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President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan
2009-01-25 22:19:00
I'm blogging from Guam this morning. My flight leaves in about an hour.President Obama wants you to visit www.recovery.gov. While you're clicking, check out the White House Youtube Channel. And how cool is it that the frickin' President has a Youtube Channel?
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A prayer for Ruth Tighe
2009-01-25 22:00:00
I'll let Ruth speak for herself.On My Mind1/26/09To those of you who might be wondering what has happened to this column, the answer is it is in limbo - and will, in all likelihood, remain there for at least the next two months.The reason: I am in Honolulu undergoing radiation and imminently, chemo, for a squamous non-small-cell cancer in the upper lobe of my right lung. The bad news is that the cancer is not operable. The good news is that it has not spread, and has not yet affected the lymph glands.The situation is not conducive to the writing of political commentary (or any other kind). It is taking all my energy just to cope with the unexpectedness, the shock, of it all.As of now, after a week of radiation treatment, I still feel quite well. They tell me that probably won't last.............. I do have a stream of family coming to help me - my son for a week, my brother for a week, my younger daughter for a week, my sister for two weeks (my older daughter was here fo...
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Two Week Break
2009-01-25 09:08:00
I am going off island tomorrow morning.I won't have Internet or email or telephone access until the second week of February.See you in two weeks.
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More Inauguration Photos
2009-01-25 04:46:00
There it is, the front of the line, the envy of 2 million other Inauguration viewers.Despite the cold and the large crowds, people were generally in a cheery mood. People even started singing at around 7 AM.I snapped this photo as I rushed through security. About 7 of us got through security before they closed the line for a few more minutes, giving me ample time to find the perfect spot to watch the inauguration.My view was blocked by two media stands. I wonder how many media outlets were in DC covering this story. All of them?My co-Inauguration viewers. The people next to me were from Idaho, Florida and Virginia.Another picture of the crowds.This is a photo of the same area taken exactly 49 minutes later.Another picture of the crowds.Some of the remaining Tuskegee Airmen were sitting right in front of my standing only section. They are the pilots who helped desegregate the United States Military. I think there was a movie about them starring Lawrence Fishburne.
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Nominate your favorite environmentalist!
2009-01-25 02:52:00
SAN FRANCISCO-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging citizens in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands to nominate a friend, peer or organization for this year’s U.S. EPA Environmental Awards program. Nominations can be submitted online beginning Jan. 7 and ending Feb. 8.The program seeks to recognize individuals and groups outside of the U.S. EPA who made significant contributions to improve the environment in the year 2008. Anyone can be nominated, such as scientists, teachers, journalists, citizen activists, young people, organizations, business representatives, public officials and others committed to protecting public health and preserving our natural surroundings.Entries will be judged on the following criteria:* promotion of innovative ideas, techniques, and/or technologies * ability to address an environmental problem or need * accomplishment of stated goals * ability of the program/activity to be replicated or widely shared * collab...
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I am a poet
2009-01-25 01:16:00
skinny asian girlfat white guy at GodfathersI hear wedding bellsI won first place! This haiku was in no way inspired by personal experience, by the way.
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Good Luck, Lynn
2009-01-25 00:13:00
Lynn is leaving Saipan with the girls soon. I wish them the best of luck.Lynn was one of the key people in helping to build support for the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. She spearheaded the endorsement by the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands and had a hand in the endorsement by the Saipan Tribune. She was also a big supporter of Beautify CNMI. She will be missed.
More About: Good , Lynn , Luck , Good Luck

