Big Props to Tommy!

Tommy Remengesua Jr. Recognized by Time Magazine as and Environmental Hero

More Lies & Disception From the Pro-SCA Folks

So they went from this : http://www.tinasablan.com/forum/?p=21

to this:


So I guess they have been backed so far into a corner that they have nothing left to do then pretend to be me.

If you happen to see a comment posted anywhere in the blogsphere that doesn't Jive with what I have been saying on my blog then simply click on the name link "pragmatic plato". If it doesn't link back to this site then it is a proponent of the SCA masquerading as me. Fitting it is Halloween after all.

It is easy to tell the fake Plato he is posting the same idiotic BS that Bruce has been spewing.

Happy Halloween All!

Boycott Porky's!

PP

Best Blog Comment of the Day!

http://www.tinasablan.com/forum/?p=13#comment-419


Pete on 31 October, 2007 at 8:42 am Comment ID #419

"I’ve been tempted to vote “Yes” on the Casino Initiative solely because I abhor the pontificating of Ambrose (I love me; I think I’m grand. When I go to the movies, I hold my hand) Bennett.And while I think that La Fiesta would be an ideal spot for two upscale casinos - one at La Fiesta 1 and 1 at La Fiesta 3, with restaurants and other non gaming activities in the middle- this current initiative is so full of holes it’s making my swiss cheese jealous.So I’ll be voting “NO” to this initiative and “YES” for Tina Sablan on November 3."

A Call for a Boycott of Porky's!

BOYCOTT PORKY'S! The only thing right about this place is the name. None more fitting could describe the peice of shit bruce bateman is.

BOYCOTT PORKYS!

Why???

http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?newsID=73744&cat=3

Glen, Lil, Jeff, et al ... that have said that I was being harsh, yes I am!

This is infuriating.

FROM THE PORK'S MOUTH: When it comes time to mark your ballot inside that closed voting booth, you must vote for those persons and initiatives that have the best chance to improve your lot in life and that of your family and country. “No” doesn't improve anything. “No” is just a blind cry against change. I will vote “Yes” for the Saipan Casino Act because I think it is in my family's best self-interest to have a better economy. I believe it is in your families' best self-interest to do so as well so I ask you to please vote “Yes” this coming Saturday.

And not one attempt to address even one concern or question.

GO TO HELL! YOU MONEY GRUBBING SCUM!

I will boycott you on priciple and I will encourage other to as well.

"Yes, I passed that terrible bill. Why? Well, why not?"

“I really didn't have too much time to review the bill and submit my comments because I was told that it would be calendared one day before. It was a crammed review. .I'm sure if I had more time I would've come up with more but there were pressure-internal and external pressure-to try and get that bill out,” he said.

Are you kidding me? Should this be a satisfactory explanation for pumping out crap legislation. If more time is needed then demand more time. What the hell is going on up there.

“I don't feel very comfortable with the bill. But with my amendments, I feel a lot better. I'm still not satisfied that it's the product that we need to put out, simply because there are so many contradictions on the bill, so many flaws, so many things that I do not subscribe to,” he said.

But he will give it the thumbs up and send it to the House and hope that they review and ask to sit down and discuss it. If they decide to just go with it and pass it then to the Gov's office it goes. We will never learn.

Read the whole story here: AND WE PUT THESE PEOPLE UP THERE?!

Best Headline of the Day

"Atalig stabbed Senate in the back"

So sad it is almost humorous. So let me see if I get this straight.

1. Reyes dealt with Atalig when drafting legislation to extend but limit the number of non-resident contract workers that CUC can hire. It appears that he dealt with him under the pretext that Atalig's company would do the manpower logistics.
   
2. Atalig did not agree with Reyes and the Senate lowering the number of non-res that CUC could hire.
   
3. Reyes and Atalig spoke about the issue and they arrived at an understanding that 8 non-res would be allowed under the Senate legislation.
   
4. Atalig decided to try his luck with the House and wrote a letter to the House requesting that they amend the Bill when it arrives on the floor.
   
5. Reyes found out about Atalig going to the House and cried foul. How dare Atalig approach the House in an attempt to get his way?
   
6. Reyes now irate adds a provision into the Senate bill to exclude any manpower agency with pending claims against them (Remember this excludes any company with claims against them. Not convictions). Obviously Reyes does not believe in the innocent until proven guilty philosophy.

So what is it the makes me so upset? The fact that Reyes was so tight with Atalig when drafting up legislation that should have been focused more on the plight of CUC and their needs? The fact that Atalig's company it appears was already given the manpower contract as implied by this statement from Reyes (where is the opening bidding process):

“I talked to him before we went to Rota and also talked to him on Rota informing him that we already consented to authorize not 20 of his employees, as we we're going to limit it to just eight, and he agreed. He wanted nine but I told him 'no.' He said to add one more, but I told him 'no!' The limit is eight and he consent[ed] to it,” said Reyes.

The fact that they would act so petty and with such a direct personal attack (on one company) when drafting up our public laws? The fact that he openly admitted all of this to the Tribune reporters?

PP

Learn Something New Everyday

It has been brought to my attention that I was not thorough enough on my initial readings of the SCA. I seemed to have overlooked a major caveat.

I have mentioned before that should this Act pass it could only be amended or repealed in the future by the same process that brought it into law (Local Initiative and a 2/3 favored vote within the third senatorial district).

Perhaps I was so steamed byt hte time I got to Article X of the Saipan Casino Act that my vision was blurred and my mind was overheated.

I WAS WRONG.

If this Saipan Casino Act becomes law (garnering the necessary 8,300 or so yes votes) it can only be amended by approval of NMD registered voters in the Third Senatorial District.

Article X, Section 8. General – Amendment. Any proposed amendment to the “Saipan Casino Act” shall be approved or disapproved by the NMD registered voters only in the Third Senatorial District through local initiative.

You hear that Bruce? That mean if you vote yes on this and then feel something should be amended you are Shit outta luck. You would not be allowed to vote on it.

