I’m sure you’ve heard about the tsunami in Samoa – heck, it’s been one the news every half-hour just like any other disaster in another country…
And that’s where I have a problem.
I am getting really ticked that this is being reported and treated as a foreign issue on some far-off island, when in fact the wave poured out a sizable chunk of it’s wrath on American Samoa.
No, it’s not a state – and yes, the people there have names that seem foreign an unpronounceable to those of us on the mainland. But make no mistake – the victims are as American as you and I. This wave hit American soil, wiped out American villages, and inflicted massive damage on the American territorial capital of Pago Pago.
Now – I don’t want to minimize the equally horifying (if not worse) damage on independent State of Samoa next to our territory, or the losses inflicted on other Pacific nations. However the point that I want to make here is that this is not a time to watch the news and feel sorry for the the poor islanders from a place we’ve never heard of. This is a time to stand with our countrymen in their hour of need.
This is a disater on the scale of a major hurricane – and when you account for the fact that American Samoa is such a tiny place, this is their Katrina. So I for one want to see more coverage and more focus on this American tragedy.
September 30th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
I agree with this post. The media needs to cover this more. 22 deaths in such a small island is a big deal – it’s the percentage equivalent of 100,000 people dying in the United States.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
For those of you who are LDS or others who care, 25% of Samoa and 25% of American Samoa are LDS, 30% of Tonga. All missionaries are accounted for as of a few hours ago except two sister missionaries on Tonga.
September 30th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Maybe on our way to help, we could stop by and help out our fellow countrymen in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have been largely forgotten after last year’s floods. The total amount of damage was similar to that of Katrina.
September 30th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
My best friend, Dorathy Tarasawa and family live in Pago Pago. I too have spent many desperate hours surfing the news channels, looking for any news of this tragedy. Right now, I could care less about Obama’s plea to get the Olympics for his “economically” crippled state of Illinois!
American Samoa is AMERICAN and I wish the mainland had the same high percentage of CHRISTIANS! These are the MOST LOVING AND GIVING people I have ever met! I called the USPS to find out if the main post office in Pago Pago is in operation. I thought I could send her some much needed stuff. Poor Dot. She smokes and I know FEMA won’t be handing out cigs!! I called the toll free number given and spoke to a lady in North Carolina. She couldn’t tell me ANYTHING! She hadn’t even HEARD about the earthquake and tsunami! What cave has she been living in??? It’s no wonder the USPS is BROKE! I grew-up in Kodiak,Alaska and remember the devastation from the 9.1 and tsunami in 1964. These people really need our help…NOW! God help them.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Thank you for posting this, Adam.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Illinois Guy,
Where did you get your statistics? American Samoa is 27% LDS, Western Samoa is 34% LDS, and Tonga is 46% LDS, and our church is the largest church in at least the last two of the three, and probably in all three. I know some of the Samoans here in the states, and they are VERY concerned. The Samoan people need to be in our prayers.
October 1st, 2009 at 7:02 am
Dave, it doesn’t matter…was off what looked like a good link on the internet. Thanks for the better information.