Dong Bang Shin Ki in Saipan
2009-01-24 23:38:00
There is a boy band staying at Pacific Islands Club this week:TVXQ (often stylized TVXQ! or TVfXQ), an acronym for Tong Vfang Xien Qi (東方神起), is a quintet South Korean boy band formed under SM Entertainment in 2003. In South Korea they are known as Dong Bang Shin Ki or Dong Bang Shin Gi (동방신기). They were later introduced in Japan as Tōhōshinki (東方神起?) under Avex sub label, Rhythm Zone in 2005. Their name roughly translates as "Rising Gods of the East". TVXQ, the acronym based on the Chinese counterpart of their name, is the abbreviation officially used on all products and advertisements outside of Japan.Since their debut, TVXQ has become one of the most popular singing groups in East Asia, gaining great popularity in such countries as China, Singapore, Thailand, and other East Asian regions.After all the trouble we went through to get the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument in over 1000 newspapers and other news outlets, who knew that all we had to do...
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Twitter Me This
2009-01-24 08:54:00
I just joined Twitter .I joined Hi5 back in 2004. I used it for about a week before I decided it sucked.I joined Myspace in 2005. I used it until my profile was hacked. Some jerk changed my email and password so now I can't access my account.I joined Facebook in 2006. Facebook rocks. I still use it and have 800+ friends.Rick McPherson says that Twitter is the hot new thing. I guess I'll give it a try. If you join, my username is Saipanblogger. Let's see how it goes.

Silver Elite
2009-01-24 07:02:00
Watch out world, I just got upgraded to Northwest Airlines WorldPerks Silver Elite status.What does that mean? Practically nothing!Actually, I have a question for my readers out there. Please help me answer this in the comments section.Continental, Northwest, and Delta all have separate frequent flyer programs, but they are partner airlines, meaning that I can use my frequent flyer card from one airline on the other. I have a Northwest WorldPerks card and a Continental Airlines OnePass card. I've always used the WorldPerks card when I fly Northwest and the OnePass card when I fly Continental.Additionally, I earn OnePass miles every time I buy gas from Mobil. When I had SaipanCell, which is now DoCoMo, I would get miles for every dollar I spent. And although I do not have one, if I had a credit card from First Hawaiian Bank, I could get a WorldPerks mile for every dollar I spent.So is it better to have both cards, or should I try to put all my miles on one card? Or is it poss...

Western Inaugural Ball
2009-01-24 00:40:00
Delegate Kilili gave me two tickets to the Western Ball . The ticket said it was a black tie event, so instead of renting a tuxedo, I just borrowed a black tie.I took one of his staffers, Becky Cruz Lizama, as my date. I think some of my readers know her, but I had only met her briefly at a coed soccer game last summer and during a meeting about the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument back in December (I also invited her to the LCV reunion).The food at the ball was terrible, but the drinks weren't too expensive. A beer was $6 and a glass of wine was $9. The bartenders were really slow, which was annoying and made for a lot of standing in line.There were two stages, one on either side of the ballroom. The main stage is where Marc Anthony sang and where Joe Biden and Barack Obama appeared. On the other end was where the cheesy Mickey Mouse Club-esque band played a bunch of cover songs.We ran into Madeleine Bordallo. She told us that the Governor of Guam Felix Camacho was th...
More About: Inaugural

LCV Reunion
2009-01-24 00:19:00
My old boss tried to set up a reunion of sorts for former League of Conservation Voters staff and volunteers from the 2004 Environmental Victory Project. Naturally, she didn't show up. Others did, including a few who didn't work for LCV. Here are the photos.Tara, Riley, and Tabitha.Becky, Angelo, and Claudio.These drinks are called O-bama Bombs. They are Bacardi O and Red Bull.Outstanding. I liked them.
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President Barack Obama at the Western Ball
2009-01-23 07:45:00
I was right up against stage right when Barack Obama addressed the crowd at the Western Ball on Inauguration night.
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The Inauguration of President Barack Obama
2009-01-23 00:59:00
All weekend I wrestled with how early I wanted to get in line for the Inauguration. I wanted to strike the perfect balance between finding a great location and not freezing my tushie off.The United States is a place where people camp in front of movie theaters in order to be the first person to see a new Star Wars movie or to be the first person to get an iPhone. I was worried that by midnight the night before the inauguration, hundreds, if not thousands, of people would be lined up for their chance to witness history.My apprehension increased during the nightly news. Well past 11 PM the live broadcasts from the National Mall showed hundreds of people braving the sub-zero temperatures.I knew the most important thing was to beat the first metro trains coming into the city. Those would start arriving around 4:30 AM and every few minutes after that several thousand people could be expected to pour out from an endless stream of filled-to-the-capacity trains.I wanted to get there wel...
More About: President , Barack Obama , Barack , Obama