Furthermore, at the moment the Election Office does not have a listing of registered NMD voters. This information is not gathered when an individual registers to vote, nor should it be. How on earth would we even be able to verify NMD of 12,500 registered voters? Genealogy studies of each and every individual? Just take their word on it and only check into one that people question? One of your grandparents would have to have been domiciled in the CNMI prior to 1950 and have been a TT citizen. Good luck with the paperwork on that.

I wonder how much it would cost to put that list together. I wonder how much it would cost to defend this clause in courts.

This Act gets better as each day goes by.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow morning for Harry's Show on the various aspects of the provisions contained within the SCA.

Boycott? Is It a Form of Freedom of Speech?

I have been mulling over another thing in regards to the Saipan Casino Act. Specifically, Bruce Bateman's Pro stance on the issue and his weekly preachings in support of it without ever once addressing the many concerns with the Saipan Casino Act itself.

Rather than analysing the Act and putting out any concerns that have been raised (Public Land, Unregulated Monopoly, Initial Funding, Legal Problems with the Act itself, etc) he has opted to continue spewing the same old propaganda in support of the Act and continued attacking those with questions and concerns on a personal level.

So that being said, should I try and start a Boycott of his Bar?

I first heard this the other day from a friend. I was headed out to have a few drinks and places to hit were being thrown out. Porky's came up and a person I was with said, "Hell No! I am boycotting that place." I was thrown aback.

I am a staunch supporter of freedom of speech. Having grown up in Saipan it was very disturbing to me that people who spoke their minds would often times be penalized with some sort of ostracizing on a personal or business level. I quickly told the group I was with that this may not be the "right" thing to do. I told them just because Bruce has a different stance on a public issue then you do should not be cause to inflict financial harm on him via a boycott.

I argued my position well and they all resolved not to boycott the place but reiterated the fact that they were upset with his position on the SCA.

After thinking on the matter a bit more and after posting numerous comments on Bruce's blog regarding his stance on the SCA I have begun to wonder if I was right in not endorsing a Boycott of Porky's.

Perhaps it was the premise for the Boycott that was wrong and not the boycott itself. What I mean is, Why not Boycott Porky's, not for the fact that Bruce supports the SCA, but Boycott it until he allays the public concerns and questions regarding the many facets of the Act that appear to be extremely detrimental to Saipan.

I mean he is publicly supporting it in his weekly columns, at debates, in conversations, and so forth and yet he never tackles the heart of the matter.... the Saipan Casino Act itself. In doing so I believe he is directly threatening the well-being of myself and those living in Saipan. Would I ever offer dinner to a burglar that was looting my house?

This is a very interesting conundrum.

In my opinion Bruce had jumped the gun and blindly embraced Casinos in Saipan before ever reading the Act (Just as Mr. Turbitt had). I believe he came under attack from those opposed to the Saipan Casino Act and lashed out in defense. He may now have so embraced his stance in favor of it that there (in his mind) is no going back. If this is the case then he is putting the island at risk and jeopardizing all those living in Saipan by spewing his propaganda. Why should I in turn assist him financially while he continues to harm me financially (taking my tax dollars to pay for this commission, taking our land at $1/year, etc.) without ever feeling obligated to explain away the many concerns or at least let us see what he sees in regards to these concerns. The "let's take a gamble" argument is crap.

What do you think?

PP (on the fence.... to Boycott Porky's or not to.)

Do I hear a "YES"?

Lil Hammerhead pointed something out the other day that has been really getting to me. She said that it is so odd that as soon as a conversation regarding the Casino Act starts to focus on the provisions of the act itself all of the Proponents quickly tuck tail and run.... usually tossing a few choice personal stabs before ducking out.

Why is this?

This blog actually started out indirectly because of the Saipan Casino Act. I had posted a comment on Mr. Turbitt's blog after he ran his column praising Casinos. to make a long story short, he banned and censored my comments when i told him that the public may infer that he was in support of the Saipan Casino Act. I also asked him if he had even seen the Act before running the column in the local paper. His response was unprovoked personal attacks resulting in him censoring my comments and banning me from his blog. My only point I was trying to get through was that he may want to specify that he is in support of Gambling and not the SCA if that was the case. Turns out a month later he seems to be singing that tune now... go figure.

I still don't understand why he lashed out in such a manner. If he ever posts the deleted comments the public can read through them and see that he was overly defensive and was reacting like a cornered cat.

But let me get back to my initial point. It appears that no matter what blog I hop onto that is dealing with the subject of the Saipan Casino Act, the proponents keep pushing these false promises in support of the act. As soon as I post a concern or question directly related to the provisions contained within the Casino Act they shell up and all goes completely quiet.

Here are a few blog examples:

http://www.tinasablan.com/forum/?p=5#comment-339
http://www.saipanwriter.blogspot.com/ (multiple instances on this blog)
http://saipanuvian.blogspot.com/2007/10/sour-grapes-for-tuesday-october-16th.html
http://saipanuvian.blogspot.com/2007/10/sour-grapes-for-tuesday-october-9th.html

Many other blog chains exist online and they all follow the same trend.

The only explanation I have is that those in support of the Act blindly embraced it without ever reading it. After coming under heat and trying their darnedest to argue their points they read the Act and found out that they were completely off-base in supporting it. Rather than come forward and just admit that they no longer support the Act itself they stick their heads in the sand like an ostrich. A few from time to time will shoot out nonsensical comments still preaching support but with no factual basis and still with no acknowledgement what-so-ever to the concerns and questions that have been raised.

Their is another possibility. Perhaps they did change their tune and decided to speak up and inform the public that they were no longer in support of the Saipan Casino Act. Perhaps that news go out to the NMDIC Mafia and they have bound and gaged them and thrown them into the back of a truck and driven them out to Marpi.

I guess what I am trying to get at is can anyone at all that is still in support of voting Yes on the Saipan Casino Act please step forward and address the numerous concerns that have been raised by myself and many others? Can any one of them address the damn Act itself?

