tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39133883448263427322024-03-13T20:28:19.559-07:00Elections and Politics -- CNMI and the Nationjustice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-51960631724207011322012-10-20T15:00:00.001-07:002012-10-20T15:27:01.959-07:00On the failure to impeach ...To "impeach" is to make an accusation, to challenge the validity of something. By voting "no" on the impeachment resolution, ten members of the House of Representatives refused to "challenge the validity" of the actions of Governor Fitial enumerated in the resolution. In effect, they were saying it is okay for the Governor to neglect his constitutional duties; it is okay to have prisoners brought from the jail to the governor's house for personal services; it is okay to spend public funds without any oversight, accountability or controls ... for the special benefit of friends and allies; it is okay to use the police to help a person charged with a crime evade legal process; it is okay to "govern" the way he has been "governing."<br><br>
It is not okay, and the Governor's corrupt monarchical style -- together with his utterly misguided policies and practices -- has been destroying the CNMI and heaping enormous injury upon the people who live here.<br><br>
If the CEO of a major corporation were to conduct himself in such a fashion, just how long would his board of directors allow him to remain in office?<br><br>
Representative Palacios apparently sent out a mass email after the vote attempting to explain his action. Glen Hunter has made a trenchant response, which I quote in full below, with minor edits to enhance readability and supplying emphasis where I see fit:<br><br>
<blockquote>Good afternoon, Rep. Palacios,<br><br>
Thank you for sharing this email with me. As I have said before, you
have always been open and forthcoming with me on every issue that we
have discussed. I admire that and appreciate it very much.<br><br>
I do not disagree with much of what you have said. but what I do
disagree with you on are the crucial steps necessary in moving towards
a better CNMI.<br><br>
First, I agree that the CNMI is in a big mess due to years of neglect
of duty, corrupt practices and criminal actions committed by numerous
individuals. <b>It is</b> also <b>in this state due to a severe lack of vision,
planning, leadership and execution</b>.<br><br>
Secondly, I agree that one person is not responsible for this mess.<br><br>
Finally, I agree that the Legislature has not done much to remedy the
situation especially in the recent years.<br><br>
Now here is where we start to differ a bit. You mention that the
Legislature has failed. Aside from the Impeachment resolution, all
that is needed for the house to generate bills to address the problems
you pointed out is a majority of their members. <b>You currently have had
that majority. That majority has controlled the tone and tenor of
every session for the past years and it has been unlike anything the
CNMI has ever witnessed.</b> It was a one track mindset from the get go, a
'casino or nothing' mentality that I would never have imagined anyone
would allow to occur.<br><br>
I witnessed this, firsthand on many occasions at sessions, public
hearing, personal meetings with reps, and other occasions. Every
possible effort was expended time and time again to force through
legislation that would enable casino gambling in Saipan. Stalemates on
other legislation occurred and huge divides in the house were created.
Needless to say nothing would have stopped the 17th from passing out
of its body any bill (aside from the 2/3rd required impeachment
resolution) that the majority saw as proper remedy to the situations
the CNMI is suffering from. That did not occur.<br><br>
Also, although one man is not fully responsible for all the problems
in the CNMI, that <b>one man, the governor, is fully responsible for the
items contained in HR 17-111</b>. And after the testimony and evidence
received this past month his ties to those items is indisputable. We
can <b>point to other issues</b> in order to try and remove focus from his
misdeeds, but that will not make them go away and that <b>will do nothing
but create a precedent of acceptance</b> and a message of sanction <b>for all
his future violations</b>.<br><br>
HR17-111 laid out just a few of the more egregious misdeeds committed
by the governor. <b>We all know that there have been many more.</b> What that
piece of legislation illustrated was a pattern of neglect and corrupt
practices by the highest elected leader in our land.<br><br>
Yes, there are many issues in the CNMI such as CUC, CHC, NMIRF, etc.
Those issues, however serious, should never be used as a legitimate
reason, by lawmakers, to turn a blind eye to the items listed out and
substantiated in HR17-111. Items that were perpetrated by Governor
Fitial. Items that Governor Fitial is directly responsible for. Items
that have never been adequately refuted.<br><br>
<b>We, as a community, would not let a thief caught by the police off the
hook if he turned to us and said, "the CNMI is in disarray, leave me
alone to steal and let it be". That would be an inadequate defense, and we
all are smart enough to know it.</b> Yet, that is exactly what ten
representatives did just two nights ago.<br><br>
The 10 of you viewed and reviewed so much information and sincere
testimony given to the special committee by so many individuals who
care about the future of our great islands. <b>The people that came into
your sacred house gave their all in order to see justice was served.
