Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Papua New Guinea's newest Hela Province seeks apology for Obama cartoon


The National News

Southern Highlands Provincial flag (Hela Province use to come under this flag)

The Hela Gimbu Association (HGA), on behalf of the people of Hela, has taken a leading role in ensuring that an apology is given by the Tea Party organisation over the recent row of an image that incorporated US president Barack Obama and a Huli wigman.

The association said this after the Tea Party had “tainted” the image of the Huli by superimposing the face of Mr Obama on a picture of a Huli wigman and portraying him as a witchdoctor in a protest against Mr Obama’s health care plan.

The “doctored” image was placed on emails, on web sites and in the form of posters at anti-health-care plan protests for weeks, attracting adverse comments from Papua New Guineans abroad.The association said in a statement yesterday that the ridicule done by the Tea Party would be felt in times to come “and our children will have to bear the brand name the witch doctor’s children."

“This is the national brand name as well and this country cannot accept it,” the HGA said.It said that its foremost objective would be to retain the good name of the Hela identity and the underlying values behind it, which is the most important concern that the Tea Party had tainted.“

We have never felt such discrimination to our cultural identity as portrayed before the world and we will not rest until we receive an official apology through the global media.”The HGA called on the Culture and Tourism and Foreign Affairs and Immigration ministers to push for formal apologies for “the irreparable damages caused to our heritage."

“This is a challenge to this country and we have to show that we will not accept such ridicule and discrimination dished onto our culture,” it said.

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Papua New Guinea's newest Hela Province seeks apology for Obama cartoon


The National News

Southern Highlands Provincial flag (Hela Province use to come under this flag)

The Hela Gimbu Association (HGA), on behalf of the people of Hela, has taken a leading role in ensuring that an apology is given by the Tea Party organisation over the recent row of an image that incorporated US president Barack Obama and a Huli wigman.

The association said this after the Tea Party had “tainted” the image of the Huli by superimposing the face of Mr Obama on a picture of a Huli wigman and portraying him as a witchdoctor in a protest against Mr Obama’s health care plan.

The “doctored” image was placed on emails, on web sites and in the form of posters at anti-health-care plan protests for weeks, attracting adverse comments from Papua New Guineans abroad.The association said in a statement yesterday that the ridicule done by the Tea Party would be felt in times to come “and our children will have to bear the brand name the witch doctor’s children."

“This is the national brand name as well and this country cannot accept it,” the HGA said.It said that its foremost objective would be to retain the good name of the Hela identity and the underlying values behind it, which is the most important concern that the Tea Party had tainted.“

We have never felt such discrimination to our cultural identity as portrayed before the world and we will not rest until we receive an official apology through the global media.”The HGA called on the Culture and Tourism and Foreign Affairs and Immigration ministers to push for formal apologies for “the irreparable damages caused to our heritage."

“This is a challenge to this country and we have to show that we will not accept such ridicule and discrimination dished onto our culture,” it said.

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Papua New Guinea's newest Hela Province seeks apology for Obama cartoon


The National News

Southern Highlands Provincial flag (Hela Province use to come under this flag)

The Hela Gimbu Association (HGA), on behalf of the people of Hela, has taken a leading role in ensuring that an apology is given by the Tea Party organisation over the recent row of an image that incorporated US president Barack Obama and a Huli wigman.

The association said this after the Tea Party had “tainted” the image of the Huli by superimposing the face of Mr Obama on a picture of a Huli wigman and portraying him as a witchdoctor in a protest against Mr Obama’s health care plan.

The “doctored” image was placed on emails, on web sites and in the form of posters at anti-health-care plan protests for weeks, attracting adverse comments from Papua New Guineans abroad.The association said in a statement yesterday that the ridicule done by the Tea Party would be felt in times to come “and our children will have to bear the brand name the witch doctor’s children."

“This is the national brand name as well and this country cannot accept it,” the HGA said.It said that its foremost objective would be to retain the good name of the Hela identity and the underlying values behind it, which is the most important concern that the Tea Party had tainted.“

We have never felt such discrimination to our cultural identity as portrayed before the world and we will not rest until we receive an official apology through the global media.”The HGA called on the Culture and Tourism and Foreign Affairs and Immigration ministers to push for formal apologies for “the irreparable damages caused to our heritage."

“This is a challenge to this country and we have to show that we will not accept such ridicule and discrimination dished onto our culture,” it said.

