GLEND558

REST IN PEACE DAD!!

2008-11-24T14:43:00.001+10:00

I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY DAD PASSED AWAY AT 3:00 AM TODAY. THANK ALL OF YOU WHO VISITED MY FATHER AND FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, THOUGHTS, AND PRAYERS. MAY MY FATHER REST IN PEACE NOW. GOD BLESS YOU ALL! WE LOVE YOU DAD AND MISS YOU! FOREVER IN MY HEART!

WE LOVE YOU DAD, YOUR DAUGHTER AND SON, TAMARA LYNN AND TOBY GLEN

MC 97- A TRIP BACK

2008-08-19T20:12:00.002+10:00

I'M STILL ALIVE.....
To my my good friends. I've had a medical experiance that landed me in the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in the Phillipines. All is well and I will post more later. Today was the first day to find they had this computer service so more will come later. Thanks to all who cared.
Keep the power on!
.....GED.....

MC96- THIRD GRADE SQUABBLE

2008-07-28T09:25:00.005+10:00

ACTING LIKE SPOILED BRATS

If you don't do it my way I'll take my ball and go home...

Does this sound like a third grade school yard antic? A bunch of crybabies? Spoiled brats? Well this isn't a schoolyard is our greedy self-centered lawmakers.

Here is what I mean.....

The Senate has passed a bill localizing the federally mandated election for a congressional delegate, but with an amendment that would preclude any initiatives from making it to the ballot this year. However, the Senate amended the provision to designate the biennial election as a “special election.” If the bill, as amended by the Senate, becomes a law, all pending initiatives-popular or legislative-will have to wait until the November 2009 gubernatorial election to be placed on the ballot for ratification. Sen. Paul A. Manglona, who introduced the amendment, said that the Senate won't allow any initiatives on the ballot unless the House acts on the legislative initiatives originating from the Senate.

As everyone knows Tina Sablan and a dedicaed group of concerned voters have worked very hard to place the OGA on this years ballot in November. However a crybaby Senator refuses to let it be placed on the ballot for greedy reasons. Is it so he won't have to show their expenses and use of their funds? No! Was it to let the next group be examined thus avoiding public scrutiny? No!

I was because of somehing like his..If you don't pass my bills I'll punish the voters by not allowing the OGA to be on this years ballot. I'll show you!

How childish. I used to think they just don't get it but now I'm learning is they do get it, they just don't care!!!

A sad way to operae a government....

MC95- WHOS NOT TALKING NOW

2008-07-24T17:28:00.004+10:00

WHERE IS THE GOVERNORS EXPLANATION FOR ALL THIS MESS WERE IN?
It seems there is not any reasons or explanations coming from the governor about all the things going downhill. Where is he? Why don't he come forward and let the people know what he will be doing about all our problems, and there are many.
Governor tell us your plan to fix CUC. Do you even have a plan? Explain what you are gonna do next and tell us when to expect reliable power.
Next tell us what you are going to do with the CPA, it seems everything you take upon yourself to save or rescue ends up totally useless and incapable of functioning. Whats with that?
Then there is CHC, PSS, NMC, and practically all the departments under your administration are scratching to exist. How will you fix these problems?
Well do you know what you are? You are a snake in the grass a total failure as a governor and a 'leader', and 'leader' is not a word to describe you. Why don't you show your face and come forward with the answers the people who you are working for, so desperately need. Come out and act like a governor don't let the pansies Reyes and Muna take the fall for you. If you had any balls at all you would stop hiding and get something done.
Don't even consider running for re-election, you will be scorned and laughed off the stage, never mind even trying that.
Some say you should be impeached, others want a recall, still others say you should simply step down. Well I say you should be lynched, not in body but in mind, you should be forever out of our minds as total embarrassing failure. The reasons none of this happens is the people in place behind you are just as incapable of being a 'leader' as you are. What a sorry mess you have.
Go crawl under your rock and the people will overcome the terrible mess you have made and you will be out of their minds forever..... Erased from History...
.....GED.....

MC94- CONFUSED

2008-07-23T02:13:00.010+10:00

THE LONGER THEY YAP THE DUMBER THEY GET.
It seem to me that some people have simply lost all focus of how things should work.
Read some of this brilliant deduction. Story Here....
Written by DelRosario Jr.
Recently Stayman explained his plans for a new power generation for Saipan that died when he left OIA. It's the usual bureaucratic excuse. Shouldn't this issue come first in terms of priority over federalization of labor and immigration? Eh, who's confused over priority, sir?
Confused, who's confused?
What the hell does Allan Stayman have to do with this administration's complete failure to operate the power plant? Did Stayman have anything to do with sole sourced contracts that all failed? Did Stayman run the generators into the ground because of no maintenance?
It's disgusting listening to diatribes coming from Stayman and Cohen riddled with confused priorities the blame being shifted to local leadership.
So you're saying Stayman and Cohen should run he local government? You seen to be blaming them for the failed government we have today. If the local government is not to blame who is? Aren't you an advisor to the governor? Then isn't it partly your fault too?
Well, if your plans didn't pan out, isn't it your responsibility to see that you follow through so that we need not go through the cascading effects of the power crisis today?
John S. DelRosario Jr.
As Gonno, Saipan
DelRosario, It's times like this where it is best to just shut up, you know, let things slide and don't make waves. Your comments appear to make us believe that you think we are a bunch of ninnies, slow uneducated people, that you can blurt out any bit of crap and we'll believe it just because you said it. Well we aren't stupid and don't believe anything you say, rather we getting really tired of all the bullshit! This administration is going to hell in a hand basket, slithering out like a snake in the grass, in total embarrassment and shame, so why bother?
Maybe you and Charles can have a contest for all to see, "Who can say the dumbest thing," before you all are outta here!
.....GED.....

MC93- AN EVENING TALE

2008-07-21T20:52:00.020+10:00

I HEARD THE NEWS TODAY, OH BOY.. AND WHAT A JOKE IT WAS!
I will write this as a story in layman's terms and with approximate facts. The facts will come later with whatever is published in the local papers. Bear with me on this one..
I heard on the news tonight that Mr. Pete A. and attorney Ralph Torres were in D.C. today spreading the good news about our terrible case of dumb ass management at CUC. They told the tales of rolling blackouts, sole source contracts, contracts without penalty clauses, and millions of ratepayers dollars being wasted. The begged for help, money to bail out our failed administration and their stupid managers. They cried the blues and said please help our poor people of the Commonwealth. And the people in D.C. listened. They felt compassion for the poor islanders and offered their help.
Their first questions were.......
Do you have a plan? What is it? What is needed? and how much is needed for your plan? They also ask what happened to the money already given to help correct this problem.. They stated they though they had given enough money to already have the power plant repaired. Well I guess no one told them about the millions squandered and worthless contracts they have entered into. And the D.C. officials were baffled.
Sadly the island reps. couldn't answer any of these questions for there is no plan, there never was a plan, no one ever had a plan, no one knows what needs to be done. They were in the dark as this administration, the Better Times idiots, have no idea as what to do. All they know is how to beg! Maybe the governor, on one of his trips to sue them, failed to mention the ongoing mess a CUC.
Now we come to question time...
How ever are they going to do anything, regardless of all the 'loans' they make, all the credit they beg for (Ha Ha Ha!), all the money given freely from D.C., or all the many rate hikes you and I are suffering through, if they don't have a friggin' plan!!!! How can this be???
Running a government with no budget, rebuilding a power plant with no plan. It is a very bad case of the dumb ass....
More to follow later if it is printed in the papers.
Good Day,
.....GED.....

MC92- NOT DONE LAUGHING YET

2008-07-21T00:10:00.011+10:00

MOBILE NOT RESPONDING TO CUC CREDIT REQUEST...
CUC's ROAD ONLY A CHAIN OF BRIDGES...
IN THE NEWS:
CUC asks Mobil for 60-day credit term: Story Here..
The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has asked its fuel supplier for an arrangement that will allow CUC to delay payment for fuel for 60 days. Muña argued that a 60-day credit term would benefit not only CUC, but also Mobil. “Both CUC and Mobil have something to gain by immediately implementing credit terms for fuel purchases, which will stabilize CUC working capital needs to address not only fuel purchases but non-fuel costs as well.
One reason Mobile hasn't responded is they still are looking to find just what the advantage would be to them to extend credit to CUC. It seems that CUC is running on a road of bridges. Every time there is a problem they scrape and scratch to cross that bridge only to run into another one every time they turn around. It appears that is what they are doing with asking Mobile for credit.
As of Friday, CUC had yet to receive a response from Mobil about the proposal.
Another reason they haven't responded is..... They can't stop laughing! Imagine asking for credit with CUC's credit rating, which is a big fat ZERO!
As a fellow blogger recently put it, it is like a druggie looking for his next fix. Everything will be A-OK if he can just get the next fix. Then it is start all over again, getting the next fix, crossing the next bridge. A never ending downward spiral.
Wanna bet on the credit request? I'll say... Never happen, how about you?
.....GED.....

MC91- TWO FACED

2008-07-19T10:55:00.004+10:00

IT'S A TWO WAY STREET

How is it Stanley TLC Torres wants it his way, he wants the Open Government Act to work for him while opposing the very same act for his branch of the government. It's a two way street, either there is an OGA or there isn't one, which way do you want it Stanley?

You run around like a loose cannon demanding people show you their records while you want to be taken off the signature list to pass an OGA law that will affect you and keep you honest.

So what do you have to hide, another ghost employee?

Here read this....

Associate Judge David A. Wiseman earlier ordered NMC to produce all public records requested by Torres, R-Saipan, and denied the college’s motion to dismiss the lawmaker’s complaint.
Smith said “the requests Torres made over the years have been improper and not for any desire for transparency in NMC’s operations.”
Torres wanted to see all NMC bank statements and cancelled checks for 2004-2006 pursuant to the CNMI Open Government Act.
On June 12, Torres sent a new Open Government Act request for records of all public funds expended on NMC administrative employees shown on payroll checks as well as a copy of Fernandez’ employment contract with all attachments.

Well for a fellow who likes to swing his weight and the OGA around, it sure seems funny why you don't want your records and checks scrutinized. So whats with that?

Stanley you are an idiot, everyone knows that. So can you explain your double standard pertaining t0 this OGA and why you won't support it.

We're waiting!

.....GED.....

MC90- A REMINDER

2008-07-19T06:54:00.005+10:00

FYI... YOUR SIGNATURE IS NEEDED
Help put the Open Government Act on the ballot. You can do so by signing up today. Put your pen to paper...
If you haven't signed the petition to apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature yet, this is to remind you that petitions will be available at the Sabalu Market at Civic Center today, Saturday, July 19 from 7am to noon.
If you are unable to drop by the Sabalu Market and would like to arrange another time and place to sign, please contact Tina Sablan at 285-3935 or tinasablan@gmail.com .
Help keep this corrupt government honest, Sign up now....
.....GED.....

MC89- FOR THE RECORD

2008-07-19T00:31:00.007+10:00

YOU ASK, HERE THEY ARE

Lawmakers OK $3.4M for CUC
The bill, introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives for the first time yesterday, sailed through the Lower House by a 12-6 vote. The Story Here....
The bill was immediately sent to the Senate, which passed the bill with five votes and one abstention. Crisostimo, the non voter was sitting on the fence as usual. Why send him to D.C.?
House members voting for the bill: Arnold Palacios, Joe Guerrero, Edwin Alden, David Apaang, Oscar Babauta, Diego Benavente, Victor Hocog, Juso Quitugua, Ray Palacios, Joe Reyes, Ray Tebuteb, and Stanley TLC Torres,
House members against the bill:
Heinz Hofschneider, Edward Salas, Tina Sablan, Rosemond Santos, Joseph James Camacho, and Francisco Dela Cruz.

Reps. Ralph Torres and Ray Yumul were absent.
Now you will know who to thank for the next gouge in your power bill but wait until the next election to express your many thanks...
.....GED.....

MC88- CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS

2008-07-18T06:40:00.010+10:00

DOES THIS ADMINISTRATION REALLY THINK THE PUBLIC IS SO STUPID AS TO BELIEVE THIS?

There are times when blame is cast, fingers are pointed and fault is found in everything other then the real reasons. Here is a sample of some of the most idiotic reasoning from the Fitial administration I have ever seen. It is an insult to all the citizens to be fed this much bullshit at one time. Do they really believe we can't see through this crap without questioning just what the hell are they thinking?

Administration Blames Feds for NMI Economic Woes
PRESS Secretary Charles P. Reyes yesterday said: "it is the federal government that is compounding the CNMI’s economic problems."

This kind of statement from this government just really pisses me off! Charles, you have just received $16,000,000.00, that's sixteen million dollars, completely free of any strings, to pass out as an economic stimulus package and is this how you say thanks? I'll bet not a single 'thank you' was ever sent by this sorry assed government to the U.S. for the free funds. Was here Charles?
“It is very difficult to plan for a successful economic recovery when events are overtaking our planning process as we struggle to survive and maintain a viable economy,” Reyes said, in response to statements made by former Finance Secretary Antonio R. Cabrera.

You simple minded jerks never had a plan, no, never did, never will. How can you believe we are gonna take your word that you had fantastic plans and all of them went to hell because the Feds came to takeover L&I. What happened to all the plans you had before Federal L&I laws which haven't even gone into effect yet, the ones you promised will make better times, what happened to them? you know, Charles that was all bullshit too, wasn't it?! There were never any plans so just shut up.

Cabrera said the administration has no concrete economic plan.
But according to Reyes, the economy started to recover but the federal government approved a minimum wage hike and extended federal immigration law to the islands.

Wow! did I miss that surge of economic growth? You could have fooled me and I was here all the time. I completely missed it, how did that happen? Because there was never one that's why!
The governor, he added, developed a five-year tourism plan and engaged in extensive deliberations with the local strategic economic development council to plan for economic recovery.

How is that plan working out ...got tourists yet? Was the pull-out of the remaining airlines part of the plan, or was that caused by the Federalization of L&I, which I may remind you, hasn't happened yet either.

