MC12- PICK A TOPIC

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL SAY

"We are broke now, we will continue to be broke, there is no end in sight and we will stay broke".
The state of the Commonwealth speech is nearing. Now I'm wondering just what the 'Better Times' governor will have to say. Have you any idea, I'd like to hear it. This is one speech that I wouldn't to have to give. But of course I'd never be in a pile of shit so deep.
Some question if a better job could have been done by others, considering the mess he inherited. Well I'll say this, he was the Speaker of the House and many times a Representative and is a part of the problems from their start. Anyone could have done better this this, I could have done better then he's doing, And I even bet you could do it to. You see there isn't much you would have to do to do better than this weak excuse of a 'Leader'. This guy is way past his time. He should have been the gov. in the 90's, today his thought process is outdated. Some call it senile.
Back to the 'speech'.
It will be held: Friday, May 2, at the Multipurpose Center beginning at 9am.
Well the first thing we can be sure of he is not gonna say is everything is "Pretty Darn Good".
Next, I'll imagine he will whine about everything that is happening here. His whole approach has always been. It's kinda like Murphys Law: "If something can go wrong, it will".... But rather, Bens Law: something will go wrong, no matter what."
He has a very negative outlook on things so don't expect too much.....
Tell me what you think he will say!
.....GED.....

MC11- BITS AND PIECES

BRAIN FARTS WITH ASSORTED THOUGHTS, AND MY 2 CENTS

I have ranted enough about the power problem and the handling of CUC. If you don't know my point of view about this issue, read a few of my last posts. I'm only going to throw a few thoughts out there to make your mind work a little.

On the news tonight Director Tony Guerrero said that were covered with enough fuel until Fri. That means they raped the power deposits.

Next Fri. they will need $3.1 million, what will they raid next?

I think they need $6.+ million a month, every month, forever!

This cannot be accomplished with the present situation as it is.

Something big and drastic must happen very soon.

Pick your date of doom in the polls.

Some other thoughts:

The governor and his pal from American Samoa, have seen fit to write to several U.S. Congressmen asking to thwart the May minimum wage increase.

They have now resorted to begging, they learned it as kids standing on a median, holding out a tin cup, now they are into begging big time. More begging will come rest assured. I guess this is the new way to request funding. Just wait and watch...

I'm sure they have a lot of friends in Congress by now, what with all their drooling and grovelling over federalization, they should get their wishes pronto. LOL HAHA!

They had a neat little rider in case you didn't see the news tonight or the letter. Below in small print they requested, 'That if the wage hike moved forward the U.S. is required to pay $30 million dollars'! Now I'm laughing so hard, I need a break. Did you see that shit too? It might be in the papers tomorrow, maybe.

More:

Did you see the Senators backpedaling on the Pew's / marine monument bill saying, "Oh, we need more time to study the proposal". I say Bullshit they did a knee-jerk bill and got a lot of slack from the community and Wow did they ever do an about face, right now. This will confirm how the noise from the 'people' affect the government they will listen when the wheel squeaks!

Be sure to pick the date when you think Saipan will have a 24 hour island wide blackout.....

.....GED.....

MC10- ONE PIECE AT A TIME

IS THIS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU?

Here is the headline... Story Here...
'CUC Privatization in Back Burner'
Do you want to see something silly and very stupid? Well check this out.
The plan to privatize the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.'s power operations has been put on the sideline as the administration and CUC focus on repairing the power engines in the power plants.
Is he really saying they are so narrow minded that they can only focus on one problem at a time? Well expect a long wait because there are a lot of problems, big problems and if they can only handle one at a time we're in trouble, big trouble!
Acting Gov. Timothy Villagomez told Saipan Tribune that there is a company that is coming in to address the engine repairs at the power plants.
I was under the impression that there were companies here right now as we speak but are you saying that isn't so? Man what a rip. I was also under the impression that $10 million dollars were being spent on these repairs, isn't that so? What is really happening?
Buddy let me tell you something you need to be addressing every problem now, right now! This is an unacceptable answer at this time. There needs to be progress going on in every aspect of CUC and right now!
“So this is ongoing. That was more of a priority to me, I told the governor. Then down the line, once everything is in place, once we get the efficiency of the engines back, then maybe we can look privatization [again],” Villagomez said.To his understanding, privatization has always been an option for the Fitial administration and CUC.
You really should ask me for help as you are in deep shit. You will never solve any problems using your 'one at a time' method. You gotta get real and seriously seek help.
He said there is no request for privatization since the last one has been cancelled.“The only one that is out is for alternative energy. But privatization is always an option,” Villagomez said. He said right now they are more concerned with what's going on at the power plants. “I opted to work on the situation at the power plants,” he stressed.
Now let me remind you that this very person was included in the list of people who were responsible for its demise in the first place.
An Office of Public Auditor's report issued in July 2007 on the CUC privatization bid ruled that CUC failed to conduct the procurement process fairly and transparently, and discouraged competition by charging exorbitant fees.OPA cited, among other things, that one cannot view the actual request for proposals unless he or she has paid a total of $76,000, submitted financial and other information, and been deemed to be prequalified by CUC.OPA said the fees are unreasonable, and counter the concept of full and open competition.
Now isn't this a sack of shit? How the hell will they get anything done with that piece of crap. Who will bid on that work. To get real for a moment there must be an outside party to manage this bidding, this government is inept, incapable and can't handle even putting a respectable piece of work together. If you need help ask me!
.....GED.....

MC9- IN A STATE OF DENIAL

AS CUC GOES SO GOES THE CNMI GOVERNMENT

It's only a matter of time, the end is nearing, see my last post MC8 and pick when you think it will happen. Lets see where we are at now... Story Here....
Speaker: CUC is in Critical Condition:
SPEAKER Arnold I. Palacios says the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. is not joking — it really doesn’t have money to pay for its fuel supplies. Palacios, R-Saipan, yesterday said he is hoping that the Senate will pass House Bill 16-90 to allow the administration to reprogram funds for CUC’s fuel expenses. “In the absence of a (law repealing the residential power rate cut), I hope the (senators) can take a look at this legislation as an alternative,” said Palacios. “To sit back and do nothing is ludicrous.” The House passed H.B. 16-90 on Friday.

CUC is short about $1.5 million for its next fuel purchase.
So H.B. 16-90 a short term fix, allowed CUC to take half of it's security deposits to pay for fuel, it allowed the transfer of funds due to the retirement fund to be used for payment of fuel, so what is next? Could it be the other half of the security funds, re- appropriations from empty funds? It's all downward from here. How ironic it was Palacious who drafted the bill to lower CUC's rates along with the 'we can't do the math' TTT.... Rates = Costs.

