Mexico allows gay conjugal visits now

I know this should be most appropriate at Let's Talk GLBT blog, but since I can't post there yet, here it goes...

BBC-The prison system in Mexico City has begun permitting gay prisoners to have conjugal visits from their partners.

The city authorities accepted a recommendation by a human rights commission which said the visits would help to end discrimination.

The decision follows a complaint by a man who said he had been refused permission to visit his partner in jail on the grounds they were homosexual.

A 2003 Mexican law bans discrimination based on sexual preference.

"The Mexico City department of prisons and rehabilitation has allowed the first conjugal visit to an inmate with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual," the city's human rights commission (CDHDF) said.

So, do I get a visit from "Spineless" when I get incarcerated in Mexico?

The Reveler

'Chamber of the Phoenix'

Ok. A Filipino group and the Philippine Consulate spoke about the mass boycott for Saipan Chamber president Juanpan Guerrero's businesses in the CNMI. One said, the ConGen, it's a blackmail, the other, United Filipino Organization, said it is clueless about the text message's origin.

So they spoke. Sources said, the latter, when he went to the bakeshop that Guerrero owns, the UFO leader received free goodies, like a "gift of appreciation from the bakeshop for what he told the media. "I felt they were so glad with what I said in the paper," the leader shared with us.

As for the blackmail, maybe the ConGen is waiting for "black mail" that has numbers hidden in it. Just a thought. As for the goodies, can we consider that a "bribe?" Just a thought again. ;-)

The Reveler

Saipan's Best Blog Poll by Jeff Turbitt

This is just so funny! Hey folks, Angelo deleted all the ones listed in this poll by Jeff Turbitt re: Saipan's Best Blog. Thanks Jeff for nominating us!(Now, Wonder Twins powers, activate!)

Opinion Polls & Market Research

New Poll: Governor to be or not to be...

That is the question!

Cast your votes now to our newest poll. Select three of your bets! Who do you think are likely to be gubernatorial prospects?

<---- Vote now! (Select 3)

'Tour de Farce?'

Speaking of France, just when you're leading the Tour De France race and doping questions arise? What a bummer.Read on...

GOURETTE, France (AP) -- One of its biggest stars is already gone, and now so is the leader of the Tour de France.

Michael Rasmussen was removed from the race by his Rabobank team after winning Wednesday's stage, a day after Alexandre Vinokourov and his team withdrew when the star cyclist tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

"Michael Rasmussen has been sent home for violating (the team's) internal rules," Rabobank spokesman Jacob Bergsma told The Associated Press by phone.

The expulsion, which Bergsma said was ordered by the Dutch team's sponsor, was linked to "incorrect" information that Rasmussen gave to the team's sports director over his whereabouts last month. The Danish cyclist missed random drug tests May 8 and June 28, saying he was in Mexico. But a former rider, Davide Cassani, told Denmark's Danmarks Radio on Wednesday that he had seen Rasmussen in Italy in mid-June.

The Reveler

YouTube: French Survivor's Koh-Lanta Palawan

Just got this link. The French's version of the popular reality TV show Survivor called Kohlanta: Palawan, Philippines.Anyway, the American original went to Palau, Vanuatu and somewhere else in the Pacific. When are they going to Managaha?

The Chamber of Secrets....

Potential IRs burden to the NMI?

A Canadian friend told me before with regard to the issue that the non-resident workers remit at least $1 million a year to their families back home, that if the local government would allow the families of these nonresident workers come to the CNMI, these remittances would be mitigated and money would revolve within the economy of the Commonwealth. Now, the Chamber is afraid that federalizing the CNMI and allowing these nonresidents petition their family members as potential immediate relatives (IRs) would hurt the CNMI. Read on news from the paper:

The leadership of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce expressed fear that, if granted nonimmigrant visas, thousands of long-term nonresident workers and their families could be “an immense burden” to the CNMI.

In testimony presented Thursday to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Chamber president Juan T. Guerrero reiterated the group's opposition to the “grandfather clause” in S. 1634, allowing workers who have lived in the Commonwealth for more than five years the right to “lawful nonimmigrant” status.