To make a long story shorter, read all of it here...
Reyes said if the CNMI economy does not recover in the short term, it will not be because of the Fitial administration’s failure to plan for economic recovery.
“It will be because of unsound federal policies imposed without objective studies or careful economic considerations, for political reasons,” he said.

Well Charlie dear you have everything set up to cast blame at everything and everyone but the real culprits, the sorriest governor ever and his squad of goons. Now you can cast blame all around you, but the thing that gets to me the most is, do you actually think we are so dumb as to believe you and all your shit?

There is a time and there is a place to say stupid stupid stuff, but here is neither the time nor the place. Stop taking the public for dummies and stop thinking you are so smart that we'll believe you!

.....GED.....

STOP THE BULLSHIT, REYES. READ MY LIPS,

"WE DON'T BELIEVE YOU,

SO TELL US THE TRUTH!"

MC87- FYI.. SIGN RIGHT HERE

2008-07-15T21:20:00.005+10:00

THINGS YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW....
Good morning everyone,
Two community announcements:
1. Petitions for the initiative to apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature will be available at the following times and locations:
Tuesday Market at the Fishing Base across from Kristo Rai. July 15, 4pm-8pm
Garapan Street Market in Garapan district. July 17, 6pm to 9pm
Sabalu Market at Civic Center. July 19, 7am to 12pm
Kagman Market, every evening this week from 4pm to 5pm
Please help spread the word and encourage registered voters you know to stop by any one of these markets to add their names to the initiative. We need just 512 more signatures by Monday, July 21 to get the initiative on the ballot this year!
For more information, or to make other arrangements to sign the petition, pls call Tina Sablan, at 285-3935 or email http://us.mc359.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tinasablan@gmail.com .
************************************************
2. Also, there will be a community forum on CUC this Thursday, July 19 at Chacha Oceanview Jr. High School in Kagman starting at 6pm. Ed Propst's letter on the forum is included below. Please contact Ed for more information at 483-7361, and encourage every concerned ratepayer you know to join in this effort to address our critical utility issues.
Thanks very much,
Tina Sablan
There you have it, there will be no excuses accepted!
.....GED.....

MC86- CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW

2008-07-15T19:58:00.006+10:00

HAVE YOU GOT IT YET?

In the news... U.S. Officials here to implement new Labor and Immigration laws:

Tonight listening to officials from Homeland Security and various other departments, what I gathered they were saying, as I've been saying all along, is this.

The following are my own thoughts only and not a representation of any U.S. Government agency, just the thoughts of a ordinary citizen having been a U.S. resident all my life.

They want to meet and sit down with local officials and draft the new rules and regulations (R&R's) to meet the needs of the CNMI. The job of Homeland Security is to protect the citizens of the United States, that is their number one job, they are here to do just that. They didn't write a list of R&R's that they are going to force upon you and enforce them no matter what, as the governor seems to think. Rather they are here to mold the necessary R&R's to make things work here.

I will bet that there will ....

1 - Always be enough labor, whether it be guest workers or trained locals getting a fair wage, that the economy will never falter because of these new rules.

2 - More and more locals will be trained to replace guest workers, over a period of time.

3 - The U.S. government is not here to throw you under the bus, but rather to pull you out of the one you are already under.

4- They will not ruin your economy, you did that all by yourselves already, but rather rescue you from this mess and guarantee your security..

5- You will have a say, if you do indeed sit down with them, to voice every concern you may have on your mind, and it will be addressed. You may not have your own way with everything you ask for, as you have made many bad decisions before, this will NOT be your own cakewalk.

6 - Everyone that has a reason to be affected by these R&R's will have a voice, from the governor to the guest worker, and to everyone in between.

7 - You will be better off than you were before, now or ever.

The governor needs to get involved in this process and help make it work or else he needs to get the hell out of the way with his 'it'll ruin the economy' stance and let sharper and clearer minds take charge.

Now if after a year of implementing of these new R&R's, there are some studies made of the success or failures of these new R&R's, it would be at that time, if there is a problem, the U.S. will again sit down and help make amendments. If this does not happen it would then be AT THAT TIME a reason to take the Federal Government to court and sue for a changes, that is how that works. To sue now before you know what the outcome of the rules and regulations, yet to be drafted, will be ludicrous and rather stupid.

Give it a chance to work!

.....GED.....

MC85- GOOD DEAL

2008-07-14T02:36:00.015+10:00

READ THIS PROPOSAL. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Excerpts from the 'Opinion" in the Saipan Tribune by Anthony Pellegrino.....
Story Here..........
I have in my possession information from a reputable mainland bank that is willing to finance the purchase of a 15-megawatt Caterpillar plant for $10 million. The CNMI will own it. This is not a lease like the Aggreko deal! This bank will finance $8.5 million of it at $80,000 per month. The interest rate is a fixed 5 percent per year. That is a savings of over $424,000 per month over the Aggreko deal! The Aggreko deal has no warranty. The Caterpillar has a full warranty. The Aggreko lease starts to charge the CNMI the minute the unit leaves their facility, not when it starts making electricity (like most leases). And the best part is that the CNMI can use CIP funds for the $1.5 million down payment on the Caterpillar unit-because the CNMI will OWN IT! Not lease it.
Here is a direct quote from the information I possess: “We [the bank] can do a 48.2 MW new power plant for approximately $35,000,000. Add the Caterpillar 15MW, and you have a 63.2 MW new plant. So we can do the 15 MW Caterpillar loan now, so the plant is up to speed, and start to work on the complete replacement plant, which can be ready in about 6 months.” There is more to this offer. A 5-megawatt waste-to-energy plant can be included which will burn all our trash, converting it into energy with no harmful emissions and uses no fuel! It is EPA-approved. With this we can eliminate the need for landfills on the three islands. It will even burn existing waste already in the landfill. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, the bank people will be here on island next week to present this offer to the government. Watch for more details.
But the greatest part of all this is that the loan from this bank will be guaranteed by the U.S. government. This bank has been thoroughly checked out and is totally legitimate. Please ask our government what is happening to this deal. It was offered back in January but refused. Now there seems to be a change of heart. To learn more about this, contact some of the legislators to whom I have passed this information. As has been repeatedly stated by others and me, there is genuine help waiting to solve our problems if only we show willingness and reach out for help to the right people. Please watch what happens to the offer. I know I will. **********************************************************
I don't know about you but everywhere I look at this it sounds better then the deal with Aggreko.

The only problem here, as I can see it, is it is a legitimate business deal. This is probably a hard deal to take under the table payments from, therefore not attractive to this corrupt government.

If the government doesn't take a long hard look at this they should pay Aggreko themselves.
Click on the Story Here and read some of the humor that goes along with the story. It'll relieve a small bit of tension from everyday stress.
To the Legislature and CUC... Give this a good look or be responsible for more stupid decisions...
.....GED.....

MC84- HAVE YOU SIGNED THIS YET?

2008-07-12T22:45:00.013+10:00

WE NEED YOUR SIGNATURE
Dear people of the Commonwealth,
On Thursday, July 10, 2008,
I received notice from the Attorney General's Office that the petition to apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature requires 512 additional valid signatures by July 21 in order for the initiative to be placed on the ballot for the November 2008 election.
What is the Open Government Act, and why is it important? The Open Government Act (Public Law 8-41) is the law that recognizes the right of the people to know what their public officials are doing on their behalf. This means that public notice with agendas must be issued for official meetings of the government at which action is taken. It also means that all public records are open to inspection by any concerned citizen who wishes to inspect such records or obtain copies.
The Open Government Act applies to all agencies, departments, boards, and instrumentalities of the government. The Act used to apply to the Legislature too, but in the early 1990s the Legislature decided to exempt themselves from the law. The Legislature continues to be exempt from the Open Government Act to this day, and as a result meetings and sessions can be called or cancelled at a moment's notice, agendas are routinely changed if they are ever even provided, bills are regularly introduced and passed on the same day without the slightest opportunity for public review, and legislators can ignore or deny citizens' requests for information without justification. Previous attempts to reapply the Open Government Act to the Legislature through the legislative process have ended in failure: legislation has been attacked, delayed, ignored, watered down, or otherwise subverted.
While the application of the Open Government Act to the Legislature may not seem like such a pressing issue to some at this time, especially in light of the severe fiscal, economic, infrastructural, and social crises we face, I strongly believe that it is precisely because of our deepening hardships that measures to stabilize the legislative process and make it more open to the public have become more crucial than ever. People need and deserve to know what their legislators are doing to tackle the many difficult issues of the day, and they have a right to be more involved in the political process.
I am convinced that it is up to the people of this Commonwealth to rise up and demand the transparency and accountability they deserve from their elected officials, and to take direct action to apply the Open Government Act to the Legislature through the popular initiative process.
512 signatures by July 21 -- can we do it? Yes, we can. And if an open and accountable Legislature is important enough to the people to get on the ballot by November 2008, we will.
To help gather signatures for the Open Government Act initiative, please contact me at 285-3935 or by email at tinasablan@gmail.com .
Sincerely,
Tina Sablan
*****************************
I received this in an E-Mail from Tina Sablan. If you haven't signed this Open Government Act yet please do so now. It is a badly needed instrument to keep the government open and honest, if that's possible. To sign up contact Tina ..Above..
.....GED.....

MC83- CHECK NEW POLL

2008-07-11T12:06:00.006+10:00

NEW POLL, RIGHT SIDE COLUMN
WILL YOU SUPPORT A CANDIDATE, IN THE NEXT ELECTION, IF THEY SUPPORT FITIAL FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
CAST YOUR VOTE TODAY!

MC82- A BUDGET, REALLY?

2008-07-10T20:20:00.006+10:00

BENAVENTE PUSHES FOR A MANDATORY BUDGET...
Well it's about time....
Diego Benavente introduces a initiative in the House to penalize the governor and lawmakers for not passing an annual budget on it's given schedule. Why did this take so long for lawmakers to realize that without an annual budget the economy runs amok. This has been a problem for four out of the last ten years and a huge factor for the awful state our financial condition is in today.
I believe the house passed it unanimously. Maybe we'll find out in tomorrows news...
This should move to the Senate soon and anyone throwing a monkey wrench into this bill should be tarred and feathered. The governor will then be the final signature for this bill to become law, could there be a hitch there, I surely hope not.
Along with a balanced budget must come a few other mandatory conditions:
A limit on government employees to fit the budget, no political hires to overrun the salary caps and personnel limits...
The hiring of qualified, trained and experienced personnel to be heads of critical departments, such as CUC, CHC, DPS, PSS, MNC, to name a few...
An open and honest reporting of all financial dealings, contracts, leases and all purchasing for the public to review...
No nepotism, at all!
This would be a good start at the beginning of each fiscal year, and a constant for the duration of the year also....
Good work Diego...Keep it up!
.....GED.....
P.S. Read the whole story here....
I am correcting a few errors on the origional post...
This will not go to the governor, it will go to the ballot if passed by 2/3 of the Senate...

MC81- LEADERS, FOLLOWERS OR D&C

2008-07-09T19:58:00.016+10:00

A READERS SURVEY
Do you know where each member of the legislature stands on the lawsuit the governor is wanting to file against the U.S. Federal Government?
Are they against Fitial,... with Fitial... or simply dazed and confused (D&C).
Leaders... Are you against Fitial's lawsuit?
If they want to be a leader and help establish a better relationship with the Federal Government, the country we are apart of, and disagree with Fitial, the answer is.... (Against him)
Followers... Are you with Fitial's lawsuit?
If they are a sheep and want to follow Fitial in his retarded lawsuit against the Feds. and agree with him, the answer would be (With him)
Dazed and Confused... Don't know shit...
If they are straddling the fence and can't fathom what the hell is going on or can't make up their little minds then the answer is D/C, Dazed and confused...
So you tell me if you have heard any lawmakers that have decided which path they will follow. I have heard a few so I will enter them first. As you let me know what you know I will add it to the list....
HOUSE
A. Placious....................
J. Deleon Guerrero.... WITH
J. Camacho.................
E. Alden......................
D. Apatang.................
O. Babauta................. WITH
D. Benavente............. AGAINST
F. Dela Cruz............... WITH
V. Hocog..................... WITH
H. Hofschneider........ AGAINST
R. Placoius................. WITH
J. Quitugua................
J. Reyes..................... AGAINST
T. Sablan................... AGAINST
E. Salas......................
R. Sontos...................
R. Tebuteb...............
S. TLC. Torres......... WITH
R. Torres..................
R. Yumel..................
SENATE
P. Reyes...................
F. Mendolia.............
J. Mendolia.............
J. Hofschneider.......
M. Pangelinan.........
L. Crisostimo........... WITH
P. Hocog...................
P. Manglonia..............
H. San Nicolas........
Typing all these names only tells me one thing...
There are way to many of 'um, we don't need so many people to do the work they are producing... Agreed? Type your answers in comments and I will foward them to the front page...
.....GED.....

MC80- NEW LEADERS NEEDED

2008-07-08T22:18:00.011+10:00

THERE IS ONE GLITCH THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED......