This is the very cause of the trouble CUC is in today, yet you won't hear one squeak out of them that it was their fault. No, they won't even repeal the stupid law that caused the problem.

The part of this that I find amusing is the retirement funds to be 'saved' and used for CUC. First of all they aren't paying now, and haven't paid into the fund since 2006, so how is the money they are saving from payment to this fund (it's the non-existing money again) gonna pay for fuel for CUC? It's simply ridiculous!

So maybe they can save the day this time by using their piggy bank and scratching for chicken feed, but next week it will be the same shit all over again, and the next week and the next.... Where is all the money gonna come from, it is a snowball headed to hell...

Do you think they will start to spend next years budget (which is already behind schedule) to pay for the remainder of this year? This is a common ploy used by this broke government before, so maybe they will use it again. Wait and watch!

THIS WHOLE GOVERNMENT IS IN A STATE OF DENIAL

Have a happy day...

.....GED.....

MC8- A LINE IN THE SAND

DO YOU HEAR ME NOW?

Betting on the economy:
As I've been saying, this economy is in a state of crashing and the time is very close. I won't get into the reason I'm saying this is because I've said it all already in posts like MC1 or maybe post MC .. Or in the news here... MC6..
It's not about... IF it will happen but more or less WHEN it will happen. What I want to see is how long do you think it will take to happen? So I'm placing a poll giving you a chance to pick which week it will happen in, you pick a week that you think will be the first 24 hour island wide power outage. You see that will be the line I have drawn in the sand to use as a breaking point. So when do you think will be the week that Saipan goes 24 hrs. in an islandwide outage?
The poll question:
In which week do you think will be the first 24 hour island-wide black-out.
Yup it's not if, it's when! So take your pick!

Now I have picked the last week of May 25 - 31. If you would like to register your vote place it under 'comments'. Anon's try to I-D your comment, with a letter or number..
.....GED.....

MC7- FYI - SPEECH - FORUM

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

The governors State of the Commonwealth message and the Washington Office report.
As a reminder, the State of the Commonwealth Address and the State of the Washington Office Report are scheduled for this Friday, May 2, at the Multipurpose Center beginning at 9am.
Also, the first quarterly State of the Legislature public forum has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 7 in the Multipurpose Center Annex Room, starting at 6pm. I will be providing a report on the activities of the 16th Legislature this first quarter, including status tables of legislation introduced thus far and voting and attendance records of legislators in both chambers. This public forum will also be an opportunity for members of the community to air their concerns on the pressing issues of the day (including CUC, the economy, and the need for reducing the size and cost of government), to comment on potential solutions that are being considered within the Legislature, and to offer their own ideas.
The forum will also be an opportunity for citizens to sign up to participate in the circulation of two popular initiatives:

1) to apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature
(resuming the initiative drive that began last year);

2) to downsize the Legislature.
Thank you and have a good week,
Tina Sablan
So if you want to see and know what is going on here's a place to get some information. Please participate in the forum to express your opinions.
.....GED.....

MC6- READ THE NEWS TODAY

HERE IS WHAT I'VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG...

I won't put it all down because I've said it all before. Only now it is catching up and it isn't about to stop...
READ THIS and then READ THIS and finally READ THIS.....
That says it all. When you're done reading those articles you will understand what I've been saying all along. It's just getting closer and closer and closer and closer.....! One More.. READ THIS....
Need I say more?
.....GED.....

MC5- NO ENVELOPE = NO VOTE

CAN'T MAKE UP YOUR MIND, ARE INDECISIVE...

DEAR LEGISLATORS:

Maybe you have trouble making up your mind? A little confused? Don't understand whats going on?

Well we have a suggestion for you!

Whenever there is a vote, the vote must reach the required number by a consensus of all the qualified voters, not a majority of voters present. Consequently if you don't vote you still will be counted as a nay vote. So you will be voting no without showing up and voting.

Now this should be a new rule. What brought this about was you refusing to represent your voters by not offering at least some type of attention. Put this one in the books.

Just trying to help where help is needed!

.....GED.....

MC4- SITTING ON THE FENCE

ELECTED OFFICIALS SHOULD BE DECISIVE

If you don't participate....Are you needed?
Why is it when many important issues are brought up for a vote in the legislature, there are always the ones who have no balls and want to appear in the middle of the road? Aren't these people there to make decisions, so why do they sit out or even worse fail to even show up? There should be a rule that unless there is a serious legitimate excuse they must be there and they must vote! Did you elect your representative, send him to do your biding, pay him good money to sit on his sorry ass and not participate in the business at hand?
If these guys want to sit it out and not enter into the process why do we need them? To hell with 'um, don't vote-don't get paid! There needs to be a complete revamping of this dodging their duty and non participation in voting.
Lets take the last post I have here MC3 and look at what went down there.
With 16 no votes and two yes votes, the lower chamber rejected the proposal to allow casino gaming at the former La Fiesta shopping mall. Rep. Oscar M. Babauta and Rep. Stanley T. Torres voted in favor of the proposal. Representatives Justo Quitugua and Raymond Palacios were present, but did not vote. WHY?
So if you voted for the two guys that didn't feel it was important enough to take their time to vote, I'll ask this question, 'Are they really needed'? So why were they even there? Did they find out from their community what the people thought and then go vote the will of the people or was it 'I'll just sit on my ass and let it slide', that's what my people wanted. Yeah Right! So were they there for window dressing, to look to important, to just have a job, what the hell are they for? If they are from your district are you proud of them for standing up for your position? I'll bet they never ask you!
The people who voted you into office deserve better then what they are getting and a change is in the wind. This shit gotta stop.
Now I'm not picking on these two guys only, others do it all the time too, they just happened to be there in the last post. This kind of shit goes on all the time, I say this needs to change!
Watch your elected officials and see if they working for you or if they are there for a free ride!
.....GED.....

MC3- GAMING BILL - POLL RESULTS

GAMING BILL NIXED FOR THE FOURTH TIME

See the poll results below....
The House has rejected for the fourth time a gaming bill sponsored by Oscar Babauta.
SAIPAN GAMING BILL SHOT DOWN AGAIN... Story Here
The House of Representatives has killed the fourth and latest Saipan gaming bill. With 16 no votes and two yes votes, the lower chamber rejected the proposal to allow casino gaming at the former La Fiesta shopping mall. Rep. Oscar M. Babauta and Rep. Stanley T. Torres voted in favor of the proposal. Representatives Justo Quitugua and Raymond Palacios were present, but did not vote. The measure, titled the “Video Gaming and Entertainment Card Games Act of 2008,” was the fourth La Fiesta gaming bill to get the ax since last election, when voters junked the casino initiative for Saipan.
Here are the results of a poll I had running a few weeks:
Do you approve of the new House Bill to allow gaming?