“Such action allows these individuals the right to remain in the Commonwealth (or, for that matter, relocate to the mainland United States) for purposes of living and working. This action would allow the right to immigrate family members to the Commonwealth under “immediate relative” status. .We have estimated that approximately 8,000 current workers in the Commonwealth would qualify for such status. There are two possible outcome scenarios under this grandfather clause, and neither is good,” said Guerrero.

He said allowing almost 8,000 individuals “to remain-and to immigrate immediate relatives to join them, for the long-term-are profoundly negative for the Commonwealth.”

“These tens of thousands of lawful nonimmigrants would be given the same preference for local jobs that this Senate has repeatedly claimed to be attempting to protect for United States citizens. These lawful nonimmigrants and their families would prove an immense burden on the local infrastructure in a way, and to a degree, that was never contemplated by-nor allowed-under the Commonwealth's existing guest worker program,” he said.

The other concern is the likelihood of these workers to leave the CNMI right away to travel and work in the U.S. mainland.

What are they so afraid of? These people would stay at least for a while. Some would as long as good paying jobs are available for them. These nonresidents (some that I had conversed with) know for sure that it's a huge risk to be relocated.

The Reveler

Betel nut-flavored condoms

Indeed, betel nut-flavored condoms are now available in India, according to a Reuters report.

Would it become famous in the CNMI and other Pacific islands as well?

What's next? Betel nut-flavored cigarettes? Betel nut soda? Betel nut body spray? Perfume?

Film ReView: Hairspray

Travolta proved to be one versatile actor. He's so funny, amazing and still can dance despite the heavy set character as a woman. Watching this movie is because you wouldn't want to miss seeing Travolta as a heavy set woman in a movie. He's soooo good in this movie, especially during the last part of the film!
Yes. That's the John Travolta playing a woman in the remake of a broadway musical "Hairspray."

Hairspray is a nostalgia of the 60's set in Baltimore, 1962. A set during "the heyday of hair-dos and hair-don'ts, Heartthrobs and hefty girls, hot dates and hip talkers, beatniks and hair hoppers, and one magical potion that keeps it all together." A time when blacks and whites were segregated.A socially relevant film that will make you tap, thump, and laugh on your seat. Travolta is amazing and a riot!

The Reveler

'I Don't Need to Exist'

Yes. Those are the words that clung to me when I listened during the recent US Senate Hearing last week. "I don't need to exist" or "There's no need for me to exist." Words coming from the mouth of the CNMI's dear governor.

He said if the federal government wants to take over his job, then there' no reason for him to exist?

Hold on. Does this mean that Guam's Governor Felix Camacho shouldn't exist as well? I don't understand. Please enlighten me with this one.

The Reveler

AP News: Fitial and Abramoff's The Ties That Bind...

This is AP News. CNMI Gov. Benigno R. Fitial says he couldn't distance himself from Abramoff because he is a dear good friend and you can't just abandon a dear friend.

WASHINGTON, USA ---- The governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) says he is cooperating with the U.S. Justice Department's corruption investigation around jailed Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, AP reports.

The CNMI also is still trying to retrieve some of the millions it paid Abramoff's firms, said Governor Benigno R. Fitial.

Mr Fitial referred questions about the Justice Department's inquiry to his Los Angeles attorney, Tom Pollack, who didn't immediately return calls for comment.

But Mr Fitial, a one-time Abramoff ally who in past years pushed to extend Abramoff's contract to represent the Marianas, refused to distance himself from the disgraced lobbyist.

“When I have a friend, that friend always remains a friend,” said Governor Fitial, who became House speaker of the Marianas in 2000 after intervention from two former aides to former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. After becoming speaker, Fitial pushed for Abramoff's contract to continue.

Abramoff, once a powerful behind the scenes figure in Washington, is cooperating with the government's wide-ranging influence-peddling investigation after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy and other charges and admitting to bilking his clients. The investigation already has netted guilty pleas from a dozen Bush administration and congressional aides and others and one former congressman, ex-Republican Rep. Bob Ney.

The scandals were a factor in helping Democrats win control of Congress from the Republicans in last November's elections.

