When you get stuck along Beach Road, better take the Middle Road. This is a website for those who choose to tread Saipan's off the beaten path. * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * + * +

Dec 7, 2007

Unity March Not Today (Friday, Dec. 7)

"Are you in or out?"

It sounded like it was an affiliate church of the UMC but it's not. Text messages have been roaming once again urging the non-resident community members to join a "Unity March" on Dec.7 (Thanks for the correction, future House Rep(rigerator) ;-), starting at 5pm from the Minatchom Atdao.

The march is in protest to the recently passed PL 15-108 or more popularly known as the Reform Law introduced by Rep. Cinta Kaipat this year that reportedly would not allow transfers of employment either consensual or end of contract, that non-resident workers will have to exit the CNMI for six months before to be allowed to come back.

What can the march do with the enacted law? Is it a futile attempt of freedom of expression? What's there to change when it had been unanimously agreed and signed in the Legislature and the Executive Branch?

You tell me....

The Reveler

270 comments:

1 – 200 of 270   Newer›   Newest»
Angelo Villagomez said...

Where is Minatchom Atdao?

On Saipan said...

Susupe. The pavilion in front of Ada Gym.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

At best it is an exercise in futility.

On a neutral scale it might generate a few more members at $100 a pop for the fearless leader.

At worst it might get dander on both sides up enough to cause a violent response. (Which is what 'non-violent' protest leaders really want most of the time - until it actually happens).

Anonymous said...

That is a terrible thing to insinuate! Was Martin Luther King Jr. advocating violence, Mr. Bateman? Now I understand why you are Mr. Sour Grapes. You are so negative! Everyone has a right to their opinions, but you are insinuating something that is complete bunk. I'm a peace advocate and so are the people putting the Unity March together. Do you think they are marching with baseball bats and hatred in their heart? Mr. Bateman, it is those types of comments which create animosity and violence. No one is calling for violence. If you did your research, you would find out that it was going to end with prayer and a peace vigil. And no one is asking for money or $100! Please, show respect and do your research and stop putting ideas into people's heads. No one wants violence...do you?

I pray for you Mr. Bateman.

Ed Propst

Anonymous said...

whoa. gotcha there Bat(e)man!

the $100 fee might be the Dekada members fee the group charged long before. Bat(e)man might be joking yet triggered a nerve of Ed P. ;-)

Lil' Hammerhead said...

I knew the date was off when I saw the original post.

What do marches do.. they display solidarity and protest. One may not make a difference, but as part of a mix of a continued response over a period of time, they've proven they do.

You'll find Bruce is historically negative, where the protest tactics taken against simply obscene matters is concerned - i.e.- the SCA, this labor bill and the poor dogs in the cages of Canton.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

'You'll find' that the news space generated by a policeman’s club or by a counter protester’s fist makes the story last a lot longer. Of course it is what King et al desire...the marchers are dupes, always are always have been, always will be. The leadership of protests like this are ever eager to call for peaceful protest and secretly finagle and plot to incite a bit of violence to generate sympathy for the cause. Don’t get me wrong Sagada is no King. More like Midas than Martin.

'You'll find' the left wing, feel good but irrational politics of monkey picture boy will always align with pretentious displays of equal rights while really calling for some heavy handed, unequal treatment requiring a government gun. Yes, monkey picture is certainly positive all right…no to SCA and a chance for the economy, no to labor reform, no to private property rights, no to real freedom of action by Labor & Management, no to just about everything except full colonization by the US. Rah Rah he’s sooooo positive.

Save your prayers for someone who cares, Ed, …. or for someone a lot more naive'.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

And speaking of obscene, monkey boy, you need to cut down on the Botox injections to those lips dude.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Mr. Bateman,

"exercise in futility"

Kinda like your self-serving attempt at getting the SCA passed?


***

If people don't feel the march is a good thing then they don't have to show up. It works the same way that the Boycott on Porky's works. So far the Boycott has shown tremendous effects. That is displayed by Bruce's negativity towards myself and Lil and by his lack of any recent pictures or commentary on how successful his bar is doing.

***

The march is an awesome idea. It is one way that a voiceless (can't vote) segment of our population can come together and express their disappointment in both the recently passed labor law and the US Senate's removal of the improved status provision from their bill.

The march as I understand it is not limited to just non-res guest workers but the island community as a whole.

If anyone feels strongly about the two issues they are addressing with this march then they should go down and join in.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

Bruce, as has been pointed out to you several times, it is monkey girl. (!)

Angelo Villagomez said...

I think Bruce was talking about Ed.

******

As for the harsh words about and between people, is it really necessary?

Neither the Chamorro Rights nor the Guest Worker Rights groups have been able to get more than 500 people in one place at one time. The news media deflates/inflates these numbers on a whim. Somebody guesses a number and it sticks, even if it is blatantly false.

I remember at their first "big" rally, Dekada was claiming 2000-5000 participants. They were lucky if they had 250.

Look at the pictures from these events. You only see tight, close up shots, usually of some 3 year old kid holding a sign.

If either side wants to really prove that they have the community's support, they are going to have to turn out Martin Neivera type numbers.

Until then, I'm just going to have to say that nobody in this community really gives a damn about the Labor Bill, Immigration, or Guest Worker or Chamorro Rights.

We've just got some loud mouthed people on both sides making a lot of noise.

...meanwhile, everyone else is watching the Patriots game.

Anonymous said...

is the adage (or so) that the locals have given up their rights long before since the Covenant, when they received blue passports? just asking, no offense meant.

Anonymous said...

Lol! I'm not going to get into an insult war, because Reject Boy isn't worth my time.

Devillo, I know you were rejected by Tina and the whole world knows it. You're rude and a faker. You are a spoiled brat and I can see right through you, and so can a lot of other people, you pretentious little smegma-infested twit. Born with a silver spoon in your mouth... LOL! Anyway Devillo, I am not going to waste my time on you.

Mr. Bateman, you are right, I shouldn't waste my prayers on you, but I still pray for you anyway. I pray that people will go to your bar and give you some business. I heard it's pretty lonely these days. I heard negativity chases away the customers. Or is it you? Wait, that's the same thing! Bwaahahahaha! Just kiddin Mr. Bateman. I'll drop by and buy you a beer. Do you accept food stamps?

Ed Propst

Anonymous said...

LOl! On another note, resurrecting your modeling career is about as asinine as trying to convince people you aren't a pretentious, egotistical jerk. Devillo, rejection is hard, but deal with it. I pray you will find some desperate woman wanting a green card. Or your money. Anyway, I don't pray for you, because you are a hopeless case. You are evil, a liar, a scam artist, and I got no love for you. Sorry, I don't like DEVILS. Devillo, you started this war with your insults. You insulted my photographer when he was asked to take photos at an event. You're lucky he didn't slap the crap out of you. Later Devillo the FAKER...

Ed Propst

Angelo Villagomez said...

Wow, that was unexpected.

I don't think I have ever thrown a single insult in your direction, Ed. Never. Not once. In fact, I have nothing but good things to say about you and your magazine.

The only time we've ever spoken is when you were asking me to write for your magazine.

I'm sorry, but I really have no idea what you are talking about.

bigsoxfan said...

Wow, I thought Ron, as drama queen was the height of heights, now what the @#@* is this? First thing that pops to mind is why should Ed P. put his name at the bottom of a comment filed as anon and is Ed P. the anon writing. Second question is: Why bother? No name, no time.

Keep it up Angelo, your blog is a bit lame since the old days, but you are still doing a great job for the island without excessive tooting. Go Pats

Angelo Villagomez said...

I question whether it is Ed, too. I don't even know the guy.

I don't know why he would call me those names, nor why he would attach his name to it.

He's got a magazine and it would be very unprofessional of him to use such language.

I also don't understand the Tina thing. What does that have to do with anything under discussion here?

Angelo Villagomez said...

This is everything I've ever written about MP Magazine. Not necessarily deserving of his scorn:

http://jetapplicant.blogspot.com/search/label/MP%20Magazine

Lil' Hammerhead said...

There you go Sblogger.. now you know the feeling of having insults hurled your way.

Thank god there's a growing block of intelligent "non-aligned" folks who see through your facade.

And you (Sblogger) keep throwing out these rules about what folks can or can't write, depending upon their particular occupation.. you're the last douchebag on the planet to be doing this. I witnessed you hurling little smartass comments and shallow sh$t insults, that in most cases had nothing to do with posts, for a number of months. I was one of the "victims" of your crap. So just sh$t the f@#k up for once.