I Love a Good Analogy

Just read a comment post that compared the citizens of our commonwealth to a bunch of individuals running in circles through the jungle blindfolded. I love to use analogies and this one is spot on:

http://www.tinasablan.com/forum/?p=5#comment-339

Enjoy

Your Computer Minute - Tech Talk - II

Ok this one is more like a Computer Second.

Just found this kewl Google BlogSearch Engine:

http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en

I am having loads of fum searching blogs from all over the world. It is cross blogform (will search a variety of differnt blog sites (blogspot, wordpress, etc.) .

Enjoy.

The Saipan Casino Act Conspiracy

So I have for a few weeks now been wondering what is going on in regards to this Saipan Casino Act and the heated debates we are seeing on both sides of the issue. I was not very surprised that when mentioning Gambling in the CNMI it will rouse up a good debate. What has surprised me the most is the way these debates have gone.

I have read the letters tot he editor, visited the PRO and CON web blogs, read comments and posts on various forums, personally spoken to people on both sides of the fence, etc. The thing that surprised me the most (and was the most alarming to me me) was that the PRO side almost never referenced or acknowledged any clause or provision actually contained within the SCA itself. Even more ludacris they would shun any debate dealing with exact provisions or the SCA initiative. They instead have been staunchly touting the SCA passage as a way for the CNMI to gain extreme wealth. They also speak loudly about how the passage of the SCA will kill the poker industry. They also speak of how this will save Govt Jobs and so on and so forth. Never once have I seen any of the proponents reference any clause within the Act that spells these benefits out.

How can people so blindly support something? I understand that their maybe a few people who will personally gain from the passage of this Act (7 Commissioners and Employees of NMDIC) but what of all the others?

Why would they purposely avoid looking at the SCA itself and instruct the voting populace to just blindly vote "yes" based on unproven, unfounded claims?

Why would they shun any question from a concerned voter that references any part of the SCA itself?

Why would they not want people to read and understand fully all of the provisions of the SCA?

I thought at first it was due to a strong influence by a few connected individuals who have already been given the head nod to have a Commissioners Seat ($4k/month and then readjust it themselves personally after 4 years) or perhaps one of the people who are connected personally to the relatively unknown NMDIC (Who is NMDIC? Does it exist?). I thought that perhaps their lobbying efforts were garnering so much public support and blind faith. I have seen this in the past. But I still was not conviced that this would be the root cause of a cluster group to so strongly and vehemently defend the SCA against any type of challenge or questioning.

There must be more to the SCA than I first saw (a few fat cats wanting my hard earned tax dollars to go to their mansions on the hill and fancy SUVs).

I think I have found it:


The PUBLIC LANDS PROVISION in the Saipan Casino Act. This provision has the strength and power to justify NMDIC pay top dollar to ensure that the SCA passes.

Here is the section in it's entirety:

ARTICLE XII - Section 8. Public Land. The Department of Public Land (DPL) or any future entity responsible for the administration of public lands in the Commonwealth, upon this Act becoming law and at the request of the NMDIC, shall issue public land to NMDIC. NMDIC shall hold leasehold interest to all public land issue by DPL and pay one dollar ($1.00) per year for the land or lands issue by DPL for as long as NMDIC is in business. The land or lands issue to NMDIC shall not be transferable. Upon dissolution of NMDIC, the land including all improvements shall revert back to DPL or its future named entity without cost.

If the SCA passes it will give NMDIC the rights to ALL PUBLIC LANDS at $1/year forever. That is right ANY AND ALL PUBLIC LANDS can be given to one for-profit corporation. The SCA does not state what the land can be used for. It does not state that it can not be sublet. It does not bar the NMDIC from doing anything at all with the land.

This is huge. There is no saving clause in the SCA that gives DPL the power to deny any request for land from NMDIC.

NMDIC can request ALL/ANY PUBLIC LAND in ANY DISTRICT. Yep Tinian and Rota too. There are no safeguards in place what so ever.

NMDIC will be the the sole lessee of ALL PUBLIC LANDS if they choose to request them. Why wouldn't they? They are a for-profit corporation. They will issue requests from the get go. They will amass all the public land. They will build whatever they want on the land and they will pay $1/year forever for it.

You may say that the this is no big deal. We can pass the SCA and if they do try this we can have the legislature amend the SCA to prevent this.

WE CAN'T. The legislature can not in anyway alter this Act once it is passed. In order to change it it would have to be through legislative initiative. The same drawn out process it is going through now.


This is INSANE.

Someone stop the madness.

You Are Gambling With My Children's Lives.

I have stumbled across what must be the most hot forum regarding the casino act online. Please Click on this link to it :

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

I will weigh in with more on the subject in the next posts. I have posted comments on the forum above. I encourage everyone to ask questions and use this forum and mine to create dialogue.

Let the people talk.

Your Computer Minute - Tech Talk

I will try and do a techie post at least once a month (maybe once a week). Seeing as how my day job has me dealing with software and hardware all day why on earth would I want to spend my free time doing this? Well, maybe I can get syndicated and slide in a few shots at Mr. Turbitt in print in the Tribune. And, hell, I more than likely will be doing this post on the clock anyhow.

Today’s Topic: Feed Readers (aka Feed Aggregators) - An Avid Bloggers Wet Dream Come True

What is a Feed Reader?

"In computing, a feed aggregator, also known as a feed reader or simply as an aggregator, is client software or a Web application which aggregates syndicated web content such as news headlines, blogs, podcasts, and vlogs in a single location for easy viewing."
~ Wikipedia

If you are like me, you spend quite a long time hopping from one blog to the next in order to find out if there are any new posts. An older shortcut would have been saving the blogs you frequent in your favorites or adding a bookmark of some sort within your browser of choice. While this makes it a bit easier to jump from blog to blog, you must still scroll through to see if there are any updates to each and every blog you visit. Comments within these blogs is a whole ‘nother story. To find out if there were any new comments posted since your last visit you have to remember how many comments were left the last time you stopped in and scroll through the blog looking for any of the "comments #" that has increased. This gets impossible if you have been away from a blog for any long period of time. Also, you may never see comments added to much older posts that do not show up on the main page of the blog site. I hope I have not lost you yet and that most bloggies can relate to this.

