I just don't get it

Let's say you were one of those people who think contract workers are taking our jobs and that the indigenous people are the people of the land and they should be given preference and you'd just rather have things as they were back in the day. Lots of people think that way I'm sure.

What evidence has there ever been that the local government won't continue to flood the labor force and the island with workers from economically deprived countries? Who brought them here in the first place? Who is trying to make damn sure you, the person not in the bureaucracy, won't make more than $3.55, and fought tooth and nail to keep it at $3.05 for years? What is it about a local government that can't maintain a diesel engine power plant that makes you want them in control of anything?

If you are a business owner, all that makes sense. It's probably nice to hire accountants and engineers for $4.00 or less. If you are the average local working person, local control makes so little sense for you as to be absurd -- the bureaucracy has to shrink. The CNMI budget is down more than 25 percent in two years -- $60 million dollars less than the Babauta days and it's going lower. It gets estimated even lower every quarter. People will have to get private sector jobs and the local government simply isn't on your side. It wants you to make $3.55, and it wanted you at $3.05. Repeat, the upgraded immigration status for the foreigners thing is dead. Start using your heads and look at who is really on your side. It sure isn't the local government doing its best to see you don't get a .50 cent raise.

I'm sick of even having to write this, but it gets blasted in the news each day and the stance people take against their own interest is so ridiculous I want to scream.

The taotao tano blog

I get most of my Taotao Tano news from the newspapers and their breathless daily updates, but tonight I checked out the TT blog and had a few chuckles. Back in July Brad Ruszala got the NAMBLA endorsement for Saipan's Sexiest Blogger. Taotao Tano gives Angelo Villagomez its continuing endorsement for "Saipan's Best Blogger." Look in the links on the left.

The funniest thing on the Taotao Tano site was a headline about "Out of Control" contract workers, and to illustrate the point they showed a newspaper picture of workers holding hands and the newspaper headline says "Hundreds join prayer vigil." Prayer vigil, now that's my idea of excess. If you look closely there were a bunch of empty Jagermeister bottles -- not really.

On this survey of sites I haven't seen, I also visited Steve Woodruff's overview of the blogosphere where he described my blog as sometimes "offensive or annoying." At the same time, the ball sack/penis poll blog is "lively . . . distinctive point of view . . . energetic . . . creative . . . concerned." That's ok, I enjoyed your dull and prissy blogs, Steve. Thanks for the reminder on why I'd rather hang out with Bruce Bateman than walk on eggshells around depressing politically correct liberals -- perhaps the one group more loathsome than the neo-cons. Here are some adjectives you forgot for that other blog: "cowardly ... predictable ... whiny ... a clear example of what is possible when boredom, fixation and jealousy meet long term unemployment ... dull ... routinely mean spirited ...gutless... focused on other bloggers to the point of obsession ... clearly has a crush on Bruce Bateman."

Let them eat cake

I love this message. The commonwealth can't handle poor people making a little more money. It's even worse journalism because it only gets the perspective of rich government bureaucrats bought and paid for by business interests. Those annoying poor people don't have much of a spokesman, so it's "unanimous" that a .50 cent increase is a bad idea and the commonwealth can't handle it. Go walk around Kobler, San Antonio and Dandan Agnes Donato and see if it's unanimous there instead of the lazy way and just reporting this administration's viewpoint from some email they sent you -- an administration that barely got elected two years ago and whose party just got massacred in the last election.

Is it really so much better to have the highest food, gas and medicine prices in America on the lowest wages in America? Here is one thing this government can't sustain: $500,000 to the Rota Mayor to dole out to friends for this casino when the commissioner of education is saying they don't have the money to open schools next August or make payroll past June. Let's see if Taotao Tano Greg Cruz blasts this one. My bet is no.