You're my new hero Mr. Propst.

Biba MiddleRoad!

bigsoxfan said...

This could be the comment string of the week, as no one seems to have noticed on the ethernet that the retirement fund is declaring defunctness. Not many details on the web of the new evidence in the Holloway case or any decrying the lack of published evidence. In a similar vein, no one seems to be taking much notice of the typhoon about to hit the PI either. News is what you make it or make of it; is my point, I suppose.

Now, to get to the crux of the biscuit. Is this E. Probst writing or another anon? Or are Plato, lil, anon, and maybe ed the same person? Or is the Bateman around the bend and writing as maybe all three?

And, what is the story with your jeep? My cherokee had a wheel fall off with my brother and nephew behind the wheel, should we have a seance and contact Ralph Nader??

Issues, Issues, there are some real ones out there, but I have to admit, these are easier to write about.

Is 'lil as nuts as Ron? Theft of a dog is still theft, but surely a step down from advocating spitting in soup. Still against the law. Letting a dog roam free in Saipan is abuse, as much as confining to a cage in my book.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Thank you Ed P.

***

Angello,

Are you saying that Ed should watch what he says? That it may have negative impacts on his business? Interesting. You did not pipe up when your buddy and pal Bruce was calling people who voted no to the SCA senseless. You never once warned him to pipe down with his columns or his blog.

Not too strange that the rules have changed now that you are the center of the attack.

BTW, I too heard of the incident where you bashed his photographer at Nahal's play. I know that now everyone will try and change what was said and what occurred but the truth of the matter is you were your usual rude and obnoxious self.

As for your observations of low turn out numbers and a correlation to the community not caring... give me a fu@king break. The first of the beautify events only had a handful and that does not negate their value or lessen faith in the publics concern. If it does for you then why have you not dropped it? Perhaps you are upset about the march because it is not "your" thing. Maybe Mr. Bateman is also upset he is not "leading" the march. Therefore the two of you wanna-bes are letting your mouths fly against it because once again the spotlight is not on YOU.

If there is a solid case for anonymity it is the two of you put together. You both should have don a mask so that the public after reading all of your horse crap would not have realized how full of it you both are.

Boycott Porky's

PP

bigsoxfan said...

I tempted to make a sarcastic comment against people who like to hide behind a fake name, but then again, "bigscooterfan or is it big sox fan? isn't the name, my mom knows me as. Still, I have my details on the blog, my address, even pictures of my family, so I'll go ahead.

Piss off, Plato, anon aka ed P.,

There were a few lines in the paper last week, to make it appear that Dekada and tao tano might be talking and the micronesian islands could be making a deal on using Guam as a storage facility for a bulk buy of fuel oil. Anyone who can't see the benefits behind the basic facts of the newstories doesn't really need to be talking anywhere.

These are issues where a bloggers could make a difference in the local community. How about dropping the crap and finding something to work on together, without hiding. I hate to think the blogger community which was whole heartedly embraced in June, could descend to level it is at, after an admittedly difficult election period.

Isn't the high ground the place to be and there seems to be room enough on Tapacho for everyone.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

I'm as nuts as you want me to be BigSox. Oh yeah.. letting a dog loose is as abusive as keeping it in a cramped hot cage without water. And yes, if you see an animal being abused, and the authorities or owner do nothing, law or not, it is your responsibility as a decent human being to do something. That sounds nuts doesn't it?

It doesn't sound nuts though to serve as one of the most vocal proponents of the SCA, one of the worst initiatives I've read, and then disappear as soon as the actual act is released and answer no queries regarding the specifics of the act. No, that's just kosher.

It doesn't sound nuts to attack someone who is trying to get some advice regarding and assistance for a couple of obviously abused animals. No, this is not nutty behavior.

It doesn't sound nuts to put out an entire post dedicated to besmirching someones mother by detailing her bestial affair with a goat. Of course not.. it's Bruce! Can't be nuts.

It doesn't sound nuts to suggest that Martin Luther King was just using people. That he'd duped them into marching. No, this isn't nuts.. it's right on.

Comeon now BigSox..

Lil' Hammerhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lil' Hammerhead said...

The possibility that a number of people are simply fed up with these blowhards is really that unfathomable? In your mind we all have to be one person? FYI - I don't have time to manage more than my own "amazing" blog. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels the same way about some of these .. well I won't use the expletive I'd truly like to use here.

Pragmatic Plato said...

BSF,

I have followed these blogs for quite some time. I have seen the low road taken by your buddies and pals. There have been numerous times that JeffT, AngeloV, BruceB have all made harsh comments towards other bloggers that do nothing to enhance the other blogger experiences.

I do not knwo who you are. Even with your picture and your background on your details page. To me you are as anonymous as Lil Hammerhead. I don't really care. To me it is what you state that matters.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

As for Angelo:


Here is a comment I posted about in regards to him 3 months ago:

"The problem with Angelo is that he lacks common sense. He parrots what others tell him without first looking deeply into the matter personally. He is a lemming. He bends with the wind and grasps on to whatever cause is thrown out and tries to champion it without full knowledge of the subject at hand. This almost always paints him into a corner when anyone that he regurgitates the points he hears questions him about it.

His lack of self esteem causes him to lash out at others in order to try and feel better about himself.

What is very strange to me is that a lot of individuals buy his malarkey. They think highly of him and don't question him when he spews gossip and hearsay. I hope people begin to question him on various issue from now on. The funny thing is once you challenge him on an issue he waivers quickly and adjusts his stance.

If you look back at his blog you will see it is a cry for help or at the bare least companionship and adoration. He wants people to respect him but does little to give them reason to do so. Some have called him a leader and even this blog has asked if he could be one of the future leaders of Saipan and now if he would be the next Governor.

He belittles people and is two faced. Many comments he makes both in person and in his blogs and posts are bigoted. Most of the time he doesn't stop to see what a fool he makes of himself and people don't call him on it.


So what I am trying to say is don't take his bigoted and racist commentary so hard. He is just trying to build himself up when he cuts other people down."



Boycott Porky's!

PP

Pragmatic Plato said...

I state for all to know that there are many that have read these blogs over the past months and have shared my disgust for the biased crap that these few bloggers dish out (angelo, Jeff, Bruce). They do have there clique of friends but it is a small group of about 10 people.

When I am out and about I hear what is said of them. It is often times better than watching TV.

The sad thing is, had they all just been anonymous people addressing issues and topics they may have been able to stop their absurd bias from showing. They may have been able to leave their egos at the web door too.

Great post on anonymity here:

http://mustbethehumidity.blogspot.com/2007/11/staying-on-topic.html


Boycott Porky's!

PP

PS: Anonymous Anonymous meetings will begin in December.

"I am Plato and I have been anonymous for the last 8 months."

saipanboonieman said...

in defense of ed p., i know the guy to be quite the drama queen ( :-P ), but i would be seriously surprised to see him writing this!

and in defense of angelo, that guy's loud-ass camera was freakin annoying, and he was only saying what was on EVERYBODY'S mind! (even if some thought it was rude).

In defense of King (not like he needs it), to say he was duping marchers in the hopes of non-violent protests turning violent is NOT "common sense!"

Anonymous said...

What do you mean bias, Plato? We're talking about people who give their opinions on the internet. Why do you care about Angelo so much? He gives his opinions, you give yours, so what. If those people stayed anonymous, they wouldn't be as well known and so often included in the print media as they are. That's a big reason they have way more traffic and way more influence than you. Apparently people knowing them does matter, and that's why they have readers, and a traditional media presence and you don't, which is obviously driving you crazy to the point that angelo and others are the focus of your conversations with friends and almost all your posts and comments.

Pragmatic Plato said...

From what little I know. That guys "loud ass" camera was requested by Nahal. I also believe Ed P. provided the service free of charge for her production.

I will let the two of them chime in.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

"People with small minds talk about other people. People with average minds talk about events. People with great minds talk about ideas."

Keep that quote in mind during the next 800 Bruce Bateman ruined the world posts/comments by those two nutjobs.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Here are the fundamental tenets behind the creation of my blog:

Mr. Turbitt is my muse.

I am Dead to Angelo.

I Boycott Porky's!


As for what you have said Mr. Anonymous. I agree with you.

I do not have stats on traffic and could care less.

I do not want the limelight.

I blog for the same reason I watch TV and read books... personal enjoyment.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Pragmatic Plato said...