They risked their time, their relationships, their jobs, and perhaps
even their lives, to give an account of the abuses that occurred.
abuses that were directly tied to the governor of the CNMI.</b><br><br>
<b>The response that the 10 of you gave amounted to a "so what? who
cares? let it be!</b>" reaction to the mountain of evidence and litany of
testimony that backed up the findings in HR17-111. The 10 of you
turned a blind eye.<br><br>
Would impeaching governor fitial solve everything? No. Would arresting
and convicting a thief today stop all crime in the CNMI? No. Should we
turn a blind eye to either? Of course not.<br><br>
The oath you took when you were seated was to uphold and defend the
laws and constitution of the CNMI. There was no condition or
fine-print which excused the governor of the CNMI or gave you the
right to turn from that oath for any reason whatsoever. Yet, 10 did on
that October 17th evening.<br><br>
That was a night that the CNMI will not soon forget.<br><br>
Although it would have been great if HR17-111 was passed through to
the Senate and the governor was given an opportunity to directly
answer to the articles put before him, it was not a total loss to the
community that the vote occurred. <b>That vote solidified each of the
sitting representatives position on this grave matter.</b> As I stated in
my testimony before the house on more than three occasions, that vote
boiled down to a <b>simple choice between what is right and what is
wrong</b>. There was no grey area and there was no sensible, logical or
reasonable reason for HR 17-111 to not be passed unanimously by the
17th House of Representatives. Instead, <b>we as a community know full
well where each member now stands</b>.<br><br>
It appears that accountability and justice will have to be attempted
once again in the 18th legislature.<br><br>
It is not too late for any of the 10 members to come forward and alter
their stance on this issue.<br><br>
I would ask that at some point, if you haven't already, you review the
video clips contained in these playlists listed below my signature.
They contain the testimony of the witnesses before the Special
Committee on Impeachment and they contain news clips of the
proceedings.<br><br>
As <b>with any attempt to turn things around in a failing system, steps
must be taken</b>. Very seldom is there ever one magic pill or solution to
fix <b>systemic problems</b>. The impeachment of the governor is a huge step
that must be taken in order to get the CNMI back on track. I am not
foolish enough not to know that there is quite a journey ahead of that
step and future steps I will not live to see. But that must not stop
me from taking that first step in order to hand a better CNMI over to
our children than the one we have been handed.<br><br>
I wish you the best and know that you must be very conflicted in these
trying times as many others are as well.<br><br>
I end by thanking you once again for continuing the dialog and
continuing to speak with us.<br><br>
sincerely,<br><br>
glen hunter</blockquote>
<b>I disagree with Glen on one point. It IS to late for any of "The Terrible Ten" to salvage their political careers unless they can persuade a sufficient number of their colleagues to change their vote, pass the impeachment resolution, and send the Governor to the Senate for trial. Anything else is just puffery, hot hair, lip service and window dressing -- hollow and untrustworthy words on which no voter should rely.</b>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-89846381068826618672012-10-20T05:02:00.002-07:002012-10-20T05:09:50.729-07:00The Anti-Fitial (Dylan) HymnSomeone created this, and its been going around the web. I haven't figured out how to download it or dub it onto some video.
<iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F63741364&show_artwork=true"></iframe>
Here are the lyrics:<br><br>
On Saipan there’s a dangerous man<br>
And he’s treacherous and he lies.<br>
He has ruined institutions;<br>
he has ruined people’s lives.<br><br>
He has some co-conspirators<br>
In the government, you know.<br>
And they are all rotten to the core,<br>
and everybody knows.<br><br>
Back in the day, this dangerous man<br>
learned how cheat and steal.<br>
He learned from the boys in Hong Kong,<br>
and they knew how to make a deal.<br><br>
He sold us down the river,<br>
a Robin Hood in reverse.<br>
He steals from the poor,<br>
and he gives to the rich.<br>
It could not get any worse.<br><br>
So good people of the Commonwealth,<br>
It is time to stand and fight<br>
against the man who got a massage<br>
in the middle of the night,<br>
from a federal detainee<br>
released from custody.<br>
And on that day he ‘flipped the bird’<br>
to the Feds and you and me.<br><br>
The time has come, this man must go<br>
He’s a no good dirty lout.<br>
And I pray for the day<br>
that he will go to the Monkey House.<br>
And there will be rejoicing,<br>
for the people will be set free,<br>
to get an honest Governor<br>
who will help you and me …<br>
to get an honest Governor<br>
who will help you and me.<br>
justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-75150132808683039872012-10-13T15:50:00.001-07:002012-10-13T16:51:41.008-07:00"Voter fraud" versus voter supressionAccording to legal scholar <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Toobin">Jeffrey Toobin</a>, writing last year in the <i>New Yorker</i>:<br>
<blockquote>As many independent studies have found, "voter fraud" is a cure in search of a disease. There is no significant voter-fraud problem in the United States. Rather, these laws are transparent attempts by Republican majorities to stifle and suppress the number of minorities and poor people (mostly Democrats) who go to the polls.</blockquote>
Jeffrey Toobin, <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2011/12/eric-holders-legacy.html#ixzz25RyUmUvm">"Holder's Legacy,"</a> The New Yorker, December 27, 2011.<br><br>
CREDOaction has sworn it "will not stand by and let another illegitimate president be inaugurated because of a stolen election in Florida." They go on to note: "In 2000, Florida's Secretary of State Katherine Harris provided the winning margin for George W. Bush by helping to "wrongfully" remove 7,000 Floridians — the overwhelming majority of whom were African Americans — from the voting rolls prior to the 2000 election." CREDOaction supported this statement with a cite to Judd Legum and Ian Millhiser, <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/05/23/489511/exclusive-florida-congressman-demands-gov-rick-scott-immediately-suspend-voter-purge">"EXCLUSIVE: Florida Congressman Demands Gov. Rick Scott 'Immediately Suspend' Voter Purge,"</a> ThinkProgress.com, May 23, 2012.justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-83454342020842466642012-10-08T00:16:00.001-07:002012-10-08T00:16:01.196-07:00Governor: "They're gonna suffer . . . ."<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8icWr_he4rY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-12438088227428701952012-10-08T00:13:00.000-07:002012-10-08T00:13:04.896-07:00Governor Fitial Goes Global (and not in a good way).<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NG0e3QCxX9c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-37868676234111214662012-10-07T23:54:00.001-07:002012-10-07T23:54:54.008-07:00Still Voting for Romney? (Trust me, Ron Paul wasn't the answer either.)<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EQwrB1vu74c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-27458078318195319622012-10-07T22:13:00.001-07:002012-10-07T22:13:40.477-07:00"We don't cover up." (We just try to evade the law . . . and abuse power while we're at it.)<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FwYuRygKEOI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<b>KSPN2 -- PART II</b>
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KyQFcCFIB8k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-22076685005375588012012-10-07T21:47:00.001-07:002012-10-07T21:49:06.094-07:00When I say "frog," they jump!<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_qi3ckaxBtY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br><br>
Over 1,500 media outlets worldwide picked up this story. Small wonder that the Articles of Impeachment accuse the Governor of "undermin[ing] the integrity of his office," "bringing disrepute on the Governorship," "betray[ing] the trust of those he swore to serve," and "act[ing] in a manner subversive to the rule of law and justice, to the manifest injury of the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands."
<br><br>
In consequence of this conduct, the Articles of Impeachment call for "impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor or trust of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands."justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-38243582438279372192012-10-07T05:16:00.001-07:002012-10-07T05:37:45.597-07:00And in his own words . . . .<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/253DqVWwNp8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<b>Notice that he hands it all off to the Attorney General's Office -- the <i>defense</i> of his alleged <u>personal</u> misconduct in arranging to have a federal detainee escorted from the jail to his residence to give him a massage.</b>
<br><br>
He doesn't need to hire a private lawyer; he can call on the office responsible for <i>prosecuting</i> crimes to defend him.
<br><br>
The Articles of Impeachment (article III) charge him with committing theft of services only for his use of Department of Corrections personnel and resources to get a personal massage from one of the inmates, but his use of the Office of the Attorney General to defend him from charges of misconduct stemming from this incident would appear to be equally theft of services and corruption.
<br><br>
Theft of services occurs when a person (ie. the Governor) having control over the disposition of services of others (i.e. the Department of Corrections; the Office of the Attorney General) to which the person is not entitled knowingly diverts those services to his or her own benefit.