I have been reading in the Marianas Variety, in the 'comments' section of readers writing about how many people are dissatisfied with the present elected group of 'leaders'. There seems to be a overwhelming growing bitter resentment with most all the folks on Capital Hill, and quiet rightly so. Everyone states how they won't vote for these incapable people to manage the government. This is an excellent place to start fixing the problems, either caused by, or neglected by the current administration and current legislature. This is no surprise to me that people are pissed off with what we got up there on Capital Hill. However there is one glitch to voting for new blood on the Hill, and it is the following....
When I went to vote in the last election I was determined to not vote for the old tired 'good old boys club'. I was going to place my vote for new and different people and try to make changes in the group on the Hill. But here lies the problem.. I couldn't vote any of the tired blood out of office and install new faces because....
ALL THAT WAS ON THE BALLOT WAS THE SAME OLD TIRED ASSHOLES.
There has to be a NEW WAY TO PLACE NEW PEOPLE ON THE BALLOT...
We cannot change the worn out faces if new ones aren't on the ballot. There has to be a process from the ground up, starting with who is on the ballot if there are going to be any changes made in who governs the CNMI. Should you go to the polls in the next election and all the names were the same-o same-o how can anything be made anew?
Do you want to see Babauta, Fitial and Tenorio as your only choices for governor next election? How would we voters change a damn thing? You see the ballot is the place to start. Now I'm not in a position to recommend how to do this but if something isn't done at the ground floor, it'll be deja vu all over again and the economic hole will continue to deepen...
Another note....
I think the Marianas Variety has done a wonderful job with placing the 'comments' section in the on-line newspaper. This is steadily growing and will serve as an excellent out for the presently frustrated citizens to vent their disappointment. You will see this continue to grow and the folks on Capital Hill should be reading this and worrying their asses off cause the abused, neglected and repressed people are getting a voice through this venue and it will rise into a loud noise that they cannot no longer ignore....
Congratulations and thanks to the Marianas Variety for offering this very open and public venue for the common people to be heard....
Join in and vent your concerns, if nothing else you will know you stated your piece...
.....GED.....

MC79- NEW VIAGRA

2008-07-07T00:37:00.006+10:00

WATERMELON SAID TO HAVE THE SAME AFFECTS AS VIAGRA!
NEW NEWS
Wait a minute before you go to the store for watermelon, read on. There are traces of a chemical in the rind and the watermelon itself that produce the the chemicals in Viagra, so you are one step away from the actual effect. So sorry guys don't bother eating the whole thing, it'll only make you piss, often. Sorry about the false alarm, you can stop eating that melon now!
The Story Here...
Scientists: Watermelon yields Viagra-like effects
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - A slice of cool, fresh watermelon is a juicy way to top off a Fourth of July cookout and one that researchers say has effects similar to Viagra - but don't necessarily expect it to keep the fireworks all night long.
Watermelons contain an ingredient called citrulline that can trigger production of a compound that helps relax the body's blood vessels, similar to what happens when a man takes Viagra, said scientists in Texas, one of the nation's top producers of the seedless variety.
Found in the flesh and rind of watermelons, citrulline reacts with the body's enzymes when consumed in large quantities and is changed into arginine, an amino acid that benefits the heart and the circulatory and immune systems.
"Arginine boosts nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels, the same basic effect that Viagra has, to treat erectile dysfunction and maybe even prevent it," said Bhimu Patil, a researcher and director of Texas A&M's Fruit and Vegetable Improvement Center. "Watermelon may not be as organ-specific as Viagra, but it's a great way to relax blood vessels without any drug side effects."
Now put the watermelon down please and let me have some..... PLEASE!
.....GED.....

MC78- NEED POT

2008-07-07T00:21:00.004+10:00

TRY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

Darn, how do they get pot in jail when there isn't any out here? Just kidding of course.

Here is a short segment of the story.... Story Here....

Man admits smoking marijuana in jail
NO action will be taken at this time against a detainee who admitted to smoking marijuana inside the restroom of the Department of Corrections in May, according to the recommendation of U.S. Probation Office. U.S. Probation Officer Melinda N. Brunson stated that the report she submitted to the U.S. District Court for the NMI regarding 24-year-old Dominic D. Chipwelong is recommended “for informational purposes only and no action be taken at this time.”

Now that's a kick isn't it? Hit the restroom in the DOC and take a few tokes, seems no one will care. It just doesn't seem fair to get away with it in jail and take a chance of getting busted on the outside.

Oh well, Life goes on....

.....GED.....

MC77- REAL AMERICAN STORIES

2008-07-04T12:49:00.003+10:00

FOR MORE OF REAL AMERICAN STORIES.. CLICK HERE

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, INDEPENDENCE DAY....

Give this a look, you can even tell your own story if you wish..

.....GED.....

MC76- WASHINGTON DELEGATE

2008-07-03T00:11:00.010+10:00

THE FINAL CONTENDERS...

Washington wannabes.
Here is part of the story....
Those who have expressed their interest in running for delegate are Resident Rep. Pete A. Tenorio of the Republican Party, retired judge Juan T. Lizama, Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Gregorio Sablan, television talk show host John O. Gonzales, and businessman Patrick M. Calvo.
Sen. Luis Crisostimo has sought the endorsement of the Democratic Party. A primary is possible. Story Here....
There has been a few people entering and dropping out of this race for D.C. Delegate. None faster in and out then Patrick Calvo. (Is he in or out???) But the one that I predict won't make it to the starting block is Luis Crisostimo. He talks like he will run, but I'll bet when the gun sounds and the race is on he will be left on the starting line. Yup, won't go, won't run, is afraid of losing. I'll predict how it will go down.... He will give into David Cing and never even quit his Senate post to run, Yup again, it's all a blast of hot air. Sounded good in the papers and on lip service time but the wimp won't go, wait and see!
RUN LUIS, RUN! Don't be afraid and chicken out!
.....GED.....

MC75- RECOGNIZING BULLSHIT

2008-07-02T10:40:00.010+10:00

CAN YOU RECOGNIZE BULLSHIT WHEN YOU SEE AND HEAR IT?

Well I can, and I'll bet you can too. Here is the latest load of crap to be dumped on us by the Department of Finance... Story Here...

Inos: No second check for stimulus recipients
FIRST, the good news: U.S. stimulus checks don’t “bounce.”

These are not U.S. checks, these came from our own DOF.
NEXT: Variety was told that a supermarket that received $6,000 in U.S. stimulus checks from different taxpayers could not cash them in a bank due to “insufficient funds.” But Finance Secretary Eloy Inos said that’s “impossible” because more than a third of the funds provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury are still in the bank.

So the next question would seem to be is... Why is all that money still there? This was given by the U.S for the working class people to spend, therefore stimulating the local economy, thus the name 'Stimulus Rebates'. How will this economy be helped with these idiot sitting on over 1/3 of the funds?
“No way they bounced,” said Inos. He said the checks may not have been cleared due to other reasons but not because of “insufficient funds.” “There is what we call unusual endorsement like if a signature is missing. Sometimes the machine missed it (on the check) or the dates and the written amount and the figure are not the same,” he told Variety in an interview yesterday. “Or maybe the checks are (physically damaged). There are many other factors.”

Now lets see, $6,000 dollars at $300 each must be about twenty checks. So he is saying they messed up twenty checks that all went to the same store because of printing errors? Here is a point you should call 'bullshit' because I don't believe it and I'll bet you don't either.

The U.S. Department of Treasury turned over $16.1 million to the CNMI Department of Finance under the $152 billion federal Economic Stimulus Package Act of 2008. Of this figure, Inos said $6 million is still in the Bank of Guam and the U.S. Treasury will provide more funds if what was given to the CNMI is not enough. Most of the CNMI recipients got $300.

Why wouldn't they want to dump all that money into the local economy and ask for more, can't they even pass out free money right?
According to Inos, $300 is the minimum federal stimulus rebate and since most taxpayers in the CNMI private sector are minimum wage earners who are paid lower than their counterparts in the U.S., most of them got the minimum rebate amount.

So explain the amount the higher paid, government workers got paid, where is his explanation for that?
“If their tax liability is lower than $300, then they get $300. The minimum rebate is $300,” said Inos.

Now there's a line that isn't even bullshit, it's plain ignorant, I can't even fathom what it means. Do you understand this calculation?

“We have no intention of shortchanging anybody — we don’t discriminate. It’s about the tax system,” he said. “In a way this is a good exercise for us. These problems have never come up before. We’re just following the requirements of the (U.S. Internal Revenue System) so that next time around, we can implement this easily and smoothly,” he added.

Man oh man, it's been so long since they paid a tax rebate they forgot how. What does he mean by the "next time around"? He couldn't even give out all he got this time and he's getting ready for the next round? Watch for government sticky fingers!

Stupidity reigns at DOF!!!!!!!!!!

.....GED.....

MC74- WAY TO GO GUYS

2008-07-01T02:57:00.007+10:00

THIS LONG ROUND OF APPLAUSE IS FOR YOU!....

It makes ones heart feel good to see people kicking in and offering their help and services to others in time of need. Story Here...

NMI: 20 Hotshots leave to battle Calif. wildfires....
The CNMI's 20 Hotshot crews will be deployed today, Tuesday, to California to help fight the hundreds of wildfires that are blackening large tracts of the state. Department of Public Safety commissioner Claudio K. Norita told the media yesterday that they received the activation call on Friday for the CNMI Hotshot team to head for California. “It's a program that we've been running in the CNMI since 1998,” Norita said. He said the 20 Hotshots from the CNMI will team up with their counterparts from Guam, American Samoa, and Hawaii.

There so many disasters happening nowadays that they are even hard to keep up with. In the post just proceeding this one it points out the help received from the different U.S. agencies and it is really good to see a helping hand offered in return. Kudos to all the men heading to the mainland and California.

.....GED.....

MC73- WE CAN HANDLE IT OURSELVES

2008-07-01T02:04:00.005+10:00

YUP, BY GOLLY WE CAN DO IT ALONE....

Saipan can handle emergencies.....
SAIPAN’S readiness to handle emergency situations is better than expected, according to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. in an interview on Friday. Story Here...
“This could be because we have the advantage of having many resources available, like assistance from Homeland Security, other federal agencies and from the U.S. military,” Reyes said.

Damn, with all that help any dodo could do a good job, there isn't any better! Yes, Charlie you can do a whoop-up job at most anything with those assets. It's a wonder you and your boss recognized this fact. Oop's, I forgot the boss ain't here, he's off to Washington to thank them for their help in times of need. Then he'll sue their ass for trying to help even more. So confusing you guys??????

.....GED.....

MC72- HOPELESS

2008-06-30T01:23:00.006+10:00

EVERY HEADLINE TODAY, IS BAD NEWS

<---In a snowball headed to hell...

It used to be interesting to read the news and then pick out a special story of interest and comment on it. But now days there isn't a special or derogatory stories to comment on, they all suck. CUC is crashing and burning, deals are not kept, contracts are not followed or honored. The retirement fund is in the basement, of which I don't much give a shit about. The Governor is suing the only source of help we ever get. Our 'leadership' ( that's a tall statement in it's self) can't even add numbers together to develop a budget and one won't be passed for FY '09 at any rate.

What a friggin' disaster, a comedy of errors, a disaster already happening, a snowball headed to hell, yup it's your place you can have it. You and Stanley 'TLC' Torres can sink it in the ocean.

Now watch, in comments it will be my fault.

Sign in the window... GONE TO HELL!

.....GED.....

MC71- JUST A THOUGHT

2008-06-29T14:55:00.004+10:00

REAL AMERICANS...

Have you seen the pictures from Iowa and through out the floods of the Midwest, etc. of people looting the liquor stores, carrying away televisions from retail stores, sitting on the roof begging for someone to take care of them and collected in the baseball stadium complaining about the food and shelter being provided?

Neither have I.

.....GED.....

MC70- TRIVIA

2008-06-28T00:31:00.004+10:00

BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW ALL THIS

To break the daily hum-drum and maybe give you a grin....
If you yelled for 8 years, 7 months and 6 days you would have produced enough sound energy to heat one cup of coffee. (Hardly seems worth it.)
If you farted consistently for 6 years and 9 months, enough gas is produced to create the energy of an atomic bomb. (Now that's more like it!)
The human heart creates enough pressure when it pumps out to the body to squirt blood 30 feet. (O.M.G.!)
A pig's orgasm lasts 30 minutes. (In my next life, I want to be a pig.)
A cockroach will live nine days without its head before it starves to death. (Creepy.) (I'm still not over the pig.)
Banging your head against a wall uses 150 calories a hour. (Don't try this at home, maybe at work.)
The male praying mantis cannot copulate while its head is attached to its body. The female initiates sex by ripping the male's head off. ("Honey, I'm home. What the...?!")
The flea can jump 350 times its body length. It's like a human jumping the length of a football field. (30 minutes..lucky pig! Can you imagine?)
The catfish has over 27,000 taste buds. (What could be so tasty on the bottom of a pond?)
Some lions mate over 50 times a day. (I still want to be a pig in my next life...quality over quantity)
Butterflies taste with their feet. (Something I always wanted to know.)
The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue. (Hmmmmmm......)
Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people. (If you're ambidextrous, do you split the difference?)
Elephants are the only animals that cannot jump.(okay, so that would be a good thing)
A cat's urine glows under a black light. (I wonder who was paid to figure that out?)
An ostrich's eye is bigger than its brain. (I know some people like that.)
Starfish have no brains. (I know some people like that too.)
Polar bears are left-handed. (If they switch, they'll live a lot longer)
Humans and dolphins are the only species that have sex for pleasure. (What about that pig??)

.....GED.....

MC69- THE LAST HURRAH

2008-06-26T20:07:00.007+10:00

SHE SAID IT BEST
KSPN NEWS Tonight 6/26/08
In an interview tonight with the Speaker of the House, Arnold Palacious, the current Washing Rep., Pete A.Tenorio and the ex attorney general for the BB administration, Pam Brown, all came to the same conclusion about the blockheaded governors pursuit of his lawsuit against the Federal government...
They all agreed it would be:
First.. Very costly at $50,000 dollars per month and a waste of money they don't have.
Second.. And even more damaging is the counterproductive relationship we would deepen with the Federal government, costing more then just a loss of cash.
Third.. All agreed it will be a losing effort and no one would win.
But the part I like the best was stated by Pan Brown and it was well said. She said it best!
She said, It will be the last great hurrah for the Governor, Ben Fitial and his assistants Howard Willens, Diane Sieman and Richard Pierce. I couldn't have said it better myself!!! It may be the end of the rope as we presently know it today.
GIVE IT UP, BEN! WAVE THE WHITE FLAG!
Have a good day.....
.....GED.....