As to the part of population declines, good. This place doesn't have the infrastructure (load shedding anyone) to handle the population it has, and God forbid we lose some of those $3.55 per hour jobs. Don't run off with all those Mcjobs, please. The $16.50 thing I suppose is some kind of nonsense about percentage increase. Yes, because our minimum wage was so scandalously low before and for so long. Essentials like food, power, medicine and gas aren't cheaper here -- they're more. If anything, our minimum wage should be higher than the mainland to account for that fact. “I think any major stakeholder in the wage issue will agree that the next increase should not be implemented, " the Governor's Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes, Jr. said. Again, go ask the broke parents of my students from Dandan, Kobler and San Antonio. They're not major stakeholders, so I guess they don't matter, but I don't think it is quite so unanimous among the working or non-working poor.

'Suspend further wage hikes'

Armed with the federally prepared wage hike impact report, the Fitial administration vows to lobby intensely against the next scheduled increase in the local minimum wage.

“Just about everybody is in agreement that the Commonwealth cannot sustain additional increases to the minimum wage. We will do everything in our power to communicate this message to the U.S. Congress,” press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said yesterday.

In its report submitted to Congress last Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor said that raising the local minimum wage to the federal level would have adverse impacts on employment and lead to additional population declines in the Commonwealth. Increasing the CNMI wage to $7.25 an hour, the report said, is comparable to raising the U.S. minimum wage to $16.50 an hour

A conversation with Jim Arenovski

When Bill Clinton was running for president in 1992, his senior staffers had a sign in campaign headquarters famously reminding them "it's the economy, stupid," to keep the campaign focused on the big issue of the time. Here in the CNMI, the collapsing economy continues to be the big issue. To get a longtime businessman's viewpoint on economic issues, I interviewed Jim Arenovski, the newly chosen Chamber of Commerce president. Arenovski is president of Delta Management, which manages service stations here in the CNMI and in Guam. Arenovski gave his own personal thoughts on economic issues surrounding us, and is not speaking on behalf of the Chamber in this interview.

JCT: What is the most important thing the local government can do, or not do, to help foster economic development on the islands?

JA: The Chamber has been invited to sit on the recently formed Commonwealth Economic Development Study Committee. The study is required in order for the NMI to receive federal grants at all levels, and this plan is reviewed every few years. One part of the process is getting input from the business community about what projects we feel most likely would aid economic recovery. Although we have not begun to gather such information yet, I will speculate that securing and implementing a plan for reliable power at a fair per-kilowatt-hour rate will be on most of our members’ lists. A sound infrastructure, especially power, is necessary in order to attract, and keep, investors.

JCT: What specific feedback do you get from Chamber businesses on exactly how the unstable and expensive power on island is impacting business?

JA: From personal experience and discussion with member businesses, there is a high level of frustration. Paying such exorbitant rates and still having outages; all among a strained economy is devastating for some businesses. Where there is a shrinking number of people (customers) dining out or shopping to begin with, restaurants and other establishments (especially those without generator power), see lower numbers of customers and a loss of business. Power outages hurt this situation even more. Many of our members have invested in power generation systems and see some opportunity, since many residents venture out of their houses to establishments that have power, when there are outages. But even this is affected by the cost of driving to the restaurant or shopping location (not to mention the cost of running the generator itself) and the fact that residents simply have less money due to the high cost of CUC power.

Many companies struggle with essential equipment for their operations, which is strained by “load shedding,” scheduled or unscheduled, that causes problems with the efficiency and longevity of the equipment.

One of the intangible aspects of expensive and inconsistent power is the negative effect on the morale of both private citizens and business owners, which causes a variety of other business and social problems.

JCT: Do you think there will be a day when there will be a vibrant private sector paying wages somewhat comparable to the mainland instead of this government job model that, to me at least, sure looks broken and unsustainable? Can island economies really work given geographic isolation, lack of economy of scale and a seemingly endless up tick in the cost of fossil fuel?