I miss Saipan
2009-01-21 01:15:00
I have been gone for so long. Can you believe that I still haven't been to Saipan since the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument was declared? I am ready to go home.
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Overwhelmed
2009-01-20 23:57:00
After everything was over and it was time to go home or go to the parade or to go get ready for one of the Inaugural balls, one of the African American guys standing near me when Barack took the Oath of Office, a guy about my age, proclaimed out loud to anyone within listening distance, "Thanks, ya'll. This was a day that changed my life and even though I don't know ya'll, I shared it with you. I'll remember y'all forever."As we walked away back to our individual lives I watched as people took photos with people they didn't know. We hugged people we had met just hours before and shared tears like they we were saying goodbye to family members.This morning's inauguration was an emotional affair and I am exhausted.More pictures to come.
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Mission Accomplished
2009-01-20 05:47:00
So what do you think about my poster? I made it and colored in the letters myself.12 hours and counting...
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For Ed Probst
2009-01-20 00:30:00
This picture's for Ed. Aggreko is providing the electricity generation for the speakers and video screens on the National Mall.No comment on our local politics.

Boys Choir of Kenya
2009-01-19 21:17:00
There is a lot of stuff to see as you walk around Washington, DC. I came upon the Boys Choir of Kenya warming up for an appearance on CNN on the National Mall near the National Gallery.Its not like there are celebrities around every corner, but all of the major news channels have outdoor studios and they are interviewing all kinds of people. Cool stuff.

Mariana Trench Posters
2008-10-27 03:59:00
These posters were created to hang in businesses, classrooms, etc. They also make for good banners on websites. I have some in the office. Ask nicely and I can give you one.
More About: Posters , Mariana

Vote for Scott Randolph
2008-10-27 02:45:00
My former roommate, Scott Randolph, is running for reelection in Florida House District 36. He was recently endorsed by the Orlando Sentinel on October 9, a newspaper that usually endorses Republicans (although they endorsed Kerry in 2004):As a legislator, Scott Randolph remains a work in progress. The Democrat is much improved over his rookie season, when we labeled him as "class clown" for some bizarre proposals like awarding a sales-tax rebate on ticket sales only to teams with winning records.Two years later, he's become a strong champion for education. He also advocates a much more open process in setting a state budget, and he supports commuter rail.He also showed concerns for consumers by filing a bill to stop predatory-lending practices.Stephen Villard, Mr. Randolph's Republican opponent, ran unsuccessfully for Orlando mayor years ago. He was a no-show at several candidate forums in 2000, and declined an interview with the Sentinel's Editorial Board for this election. Of...
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Best Halloween Costume on Saipan
2008-10-26 02:14:00
Last night Sarah Palin winked at me. It was awesome. Too bad I already voted for Obama.So why was Sarah Palin drinking campaigning at Godfather's last night? No she's not here to hunt whale sharks from a helicopter, last night was the Red Cross' Club 200!And I didn't go!Yeah, lame, I know. Club 200 is the biggest event of the year. All the cool good-looking people go there. I went in 2006, but last year I was in Laos.  Now I'm a two year no show.  Oh well, there's always next year.Anyway, Club 200 was a Halloween party this year. I missed out on the fun. Stupid work budget.I've got a pretty awesome costume lined up for next weekend. I don't want to give too much away, but it involves a purple shirt, green pants, and a new haircut. Now if I can just find some red suspenders...
More About: Costume , Saipan

The Color of Flame Trees
2008-10-25 12:45:00
Somebody remarked that our T-shirts are the color of the flame trees, our national tree. How cool is that?
More About: Color , Trees , Flame Trees , Flame

An Environmental Afternoon
2008-10-25 11:15:00
The Friends of the Monument turned over 5593 signatures in support of the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument at American Memorial National Park this afternoon. They also turned in 201 business petitions, that is petitions signed by business owners and managers.Kudos to the Friends of the Monument and to Chairman Ignacio V. Cabrera for all their months of hard work. Over 60 volunteer signature gatherers helped collect the (now) 5600+ signatures over 4 months. Kudos also to the volunteers from Marianas High School and Saipan Southern High School who volunteered their time to put all the names into a database. Finally, kudos to Christina who punched holes in all the petition pages in order to load them into the binder.Right after the Friends turned over the petitions to American Memorial Park I participated in a Beautify CNMI tree planting. Members of the Kanagawa Trucking Association from Japan were on Saipan and they wanted to become a part of Beautify CNMI.Aya Matsumoto se...
More About: Environmental , Afternoon

