What is this?

Just some random musings .
Showing posts with label time for change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time for change. Show all posts

Monday, February 16, 2009

I AM LIL' HAMMERHEAD!

Like the cry "Yes We Can!" Perhaps the CNMI now has a mantra for change:

 "I am Lil' Hammerhead!"

I believe it symbolizes for many a detachment from the status quo. 

It is more than an anonymous blogger. 
It is a mindset. 
It is a spirit. 
It is a movement.

Are you Lil' Hammerhead? 

I have compiled a list of people who I believe are Lil' Hammerhead (not the author herself of the blog... but individuals who resemble Lil' in spirit, mindest and independant break from the norm.) they often times do not agree on things but they openly address the issues. They focus on solutions. They engage each other in conversation and debate. They are the change the CNMI needs now. 

Tina Sablan
Ron Hodges
Edwin Propst
Harry Blalock
Randy Steele
Doc Murdock
Greg Cruz
Glen Doutrich *(rip)
Jesse Torres
Zaldy Dandan
Jaime Vergara
Glen Hunter
Rob Hunter
Kimo Rosario
Bill Stewart
Jane Mack
Ed Diaz Jr.
Ed Diaz Sr.
Frank Stewart
David Sablan Sr.
Steve Sablan
Ken Phillips
Roger Ludwick
Tony Pelligrino
Rick Villegas
Leila Staffler
Lawrence Boyer
Kristy Springer
Jessica Barcinas Taylor
John Davis
Bill Weiss
Kitz Barja
John Camacho Sr.
Oscar Camacho
Steve Jang
Ed Salas
Alex Sablan
Mike Sablan
Merced Ada
Roxanne Diaz
Eugenio Sablan
Jay Santos
Ken Govendo
Sam McPheters Sr.
Frica Pangelinan
Efrain Camacho
Joe Dela Cruz
Jean Cruz
Gloria Hunter
Tammy Hunter
Doug Brennan
Hans Mickelson
Robert Russell
Ivan Propst
Jim Benedetto
Lupe Manglona
Ambrose Bennett
Jim Davis
Ken Kramer
William Hunter
Kelvin Rodeo
Jane Mack
Boni Reyes
Heather Calderwood
George Haberman
Wes Bogdan
Kalani Reyes
Martha Mendiola
Jovana Mafnas
Bertha Camacho
Don Farrel
Tom Arkle
Debra Fleming
Barry Toves
Mark Hanson
Robert Torres
Sisi Alvarez
Scott Thompson
Francis Amog
Augustus Loste
Jayvee Vellejera
David Khorram
Catherine Anderson
Scott Godfather Dottino 
Rebecca Warfield
Jeff Warfield
Del Benson
Jon Anderson
Joe Ayuyu
Peter Houk
Katheryn Barry
George Cruz
Mike Ada
Chuck Jordan
Ann Jordan
Robert Jordan
Jessica Jordan
Bob Coldeen
Lillian Tenorio
Boss Alvarez
Cuki Alvarez
Joleen Salas
Nicollete Villagomez
Sister Martha Ramarui
Norma Ada
Sam McPheters Jr.
Ruth Tighe
Boni Reyes
Maria Pangelinan
Jim Rayphand
Jean Rayphand
Sapuro Rayphand
Reina Camacho
Fran Castro
Mike Bugsby
Steve Woodruff
Ed Stevens Jr.
Ed Calvo
John Mixson
Ken O'Harnett
D.C. Revilla
Kate Fuller
Carlos Ketebengang
Agatha Ketebengang
John Igitol
Caisha Sablan
Patricia Coleman
Mark Hanson
Emlyn Aldan
Paul Camacho
Lori Serna
Larrisa Larson
Carline B Sablan
Betty Ann Palacios
Florine Hofschneider
Daniel Lamar
George Haberman
Bob Taguchi
Alan Markoff
Phillip Swett



Did I miss anyone? Of course I did. Add to my list.

Hmm, seems to me like to start of one heck of a group.

And we are off...

Friday, August 22, 2008

A CALL TO ACTION:

My dear friends.

Have you finally reached that point?

As a reader of this blog you are well aware of my distain towards the corruption that has been allowed fester in the CNMI. I had said time and time again that, "it can't get any worse". Time and time again I have been proven wrong. It can get worse, has gotten worse and will still yet continue to worsen if something drastic doesn’t occur to put an end to it.

Over the last few years our administration and our legislature have done nothing to correct these problems. In fact, they have actually done a multitude of things to worsen our current situation.

People have started to voice their concerns. In the papers, on the internet, across the picnic tables, in homes and even now within the House of Representatives. All these voices have fallen on deaf and dumb ears.

Change cannot take place with these voices alone. Action is required. People are being hurt physically, emotionally and mentally by the actions of our government. Poverty is at an all time high. Basic social services are failing us. Money is being taken from us.