Well there is a very simple solution to this cumbersome procedure. Feed Readers have the ability to allow a user to consolidate all the blogs they would normally frequent into one easy access page (know as subscribing). That is right you can view all your favorite blog posts in one magazine-like online page.

"Blogger Nirvana" you say? Hold tight it gets better.

I know anyone that keeps tabs on more than 4 blogs will be thinking, "That would be Blog Post Overload". They may fear that they would be presented with a page full of contless old and new posts from the blogs that they decide to subscribe to. Fear not. Once you read a post you can mark it as read and it will no longer show on the page. Each time a new blog is posted on any of the blogs you subscribe to your Feed Reader page will automatically be updated (by the fairy blogger).

What this means is that you can now go to your Feed Reader online and it will present you with all updated blog posts (or ones you have not read) from all the sites you fancy.

"What about all the comments? You said it allows me to see all the updated comments within the blog?" you wail. This is true. Most blogs give the Feed Readers the ability to subscribe to the comments section as well. This allows you to see not only all update blog (or unread) posts on that one page but all updated comments as well.

No that I have sold you on the benefits and I have you drooling over this Feed Reader phenomenon, I know what little voice in your head is saying. "How much does it cost for this amazing service?" All this would normally run you around $39/month at your local Bloggers Buy retail store.... But if you act now and send me cash or check in the amount of just $38.99 This can all be yours. And for a limited time only the first 50 bloggers to purchase will also get a set of Ginsu blades....

Just kidding. The service is completely FREE.

There are many online Feed Reader services that allow you to sign up and start subscribing to your favorite blogs for Free. The one I use is Google's Feed Reader. Damn is there anything they don't do online? One of the neat features is that if you already have a Google Gmail account or Google Blogger account or Google Analyzer account, or Google Gbank account.... whoops, that’s right the Gbank service launches in Jan '08... then you can use your login name and password and log on immediately and start configuring your own personal Feed Reader.

Configuring it is as simple as browsing the internet.

1. Go to www.google.com/reader
2. Log in with your Gmail account
3. Hit the “add subscription” button
4. Type in pragmaticplato.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
5. Click “add”
6. And viola… the recent blog posts appear on the right side.
   

For comments do all the steps above but replace the URL in step 4 with the following: pragmaticplato.blogspot.com/feeds/comments/default . The most recent comments from that blog will now also appear on the right hand side.

Continue this process until you have added all the blogs you care to follow, replacing “pragmaticplato” with the blog name of your choice.

After you have added all your subscriptions and browsed through all the posts and comments on the right side, click the “mark all as read” button at the top. Then click the “all items” button and every time you visit your Feed Reader site only the new comments and posts from all of your subscriptions will show up.

If I have succeeded in completely confusing you there is a very easy to understand tutorial movie on the homepage of the Google Feed Reader site that will clear it all up for you.

That’s all for today folks. Feel free to post any comments or questions. Till next week …. Happy Blogging!

Unfiltered.

Seeing as how this comment is getting lost in the flow at Saipanmiddleroad.blogspot.com I have decided to repost it here. I am very interested in what people may have to say on this issue. This is in regards to the heated controversy of having the Iranian President speak at Columbia. Many people have criticized this and said that he should not have been given him the stage.

I think that no one should be censored from speech. People liken him to Hitler. I say let him talk. People can listen and then come to their own decision on how they feel about him. I can come to my opinion without someone stopping me from listening for fear that I may not be able to handle what he has to say. Thank you for trying to protect us, but it truly is not necessary.

Who among us is so great that they have the right to decide these matters? Who is so perfect that they can cast such a large stone as one large enough to suppress the freedom of speech? Some have said that freedom of speech is limited to Americans. I can not believe that they feel that way. But that is their opinion and so be it. My opinion is that it is not limited. Speak. Question. Listen. Decide not to listen. Make up your own mind and stop worrying about filtering things for the masses.

If he is not welcome and people all believe what the press is reporting, if I am alone in believe that he should be allowed to say whatever he wants to, if all Americans believe he should not be given an audience then all they had to do was not show up. Quick easy simple solution. Obviously people showed up. Obviously the news covered it. Obviously they don't embrace the thought that he should not have been given an audience. How hypocritical is that that you say he should not be allowed to speak then go and watch him?

Here is my comment from Middle Road:

Pragmatic Plato said...
The homosexuality comment made up about 20 seconds of his entire forum. I personally feel it was slightly misinterpreted. I watched the entire forum last night (an unedited version). I have read interviews and backstories on him and seen him in two other interviews. He appears to be a very intelligent man. Many people's preconceived notions of who he is and what he believes in stem from misreported facts, spin, items taken out of context, etc.

I laughed at each and everyone of the questions that were asked of him after his speech. Each question was phrased with an attack and laced with information that may have not been accurate. I love the fact that he took a deep breath and entertained the questions none the less.

He was cordial, eloquent and poised. I often wonder how we as a country can so easily and blindly accept what mainstream media pumps out as truth. I also wonder why it is so hard for people to remove themselves from their own comfort zone and try and see things from another person's point of view.

Remember the US a few years back had slaves, committed hateful crimes against them, did not condone homosexuality, had massive amounts of crimes including death against homosexuals, aided iraq in administering the use of chemical weapons on iran, back isreal with support in a fight against the palistinian people, the only country to ever use a nuclear weapon in combat (not once but twice), continues to develop nuclear arms and test them, still has the death penalty and utilizes it, there are places in the U.S. in which homosexual acts are illegal and can be punished by imprisonment and fines, the list goes on and on.

Regarding the Homosexuality question, here is how our US Military sees homosexuality:

"US Military
Statute: US Code Title 10, Section 47, Subchaper X, Sec. 925. Art. 125. Sodomy.
Penalty: Court Martial
Classification: Felony
Restrictions: None
Enforcement: 106 members of the armed services were discharged during the 2000 fiscal year that ended September 30, 2000, for homosexual acts according to the Pentagon.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Statute
Section 47 - Uniform Code of Military Justice, Subchapter X, Punative Articles
Sec. 925. Art. 125. Sodomy

(a) Any person subject to this chapter who engages in unnatural carnal copulation with
another person of the same or opposite sex or with an animal is guilty of sodomy.
Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the offense.