<br><br>
So far as I know massages provided by inmates at the Department of Corrections are not part of the compensation package for the Governor. Neither is legal defense against charges of misconduct outside of the scope of his employment (e.g. a DUI citation). Thus, he was not entitled to those services provided by Department of Corrections or by the Office of the Attorney General. And it certainly cannot be argued that he did not knowingly divert those services to his own benefit.
<br><br><br>
Theft crimes are considered "crimes involving moral turpitude" or CIMTs. A non-citizen (i.e. alien) having the misfortune of being convicted of such a crime becomes removable from the United States. We are all familiar with the Governor's attitude toward uppity aliens ("They are all illegals.").justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-63277673277070370222012-10-07T04:24:00.001-07:002012-10-07T04:24:05.444-07:00The Midnight Massage -- Impeachment Articles I through V<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NmMEkNTQbSo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-5622380454680132972012-09-29T13:55:00.000-07:002012-09-29T13:55:11.991-07:00Sister Simone Campbell at DNC<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mEYys5sQvGk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-5717107302229227622012-09-29T13:51:00.002-07:002012-09-29T13:51:03.446-07:00Bill Clinton DNC Speech<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nrsK29T0Dhg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-66002964255729522342012-09-29T13:15:00.002-07:002012-09-29T13:15:26.187-07:00Elizabeth Warren Full DNC Speech<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FzspAfNkGz0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-86241831021166514142012-09-29T13:03:00.000-07:002012-09-29T13:03:06.564-07:00Another thing lost on Fitial's watch.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v7IB_5NhIPk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<b>Saipan Fireworks -- New Year 2008</b>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-74661237372666007152012-09-29T04:39:00.000-07:002012-09-29T06:41:36.446-07:00And when they got mad ...<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PLh0vUYPD1g" width="560"></iframe>
<span style="font-size: large;"> he told them to drink milk.</span><br><br>
<i>Marianas Variety</i> -- <a href="http://mvariety.com/cnmi/cnmi-news/local/45788-fitial-baits-diego-tina.php">"Fitial baits Diego, Tina" (April 20, 2012)</a><br>
<i>Saipan Tribune</i> -- <a href="http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=114148">"Fitial to other Republicans: Drink Milk" (Nov. 11, 2011)</a>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-40191188954384310672012-09-29T02:24:00.001-07:002012-09-29T02:37:05.283-07:00State of the Commonwealth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBmDkM0MrfOh4d0MmdwFEyBCnsJeAC61CrjfLgDzBx-G6XWAHCCpDLSN5b6P0CwD14x8G0kMl0KZmK9wj0bUwbVmultg-A2sOSNUPNMQZLtxUpblalUojTVZy4c0xBJza43wVK-WImrk/s1600/JM-cartoons-9-28-LARGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBmDkM0MrfOh4d0MmdwFEyBCnsJeAC61CrjfLgDzBx-G6XWAHCCpDLSN5b6P0CwD14x8G0kMl0KZmK9wj0bUwbVmultg-A2sOSNUPNMQZLtxUpblalUojTVZy4c0xBJza43wVK-WImrk/s400/JM-cartoons-9-28-LARGE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br>
Thanks to <a href="http://saipanwriter.blogspot.com/">Jane Mack</a> and the <i><a href="http://www.mvariety.com/">Marianas Variety</a></i>.
justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-60657386983098650792012-09-20T09:51:00.000-07:002012-09-20T09:51:37.146-07:00Elizabeth Warren - Massachusetts for Senate<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l7EIBzZ6sxo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gDPcAbqCdR8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kE_wj6NHdEQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hOyDR2b71ag" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And then you have the Ron Paul perspective ....