MC68- FIGHTING FEDERALIZATION

2008-06-25T21:06:00.015+10:00

VOTE IN THE NEW POLL ON SPENDING FOR FIGHTING FEDERALIZATION
Right side below picture---->

June. 26/08

UPDATE:
Now we hear in today's news that the 'private sector' will be footing the bill. Now I can't imagine who this might be.
The Story Here...
Today's Headline:
Private sector to pay for federalization lawsuit:
THE “sympathizers” of the Fitial administration” in the private sector will finance the costs of suing the U.S. government over the federalization law, Variety was told yesterday.
How truthful is this announcement or is it a smoke screen to divert your attention from the actual waste of money? I don't think any smart business would venture into this loosing cause, how about you? 'Comment' below...
.....GED.....

MC67- "AN EXERCISE IN FUTILITY“

2008-06-24T23:22:00.006+10:00

BEN TAN HAS GONE OFF HIS ROCKER

If you watched the Johnzo Gonzo show you will have heard that the narrow minded governor wants to spend your money to sue, 'guess who' the Federal Government. Now I couldn't think of a better way to relieve ourselves of our extra cash then to sue the Feds in a losing cause. This guy should be grounded and sent to his room for the remainder of his term. I know the extra cash we have that is burning a hole in his pocket, he just gotta spend it. The Story Here.....

I think the Feds will see that we have so much money as to waste it on frivolous lawsuits they will laugh when he turns around and starts begging for hand-outs. I believe Washington sees Ben as a friggin' clown and every day can't wait to see what stupid thing he will get himself into that day. He's got to be the laughing stock in D.C. Maybe he can beg for the money to hire the attorneys to use to sue them, now wouldn't that be a gas? "May I beg for some cash to sue you, Mr. Fed? Please, cause we are broke and you will 'ruin the economy' if we can't sue you."

So goes stupidity....

.....GED.....

MC66- CLEANING THE SENATE

2008-06-24T15:35:00.009+10:00

IT'S TIME TO PUT THIS POLL TO REST

105 people voted: Here are your results..... To view the poll click HERE
Senator Luis Crisostimo was the most likely to be kicked out of the senate by the voters choice's, followed by the next less favorite, senate president Pete Reyes.
The most favorite to remain was senator Maria Pangelinan.

Very few people, only 10 elected to keep them all. So I guess we'll see what happens at the next elections. I will keep the poll displayed one more day so check it out as it'll soon be off the page.
Thanks to all who participated...
.....GED.....

MC65- IMPOSSIBLE SCHEME

2008-06-21T00:56:00.009+10:00

BORROWING TO GET OUT OF DEBT, WHO WILL REPAY THIS GRAND SCHEME?
Who will front this money to the CNMI? How will this work? ..
Story Here....
The NMI Retirement Fund has favored a proposal to allow the CNMI government to borrow whatever amount is needed to pay its debt to the pension agency. The House of Representatives is currently considering two separate legislative initiatives for a pension obligation bond. One version, proposed by Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, calls for a $200-million debt to pay the government's pension obligation. Another proposal, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Deleon Guerrero, does not set a specific dollar amount, stating only that the bond must not exceed what the government owes the Retirement Fund.
Now I'm not an economics expert by a long shot but can you tell me how this plan will work?
How can one float a bond if they can't even pay the original debt? Where will the money come from to repay the bond? Will the repayment come from the general fund, and if it does, will we all now be paying the retirement benefits that the government owes by itself?
This sounds like a scheme to default the non government employees into paying benefits that the government owes. If that is the case then we all should get retirement benefits if the general public has to pick up the governments tab.
Now, as I said, I don't know this answer, but I would like to find out. If anyone has a clue as how this will work please tell me. I would love to know....
Something smells fishy here...
.....GED.....

NOW THE BIG QUESTION:
WHAT THE FU**K ARE THEY WORRYING ABOUT $200 MILLION FOR THE RETIREMENT FUND WHEN THEY CAN'T EVEN BUY PARTS FOR CUC ENGINES??????? IDIOTS!!!!!

MC64- NAME THAT BREW

2008-06-20T20:16:00.006+10:00

NEW BREWERY NEEDS A NAME FOR THEIR BEER

New Deal to Revive the Capital Hill Brewery..
A Korean corporation is giving new life to Saipan's only microbrewery with a lease that will jump start a plan to market several local brands of beer on the island and overseas. “And what we're going to brew here is real beer.” Equally important is what to name the beer. Staffler said the brewery plans to hold a naming contest in the coming months with the help of the popular Garapan nightspot Godfather's. “Locals should be proud that there will be a local beer, and we're trying to give it a local name,” Staffler said.

Story Here...
So what do you think? Do you have a name for the new beer to be brewed here on Saipan?

If you read the whole story you may get a better feel for the types of beer to be brewed.

Leave your suggestion below in 'comments'.

.....GED.....

MC63- DO THE MATH

2008-06-19T15:38:00.009+10:00

LATEST NEWS FLASH.....

Skyrocketing gas prices in the Commonwealth are prompting many residents to trade-in four wheels for two, with one of the island's largest vehicle dealers and some rental offices reporting a rise in consumer interest in motorcycles and scooters. Gas prices rose 18 cents to $4.80 per gallon on Saipan last week - far above the national average of roughly $4 --
So lets do some math before you jump..

This is for the family considering a scooter as a second car, a go to work car or an errand runner. If you have a scooter only then there is no question it will save you lots of money...
We will assume a bike/scooter (as mine does) gets 80 MPG.
Your auto (for an average) gets 20 MPG.
Driving 10,000 miles on a scooter, will cost you, 10,000 mi. / 80 mpg = 125 gal or $4.80 x 125 = $600.00.
Driving 10,000 miles in your auto will cost you, 10,000 mi. / 20 mpg = 500 gal or $4.80 x 500 = $2,400.00 Therefore saving ($2,400.00 - $600 =) $1,800.00 (approx. cost of a scooter.)
To make a simple comparison it cost 4x more to drive a car than a scooter. (this is considering gas only, not other costs as insurance, repairs etc.)
Another number to throw into the equation is how much do you drive in 1 year? If you drive the scooter 10,000 miles in one or two years it will be a benefit to purchase a scooter or any 80 MPG machine. If you drive 10,000 miles in 3 years you may break even + or -. If it takes you 4 or more years, to drive 10,000 miles (I will use this as the life of a scooter) then you may need to consider this more carefully.
A few pros and cons:
Pros:
Fun to ride, fresh air...
No problem parking, stick it in anywhere...
Of course the savings...
A excellent second car...
Cons:
Rain and more rain...
Probable looser in a duel with an auto...
Not much load capacity, only 1 extra rider...
Think about it....
.....GED.....

MC62- GOOD WORK JOE CAMACHO

2008-06-17T08:36:00.011+10:00

BANNING BEGGING ON THE STREET'S AND INTERSECTIONS...
A Congressman has seem the light and the dangers involved. See Post MC59
Tuesday, June 17, 2008... Story Here...
Bill Eyes Ban on Roadside Solicitations
Soliciting donations along the roads and at intersections will banned if a bill passes into law. A measure before the Legislature proposes to prohibit solicitations within 25 feet of the center line of any public highway in the Commonwealth. The proponents of the bill said the ban is reasonable because it will ensure the safety of the solicitors and the motorists.
Good work Joe Camacho, you just have saved someones life. I know it looks harmless and it has been the norm for many years but the traffic is now heavier and faster and with power outages and lights not working at times it has become an accident waiting to happen. It's much better never knowing what 'might' have happened and to know you have prevented a terrible accident, then to wish "if only I had done something sooner."
Thank you Joe....
.....GED.....

MC62- STATE YOUR OPINIONS HERE

2008-06-15T16:52:00.008+10:00

IF YOU WANNA BITCH ABOUT YOUR POWER BILL GO TO THIS MEETING.

If you don't attend you will be banned forever from bitching. If you don't participate in this meeting, your bitching rights will be removed and you must forever remain silent on this issue. Got the picture?

Here is what you need to do......

Got the CUC blues? Be part of the solution!
Concerned CUC ratepayers are urged to join in on a community forum on Tuesday, June 17th, starting at 6pm at the Multipurpose Center to discuss short-term and long-term solutions to the CNMI's continuing utilities crisis. An initial list of reasonable, achievable action items has been drafted as a result of numerous informal meetings and conversations with rate payers throughout the CNMI, including residents, business owners, community leaders, and government officials. This action plan will be officially launched on Tuesday for public comment.
Ratepayers will also be urged to formally dispute their CUC bills. The disputes will serve not only as an act of protest against ever-increasing rates and a continuing lack of transparency and accountability at CUC, but more importantly as an act of solidarity by the long-suffering people of the CNMI to demand the efficient, reliable, and affordable utility services we all deserve.
The goal of improved utilities demands not only short-term relief and decisive action by the local government, but also decisive and organized action by the CNMI's ratepayers, and long-term planning that involves the participation and cooperation of our entire community. The forum on Tuesday, June 17th at 6pm is just the first step toward mobilizing our community toward that goal.
Come with an open mind, your best ideas, at least three friends, and flashlights! Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Please read Ed Propst's blog post. For more information about the community forum, contact Ed at 483-7361 or http://us.mc359.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ed@pdigitalmedia.com .

I can also be reached at 483-3935 or 285-3935, or by email at http://us.mc359.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=tinasablan@gmail.com .
Thanks very much and we hope to see you there!
Power to the People!
Sincerely,
Tina Sablan

There you have it, you must attend or forever hold your peace..

.....GED.....

MC61- COMMENTS ON THE VARIETY

2008-06-14T23:19:00.008+10:00

THE NEW MARIANAS VARIETY NOW HAS A FEATURE FOR YOU TO PLACE A 'COMMENT'
Well, kudos to the Marianas Variety for their new form with a 'comment' feature. Now I don't know if we had any part in their decision to add this feature, but they did a good job with it. If you are an on-line reader you would have already seen the new layout. If you haven't been reading the Variety on-line you should check it out. All the bloggers will find it familiar to post comments but non-bloggers may be a bit apprehensive to join in writing their comments. So if you read the news on-line go ahead add your comments. One good thing about their comments is you can delete or edit your comment at anytime as long as it is posted.
So here's to the Marianas Variety for a job well done! I know it will, as more people get acquainted with it, improve their 'hits' to the news.
Check it out!!!
.....GED.....

MC60- ONE LESS DELEGATE

2008-06-13T22:28:00.010+10:00

WOW, HE LASTED ALL OF THREE DAYS....

Calvo joins race for delegate seat in Congress:
Wendsday, June 11/08
A local businessman is the latest to join the delegate race. Patrick M. Calvo said he will run for the U.S. Congress as an independent candidate. This is his first time to run for elected office. Calvo is the owner of Calvo's Nursery and Landscaping and Island Farmers Market. He is also the current president of the Saipan Rotary Club. Story Here...
If you heard the KSPN news tonight you will know what I'm talking about.
News flash.. Calvo being sought on charges. I'll not define the charges so not to make a mistake. But the delegate wannabe is finished. This will probably go down as the shortest run for an elected position ever.
More later if relevant.... The Latest Story...
A FOOTNOTE....
Tuesday, November 28, 2000
Calvo pleads not guilty to rape: Story Here....
Businessman Patrick Mendiola Calvo yesterday plead not guilty to the charge of sexual abuse of a child.

I'll take it he will not run for delegate anymore...
.....GED.....

MC59- BEGGING OR ENTERPRISING

2008-06-13T21:10:00.009+10:00

IS THIS THE BEST THEY CAN DO?

Today as I was coming from Garapan to San Jose I passed two different 'groups' of kids begging for, I'll assume, donations or as some call it cash. Is this really necessary, to stand in the middle of busy intersections with a tin cup, running up to cars thrusting out a donation cup? Someone will get hurt because these kids don't know traffic laws, like which lane can keep moving for a right turn even though the other center lanes are stopped. What you have here is a disaster waiting to happen!

What are they there for anyway? I remember as a youngster of selling candy bars, that money went for the school band, selling magazines for a class trip, carrying gallons of apple cider to go to a farm fair, making submarine sandwiches and distributing them to the families who ordered them. Why can't these kids do something constructive to earn some money or is it the culture or tradition to be beggars and get something for nothing?

I'll guess seeing that the governor and all the 'leaders' solution's to their problems is to beg for handouts so why should the kids be any different? Kids learn from their peers so as the older generation goes so does the next generation.

To bad this won't stop until SOMEONE HAS TO DIE!

Find a way to earn the funds needed for your projects, stay off the streets and stop this dangerous begging.....

To the motorists if you stop giving money this will stop from lack of funds so you can do something to help rid the streets of this hazard....

.....GED.....

MC58- NUCLEAR POWER

2008-06-12T07:54:00.013+10:00

I WILL SUGGEST THIS IS THE WAY TO GO...

We all know, with a few exceptions, that being our 'leaders', that as long as we depend on fossil fuel our power costs will never decrease. You can minimize the number of employees, you can lower the salaries of management, you can legislate all you want, you can even privatize management but the simple fact remains fossil fuel is just that, a fossil, a thing of the past. There were many articles written by Dr. Thomas Arkle on the advantages of a nuclear powered power plant. Lately more people are looking into this alternative source of power and are coming to the same conclusion that I also have...
Nuclear power is the power of the future.
Here are a few of the latest thoughts on the subject..
Shooting Oneself in the Foot , and
An Urgent need to Change
Our 'leaders' in their own old fashioned and backwards ways aren't even considering the possibilities nuclear power affords. Now before you get your bowels in an uproar, read the articles linked above. I will not accept old outdated positions on this subject unless you know what you are spouting off about.

I will put it to you this way... If there is ever going to be an improvement in your power bills it will come from nuclear power. The Geo-thermal thing won't work and any amount of private management of fossil fuel powered plants will not give you relief from the high costs of fossil fuel.
You can take this to the bank.....
.....GED.....

MC57- WILL HE EVER LEARN

2008-06-11T00:56:00.007+10:00

FITIAL IS STUCK IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE

Can't this man see what is happening all around him? Is he oblivious to the obvious? Federalization is here, it is here now and won't be changed. Why can't he see the light?