One current member of Congress, Republican John Doolittle is a focus of the investigation. He was another Fitial ally, endorsing him for governor and pushing federal funding on his behalf.

“Doolittle, he's also a friend,” said Mr Fitial.

What do you think?

The Reveler

I Say Don't Shoot! What the...

Oh oh. The Chamber has spoken. This will be up in the paper tomorrow, i believe. Read on! I'm highlighting some words you might like...

Saipan Chamber of Commerce has taken Organization-wide Position on Proposed Federalization of Immigration

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce objects to federalization of CNMI immigration on principle; the CNMI government and business community did not have the opportunity to negotiate issues with the federal government. The legislation, as written, confirms that the federal government did not listen to the CNMI perspective.

There were a number of points that were not addressed: The CNMI has no guarantee of future access to a sufficient workforce; tourism is now the primary CNMI industry, yet there is no guarantee of future access to tourists from China and Russia; the entire guest worker program would completely phase out; and the legislation provides no economic relief for the impact of the contemplated changes.

Mr. Juan T. Guerrero is presenting the Chamber¹s position to the United States Congress in his capacity as President of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce. He is not in Washington, D.C. presenting his personal opinion.

The Chamber asks that retaliation not be taken against any individual businesses. Hurting one Saipan business hurts all Saipan businesses and residents. In a small economy, businesses rely on each other in daily commerce. There exists an economic domino effect, and if businesses suffer extensively, there will be a loss of jobs in the community.

So what do you think?

The Reveler

Stop Don't Shoot!

Whoa! Tomorrow's news will have Juan Pan's side of the story. He is obviously aware of the massive SMS/text campaign on banning or boycotting his businesses. He said, "Please don't shoot the messenger," adding that it was the Saipan Chamber of Commerce board's position on federal takeover.

The Reveler

SMS against Juan Pan...

Yesterday morning most of the non-resident workers (NRWs) in the CNMI received island wide SMS or text messages encouraging the NRWs not to patronize the businesses owned by Saipan Chamber of Commerce president John "Juan Pan" Guerrero, namely Herman's Bakery, Western Union, and Mita Travel et al for being against CNMI's federal takeover.

This is history repeating itself as they say when Rep. Ray Yumul introduced a bill that was regarded "anti-NRWs" before, that led to the closure of one Jollibee Restaurant branch that his family owned in Chalan Kanoa.

I went to an establishment and these NRWs were talking about the text message and murmured that they would try to follow the advice.

I sat today with former ranking officials and talked about issues on the island. This ranking official spoke about the stand of the Chamber of Commerce. Apparently, SCC's stand as the paper reported does not want "grandfathering" of the NRWs on the island.

The former official said one should request from the Chamber minutes of their meeting that the stand is actually the group's position and not just Juan Pan's. Makes sense to me.

He said Juan Pan's majority of workers for his successful businesses are NRWs that have been working for him at least five years and up. The former ranking official said this man should be investigated.

What do you think?

The Reveler

Senate Hearing...

All ears (and eyes too, just stay up till late midnight on the internet) about the upcoming US Senate hearing on Immigration in the CNMI on July 19 (July 20, Saipan time.) Familiar faces will be there e.g. Gov. Benigno Fitial and other officials.

Would this event just as they say, only a courtesy visit for the CNMI officials? We would soon find out.

Stay tuned!

The Reveler

Correction!

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



The Reveler

Daily Kos Dengre Files: Ben Tan Fitial

If you happen to have time to check this website http://dengre.dailykos.com, the blogger Dengre (not a mosquito related disease) posted recently a question of arresting the visiting CNMI governor in DC right now. Here's the post:

One of the key players in the Abramoff/Republican Corruption Scandal is in Washington DC tonight. He was there for the bribes, the payoffs, the secret deals between Jack and the Bush White House. He benefited from the crimes and did his part to further the GOP Criminal Conspiracy.

He is an architect of the system of human trafficking and abuse that has flourished on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for over 25 years. The sweatshops, forced prostitution, money laundering, gambling, graft, corruption and incompetence that have become synonymous with the rogue US Territory in the Western Pacific are all by-products of his criminal career.