Anonymous1600

You forgot one:

"People with no brains harp on the anonymity factor, rag on grammar, censor comments and disregard the posted issues."

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Pragmatic Plato said...

I am still awaiting a call from the PTimes.

Once again:

Plato Winchestertonfieldville #487-5309

Boycott Porky's

PP

Lil' Hammerhead said...

lol :) Thanks for enlightening us with your infinite wisdom 1600. What if you focus on all three? :) Does that make me "well rounded"?

bigsoxfan said...

One at a time, I have an obscure advantage from posting two times zones ahead, but I was putting the baby to sleep (ah, bed. never got used to the term 'putting the baby down' sounds like something one would do to an animal.

lil; it is illegal and immoral to keep animals caged, as you have posted so well. It is just as illegal to take a persons property away. You did your thing correctly with your posts and giving notice to the local groups and authorities. No need to spoil it. I still say there is as much wrong with a free animal uncared for, as one caged under bad conditions.

Someone, posted his pet peeves on saipan and I would add to the list the number of animals; untrained and uncared for, all over the island. Well, he did mention dogs which bite. I’ve had way too many interactions with, not stray dogs, but dogs which have never been taught to obey the property line. If I walk up to your door univited and unannounced, I’m not going to complain if your dog chases me down the road, but often it doesn’t happen that way. Spay, neuter, care for, and train the dog. If you can’t do that; stay home and defend your property or at the least have a good fence.

Stray dogs are usually objects of pity and despair, and by loosing the dogs in question you would be adding to the mix. That is my beef. I understand the property law vs. moral issues and have stepped over the line myself on a few occasions, both on the island and stateside. I’m not a violent or vindictive person, treating a helpless animal badly goes against my beliefs and I can understand why one could or would want to cross the line. But, don’t announce it beforehand, if you really want to do it.. Act on your impulse or have a friend perform the act, while making sure your alibi is set at condition zebra.

Yes, this is off the original topic, but ... I don't really have any opinion on the march and haven't cared to cross post to 'lil;s post. Feel free to cross over this comment to the correct page.

Anonymous said...

oh my, 'just read all the comments just now, as i was busy watching movies in the net.

am i going to get critiqued again for anonymous comments or attacks here?

people, i was just trying to get opinions about the march.

let's try to control it. as for all the comments, i salute them all but "down boy, down boy." ;-)

whew. ;-)

bigsoxfan said...

Think of your blog as an avenue to the interchange of viewpoints. Or as E.B. White once wrote about writing for a marketing dollar, as opposed to writing for writings sake: "Advertising is the jungle, through which the river of our discourse flows". Gotta love the prose. Thanks for the venue

Anonymous said...

I'm highly unprofessional? Blasting a photographer for taking pictures at the request of the person producing a show is unprofessional. You humiliated him in front of the crowd. That is rude and obnoxious. I don't care if the camera was loud. Armando was asked to be there, and it was 100% free! Armando is one of the nicest guys I've ever known, but honestly, when you blasted him and humiliated him in front of the crowd, he snapped. Fortunately he is above resorting to violence or revenge. You owe him an apology Angello. You could have kindly and quietly asked him to refrain from taking pictures. Perhaps that would have been the right thing to do.

But you aren't used to that, are you? Let's be thankful that you didn't blast me in front of the crowd. I don't advocate violence, but I would have unleashed a few words that would have made you sunk lowly into your seat. Whoever said I was a drama queen wears panties to sleep. I am outspoken...big difference.

I apologize for some of my remarks I made last night. Apparently, alcohol and blogs don't really mix. But what I'm telling you right now is from the heart:

You have a good thing with the Beautify CNMI and you are doing some wonderful things for our island. But you have hurt people, people I am very close to. I'm growing weary of it.

All I ask is that you be nice to people. Yes, I'm a hypocrite because I said some nasty things to you, but I sometimes get caught up with the Old Testament's teachings of "An eye for an eye."

If you truly want to make a difference, start being sincere and kind and don't demean or insult people, because it's going to come right back at you.

I am open to criticism and I accept it. But I have always lived up to my sins. I have always asked for forgiveness when I have done wrong. And I have great respect and admiration for people who are humble.

None of us are perfect. We all have our imperfections and idiosyncratic tendencies. But we all need to be kind. And yes, this applies to me too.

New Rule: Let's attack the issues instead of each other.

Regards,
Ed Propst
ed@marianaspride.com

Angelo Villagomez said...

Rev said:

is the adage (or so) that the locals have given up their rights long before since the Covenant, when they received blue passports? just asking, no offense meant.

Angelo responds:

Rights are granted by the government. We would have no right to assemble if it hadn't been granted by the First Amendment. We also wouldn't have the right to purchase a beer if not for the 21st Amendment.

The rights that I speak of were granted by the US, not diminished by the US.

No offense taken.

Anonymous said...

A great deal of misunderstandings are created by our CNMI foreign press corps' unfamiliarity with the U.S. Constitution.

Angelo Villagomez said...

Dear Ed,

I've reread the comments from this blog about 10 times. I think I incorrectly read Bruce's comments. In his post, he was being his normal nutjob self and was going off on whatever it was and used your name at the end of the comment. I assumed he was talking about you the whole time. After rereading it, I would say that he was talking to someone else for most of the comment and addressing you only in the last paragraph.

A later commenter said that "he" was a "she," which I thought was wrong because it appeared to me that Bruce was talking to you. I made a mistake, I'm sorry.

As for your photographer, he was twice asked kindly and quietly by the audience to stop taking pictures, but continued throughout the entire production to take pictures. Perhaps if he had turned the mute button on and the flash off he could have taken pictures and not annoyed the entire paying audience? Nahal asked for suggestions on her play and I suggested not having a photographer snapping pictures the entire time would be a good start. The group I was sitting with asked me to say something. I did. I'm not sorry.

Then your comment about me saying mean things about your friends rings hollow. Sorry. I know I hurt Tamara's feelings. That was unintended. I was teasing her on her blog and then called another person an imbecile on another blog for using pretty much the same simple grammar mistake. She read both comments and put the two together. That was a mistake on my part. It was unintended and I apologized. I also made a reference to My Big Fat Greek Wedding in one of my posts and somebody who you may or may not know thought I was calling her fat. I apologized, explained the joke, and changed the blog. You also mentioned Tina in one of your comments, so I assume she is one of the friends of which you speak. The situation to which you refer occurred over a year ago, yet anonymous bloggers feel it necessary to disparage me any time her name is mentioned, as if Tina can only succeed if I fail. I'm sure you've read those comments. It gets kind of annoying after, well, a whole fucking year. I've moved on, but obviously others haven't, since her "rejection" was the first thing you brought up...and the abuse I've taken from the Tina hit squad far exceeds anything ever said about her by anyone.

I try not to purposely insult people on my blog like you suggest. Sometimes I call people out, like Ron Hodges and several of the anonymous bloggers. Sometimes I tease people I know well, like Harry, Jeff, and Brad. I readily admit that I've made many mistakes and that I've hurt people with my sense of humor, but it is not intentional. If I've hurt someone's feelings, I'd like to know about it. If it was unintentional, maybe I need to explain the joke, the reference, or what I intended my words to mean, and of course, apologize.

There is the possibility, however, that I meant exactly what I wrote. Please don't confuse hurting someone's feelings with calling someone out for being an asshole.

Finally, thanks for being honest with me.

Angelo

P.S. Looking forward to the next magazine.

P.P.S. There is a blogger meetup on Wednesday at Java Joe's at 7 PM.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

You hurt mine.. not really, but you called me "dumb" for a grammatical error. But then you know this. You just chose to ignore it because I didn't boohoo as Tamara did..

Grow a backbone. If you slime someone, fess up to it.. don't continue with weasly excuses. If you are so misunderstood that you have to go through explanations of your comments and others have to apologize for your behavior.. then maybe you should consider stopping the whole blog thing. I mean if your messages are so misconstrued by so many people.. maybe you need to consider that the problem lies with the messenger.

Pragmatic Plato said...

You have called me "Dead in your book" for nothing I did to you.

You have posted dumb, trivial comments on other blogs where issues were really being discussed. (i.e. "why do you hate the CNMI", attacking spelling, calling people gay, calling people liars, etc.)

The reasons people attack you is simply because you issued the first attacks. It may not seem "fair" to you that the retaliation may be far greater than your initial onslaught but tough.