(b) Any person found guilty of sodomy shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. "


Major case of pot calling the kettle black? Chime in. Lets try and keep this related to the issue at hand and not turn it into another "you are anonymous so it doesn't matter" debate.

9/28/2007 10:39 AM

An Acceptable Form of Censorship - Self Censorship

I noticed today that the self-proclaimed "best blog in Saipan" has put up barricades on general public access. I think this is a great move on his part. If you don't like public comments then why post publicly? It wouldn't be right for me to walk into someones house and start commenting about issues that are discussed. It would be right for me to chime in if a person is standing on the stage at a public forum. I think Mr. Turbitt should follow suit and do the same thing.

If the heat on your blog gets too intense close up shop and head home.

What do you think?

Newspaper Quote of the Day - And I Thought Socrates was Bad

I don't even know where to begin with this one? For the first time in many many years I am at a loss for words.

...Japanese women in the deliciously slutty attire I’ve always appreciated...

- Mr. Turbitt

The quote appeared in today's installment from the educator's column. I must say the title of his blog has never seemed more appropriate than now. Hypocrisy at its finest. You make that statement in the same breath in which you fault MVA for its inability attracting tourist from Japan. I am not even in Japan, not even a woman... but Good Zeus Almighty, I am offended and I would think twice about ever visiting Saipan if I was.

It gets better, he goes on later in his column to state how Guam has erred in allowing Strip Clubs and Karaoke (EkGads.... not a singing joint) to set up shop in the tourist district. Please tell me I am not alone in being completely boggled by his train of thought and basic logical skills. Does he fear that the Strip clubs will compete against the "sluttily dressed Japanese Tourist" that he so adores?

Remember folks this is a publicly printed news column. Do chime in.

2007 Candidates Take Center Stage ... Online (My Takes)

The following is a comment from Saipan Blogger's Site that I posted. I will post it here in case it gets censored... seeing as how me posting on his blog kind of begs to question the validity of the the "I am dead" line he flung at me.

The follwing is my take on the same 7 sites that Saipan Blogger visited and reviewed and my take on them.


DEAD MAN TALKING:

I pulled up Joe Camacho’s site and it isn't bad. it gives background on him. i wish it had a bit more on what he stand for and what his takes on the issues are. It appears he may still be putting it together. He does have contact info and a couple phone numbers for voters to call him at. He does have a link to his brochure. Great info about the new redistricting. He also talks a bit about his house to house visits and some community info. He also has an online “Donation” that tells you who to send the checks to.

Cinta's website on the other hand, the one Angelo gives the accolades to, has not been updated in 2 years. Do you seriously think that is better than websites that contain up-to-date info? Heck, if I followed this website I would think she is #9 on the ballot. Come on Angelo, I know she is a pal of yours but call it like you see it. Her outdated website has her “We did it” home page. It has a briefly summarized platform. Her resume. Her stance on issues… at least what it was prior to her winning a couple years ago (this I believe has changed). A bunch of Events that happened in 2005 (Angelo you can not seriously think that this was the BEST of all the websites). A ton of endorsements … from prior to the 2005 election (this needs to be updated… do they still support her?… perhaps but we as voters need to know). News from the years 2000 -2004. And lastly a contact form.

Rose has a bunch of photos and the normal vote for me and all the other “running mates” (I am assuming the other candidates under the same political party although her website never states to my knowledge what party that is.). It also has info about a charitable fund and extensive information about her family heritage and who she is related to. I think the site is visually appealing but underneath the façade just perpetuates the political status quo when it comes to voting. She also has a photo gallery. not sure what firefox browser Angelo is using. I downloaded the latest (for geek use only) Firefox browser and the site load and looked fine. There is a snippet of code that displays in the footer but not anything that would prevent you from viewing or navigating the site.

I differ again from your take in regards to Fred’s site. You only point out your issues with his URL and say you don’t want to comment on blogs. Fred’s site it is one of the few that contains all the basic elements I would be looking for in a site for any of the candidates. It has his background and resume, his platform and stance on issues (whether I stand with him or not), a blog for citizen’s commentary (a bit more activity here would be good), an event calendar, voter information, important links and his contact info. It seems to have up to date info. As with Rose’s site he does have a section for the familial connections… but such is the CNMI and there are voters who need to know who is mother-in-law is… I guess?

Tina’s site as Fred’s has all the necessary elements I believe are needed for a website about a candidate. She lists her background and contrary to what you say her resume is linked. She has an event calendar (seems to need some work as it is hard to see). She has a link to voter info and a sample 2007 precinct 1 ballot. There are links and various methods for people to contact her. She also has a blog and what a content filled one it is (I could not read through everything yet). She posts about all the issues that citizens have brought up in her meetings with them and what they have shared with her and then she gives a personal stance and comment on each and every issue. She actually has another blog that she also links to; the CNMI Forums site that she has been running for some time it appears. This blog has some good commentary on all things politico in the CNMI. I have been an avid reader (and commenter) of this blog for months. Her site is also very aesthetically pleasing. As for the Firfox compatibility issues, there was a minor one pixel shif ton the right hand side on the background image. Not enough to deem it unreadable. It only occured on the home page the other pages showed up fine.

Clyde’s site also has the main info voters should be looking for. It has is platform and stances on various issues. It has his background and links to news and other sites. Because he was once up no the hill, he also lists his past record of what he did up there for voters to peruse and decide if this is what they want to see more of. Surprisingly there is no Contact info that I could find.