He is in a 'still the same' position, his head up his ass.... Story Here...

But the Fitial administration does not seem quite ready to call off its fight against federalization.The governor told the media yesterday he is still consulting with lawmakers, businesses, and other groups on the three options he outlined in his State of the Commonwealth Address last month. The options are to sue the U.S. government, help draft the regulations, or lobby the U.S. Congress to amend the recently approved immigration measure.

What does this guy expect to accomplish by being dazed and confused about what is going on all around him? Gov. they're here, you saw them today and your blockheaded stance is looking pretty ignorant at this point. They are here to work with you on drafting the rules and regulations for the enacting of the L & I laws, and you are stuck in 'dumb ass' mode. You need to pitch in and help improve the situation, not keep fighting against it all.

Governor, wake up and do what you were elected to do, to lead and advance the will of the people. That does not include being a relic from bygone days and retaining old biased opinions. You have to be the worst gov. ever and there were a bunch losers to be up against.

Now while they were here you had no shame to be holding out your hand and begging for aid and support from the same people you detest, how can you do that without being two faced?

I think you had better ask the few people that voted for you if they do, indeed support your actions. I believe you are in a small minority on this issue. So wake up and do the will of the people!That's all.

.....GED....

MC56- A REASON FOR BEING

2008-06-10T01:49:00.012+10:00

HAVE THEY FINALLY FOUND A REASON FOR SAIPAN?

Can't attract tourists, can't keep the power on, can't drink the water, is bankrupt and already down the tubes and won't mine pozzolan, so whats left?
Well, here is the latest news flash....
MAKE SAIPAN A DUMP!
TINIAN is considering the feasibility of shipping its non-recyclable solid waste to Saipan until the construction of a new Tinian landfill is completed. Story Here....
Now here is something that just might work. Make Saipan a huge dump site and collect all the trash throughout all the Pacific islands. Why, just think of the possibilities, barge after barge of rotten garbage coming in daily, non stop. It will always be needed, they won't run out of garbage, garbage is like taxes and death, everyone has to do it. This is a no brainer, bring in the trash. Finally a plan that will work... Kudos to the brilliant, high minded people who developed this grand scheme!
Here comes the money!
.....GED.....

MC55- CLEAN THE HOUSE

2008-06-09T10:35:00.012+10:00

SUMMERY OF A RECENT POLL

I will remove the 'clean the house' poll tomorrow 6/10 so here are a few conclusions...

Oscar Babauta and Stanley 'TLC' Torres were the first to get swept out of the House. This is not surprising due to Oscar's insistence on railroading a poker bill through the back door. Stanley, well he is the dimwit we all know, or as I have fondly named him.. TLC, 'The Loose Cannon', for firing wildly and haplessly at anything that moves in his territory. Also following close on their heels is Justo Quitugua, placing third on the sweep 'um out poll.

You can review the rest of the list, but our favorite home girl Tina Sablan is the most liked, that stands to reason as she is the hardest worker, the fairest and the most connected to the community she serves so well. She is definitely the best of the bunch! Here's to you Tina!

Honorable mention to Heinz Hofschneider for coming in second with the next least amount of 'throw 'um out' votes...

The poll is in the right hand column, check it out. --->

Poll is closed....

.....GED.....

MC54- ROLE MODEL

2008-06-08T02:40:00.038+10:00

HERE IS A GUY TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR...
Federal court sanctions 'vexatious litigant'...
The court has sanctioned John Sablan Pangelinan by ordering him to pay attorneys' fees and court costs to attorney Robert T. Torres for including the lawyer's clients in a $61.1 million lawsuit, which the court found frivolous. Story Here.. and More Story Here..
This man has the uncanny ability to dig a hole, a very deep hole and can dig it quickly. All these traits exemplified here should make him a shoo-in to take over as the next governor. Our present gov. could dig a deep hole but not as fast, this guy is a pro. Even more Here... and Here too ... The Letter
Talk about being a loser this guy is the best of the bunch. Just make sure you don't cross his path, it would be like having a black cat passing under a ladder with a broken mirror.
If you didn't follow this story it's rather interesting, read all the links. There are 5 links.
I'll call him a two shovel guy.
.....GED.....

MC53- PASSING THE BUCK

2008-06-08T01:35:00.010+10:00

THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF A DELAY IN PARTS IS A DELAY IN ORDERING THEM

In all my years of managing heavy equipment the one single reason for a delay of repair parts was a delay in placing the order. Second is the inability to show proof of financial ability to pay. This is a common excuse for repairmen to use since there are no dates offered as to when they were ordered. This is a gray area used for many years, a common ploy and excuse. Pointing fingers at manufactures and shippers to cover one's own inadequacies. (dumb ass)

Delay in parts shipment pushes back CUC repairs:

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. will not meet the targeted April 2009 completion of all repairs and maintenance work on its power engines due to a delay in the shipment of engine parts. The Story Here.....

We should see when these parts, they say are delayed, were ordered, I'll place my bet that they were ordered late or weren't made with any proof of the ability to pay for them. No one is going to make a $1 million dollar, special order part without proof of the the consumer's ability to pay. We all know the credit of CUC is nonexistent. This is probably the largest part of the problem.

Passing the buck....

.....GED.....

MC52- STICKY FINGERS

2008-06-07T22:58:00.006+10:00

DOES THE DOF HAVE STICKY FINGERS?

We are in the process of receiving our U.S. Federal Income Stimulus Checks.

However, I wonder how much of this money passing through the sticky fingers of the local government will stick to their fingers. We already hearing about people having problems with receiving their checks due to errors with SSN's and small unpaid tax balances. This is referenced in Harry Blalock's FFT weekly column. See It Here..

Will the government be left holding a balance of our money that isn't theirs? What will they do with the remaining balance? Simply keep it? This would seem to be par for the course for the DOF to keep all remaining balances that it found not able to disperse to the rightful recipient's, us, the people it was meant for. Should the CNMI government profit from this U.S. rebate package? I don't think so. Therefore they MUST give an accounting as to who received their rebates and what is left and what they plan to do with it.

Will the DOF find ways to not pay the rebates and keep some for themselves? You can bet they will so an accounting of funds will be in order.

Your thoughts, please.

.....GED.....

MC51- HELP

2008-06-05T17:25:00.005+10:00

ALL MY POSTS BECAME DOUBLE LINE SPACED TODAY

Got any ideas as how to correct this? All posts were single line spaced, all of a sudden they are all double spaced. Got any ideas why?

.....GED.....

MC50- THE 3 BIG Q's

2008-06-05T07:26:00.018+10:00

QUESTIONS THAT MUST BE ADDRESSED

To all running for the Washington position of Deligate to Congress...

There are three very important questions that all candidates must answer and state their stance on this issue...

They are as follows....
Q1- Do you support the federalization of Labor and Immigration*?
Q2- Do you support the mandated Federal minimum wage hikes**?
Q3- Do you reject/oppose the governors anti-Federal Government attitude and non participation in the drafting of new legislation for the L&I bill***?
If any of your answers to these questions are NO then you are not acceptable to hold the position of Washington Delegate.
Here is a little more clarity to each question.
*Q1- There are a lot of open ended details to work out for the benefit of the CNMI. A non supporter of working on these issues and fighting against the enviable will only result in one thing, the Federal Governments plan without your input. Or there can be a plan including your ideas and concerns. It's one or the other, so candidates, please be supportive and be heard rather then a negative force against everything. A negative attitude will only cause you to lose your voice. The Governors stance of 'It'll ruin the economy,' will not work here.
**Q2- This minimum wage mandate will need, and quiet rightly so, some research, studies and reports. Supporting the minimum wages would include reading and understanding these reports and at some point there must be a sound decision made as to the success of the wage hikes. A complete absolute no, not, never stance will again be detrimental to the CNMI. There needs to be a clear head here. Certainly not the governors stance of 'It'll ruin the economy. While it would have an effect on a functioning economy there is nothing here to ruin. This 'economy' is bankrupt, down the drain and hopeless, with nothing more to ruin, so the 'it'll ruin the economy' claim is moot.
***Q3- Quite simply put, the Governor is an idiot. He has nothing new to give or help the CNMI make improvements or take new directions. He is a loser and needs to be removed in the next election. The D.C Rep however, must start anew and be open mined, forward looking, able to grasp opportunities, and there will be many, and enable the CNMI to move ahead. Fitial is a relic of of the past, already gone. Finished, Kaput!
.....GED.....

MC49- I THOUGHT I WAS A COWBOY

2008-06-05T01:52:00.004+10:00

BUT ALL MY LIFE I WAS A LESBIAN

Here's how I found out life had a hidden agenda. The tale of an old Cowboy....

An old cowboy sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee. As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him. She turned to the cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?" He replied, "Well, I've spent my whole life breaking colts, working cows, going to rodeos, fixing fences, pulling calves, baling hay, doctoring calves, cleaning my barn, fixing flats, working on tractors, and feeding my dogs, so I guess I am a cowboy."

She said, "I'm a lesbian. I spend my whole day thinking about women. As soon as I get up in the morning, I think about women. When I shower, I think about women. When I watch TV, I think about women. I even think about women when I eat. It seems that everything makes me think of women."

The two sat sipping in silence. A little while later, a man sat down on the other side of the old cowboy and asked, "Are you a real cowboy?" He replied, "I always thought I was, but I just now found out that I'm a lesbian."

That says it all, doesn't it? I think I'm a lesbian too. How about you other guys? Closet lesbians? You can come out now!

.....GED.....

MC48- LOGIC

2008-06-03T18:17:00.006+10:00

IT ALL MAKES SENSE, DOESN'T IT?

Simple logic at it's best.......

I just love the logic here.

We outside the U.S. cannot figure out why you are even bothering to hold an election in the US.

On one side, you have a bitch who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, ... running against a lawyer who is married to a bitch who is a lawyer.

On the other side, you have a war hero married to a good looking woman with big tits who owns a beer distributorship.

Is there really a contest here?

For your amusement only! There is no reference here to any living soul or person.

.....GED.....

MC47- COMPUTER AILMENT

2008-06-03T13:00:00.003+10:00

EVER GO WITHOUT YOUR PC FOR A FEW DAYS?

The last 3 or 4 days my computer was on the blink. Only it wasn't a blink it was in a deep sleep. I was out of business and was going NUTS! Finally after a prolonged assessment I got it fixed. Thank Goodness!

I felt like I was disconnected from the world, you might say in jail. It is like a habit, an obsession, try going without for 3 days, I'll dare you!

I'm baaaacck!

.....GED.....

MC46- ENGLISH USED IN D.C.

2008-06-03T11:33:00.007+10:00

YOU WILL NEED TO USE ENGLISH TO BE EFFECTIVE

Ever watch the Gonzo show? Broadcast to a select audience?
Television talk show host John Oliver Gonzales is the latest candidate to enter the delegate race, bringing to seven the number of those who have confirmed plans to run for the post. Gonzales announced on Saturday his bid to become the Northern Marianas' first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. He is running as an independent candidate.
Whenever I try to watch the Gonzo Show I feel like it is only meant for the people who can understand a language other than English. There is no consideration given to the portion of the community that speak and understand English only.
So The question is... Will he continue to only represent his chosen group in D.C. as he currently does here? Why not allow the whole community be involved in the discussions and debates which presently his current TV show does not? Should they be limited to a certain interest group, and not everyone? If he wants to go to D.C. he will need to include ALL group's of citizens and not limited to a certain 'language' group. He will also need to speak English.
Let us hear your reply in English, please!
.....GED.....

MC45- RULES ARE FOR OTHERS

2008-05-31T01:52:00.010+10:00

BUT NOT FOR HIM...

Crisostimo wants his cake and eat it too!
Why does he think the rules are only for others and not for him? Story Here...
The CNMI Constitution requires elected officials to resign once they have been certified as official candidates for another position whose term begins before the end of their current term.
Crisostimo has said he would only resign if he won the congressional election. But Yumul said in an interview that Crisostimo's plan would be impractical, in addition to being potentially illegal.

So what's with this? Doesn't this fool know the laws or does he think he is exempt? Why have different rules for his sorry ass? Crisostimo, get a grip, we want you to run. Yes, Run Luis Run! This should eliminate a non-voting, do nothing from the senate, a nice thought indeed. After all, all the streets have names.

Laws say a candidate must resign, can you understand that small tidbit of information? It's not complicated. Why do you think it doesn't apply to you and that you will only resign if you win the election. Are you retarded? Can't follow the rules for others? Need an interpreter? What is so special about you? Why would we want a rule breaker no show in D.C. anyway? Maybe you can do both, did you ever give that a thought? Why you could be a no show to two positions, make you doubly important. Yeah, you should try that.

Run, Luis Run!

.....GED.....

MC44- MAKE YOUR OWN RULES

2008-05-29T23:25:00.007+10:00

FOR YOUR OWN SELF

Bill prohibits deficiency judgment on delinquent CDA borrowers
A BILL has been introduced in the House of Representatives to prohibit the Commonwealth Development Authority from making deficiency judgment against delinquent borrowers whose real properties were used as collateral's. Story Here...
Rep. Victor B. Hocog, author of House Bill 16-114, or the Loan Inequity Reform Act of 2008, said many borrowers are finding it “very difficult” to meet their loan payments to CDA.
Hocog, Ind.-Rota, is one of CDA’s delinquent borrowers whose properties were eventually foreclosed.
His bill, if enacted into law, will apply retroactively before Jan. 1, 2008.
“These borrowers now find themselves in the position that if CDA forecloses on their property to satisfy their loan obligations, they will still owe deficiency judgment. This act is intended to relieve borrowers of CDA from facing deficiency judgments,” Hocog’s bill stated.

Does that mean that.. Hocog will write a bill to exempt himself from paying his due responsibilities to CDA. No wonder the governor has to declare an emergency takeover to keep CDA from going defunct. Why do lawmakers get to make their own rules to save their own asses? Do we get the same treatment? Why don't we all take out a loan and then pass a rule to exempt yourselves from paying? Good deal for all? Probably we, the taxpayers, paying everything we can to just keep our heads above water will have to cover this greedy piece of legislation. What do you think? Should this act be passes? Do you want to pick up the slack?