Total Votes: 56
Yes, pass it.................. 21.4%..0r....12 votes
No, throw it out.......... 19.6%..or....11 votes
Off with their heads!.. 58.9%..or.. 33 votes
So 44 out of 56 voters rejected this bill, most wanted to off their heads! Maybe this will be the last we will hear about this for awhile. What do you think?
.....GED.....

MC2- POLLS

DON'T MISS THE POLLS, IN THE RIGHT COLUMN--->
My question for the day: How can you make all the problems of the CNMI disappear?
Click on comments for the answer.

MC1- IN YOUR POCKET

YOUR MONEY AND CUC

Another goofy knee-jerk quick fix that still won't solve anything.

What are they thinking?

Here's what may come next....

This is to announce that the House will resume its session today, April 25 @ 2pm in the House Chamber. A final agenda is not available yet, but we are likely to take up HB 16-90, which proposes to provide the governor and other expenditure authorities with unlimited reprogramming powers for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2008; to suspend earmarking of certain non-General Fund revenue; to authorize CUC to use a portion of customer security deposits to pay for fuel; to lower the government employer contribution rate from 18% to 11% and use 50% of the savings for a fuel subsidy for CUC; and to raise fees for certain government services by 100%.
So will you lose your security deposits? Could be, although they are required to still pay them back in 30 days if you discontinue the services. But everyone will lose everything if CUC goes broke and it's headed that way, They are scraping everything from the bottom of the barrel now, but the fuel tanker will still keep on coming. At some point there will simply be no more, and that time is sooner than you think. Maybe next week?

Lets face it, this shifting and dancing of funds won't accomplish anything, there must be a rate set so that Rates=Costs.

This is kinda like using your master card to pay your visa bill, robbing Peter to pay Paul, taking from one pocket to fill the other, some day it will all come crashing down! That day is just around the corner.

Let me say this, this has NOT been passed yet but it is the kind of knee-jerk bill that get slammed through the house, so why would this be any different?

As for the bill to allow CUC to set its own rates, as I mentioned in MC1, I'm not sure what number that bill is or when it will be addressed. Bottom line is this...Rates must equal costs, RATES=COSTS

.....GED.....

PS.. On another line. How will changing not paying an 18% contribution to the retirement fund to not paying an 11% rate make any difference? They are not paying anything at all now, so what will be saved? It's that non-existing money being passed around again!

.....ged.....

MC- IT'LL BE SNAFU DEJA VU (déjà vu)

THIS MUST BE PASSED, THERE ARE NO OTHER OPTIONS

CUC to set the rates until PUC is born.. Story Here.
Bill Gives PUC A Year To Set Rates:
Rep. Heinz Hofschneider introduced yesterday a compromise bill to address the cash flow problem being experienced by the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. The new bill proposes to suspend for one year the rolled back rates set forth in Public Law 15-94. In other words, the Public Utilities Commission will have one year to organize and establish utility rates.
Meantime, CUC will be able to set its own rates. During a session of the House yesterday, Hofschneider lashed at lawmakers who, he said, do not seem to understand the urgency and gravity of CUC's financial troubles. “By Friday (today), CUC will have no penny in its account. Is that what we are waiting for? For CUC to go on complete bankruptcy?” he asked
The 15th Legislature passed P.L. 15-94 amid pressure from the consumers who were suffering from a sudden hike in power rates.
Let me explain something here about the last line:
It was greedy vote grubbing re-election wannabes and the 'can't do math' TTT that caused this problem. When did you ever see these idiots doing what the consumers wanted? It's like the Casino. Didn't the people say No,No,No, at least 3 times and did they listen? Hell No! What makes them think we believe they had the voters in their concern when they, the 'can't do the math either' re-runs for re-election lowered the rates to a rate that would break CUC and put us in this predicament we are in today! No siree buddy, I don't believe that shit for a friggin' minute. It was all about them getting re-elected and they know it and to say anything else would be bullshit! Legislators, I am getting so tired of your stupid spin, the least you could do is stop acting like you think we will believe your crap! Cause we get it!
Now for the rest of the story....
If this isn't some of the dumbest shit I have ever seen:

First: Are the three people already seated gonna start training now or later when the rest are added? Or will we do the training in increments as each new member is added? It took how long to just get these three seated, a year? Explain how that will work, please.
Now after all this time you decide to let CUC set their rates, well DUH, a half year after the rates were reduced to 'CUC will go broke rates', and hours and hours of blackouts you figured out that CUC should set the rates. I can't begin to believe just how friggin' dumb you are!

In conclusion...
You are gonna actually take 1 year to train 5 or 6 people to set the rates for CUC. Of all the people here in the CNMI there isn't anyone who can figure this out? Well you know I could tell you how to do this, or either I could do it for you. It's simple math.. I've said it over and over, all that is needed is RATES = COSTS, nothing else needs to be known.

IT'S SIMPLE FRIGGIN' MATH, COME ON! But Noooo. You got to make it look like this is some big deal and that little people can't and shouldn't be able to figure this out. They must have a reason for paying you, why if it weren't for all these big important things that we little people don't know anything about, we wouldn't need you at all, now would we? Ah Ha! there it goes again, it all comes back around, its all about you again.

I can't wait to see how the hell you will mess this up..... And you will!

.....GED.....

M99- WOULDN'T IT BE NICE

COMMENTS UNDER EVERY NEWS ARTICLE AND
'LETTERS TO THE EDITOR'

How many times have you read a news article or a letter to the editor, and you began looking for the link at the bottom of the 'post' to say your piece or to reply with a comment, and nothing is there? I've been guilty of doing this then I realize I'm not reading a blog post. This feature is a great way to add to or comment on what you have just read while the thought is fresh in your mind. But then you have to let it go because there is no such link.
This would work especially well to have a link under 'Letters to the Editor' in the case of the Saipan Tribune or under Editorials/Columns/Letters/ of the Marianas Variety. If you have ever read the Guam PDN you will have seen that paper has this added feature. I think this would be a great addition for both papers to add this fast and effective way to respond and/or comment.
I have brought this to the attention of both the papers and got only a weak type of excuse about how they can't do it. Now to me that is never the right answer, saying it can't be done isn't an answer on any page of my book. I wonder if enough people thought it would be a good idea if they would reconsider the adding of a link under Articles and 'Letters to the Editor'.
If you can comment at the moment you read the article or letter the thought is still there, if you want to respond and have to send a letter to the paper and wait a couple days for it to be printed the whole effect of the response is lost. Do you follow me?
Let me and the papers know what you think of this 'instant response' to news articles and 'letters to the editor/etal'.
.....GED.....