JA: I do think there will be better wages in the NMI, but that comes at the end of a number of changes. Getting investors into the NMI and finding additional industries is key, but to do this we need better infrastructure, and a review of our property laws, Articles 11 and 12. Will we ever be able to sustain a minimum wage as mandated by the Federal Government? I think once the studies come out we’ll have better qualitative and quantitative data to make that determination. I know that now, in this economy, many small businesses will find it hard to generate the sales revenue increases necessary to be able pay such wages.

JCT: Other than revamping the tourism industry, do you see another industry that can potentially come in and replace the rapidly decreasing garment factories?

JA: I am not an economist, nor do I have a crystal ball, but I find it hard to believe we will find another single industry to replace the tax revenues and “trickle-down” benefits brought in by the garment industry. I think this is why we fought so long and hard to keep that industry here. My personal hope is that any future industry be required to be compatible with our beautiful islands and not negatively impact our tourism industry.

Education could possibly be one aspect of a “new industry.” We already see students from Korea and elsewhere coming to the NMI for education and I have heard discussions about promoting education tourism. This is an industry that is environment-friendly, but it does not nearly match the financial impact of the garment industry.

JCT: What is Guam doing right that we can't seem to duplicate and why?

JA: I have businesses in Guam and there are strains there too. Guam has indeed done some things right, but they have their share of ups and downs. They have retirement fund issues, sizable deficit issues, taxation problems and an increasing drug and crime problem. Some have said if it was not for the impending military build-up there would be more reason for concern in Guam. Others have indicated that this build-up could bring more ills to Guam. Certainly the build-up has caused housing prices to skyrocket from just a few years ago and businesses, even some from the NMI, are positioning themselves to benefit from the estimated $14 Billion in projects and the estimated 20,000 additional people on Guam.

One thing to remember, in the early and mid 90’s Guam was infamous for GPA’s “load shedding.” There was a real power crisis at the time, and they came out of it with the help of a public/private partnership, among other factors. I believe the NMI can do the same as long as we have the vision and the resolve to make sure it is fixed.

A Magical Saipan Experience, MV 20

A few weeks ago I had one of those magical Saipan experiences. I made my first hike to Forbidden Island. This memory sits in stark contrast with this other idea I'm having about who is going to come see this beauty we have when word spreads about the violent attacks on tourists that are becoming a common headline.

First, the good news. I don't always appreciate how unique the landscape here is and how much beauty there is to see if I put the effort in to seek it out. Sometimes this place is so gorgeous that I can just step onto my balcony and see beauty in the spectacular sky above me -- all without much effort. This hike made me think of how long I've been here and not seen this amazing vista and how it should be trumpeted to all our visitors.

I'm definitely not in great physical shape. I'm on the wrong side of thirty with that train heading toward forty, but I'm not broken down enough just yet to turn down the invite from some friends who are trying to make a Forbidden Island hike a New Year's Day tradition. I brought my ten year old son on the hike, and safe to say it was a lot easier for him than me. I took the slow and safe route down, as I had no eagerness for any damaged body parts, and I wanted to appreciate nature and the beauty that was all around while avoiding a heart attack.

Upon arrival after the steep climb down, it didn't take me long to enjoy that crystal pool of blue water, which feels all the more relaxing after the journey down. There was no shortage of colorful fish to be seen through my mask, though I remained aware that there was indeed a bit of ocean current. Mindful of the deaths of some Korean hikers a few months back, I kept my distance from any cliff lines or anywhere a wave could sweep in.

After that swim and some snacks, we went to check out the Forbidden Grotto, which looks a lot like the famous Blue Grotto in Marpi only with a much lower roof and much smaller. A light shines in that creates a near mystical, other world, ethereal scene. A pinkish rock sits in contrasts to the various shades of blue accented by the changing angle of the sun's rays over the clear water.

