Now I'm Really Confused

What is going on with the Unity Movement?

I've been reading in the press that there has been a lot of dis-unity.

Then I get an email from Steve Woodruff announcing that Taotao Tano is hosting a series of community forums to discuss some sort of improved status for long term workers?

What am I missing here? There's disunity, but Taotao Tano is now somehow involved?

Wouldn't that be the opposite of dis-unity? Wouldn't that be more like super-ultra-mega-unity?

If someone has a clue, I'd love to buy one off of you. Somebody want to give me a one paragraph explanation of what is going on?

Anyway, here's the press release I got from Mr. Woodruff:

TAOTAO TANO CNMI ASSOCIATION, INC.
AND THE LTR STATUS WORKING GROUP
INVITE THE COMMUNITY FOR A COMMUNITY DISCUSSION FORUM


TOPIC: WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON
A POSSIBLE LONGER-TERM RESIDENCE STATUS
FOR QUALIFIED FOREIGN WORKERS
WHEN AND WHERE

Kagman, Capitol Hill, Papago, and Santa Lourdes:

Kagman Community Center
Wednesday April 9, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

DanDan, San Vicente, Kannat Tabla, and Fina Sisu:

San Vicente Elementary School Cafeteria
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

San Roque, Tanapag, As Matius, Puerto Rico, and Garapan:

Garapan Elementary School Cafeteria
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

San Antonio, Koblerville, Chalan Piao, Chalan Kanoa, Oleai, and Susupe:

Koblerville Community Center
Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

YOUR OPINIONS ARE WELCOMED

-How many years of successful work in the Commonwealth do you think should qualify a foreign worker for longer-term residence status?
-What do you think of social responsibility requirements such as basic English skills and classes in CNMI history?
-What kind of financial responsibility requirements do you think would be fair?
-What other factors do you think should be considered?

This seems like a good development, right?

Contract workers and indigenous locals working together? Isn't that a step in the right direction?

Again, I don't understand where the dis-unity is coming from.

In a previous post I wrote, "In the end, it doesn't matter how many people showed up. What matters now is what those people who showed up do now that they are organized."

So like Dennis Hopper in Speed, I pose the question, "What do you do? What DO you do?"






...and whatever it is you do, can you explain it me using small concise words? Digging through the newspapers and blogs for info is brain numbing.

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Every time I write something of a political nature I piss people off. For those people, I offer this:

Taotao Tano likes the idea of a park

Taotao Tano has come out as the first group in the CNMI to publicly support the Mariana Trench Marine National Monument. Their president, Greg Cruz, outlined their position on the "National Park of the Sea" in a letter to the Marianas Variety today. Here is the letter:

Letter to the Editor: Taotao Tano’s position on the ‘National Park of the Sea’

TAOTAO Tano has seen the proposal for a “National Park of the Sea” from the Pew Environmental Group and we support this idea. We are not ready to give the project a yes or a no just yet, but we like the idea and would like to discuss this idea further with federal and local officials.

The National Park of the Sea would create local jobs, lead to more science, education, and research opportunities, and result in a visitor center highlighting our local cultures, volcanoes, coral reefs, and the Marianas Trench. It would also garner worldwide attention, giving our tourism industry a much needed boost.

It is our understanding that under this proposal no commercial or sport fishing would be allowed. Additionally, with increased enforcement, it would be more difficult for illegal foreign fishing vessels to fish in our waters. Furthermore, the proposal as currently written would allow indigenous cultural fishing.

Some have asked the question, “What if sometime in the future we find something of value that can be extracted from this area?”

Taotao Tano’s position is that anything found up there should remain up there. The federal and the local governments should not be allowed to corrupt it. If there is anything of value up there, it should benefit the NMD people, not the local government.

We urge the governor and the Legislature to consider this proposal. Please consider the people and the benefits of a globally recognized marine park.

