DPS defends Scientology group against public criticism by Tina Mata'afa Samoa News Writer In response to criticism aimed at Scientology, members of the Dept. of Public Safety stepped up to defend the group during its South Pacific Goodwill Tour grand opening that included a graduation ceremony for 16 police officers who completed a four-week training hosted by the Scientology Volunteer Ministers. DPS Deputy Commissioner Filifaatali Mike Fuiava "clarified" for critics of Scientology that the training did not at all promote Scientology. "There is a wrong perception out there as far as this training," said Filifaatali during his remarks at the ceremony held Friday, March 14. "People are thinking that Mathew and his staff are trying to promote Scientology. That was not the intent of this training." He said free disaster response training by the volunteer ministers taught police officers "how to deal with people" and "prepared police officers for when a disaster happens," adding, in times of disaster people are known to "panic" and act "irrational." "That's what this training was about...if you want to learn about their ministry there are posters and banners here," said Filifaatali, inviting the public to learn more about Scientology at the big yellow tents that are located adjacent the McDonald's Restaurant in Tafuna. He said 35 police officers started with the class, but some opted to drop out of the Scientology training due to "outside forces" who urged them not to undergo the training. Filifaatali congratulated the police officers who completed the disaster response course and said "it's good for you, it's good for us and it's good to prepare yourselves to be a better police officer." Police officer Poutoa I'amanu, Jr., the only officer and first person in American Samoa to complete the entire disaster response training spoke briefly, saying "a lot of people don't understand what this is about." "It's not about changing your religion, it's knowing about how to further ourselves in everyday life and disasters...communications and study," he said. Mathew Andrews, who is heading the tour, also clarified for the gathering that "Scientology is a religion." "Scientology is a religion because we believe man is a spiritual being. We believe in God. We believe God gave man great wisdom. However, we do not preach about God. We support all religions and want people to go to Church. I, myself, go to Church here in American Samoa. Man is better off when he has a faith in God," he said during his speech. He said "anyone from any faith or culture can use Scientology ...to be more able to improve conditions in your life." Andrews told Samoa News, "people can come in and have a look on the walls, there is information being displayed, a DVD on disaster response, they can learn new things, ask questions and request training. It's open to the general public." For more information, call Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour Director Mathew Andrews at 252-1168. Reach the reporter at tina@samoanews.com.  © Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights. Samoan farmers are changing by Pio Sioa Samoalive/Newsline Watch dog group says they wrote to DOI because Ipulasi issue was ignored by La Poasa Samoa News Staff Common Cause President Ben Te'o said one of the reasons their organization decided to write to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne about Lt. Gov. Ipulasi A. Sunia is due to the lack of reaction from the Fono regarding "this very important issue." He said the Fono - whose lawmakers represent the voice of the people in government - has not even raised the issue of the lieutenant governor being implicated by the federal government during its regular sessions. He said the lieutenant governor was charged last year, yet, not one lawmaker has questioned or raised concern about the second-highest leader of the territory being implicated in connection with federal crimes relating to the awarding of contracts for the Department of Education. The Common Cause president said this plus the many residents who have approached Common Cause has led to them writing to Kempthorne asking why DOI, as the oversight agency for American Samoa, is continuing to allow Ipulasi to serve as lieutenant governor. Te'o also cited "our weak laws" as another reason. He said history has shown that government leaders have dodged prosecution because of their position and connections. He said if it weren't for the federal government "stepping in...we would not have seen government leaders prosecuted." Te'o said Common Cause is awaiting a response from Kempthorne about their letter, before looking into other options, such as having a petition signed by 25 percent of registered voters calling for the removal of the lieutenant governor, or requesting an impeachment process to initiate in the House of Representatives. Interior Department's acting deputy assistant secretary for Insular Areas, Nikolao Pula said he has not seen the Common Cause letter. "I work for Secretary Kempthorne and protocol dictates that he decide on the proper way to respond to Common Cause," said Pula responding to Samoa News inquires for comments on the letter. "Since the letter was made public by Mr. Te'o, one could assume that any response to Mr. Te'o would likewise be made public by Mr. Te'o." Ipulasi's trial is set for Jan. 13, 2009, presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton. The Lt. Governor has denied the allegations against him and his attorney has said that Ipulasi awaits vindication in Court. Electronics federal court records show that the trial is expected to last two weeks. Earlier last month, Samoa News received unconfirmed reports that Lanny A. Breuer of the Washington D.C. law firm of Covington & Burling is representing Ipulasi in his criminal case "pro bono" or free of charge. Samoa News sent an e-mail to Breuer in early February whether this was true. With no response, Samoa News re-sent another e-mail requesting comment last week to Breuer, and another e-mail the following day to Ipulasi requesting comment. As of yesterday evening, Samoa News has not received a response to our e-mails. Reporter Fili Sagapolutele contributed to this story. Reach the reporter at la@samoanwes.com.  © Osini Faleatasi Inc. dba Samoa News reserves all rights.     Enter your search terms Submit search form   Web www.samoanews.com