Near the Forbidden Grotto is a half water filled cave system, not particularly deep, with a breathable surface. The water is perfectly still inside, at least when we were there. There are many unusual rock formations with the usual diversity of color and shape found in most caves. An oblong triangle gape in the cave lets a swimmer look out at the crashing waves and ocean. Outside this lookout is a ledge where some people lost their lives, so it was not a place I was eager to go out and explore. Saipan is an island that requires caution, a lesson I learned with two near death experiences in my first six months on island. I have had none of those problems since I learned that scary point.

Forbidden Island offers the type of scenery we must amplify and highlight. A small percentage of tourists ever make it out there. Some of that is due to the fact that it is a bit physically taxing I'm sure, but it is still quite a place to see and it should be seen -- ideally on guided tours.

In contrast, with the barrage of bad news that seems normal for this place these days, I'm not sure people quite understand that this recent series of violent attacks on tourists have the potential to be cataclysmic and completely destroy our tourism industry worse than any JAL pullout -- quickly. The CNMI doesn't have a reputation for being particularly exotic or high end, but it does have the reputation for being safe. In no time in this age of rapidly spreading internet information, that reputation can change and a country like Japan that has an extremely low violent crime rate simple won't tolerate it. Already a Japanese blog is spreading the word that the Eagle Rays are no longer to be found in Eagle Ray City. A law was recently passed to protect the Eagle Rays after several reported poaching incidents. These are man made actions in which we are doing harm to ourselves.

Nature has given us a beautiful island we should boast about, enjoy and be proud of, but it won't take too many greedy criminals to destroy this gift we've been given. We should get out and take advantage of the beauty around us, and at the same time, we should come down hard on those people trying to damage what we have been given.

Superbowl parties

I heard a story that the NFL somehow is cracking down on the hotel Superbowl parties in Saipan, so we won't be seeing much of that this year. I don't know 100 percent that this is the case, but the person who told me said many people told him that was the case. I don't quite get that or how that is different from a sport's bar, but whatever. Doug Stanhope does a bit on how this is the most boring generation ever with everyone following the safe and responsible mantra awash in the corporate landscape. I tend to agree. Even this giant corporation, the NFL, is cutting down on people's fun -- needlessly.

I've only watched the game at a hotel once, and that was for the lousy game last year. I do know for sure that the NFL wouldn't let people purchase the online video system to watch the games. I have one for MLB, and it costs like $100 for virtually all the games for all the teams. I have had that service for years. I will look forward to not getting up at 4 am to watch football when I leave this place. The internet makes it a lot easier to be an expat with a 15 hour time difference and still waste incredible amounts of time watching sports.

Play in March

I wrote a piece for this play, and if I can get it together, will have my acting debut. Barbara is an impressive woman with tremendous theater knowledge. I'm looking forward to working with some of the folks involved, and I would encourage others to assist in this production.

The theater group Voices of the Marianas is coming back with a new show in March 2008. This year's piece is called “The Play Buffet: A Little Something Everyone's Taste.” It is a follow-up to “In Transit: Stuck in an Airport,” which played to sold out audiences last year.

Like its precursor, the new play is a variety of original stories. “Some are taken from people's real lives, some from their imagination,” said producer and director Barbara Sher.The performance is scheduled for the first two weekends in March and will be at the American Memorial Park's Visitors Center. Tickets will cost $5 each.Sher invites people to volunteer and be part of the production. “Although much of the play is set, we are still open for new pieces, actors and crew,” she said. Those interested may email Sher at barbara.sher@gmail.com.

“In Transit,” the first production by the Voices of the Marianas, was an original piece written by the actors. It took place at the airport where the passengers-all from a variety of cultures-were stuck because of a typhoon warning. To pass the time, the characters told stories of their experience in the islands.“We were hoping, during rehearsals, that we would get, at least, our friends to come see our show", recalled Sher, “so we were surprised and delighted to have sold out performances every night and standing ovations.”

Missing my jersey people

Here is why I miss my Jersey people. I didn't write this, but I might have. People give away stuff on Craig's List when they move. This might bring out some strange folks. This guy captures the frustration perfectly.