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Papua New Guinea anger over Obama witchdoctor image

From AdelaideNow News

Papua New Guinea has become embroiled in an American race row after US President Barack Obama was depicted as a witchdoctor by opponents of his healthcare policy. In the offending image, a headshot of Obama was superimposed on a photograph of a Papua New Guinea Highlands region Huli wigman in full traditional costume, supposedly to portray the black president as an African witchdoctor.

A US organisation known as The Tea Party mocked up the image as part of their three-week series of protests across the US against controversial healthcare reforms. The image has upset Papua New Guinea citizens, particularly those living in the United States, and ignited a furious debate online and in Papua New Guinea newspapers.

Popular Detroit-based Papua New Guinean blogger David Ulg Ketepa said the image was disgusting. "Many Papua New Guineans living in the US and around the world are angered by the picture,'' he said. David Ulg Ketepa blogged that media organisations have flooded his email inbox seeking interviews. "The sad thing that I noted from this bunch of emails is that, nobody knew where Papua New Guinea is,'' he said.

"It gives me an impression that most Americans are ignorant and do not want to reason out things before opening their mouths,'' he said. US news network Cable News Network (CNN) asked Tea Party member Joe Wierzbicki whether the image was racist or satirical.

''(It) says to me that a lot of people in this country are angry about the direction that the Administration and Congress are taking us,'' he said. Former US president Jimmy Carter described Republican Joe Wilson's outburst "you lie'' during Mr Obama's healthcare address to Congress earlier this month as the "aversion to have a black person as president''.

Earlier this year, a US university student was arrested after putting up digitally altered posters of Obama as Batman comic villain the Joker.

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Papua New Guinea anger over Obama witchdoctor image

From AdelaideNow News

Papua New Guinea has become embroiled in an American race row after US President Barack Obama was depicted as a witchdoctor by opponents of his healthcare policy. In the offending image, a headshot of Obama was superimposed on a photograph of a Papua New Guinea Highlands region Huli wigman in full traditional costume, supposedly to portray the black president as an African witchdoctor.

A US organisation known as The Tea Party mocked up the image as part of their three-week series of protests across the US against controversial healthcare reforms. The image has upset Papua New Guinea citizens, particularly those living in the United States, and ignited a furious debate online and in Papua New Guinea newspapers.

Popular Detroit-based Papua New Guinean blogger David Ulg Ketepa said the image was disgusting. "Many Papua New Guineans living in the US and around the world are angered by the picture,'' he said. David Ulg Ketepa blogged that media organisations have flooded his email inbox seeking interviews. "The sad thing that I noted from this bunch of emails is that, nobody knew where Papua New Guinea is,'' he said.

"It gives me an impression that most Americans are ignorant and do not want to reason out things before opening their mouths,'' he said. US news network Cable News Network (CNN) asked Tea Party member Joe Wierzbicki whether the image was racist or satirical.

''(It) says to me that a lot of people in this country are angry about the direction that the Administration and Congress are taking us,'' he said. Former US president Jimmy Carter described Republican Joe Wilson's outburst "you lie'' during Mr Obama's healthcare address to Congress earlier this month as the "aversion to have a black person as president''.

Earlier this year, a US university student was arrested after putting up digitally altered posters of Obama as Batman comic villain the Joker.

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Papua New Guinea anger over Obama witchdoctor image

From AdelaideNow News

Papua New Guinea has become embroiled in an American race row after US President Barack Obama was depicted as a witchdoctor by opponents of his healthcare policy. In the offending image, a headshot of Obama was superimposed on a photograph of a Papua New Guinea Highlands region Huli wigman in full traditional costume, supposedly to portray the black president as an African witchdoctor.

A US organisation known as The Tea Party mocked up the image as part of their three-week series of protests across the US against controversial healthcare reforms. The image has upset Papua New Guinea citizens, particularly those living in the United States, and ignited a furious debate online and in Papua New Guinea newspapers.

Popular Detroit-based Papua New Guinean blogger David Ulg Ketepa said the image was disgusting. "Many Papua New Guineans living in the US and around the world are angered by the picture,'' he said. David Ulg Ketepa blogged that media organisations have flooded his email inbox seeking interviews. "The sad thing that I noted from this bunch of emails is that, nobody knew where Papua New Guinea is,'' he said.

"It gives me an impression that most Americans are ignorant and do not want to reason out things before opening their mouths,'' he said. US news network Cable News Network (CNN) asked Tea Party member Joe Wierzbicki whether the image was racist or satirical.