Luis’ site is the only one with a David Lettermanesque Top Ten Reasons to Vote for Me on the home page. His Platform is brief but his past legislation page is very very very long. Again I will have to read over what legislation it is and if he was responsible for each piece or if it is legislation from the senate as a whole. EDIT: I took a peek … tons of resolutions commemorating and recognizing everything and a few resolution and laws to rename streets as well as a few others. He does proudly top list (by number of course…but still) legislation to grant $10 million bucks to the now defunct MPLA (we all know where that money really went). His site also has endorsements from community member (Friends of Angando)… though with only three he may want to switch this to a page of his extended (very extended) family. He also has photos and contact info. He is also on of the few with a contact phone #.



All in all, it is great to see the candidates put up information on the internet for the masses. Some of the factors that stood out to me are:

• What issues they tackled. Were they touching on the big ones??
• The depths to which the candidates personally addressed the issues. I wanted to see where they stood. Whether I stood with them or not.
• What type of contact info they gave (a phone number means they want to speak to you… personally. Only 3 had listed numbers. I did not call to see if they all really worked)
• Whether the site was currently updated
• Did they flaunt family connections and prominent community member endorsements
• Were they selling themselves or what they stood for (I can’t make this sound right… but I hope you get what I mean)

We need to really look at the candidates themselves this year and every election year henceforth. We need to contact these candidates. We need to talk to them. We need to find out if they truly are people we want representing us.

I will get off the soapbox. That is my take on the candidate websites. If there are other candidates out there who have sites that I didn’t touch on please Email me at pragmaticplato at gmail dot com.

Best Headline of the Day

"Reyes: Wage adjustments for gov’t lawyers, executives not a pay hike"

It is a Wage Adjustment people not a Wage Hike...

...Just so happens that all the adjustments are in a positive direction.

Where can I hire a Spin Doctor?

Enlightenment - The Power of the Educator

I too am not without fault. I question in order to further my understanding. Sometimes through this understanding, my initial stance on a subject will waver. This is the case in regards to my initial stance on the whole anonymity issue.

Here is a snippet from a post by Mr. Turbitt that caused me to look deep within my soul and question my original position:

"And for anyone who still thinks it's ok to do the anonymous thing, this dickless turd is out there trashing my name while hiding in the bushes like a coward. That's why the whole anonymous thing is unfair. He gets to trash my name and hide in the weeds like the vermin he is. And memo to said turd, nothing stays secret long in a place this small."

Link to Post

Having said that, I have decided to scurry out of the bushes I was trembling behind and pull up the weeds I have been wading in and make known to the world me true identity.

Henceforth my blog will no longer shield my true identity from the public. I will request that all my published works no longer simply refer to me as "Plato".

I am Aristocles son of Ariston, of the deme Collytus.

I have cowered behind the Plato Pseudonym for much too long. I do hope that this noble step on my part is embraced by The Educator, Mr. Turbitt. He has not only been my muse, but he has opened up my eyes to my own short comings.

As for the "dickless" comment... I assure you that it was merely a statue of my likeness that was rendered dickless by the Council of Trent during the Counter Reformation period. I do still have a fully functioning penis.

It is only through discussion and debate that true enlightenment can occur. I have changed my position but I do not require that my readers follow suit. Look within yourself. Use this blog as a lesson. Research the Post contained within the Educator's Blog and arrive at your own conclusion.

I Am Dead?!

Comment posted on Mr. Turbitt's Blog:

The Saipan Blogger アンジェロ・ビラゴメズ said...
You are dead to me, boy.

I regret that i must respond here as my response on Mr. Turbitt's blog will not be posted.

Saipan Blogger,
Thank you for the warm welcome to the blogging community!

Yours,
Pragmatic Plato

P.S.: Does this mean I am not invited to the next blogger meetup?

Question of the Day?

Is it acceptable to write a column in the news paper for the public to read and then not be able to handle moderate debate on the substance of said column?

hmm...

Comment Posted on Mr Turbitt' Blog

Reference Post on Mr. Turbitt's Blog
http://turbittj.blogspot.com/2007/09/to-anonymous-and-obnoxious-youre-not.html

My Comment:

may i get a link to my blog?

i will not post here anymore. i will simply copy your posts over to my blog and comment on your posts there. my blog will truly be an open forum.

i hate to tell you this but no one will defend you when you liken casino gambling to the war in iraq in an attempt to give it your stamp of approval. they will not defend the "should saipan expect anything better" comment either.

you really need to re-read what you have wrote and what i have wrote and step back and take a 3rd person view of it all.

you have some serious issues with debate and discussion.

and once again (since you deleted my comment that stated it), censorship is not relegated to being a tool used only by the government.

Please Feel Free to Chime In

I have opted to post a snippet of Mr. Turbitt's blog on my site. I fear that most people that comment on his site may be subject to the same censorship I encountered. Please feel free to comment on the quote below. I do not want it to seem as though I have taken it out of context so feel free to visit his site and read it in it's entirety. His site is linked on the right.

"The Iraq War exists as a way to enrich connected corporations much more than any war on terror. How else can you cut taxes, and run up billions of debt without end and still pretend to be acting in the interests of the country? Can we expect this little place to be any better than the U.S. government, which has much larger stakes and much more scrutiny."
~ By Jeff Turbitt

I believe we can expect Saipan to be better. What do you say?

Censorship: My Inspiration // Mr. Turbitt: My Muse

Thanks to Jeff Turbitt the Casino Proponents now have a new slogan:

"The Saipan Casino Act Initiative: As good for Saipan as the Iraq War is for the USA! Vote "Yes" this November."


Link to source here: http://turbittj.blogspot.com/2007/09/casinos-not-poker-rooms-mv-3.html


Hell, I guess if you really think about it people going over to Iraq and those heading into a casino are in the same boat...

... both taking one hell of a gamble.

I posted a comment on his blog but rather than a good debate on the topic he has opted for censorship. Many great leaders have taken that same path, so i can't come down to harshly on him. The likes of Hitler, Kim Jong Ill, Pontious Pilate and so on have also opted to censor rather than address the issues and exchange ideas.

I have politely requested for a copy of my posted comment from Mr. Turbitt. Once he sends it over I will publish it here for each of my fellow men to peruse and decide if it was worthy of such treatment?

"I suppose that writers should, in a way, feel flattered by the censorship laws. They show a primitive fear and dread at the fearful magic of print."