If a person strikes someone in the face and the reaction from the victim is to beat him senseless, I would still say that the initiator was at fault and the attacker got what was coming to him.

I surfed the blogs and came up with multitude of poorly placed and unprovoked comments from you. That is your prerogative. What upsets myself and many others is that you are hypocritical. You make snide remarks and cut people down and then turn around and claim to be a person that is trying to unite the community and enhance blogging in a "We Love Saipan" effort. You can't do both.

Look within yourself and decide who you are and stick to it. Be an ass and hold true to that or be a nice guy and stick to those guns.

You call people out for trying to get the limelight or take credit for things and then a few posts later talk about all you have done. You comment about how you think and what you feel and then knock others for doing the same. You embrace anonymous commenters when their mindset is inline with yours and then bash the whole anonymity thing when one challenges your beliefs. And the list goes on and on.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Bon said...

Hi boonieman. I agree that I can't believe Ed wrote those things, it doesn't sound like him to spew like that. I was at Nahal's play and Angelo only voiced out what we all were feeling about the photographer. I felt bad for both of them, in a situation like that no one wins, not the audience, not the person "on the job". Anyway, booni: where were you last Saturday?

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Sure it's Ed. No one's signing Ed's name and the comments are constructed exactly the same as his past comments. He also knows all of the details regarding his staff. Boni, really.. you are a smart girl, and I believe a very good person. Stop being an apologist for Sblogger. He might not be too smart, but he's not that dumb either. He is calculating. Unfortunately, he hasn't been here long enough to understand the terrain, and in the end, he will end up "calculating" himself into a little dark corner. Sorry Boni, just my opinion.

Jeff said...

"Rights are granted by the government. We would have no right to assemble if it hadn't been granted by the First Amendment. We also wouldn't have the right to purchase a beer if not for the 21st Amendment."

Power is supposed to reside with the people, not the government. The first amendment limited the government, not the people. The constitution never envisioned the massive government we have now. Jefferson had to sweat it out on principle before hoodwinking Napoleon with the Louisiana Purchase.

Doped up on fear and eager to watch more tv, we give up that power to the corrupt assholes that make up our government.

The rest of this conversation is too pointless and absurd to comment on.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

You take shots at people all of the time Jeff.. Mr. Yangetmai, Ms. Mack, or the "Rev" for example. Comeon, pointless? When does it become pointless? When it involves one of the "clique"? Sorry to sound so harsh, but that on the face of it is the reality. It's only "absurd" when it involves someone you're "friends" with. You're not above the fray Jeff. Certainly not when you pick and choose who you will attack. What is absurd is that you use the "absurd" excuse when it involves a "clique" member.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

My my, aren’t we testy this morning.

I maintain that the protest march against the already passed, poorly written, grossly unfair to all concerned, sure to be repealed labor law is a waste of time, except as it furthers the cause and feathers the nest of a handful of organizers. That, I believe is the topic of the post before the 2 wingnuts, pee pee and monkey picture, chose to go ballastic, again. (Both need to stay on their meds, as it shows when they don’t).

The eyes of the DC crowd interested in this Saipan sidebar were firmly focused here a couple of months ago but little will be gained by another show of solidarity and wishful self interest. In fact I can even envision that it will be counterproductive to the long term goals of many reading this blog. The long term worker provision will be pulled from the US House bill to better it’s chances of success when put to a vote. Congress is still in shy away mode when it comes to immigration status of foreign national workers ever since the dismal failures of such votes last summer and is not likely to vote yea on this one either. Without that provision it may pass thus giving the CNMI it’s non-voting rep and effectively federalizing the CNMI and completing the noose that strangles self government here once and for all.

So ironically, if you would like to see the feds take this place over, and I know that many of you do, you will want to root for the guest workers to be made the sacrificial lamb, losing their chance at the golden green card ring. To further the irony, If I am wrong, and there is more interest focused on this issue in DC than I believe, then you will be actively detracting from your goal of federalization if successful in keeping the long term worker provision in the Bill, thus causing it’s overall failure.

Long story short, this labor law sucks. It will hurt, not help everybody concerned. Foreign national workers will suffer, businesses will suffer, government will suffer as revenues fall even further, the people of the CNMI and especially the taxpayers will suffer as they try to claw their way out from under the burden this will place on them. Marching won’t help.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

Against my better judgment I will address the two wingnuts, pee pee and monkey picture (related by more than both being wingnuts) who so bravely step forward to boycott Porky’s, from under their rock. First, I’m sorry that Porky’s has taken some market share from pee pees competing business but don’t think your boycott will do the trick in regaining it. The supposed loss of you two cowardly cockroaches from the customer base of Porky’s is not going to bother us as I doubt either of you were customers there to begin with. We are doing fine - thank you for the boycott publicity. Feel free to drop by and taste the popular Boycott Shot (yellow in color in your honor).

Another thing, two or three bloggers have stepped forward to correct my use of masculine pronouns when referring to monkey picture boy. I think his claim to be a woman is spurious and simply intended as part of his masquerade. I think ‘she’s’ got a dick. I think he may be having problems with it.

Finally, it has been mentioned that I owe pee pee an apology for talkin’ bad about his mama (especially egregious to monkey picture boy for reasons unfathomable if they are not related). They are probably right. It is a terrible thing to say about a goat.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

Lastly, I want to apologize to Ed Probst who took the brunt of an attack from me that was not deserved. Sorry, Ed. I think you are wrong and naive' in your view of this march but feel free to pray away. It's certainly your right to do so. Do come by for a cold one or two and let's talk about it.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Keep talkin' Bruce.. all you do is let more and more people know the conjob you are. Continuing to invite them to your hole of a bar isn't going to address that either. But I guess you need just about any sales pitches you can come up with.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Oh... as for my dick :) He takes care of me quite well, and should be home in about four hours. And "the man" satisfies me just fine. If you were looking for any advice on erectile disfunction, you've come to the wrong place. I can only tell you the one piece of info I've gleaned from television ads.. if the mini-erection you've managed to achieve using Viagra lasts more than four hours, you should see a doctor immediately.

Jeff said...

You're in a clique with the other anonymous buttmunch and obsess over Bruce Bateman usually, Angelo sometimes and me occasionally.

I criticized James on what he said about PAWS. I criticized Rev on the use of anonymous rumormongering. I criticized Jane for being hypocritical. I don't do it for months on end, put weird doctored pictures of them up, obsess about them for months on end or hide behind a monkey picture. They know who I am, what I said and it's not behind their back or coming from the bushes.

Some bloggers like, respect and are friends with each other. Oh, the humanity. People with common interests tend to be friends. So what.

To me, it's pointless and absurd to write post after post and comment after comment because Angelo offended you two months ago, or Bruce supported a failed casino initiative. If this is a useful allocation of your time, by all means continue. I, like many others, will continue to not comment and not give a shit what you have to say about such trivia.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Mr. Bateman,

Do you still have the special Green Shot? You know the one that you concocted so you can take a swig every time you reminisce about the loss of that lucrative Casino Consulting position you were "guaranteed" by the NMDIC?

I have never asked you for an apology. You can say what you want about my mother or anyone else's for that matter. You succeeded in making yourself look more like an ass than you had done while promoting the SCA (a feat I would never have been able to achieve). So with that said, Thank you for the goat comments, the caged dog comments, the march perspective, and all the other demented perspectives that you have embraced. They do more to garner support for the Boycott than I ever could with my blog alone.

As for my "competing bar", you are, as always, completely off-the-mark in regards to who I truly am.

:-)

You know very little about the federal government and their CNMI concerns and that shows in the statements you have made. A cohesive public display in the form of a march if done well will have resounding effects in DC. Cohen, Benedetto and others are actively keeping an eye on what is being done in the CNMI.

You speak of a repeal of the labor law as if that is a matter of fact. Again you are mistaken. Regs are being drafted up and the law takes effect Jan 1st. No politician will axe this law. It is masked in that beautiful “Pro-Local” wrapping. All that can be hoped for is that a large number of people (both non-res and res/ employees and employers) participate in this march and demonstrate that there is a large presence against this law. Perhaps that will sway the politicians to do some damage control in forms of amendments to the law.

We can also hope that the Feds move forward with the passage of the Senate Immigration Bill so that it will supersede the flaw created with this Local Labor Law.

***

BTW, how is your fresh meat doing? The brown guy in the cage looked … delicious!

Boycott Porky’s!