M98- THAT'S WHAT I SAID

THEY MUST BE READING AND LISTENING.. I APPLAUD YOU!

This is what Ive been saying all along. I guess they finally got the message... Story Here...

SENATOR Joseph M. Mendiola says the Public Utilities Commission should implement an interim power rate for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. before its board members undergo the required six-month training. The interim rate, Mendiola said, would be in effect until such time when PUC board members are ready to set the power rate for CUC. Rep. Tina Sablan said "PUC must formulate an interim utility rate for CUC based on the full, actual cost of fuel."

More on the Subject Here

Man, I thought I was pissing into the wind suggesting something as simple as Rates = Costs.

I am amazed and I think they have been 'reading my mail'. ( an expression used when people are thinking alike.) Right on to the above movers and doers. You have my compliments and a round of applause!

.....GED.....

M97- DODGING AND WEAVING

SENATE READILY APPLYING THE SCAPEGOAT THEORY

Watching the KSPN News tonight questions were ask of two senators about the problems at CUC. They both seemed ready to pass the problems to the non-functioning PTU Board. Lets take a look at this buck passing, scapegoating approach and see how this board should be working.
There is now only three members seated and they say that is a quorum so there needs to be at least two or three more members to be added. Next they state there is a six month training course for them to take so in effect they are nonoperational at this point and for the next six months. Now how about the next two or three as they get added will they all be required to take the training and will the board function without all the members trained? Now you can be looking at many moons until they all are seated and trained. This is like pissing into the wind.
Our problems are NOW not months down the road. Why are these people so stupid as not to see and understand this? The facts are we are on a path to island wide black-outs in the very near future due to lack of funds for fuel and these idiots continue to play games. How hard is it to do a simple bit of math and make CUC's rates equal their costs? I can do that, you probably could too. Rates = Costs... Income = Expenses. Simple shit!

This baffle with bullshit don't work for me and it shouldn't for you. You can figure this out, yes? Why can't the numbnuts on the hill do the same? Irresponsible bullshit is what we are getting from this legislature. (click pic to read the banner)
.....GED.....

M96- VOTING RESPONSIBLY

AGAIN WE ARE TOLD TO VOTE, AND VOTE FOR BETTER CANDIDATES

This brings me back to the same issue that I keep bringing up, over and over again.
While the voters, myself included and you too, all want changes and all try to vote for the candidates we think will best serve the community and who are attuned to the problems of the people, there remains this one stumbling block.
WE CAN ONLY VOTE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ON THE BALLOT!
Therefore if the selections are the same old tired out re-runs what can the voters do? If there are always the same people on the ballot nothing will change.
This electing of qualified people will have to start with who is placed on the ballot, who decides this? The voters cannot change anything if the choices always remain the same. We need get involved in the picking of the candidates that are put on the ballot, only then will the faces in the government change.
Here is another request asking voters to be vigilant and make good choices. This is all well and good and needs to be said... See it here.... Story Here....
“We Have No Choice But To Vote Responsibly"
Is there anything that we can do to turn our economy around? Yes! And it's within our means. Yes! It is within each of us. It is very clear that changes are needed everywhere. We can bring to change our conditions by voting responsibly. It's simple. We must vote for people who have a proven track record. We must vote for someone who is not afraid of not being re-elected. We must vote for people who are honest, can be counted and puts the community's interest ahead of individuals including himself or herself. Let's face facts. Election is very near. We have no choice but to vote responsibly. We simply do not have any options anymore. Plus, voting responsibly will assure a successful turn around. There are plenty of examples around on how damaging it is to elect candidates that do not qualify or who see the office as an employment.Voting responsibly is within us. It is within our means. We cannot afford not to do it.

What is said above is true and precise and to the point, but there remains this one huge fact.

We cannot make changes if the choices remain the same!
In conclusion... Again. We cannot vote for the right choices if they aren't on the ballot! And most importantly the ballot must offer acceptable choices!
.....GED.....

M95- SIGN OF THE TIMES

WILL THIS BECOME THE NEW TREND? A CHANGING SKYLINE

Is this the beginning of the end to power problems?

I happened to notice this little propeller whirling away while taking a walk along beach road. Now while I'm not positive it is a home wind power generator but the sight of it made me come to that conclusion. Even if this is not a wind generator it still brings up the question, is it a sign of the future? Will we start to see this device appearing on roof-tops everywhere? Maybe the answer to all the problems with CUC will start to go away as the island moves toward a wind generator on each roof. Wouldn't that be a blessing?

Now I know this will not completely replace CUC in the interim but think about a large percentage of your personal power consumption being generated by wind. Also CUC could downsize to a portion of what it is today and maybe, just maybe operate on a 24/7 basis..

There is surely a lot of details to make this a thing of the future, but why not?

Now my question to you is this. Would you like to see this take hold in the community and be a partial replacement for CUC and do you think it is a possible solution?

.....GED.....

M94- FYI - DON'T MISS THIS

A WEEKEND OF FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

This weekend is the 27th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival. It will be held at the Susupe Civic Center park.

If anyone has any announcements or additional information please leave a comment. If it is pertinent information I will move it up into this post. I, myself don't have any program or schedules at this moment in time. Your input will be appreciated if you are privy to the event schedules..

It will be open Thursday and Friday, April 24th and 25th from 6 to 11 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 26th and 27th it will be open 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. More information here...

Thank You,

.....GED.....

M93- START AT THE ROOT

SOLVE THE REAL PROBLEMS

Power Outages Killing Garapan Restaurants:.. Story here...
RESTAURANT owners in Garapan say the frequent power outages, especially during the peak hours at night, are ruining their businesses. The restaurant owners are requesting the CNMI government and the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to change Garapan’s power outage schedule. He added, “We are appealing to CUC and the government to help us help the economy by giving us a better schedule for the power outages.”
Well I say this, Why stop with asking for a different power schedule? Start where the problem started, from the bottom, the real cause of the outages. Now I'm not saying don't go for a change in the power schedule, I'm saying don't stop there.
Rather you should ask for a different government and a different power company. Any thing less would be seen as patching the roof while the foundation and main structure are crumbling. This is like whitewashing over rotten wood, a band-aid fix! Get to the root of the problem and fix it from the ground up! Accept nothing less! We're all tired of this crap!
.....GED.....

M92- IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG

JUST AS I PREDICTED. THEY'RE HEADED TO COURT!