Let’s stop the mentality of a flat out NO or YES, but rather let’s talk. Let’s find out more about it. This is too good an opportunity for our government to dismiss without knowing more.

GREGORIO CRUZ
Taotao Tano

The Taotao Writes Back

Alright, so that title is a subtle attempt to bring the Force back to this blog. Can somebody teach me how to photoshop a light saber into Oreo's paw?

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Immigration rights activist Wendy Doromal has been collecting letters from foreign workers since her two visits to the CNMI in 2007. She's been showing them to Senators and Representatives in the hopes of quick passage for H.R. 3079.

Well, now the Taotao Tanos are writing their own letters. Here's the text:

Dear Senator:

I am writing to you as a concerned citizen, regarding H.R. 3079, the Immigration, Security and Labor Act that was passed in the House of Representatives in December 2007 and is being fast-tracked as part of the Omnibus bill. As members of the Senate, I urge that H.R. 3079 be referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee to be closely reviewed as a stand-alone bill, paying particular attention to its discriminatory nature of the economic and human rights impacts on the people of the Mariana Islands.

-H.R. 3079 is discriminatory by directly targeting the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and creating greater economic hardships. H.R. 3079 will further the level of poverty by creating more barriers to the development of a local economy, which relies heavily on tourism and investors of tourism .

-H.R. 3079 infringes upon the sovereignty of the indigenous peoples of the CNMI, whose political status was negotiated upon the termination of the United Nations trusteeship. The political rights were determined to be governed by the solemn Covenant, which granted local control of labor and immigration and also in collaboration with the United States. H.R. 3079 would give control of labor and immigration to the Department of Homeland Security, thus undermining the mutual trust and cooperation that has endured for decades.

-H.R. 3079 may violate the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. With reports of upwards to 50,000 workers during a 5 to 10 year period that H.R. 3079 may provide to companies seeking a quick means for cheap labor for the intensified military buildup in the CNMI and the neighboring island of Guam, the question remains of the burden on the infrastructure , and the resources that is not accounted for by Congressional Budget Office.

-H.R. 3079 enables abuses of the human rights to self-determination of the Chamorro people of Guam by providing a means to expedite the military buildup that was decided without their consent and participation and against the legal and moral responsibility of the U.S.A, as a signatory of the United Nations Charter, to ensure the full exercise of these human rights.

I urge you to review closely H.R. 3079 as single and separate matter from the Omnibus Bill, and to reconsider the facts put forth before you for the sake of peace and stability in these islands and for the human rights of self-determination to which we all are entitled.

Sincerely,

Taotao Tano

About a year ago I wrote an Open Letter to the US Senate concerning the increase in the minimum wage. If anything, I thought my stance was fair. If not a single Senator read it, I'm at least comforted to know that Diana's mom read it.

A year later, there is news in the local paper that the Feds may have acted in haste. They are now looking to modify the minimum wage increase. Hmmm, maybe they should have read my letter?

I'd write a second Open Letter to the US Senate, but I don't think it would be worth my time. This thing looks like it is on a fast track, no matter what we do.

A few years back when Puerto Rico was exploring the idea of changing their status, they put it to an island wide vote. The options were to become a state, become independent, or maintain the same status. They voted to maintain the same status. The US respected their choice.

Ambrose Bennett and Zaldy Dandan have both proposed the idea of a non binding referendum to gauge support for the federal takeover. I think that's a great idea.

If 80% of voters actually support federalization, then the governor and all the other leaders can accept it knowing that it is the will of the people. If 5% of the people support it, then we will know that this is indeed a federal takeover, against the will of the CNMI.

What does it take to have a special election?

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A while back the Saipan Tribune asked me my opinion of Federalization for one of their Man on the Street articles. I answered :

People usually say that the only sure things are death and taxes.
The people of the CNMI can add immigration and labor reform to that list.

I think that about sums it up.