His name is Benigno R. (Ben) Fitial. He is the Governor of the CNMI. Jack and Tom got him the gig.

Can we arrest him now?

The writer also posted a morphed mugshot with Fitial in orange shirt and a mock convict number....

Who's Dengre?

2 Billion of Rats?

Another news that CNMI resident former Rep. Frank Cepeda would have been glad to hear about - an infestation of rats in China numbering to billions. Cepeda in May called Environmental Health division to report rodents infestation in his place up on As Matuis. But read this news from BBC:

BBC-Severe flooding in central China has brought a mass invasion of mice, raising fears of outbreaks of disease.
The floods forced about two billion mice from islands in Dongting Lake in Hunan province, local officials said.
Health authorities have been sent to three cities on the lake and crops have been destroyed by the field mice.
Flooding and landslides have killed at least 360 people across southern and central China in recent weeks, with more rain expected, officials say.

Residents' revenge

The rodent rampage began on 23 June, when the flooded Yangtze River raised water levels in Dongting Lake, forcing the mice from their holes on islands in the lake, China's state-run news agency Xinhua said on Monday.
But Li Junhua, from Hunan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told Xinhua there had not yet been any reports of disease caused by the field mice.

Happy now Mr. Cepeda? I would've fainted if I'd witness those billion of rats or mice scampering around the island! 'You think the local folks would have a problem with their (rodents') residency? Would we see a rodent governor, if this happens?

The Reveler

CNMI's ER Horror Stories 1

*WARNING TOO SENSITIVE POST. DON'T READ IF YOU THINK THIS WILL GROSS YOU OUT*

Have you heard of any horror stories around the island as discovered at the Commonwealth Health Center's E.R.? Well, I have. Sources said the hospital has received several cases that shocked the wits out of them.

#1 - a couple came to the E.R., boyfriend was in bad shape. He was so embarrassed he couldn't sit down. He was holding his pants up. Doctor found out there was a whole orange stuck up his ass.

#2 - a woman with boyfriend came to E.R. in pain. A can of beer was in her (bleep bleep)

#3 - a woman came with boyfriend told doctors that she and her beau wanted to be adventurous in sex. They went to the beach, boyfriend got a sea cucumber and inserted it to her girl friend's (bleep bleep). The boyfriend thought he could easily remove the sea cucumber, but the couple didn't know that as defense mechanism of sea cucumbers, they expand when they are vexed. So, the couple went to the hospital with sea cucumber inside her.

Believe it or not. We didn't know either.

The Reveler

*I TOLD YOU NOT TO READ FURTHER IF YOU EASILY GET GROSSED OUT"

Saipan's "Pontiff" has spoken

The CNMI's highly regarded religious figure on the island has spoken out his disappointment with the group that lined up along Beach Road Saturday afternoon holding placards telling non-resident workers to go home.

He said in his pastoral address last Sunday that he was saddened by the incident.

Article in the paper reads:

BISHOP Tomas A. Camacho of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa has asked individuals involved in a recent protest calling for long-term alien workers to “go home” to “examine whether their actions were right.”
Messages of “hostility and hatred,” the bishop said, are against church teachings and the ultimate goal of a loving and peaceful island society.
The bishop was referring to the members of Taotao Tano who staged a rally on June 30 against Dekada, a group of long-term alien workers seeking to improve their immigration status.
Led by its president Greg Cruz, Taotao Tano displayed placards stating “No way Dekada, go home,” and “Dekada go home, this is our land” during the protest held at the intersection of Beach Road and Microl Corp. in San Jose.

The Reveler

Tummy fat can grow new breasts?

Just when you thought there's no hope for the island. Read this news from BBC:

Tummy fat 'can grow new breasts'
Fat from the tummy or bottom could be used to grow new breasts in a treatment which could be carried out in an hour - or a lunch break.
Scientists say they can create a fat mixture with concentrated stem cells, which, when injected into the breast, apparently encourages tissue to grow.
The therapy, detailed in Chemistry and Industry Magazine, could help cancer patients who have had mastectomies.
And if licensed, it may rival silicone for those seeking bigger breasts.
Using fat from the patient's own body to rebuild other areas is not a novel idea, but such reconstructions often fail as the fat is simply reabsorbed.
However using fat-derived stem cells appears to overcome this problem, according to the company behind the procedure, Cytori Therapeutics.