PP

Anonymous said...

oh i love this. Thanks Angelo for that honest letter. wow. that was something else. ;-)

as for the photographer, yeah, i agree that it was a free service and coverage for the magazine. However, flash shouldn't have been used. It really was distracting. The Trib photographer minimized the use of flash as it should be whenever you watch a play or musicals. I'm not excused to this, because I took a shot and I forgot to turn off the flash. ;-)

but it was all in the past. great to read that people are mending things from that event.

yes. let's just stick to the issue and not to the commentator or commenter or whatever. Unless we post something about a person...hehe.

so, r u up for the march? Tina Sablan will be there btw.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

Yeah, I'll be there. I want to see a monkey picture and a decaying plaster bust march. Aught to be fun. Slither, slither crunch crunch.

BTW similar provisions have been repealed twice previously, and will likely be repealed agian this time when found to be nearly unworkable.

Pragmatic Plato said...

I have seen the regs. They are making it workable... not palatable but "workable".

Adding in exemptions, toying with the wording, etc.

Just another way for corupt officials to line their pockets with funds generated off of granting such exemptions.

There will be a multitude of individuals who do not agree with this labor law along side Tina. Will you be there Rev?

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Bon said...

I'm not one of those froo-froo girls that wants everyone to hold hands and sing waving peace candles in the cool night breeze. I make very few good friends and even fewer close friends, but I usually make them for life. I'm also not an apologist for Angelo, who is a big boy and can fend for himself. I was in the theatre that evening and bothered by the flash and clicking of the camera and truth be told, I had a few choice words for the photographer in my head. I try to respect everybody's opinion because I know I've never walked in their shoes and that I would want the same for me, but if my friends are wrong, I'll let them know. I've known Ed for years and I've never heard him respond to anyone like that. It just didn't sound like him, and if I'm wrong, then I'm wrong.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Totally off the subject but what the hell.

58 Comments... Good job Rev.

***

Hey seeing as how Angelo has posted 3 consecutive blog posts without generating a single comment can we now get him to step down from his self constructed "most popular blog in Saipan" pedestal?

You know the "3 strikes your out" rule.

***

Childish? Yes.

If you sling it you better be able to take it.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Oh Brucey.. IF it supports the good, you bet I'll be there.

Some things you will never find me doing:
1) Promoting bad initiatives - and not answering questions about the actual initiative.
2) Badmouthing individuals trying to assist with dog reward claims, sitting at PAWS dinner meetings, or participating in PAWS activities - and not actually helping real life animals out.
3) Not parlaying a ridiculous accusation against one blogger, but excluding a friend who could also fall under the cloud of the same accusation.
4) Not "outing" another blogger in a rude fashion because I'm pissed off.
5) Not censoring comments I don't particularly like, or I simply can't argue against.
6) Threatening to report someone trying to get some help for seemingly abused animals, to the police and potential abusers.
7) Threatening to contact the blog police because of personal issues.
8) Posting nonsensical smartass remarks and insults that do not address the original post, the string of post comments or a particular comment directly.
9)Apologizing for a rude blogger friend.
10)Not explaining a laundry list of my posts or comments that I feel various people have misunderstood.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Damn. I am guilty of #8 after that comment I just wrote :-(

Does it help at all that I prefaced it with the fact that I knew full well I was off-topic and just taking a stab?

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

will be there PP at the march. this time as a spectator. ;-)

i wonder how many people it would generate? you really think this would help repeal it?

Bon said...

There are a few mini discussions going on in this string, I just got caught in one of them. March on!

Anonymous said...

Holy priapism, Lil!

I'd be interested to know B's "evidence" of your gender mixup. (!)

Pragmatic Plato said...

Perhaps not a full repeal. What it will possibly do is show the public's resolve. Both residents and non-residents will be adversely affected by this law. Both Employers and Employees will be affected.

If they could all somehow come together to protest against this law then perhaps when the new legislature comes to session in 08 they will at least look into making amendments to this law.

Also, the march will also give the CNMI a chance to voice dismay over the removal of the improved status provision from the US House Bill. It is important to note that foreigners in the US Mainland have a pathway to citizenship the same does not apply to this US Commonwealth.



What are your feelings Rev?

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

my opinion on this one? let me just give you my opinion on what you said. the islands have the right to claim what it is their claiming, however, any person has the right to question, to wonder and to ponder on issues that affect him or her.

hopefully ears and eyes are wide open when it comes to the event and its significance.

i have been watching the full season of smallville (haha) and i remember Martha Kent telling Clark that "you have feelings, you feel the anger and you care for people and that makes you human, Clark."

go figure. ;-)

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Resolve.. that is the word. This one march may do nothing except add to the resolve. Resolve can win a battle every time.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Wait Ms. D.. I need to go look up "priapism" :)lol. That's not something that breaks light into its seperate spectrum of colors is it?

Anonymous said...

;-)

Pri-a-pis-m (verbs) : to pry and piss him (someone)

Pragmatic Plato said...

"Definition of priapism (noun)

form: no plural

condition in which the penis is continually erect"

;-)

Much more to the point.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Pragmatic Plato said...

From the US Immigration website:

"Q : Can an H-1B alien intend to immigrate permanently to the U.S.?

Yes. An H-1B alien can be the beneficiary of an immigrant visa petition, apply for adjustment of status, or take other steps toward Lawful Permanent Resident status without affecting H-1B status. This is known as "dual intent" and has been recognized in the immigration law since passage of the Immigration Act of 1990. During the time that the application for LPR status is pending, an alien may travel on his or her H-1B visa rather than obtaining advance parole or requesting other advance permission from Immigration to return to the U.S."


Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

Who's Angelo?

Bon said...

My friend.

bigsoxfan said...

A pretty decent guy, someone I would be glad to call my brother. Like many of the I love saipan network

saipanboonieman said...

Ed, have we slept together before? how do you know i wear panties?

saipanboonieman said...

PP:
that "loud ass" camera was still "loud ass" hell and distracting. im not attacking the guy, i know he was only doing his job. and angelo was only saying what everyone there wanted to say, though some may have said it differently.

i dont know what this has to do with the march anyway.......

im going so i can lend my support to all the children who will be adversely impacted by this bill, and to piss off those capitol hill idiots who decided to waste our money and time admonishing a pss teacher for exercising he rights to make an ass of himself. "not avail himself of island living anymore", what a bunch of not "common sense" crap!

Pragmatic Plato said...

boonieman,

I have written like 40 comments since that comment and even then I said that perhaps Nahal and Ed should chime in.

I too was disgusted by that resolution that they past the other day. Good God wonder if they changed the names of a few more streets during that emergency session.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

Saipan boonieman, I'm not sure if we've slept together. How drunk was I? That's a joke because I quit drinking...haven't touched anything for at least six hours...

Bon, yes it's me. We were classmates since ever since. Once in a while I vent. Once in a while I rip on someone when I feel it is justified. But anyway, back to the subject at hand...

My dear people, let peace prevail. Let people assemble. Let people march. Whether it does good or not, it is wonderful that we live in a place where we can assemble freely and write what is in our hearts and minds.

God bless the U.S.A. And damn to hell those loud-ass cameras! Damn you Canon! I've installed a silencer on my camera since then...

By the way, blogging is addictive. One of these days I will start my own. Or can I pay someone to do one for me? Anyone?

And for all you bloggers out there, you guys are hilarious! This is more fun than watching Cinemax after dark!!

Have a beautiful day y'all.

Regards,
Ed Propst

P.S. Boni, please show me how to make a bad-ass blog. I will pay you in family photos...

Anonymous said...

Jim Benedetto has written an excellent
explanation of the NLRA with respect to workers' right to protest, in today’s Saipan Tribune. He doesn’t mention, though, the minimum number of employees required for an employer to be subject to the referenced National Labor Relations Act provisions.

I wrote this a couple of days ago at the end of another thread on this blog that has garnered no further response, but it bears repeating and is equally or more on topic here:

"The Administration has yet to acknowledge that our economy still has not hit bottom.

"Given the intensive employment recruiting in the European Union, Australia, and Canada, any guest worker with the long term goal to emigrate, rather than enjoy the cultural affinity during a 'temporary' sojourn that is all anyone in the CNMI has ever been promised, would be well advised to pursue such alternative emigration options while the U.S. dollar remains weak and those other currencies are nice and strong.

"Those who 'hang on' in the CNMI with bogus sponsorships and other quasi-legal or even legitimate jobs in the hope of hitting a U.S. green card jackpot are deluding themselves."