Pay your dues when they are due, all lawmakers! Don't make up your own rules.....

.....GED.....

MC43- A BARREL OF MONKEYS

2008-05-29T22:07:00.008+10:00

AND THREE GODDAMN CHAIRS... Story Here...

Who would have ever thought this government would stoop to counting chairs with monkey shit on them? Once you laugh till you cry, you pee your pants and your ribs ache, that's enough. Is this what's important to the government, three chairs and a dilapidated old house? We should put this cartoon on a comedy show, like Jay Leno's Headlines. I can see the headlines now.... CHAIRS MISSING FROM EVIDENCE ROOM, STAND IN GOVERNOR HASN'T BEEN SEATED YET.
Here have a good laugh at this comedy of fools......
Taotao Tano accuses AGO of trespass:
SAYING that their rights were violated, Taotao Tano headed by Greg Cruz Jr. yesterday filed a complaint with Department of Public Safety against the Attorney General Office for “criminal trespass.” Cruz, in an interview with Variety, said the filing of complaint stemmed from the AGO’s allegations about chairs missing from a government housing unit that Taotao Tano is now using as its office.
This goes to show there are blooming idiots running loose on Capital Hill. With all the budget restraints, rising crime rates, lack of funds for DPS, copper wire thefts and people having to work overtime to accommodate all the problems, we get this piss ass frivolous complaint to the DPS by TTT against the AGO. Both of these offices needed something to do to keep them busy. Why without this stupid ass action there wouldn't be nothing for all those employees to do.
Let's all go sit in the courthouse and watch this serious problem be resolved by our underpaid judges. This could be equivalent to a circus. We also could start a task force to find the missing chairs, we could even offer a $4.29 reward! Wow! That would even pay someones power bill for a minute. It's only peanuts after all.
You bring the monkeys I'll bring the barrels. And we will laugh our asses off!
.....GED.....

MC42- THE FIRST STEP

2008-05-29T18:03:00.012+10:00

ISLAND WIDE POWER OUTAGE TODAY, THE FIRST OF MANY?

We did a little survey awhile ago as to when you thought we would have an island wide, 24 hour power outage. We achieved the first part today. Island wide power outages were with us today. Next is to see a 24 hour outage, we're getting closer. What was your prediction for the 'big one'?
On a different note....
While I'm writing this Senator Luis P. Crisostimo was ask by KSPN News why he was running for the Washington Representative. He proceeded to equate the needs of the island to a penny. I guess this is the level of the experience he has. Idiot! Let's hope he runs and loses... that will take his ass out of the senate for the next three years...Hooray! What a break! Run Luis, Run!

.....GED.....

MC41- AND THE BEAT GOES ON

2008-05-28T21:53:00.013+10:00

STUPIDITY REIGNS SUPREME

Don't you just love it? What the hell is next in this comedy of errors, a game of 'tit for tat'? I think this is fall down hilarious.

Check this... Story Here...

<--Greg, Charles and Tim

Taotao Tano may be evicted from new office:
PRESS Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. yesterday said the administration has to “correct its mistake” when it granted Taotao Tano’s request for an office space on Capitol Hill. But Greg Cruz, Taotao Tano president, said his group will not vacate the office, which used to be the residence of former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. spokeswoman Pam Mathis.

Well I'll be, will these whatchyamacallums (imbeciles, numbnuts) ever stop being a laughing stock? If it weren't for these idiots all the news would be sorry and desperate. But fortunately we have this comedy of clowns to keep us amused. What would we do without them? Life as we know it here would be drypan and humorless. There is never a dull moment in the ongoing saga of bozos and stooges. Keep up the entertainment, or we will all get bored.....

.....GED.....

MC40- IS HE CREDIBLE

2008-05-28T03:12:00.009+10:00

TAKING BAGGAGE TO WASHINGTON D.C.

One should question if this is the man to send to be the Rep. to represent the CNMI in D.C.

The Story Here....
'Lizama not yet off the hook'
Although Juan T. Lizama had already resigned from the bench he is not yet off the hook in the unethical acts complaint filed against him before the CNMI Supreme Court. In 2007, unethical charges were filed against the then associate judge before the high court.
So is this the person we want to represent the CNMI in D.C.? It looks like there are some problems here at home to resolve before running to be the elected official to go to Washington.

There are others who have no load of baggage to carry and are capable of doing the job. This candidate should drop out until the problems here at home are resolved. There are some others like Pete A. who can hit the ground running and get the job done without whispered questions about ethics.
Let me hear what you think....
.....GED.....

MC39- A SORRY APOLOGY

2008-05-28T00:26:00.014+10:00

IS HE REALLY SORRY, CAN YOU TELL?

An apology like this one should be like violating probation. This should be a reason to be recommitted to jail. What a weak excuse, here see for yourself.... The whole Story Here
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Ex-Finance supervisor gets 18-month sentence:
Former Department of Finance's Treasury supervisor Francisco C. Calvo entered a guilty plea yesterday and was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to defraud the CNMI government of $35,825 by collecting payments using fake invoices. The judge directed the defendant to write a letter of apology to Finance and seek counseling appointment for gambling or poker addiction.
Apology: Here
I am writing this letter to formally apologize to the public for my unprofessional behavior and actions. We tend to make choices in life and sometimes do not realize if we've made the right or wrong ones. I am remorseful and vow never to repeat those actions again.

Francisco C. Calvo

Chalan Kanoa, Saipan

Is this really an apology? Do you think this was what the judge had in mind? Was it directed to finance as ordered by the judge? I think another apology is due, one with merit and meaning.

How about you?

.....GED.....

MC38- LOSEING IT

2008-05-26T23:10:00.003+10:00

MAKES ME WANNA PUKE

Crisostimo to run for Congress
SENATOR Luis P. Crisostimo yesterday announced his candidacy for the CNMI’s congressional delegate seat.

The picture says it all!

.....GED.....

MC37- FYI - LABOR AND IMMIGRATION BILL

2008-05-26T18:21:00.013+10:00

TITLE VII--NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
Subtitle A--Immigration, Security, and Labor - S.2739
SEC. 701. STATEMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL INTENT.

Click on the above title to read and understand this entire bill.

This bill is at the bottom of a lot of other legislation, so scroll down until you see the above title, begin reading there.

There are so many misunderstandings and misrepresentations of this new act just signed by the president of the United States. Your understanding of the bill will enable you to relax and cast aside all 'rumors' and tall tales.
Another place to find this information in a more condensed form and an easy to understand verse in in the MP Magazine, it is on sale now at many local outlets. They do a great job explaining this in layman's terms so you and I can grasp it all, don't miss this opportunity! MP Magazine
Time and time again it included the positions of the governor and the will of the people in the decisions that will shape the outcome of the final draft of this bill. We must be diligent to make sure the new Washington Rep is in tune to the importance of working with the federal government and not take the present governors views and block headed stance. Here is a golden opportunity to make wise decisions on the future well being of the CNMI, don't blow this one. Reading and understanding empowers you to help yourselves, remember that, read and learn.
Knowledge is the beginning of all progress... GED 2008
.....GED.....

MC36- RANDOM THOUGHTS

2008-05-25T15:06:00.012+10:00

THE HODGE-PODGE OF A WANDERING MIND

A Sample here....

1. When I was born, I got a choice - A big dick or a good memory. But I can't remember anything else.

2. Your birth certificate is an apology letter from the condom factory.

3. A wife is a sex object. Every time you ask for sex, she objects.

4. Impotence: Nature's way of saying 'No hard feelings...'

5. There are only two four letter words that are offensive to men - 'don't' and 'stop', unless they are used together.

6. Panties: Not the best thing on earth, but next to the best thing on earth.

7. There are three stages of sex in a man's life: Tri Weekly, Try Weekly, and Try Weakly.

8. Virginity can be cured.

9. Virginity is not dignity, it's lack of opportunity.

10. Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand.

11. Marriage is the only war where you sleep with the enemy.

12. Q: What's an Australian kiss? A: The same thing as a French kiss, only down under.

13. A couple just married were happy with the whole thing. He was happy with the Hole and she was happy with the Thing.......

14. Q: What are the three biggest tragedies in a mans life? A: Life sucks, the job sucks, and the wife doesn't.

15. Q: Why do men find it difficult to make eye contact ? A: Breasts don't have eyes.

16. Despite the old saying, 'Don't take your troubles to bed', many men still sleep with their wives !!!

Got a few of your own to add? List them in 'comments'.

.....GED.....

MC35- SELLING YOUR SOUL

2008-05-25T04:20:00.010+10:00

AND YOUR ISLANDS TOO!

Be aware! Uncle Sam is trying to buy you out.
If you aren't careful Old Uncle Sam and the haole outsiders with all his money will try to take advantage of you NMD's and all your islands. Why just look at them now, trying to take three of your islands and preserve them as a national nature sanctuary monument. You better cry foul, just who do those outsiders think they are, depriving all you NMD's of your lands? Think about all the people who make a living fishing there, not to mention all the tourists coming to see these rare pristine wonders of nature. My god they are taking the bread right out of your mouths. See how they are weaseling in, give them three islands now and they certainly will want some more later, those scoundrels! You better watch out, who is more capable of managing your business, your islands and your lands then you yourselves? Don't let it happen! The nerve of those haole's! Kick their asses out!
Then there is the economy stimulus package. Are they trying to buy your own souls too? Who are they to try to take advantage of you and your people by handing out free money, money you never paid in? I say send it back with a letter telling those pushy outsiders that you won't be bought. To really make your point, send your passpost back too, that'll show 'um. Where is your pride? Send it back and tell 'um off, tell 'um you can manage quiet well on your own without them interfering. After all this is your place, your islands and your economy why do they need to be screwing around with it? Greg Cruz should be the first to return his refund to set an example to the rest of the Tao Tao Tano's to send theirs back too. How can you be sent refunds when you never paid into the fund at all? There must be some stupid haole mistake. Returning them would show 'um to stay outta here, outta your place, your islands and your business.
How about all those capital improvement funds? Imagine the nerve of them giving all that money then telling you what to do with it, and even making you contribute a portion yourselves, how ridiculous! You can manage on your own, tell 'um to go to hell! Imagine you needing an outsider to tell you how to manage your business and your islands. That's downright insulting, send it back! Go it on your own, you don't need outsiders telling you what to do, Right?
Then if that's not enough they are cutting you short of your well deserved food and welfare stamps, let them know if they can't get it right and send enough, don't mess around at all, after all you got things under control it's your place let them get the hell out! The legislature will appropriate money saved from the retirement fund to cover it anyway. No help needed here. Why are those dumb haoles interfering in your stuff at all?
You NMD's better raise the ratio of bloodlines to be a bonifide NMD because those weaselly Asians will slide their way right on in and take your lands away too. They are just waiting to get a piece of your land. Article XII needs to be made stiffer and require a 50% bloodline to own land or, I'm warning you, watch out, those sneaky Asians will take it away!
Let me put it this way you have 15,000 voters and 5,000 government employees, damn if one government employee for every three voters can't handle your business, surely those damn outsides 8,000 miles away can't. Why do they interfere at all?
What is your governor doing begging for money from those same overbearing outsiders? Get on the ball and tell him to stop embarrassing you all. Why he just fought tooth and nail against their help with L&I reforms and now he turns around and begs the very same people for more help? What is he thinking? Call the governor and tell him to stop making you look like helpless idiots. Surely you can take care of your land, your islands and your own business, stop him from embarrassing you anymore!
Everyone needs to get on the Stanley Torres bandwagon and take charge once and for all. Become an independent nation and free yourselves from those damn pushy ugly Americans. Get those outsiders off your asses, your land and your islands once and for all!
Wake up! Don't sell yourselves to Uncle Sam, outsiders or pushy foreigners! Be smart. Go it on your own!
.....GED.....

PS.. Are We Capable of Running Our Own Country?

MC34- GETTIN' BETTER

2008-05-22T19:01:00.011+10:00

ONE SMALL STEP FOR ISLANDKIND

Monday, May 26th will see another boost to the minimum wage......
The new minimum wage act provides for additional increases in the local minimum wage of 50 cents an hour each year on May 26, until it reaches $7.25.
A small silver lining in a otherwise ominous dark cloud that hangs over these islands. Yeah, the new rate will be $4.05 per hour, a first in this government repressed, economically wasted island.
If Ben "It'll ruin the economy" Fitial spent as much time and effort on improving CUC as he wasted on suppressing the lowest paid workers wages we could be onto something. But, Noooo, he'll spend all our money on lobbyists to keep the status quo and the poorest repressed. O. K. don't let me get started on him. I'll suggest we won't see any significant changes in the economy or in the operations of most reputable businesses.

Way to go to all who will benefit!
.....GED.....

MC33- DO IT NOW

2008-05-22T10:04:00.005+10:00

PRICES TO DOUBLE JUNE FIRST

This is what you saw in the news.....
This may have mislead you...
Law doubling gov’t fees took effect on May 3

.
THIS month, motorists will be charged $30 instead of $15 for their driver’s license and other government fees will also increase by 100 percent following the enactment of a new law that aims to raise more revenues for the cash-strapped CNMI government while giving the governor unlimited reprogramming authority.
House Bill 16-79, now Public Law 16-2, was signed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on May 3.
Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said the Department of Public Safety and its agencies like the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are expected to implement the changes this month.
The 100 percent increase will be imposed on the renewal of vehicle operator’s license, taxicab driver’s license, chauffeur’s license, and learner’s permits, including but not limited to, replacement for duplicate, lost or stolen licenses; vehicle registration fees; boat registration fees; firearms licenses; fingerprinting fees per set; police report fees; safety sticker fees; copies of any public records maintained by DPS; and marriage license.
Yesterday I went to get a police report for one of my business licences and expected to pay double the previous rate. However I was told the price will go in effect June 1st. Was I ever relieved!
So make sure if you have an upcoming need for any of the above listed licenses, permits or reports, do it before the first of June...
.....GED.....

