China Lacks Variety

Quick note from the Saipan Middle Road Shanghai Bureau: It appears that the Marianas Variety website is one of the "objectional" websites that cannot be accessed from China. The Saipan Tribune website, however, is fully accessible from China. Conspiracy theories are welcome.

Quotable Quotes: Fitial on 2009 Election

(From Saipan Tribune)

“If the people still need me, I am here for them,” said Fitial in an interview with the media shortly after the completion of the Liberation Day Parade on Friday.

More story here....

Less than $10 million is about $3 million

On Feb. 4, Marianas Variety reported that the former Nikko Hotel Saipan – now Palms Resort Saipan -- was acquired by UMDA for “less than $10 million,” a deal which Former Speaker Joe Lifoifoi, chairman of the UMDA board, described as “very fair” for both parties.

A more accurate price tag is “about $3 million,” according to Saipan Middle Road sources.

Lifoifoi could have told the media that UMDA bought the hotel for less than $5 million but he didn’t. Saipan Tribune didn’t even have a ballpark figure.

Saipan Tribune vs Marianas Variety

There you go. At least 55 readers voted in this poll. Saipan Tribune and Marianas Variety's online edition tied with 43.6 percent of the votes. That means the voters would usually go online to read what's the latest in the CNMI. Residents from North and South Carolina, California and Massachusetts also cast their votes on this poll.

However, 36 percent of the readers grab the hard copy of Saipan Tribune more than the Marianas Variety (30 percent). Pacific Daily News got 1.8 percent votes both on its online and hard copy editions.

Pacific Times...nil...zilch...zero.

Thanks for voting!!!!

Saipan Blogger vs. Hypercritical Thinker

Alas! These prominent bloggers are taking print media by "tropical" storm with their writing whims. Hypercritical thinker Jeff Turbitt writes for Marianas Variety and we read his column every Wednesday. Now Saipan Blogger Angelo Villagomez will soon be writing for Saipan Tribune. He just made the deal yesterday.

I wonder what could he be writing? Environment of course, but we will see about that. Villagomez for us is equally "hypercritical" of things.

Congratulations Saipan Blogger. Now, you can write about anonymous comments for the island to read and ponder upon!

Kudos to both!

Correction!

I saw this on today's Saipan Tribune. I thought this was funny. Uhm hello...correction please...



The Reveler

Controlling prostitution?

Saipan may learn from an Italian town mayor`s proposal to help deter prostitution and punish those who patronize it, as reported by Reuters: By taking photos of vehicles that pick the girls up and publishing the number plates in local newspapers.

In Saipan`s case, will Variety and Tribune step up to the plate as well?

The mayor said he planned to give local police digital cameras and instruct them to photograph any cars seen stopping to liaise with prostitutes on the side of the street.

While the number of prostitutes on Italian streets has increased dramatically in recent years that prompted the Vatican last week to call for new laws to punish clients of prostitution, the mayor said his reasons for tackling prostitution were entirely secular and far more mundane.

"I think it's more important to protect the rights of citizens who have to be at work early but are kept up at night by the sound of cars," he told Reuters.

In Saipan, there`s no credible government data on the number of prostitutes. Ever. All they say is that it`s increasing.

Marine Dive Magazine hails CNMI

This news comes from the Trib:

The CNMI has received six diving awards from Marine Dive Magazine, based on votes cast by the magazine's readers, according to the Marianas Visitors Authority yesterday.

First place award went to Managaha Island as the best snorkeling spot.

The CNMI also won three fourth-place awards and two fifth-place awards. The fourth place awards were for Best Beach - Managaha Island, Best Diving Area - Saipan, Tinian and Rota and Best Diving Area Saipan. The two 5th place awards were for Best Beach - Teteto Beach Rota and Best Resort Area - Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

“We are thrilled to receive these prestigious awards,” said MVA managing director Perry Tenorio. “Having our islands featured in Marine Dive Magazine will assist us in promoting the CNMI as a great dive destination.”

Isn't it nice to know that readers of that magazine voted for the Marianas.

The Reveler

Flaming?

Now wait a minute. No one's reacting to Bruce Bateman's column two days ago where he mentioned the man that set himself on fire as "Flaming Nepalese?"

Where's justice in this world.... ;-)

Here's his story form Saipan Tribune:

And some just hide out in Afghanistan (or Pakistan or maybe Jerkistan) sucking on the remains of Hillbloom's money while bitching from afar about flaming Nepalese and other CNMI problems. I thank all of the above for reading The Saipan Tribune and especially for reading Sour Grapes. Let's find ways to work together to solve this looming problem.

The Reveler

Media acquisitions

Saipan Tribune owner Tan family will acquire Marianas Variety and Pacific Times for an undisclosed amount. Marianas Variety and Pacific Times have been having financial difficulty to a point where employees` salaries have been reduced by 10 percent since 2006 and have always been delayed in payment of workers` wages. Tan Holdings, meanwhile, after the closure of its controversial garment factory and a halt in equally controversial poker operations, has focused its resources on hotels and newspapers, among other things, thus the planned acquisition of Marianas Variety, which turned 35 years old on March 16, and newcomer Pacific Times. MCV, meanwhile is up for sale.

Gotcha there ha? This is only a joke. The acquisitions and closure are not true. It`s April 1 after all. Happy April Fool`s Day!