Sponsorship fraud is blooming rampantly like those invasive vines after a heavy rain. Be careful out there!

Bon said...

That's a deal Ed! Thought you'd never ask. Hey, let's get together, you and your other half and me and my other half. YOu're such a lovely guy Ed:)

Anonymous said...

Oops! Here is the explanation of the NLRA. I wish there were a way to edit these posts.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Your right Boonie.. the commonwealth crumbles and they waste time admonishing Ron.

Funny.. the first Benedetto link sent me to "Catechism of the Catholic Church" :) Thanks for the relink.

Thanks to Benedetto for putting this info out there. Good warning to employers, and this place is small enough to ensure abusers will eventually be weeded out.

Now I need to get writing some march/protest songs. "Hell no, we don't like HB-... "

Brad Ruszala said...

how about "with hope in your heart and you'll never walk erect."

ha ha ha...

oh, and blogging is addictive, which is why i've not posted much in a while. trying to break the habit.

as for the march, they should take to the streets by the thousands rather than to the beach pathway by the hundreds.

march right down beach road from minatchom atdao. it will only work with large numbers.

if more people were at the martin nievera concert than this march it will be a speak lowly of the movement.

either way, the event will make history. hopefully people are more moved by martin luther king, jr than martin the concert king, jr.

i love democracy in action...

Lil' Hammerhead said...

I say don't limit the march to the typical Minachom Atdao to Memorial Park route. Start at 5pm and march from Garapan all of the way to Koblerville.

Brad Ruszala said...

why not start in san antonio? you can't spell PI without the PIC...


ha ha ha


seriously, why not make it a lunch time march down the middle of beach road during the height of the lunch rush?

want to maximize the impact? you've got it.

imagine the headlines!

sure some people would be pissed off for a while, but haven't the marchers been pissed off for a while, too?

besides, drivers can always take middle road.

actually, i think people would be more impressed, thinking "wow, this time they actually got their shit together and pulled it off."

by the way, isn't the 7th a day off for government employees? if so, i think a lot of the calls for attention will fall on deaf ears.

why not do it on the following week?

Pragmatic Plato said...

It is a holiday.

I believe the hope is that more people both private and public employees as well as students and unemployed people like Lil :-) will be able to participate.

Remember this is a March that all people on the island are encouraged to join. If you feel strongly about the rationale behind it, that is.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

saipanboonieman said...

PP:
11 is far from 40! (i went back and counted.... :-P ) completely off-topic, but would you kindly direct me to your "boycott porky's" post.... tia.

Tamara said...

I wish I could participate. I planned a Christmas Party for 40 people that evening (months ago) and I can't change the date so late in the game...I was hoping they would change the date too so I could join in :(

Pragmatic Plato said...

It was about 47 posts prior to your comment :-)

My Blog is located at :

http://pragmaticplato.blogspot.com/

All kinds of info regarding the Boycott as well as merchandise affiliated with the Boycott!

A new item was just added to the left side highlighting a new dish.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

To Ed: funny post. loved reading especially the silencer in your camera.

The march is really building us as I have spoken to people around.

So what can the government do after the march? still lingers in my head. or should i reread the posts like what boonieman did.

PP next time count your comments right haha. ;-)that was funny boonieman.

Pragmatic Plato said...

I was wrong. I meant to originally state that boonie commented 40 comments after my comment.

I stand corrected. Damn It.

First I take the quiz on Lil's site and discover I ain't part of the clique and now I erred.

GRRRRRR

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

why is the 7th a day off for gov ofc?

Tamara said...

Immaculate Conception??? Oh no, Constitution..conception, constitution..tomatoe, tomato...

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Porkchops and mash potato day. That's the day at my house anyways.

Anonymous said...

I wish I could participate. I planned to do my nails that evening (weeks ago) and I can't change the date so late in the game...I was hoping they would change the location to Kagman to save energy and the date too so I could join in :(

Anonymous said...

can you paint your nails red in support of the cause? ;-)

Angelo Villagomez said...

So you are anti-private sector communists!

I knew it!

Can we call you the Pinoy Rouge?

Anonymous said...

lol!

ey just picked that color for rage, ya'know...

;-)

great article today btw. but i heard about the other one (PR). that was hilarious!

Lil' Hammerhead said...

100th Post! (tickertape and balloons falling)

Let's all paint ourselves red on that day!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 100th Post!!!

(ticketape and balloons falling, all red btw)

are you going to join Lil?

Angelo Villagomez said...

Hilarious because I quoted myself?

What can I say? I never went to journalism school.

Angelo Villagomez said...

Jeff recommended a book called The AP Style Book. You wouldn't happen to have a copy I could borrow, would you?

Angelo Villagomez said...

Rev, I don't understand what you think is funny.

Anonymous said...

oh sorry. you already mentioned it. 'twas the you quoted yourself on your own story. again, gomenesai.

Angelo Villagomez said...

...at least I know I got the quote right.

Anonymous said...

haha. i guess you're right about that. can't stop laughing again. will share with the others...

Bon said...

You guys are commentator central man. What do I have to do to piss people off so badly that I get 100 comments?

Anonymous said...

Lest you forget Boni that you were instrumental in our 184 comments before.

I guess we owe it to PP and Lil and of course Saipan Blogger. ;-)

Jeff said...

Charles Barkley claimed to be misquoted in his own book.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

You know Boni, if your darn site would just load a little faster, I'm sure we'd all be over there causing the mayhem necessary to boost your ratings. :) Nah! I'm sure you don't want that to happen.

Rev- Was I involved in a 184 comment post? I can't remember.

Anonymous said...

I read Jim Benedetto's letter and he was cautioning employers about firing employees that will skip work to join the march.

and now, email blasts are off with an attachment of his article at Marianas Variety....

See SBlogger, even Charles Barkley misquoted himself in his own book...there you go...;-)

Lil' Hammerhead said...

I had my little disagreement with Benedetto.. but the letter was good work.

Bon said...

I've tried everything. That's it! I need professional help with this.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Boni,

Someone may have inserted some code on your site. Check back with whoever you may have had "tweak" your site in the begining. May have been when you were working on the layout or adding page elements.

It loads a lot faster now-a-days.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Tamara said...

off the topic, but I was just wondering if "Ms. d" could do my nails too before my party???

Bon said...

Oh don't get me started with the paranoia, now I won't be able to sleep peacefully thinking about that.

Brad Ruszala said...

now i've got a poll on the unity march. check it out...

http://beachboyinparadise.blogspot.com/

Pragmatic Plato said...

A comment I have stolen from Tina's Site:

"Prevented by Employment on 26 November, 2007 at 7:55 am Comment ID #572

Nope, the issue is not “premanent residency”, its “non-immigrant status”. Big difference. When an alien goes to the U.S. Mainland on a working visa, he is eligible for permanent residency after five years. Tens of thousands receive this status each year. Should the CNMI be that much different? Aren’t we Americans? Aren’t we part of America? In any case, what is proposed for the CNMI is a much lessor status for contract workers, who have worked here legally for five years. Non-immigrant status does NOT lead to citizenship or even permanent residency. This means no voting rights, ever. Were I a Filipino contract worker in the CNMI, and I were to receive that status, I’d be on the first boat out of here to the mainland. Why stay in a place where I am unappreciated and looked down upon? Why raise my children in a place where they are disparaged by their peer group, until they gradually become ashamed of their heritage?"


Boycott Porky's!

Unite in the March - Dec 7!

PP

Bon said...

Did you know that the two largest population groups are those under 8 and those in their 50's and up (roughly, grade schoolers and boomers, etc.)? ALL of these children we are educating will decide the fate of our own health and welfare, the quality of our service providers when we are old and frail, and even the quality of our retirement pensions. If we don't care about ensuring their future, do you think anyone'll give a rat's ass about us? Oh no! This is about human decency and not monopolizing resources just because we can. Oooh, ouch, soap boxes have splinters. I'll get down now.

Brad Ruszala said...

dyslexics of the world untie!

Anonymous said...

Sure fire way to get 100 posts on your blog:

Get one person mad at Angelo, whether he deserves it or not.

This will cause Lil Hammerhead and Pragmatic Plato to go into paroxysms of righteous indignation for something Angelo did 6 months ago.

Since being righteously angry seems to suit the pair of them, they will post several times repeating his offenses, real and imagined, and will go into long detail on why they are right and he is wrong. The post meter should now be at 30-40.