Harmony Parade

Last month somewhere between 2,000-15,000 people marched in what was dubbed as the "Unity March."

The march was led by recently sworn-in Representative Tina Sablan, her boyfriend Glen Hunter, that guy Ed Probst, and immigration rights advocate Wendy Doromal.

They were protesting recently passed legislation that overhauled the local labor laws.

Now the other side wants their turn.

Taotao Tano is sponsoring a motorcade rally this Sunday morning to protest against "Federalization without Representation."

They sent out this press release today:

CNMI Citizens Called to Rally Against Federalization

On the heels of Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio's recent re-affirmation of federalization, Taotao Tano President Gregorio Cruz and other local residents are organizing a mass rally and motorcade this coming Sunday.

All local groups, community and organizations are uniting together as one in opposition to the Federal takeover of the CNMI's immigration and labor system.

The peaceful rally will follow the political activism of the CNMI's nonresident guest worker population clamoring for Federalization to secure improved immigration status.

"The overwhelming majority of our CNMI residents are strongly against Federalization, but they have not spoken out or made their views clear, " said Cruz. "This event is an opportunity for all of our residents to join together against Federalization without representation," he added.

Cruz emphasized the crucial need for all CNMI residents "to put their differences aside and unite as one community to speak out against the greatest threat to the CNMI's economy and local self-government."

According to Cruz, the group prepared to rally against Federalization is comprised of Republicans, Democrats, Independents, & Covenant Party members, all united in one common cause: to express strong opposition to the U.S. government's plan to Federalize the CNMI and strip it of its local autonomy during a very critical period in its economic and political development.

The rally will begin at 10:00 AM, when drivers will arrive and prepare for a motorcade rally commencing at 11:00 AM. After the motorcade ends, advocates of local self-government are invited to join the group for refreshments at the Garapan Fishing Base across the Kristo Rai Church along Beach Road.

So, shall I wait for Brad or should I just ask the question that is already on everybody's minds?
Alright, I'll do it. Which will be bigger? Will it be the Unity March, the Harmony Parade, or Martin Nievera?

Taotao Tano and the Chipmunks

This is amazing. Crank up the volume and play it over and over. This is an instant classic. Check out Chipmunkalex for more videos.

God, I love the Internet. What did people do in the 80's?

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Alright, so Taotao Tano went ahead and used some of my photos in their second We're Not Gonna Take It video. I'm Okay with that, really.

Then, just to show you easy it is to take other people's photos off their websites and warp them into something fun, I present my latest Youtube video:

TaoTao Tano on Youtube

This video, titled "We're not gonna take it anymore," has pissed off a lot of people on Saipan. There is a lot of talk about it on the blogosphere. I figured I'd give my readers (both of you) the chance to see it...you gotta watch about 90 seconds before you get to the controversial stuff. So, what do you think?

Say what you want to say about Taotao Tano, they've got some really good propaganda making skills. Check out their anti-federalization teaser, New World Order video, and interview with Tina Sablan

Update!!!!

Taotao Tano posted a new "We're not gonna take it anymore" video, this time using pictures from this blog. I'm gonna be famous!



Just a note: I don't think that was Jeff Schorr leading the Unity March. I think it was somebody else with white hair.

Upcoming Unity March

Can we all agree on a few things?

Can we all agree that nonresident workers are an important and integral part of our community, economy, and in many cases, families?

Can we all agree that it was wrong of Boni Sagana to tell Dekada members that a $100 membership would buy them a greencard long before there was any serious hope of getting them one*?

Can we all agree that it was wrong of Taotao Tano to tell Dekada to Go Home?

Can we all agree that anyone living on this island has the right to participate in our democracy by invoking their First Amendment rights?

Can we all agree that there were lots of Labor abuses in the past and that they still exist today, however that there are fewer now than in the past?

Can we all agree that not all nonresident workers have been faced with Labor abuses?

Can we all agree that some nonresident workers knowingly came here illegally and are abusing the system?

