By Eleanor Ainge Roy
Ambassador and Mrs. Brown chatting with Schannel van Dijken, President of the Samoa Voyaging Society onboard Gaualofa
The US ambassador to New Zealand Scott Brown (click here) has admitted he has been investigated over allegations he made inappropriate comments on his inaugural trip to Samoa, of which he is also the US representative.
Brown told New Zealand media on Wednesday he wanted to address “innuendo and rumour” about his visit to Samoa in July to celebrate 50 years of the peace corps in the country.
Brown – speaking with his wife, Gail Huff, by his side – confirmed he was the subject of an official administration inquiry by the US state department, which sent investigators to Wellington to look into what took place on the trip.
Brown said the official complaints related to comments he had made at a party in the Samoan capital, Apia, where he told attendees they looked “beautiful” and could make hundreds of dollars working in the hospitality industry in the US. Brown and Huff said they had “no idea” the comments would be regarded as offensive.
Who in the hospitality industry in the USA makes hundreds of dollars? The average Executive Housekeeper makes $39,589 (click here). The average housekeeper makes less than that annually.
With an average salary of $22,990 per year in 2015, (click here) housekeepers and maids don't earn as much money as some other social services workers. For instance, security guards earn an average of $28,460 per year. Maintenance and repair workers ($38,950), hairdressers($28,770) and janitors ($26,180) also earn more than most maids.
“I was told by my people that you’re not Scott Brown from New Hampshire any more, you’re an ambassador, and you have to be culturally aware of different cultures and sensitivities,” Brown said....
Scott Brown is a jerk. He insulted the people who attended his inaugural visit in Samoa. They were there to welcome him and he acted like a complete jerk.
Brown was so bored with his inaugural trip to Samoa to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corp. He insulted the attendees in a backhanded way. I suppose being an Ambassador to the people in the southern hemisphere is beneath his dignity. Well, he needs to think again. He can't even wear a suit and tie. He looks like a beach bum. Where is his ukuele?
These are some of the attendees of the inaugural visit.
...Concluding the evening, (click here) Ambassador Brown and Mrs. Gail Brown hosted Samoa’s very first Pacific Women Leaders cocktail event at the Taumeasina Resort. The evening event, spearheaded by Mrs. Gail Brown, was an opportunity to meet and get to know each participant and learn about their accomplishments. Mrs. Brown expressed how excited and delighted she was to be amongst such an exceptional group of women leaders. Towards the end of evening the Ambassador and Mrs. Brown presented the participants with Certificates of Appreciation to honor them and their contribution to Samoa, as well as their participation in the Pacific Women Leaders program...