MC32- CUC SERIES, THE END

2008-05-22T08:23:00.008+10:00

A FINAL ANALYSIS

I was going to do a series on the reconstruction of the power company as I would have done being in Tony Munas position and starting when he was appointed director. Due to lack of understanding how businesses operate and knee jerk reactions I will show a brief outline here and not continue with the series.

I had got through the first two phases until I thought what the hell, who is listening and mostly who cares?

The phases of change would have gone like this...

1 - Set rates to equal costs, that was done

2 - Collect arrears, and stop the bleeding, cut out all non payers especially the government.

This was as far as I got (see post MC27)

The rest would have been as follows...

3 - Repair the plant, get it in top efficient running condition, this is supposedly happening now.

4 - Reorganize personnel and streamline operations, this could be done concurrently to equipment and plant repairs.

5 - At this point there could be a fair assessment made to implement the actual rate costs as things would be on an even keel of production. This could result in a minor reduction 0f rates unless oil prices continue to climb. In any case they would be now fair and realistic.

These steps should have been running concurrently with a RFP for privatizing and a search for new alternative energy sources.

I would have gone into deeper details then I have here but never mind it's your island, your leaders, your decisions, your power plant and your mess. So I've been told. So I'm outta here!

Who needs my recommendations/advice anyway?

.....GED.....

MC31- WRONG NUMBER?

2008-05-18T20:33:00.006+10:00

THERE COULD BE A SERIOUS SNAFU HERE...

Always double check the number..

A phone conversation,

Word for word..

"Hello?"

"Hi honey. This is Daddy. Is Mommy near the phone?"

"No Daddy. She's upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Paul."

After a brief pause, Daddy says, "But honey, you haven't got an Uncle Paul."

"Oh yes I do, and he's upstairs in the room with Mommy, right now."

Brief Pause. "Uh, okay then, this is what I want you to do. Put the phone down on the table, run upstairs and knock on the bedroom door and shout to Mommy that Daddy's car just pulled into the driveway."

"Okay Daddy, just a minute."

A few minutes later the little girl comes back to the phone. "I did it Daddy."

"And what happened honey?"

"Well, Mommy got all scared, jumped out of bed with no clothes on and ran around screaming. Then she tripped over the rug, hit her head on the dresser and now she isn't moving at all!"

"Oh my God!!! What about your Uncle Paul?"

"He jumped out of the bed with no clothes on, too. He was all scared and he jumped out of the back window and into the swimming pool. But I guess he didn't know that you took out the water last week to clean it. He hit the bottom of the pool and I think he's dead."

***Long Pause***

***Longer Pause***

Then Daddy says,

"Swimming pool? Is this 486-5731?"

OOPS!

.....GED.....

MC30- ELECTING A NEW CONGRESSMAN

2008-05-17T14:44:00.013+10:00

ANYONE ON THE GOVERNORS PAGE SHOULD NOT BE SENT TO WASHINGTON

We need a people person not the governors patsy!

If we want things to get done in Washington there must be a Rep. sent that doesn't kiss Fitials ass. There must be a Rep. that will work with the Fed's and want to establish a harmonious relationship with their colleagues to work for the betterment of our islands. Anyone with the bullheaded no, not, never attitude of the governor and who doesn't accept the federalization of L & I and the Federal minimum wage should not be sent there.

I have seen Lynn Knight's name as a possible rep, well that should be the last person to go there to represent the people. She was the last person sent by Fitial to wreck federalization and headbutt everything happening there, she surely won't be a qualified person to do the will of the people as she is one of Fitials ass kissers. I have nothing personal against the woman and don't even know her, but this stands for anyone on Fitials page. One week they are there condemning the new bill, so who there would recognize her now as a spokesperson for the citizens of the CNMI? This won't work at all!

Pete A. is the guy to return there and continue the work he started. He knows about and stood alone for the passage of the bill. The people in Washington will see and appreciate that commitment, this would create a smooth continuing relationship.

Who else would answer my E-Mails and explain to simple me their position about where and how they think and where they stand on an issue as Pete has done for me? No one! I had some questions, got immediate straightforward answers, what a breath of fresh air in an arena of bullshitters.

Anyone vying for the position should state openly and publicly their position on the Federalization of L & I and the continued raising of the Federal minimum wage. They should be in favor of the new changes and should be the only ones even placed on the ballot. All others on the governors page and with his stupid ideas should be laughed into humility, out of the election and off the ballot. The people of the CNMI are in favor of federalization, so the new Congressman should be too! No exceptions!

Check an opinion poll on Federalization HERE.

Pete A. a Profile in Courage.. HERE

Pete A. Tenorio, the man to go to Washington!!!

.....GED.....

MC29- DON'T TRY THIS

2008-05-14T10:20:00.008+10:00

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DO THIS AT HOME, OR ANYWHERE

Shouldda tried the cat first....
Pocket Taser Stun Gun, a great gift for the wife. A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Taser for their anniversary submitted this:
Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 15th anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Julie. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were supposed to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety....?? WAY TOO COOL!
Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two AAA batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arc of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. AWESOME!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Julie what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave. Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all th at bad with only two triple-A batteries, right? There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance t hat it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?
So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and taser in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries. All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5' long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and (loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-A batteries) thinking to myself, 'no possible way!' What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best...?
I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, 'don't do it dipshit,' reasoning that a one second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad. I decided to give myself a one second burst just for heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and . . . HOLY MOTHER OF GOD . . . WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION . . . WHAT THE HELL!!! I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was making meowing sounds I had never heard before, clinging to a picture frame hanging above the fireplace, obviously in an atempt to avoid getting slammed by my body flopping all over the living room.

Note: If you ever feel compelled to 'mug' yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one second burst when you zap yourself! You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative? SON-OF-A-BITCH, THAT HURT LIKE HELL!!! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. The recliner was upside down and about 8 feet or so from where it originally was. My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocaine, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I had no control over the drooling. Apparrently I shit myself, but was too numb to know for sure and my sense of smell was gone. I saw a faint smoke cloud above my head which I believe came from my hair. I'm still looking for my nuts and I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return!!
P. S. My wife loved the gift, and now regularly threatens me with it! 'If you think Education is difficult, try being stupid.'
Like I said don't try this yourself!
.....GED.....

MC28- QUIT BEING STUPID

2008-05-12T00:36:00.010+10:00

IT'S TIME TO GROW UP AND STOP WHINING

Our local government must now buckle down and do some work with the DOI and help assist in drafting all the details of the new federal L & I bill. Our governor must start working together with the DOI get this job put together, stop whining and get to work.
See here where we have arrived at... Story Here...
Kempthorne Reaches Out:
The U.S. Department of the Interior is ready to work with local officials on implementing the newly signed federalization measure. “The Department of the Interior has been a strong advocate for establishing a Northern Marianas delegate seat in the House of Representatives,” Kempthorne said. “And we look forward to working with the Commonwealth's government and business leaders on a variety of programs to assist them in building a better future for their people.” “It's important to note,” Kempthorne added, “that after the enactment of this significant congressional legislation, there is still much work to be done by federal agencies and the Northern Marianas government to implement U.S. immigration laws in the Commonwealth.” Kempthorne reaffirmed the importance of continuing to work and partner with Northern Marianas leaders to strengthen the islands' economy.
The CNMI government remains vague on how to proceed with immigration federalization, which the Fitial administration has strongly opposed. The governor said on Friday that he will continue to consult with the Legislature, the private sector, and other interested stakeholders about the government's options in dealing with federalization. In his recent State of the Commonwealth Address, Fitial had said that suing the U.S. government remains one of his options to stop federalization. The other two are to help draft the implementing regulations and to seek amendments to the new law.
Is this governor going to continue to be completely stupid, I can't believe he still wants to fight bullheaded and blindly against everything he needs to be involved in and helping to create for the CNMI, instead he wants to sue, what an idiot!

Let Pete A. handle this job...
.....GED.....

MC27- CUC SERIES

2008-05-10T20:02:00.010+10:00

MY OUTLOOK ON THE CUC SITUATION

I am going to do a short series on CUC explaining what I think about it and how I would handle it if I took the position Tony Muna has at this point. I will be looking at this as to how I would call it. Making a plan.
I've been stating that the rates = costs , we now have that, that was the correct way to go with it. Then in my last CUC post I mentioned we should now go after accounts receivable and start disconnections for non payers.
I know from reading a news clip that many of the government offices owe a lot of money, some in the thousands some in the hundreds of thousands. Imagine if all the non payers were disconnected we would not be having any black-outs, think about it as you pay your bill and sweat through black-outs, it's caused by others not paying..... Government offices would be disconnected and the power not reconnected until there is a payment plan acceptable to CUC. Power would only go on at this point.
With the residential accounts I would offer that there be no immediate cash charges be made at all. If you have a arrears it will be moved up to date by prorating all back dues into a monthly addition to the regular bill. (Maybe a 10% rate) If there is already a disconnect the connection should be made without charges and again, back dues prorated on the current bill. There should never be extra charges to residential accounts. This would offer some relief to already stretched out people.
To customers with real problems there should be made available pre-paid meters, this would then let the user manage the use of the meters and their choices of no power at their choosing. This would eliminate non payments and disconnections.
Follow that plan and we'll look at the next step, rebuilding and getting the existing engines up to snuff.
Now I'm not missing that all during these steps for the present problems, there needs to be a vigorous plan in the works for an alternate energy. I suggest looking into nuclear energy. That being said we will look at that later.
.....GED.....

MC26- REFUGEE NEEDS HOME

2008-05-07T23:42:00.010+10:00

THIS MYANMAR CYCLONE VICTIM NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Click here to enlarge picture....

Refugee seeking housing and meals, will trade for housekeeping tasks or anything you may need. If you would be interested in helping this needy cyclone victim please leave a 'comment' below.
Click on link above to view distressed refugee...
.....GED.....

MC25- POWER RATES

2008-05-07T16:35:00.016+10:00

THEY FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Power Rate More Than Doubles: Story Here..
Residential customers are in for a shock when they get their power bills next month, after the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. revised its power rates yesterday, increasing them to more than double the previous rates. The action comes soon after Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on Saturday signed into law the measure that suspends the power rates rollback. Effective Saturday, the rate for residential customers for the first 500 kilowatt-hour is 37.3 cents per kWh-the highest ever electric rate in the CNMI. For those with consumptions ranging from 501 to 1,000 kWh, the rate is now 42.3 cents; for those that range from 1,000 to 2,000 kWh, it is 44.3 cents; and for those with over 2,000 kWh, it is 48.4 cents.The residential rates more than doubled because CUC is now charging 35.7 cents for the fluctuating electric fuel rates.
For businesses, the May rate is not good news either. CUC is now charging commercial customers 44.3 cents per kWh.
Well they are off to a good start now the next step is........ What did you answer there?
Here it is... They need to collect all due bills and disconnect non-payers. PS. Up-date Here...

I would recommend there is not a reconnection fee. Although there needs to be a balancing of fees and security deposits. I'm not in the small arrangements that need to be made but this should get ironed out.
The next thing is there should be pre-paid meters for people who do have limited funds, at least they could plan around their own power management, then being subject to CUC's random outages. I'll leave all that to sink in before I go on....
I did a poll on what was the expected rates that the PUC would set but as you know they need a year to learn how to do it. Don't you see how easy this was. I'll bet the rates won't get any higher unless oil continues to skyrocket. Anyway here is what you thought the correct rates would be... This is the poll, Most thought the prices would fall between 32 and 36 cents to over 36 cents.

Here is how it broke down.. There were 41 votes...

Three picked 17 t0 21 cents.

Three picked 22 to 26 cents.

Six picked 27 t0 31 cents.

Eighteen picked 32 to 36 cents and the rest....

Eleven picked over 36 cents.

It seemed like most of everyone was expecting these rates.

.....GED.....

Opinion Polls & Market Research

MC24- IT'S ALL IN A NAME

2008-05-06T02:15:00.005+10:00

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY LOOKS FOR NAMES

In Pharmacology, all drugs have two names, a trade name and generic name:

For example, the trade name of Tylenol also has a generic name of Acetaminophen. Aleve is also called Naproxen. Amoxil is also called Amoxicillin and Advil is also called Ibuprofen.

The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra:

After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.

Pfizer Corp. announced today that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form, and will be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. It will now be possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no longer call this a soft drink, and it gives new meaning to the names of "cocktails", "highballs" and just a good old-fashioned "stiff drink". Pepsi will market a new concoction by the name: MOUNT & DO.

Thought for the day: There is more money being spent on breast implants and Viagra today than on Alzheimer's research. This means that by 2040, there should be a large elderly population with perky boobs and huge erections and absolutely no recollection of what to do with them.

Pleasant dreams...

.....GED.....

MC23- GIVE IT UP, ENOUGH!

2008-05-04T22:14:00.020+10:00

WHY DOES BEN KEEP ON FIGHTING?

Ben, give it up, let loose, you will never win going down the path you are taking... It's a dead end street a no win situation. Can't you see that? What is wrong with you? You can't see what's really happening? Man you gotta let it go!
Ben let me say this:

You will do much more good to get involved into the process. I'll bet you will find them completely ready to listen to your concerns. Do you think you are against a brick wall? Ben, these are people trying to help us. Can't you see that either? Join in the process and help in the the organizing of the bill as it develops. You gotta pitch in and stop fighting a losing battle. I feel sorry for you not being able to recognize the help that is your fingertips and you keep banging headlong into a wall, like a loser!