''(It) says to me that a lot of people in this country are angry about the direction that the Administration and Congress are taking us,'' he said. Former US president Jimmy Carter described Republican Joe Wilson's outburst "you lie'' during Mr Obama's healthcare address to Congress earlier this month as the "aversion to have a black person as president''.

Earlier this year, a US university student was arrested after putting up digitally altered posters of Obama as Batman comic villain the Joker.

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A 33 feet (10 meters) snake found in Bulolo/Wau, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea continue to surprise the world with species that have never been spotted before since human habitation in those areas. The huge rainforest, rugged terrains, ranges, valleys, and mountains make Papua New Guinea well suited for animals to adapt to the tropics.

Papua New Guinea made headlines around the world when a giant rat was found by British researchers. A few days later, mine workers at the Harmony Gold Mine in Bulolo/Wau spotted a huge python (bellow) measuring 33 feet (10 meters) and weighs up to 65 pounds (30 kilograms).

Mine Workers using their equipment to lift the huge snake for a pic. Click the pic to enlarge

However, it was alleged that the mine workers have intentionally killed the snake. Outspoken Member for Bulolo/Wau, Mr. Samuel Basil told the National EMTV that the mine workers should have let the snake go away because it did not pose any threat to the community or to them.

"The creature had done nothing wrong and this is my community and I am saddened by these men who killed an innocent animal", the MP said. The mine workers told Mr. Basil that the snake fall from a tree and hurt it's head ultimately causing it's death.

But many people including MP Basil believe that the story was fabricated by the mine workers to cover up their intentional act to kill the snake. An upset Mr. Basil called for the mine workers to come out to reveal the truth behind the rare species ever found in the Bulolo/Wau electorate in the Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

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A 33 feet (10 meters) snake found in Bulolo/Wau, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea continue to surprise the world with species that have never been spotted before since human habitation in those areas. The huge rainforest, rugged terrains, ranges, valleys, and mountains make Papua New Guinea well suited for animals to adapt to the tropics.

Papua New Guinea made headlines around the world when a giant rat was found by British researchers. A few days later, mine workers at the Harmony Gold Mine in Bulolo/Wau spotted a huge python (bellow) measuring 33 feet (10 meters) and weighs up to 65 pounds (30 kilograms).

Mine Workers using their equipment to lift the huge snake for a pic. Click the pic to enlarge

However, it was alleged that the mine workers have intentionally killed the snake. Outspoken Member for Bulolo/Wau, Mr. Samuel Basil told the National EMTV that the mine workers should have let the snake go away because it did not pose any threat to the community or to them.

"The creature had done nothing wrong and this is my community and I am saddened by these men who killed an innocent animal", the MP said. The mine workers told Mr. Basil that the snake fall from a tree and hurt it's head ultimately causing it's death.

But many people including MP Basil believe that the story was fabricated by the mine workers to cover up their intentional act to kill the snake. An upset Mr. Basil called for the mine workers to come out to reveal the truth behind the rare species ever found in the Bulolo/Wau electorate in the Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

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A 33 feet (10 meters) snake found in Bulolo/Wau, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea continue to surprise the world with species that have never been spotted before since human habitation in those areas. The huge rainforest, rugged terrains, ranges, valleys, and mountains make Papua New Guinea well suited for animals to adapt to the tropics.

Papua New Guinea made headlines around the world when a giant rat was found by British researchers. A few days later, mine workers at the Harmony Gold Mine in Bulolo/Wau spotted a huge python (bellow) measuring 33 feet (10 meters) and weighs up to 65 pounds (30 kilograms).

Mine Workers using their equipment to lift the huge snake for a pic. Click the pic to enlarge

However, it was alleged that the mine workers have intentionally killed the snake. Outspoken Member for Bulolo/Wau, Mr. Samuel Basil told the National EMTV that the mine workers should have let the snake go away because it did not pose any threat to the community or to them.

"The creature had done nothing wrong and this is my community and I am saddened by these men who killed an innocent animal", the MP said. The mine workers told Mr. Basil that the snake fall from a tree and hurt it's head ultimately causing it's death.

But many people including MP Basil believe that the story was fabricated by the mine workers to cover up their intentional act to kill the snake. An upset Mr. Basil called for the mine workers to come out to reveal the truth behind the rare species ever found in the Bulolo/Wau electorate in the Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea.