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/glvkLEUC_6Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-52765748572177935022010-08-20T20:34:00.000-07:002010-08-20T21:08:49.252-07:00Hell, No, You Won't !House Republican Leader John Boehner, already infamous for his "Hell, No, You Won't!" anti-health care speech, now proposes deep cuts to Social Security to pay for tax benefits for the wealthiest Americans.<br /><br />Here's what ordinary Americans have to say about Mr. Boehner's latest grand idea:<br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e2jzQ9KN-qs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e2jzQ9KN-qs&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Sources:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.moveon.org/r?r=89931&id=22750-86835-PUlsTfx&t=4">"Boehner, Pence: Raising Social Security Retirement Age An Option," The Huffington Post, August 10, 2010</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.moveon.org/r?r=90027&id=22750-86835-PUlsTfx&t=5">"Boehner punts on paying for tax cuts," Politico, August 8, 2010</a>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-76565835647724883332010-08-16T17:40:00.000-07:002010-08-16T17:48:40.409-07:00Direction 2010<a href="http://www.moveon.org/">MoveOn.org</a> is surveying members on what their strategic priorities should be in this year's congressional elections. I just completed the survey. At the end, they asked for any additional comments we might want to communicate to the MoveOn leadership. Here's what I had to say:<br /><blockquote style="font-style: italic;">Message is key. The American people need to see how: (1) Democratic policies help common Americans, and (2) the opposition lies. We also need to vividly demonstrate how Republican obstructionism and manipulative emotional negativism have impeded the President's and the party's ability to make life better for ordinary Americans. Finally, we have to effectively counter the pernicious theme that our polices threaten the economy. We need to make an effective case that the President and the party have a formula for sustained economic growth, a foundation for a new economy and successful management of the deficit, a la Clinton.</blockquote>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-2142682715170918702008-10-24T07:22:00.000-07:002008-10-24T08:28:03.692-07:00Closeting Palin?<p>Seems the idea of Sarah Palin in the klieg lights and intensity of the O'Reilly Factor puts an icy knot in the stomach of the McCain campaign. Recently, Bill O'Reilly himself had <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/oreilly_mccain/2008/10/16/141140.html">this to say</a> on the subject:<br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p>The problem with Palin is that for some reason Palin has not been on my program, and we've invited her many, many times. They seem to be frightened of putting Sarah Palin out. That's all I know. I don't know her, I don't know what her ability is. I know that she's excellent in front of crowds, but they keep her in front of the choir. They're not bringing her out into the independent precincts. They're keeping her off programs like mine where 20 million would people would see it. </p><p>An interview with me and Palin would be as big as my interview with Barack Obama. They're keeping her away. So you tell me again, what are they doing? </p><p>From what I’ve seen of her out in public she is a tremendous performer. Whether she has enough to sway independents, which is what they have to do to win the election, I just don't know.<br /></p></blockquote><p>Now why are they are so jittery about putting her on with someone so obviously pro-Republican as O'Reilly? Could it be they are concerned that an appearance on the same show with the smart, slick O'Reilly will display -- in an incontrovertible way -- just exactly how stupid she really is?<br /></p><p>I guess there are some things even a brand new $150,000 wardrobe from the Republican National Committee can't dress up.<br /></p>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-62350612240866297822008-10-24T06:44:00.000-07:002008-10-24T07:19:31.663-07:00Joe the PlumberHere's the new McCain-Palin ad Dick Morris says will close the gap between McCain and Obama in the next couple of days -- or, if it doesn't take hold, Obama will blow out McCain and take 40 states.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NmZ3o0Di7Go&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NmZ3o0Di7Go&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Nonsensical tripe!<br /><br />But even more to the point, notice how overwhelmingly negative it is?<br /><br />It's not just again' him, it is downright caustic. Obama is not just one of those slimy "socialists" with their hand in your pocket, he is dishonest! All that in just 30 seconds!<br /><br />Well, since ol' Joe has become such an important symbol these days, how about some hard facts on the guy? Well, as it happens, Hot Air <a href="http://hotair.com/archives/2008/10/16/good-news-toledo-moves-to-shut-down-joe-the-plumber/">has the skinny</a>:<br /><p></p><blockquote><p>Wurzelbacher registered as an apprentice with the Ohio State Apprenticeship Council in November 2003, according to Dennis Evans, spokesman with the Department of Job and Family Services. Records show his training, which was sponsored by A & W Newell Co. of Toledo, should have been wrapped last year.</p> <p>“We don’t have a record of completion,” Evans said. “All we know is that he registered in the program and has gone through to the point where we should have record of completion, but we don’t.”