Can we all agree that there are racists on both sides?

Can we all agree that Mainland liberals calling these islands a “rogue territory” and constantly telling us that “Saipan sucks” is not helping matters much?

Can we all agree that protecting indigenous rights and culture is a worthy cause?

Can we all agree that people have different definitions of indigenous rights and culture?

Can we all agree that most of the people that moved here from somewhere else came here because the situation here is somehow preferable to the situation back at home?

Finally, can we all agree that the issues that are truly keeping all of us down, regardless of where we come from, are underfunded public education, poor infrastructure, greedy and self serving politicians, poor land and water stewardship, lack of economic opportunity, alcoholism, poor diet, and a bloated government?

...or am I just taking crazy pills?

* We all can't agree on this one. See the comments section for discussion.

The Comeback Kid?

Sometimes the reach of the Internet is amazing. Check out the locations that have cast a vote in the Best Saipan Blog poll:


I know who voted for us in Mongolia and Costa Rica. How about the other places? Who are you people?

...and Vote for The Saipan Blog!

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Taotao Tano President Greg Cruz is going to testify at the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee hearing next month. He is asking people to write testimonies to be included with his. You can read the Taotao Tano blog for more details.

I've written here and here that I like 95% of what Taotao Tano wants to do. They see themselves as a grassroots advocacy group for the mostly powerless indigenous people. They are very good at identifying many of the ills of our society, like addiction and high utility bills, but they are blaming the wrong people for causing them.

Contract workers did not cause our problems; the people who created the system that brought them here did. The sooner they realize that the plight of the contract worker is the same as the indigenous citizen, the better.

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Dengre is making some noise over at Dailykos. He's pissed off that the Tan's donated $10,000 to Hilary. How does he know the Tan's aren't Democrats?

Hilary raised almost $40,000,000 in 2006 and I doubt she even knows that she has that $10,000 donation. To put it in perspective, the ratio of her total donations to the Tan donation is the same as the ratio of my annual salary and a $5 bill.

Still, Hilary should donate $20,000 to MINA to clear the air. Hell, why not make it $40,000?


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I am being interviewed by someone at Rollins College later today for an alumni profile in the Alumni Magazine. I'll keep you posted.

Lunch with Wendy

I had lunch with Wendy Doromal yesterday.

I had chicken and she had a caesar salad.

THE END

...just kidding.

Wendy emailed me a few weeks ago and told me that she was coming to Saipan and that she'd like to meet me. I guess she reads my blog.

She called me yesterday and took me out to lunch. (That's right, folks, she bribed me with chicken...and it worked)

It turns out that Wendy teaches in the Orange County Public School system. I am a proud product of OCPS. Go Winter Park Wildcats! She also knows several of my friends in Orlando, like Sandra Diaz who works at (worked at?) Dandelion Communitea Cafe and Representative Scott Randolph, my former roommate.

Small world, huh?

So.

Wendy has been a thorn in the side of the CNMI government for well over a decade. Here is a letter to the editor in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin written in 1997 by they guy who used to have Charles Reyes job:

Northern Marianas got unfair coverage

Congratulations for a masterful job in helping the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity further exploit "Katrina" in its effort to publicize the current campaign to remove the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands' (CNMI) local control of its immigration and labor policy (Star-Bulletin, June 6).

This "coalition" that claims to monitor human rights abuses in the CNMI from its 3,900-mile vantage point is the same organization that maintained two years ago that literal slavery existed in the CNMI. This is the organization that continues to recycle "documented" stories of CNMI labor abuses by former Hawaii resident Wendy Doromal, who hasn't even been here since 1995.

The only problem is that Doromal's idea of documentation is writing down allegations she hears, much the same method as is used by your reporter in this story. Those accused then stand convicted with no right of appeal.