Stop being a butthead!
Here is some of his "leadership": Story Here...
NMI has 3 Options Once Feds Take Over Immigration:

GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial says he is exploring three options, including litigation, once the federal government ends his control over local immigration. But some officials who asked not be named said a lawsuit is “a losing proposition” because the U.S. Congress is bent on extending federal immigration law to the islands.“The CNMI will just end up paying expensive legal fees,” said a former official. He added, “There are three courses of action that can be pursued individually or simultaneously — litigation, "negotiations regarding the regulations" or seeking new legislation. I am in the process of consulting with the Legislature, the business community, the indigenous community and other interested parties about these options.”
Ben, There is another option and it could be the part where you say, "negotiaitions regarding the regulations" as stated above. That is the way to go.
Join in and help set the rules and regulation that still needed to be ironed out. There are a lot of open options that need your input to reach the final draft this must include your help. This is a long way from being a done deal, and is not set in stone, it never will be. There are always changes that can be made as the new law is in tried out and adjustments are made. You must be part of the whole process. Now go do your job.
Another thing here:
You must ask the people for permission before you jump into something stupid like a lawsuit..
Ben, don't jump in a losing situation by your self,

get it approved by the voters!
Wake-up! be part of the solution not the problem!
On another thought:
The governor at the same time claimed that the CNMI has done “a dismal job in Washington in educating members of Congress and their staffs about the commonwealth —
its location, history, and needs.
Now I have this question at this point: Didn't you have some expensive lobbyists you paid good money for and no-one knows of you? What the hell were they for then? To have a car waiting for you when you get there. Doesn't seem that they helped at all! And finally aren't you the 'leader' the 'buck stops here' kind of guy to take it on the chin like a man or resort to kid games?
Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that we were not able to muster any significant support in dealing with our minimum wage and immigration issues.” The CNMI’s resident representative to Washington, D.C., Pete A. Tenorio, does not share the governor’s anti-federalization stance.
So now it's back to the childish game of finger pointing, (doesn't this get old) You cut his budget, ignored his ideas and posed for phony handshakes, and now it's all his fault, lobbyist's or not, it's his fault. You can't see through this one either.
Pete A. Tenorio, does not share the governor’s anti-federalization stance.
Now this is the very reason Pete should go back and be the new Delegate to Congress.
The bullshit Fitial is talking about is for the reason of covering his own ass. He did a lousy job (still is) and he knows it, so he points to someone else. Pete knows Washington and is all set up and equipped to go back to work. I had had a few occasion's to discuss a few issues with our W.R. this year and he and his staff were right on, they didn't even act like a government office, nope, they acted like it was my office too. Now if you have ever tried to ask questions to an office of the government you will know what I mean. This was different! I felt accepted and my questions were answered.

I suggest Pete to return to D.C.
.....GED.....

MC22- BREAK TIME

2008-05-04T21:51:00.002+10:00

REST YOUR EYES, RELAX...
A change of pace:
There is a right way and a wrong way to pronounce Oklahoma...
The Proper Way is: " Okla ..........Homa"
(There's a loooonng pause between the "a" and the "h".)
I can prove it. Here, take a look at this...
There ya go!.....GED.....

MC21- "THE" CONVERSATION

2008-05-04T20:55:00.010+10:00

EVER HAVE ONE OF "THESE"?

A Husband and wife are sitting quietly in bed reading when the wife looks over at him and asks "THE" question.....

WIFE: "What would you do if I died? Would you get married again?

HUSBAND: "Definitely not!"
WIFE: "Why not? Don't you like being married?"
HUSBAND: "Of course I do."
WIFE: "Then why wouldn't you remarry?"
HUSBAND: "Okay, I'd get married again."
WIFE: "You would?" (with a hurt look)
HUSBAND: (makes audible groan)
WIFE: "Would you live in our house?"
HUSBAND: "Sure, it's a great house."
WIFE: "Would you sleep with her in our bed?"
HUSBAND: "Where else would we sleep?"
WIFE: "Would you let her drive my car?"
HUSBAND: "Probably, it is almost new."
WI FE: "Would you replace my pictures with hers?"
HUSBAND: "That would seem like the proper thing to do"
WIFE: "Would you give her my jewelry?"
HUSBAND : "No, I'm sure she'd want her own."
WIFE: "Would you take her golfing with you?
HUSBAND: "Yes, those are always good times."
WIFE: "Would she use my clubs?
HUSBAND: "No, she's left-handed."
WIFE: ----- silence ------
HUSBAND: "Shit."
And life goes on....
.....GED.....

MC20- THE CANDIDATES DO GUAM

2008-05-04T14:14:00.010+10:00

OBAMA WINS BY 7 VOTES, SPLITS DELEGATES IN GUAM

In case you didn't know but wanted to... Story Here...
HAGATNA, Guam - Barack Obama defeated Hillary Rodham Clinton by seven votes in the Guam Democratic presidential caucuses Saturday. The count of more than 4,500 ballots took all night. Results of the count completed Sunday morning Guam time show delegates pledged to Obama with 2,264 votes to 2,257 for Clinton's slate. That means they'll split the pledged delegate votes. Obama's slate won in 14 of 21 districts. Eight pledged delegates will attend the convention, each with one-half vote. U.S. citizens on the island, however, have no vote in the November election.

Well I guess this is no different than the rest of the country, neck to neck, no clear cut victory. This race will go down to the wire, to the last vote on the last day.
But I'll take McCain so not to worry....
.....GED.....

MC19- DOUBLE WAMMY

2008-05-03T16:37:00.009+10:00

A FIX FOR TWO OF OUR LEADING PROBLEMS

Two of the CNMI's biggest problems today could cancel each other out. Yes this is good...
They are:

The rising high cost of food.
And,

Diabetes and being overweight.
This sounds to me like it would be a wash. Don't buy so much fatty foods and go on a diet, killing two birds with one stone. So all you overweight people out there buy less, eat less.
Spend less-get healither, what a better time then now to diet, when food is so expensive and your weight is climbing. Lower your spending-lower your weight. You can't go wrong with this plan....
.....GED.....

MC18- TINA SABLAN SUPPORT GROUP

2008-05-03T15:53:00.004+10:00

LETS PUT TOGETHER A TINA SABLAN SUPPORT GROUP

Would you sign up to be a supporter of Tina Sablan and the work she is trying to accomplish amid of the knee-jerk railroading of bills by this 'shoot and ask questions later' 16th legislature. Having a support group will give her more clout and would give her a louder voice in the House. If the others know there will be an our-cry from the rank and file if they don't even accommodate her suggestions, they might be more willing to listen. Tina is doing a great job but a group of supporters would keep the fire lit. Wadda ya say?

I think Tamara should be the head of this group of supporters, and keep it organized. She would do a great job with this. Now this goes without saying, Tina would have to give her approval and her blessing.

Let me know what you think and if you are a voter, would you be a backer?

Comment below.

.....GED.....

MC17

2008-05-02T21:07:00.007+10:00

POLLS - POLLS - POLLS

TAKE YOUR PICK IN ALL THE POLLS->
Passing the budget..
First 24 hour island wide black-out..
Clean the House..
Clean the Senate..
On federalization..
Power rates..

.....GED.....

MC16- FIASCO YEAR '09

2008-05-02T20:20:00.008+10:00

FISCAL YEAR '09 WILL BE ANOTHER FIASCO YEAR.. DEEPER IN DEBT

Just wait and watch. The first step, the submittal of the budget by the governor to the legislature is already late. It was due in April. April is over! The clock is now ticking and ticking and ticking. I guess this will call for another poll, which I will add, and the question will be, "Will there be a budget passed for 2009"? and when? Here is some bits about the budget...

A BUDGET FOR 2009
Inos: Gov’t Faces Greater Financial Challenges in FY ‘09
Well it's the end of April, the month the governor is supposed to submit a budget to the house. It didn't happen! So are we going to go through another year of scrapping, scraping and with fiscal management out of control AGAIN? Is it Deja vu another year of incompetency? Well it sure looks like it. Why can't this 'astute' businessman as he is so ignorantly called, produce a budget? It's not like it involves a lot of money or anything complicated.
There needs to be a law established to require the budget to go through the process on time and that there be penalties for not complying with the schedules.
Here's some snippets from the news.... Story Here...
WITH still no new budget for the current fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30, the administration is now working on the general appropriations measure for FY 2009, which will involve a lower amount than what it proposed for FY 2008. Under the Planning and Budgeting Act, the administration has to submit a new budget proposal in April.
Finance Secretary Eloy Inos told Variety that the next fiscal year will be more financially challenging for the government as it expects even lower revenues and income from the CNMI’s “almost gone” industries. He added that he understands the “long process of calculations on the budget.” Inos said they are already working on it. “We’re half way through the fiscal year and we don’t have an enacted budget, but this won’t stop us from working and submitting the new appropriations for the next fiscal year…and it’s our desire to submit it on time,” he said.
I detect a little bullshit coming off his lips as he says these words. It is already late! It's past due already Inos. WAKE UP! This makes me go back to some of the largest resort developments in Hawaii. With millions of dollars on the line there was only two things that stood out as the most important part of the whole job. There were ball caps with this on the front and everyone knew what it was all about and what the two things were, that the job was ON BUDGET AND ON SCHEDULE, all else fell under that program. This was how we all made money! If that attitude was applied here things would straighten out in a hurry. No one here unfortunately has ever had that experience, if they did it don't show or they forgot it.
Shall we just sigh and sit back and watch yet another year of debt, bullshit and bad times continue on. Shake your head and know how it will be, Same-o same-o, same-o, nothing different but deeper in debt...

Be sure to fill in your date in the budget poll.
.....GED.....

MC15- SOCA

2008-05-02T12:14:00.011+10:00

ANYONE HEAR THE SOC ADDRESS?

Do tell what was said, although we may know most of the drift.
Here is FFT on the address by Harry Blalock
BE SURE TO VOTE IN THE POLLS, RIGHT SIDE COLUMN.

.....GED.....

MC14- THEY LOST IT!?

2008-05-01T22:23:00.007+10:00

DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT? YOU'RE KIDDING AIN'T YA?

How does the government lose a $4 million dollar check? I don't know why I keep laughing 'cause it ain't really funny for them.. I still gotta laugh though.

.
Here is what it's about'''... Story Here...

$4M check issued to CUC missing
A GOVERNMENT check in the amount of $4 million that was supposed to pay for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s fuel purchases two years ago never reached the agency, Variety learned yesterday.
Rep. Joseph C. Reyes, R-Saipan, said 16 documents transmitted to his office from the Commonwealth Development Authority and the Office of the Public Auditor indicated that the $4 million check issued to CUC on July 7, 2006 wasn’t used for its intended purpose.

Now here's the funny part...It took 'um two years to find out that they lost it....

I guess it's let your imagination run wild here, where oh where could it be, now I don't know for sure but as I see it right now CUC still owes Mobile the $4 million, Is that how you see it too?

Did CUC swallow the money, and not pay Mobile or is it shoddy bookkeeping and the records are in error? Or did CUC never recieve the check, then the gov. still ows CUC. What a mess!

Something smells fishy here...

.....GED.....

MC13- GORO GONE WILD

2008-05-01T02:21:00.006+10:00

NO, HE'S NOT TAKING OFF HIS CLOTHES

Goro is running out of control, going nuts, losing control and surely running amok.

What's with this guy, is it the effects of a flash of notoriety, a little attention or his 15 minutes of fame. As they say a 'flash in the pan'. Has it all gone to his little head and consequently blowing his little mind?

Check this action.... Story here...

Taotao Tano wants Fitial, 2 Lawmakers Impeached:

THE Taotao Tano group yesterday submitted to the Legislature a letter of intent, urging for the impeachment of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and two lawmakers for “treason, neglect of duty and disgrace in public office.” In a two-page letter, Taotao Tano leader Gregorio S. Cruz Jr. said they are taking action “on behalf of the suffering, humiliated, betrayed, and disrespected local indigenous Northern Marianas Descent people of the land of the commonwealth.” The two lawmakers he wants impeached are Reps. Heinz S. Hofschneider, R-Saipan, and Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan.

Now if you don't think that is NUTS enough he comes up with more... Story Here...

Cruz Threatens to Sue Reyes for Libel:

TAOTAO Tano president Greg Cruz is threatening to sue Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. for libel for saying that he asked the Fitial administration for a job. “Mr. Reyes needs to furnish a copy of an actual employment application signed and submitted by me personally to his office or to the Office of Personnel Management including the position I applied for and a denial employment letter by the administration as he so states,” Cruz said. He said that merely submitting a resume is not a basis for saying that the person is applying for a job. It was Reyes who disclosed the following e-mail dated March 13 from Cruz: “Hey Charles, I seriously need a job. Review my resume and see if you guys can help me.

Thanks — Greg.” Some more correspondence.. Click here...

Hell they say if you can't lick 'um join 'um! Did Cruz get the big rejection, the terrible turn-down, the big-O heave-O? Got shit canned, didn't he? Now he is pissed and everyone should be thrown out, even if they have nothing to do with 'I'm patting my own back' Goro.

Son-of-a-bitch I'm a local and even "I" can't get a job, holy shit, this ain't so good. What the hell is going wrong? Boo Hoo ..

Goro let me give you a tip here, you see this government is broke, you do understand that don't you? So why pick a place to work where there is no money, maybe you should apply at a garment factory, they are probably in better shape then this government. Yes I suggest you go to Willie Tan, you are sure to get hired there, after all there is a 'local employee quota" you could make the 20% of some factory...

Relax Goro, get your shit together and stop to smell the coffee once in awhile maybe the roses, while your at it. Jeeezzz, take a break, gather your thoughts and get aliened before you keep wildly shooting at anything you see..

.....GED.....

MC12- PICK A TOPIC

2008-04-30T16:04:00.011+10:00

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

2008-04-29T20:07:00.016+10:00

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

2008-04-29T15:59:00.004+10:00

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

2008-04-29T12:55:00.020+10:00

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

2008-04-28T20:26:00.015+10:00

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

2008-04-28T13:44:00.011+10:00

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

2008-04-27T22:55:00.012+10:00

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

2008-04-27T21:48:00.005+10:00

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

2008-04-26T14:55:00.017+10:00

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

2008-04-26T01:17:00.017+10:00

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

2008-04-25T22:43:00.006+10:00

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

2008-04-25T15:36:00.014+10:00

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)

2008-04-25T01:24:00.014+10:00

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.....