We are being robbed not at gun point by a masked stranger but out in the open by our Administration and our Legislature who use the guise of normal government operations as justification.

How are they robbing us?

They take your hard earned tax dollars, your fund contributions, your public land monies, your federal funds, the government fees collected and do the following:

  • They employ unqualified relatives either directly or through connections with constituents (i.e. Mayor's Office, Glenda Reyes, etc.)
  • They sign sole sourced contracts and transfer monies to companies without ever holding them accountable for receivables. Funneling millions of our dollars into businesses that have no intent on producing what is required in an effort to obtain kickbacks and political favors. (i.e. DCM, CISCO, etc)
  • The Representatives steal $3 million per year and use it any way they please without any accountability. (i.e. discretionary funds to buy tables, tents, car leases, cell phones, anything they wish to use it for --- that money was ours)
  • The Committees steal millions of dollars a year for committee operations yet they hardly ever meet. They use the money for travel, ghost employees, personal equipment, etc. (none of which is ever accounted for)
  • The Senate steals Millions a year in subsistence allowances
  • They pillage your retirement fund and public land fund.
  • The Legislature passes laws to funnel our money to pet projects with no plan or accountability in exchange for political favors and kick backs.
  • The administration steals millions and funnels it to cronies he keeps on staff as consultants. No receivables ever required or produced. (i.e. Willens, Jesus Camacho, etc)
    ETC.

I can go on and on but I think the point is not the actual instances anymore but more so the fact that we all know this is happening. That we all hear about these blatantly corrupt practices. That we all read about it in the news. That we all are fully aware it is taking place.

We have tried to reason with them. To hold forums and speak with one voice to our government servants. To write letters to the editor to voice our concerns. We have met personally with our legislators and the Governor. All in vain. They do not want to hear us. They will not change based on vocal requests. They have been so blatant as to say directly that they are the leaders and that what the public wants is of no concern to them. That they were voted into office to make the decisions and that our concerns are of no concern to them.

What are we going to do about it?

If it was a robbery in the middle of the night and you were stirred, what would you do? What if your family's safety was in jeopardy?

Some would rise and do what it takes to chase off the robber.

Some would strike him and take down.

It is time to rid our home of these robbers.

Why haven’t we?

You may personally know them. You may be related to them. You may have voted for them. You may work for them. You may feel there is no one better. You may feel that only time will rid us of them.

Stop! Stop making excuses for your complacency. Stop justifying their corruption. Stop allowing them to pillage your home and lay waste to your children’s futures. Stop the fear.

The time has come for us to stand up to it. To chase the robbers out of town. To strike if that becomes necessary.

Look at your life. Look at the lives of your family. Look at your young ones, your old one. What have their lives become? What has yours become?

It should not be this way. We don't have to accept it.

Do you feel we need:

  • A smaller government
  • An end to the rampant corruption
  • Accountability
  • Qualified department heads and staff
  • Transparency
  • Accountability
  • A solid and set plan for the future of the CNMI

If so, then you are not alone. Over the past months I have amassed a fairly large group of like minded individuals. In order to effectuate change we need more. We need you. Not your silent support. We need your presence.

If you are ready to come to aid of your brothers and sisters --- If you are ready to rid these islands of these pitiful government looters --- If you are willing to break this cycle of abuse --- If you are ready and willing to become part of CNMI History --- Then email me ( pragmaticplato@gmail.com ).

What will we do?

  • We will converse
  • We will exchange ideas
  • We will plan
  • We will act
  • We will all bring about change

PP
REVOLT

Friday, December 7, 2007

Some Positive News.

Yes it has been one of those weeks.

I read in the papers today about the comments to our Governor from Sen. Bingaman. For the past few months I have been resigning myself to the fact that the Senate Bill may not have any more forward moment and that it all may have all switched over to the US House Bill (with the provision removed and added Visa Exemptions for Guam foreign workers and tourist).

The Senate Bill is intact and judging from the letter to our Gov. Fitial from Sen. Bingaman it appears it is still alive and kicking. It appears that our Governor sent a letter over to the Senate and House once again slamming them and shooting off his mouth with accusation about how the Feds don't know what is going on in the CNMI and that they need to wait for the GAO reports before acting on this legislation.

Well this letter form Fitial stirred the pot. Thankfully.

The actual Bingaman - Fitial Letter (it is a great read. click here). Until then here is one of my favorite quotes:

"Your second concern that action on the bill should be deferred until after GAO completes its ongoing report on the CNMI, reflects a misunderstanding of the reasons the report was requested. GAO's assistance was sought to provide Federal agencies with the information needed to implement S. 1634, not to assist the Committee in determining whether to act on the bill."


Damn. :-)