Do I really need to say I told you so?.. My Story Here
Rota council to bring casino revenue issue to court: News story here
THE Rota Municipal Council will challenge in court the island’s legislative delegation’s position on the appropriation of funds generated from the casino industry, which has yet to be established.
It sure didn't take 'um long to start fighting over money before there is even any. Well I'll bet (no pun intended) the lawyers can suck up a couple million dollars real quick sending the casino into debt immediately, so are the people who voted for the casino going to pay the lawyers and be responsibly for the costs? Remember this was a get rich quick scheme, not a go in the hole first before getting rich. Who will pay these bills? I surely hope they don't expect to ask the legislature to appropriate non-existing government funds for this fight, but they are sure to do so.
I guess we'll just have to sit back and watch this unfold and thank the smarter people of Saipan who voted not to get is a similar mess! Now all we need to do is keep the our pig-headed legislature here from screwing up too.
.....GED.....

M91- FIVE SIMPLE RULES

MEN, TO HAVE A HAPPY LIFE FOLLOW THESE 5 SIMPLE RULES

THEE FIVE RULES, HERE THEY ARE...
1. It's important to have a woman, who helps at home, who cooks from time to time, cleans up and has a job.

.
2. It's important to have a woman, who can make you laugh.
3. It's important to have a woman, who you can trust and who doesn't lie to you.
4. It's important to have a woman, who is good in bed and who likes to be with you.
5. It's very, very, very important that these four women do not know each other.
It's as easy as that!
.....GED.....

M90- SUMBICH

MONEY, TO SOME, ISN'T EVERYTHING

WHO WAS THAT SUMBICH?

A filthy rich North Carolina man decided that he wanted to throw a party and invited all of his buddies and neighbors. He also invited Leroy, the only redneck in the neighborhood. He held the party around the pool in the backyard of his mansion. Leroy was having a good time drinking, dancing, eating shrimp, oysters and BBQ and flirting with all the women.

At the height of the party, the host said, 'I have a 10 ft man-eating gator in my pool and I'll give a million dollars to anyone who has the nerve to jump in.' The words were barely out of his mouth when there was a loud splash and everyone turned around and saw Leroy in the pool!

Leroy was fighting the gator and kicking its ass! Leroy was jabbing the gator in the eyes with his thumbs, throwing punches, head butts and choke holds, biting the gator on the tail and flipping the gator through the air like some kind of Judo Instructor. The water was churning and splashing everywhere. both Leroy and the gator were screaming and raising hell.
Finally Leroy strangled the gator and let it float to the top like a dime store goldfish. Leroy then slowly climbed out of the pool. Everybody was just staring at him in disbelief. Finally the host says, 'Well, Leroy, I reckon I owe you a million dollars,' 'No, that's okay. I don't want it,' said Leroy. The rich man said, 'Man, I have to give you something. You won the bet. How about half a million bucks then?''No thanks, I don't want it,' answered Leroy. The host said, 'Come on, I insist on giving you something. That was amazing. How about a new Porsche and a Rolex and some stock options? 'Again Leroy said no. Confused, the rich man asked, 'Well, Leroy, then what do you want?' Leroy said, 'I want the name of the sumbich who pushed me in the pool!'

All is well that ends well!

......GED......

M89- TAKING A PAY CUT

MONTHS OF BICKERING SEEN ON THE HORIZON

Do you think this will really pass? If you do, you are a dreamer. All this will accomplish is months of bickering, infighting, hurt feelings and a lot of crap. And when the dust settles so very little will have been accomplished, if anything, as you will see below.
Here is the subject I'm referring to... Story Here..
Salary Cut Mulled for Ranking Government Officials..
Panel eyed to study 10 percent salary cut:
Legislation has been proposed to create a commission that will study a 10-percent pay cut for all elected government officials. The proposed salary reduction will affect the governor, lieutenant governor, senators, representatives, judges, justices, and mayors, whose salaries are all constitutionally protected. The panel will consist of two members from the House of Representatives, one from the Senate, one from the Executive Branch, and one from the Judiciary. A 10-percent salary cut against all elected officials will save the government about $213,560 a year.
Smart friggin' move, put people on the panel to lower their own wages. What is wrong with this picture? This is really stupid, don't you think? Would you vote to lower your own wages? Answer that question truthfully and you will see just what I'm getting at.

Shall we see what this really means and how much it will help?
$213,560 will only buy 1,525 barrels of fuel ( @$140.00 per.) for CUC. CUC needs 25,000 barrels per month.
Therefore this will only buy (6.1%) of ONE month of fuel supply.
The math... 25,000 X 6.1% = 1,525bbl. 25,000 barrels / 30 days = 833bbl per day.
1,525bbl = less then 2 days of fuel. Approx 1.8 days. WOW!
Or it will support 10 people with an annual salary at $21,356.00 per yr. each. (@10.26 per hr.) This will save 10 jobs.

So we can either pay for 1.8 days of fuel for CUC or save 10 useless jobs. Take your pick! Either way it is a drop in the bucket in the whole scheme of things. The panel created to make this humongous and important decision will probably chew up all the savings before the cuts are ever enacted. Everything is now taken care of, all our problem's are solved! NOT, nothing changes at all.

Do you really think they will do this? It's all bullshit! PR propaganda, nothing more!
.....GED.....

M88- TIT FOR TAT

GREG AND CHARLIE EXCHANGE PLEASANTRIES

I got this little gem in my E-Mail box and thought I would share it with you. Nothing that is colored is edited or minupliated by me in any way. It is as it appeared in my mail box. Take it for face value...
First, Greg to Charlie....

Subject: CHEAP SHOT:

The problem with you Charles is that I would never work for people who are CORRUPTED. You see nothing wrong with the administration you work for but we have nightmares daily just knowing that he is Governor and you are his PIO. The one thing I would commend you on is that you are a fast at covering up your BOSS without a glitch. As for brushing off, good luck with that. Its time the you stop lying to the people Charles, and the next time you send people after my family and the members of TAOTAO TANO I will have my friends the FED'S all over you. I suggest you start returning all the Government Equipments including that Blackberry your using and start packing because you will be following your mentor out the door. Charles the daily suffering of my people is not a laughing matter and the mess you and your cronies including your uncle WILLY left behind is the very reason why we are all in this predicament but you act as if you know nothing. We know where a majority of you came from, a bi-product of deception, extortion, bribes, political pressuring, buy-offs and so forth Charles. I wouldn't doubt it if you had the Governors picture all over in your home, car and your office for you have an obsession with him.

Regards,

Gregorio Cruz

Check it out Charlie Boy is Crying....

The reply, From Charlie to Gerg...