John Mortimer

And just a side note to Mr. Turbitt since he wants "nothing to do with me";

Definition of Censorship: The act of hiding, removing, altering or destroying copies of art or writing so that general public access to it is partially or completely limited.

Post and Comments about EJ

I said I would never ever censor this blog and I am standing by my word.

All posts that reference EJ will be moved to this post. If you care to read them simply go to the oldest post on this blog.

They will be listed in no particular order because it really doesn't matter. 

-------------------------

KPG said...

OK MAYBE not. 
roger that. 

wow so...

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 1:57 PM 

Anonymous said...

Go away little girl!

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 3:16 PM 

KPG said...

who are u talking about. 
there is no little girl anywhere
do you see her?

I told u I won't go to lil hamm's site. now let's be fair and kind. this is ur chance to go the FUCK AWAY. 

BEFORE I fucken publish all that idiots in Saipan did to me and to my Asian female friends. 

but I am not losing control anymore. I am going to get law degree to destroy u all. I am not sorry. u thought I was no body. well, we'll see who I am in 5 years. 

Russ Quinn's infamous quote
"so EJ, what is your 5 yr. plan"
as we were getting ready for PIC volleyball tournament.

I am going to let u wait as long as it makes me happy to see u are tormented inside ur mind, heart & soul. sorry, u asked for it.

do know u've just added fuel to my anger& hatred to ignorant peanuts controlling saipan.<--- what is THAT?!? I am a public figure & u are it too. just wait for me to subside my anger, take control, and CONTROL u(peanuts). it'll take some time.

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 7:41 PM 

Anonymous said...

Why do you keep talking about Russel Quinn? He is married you know. Did you fuck him or do you want to fuck him?

Come on EJ just share with us your fuckfest past. Horny minds need to know.

Angelo know how to pick em.

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 9:09 PM 

KPG said...

Russ?
QUinn. o that one..

secret till I get my degree in MBA & Law. it'll take 5 yrs. 
then I am going to get PhD. 
just wait for me to reveal it for you.

b patient.

FEBRUARY 24, 2009 9:48 PM 

KPG said...

ATTN Saipan:
LET THE VOICE BE HEARD.


russ quinn told Jon Cramer
to email 
some volleyball players in Guam to find my partner(USA) a partner 
GEEEEE
who the **** are u knocklehead.
RADIOHEAD

is ur new title= NAME.
I'LL TATOO IT IN UR HEAD. 
W/ VOLLEYBALL THIS TIME. 

no more naughty shiet. 
where is my med. shiet-

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 11:04 AM 

KPG said...

statue quo..
let my voice b heard
to you gentle souls somewhere

statue QUO:

http://saipansucked1.blogspot.com/2009/02/christians-give-god-bad-name.html

:(

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 11:16 AM 

Anonymous said...

Knocklehead? HAHAHAHA!
Go back to first grade you idiot! 
Take your not-so-talented-ass to the k-5. Maybe they'll let you play vball there. 
Peanut?? You mean the size of your brain? Oops! I'm sorry. That would be 2x the size of your brain. 

Hi! My name is EJ. I like peanuts. I like Penis. I can not spell for shit because my brain is half a size of a peanut. Also because I had too much penis. I also enjoy stalking and threatening random people. I like to think that I'm smart, but it's only a delusion caused by my half-a-peanut sized brain. Would anyone like to answer my email and phone calls? I make no sense when I talk or when I write. Are you my friend? Did you betray me? What is your phone number? Don't worry I'll find you. I'll find you when I get to CNMI on March 8. See me at Godfather's Bar at 10:15. Oh wait, I'm also recently banned from entering the CNMI. I will also be banned from entering the USA. But I think it's all bullshit. Because I am KPG gone wild to sKGP. I am E.J. LEE. I am EJ the legend. The legend of the peanut who became an insignificant and incompetent person. Do you respect me? Cuz if you don't, I'll find you. I'm a public figure. I will make you famous. Just wait..

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 4:08 PM 

KPG said...

EJ, how high are you?
me.. high enough

what are you smoking
me.. anger management cigar

why are you smoking
me.. because I am smoking hot.

www.saipansucked1.blogspot.com
:(

FEBRUARY 20, 2009 1:00 AM 

Anonymous said...

life and death is a serious matter
bitch
you can kill all you want
u can screw all u like

human lives are vulnerable, fragile, not be made fun of, put down, peed on, ignored, laughed at, make sexual jokes to, 

but respected and honored that they have thoughts. 
like you and sorry to say u.

I am going to attack ur lil thingy as long as I live.

FEBRUARY 20, 2009 11:57 AM 

Anonymous said...

all in PUBLIC's (O-O) eyes. 
tha'ts not my boobies focker.

FEBRUARY 21, 2009 1:19 AM 

Anonymous said...

I'd like to see your boobies EJ.

FEBRUARY 21, 2009 1:26 AM 

KPG said...

KPG said...
lol
Lil thing
I think I corked em alllllllllll

omG
I am too powerful for peanuts in the middle of no where Bush signed marine monument (is this what's it called?) w/ a cheap ass pencil sharpen by formal KPG

Why support that shit angelo v. fought for a year receiving nearly $5,000 a month (12*5,000)

u calculate
I got more better things to calculate. 
I need to calculate risks I am taking here and on. 
for u Saipan.