Then there goes my comments, but do I need to say more? It'll be a win-win situation for both horizontally and vertically challenged women in the Pacific. Who says body fats have no use? This could be the next big industry around Pacific Islands.

The Reveler

Who is racist on Saipan?

On Saipan, it`s not only a few Chamorros who have hatred of other races, colors, or even religion, although they are at the top of the list. The Tao Tao Tano group, while initially having some credibility in advancing community`s interests like the skyrocketing utility costs, has lost all that by being racist, by telling a group of long-term alien workers to go home because this is "our land."

But like I said, it`s not only the TTT or a few Chamorros.

Some examples of how some people treat each other on Saipan:

A journalist was yelled at by a Chamorro man for using the main entrance to the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe to attend a hearing early this year. The man told the journalist that the Chinese should use the side entrance. The journalist told the man: I`m here to cover the hearing. The man, shocked that the woman infront of him could actually communicate humanely, in English, said, :"Oh I`m sorry I thought you`re Chinese," and allowed the reporter to use the main entrance.

Every year at the Fourth of July parade, many Chamorro men and women yell at `other` parade spectators. When these so called locals see Asians blocking their view, they yell: "Hey, Hey! Go Go!" or "Go away," coupled with hand gestures suited for getting rid of flies and other insects. That`s why it`s a joke every time Liberation committee members or emcees talk of `unity in diversity` or friendship` etc. when, during the parade and they are seated comfortably on the main stage, they yell at non-locals, Caucasians included, blocking their view.

An Asian man was in a souvenir shop in Garapan. The Korean/Chinese saleslady told him that people like him want to just look at the merchandise but dont buy at all. the man thought to himself, maybe the reason why customers don`t buy from you is because of your attitude.

An Asian CUC customer patiently waited in line to pay their utility bills. After more than 30 minutes of waiting for her turn, the customer noticed that a local woman who just came in went straight to a `side` window where she was promptly attended to by a CUC employee. this happens all the time in other government agencies.

I have to mention how even elected officials and caucasian males lambast Asians, when in fact their children are half-Asians because guess what, they`re married to Asian women.

A woman walked past two Chamorras who are way too big for the typical islander. Within earshot, the woman could hear the other one told her friend: "She`s not Catholic. She`s so thin." Go figure.
(To be continued)

Poll Result: Gin Gridley Wins!

Gin Gridley rules our third survey! She looks better on TV beating Morgan Rose (and Chris Nelson).

Gin reaped a whopping 64.9 percent of the votes, while Morgan and Chris tied with !3.5 percent of the votes!

A measly 8.1 percent of the voters said none of them have good registry on the boob tube.

The Reveler

PTI-yay-yay!

I guess I really am mad.

False advertisements. Radio ads say that people can just exchange sim cards and use their GSM phones with the new PTI GSM sim cards. Hello? Remember, only dual and quadband phones can work with PTI sim so far? Oh please....

The Reveler

(BTW, if my new phones work with PTI's sim soon, ignore this post ;-)

PTI-yay-yay!

GSM--not! Ramblings of a cellular misfit

I went to the PTI Chalan Lau Lau office to get my postpaid PTI sim card yesterday to finally replace my super old CDMA phone and use my year old Nokia 3230 phone, which I've been using with Hafatel sim card. I also brought my newly bought Samsung T219. Two of PTI's young customer service agents came up to me and asked me if they were tri-band phones because triband phones won't work here only "dual and quad band." My other phone is triband 850 and I told them that is should work because as far as I heard it, the system of PTI is under GSM 850 to still accommodate the CDMA phones. So they took my phone and came back with the sad news that the phone wouldn't work. Yes, it wouldn't because the phone is still locked with T-Mobile. (I got the phone from Hawaii and brand new).

Then they tried my other GSM phone, the Nokia one. They came back to me and asked me for the lock code? I told them that I don't remember. Phones have generic lock codes, either 00000, 12345 or 1234 or 11111. But these kids don't know that. They said Hafatel must've locked it. I vehemently disagreed. I told them that I only bought a sim card from Hafatel and it does work. To make long story short, they turned me down.