Try to get Angelo to respond, because even if he says he is sorry, the dynamic duo will try to pull out the Chewbacca Defense, or if there is not enough time, just start thumbing their noses and say "neener, neener" (hard to do on a blog). By now you are running at somewhere around 75 posts.

If things are running out of steam, just have Jeff pipe in, because even if he says "nice day, isn't it", the two Cowardly Lions of the blogging world will go on a mini-rampage, and there is your 100 posts.

Angelo Villagomez said...

Nice day, isn't it?

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Yes, it certainly was. Especially when it started raining. I love rain.

How about that Noni?

:) And I'm still owed an apology.

I don't go balistic over nuttin' honey.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Hmmm? I wonder who of the "clique" that was? ;) And anonymously, wow.. I'm so proud of my new convert.

Anonymous said...

You asked: "What can the march do with the enacted law? Is it a futile attempt of freedom of expression? What's there to change when it had been unanimously agreed and signed in the Legislature and the Executive Branch?"

I am not sure what can result from the planned December 7th march but all participants have the right to assemble and express their views on the matter of the labor law or any other issue. There should be no recrimination against the marchers.

I think that the goal is not as important as how that goal is reached.

We should also keep in mind that Pearl Harbor was bombed on this date 66 years ago.

Angelo Villagomez said...

I just read a book about globalization.

One of the ideas is that since Bush was elected, we've exported fear, not hope.

The writer suggests that one of the ways to return to the days of peace and economic prosperity would be to focus on this that America has done, things that are celebrated on say, July 4, and to focus less on things that were done to America, like September 11 and December 7.

We must never forget and all that Jazz, but...

Lil' Hammerhead said...

You are a good man Kilili.

Not that you need my endorsement or anything.

Anonymous said...

Okay, ballistic may not have been the right word, I probably should have used something like "useless, unreasoning tirades about something that happened six months ago".

Wonder all you want about who it is, I'll reveal myself if you reveal yourself.

I have to admit, the freedom to say whatever you want behind the veil of anonymity is pretty cool. No worries about ever having to deal with someone face-to-face if you do meet them sometime. Really, I totally understand where you are coming from on this, much better to hide behind an online mask then to take responsibility publicly for your comments.

Anonymous said...

All of you have just defined the meaning of "Pissing Contest". It's booring. Come on now. You all have many interesting things to talk about and you really lose credibility when engaged in this tripe.

Anonymous said...

I'll reveal myself. Meet me at Chicago tonight, 11pm, back left corner. Just ask for Suki Suki.

Lil' Hammerhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lil' Hammerhead said...

I'm really not interested in having you "reveal" yourself to me. Go flash someone else.

Besides, I don't think any plane is going to get me to Chicago by tonight, and I get quite enough "sukin'" right here at home.

Anonymous said...

Way to back down from the challenge, Little H. All I say is I'll come out of the anonymous closet if you will too, and you turn it into a stupid sexual innuendo.

This anonymous stuff is great, I see why you get off on it. You can say whatever you want without repercussions, or ever have to worry about running into someone somewhere and facing them directly.

This will be my last comment on this thread.

Anonymous said...

so up for unity march PP?

Angelo Villagomez said...

I'll stop by if the Ultimate Frisbee tournament is over.

Anonymous said...

Thank you lil_hammerhead.

Brad Ruszala said...

the frisbee tournament is in the morning. isn't the march in the afternoon? like 5pm or something?

Anonymous said...

i heard the tribune reported that the march is scheduled at 4:30am?

saipanboonieman said...

im confused, thats what i heard too. so which is it?

and by the way, how do you guys think "locals" who take part in this are going to be viewed by other "locals"? just curious .....

Brad Ruszala said...

they won't be viewed at all. come on, 4:30am? how many people do you think will even be awake after partying on a payday thursday night?

On Saipan said...

uh, it's in the afternoon brad. and btw, u r invited by tina...

Pragmatic Plato said...

The march is not at 4:30am. If that was reported it was an error.

The march is in the afternoon.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Angelo Villagomez said...

Moved to the top? Are you going for a comment record or something?

On Saipan said...

nope. we had that one already. 184 comments before. so no need.

it's just that am too lazy to post a new one about this topic since the march is set on Friday. won't make a difference anyway, i just moved the post on top...;-)

Brad Ruszala said...

tina is hot enough to get me to the march without even saying a word, but i think i'll not be marching.

i'll try to catch a glimpse just so i can say i witnessed history, but i'm not interested in being part of this one.

now if it's a 10,000 person march down beach road instead of a 500 stroll along the beach pathway, that's a different story...

Angelo Villagomez said...

Can you explain the Reprigerator comment?

Is this person cold? Big? Full of beer?

Angelo Villagomez said...

Can you explain the Reprigerator comment?

Is this person cold? Big? Full of beer?

On Saipan said...

haha. u r so into Tina...oh well...it was a play with words...

Angelo Villagomez said...

You're talking about Tina?

I thought you were talking about Joe Camacho? Or should I say, Reprigerator elect Camacho?

Have you never heard of Refrigerator Perry? 1985 Bears?

Pragmatic Plato said...

Brad,

It is a march ont he road and the hope is for thousands. Not sure exactly how many will show but hypothetically speaking it could be 10,000. There is no limit. The entire population of Saipan is invited. There have got to be in excess of 24,000 guest workers and tons of employers iwll be marching as well as students from NMC and the other local schools. If you would do it if it were 10000 on the road then add to the numbers and let us get 10,000.

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Lil' Hammerhead said...

My concern, and part of the whole problem is that many are fearful. Hopefully they will use this as a turning point. Before the march starts, organizers should speak to the crowd about some of the measures that any workers who are messed with at work can take. Help ensure that employers stay hands off and the worst of them that might actually do something are taken to task.

saipanboonieman said...

well, judging by torres' letter today for tina and efrain camacho to "prebahao", (for those who arent chamorro it means to prove yourself, and more recently it has been used to challenge people in the "cage-fights") i think that those locals who march should expect to receive a resolution from our generous leaders.

Anonymous said...

New Years Resolution: Business as Usual.

FoM said...

see you all there. middle road thank you for helping get the message out.

glen hunter

Anonymous said...

I heared the march was canceled?

FoM said...

nope. all set and scheduled. rain or shine.

glen hunter

Anonymous said...

yup. and heard that business leaders will be joining as well. the owner of our building is joining.

ur welcum G!

Lil' Hammerhead said...

That's great. I've seen some signs on local businesses as well. Good people coming together.. it's a beautiful thing.

Lil' Hammerhead said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Angelo Villagomez said...

So close to the record. Here, I'll say something stupid to get the comments flowing again.

Angelo Villagomez said...

Tina Sablan doesn't care about black people.

Angelo Villagomez said...

I have never had sexual relations with Brad Ruszala

Angelo Villagomez said...

I want to say this about my island: When Ron Hodges ran for governor, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years, either

Angelo Villagomez said...

165!

Is that controversial enough for you?

Lil' Hammerhead said...

It's not controversy with you anymore Sblogger.. it's plain idiocy.

Pragmatic Plato said...

Not even worthy of a new response. I will just copy paste:

"The problem with Angelo is that he lacks common sense. He parrots what others tell him without first looking deeply into the matter personally. He is a lemming. He bends with the wind and grasps on to whatever cause is thrown out and tries to champion it without full knowledge of the subject at hand. This almost always paints him into a corner when anyone that he regurgitates the points he hears questions him about it.

His lack of self esteem causes him to lash out at others in order to try and feel better about himself.

What is very strange to me is that a lot of individuals buy his malarkey. They think highly of him and don't question him when he spews gossip and hearsay. I hope people begin to question him on various issue from now on. The funny thing is once you challenge him on an issue he waivers quickly and adjusts his stance.

If you look back at his blog you will see it is a cry for help or at the bare least companionship and adoration. He wants people to respect him but does little to give them reason to do so. Some have called him a leader and even this blog has asked if he could be one of the future leaders of Saipan and now if he would be the next Governor.

He belittles people and is two faced. Many comments he makes both in person and in his blogs and posts are bigoted. Most of the time he doesn't stop to see what a fool he makes of himself and people don't call him on it.


So what I am trying to say is don't take his bigoted and racist commentary so hard. He is just trying to build himself up when he cuts other people down."


also see:

http://pragmaticplato.blogspot.com/2007/12/non-controversial-post.html

and

http://pragmaticplato.blogspot.com/2007/12/saipans-most-disturbed-blogger.html


Boycott Porky's!

