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Feb 1, 2008

Meetings Left and Right

"To the left, to the left...Don't you ever for a second get to thinking you're irreplaceable...." Beyonce.

This Grammy nominated song plays in the background as my mind rambles with questions why have there been meetings with nonresident workers left and right. This week, the local government met with the contract workers group trying to convince them that the Reform Law is a good thing for every one. Then, we've heard that the office of the Ombudsman also met with the nonresident workers. Then, I got these calls from nonresident workers asking me the time of supposed meeting with the same office tonight.

What's going on? Well, I could hear the excitement from these callers like there have been epiphanies of hope for a brighter future. However, again this could also bring false hopes to some...

What's going on?

The Reveler

7 comments:

Brad Ruszala said...

nothing, that's what's happening. just a lot of lunches and disappointment...

KAP said...

It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
That starts to drive you insane
Let's do the Time Warp again
Let's do the Time Warp again

Let's take a meeting about it.

Anonymous said...

TTT and Fitial Admin are spreading vicious lies. They went as far as to claim that the federal government will impose federal taxes. What a bunch of bird terd!

Rev, I hope you got the e-mail from TTT about this nonsense. If you don't, I can forward it to you so you can post it. They are so full of crapola. They used a letter and forgot to "accept changes" in MS Word. That's how retarded they are.

KAP said...

My post may have come off as flippant. Just in a hurry because I was test-driving the computer after the kids blue-screened it.

I was basically agreeing with the sandman. Mo' meetings and nothing gets said.

Irene Tantiado had a good letter in yesterday's Saipan Tribune. I especially liked "But what is disappointing is when people know in their heart that they do not speak the truth." Within the bounds of their conscience, indeed.

Anonymous said...

Are you sure those "taxes" aren't the federal fees that will be imposed to employ Foreign Contract Workers?

How many companies do you think will be able to afford triple the price to hire guest workers?

That's what the feds will charge. There will be a lot of folks heading back home to the Philippines and China.

It is sad that so many guest workers were used by Doromal and Benedetto to promote federalization, so they or their friends will get better-paying jobs "administering" the new program, while so many contract workers will be priced out of the market.

Shame, shame!

Anonymous said...

Will the feds also send you back somewhere? Lawyers have not represented guest workers here at all and it is a strong part of the case for federalization of the CNMI.

justice seeker said...

"Armchair lawyer" should disclose his or her secret identity. Fees charged by the Department of Homeland Security are not "federal taxes." Yes, the cost of an H-visa is substantially higher than the cost of a NRW (now FNW, I guess) permit in the CNMI system, but it is good for three years.

It is not the cost that drives certain business interests to oppose the legislation but the threat of loss of a system of indentured servitude enforced by the CNMI Department of Labor.

Nobody is "using" workers to promote "federalization." The very proposition is ludicrous. "Doromal and Benedetto" and "their friends" have nothing to gain from this legislation except improvement in the lot of foreign nationals and an end to the injustices of the present system.

It is incontrovertible that there is an orchestrated "smear and fear" campaign underway employing propaganda and disinformation in an attempt to derail the legislation. The gunslingers behind it, whether paid or volunteer, are either masters of self-deception or in serious need of an examination of their consciences.

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