Managaha Morning
2008-10-25 04:57:00
I spent a much needed morning on Managaha Friday. I went swimming, saw some fish, took a nap and read on the beach.I also got in some tourist watching.My favorite was the fat Korean kid in a speedo.I love the way the Japanese and Korean tourists dress when they go to Managaha. Undoubtedly there will be a handful of people dressed like Darth Vader, covered from head to toe so as not to let any sunlight touch their skin. These tourists are usually found in the shade covered in a blanket.Amazing.Then, of course, you've got your Korean and Japanese bikini babes* taking pictures of one another.Chi-Zu!Jeff Turbitt's second best reason for living on Saipan was the Japanese Bikini Girls. Makes you wonder why he ever moved?Not a bad morning. I need to get out there more often.*bikini is one of the top search terms for people finding my blog. Shameless, yes. Effective, absolutely.
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An Open Letter to President Bush
2008-10-24 19:45:00
President George W. Bush The White House1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NWWashington, DC 20500Dear President Bush :The Friends of the Monument was formed in the spring of 2008 to express the voice of the local community and consists of a cross-section of indigenous and resident people of the CNMI who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation and protection of marine flora, fauna and geological features of the oceans; and the creation and proper management of a Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.We, the Friends of the Marinas Trench Marine Monument, thank you and support your interest in declaring the marine ecosystems surrounding the three northernmost islands of Uracus, Maug, and Asuncion as a marine national monument, in accordance with the Antiquities Act of 1906. Declaring the waters as a monument under the Act would expedite the process of bringing protection to the precious resources found in the waters there, while establishing specific federal responsibilities toward gove...
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Boring?
2008-10-24 07:52:00
An anonymous commenter on another blog called my blog boring. Boring ? I can't have that.I guess I'll have to post my photos of Harry Blalock and Stanely Torres* from Godfather's last Friday.Last Friday was Harry's 48th birthday.Harry was in the corner with his family and some friends when Stanley Torres walked in and plunked himself down at the bar. I told Harry that he should go say hello and try to get a picture with him since it was his birthday.Harry walked up to Stanley, tapped him on the shoulder and asked if he could have a picture. Stanley didn't move and completely ignored Harry. Not even a flicker.Unperturbed, I told Harry to turn around and pose.Happy Birthday, Harry!*For those of you not up on your local politics, earlier in the week Commonwealth Representative Stanley Torres introduced a bill to declare Harry persona non grata because Harry called the members of the legislature a bunch of "meatheads" and other colorful names in print and on his radio talk show...

Feeling Better
2008-10-23 15:45:00
I haven't played soccer since August because my ankle is hurt. I should probably go see a doctor.Anyway, it is feeling better. I might start doing some light jogging to see if I can handle it. If I can, I might be playing soccer within two weeks.If I can't, it might be time to go see a doctor
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Hawaii Bar has good beer
2008-10-23 10:36:00
Anne is the bartender at Hawaii Bar. She's the boss.Notice the NO SMOKING sign on the right.Biba Hawaii Bar!Biba Anne!
More About: Beer , Good

White House Public Workshop
2008-10-23 08:45:00
Turnout at the White House Public Workshop was unbelievable. We had someone stationed out front to count people as they came in and he counted 360. The feds' number is higher. They are saying that 400+ people showed up. In my best estimation, 2/3 to 3/4 of the people were wearing orange t-shirts.  Cinta said she thinks about 90% of the people there were supporters.  I'd call that an overwhelming showing of local support.From The Saipan Blog - Saipan's most popular blog since ever sinceNot to say that there wasn't non-support (I know you ain't supposed to use no double negatives). There was a "protest" outside the Fiesta Resort before things got started. It consisted of about two Carolinian families, staff from the Division of Fish & Wildlife and some longline fishing "consultants" flown in from Hawaii. The whole thing was being orchestrated by John "What am I thinking" Gourley and Manny "Angelo Villagomez is an Idiot with Coconut Mentality" Duenas from Guam.Once th...
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