PP

Pragmatic Plato said...

"I'll say something stupid to get the comments flowing again"

Is this supposed to surprise anyone? When have you ever posted any comments that weren't "stupid"?

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

i dont know about not sleeping with brad sblogger. ;-)

i heard Wendy Doromal is here on the island. she said she just flew to Saipan just for the march this afternoon.,

Angelo Villagomez said...

170!

Almost got the record!

saipanboonieman said...

171! keep it going....


btw, you have any shots of how long the line of people was during the march or any guestimates?

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Good to see you there Rev! Now that I think about it.. this huge event not only serves to help get the message out about long-stay workers and crappy public law hb-108, In its own little way, the success of the march helps to further marginalize some of the blog nitwits.

Envelop Ideas said...

Indeed it was a huge success.

I'd like to hear Brats, Angel, Hurry and Batman's spin on this event.

Angelo Villagomez said...

174!

I am but a casual observer, making observations.

I'm hearing different estimates on the crowd.

This blog is guessing 6000.

Wendy is guessing 5000 (she said this while interviewing Mr. Woodruff).

A local business man who asked not to be identified guessed 2500 (he told me on the phone).

Ron Hodges is guessing 2000 (he said this after drinking a few protein shakes with me after the March).

I'd put it right around 3000.

Anonymous said...

thanks Lil!

it was awesome and very impressive to see all those marchers in white shirts and displaying courage for a single cause.

despite my wallet tragedy, im glad i participated.

Lil' Hammerhead said...

2000? 3000? Nonsense. Really. I've been to a great many events at the AMP where estimated crowds were at 2000. It was estimated that nearly 10000 attended the Nievera concert.. The Unity Rally drew many more than the Nievera concert. Do the math.. or should I say, redo the math.

Anonymous said...

he AMP amphitheater's capacity is around 3,000, the theater was obviously filled more than that. there were people outside the theater as well. counting the people by block by a hundred made me come up with "at least" 6,000.

the Nievera concert was held on a flat field where counting the crowd at least the estimates was easier.

saipanboonieman said...

178!

guys! guys! guys!.... dont let the significance of the march get lost in the debate over crowd size. whether it was 3000 or 10000+, the point is many came in support of the issue! and though some may have doubted the willingness or resolve of those affected to stand up and participate, the result clearly testifies to the contrary!

congratulations MUST be given to the entire island's community for the simple fact that something like this was able to take place so peacefully (ive heard of only two accounts of hecklers!), and thats an important thing to celebrate! everyone contributed positively: naysayers motivated many to show up; ed, tina, boni, malou and others inspired courage; the bloggers disseminated information and encouraged participation; the newspapers too; LH, GlennD, PP, & Rev specifically were instrumental in prompting dialogue on the event's underyling issues; even angelo was there to witness and record the march (and lest we forget, having a witness to the group's resolve is as important as anything else); our soldiers for fighting to protect the freedom to do exactly what just happened; their families for supporting them; etc.

remember, there are many places in the world that we would not be able to do this in, so celebrate the fact that we just did what we did, nevermind the "final" numbers.

only 7 more to go!

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Your right Boonie.

saipanboonieman said...

were you there? i didnt notice any hot cave dwellers there..... :-)

Lil' Hammerhead said...

Yep.. marched, was right up in the front area of the stage. Sat through the long list of speakers. Even sang "we are the world" ")

Anonymous said...

boonieman is right. but i didnt see you there.

Angelo Villagomez said...

183!

Is that the record?

Congrats! I knew you could do it!

Anonymous said...

nope. the last record was 184. no congratulations yet.

saipanboonieman said...

i think that 184 is the record,.... hey, this is 184!

feels like new year's countdown!.....

and the winner is.....

saipanboonieman said...

you beat me to 184 rev! that makes me 185!!!


woohoo, im the winner!!!!!

up kinda late arent we?

Pragmatic Plato said...

http://www.tinasablan.com/forum/?p=13


Not even close... 224 comments goes to Tina Sablan Forum on Gambling Blog. But then this isn't a comment competition. I love Middle Road, I love dialogue, I love Saipan.


Boycott Porky's!

PP

Anonymous said...

lol. boonieman, yes. i was up late last night. enjoying the night of champagne at the Hyatt....

about the comment numbers, i guess Sblogger and Boonieman just wanted to beat Middle Road's previous record of 184.

thanks to every one.

Did any one like the speech of Tina that night?

Anonymous said...

btw, plato, Tina's site is a full blown website and not just a weblog. ;-)

oh god, did i sound like someone else? apologies....

Pragmatic Plato said...

I love it :-)

You are right Rev.

Right about sound like someone else that is.

I love Middle Road!

I loved all of the Speeches that evening!

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Brad Ruszala said...

envelop ideas,
post your name if you want to call them. otherwise, stick to the issues, you cute little anonymous devil, you.

;)

and as for my "spin" on the march, there is none. there were thousands who came out for a cause instead of just a poultry showing of hundreds.

i'm glad it was a success and the exact numbers don't really make a difference.

my confidence in people has been restored, maybe. i just wanted there to be more people motivated to turn out because of their cause rather than their music.

some say the crowd was well over five figures while others estimated the crowd between 3-6,000.

everyone can come to their own conclusion about the numbers and about the significance of the march.

no matter what, people came together in a show of unity and that has to count for something.

so i guess that's my spin.

Anonymous said...

thanks Spin Doctors (a band in the sand).

I wonder what happens next...

FoM said...

next is - unity fest '08 -

a gathering unlike any the cnmi has ever seen (including dec 7, 2007).

every marcher will bring one new friend.

one message: UNITY (nothing more. nothing less.)

glen hunter

On Saipan said...

Jan 1st is the effective date of PL15-108. What's the next move?

Anonymous said...

Unity fest should be held up at Capital Hill on the grounds of the governors office and legislature. Lets bring 10,000, scratch that, lets bring 20,000 plus people up there and camp on those grounds until something is done to repeal 15-108!

saipanboonieman said...

i dont think the law in its entirety is neccessarily the problem. its the exit provision that's the main problem with that law.

(should i put my flame-suit on?...)

Envelop Ideas said...

LOL @ Brats!

Pragmatic Plato said...

Read the entire law and you will see other issues as well.

Contradictions between the newly created regulations and the law itself is a major problem and opens the door to numerous lawsuits.

The 6 month exit provision is a problem. So too are the exemptions that the regs set up.

The stoppage of transfers makes no sense and will encourage frivolous lawsuits since the exemption to this is if a grievance is filed.

Hearing officers will now have these powers:
- the power to allow a worker to remain in the CNMI while a case is pending
- the power to decide whether or not to grant a transfer

Encourages labor officers to not be nuetral (for example: he has to dismiss a case if an alien does not show up... but no mention if an employer shows up. Up to labor officers to decide if statute of limitations is met.)

The grey area regarding whether a worker is sent home when they file a complaint and then have to pay their way back to be at the hearing is also a problem.

The numerous exemptions set forth in the regulations opens up tons of new avenues for corruption.

Still waiting on what the regs say so far as insuring the workers is concerned.

Employment Service division now has greater discretionary powers in that they now will have to review job openings and determine whether to allow the hiring.

The basic pretense laid out in the "findings" section of the law is outright disgusting.

All the various areas that it grants discretion to the hearing officers opens the door to numerous lawsuits.

The process of drafting the regs was rushed without time to answer concerns.

There is a greater potential for abuse, selective enforcement and bureaucracy.

This law will foster new scams and chill workers rights to file complaints unless their contract is up.

The new law creates new functions and complicates old functions for labor hearing officers.

Any subsequent amendment to regs must be approved by the legislature (this is a violation of powers).


***

One positive thing:

If the secretary of labor does nothing in regards to a claim then the claim is validated.

Anonymous said...

I think Pubic Law 15-108 is really bad ass. Its for the best interest of the PUBIC.

Si Goru Cruz for GOVERNOR! He has 30,000 supporters of TaoTao TAYA. That's why he won the election by a landslide and is the number one....ooops, he lost? What? The lowest votes in Kagman? Bastait! Tan Candalaria, hafa chinotmu? You said your family is supporting si Goru Cruz! Don't you know he is Taotao Taya?

Biba si Goru Cruz! Mas paire si primo Cruz! Mas mauleg bruddah!

Preba Hao!!!!

Anonymous said...

New poll:

Who is smarter?

A. Greg Cruz

B. Juan Malamanga

C. Adolf Hitler

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