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Empty promises...and more empty promises‏


In the Post Courier Tuesday 29th September, 2009 there was a letter from a 'Concerned Papua New Guinean' that says it all. The people of Papua New Guinea are being held as virtual hostages to secure continued foreign aid and assistance.

Yet after years of receiving this aid, the Papua New Guinea people and the country are worse off than before.Can it be that those managing the foreign aid to Papua New Guinea don't know this or are they too concerned with retaining their positions to suggest any change to the existing arrangements?

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Michael Somare meets US President Barrack H. Obama in Washington, D.C.

The Australian Prime Minister declared after his visit to Papua New Guinea that there would be a change to the current PNG overseas aid program however, where does the personal responsibility and accountability now lie? Where are the pre set benchmarks to be met for Papua New Guinea aid to be seen as a successful program, prior to any aid monies being spent?

If the recent reports of a new Australian Federal Police assistance program eventuate, where are the detailed plans and expected outcomes to be achieved, before any 'boots hit the ground'? Who is responsible and accountable for the program and who will acquit the use of these taxpayer funds?

US President Harry Truman is reputedly to have had a sign on his desk that said: 'The buck stops here'. The sign, in US vernacular, declares who is ultimately responsible for the decisions involving the country. i.e. That country's leader. So now where does the 'Buck' stop in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister is Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Before the last Papua New Guinea election, a great many things were promised to many people.Could these promises now be labelled "Empty Promises....and more Empty Promises?"

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Empty promises...and more empty promises‏


In the Post Courier Tuesday 29th September, 2009 there was a letter from a 'Concerned Papua New Guinean' that says it all. The people of Papua New Guinea are being held as virtual hostages to secure continued foreign aid and assistance.

Yet after years of receiving this aid, the Papua New Guinea people and the country are worse off than before.Can it be that those managing the foreign aid to Papua New Guinea don't know this or are they too concerned with retaining their positions to suggest any change to the existing arrangements?

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Michael Somare meets US President Barrack H. Obama in Washington, D.C.

The Australian Prime Minister declared after his visit to Papua New Guinea that there would be a change to the current PNG overseas aid program however, where does the personal responsibility and accountability now lie? Where are the pre set benchmarks to be met for Papua New Guinea aid to be seen as a successful program, prior to any aid monies being spent?

If the recent reports of a new Australian Federal Police assistance program eventuate, where are the detailed plans and expected outcomes to be achieved, before any 'boots hit the ground'? Who is responsible and accountable for the program and who will acquit the use of these taxpayer funds?

US President Harry Truman is reputedly to have had a sign on his desk that said: 'The buck stops here'. The sign, in US vernacular, declares who is ultimately responsible for the decisions involving the country. i.e. That country's leader. So now where does the 'Buck' stop in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister is Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Before the last Papua New Guinea election, a great many things were promised to many people.Could these promises now be labelled "Empty Promises....and more Empty Promises?"

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Labels:

Empty promises...and more empty promises‏


In the Post Courier Tuesday 29th September, 2009 there was a letter from a 'Concerned Papua New Guinean' that says it all. The people of Papua New Guinea are being held as virtual hostages to secure continued foreign aid and assistance.

Yet after years of receiving this aid, the Papua New Guinea people and the country are worse off than before.Can it be that those managing the foreign aid to Papua New Guinea don't know this or are they too concerned with retaining their positions to suggest any change to the existing arrangements?

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister, Michael Somare meets US President Barrack H. Obama in Washington, D.C.

The Australian Prime Minister declared after his visit to Papua New Guinea that there would be a change to the current PNG overseas aid program however, where does the personal responsibility and accountability now lie? Where are the pre set benchmarks to be met for Papua New Guinea aid to be seen as a successful program, prior to any aid monies being spent?

If the recent reports of a new Australian Federal Police assistance program eventuate, where are the detailed plans and expected outcomes to be achieved, before any 'boots hit the ground'? Who is responsible and accountable for the program and who will acquit the use of these taxpayer funds?

US President Harry Truman is reputedly to have had a sign on his desk that said: 'The buck stops here'. The sign, in US vernacular, declares who is ultimately responsible for the decisions involving the country. i.e. That country's leader. So now where does the 'Buck' stop in Papua New Guinea?

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister is Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Before the last Papua New Guinea election, a great many things were promised to many people.Could these promises now be labelled "Empty Promises....and more Empty Promises?"

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