering around 6% which is still far less than any major country around the world.
Our politicians keeps selling bonds and making promises to the American people on how they are going to provide for all their needs, aka socialism! Free health care, free mortgages for failed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, Free everything!
This government needs to cut spending! Strengthen its military and quit buying votes by trying to socialize everything that the government cannot afford!

Slash taxes not just on the people but corporations to have corporations move back to the U.S. to do business and create more jobs. Create revenue because of the tax cutting across the board from people keeping more of their money and spending it or re-investing it into stocks and bonds. Pay down the foreign outstanding treasury bonds and debt to $0.00. Invest and buy up foreign bonds like we should be and keeping the market doing what it does best! Without government interference!

This is why I don’t vote Democrat by the way Ladies and Gentlemen. Voting for O-Bama is expensive and the country cannot afford him and his socialized medicine, more welfare, more government, more change is coming of a European America/Socialism!

The American people are the shakers and the movers in the world economy. Without the American people who own most of the 401k, stocks, shares and investments than any other people in the world that make this market buy, trade and sell? There is no market.

The U.S. Federal government collected $1.2 Trillion dollars in tax revenues and taxes in 2007 because it’s the greatest economy and wealth in the world!

So yeah, my hate America trolls out there that just can’t stand America at the top, not to mention those that come to defend it when we hear the Anti-American drums beat. We might have a foreign debt to the Chi-cons, Japan & the U.K. that are our three biggest bond holders? But trust me, the U.S. government if they wanted to! minus all the social programs that are a national debt. That foreign debt could be paid off by paying the bonds outstanding on them in a blink of an eye.

The movers and the Shakers baby! When we play, everyone else plays! When we stop playing, everyone goes home.

Shalom, it is forbidden that you talk about lipstick and piggies! Go home now and come back when you have put on your burka.

Soifua,
Robert

Shalom my sister !!! Please study the wall street and the rule of 72 is , oops ! its that too technical for you ? The headquater of the Global economy and the global market is in the house sister! We are playing with everybody's money, and we are good at it . We are using the rule of 72 to play with the world's money . I dont want to explain the rule coz its too technical for you , unless you can clearfy it for me . You know that saving or checking account you have in your bank ? Your govt's money ? China's bonds ? They are all coming here to where the global market is . Hey ! there is a china oil in our stock market , may be i'll buy some stocks from them so i can make money and help china with their economy . Hey sis ! you know the fellow by the name Bill Gate ? The richest man in America ? He made a lot of money playing with china's money . ha ! ha !.They just buying bonds , our govts money . O.K! By the way ! we eat steak and eggs here .

Robert, your "witty" retort at me regarding burqas would have been intelligent and mildly entertaining if you had actually hit the mark regarding the link between Shalom and burqa. However, you're about as ignorant as your pea-brained President. So let me educate you: "Shalom" is Hebrew. "Salaam" is Arabic. They are actually quite similar because Jews and Arabs are both semitic peoples, who have faith in the same God of Abraham and a similar culture, but that little bit would've escaped your very american understanding of the world.

Mike, in ten years time, you'll be dining at the table of Uncle Saiga and investing your stocks in the Shanghai Stock Market, as the economic and consumer might of 1.3 billion Chinese people engulfs the economic markets of the world. China is the new America. China in 2008 is where America was at the turn of the 20th century. But China doesn't need European immigrants like America did. China already has 1.3 billion people to power its future economic growth. As the British empire faded in the first half of the 20th century, so will its child America.

Samoangal, if you think Tibet should be independent, then I suggest you tell your president to hand Hawaii back to the Hawaiian people. I suggest you tell the president to hand all the indian territories west of the Appalachian mountains back to all the Indian tribes that were dispossessed and culturally raped by the march of the Europeans who now call themselves Americans. Tibet has been a part of China since before America was even born. It also had essential rule from Beijing since the 13th century.

"oh but the indians are doing economically well from all the casinos now so it was worth it" - If you're going to run an argument like that, open your eyes and see that Tibetan infrastructural and economic development has gone through the roof given the billions of yuan spent in Tibet by the Chinese govt. Life expectancy has actually increased and the common Tibetan has more rights now than when they were ruled as slaves by the Dalai Lama caste.