Greg, I'm very disappointed in you. I once respected you and considered you a friend. I am sorry I ever gave you the benefit of the doubt. You called me yesterday but never even bothered to mention what you were up to or to have an honest discussion. Please watch what you say because you are bordering on libel and some people have the money to sue you and you may not have the money to defend. Please do not contact me or harass me again. This is my Blackberry. You don't know that I bought my own camera, laptop, flash drive, phone and cell service for this job and that I'm the lowest paid press secretary in 10 years, down to $43k and then open to further austerity. They don't pay me enough to deal with unreasonable people like you and I am not tempted by corruption because I know how to manage money.

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Oh, the love and thrill that was once there in gone.

Money, the root of all evil... and lost loves...

.....GED.....

M87- THE CHICKEN CAME HOME TO ROOST

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Loud mouth Stanley TLC Torres is tasting a bit of his own soup. How about a nice big cup of 'shut the fuck up' soup? I sure hope Ron Hodges will be the one who serves it. Stanley TLC knows what may be in the soup. Enjoy it 'mouth'. Story Here
Let me show you what I'm talking about.....
The Senate President has slammed a lawmaker (Stanley TLC Torres) for his stinging speeches on the House floor. Reyes said Wednesday that he was disappointed in the tone and content of some of the recent floor speeches delivered by Rep. Stanley TLC Torres. I have every faith that, were I somehow fail to act, my colleagues would have made appropriate motions to strike the offensive language and rebuke the offending speaker,” Reyes said in a letter to Torres.
He's getting a taste of his own medicine, (soup.) So TLC, are you trying for a resolution of your very own?
These statements came from S. Tribune archives...
The Saipan Tribune reported on a proposed House resolution, signed by Stanley Torres and eight other members, to castigate Ron Hodges for opinions he expressed publicly. The Legislature has a laughable resolution before it to declare the man persona non grata, if that means anything. It is the representatives who should be castigated and censured for their tactics of intimidation and repression.
Well, Dear Stanley, Should I change the 'TLC' to the 'TLM'? TLM meaning 'The Loud Mouth'. You want to sanction others, while you spew evil shit against most anybody you don't like.
This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Stanley you lead in the poll to be the first to be tossed out of the house, see for yourself!
.....GED.....

M86- THEY ARE OUT THERE

WITH STARS IN THEIR EYES AND AN AURORA OF SIMPLE BLISS

And They Walk Among Us:
I'm so tired of CUC's continuing problems, the goofy governor, a house full of mostly idiots and things in general. So here are a few short stories to put a grin on your face and make you just shake your head in amusement and have a 'you gotta be kiddin" thought in your mind. So take a break! These are real people who, yes, are among us everyday. You can never tell who they are, where they will come from or when they will appear. Yet they mingle among us on a daily basis. You will always be able to pick them out as soon as they open their mouths or do something really stupid.

Here we go.....

I was at the checkout of a K-Mart. The clerk rang up $46.64 charges. I Gave her a fifty dollar bill. She gave me back $46.64. I gave the money back to her and told her that
she had made a mistake in MY favor. She became indignant and informed me she was educated and knew what she was doing, and returned the money again. I gave her the Money back same scenario! I departed the store with the $46.64.

I walked into a Starbucks with a buy-one-get- one-free coupon for a Grande Latte. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said 'buy one-get one free.' 'They're already buy-one- get-one-free, ' she said, 'so I guess they're both free'. She handed me my free Lattes and I walked out the door.

One day I was walking down the beach with some friends when one of them shouted, 'Look at that dead bird!' Someone looked up at the sky and said, 'Where?'

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, 'Does the sun rise in the North?' When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, 'Oh I don't keep up with all that stuff.'

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, 'The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.' He responded, 'Is that Eastern or Pacific time?' Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, 'Uh, Pacific.'

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. 'Now,' she asked me, has your plane arrived yet?'

While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. 'Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don't think I'm hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.'

Yep, They Walk Among Us! I'm sure you all have seen, heard or know of someone who fits this category, if you don't just open your eyes and they will be right there all around you.

.....GED.....

M85- WHAT'S WITH JIMMY CARTER

THINK JIMMY CARTER MAY BE DELUSIONAL? WHY IS HE GOING TO THE GAZA STRIP?

Who the hell does Jimmy Carter think he is?

Why does he want to go talk to the Hamas? What does he have to offer, to put on the table to make deals. I think this is a really dumb move on his part.

Here's the story... Story Here...

JERUSALEM — Former President Jimmy Carter, America's biggest failure of a president in history is set to meet Thursday with Mahmoud Zahar, a top Hamas leader with control over militants in the Gaza Strip. The news follows a stinging rebuke Tuesday from a bipartisan group of more than 50 U.S. lawmakers. The letter listed 26 Americans who had been killed in terror attacks by Hamas. "President Carter, do not meet with the man who ordered their deaths," the congressmen demanded.

So here is my question. Does he want to be like Terry Waite? Does he think he is immune from capture and torture. What will happen if he gets his own dumb ass in a wringer after everyone told him not to go there, including the president?. Should the president send military troops to rescue his sorry ass or just say, "We told you not to go so see ya! You're on your own Jimmy...

About Terry Waite:

Terry Waite travelled to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages including journalist John McCarthy. He was himself held captive between 1987 and 1991.

Carter, just rest respectfully at your home and let the people in charge now run the show. Terry Waite was in prison for five years, for doing the same shit!
.....GED.....

M84- FYI FROM TINA

JUST SO YOU KNOW, IN CASE YOUR INTERESTED.. More, program here

This is to announce the following:
The House and Senate will be meeting to receive the Governor's annual State of the Commonwealth address, and the Resident Representative's annual State of the Washington Office report on Friday, May 2 in the Multipurpose Center beginning @ 9am.
Finally, the House was in Special Session this week, and so my weekly press conferences have resumed. The next press conference will be tomorrow, Friday, April 18 @ 10am in my office.
Topics of discussion will include a review of the session this week and a bill that proposes to amend the CNMI immigration code to grant longer-term permits for qualified foreign national workers (soon to be prefiled). I will also be announcing the first quarterly public forum on the State of the Legislature, scheduled for Tuesday, April 29 at the Multipurpose Center, starting at 6pm.
Thanks very much!
Sincerely,
Tina Sablan
Well I guess the good ole' boys finally got their shit together and came to a momentous decision for the venue where the 'were still broke, and getting broker' message from the governor will be held. After weeks of intense debate and many hurt and injured feelings a mutual agreement was compromised and the guns were withdrawn. It is such a wonderful feeling when 29 grown men/women can all come to a harmonious agreement on one tiny issue, isn't this just a warm and cuddly feeling?