Of course, real prosecutors can't work like this and one would hope that reporters would not as well. The pat, heart-wrenching stories often collapse in the face of some tough, skeptical questioning of both sides. Skepticism seems to be in short supply at the Star-Bulletin.

Mark M. Broadhurst
Public Information and Protocol Officer
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

I can't believe that 10 years after this was written, the government is still using the Chewbacca defense. Jack Abramoff has $11 million of our tax dollars and we're paying lobbyists and propagandists $30,000+ per month and we're still saying that these are recycled arguments? WTF, mate?

Well, Wendy is back. She's in the CNMI taking testimony from Filipino, Bangladeshi, and other contract workers. She published her preliminary findings in the Saipan Tribune today.

I'm looking forward to the government's response.

She's holding a meeting of nonresident workers and their US citizen children at Kilili Beach today at 5:30. She's looking for more testimonies from people to backup her support for Federalization. I'd go take pictures, but I have something to do tonight that is much more important than this whole Federal Takeover/Human Rights Abuses/George Miller hates the CNMI issue:

Coed Soccer!

...and we're back.

Most people have already taken sides on this issue. Either the CNMI is full of pedophile, serial human rights abusers or we are a petri dish of capitalism, a shining beacon for the rest of the world to follow. While I would argue that the world would be a happier place if everyone had just one taste of my Auntie Connie's chicken kelaguen, I think the truth lies somewhere in between the way Wendy sees us and how Tom "what, you call that money laundering?" Delay sees us.

Not that people aren't getting screwed.

The contract workers aren't the only ones getting a raw deal. A lot of Chamorros and Carolinians are losing out, too. The recent creation of Taotao Tano is proof.

Now, I doubt this will ever happen, but wouldn't it be great if Taotao Tano and Dekada could sit down and work out their differences? They'd realize that they agree on 95% of the issues that they are concerned with. They both want to be treated with dignity, earn a living wage, care for their families, have access to health care, and live in a crime free, safe community. The only difference is that the Taotao Tano members are "local" and the Dekada members are "guest workers."

Can't we all just get along?

Taotao Tano: Listen Up!

Like a lot of people, I disagreed with Taotao Tano's "Go Home" and "This is OUR Land" protest signs. What a great way to kill any ounce of credibility that your group might have.

I went to the last Taotao Tano meeting and it seemed like they had a lot of good ideas and were concerned with a lot of important social issues facing our community. I had high hopes for Taotao Tano and it saddens me that they are blinded by their racism.

The immigration status of foreign contract workers is probably one of the most important issues facing our islands, but their protests sound eerily similar to the "Nigger, Go Back to Africa" philosophy of the Ku Klux Klan and the Republican Party.

There are so many issues facing this island. Blind racial hatred should not be one of them.

Taotao Tano has already identified a lot of the issues. They are concerned with the mismanagement of CUC, the legalization of marijuana, and a host of other things.

I'd like to add to that list:

1. Jack Abramoff, part II

The Governor just decided that he's going to pay a lobbyist $15,000 per month (that's $180,000 per year) to represent the CNMI during Federalization. Hiring Jack Abramoff worked out so well; I'm glad to hear that our leaders don't worry about repeating their mistakes the way I do.

Taotao Tano should be pissed about that. How many jobs is $180,000 per year? I could hire 15 professional beautifiers at $6.25/hour and have them spend 40 hours per week cleaning up this island. For minimum wage I could hire 30.

What is better for our economy, having more people dedicated to improving our tourist destination or paying off Joe Biden's grandson?

2. John Del Rosario publicly speaking out against Article XII

Taotao Tano should also be pissed off that the Secretary of Public Lands is publicly supporting getting rid of Article XII. It is good to know that the guy in charge of the majority of the land in the CNMI is in favor of selling it off for a one time profit. I just know he'll do the right thing when the time comes.

Alright, that's enough for now. I have to go cleanup the Lighthouse. Public Service beckons.

Have a Happy Fourth of July, Everyone!