To the Crazy-bat--lady who picked up the free fridge
Date: 2007-11-30, 10:06PM ESTDear Crazy-As-Bat-Shit-Lady

: I am honored that you chose my ad for a mini fridge out of all the ads you could have chosen. It makes me feel good that my mini fridge will be supplying you with the ice cold beverages you've obviously become accustomed to.

Next time you answer one of my ads, please note the following:

1. I am not Home Depot. If you travel thirty minutes to pick up a bulky 40-pound object, please come prepared with the necessary items you'll need to secure it to your vehicle. Yes, I have rope. I have a lot of rope. I have many different colors and sizes of rope. No, you can not have my rope. The ad said I was giving away a fridge, not a fridge with rope. Nor was I offering a fridge with padding so that the pleather seats on your piece of crap 89 ford pinto with no hub caps car don't get marked up.

2. What part of ' must pick up' in the ad was confusing to you? Yes, I have a vehicle. No, I don't want to haul your fridge all the way to East BumbleF on the coldest day of the year. No, I'm really really sure I don't want to do that. No, really. I'm sure.

3. Please call me only once with ALL your questions. I left for the day, and had 5 messages on my answering machine, the last one was at 11:30 pm. Frankly lady, you were sounding a bit too crazy by the end of the day. It's a fridge. A small metal box that keeps s*** cold. I don't have the fridge's family tree. For all I know the fridge's was conceived by a slutty young Maytag that graced some hillbilly's side porch. I don't know the exact age of the fridge. I bought it a few years ago, I used it for a couple of months, ok, I lied, I used it a whole year. The fact is, you're not buying a race horse, you're buying a used fridge.

4. No, I will not throw in a couple bucks of gas money to pick it up because your anal retentive eyes picked up the ittiest, bittiest hairline scratch with a microscope so it wasnt completly described. I'm not making judgements on you, but I'm pretty damn sure Donald Trump didn't send you across the state to pick up a used fridge for Trump Towers. Though I'd wager the whole concept of the mini-fridge bar is a familar one to you.

5. Yes, you can unplug a fridge without any harm to the fridge. Believe me, the fridge is fine. The manufacturers have figured out a way to extend the life of a fridge that has been unplugged. Yes, I'm absolutely sure of that. No, you did not have to leave 2 messages about your concerns with the fridge being unplugged, and frankly it was a little embarrassing having the same conversation with you in my driveway where my neighbors could hear.

6. No, I don't have the operating instructions. I can write them down for you though: Plug fridge in. Open door. Put crap inside. Take crap out when it's cold. Eat or drink crap.

7. I am not a fridge pimp. I don't have any more fridges at that price.No i dont have one in a diffrent color to match your other appliances, No, I don't know where you can get another fridge just like this one for your friend. Yes, I know it's in great condition, and I'm sure you'd like your other crazy-as-bat-s***-mini-fridge-finding-friends to have one just like it, but this is all I have. Here's a thought, there's this online classified ads website. Yeah, you may have heard of it, it's called CRAIGSLIST. I dunno, maybe, just maybe, in this great land of ours, there's another mini-fridge being advertised there.

8. Please remove my phone number from your address book. I think our relationship is over. Oh, and if you've added me to your AIM Buddy List, please delete me. Please. I beg you. Yours truly, the guy that gave you the fridge

· Location: jersey
· it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
PostingID: 494903542

More PSS woes

Here are the LAST four graphs of the PSS story in today's Variety:

The school system’s FY 2006 budget was cut by $2 million which the
administration promised to restore. “We can’t add personnel, we can’t even
replace some positions, and this may affect the regular opening of schools in
August,” Borja said.PSS has a current budget of $37.2 million of which $35
million is available for personnel following the across-the-board budget cuts
caused by the government’s declining revenue collections.“That’s already a
shortfall of over $2 million,” Borja said. “With the present number of personnel
actions that we have processed, we will have a shortfall in pay period 18 or
sometime in June.”