Can you believe it they came to a consensus in less then a month on this huge issue. It gives one such a secure feeling to know all the wonderful people we elected can work together in harmony and rhythm. It makes my heart want to burst in joy and my lips sing a song of happiness.
Enough bullshit, anyway the information was for you, and the satire for them.
.....GED.....

M83- THE CLOCK IS TICKING

IT IS NOW NEARING DOOMSDAY FOR CUC, TIME IS RUNNING OUT

If something isn't done soon, and I don't mean in the next 60 days or 'whenever we get around to it' the shit will hit the fan. If what is going on now doesn't raise a red flag and scream out- loud for immediate attention, then what will it take? In the news tonight legislators seemed melancholy and distant to the serious problem at hand.

Lets take a look at whats going down...

First, the problem is, there isn't enough money to carry CUC's cost's and their need to pay for fuel.

The problem created is thus.. Rates (income) do not meet costs (expenses.) Or as it's called, full cost recovery is simply not happening. Story Here

CUC's rates must go up! regardless of what the legislators and TTT think! If you can't meet the higher costs pull your main breaker, turn it off and only use it when you decide you need it, then it is your choice and not CUC's random load shedding. Others that need power to keep their businesses running can do the same, again turn it off and on at your convince. Others who can pay the bill will have reliable power. I know this is not what you want but it is stark reality. Pre-paid meters would fix this and you would be in control and free of the haphazard, randomly load shedding choices of CUC.

The answer...Raise the rates to meet costs!

Now here is the lolly gagging....

The legislature wants to give the newly formed PUC 60 days to come to a conclusion to set new rates. Now this is all well and good if you have the time but we are OUT OF TIME now!

So lets wait the 60 days and assume they are smart enough to set the rates at a level where, Rates = Costs. Now the rates are raised, it will take another month for the costumers to get the increases rates. Then there will be another month until CUC starts to bill the new rates. Then another month to receive these higher rates as income. Now lets throw in another month to order fuel and pay for it out of the increased rates. We have just dwindled away nearly half of the year.

So the next question is, providing all of these plans move forward, What will be done in the meantime? That is where the shit meets the proverbial fan!

The governor who is now frolicking around the islands, must declare another State of Emergency and set the rates at approximately .35 to .40 cents across the board.

Now I know you won't like this, and neither do I, but the truth must be told, it's either pay for the costs to produce power or sit in the dark. Reality is that simple. We simply can't wait another five/six months. This plan could be put into action tomorrow, but I can assure you it won't and we will suffer once again for the stupidity, ignorance and incompetency of this Fitial administration.

If you don't understand what I'm saying, I don't know what I can say to make it any clearer. And I can't fathom why the government can't see through this either.

I'm tired of this shit and I know you all are too.

The Time To Act Is Now, Governor.

.....GED.....

M82- CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS

DOES THIS INEPT LEGISLATURE KNOW WHAT IT IS DOING?

Anytime anyone who is considering opening and operating a business there is one important first step to consider. This is what is called 'crunching the numbers'. In layman's terms it is figuring out how the business will operate. Questions need to be ask, like, What will it cost to start up. What will it cost to operate. How much money will come in and how much money will go out.
(Not using this simple formula is the downfall of CUC because to set the rates these numbers have to be addressed, something not yet done, and the reason for the puddle of shit CUC is in today.)
Anyway here is someone addressing that subject..

Story Here
Businessman: Gaming Bill Will Not Benefit NMI:
THE new gambling bill, H.B. 16-82, authored by Rep. Oscar M. Babauta, will benefit only a few individuals and not the CNMI economy, according to businessman Larry Cabrera. The author of the bill should have considered certain aspects of the establishment of the casino gambling.

“First of all, you need to know exactly the direct cost of establishing any business. Cabrera said, “You need money to pay the [members of the commission], and that will be your direct expenses. ”Direct cost will also include the salaries to be paid to the “staff and everything that is associated with the licensing and operating of a particular business,” Cabrera told Variety. He said there will be a need to put in place reliable infrastructure, communication facilities, and utilities such as adequate power, water and waste water services which are all part of the collateral or miscellaneous costs.
“With the casino gambling, you know crime is going to be big,” He said it is not the tourists who will play in the proposed gaming establishment but the local people. “You are going to have divorce. You’re going to have wife abuse, child abuse,” he said. The only people who will benefit from gambling activities are the operators, casino owners and some government officials, he said. “The only winners are the people who own the [poker, slot, video] machines.”
Click on Story Here to read the whole article and for more insight on this subject, along with Mr. Cabrera's experience.
I don't think Oscar B. or anyone else, for that matter, have figured anything out how this will work for the local citizens, who by the way, keep voting against casinos and gaming, but they have only taken into consideration what the officials themselves will get, you know, their pay-offs. The greased palm. The under the table deal, etc. Did you noticed that 'some government officials' was included into the 'only people' who will make money.
The best part of this whole thing is this. The guys who want this pie in the sky dream are not smart enough to organize it, to put it together, they only see the $$ sign's in their eyes and their own pockets. The truth of the matter is outsiders will be needed to pull this off and they are the ones that will be smart enough to decline this issue. So not to worry.
.....GED.....

M81- THE ROTA CASINO

ROTA CASINO: THE THRILL IS GONE, THE HONEYMOON IS OVER, THE FIGHT HAS STARTED, SIDES ARE DRAWN AND THE DIVORCE IS IMMINENT.

So reads the tale of the Rota Casino only months after being voted into existence. It won't get any better than it already has been. It will be all downhill from now on. The saving grace of this Rota Casino lies in the fact that it will never get off the ground. If a tree bears no fruit there can be no fighting over the spoils. Here's how it looks already today... Story Here...

Rota Municipal Councils Lobbying Against Casino Bill

Tension is brewing among Rota officials over who should have the power to appropriate the earnings of the island's future casino industry. The Rota Municipal Council is lobbying the governor to veto a House bill that would allow the Rota Legislative Delegation to appropriate casino gaming revenues. The council says it was expressly given that authority by the Rota Casino Act, which was overwhelmingly passed by the voters in November 2007.

“Needless to say, House Bill 16-1, HD1, is constitutionally flawed, infirm, unreasonable, and unfair,” the council told the governor in a letter.

So they're off to a flying start. Shit is already hitting the proverbial fan and feelings are starting to get hurt. They're already arguing over who gets the money even before there is any. Maybe the next step is going to court to resolve this issue. There goes the money to attorneys and the place hasn't started to materialize yet. I guess no one expecting to get rich quick will go down without a fight, so here we go! Remember this article, I'll be referring to it at a later date saying "I told you so", guaranteed!

.....GED.....