Focus, k.
Bush signed a fucked-up deal w/ this fucked up gluttons when by preventing fishermen from KOtic China equals 

=more food for gluttons where they don't even know how to fish

equally equals
=less food for poor and unfortunate soul governed by Corrupted leaders gives head like corn jumping in a microwave 
..
SAME SAME that of sUm politicians in CNMI.

so lame. You care about fish and other things that don't support u and yet, 
u prevent people in need of food supply desperately looking else where for humanity/passion/compassion...

so FUCKING lame u Saipan. 
I am reporting this to Hillary Clinton. 
Sorry. 
BYE BYE. 

spread the word. 
IT WAS $5,000ish (if not FISH) 
that A.V. received from POW? is that where he used to belong..
I don't give a shit where anyone belongs. 
I could careless about Rotary Club. One good thing about Rotary Club in Saipan is ur brain

'HARRY BLALOCK'

I am going to pursuade Harry to pack the shit up and leave u cold.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 12:39 AM 

KPG said...

gee that wasn't angelo villagomez up there above me
it might be Kimo fucking w/ A.V. the poor dirty soul. 
hiding like Ann Frank in his 3rd floor apartment taking no shower no NO pee pee

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 12:41 AM 

KPG said...

someone please FREE Oreo out of the attic. 
I ask you PLEASE

I care about Animals because Angelo cares about Fish. lol

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 12:43 AM 

KPG said...

Anonymous said...
Fuck you play dough cunt. You are harrassing me for posting anonymously and your the bitch who is anonymous with your cunt Lillian Hammerstein. Shame on you bitch!

February 18, 2009 11:23 AM
---
Anonymous listen very carefully. 

I didn't know what Lil Hamm website was about, who is operating behind Humidity and I don't care to know who she /he is even after ur lil jeff Tibbit couldn't be mature enough to stay silent about her identity. 

All I care is about her intelligence, concerns for the world today, and opinions she frankly shares without filtering it. 

WFT does it matter how she/he looks like, who she belongs to and where she lives. ??? HUH?? 
U TELL ME NOW. in English. 

so u can judge her and fuck her while she is one respectable human being none like u giving names even after u have discover her 'real' identity fed via Tibbit by FedEx. she is Lil Hammerhead, not play dogh cookie Hammer cunt.

cookie dog, u have a name just like Roberta. 
before I name u, please name urself and do me a favor. REVEAL UR IDENTITY. 
before I go there and rip the shit out of u in Public. Would u like that?

u chose not to reveal ur jane doe identity because u don't want to embarrass ur family under ur name. 
I don't know why Roberta did not reveal her name till it caught up on her. 

But I am not calling any dog names because I simply didn't have time to ask and interrogate. NOT YET. 

Lil shit, answer your phone. Lol, chill- take this pill Lil Hammer. It's called "Anger Management Pill" tastes like Cookie dough. 

hahaha

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 1:06 AM 

Anonymous said...

I AM NOT LIL' HAMMERHEAD 
I DONT LIKE GIVING HEADS TO PEANUTS

I AM WHO I AM
formal KPG gone wild&crazy
to sKPG

"I am EUNJUNG LEE"
sorry that's who I am.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 1:36 AM 

Anonymous said...

I LIKE GIVING HEADS TO HAMMERS ONLY
lol
geezus
say my name say my name

uh huh

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 3:08 AM 

Angelo's Secret Admirer said...

E J how good is Angelo in bed because I want to fuck his brains out. Are you mad at him because he dumped you and you still want him to sex you up? Just admit you still want to ride Angelo's huge penis.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 8:15 AM 

Angelo's Secret Admirer said...

I heard from a reliable source that Angelo has a big one. I hope I get to see it.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 8:16 AM 

KPG said...

he (Kimo) is talking about hell

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 10:35 AM 

Anonymous said...

Angelo's condition in bed 
is not for me to discuss both online and in ur face. 
it's his privacy and I care about him. 

What I don't care about Angelo Villagomez is his arrogance, immaturity, disrespect for females, grudge against his past experiences.

I hold grudge against my past experiences. hell ya. and I don't care about KPG in this regard because it's negative. 

hell ya.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 10:40 AM 

Anonymous said...

and I won't allow u to see his dick down there because I am protecting his penis. not dippin on u know where but I am protecting it from prostitutes like u. 

stop fancing something u can't have. 
sit down my dog + so hot= HOTDOG

that's ur name.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 10:45 AM 

Angelo's Secret Admirer said...

It turns me on when Angelo gets tough. My pussy is sopping wet right now Angelo. Wanna touch it and see how wet it is?

I bet EJ is getting jealous right now. I wonder if she knows I am going to seduce you. EJ you blew your chance with Angelo and now he is single and ready for hot nasty times with me.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 11:27 AM 

Angelo's Secret Admirer said...

It turns me on when Angelo gets tough. My pussy is sopping wet right now Angelo. Wanna touch it and see how wet it is?

I bet EJ is getting jealous right now. I wonder if she knows I. am going to seduce you. EJ you blew your chance with Angelo and now he is single and ready for hot nasty times with me.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 11:41 AM 

KPG said...

Bar tenders don't write like this above. 
I am a fool for 15 sec. 

but U are right. I am ONE JEALOUS MOTHER FOCKER

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 4:11 PM 

Anonymous said...

EJ move on. Angelo doesn't want to date you anymore. Please stop posting. You need psychiatric help. Meds. Real professdional help.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 6:48 PM 

Anonymous said...

Seriosuly please get help EJ cuz u r acting weird.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 6:56 PM 

KPG said...

ok no more posting about angelo

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 7:31 PM 

Anonymous said...

EJ i fucked angelo last night and it was soooooo gooooooooooooood. don't be mad okay?

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 10:26 PM 

Anonymous said...

attention White House

this IS Saipan. 
mini series - LOST season 69
do what ever u like w/ him. not when I get there. that's a whole another story. He is not going anywhere w/ anyDog. this time he is doing Wolf.

--
btw, what is ur gender.
u are confusing me.

FEBRUARY 22, 2009 10:35 PM 

Anonymous said...

hey, I control.
what can I say.
Angelo's info is sealed w/ me till 
he betrays me again. 

but if you were to pay the entrance fee for Marianas Cup 09, 
That is a whole another story. 

no, u fuck off
one lawyer(above u) is calling vb association to ask WHY RUSS???

WHAT's to fear, russ Quinn
what did u do to KPG.
tell me 1 good reason she can't play on 'ur' vb tournament. 
is it really urs?

the answer fo this one is obvious. 
b patien
T

FEBRUARY 25, 2009 9:30 AM 

 Anonymous said...

http://www.saipansucked1.blogspot.com

March 1, 2009 5:47 PM