</p> <p>And that’s not the only record that’s missing from Wurzelbacher’s file. He doesn’t have a plumbing license required by the city of Toledo to practice, according to a staffer with the Toledo Division of Building Inspection. Wurzelbacher, who now works for Newell Plumbing & Heating Co., said the owner, Al Newell, has a plumbing license and that “because he works for someone else, he doesn’t need a license.”</p> <p>But even that’s not true, according to the Toledo Division of Building Inspection. Wurzelbacher can’t legally do plumbing work without a license, regardless of his boss’s certification.</p></blockquote><br />Hotline's <a href="http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/10/im_not_a_plumbe.html">got the story too</a>.justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-61226448579586876792008-10-17T04:32:00.000-07:002008-10-17T07:46:52.417-07:00Jostling for Congress -- CNMI Delegate RoundupIn January, the CNMI will be represented in the halls of the U.S. Congress for the first time. Whomever we elect <b>November 4</b> will vote in committee and rub shoulders with the 435 representatives from the 50 states as well as the other nonvoting delegates from Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands.<br /><br />More than anyone else, our delegate will be the CNMI's face in Washington, DC. In committee, our delegate will have the opportunity to engage in the typical, or traditional, horse-trading and log-rolling that oils the political machinery -- and potentially could influence any national policy.<br /><br />It is a matter of leadership ... and judgment ... wisdom ... communication ... understanding of the issues ... initiative ... creative, innovative thinking ... respect for all ... courage ... independence from conventionalism ... self-liberation from traditional island politics ... commitment to service above self.<br /><br />With just 17 days to go until the election, it is time for us all to take a good, hard look at the candidates and get informed.<br /><br />Here they are in ballot order (with links to their websites and other sources providing insights into their candidacies):<br /><br />Ballot #1: <a style="" href="http://www.gonzalesforuscongress.com/">John Oliver Gonzales (Bolis)</a><br />Ballot #2: <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=3hV&q=chong+won+for+congress+cnmi&btnG=Search">Chong Won</a><br />Ballot #3: <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=QPq&q=david+cing+delegate+cnmi&btnG=Search">David M. Cing</a> (former Tinian Senator)<br />Ballot #4: <a href="http://cnmidelegate.net/">John T. Lizama</a> (former Superior Court judge)<br />Ballot #5: <a href="http://www.peteaforcongress.com/">Pete A. Tenorio</a> (incumbent)<br />Ballot #6: <a href="http://crisostimo4uscongress.com/">Luis P. Crisostimo</a> (incumbent Senator sitting illegally)<br />Ballot #7: <a href="http://davisforcongress.blogspot.com/">John H. Davis</a><br />Ballot #8: <a href="http://www.kilili08.com/">Gregorio C. Sablan</a> (Kilili)<br />Ballot #9: <a href="http://fftsaipan.blogspot.com/2008/08/few-questions.html">Felipe Q. Atalig</a><br /><br />Note: Some may question why I list Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio as an "incumbent." This is because that is precisely what he is. Unlike Senator Luis Crisostimo, Pete A's term does not expire after "the term of the office sought" begins (CNMI Constitution, art. VIII, sec. 5). U.S. Public Law 110-229 and Article V, Section 2 of the Commonwealth Constitution make this clear.<br /><br />Section 711 of U.S. Public Law 110-229 provides:<br /><blockquote>The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands shall be represented in the United States Congress <span style="font-weight: bold;">by the Resident Representative to the United States</span> authorized by section 901 of the Covenant To Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union With the United States of America (approved by Public Law 94–241 (48 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)). <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Resident Representative shall be a nonvoting Delegate to the House of Representatives</span>, elected as provided in this subtitle.<br /></blockquote>(emphasis added)<br /><br />The Commonwealth Constitution provides:<br /><blockquote>The term of office of the resident representative shall be ... four years. In the event that the United States confers the status of member or non-voting delegate in the United States Congress on the resident representative and such status requires a different term, the term of office of the resident representative shall be that required by such status.<br /></blockquote>Section 712 of U.S. Public Law 110-229 provides:<br /><blockquote>The Delegate shall be elected— ... at the Federal general election of 2008 and at such Federal general election every 2d year thereafter ... [and] ... [t]he term of the Delegate shall commence on the 3d day of January following the date of the election.</blockquote>Thus, Pete A's term as Washington Representative, nominally slated to expire in January, 2010, was, pursuant to Article V, Section 2 of the Commonwealth Constitution, truncated, by U.S. Public Law 110-229, to expire January 3, 2009. On that date, the office mandated by Article V of the Commonwealth Constitution is redenominated as CNMI Delegate (or, more precisely, Resident Representative aka CNMI Delegate), as expressly mandated by the people of the CNMI in 1985 by ratifying Constitutional Amendement No. 24.