So I went out and inside the car I configured the phone and used 00000 to unlock the phone to accommodate the PTI sim card. So I went back inside and told them. They tried the PTI sim card and they were surprised that it did accept the PTI sim card. However, the phone didn't have signal at all.

"Because it's triband sir," they said. I asked them if they're selling the new phones there because for a second, I resorted to buying another phone. "Sorry sir, it would be available tomorrow during our sale in Jollibee," they said. Why couldn't they sell right there and then? People came to their launching event? What's the point?

Arggh! To my dismay, I left PTI disheartened. I needed a new phone because I have a broken one from PTI.

I wouldn't buy a new phone, I told myself. If PTI won't deal with triband phones, I promise to switch to SaipanCell to redeem myself. My phone bills have been crazy with PTI anyway.

But whatever happened to SaipanCell's Docomo acquisition? Why is it until now, the company hasn't improved their GSM services yet, wherein fact they have Hafatel already? If SaipanCell would have a postpaid for Hafatel, I would definitely switch.

For PTI, they should've trained their staff first before the launching event yesterday. I pity those people who have less knowledge about cellphones, and would be told to their face that "it's triband phone sir, our system won't work with that phone" or "Hafatel must've have locked your phone" (That's nasty, accusing them immediately. For god's sakes, learn the hoops of cellphones. Basic info of it. Lock codes et al.)

The Reveler

Film Rev: Ratato-weee! vs. Trans-bore-mers

Ratatouille

We saw Disney's Ratatouille last weekend and i believe Disney has finally done it again! This is the best Disney animation since Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin! Well, except that in spite of it all, rats are still considered pests. The animation appeals to every one's weakness--food. There's no singing or a grandeur musical production in the movie, but one thing that will move you is how the screenplay appeals to the viewers as human beings, wanting to belong and longing to be appreciated. Ratatouille will bring you warmth and a light feeling in the end. It occurred to me that had it been my mom to see all those rats in the kitchen, she would have scrammed and fainted at the same time.

Transformers

Now, the Transformers. Yes, we saw the advance screening in front of humongous white wide screen of Hollywood Theaters last night. I was excited to see it because it has been showing in Asia since June 28. I grew up with the Transformers, as matter of fact, I have the VCD animation movie with me here. However, the movie really didn't live up to an avid Transformers fan standards.

Comments about the movie:

1.Director Michael Bay didn't recover from Pearl Harbor's loss. So much similarities with that movie--slow motion scenes, boarding pilots with sunset as background, music and scenes that reminded me of Armageddon with Liv Tyler and Ben Affleck displaying romance et. al.
2. Screenplay is terrible. Sorry, but it's overly written. Optimus Prime trying to be poetic with his lines? So many trying-to-be-funny lines.
3. Annoying parents of the lead character Sam (Shia L.), annoying FBI characters--again trying to be hilarious despite the seriousness in the scenes
4. Hold on, Megatron transforms into a high-powered gun as far as I recall, but in the movie he's an aircraft like Starscream.
5. Totally altered story.
6. I can't believe the robots went to earth to look for an eyeglass? c'mon!
7. Robots were made in utter details that during fight scenes, you won't recognize the robots fighting due to fast paced battle scenes. All you'd see are pieces of metal hurling each other.
8. Bumblebee and Sam didn't have that much scenes to show their affinity with one another but director Michael Bay tried to make it like a King Kong, Mighty Joe Young or Free Willy type of drama. Nice try though.

I guess the movie has a better audience with 8-years old and below. For us adults, it's just a nostalgia.

This movie has a lot of commercial sponsors in it. Panasonic memory card (they really have to show the brand!), Nokia phone (mentioned its origin), Mac and so on! That's why it has to be promoted well. During last MTV Movie Awards, Transformers the movie was the official sponsor. The movie was even given an award, "The Best Movie You Haven't Seen Yet."

I believe when you're movie is like this one, you really have to invest in so much marketing it.

What am I saying? I'd still buy a DVD copy of this--it's Transformers for god's sake!

The Reveler