PS. The need for cash scheme... Story Here

For another opinion......... More Thoughts Here

M80- SPRING HOUSECLEANING

CLEAN THE HOUSE & SENATE
TOSS OUT WHO YOU WANT TO SEE GONE
BE SURE TO MAKE ALL YOUR CHOICES
POLLS ON RIGHT, BELOW MY PICTURE
Congressmen/women, check your poll to
see how much you are loved.

M79- THEY WILL BE IMPRESSED

EIGHT S. KOREAN TRAVEL AGENTS TO VISIT SAIPAN AND TINIAN.. Story Here

Yes, they should be impressed, impressed how this place can run without power. I'm sure they will be curious as to how it is done.
EIGHT travel agents from South Korea will be arriving on Saipan on Friday to see what CNMI has to offer so they can attract more tourists to visit the islands. The travel agents are scheduled to arrive on April 18 and stay on Saipan and Tinian until April 22.

I sure hope they won't be stuck on the tarmac, in a hot plane for a coupl'a hours while the power is off at the airport.
May I suggest that they visit a few red flagged beaches, take a rental car to Marpi and get robbed, learn how to negotiate a 4-way stop without traffic lights and find a local Korean restaurant where the power is on. Sure hope they can see in the dark...

I think they will be impressed.
.....GED.....

M78- WELL SAID INDEED

LEGISLATORS TAKE HEED, THIS IS FOR YOU

I read this 'letter to the editor' and thought I would pass it along. It deserves your attention. Story Here

To: Members of the 16th Legislature Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas:

Dear lawmakers: I am writing as a concerned citizen regarding the refusal of the members to even listen to Rep. Tina Sablan’s amendments for the recent austerity bill. She is not alone in her beliefs that the government needs reform. After reading about the session when the austerity bill was discussed, I wondered how you can consider taking more money away from the lowest paid individuals in this community without even considering a reduction in what you take. That is outrageous. We all know our economy is in dire straits. We also know that you cannot solve any of these problems overnight, but you DO have to start somewhere.

One place many others and I agree you should start is with the perks many of you have and guard carefully; namely, the government paid cell phones, car leases, and especially the gas cards.

Secondly, you must modify the definition of what the discretionary funds can be spent on. As it is now, it is unfair and, in my opinion, criminal that many elected officials use my taxpayer money to "donate" to causes where they are then glorified and exalted for their "donation". Unless, every family in the CNMI is getting the same treatment, which I am sure they are not, I do not believe you should be able to pick and choose to whom you give financial aid, picnic tables or even toilet paper. I believe that money should be allocated fairly to the agencies that are already underfunded as it is. I am also concerned about the recurrence of suspending the "rules" at the latest meetings on the hill. As my students would say, "Why have so many rules if you aren’t going to follow them?" Of all places, the Legislature should be following the rules; after all, you wrote them. We are all suffering here; we should all bear the burden.

Leaders lead by example. What example are you setting? Rep. Tina listens to the people, maybe you should too. Do not forget you are public servants. To those of you who are joining the good fight, I thank you on behalf of the people of the CNMI. Thank you for leading by example.

Leila Aldan Fleming Staffler

Kagman II, Saipan

Well said Leila, Now if we could only get them to listen...

I suggest a 2x4 upside the head! wake them up!

.....GED.....

M77- SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

NO NEED TO WORRY

Don't worry about air conditioners, there is no power to run them...

Kagman school’s cafeteria, 4 classrooms have no A/Cs. Story Here..

THE 640 students at Kagman Elementary School are feeling the heat — literally. The school needs to replace the air-conditioners in the cafeteria, and the A/Cs in four other classrooms have been down for the past several months now, according to KagES principal Ignacia Demapan.

“One of the major issues here is air-conditioning,” she said. “For cafeteria alone, we need $50,000 to replace the old units and we have no money.”

See how this problem kinda takes care of it's self! No power, No AC repair needed. Simple!

.....GED.....

M76- POWER CRISIS

VOTE GRUBBING LEGISLATURE AND TTT BOTH RESPONSIBLE FOR POWER PROBLEMS..

Here is something I repeated many, many times... The cause of the financial problems at CUC are due to both of these 'can't do the math' organizations. Story Here

SPEAKER Arnold I. Palacios was asked to comment about the statements made by Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, D-Saipan. According to Crisostimo, “I find it absurd that our elected officials who authored this P.L. 15-94 have now changed their position when they were the same officials who introduced this law. This about-face is ridiculous.” House Bill 15-246, which became P.L. 15-94, reduced the electric fuel rate of Commonwealth Utilities Corp. customers from 25.3 to 17.6 cents per kilowatt hour.
Gregorio Cruz Jr. of the Taotao Tano group, in a letter, said he also disagrees with Palacios’ support for the repeal of P.L. 15-94. Cruz said Palacios “opted to repeal his own law due to claims of operational shortfalls incurred by Commonwealth Utilities Corp.” According to Cruz, “this law was an electioneering agenda on behalf of the minority who [wanted to] regain their House seats in the November midterm elections.”
OCT. 5th 07.. Story here
Taotao Tano, which lobbied the Legislature to pass the bill, rejoiced at the Senate action. Gregorio Cruz, president of the local citizen group, said he was overjoyed. “It's about time the Legislature did something and delivered their promise to the people. It's probably just because of the coming election, but I hope it is not the case,” he said.
Now here is some really dumb assed way to operate a (what shall I call it?) a government, a power plant, a business, whatever you want to call it, it is a sorry way to operate.
Now Cruz will tell you the vote seekers did this only to get reelected, as you can see in the clippings above. But does he mention he was running for a House Seat too? Nooo! He don't mention that, so what was his point to run the CUC into the ground, and cause all of today's problems? There was no reason for it but his own personal gain too, exactly like everyone else's reasons for being dumb shits.

Here's are the results of this brain trust....

COMMONWEALTH Utilities Corp. Executive Director Anthony C. Guerrero yesterday said the island may be without power on Friday if CUC can’t buy enough fuel.Two weeks (actually 6 days ago,) CUC purchased 11,000 barrels of fuel for $1.5 million, but this was short of $2 million to secure the remaining 14,000 barrels to supply its power plants with fuel until May. According to Guerrero, “We have basically six days supply [of fuel] left.”“Again, we don’t have the resources to make huge, bulk transfers [of fuel] and make huge outlays of cash,” he added.The entire island may have to endure a blackout on Friday. “If we don’t have fuel, that’s the worst case scenario,” Guerrero said.

In conclusion, and this is a tiring subject, all this reduced rate thing was for personal gains by everyone involved. So thanks to all you dumb fu*ks, we are lovin' the black-outs. Waiting for more too.

.....GED.....