<br /><br />That makes Pete A an incumbent in this delegate election.<br /><br /> -----------------------------------------------<br /><br />Some other links of note:<br /><br />John H. Davis: <a href="http://saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=15&newsID=84231">A vision for a self-sufficient CNMI</a> (Saipan Tribune, Oct. 9, 2008)<br /><br />Saipan Tribune (Oct. 11, 2008): <a href="http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory.aspx?cat=1&newsID=84334">Economy, power crisis top priorities of delegate bets</a>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-11311067113364738492008-10-16T01:46:00.000-07:002008-10-16T01:49:42.923-07:00Drill, Baby, Drill !Here's a look at what McCain-Palin offer America (I wanna lay pipe ....).<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/d-g3zax7O8A&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/d-g3zax7O8A&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-16977811739695119012008-10-08T08:58:00.000-07:002008-10-08T09:03:27.751-07:00Talking substanceContrast this with the vacuity and "below the belt" punching of the McCain-Palin campaign of late . . . .<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XZAqVm1eAXg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XZAqVm1eAXg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3913388344826342732.post-8203844547039434662008-10-08T05:46:00.000-07:002008-10-08T08:17:03.061-07:00Slash and burn -- the domestic terrorism of the McCain campaignIn what the <span style="font-style: italic;">Huffington Post</span> is calling "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/robert-gibbs-confronts-ha_n_132842.html">the voguish idiot question du jour</a>," the mega-money Republican media machine (aka Fox ["Faux"] News) has been operating full bore to try to sell the American public the idea that Barack Obama is a closet terrorist -- or at least a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellow_traveler">fellow traveler</a>."<br /><br />It seems John McCain has nothing more substantial to offer the American people than conjuring up chimeras -- a <a href="http://www.hp-lexicon.org/wizards/voldemort.html">Tom Riddle (aka Voldemort)</a> kind of pastime.<br /><br />It isn't really just the Faux News disinformation and propaganda machine taking this tack but the entire Republi-Cain political apparat. Sara Palin -- whose capacity for reasoning and judgment barely aspires to attain the lowest common denominator of the 300 million residents of the United States -- is the point person, but Republican and "conservative" shills and operatives are out in force.<br /><br />It is more than a bit much, and Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs finally <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/08/robert-gibbs-confronts-ha_n_132842.html">employed turnabout</a> to reveal the result of applying to Fox meta-propagandist Sean Hannity the same standard and "logic" he had been deploying against Obama.<br /><br />Look around, you'll see what I mean. There's a rich vein of character-revealing conduct out there -- a treasure trove of indirect truth just waiting to be mined . . . in the body language of politics . . . the flow of electronic media . . . and the dew drops on the worldwide web.<br /><br />Watch <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/07/the-view-gets-uglier-barb_n_132587.html">this fight</a> on The View.<br /><br />On the topic of domestic terrorism, it occurs to me that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing">Timothy McVeigh</a> was a Palin-style Republican . . . and then there is that small matter of the <a href="http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/10/07/palins_unamerican/">Alaskan Independence Party</a> of which Sara Palin and her husband Todd were members as recently as 1994: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/02/politics/animal/main4407224.shtml">Alaska First -- Alaska Always</a> . . . "<span style="font-style: italic;">the fires of Hell are glaciers compared to my hate for the American government</span>" John Vogler, AIP founder.<br /><br />And don't miss this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jared-bernstein/the-empty-campaign-of-joh_b_132049.html">review of McCainonomics</a> and "the people behind the curtains."<br /><br />On character, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jared-bernstein/the-empty-campaign-of-joh_b_132049.html">Jared Bernstein</a> asks:<br /><br /><blockquote>Why does McCain want to be president? Those who have followed him for years don't recognize his agenda, his tactics, his positions (e.g., the great populist regulator!). How could a man of seemingly deep conviction morph into this caricature? His campaign is empty, with no spiritual or intellectual core; its tactics have devolved into a series of crass surprises and Hail Mary passes.<br /></blockquote><br />and then concludes:<br /><br /><blockquote>I get Obama in this regard. To get the country back on track, to reconnect middle-class living standards and growth, to rein in market fundamentalism, to rectify a series of unjust and even fatal policy choices, to restore America's standing in the world, he seeks to implement his change agenda.<br /><br />But I don't get McCain. I hope the country doesn't get him either.<br /></blockquote>justice seekerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11208926291657347616noreply@blogger.com0