You might want to check out this Daily Kos-Dengre post from 2/19/2009. All about our Governor.
It's going to offend some, so be warned.
And don't miss the bit on Alaska's Rep. Young-which also relates directly to the CNMI.
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14 comments:
Alot of actual facts.. mixed with alot of absolute crap. There's also a lack of full understanding of all of the issues relating to the inception of the Commonwealth and all of the issues surrounding federalization.. most especially where visa waivers are concerned. It's too bad.. because it could have been a really good piece. Like many recipes.. it only takes a few wrong ingredients to make the dish taste terrible.. this dish didn't need any added "flavor".. it ruined the dish.
I'm surprised at your reaction, Hammerhead. Sure he gets the Covenant time line mixed up, but other than that I see little difference from the kind of thing I read in your blog regularly.
Interesting, but too anecdotal. Needs more facts and backup notes. Most of this stuff is similar to that website setup by Bill Betz and his son out of New York.
"The kind of thing I read on your blog all the time"? Really? Can you pull something as an example?
I would like to know what so many people so adamantly support visa waivers. I looked at the US Embassy Websites for Russia and China and it does not seem like a difficult process to get a visa or an expensive one. On the Bejing one it says plan a month ahead -not much time at all. The way people in the CNMI talk, it is as if there are no longer visa waivers there will no longer be tourists from China or Russia. I just don't see this as being true. Wasn't one reason for the bill to have US immigration law universally applied to the mainland and US territories? (Well, as much as possible.) It seems to me that anyone who can afford a vacation at this time of economic disaster, can afford a visa.
How much does it cost to process paperwork for a Chinese/Russian to enter the CNMI under the current system? Who gets the money? CNMI Immigration? How much money is involved annually? Is there any money that would be lost to the Dynasty or Century Travel if this process changed? What is this really about. Lots of visitors from China and Russia go to the US mainland every year. They get visas and don't complain. I know I must be missing some pieces to the puzzle!
Lil', you should tell dengre specifically what he is lacking in "full understanding of all of the issues relating to the inception of the Commonwealth and all of the issues surrounding federalization...most especially where visa waivers are concerned." What specifically is the "absolute crap" Tell him. I know dengre, he is a truth-seeker and would appreciate being told of any errors and having any holes filled in.
that should read WHY so many people support visa waivers, not what....
Interesting question, Wendy, about the Visa waiver debate. I'm guessing that the CNMI wants what little edge it can muster in attracting tourists. If tourists get a Visa and can enter the US, they might just spring for the ticket to Hawaii instead of Saipan.
But if they can't get a Visa, or decide on a last minute trip on a lark, or whatever, then Saipan would be "easy" to visit.
This may be especially the case with gamblers going to the Tinian Dynasty.
I could be wrong--this is just a guess.
Wendy.. I was for the takeover of immigration (with waivers for whomever our visitor industry deemed potential tourist markets), I was always for wage hikes.. extreem ones. I'm by far no enemy of these ideas. I'm sure you've read my blog.. you're linked there. I have read a number of Dengre pieces that were relevant and needed, but that included bits and pieces of informaiton that seemed placed there simply to "sex up" the story, that were based on conjecture, or rumor, and definitely not fact. Personally, I thought this lessened the power of the story.. at least where readers like myself, who want to see things changed here are concerned. I want fairness, and justice for everyone.. but that also means not painting the CNMI with some broad brush. Fitial didn't become the Governor because he was the speaker, and didn't become the Governor because Abramoff put him there.. this is patently false.
I will consider your suggestion about taking up what I see are exagerations and mistatements with Dengre.
Jane
Thanks -I just don't get the huge fuss. I have gotten visas before and it was no big deal. I have friends from China who got visas to come to the US and it was no big deal. Your suggestions about the last minute lark and maybe selecting another US destination may be right. I really want to understand the fees and involvement of both Tinian Dynasty and Century Travel in this picture.
Lil
Thanks for the reply. I do read your blog! Please email dengre and express your concerns. He is a fair person and he listens and dialogues. His email is linked on his Daily Kos posts.
The VISA issue is one that both anti-fed and pro-fed factions agree on.. that is, our visitor industry requires the waiver. It is not that easy to get a VISA for many countries, at best for others (like ours) it is a nuisance. When my husband and I plan our travels.. we plan months and weeks in advance. We save, we identify activities, hotels, etc.. We don't plan vacations to places where a VISA will be required. My husband has been forced to get a VISA for particular business trips.. but the last thing you want to mess with when planning a vacation is a VISA.. and god forbid you're denied it. There's a reason the P.I.C. hotel and World Resort are filled with Russian families.. that's because they don't have to go through a VISA process. If they did.. it's likely they wouldn't come here.. they'd go visit Hawaii or California.
I should have been a little clearer and said.. "both anti-fed and pro-fed groups.. here in the CNMI".
Maybe we should require visas from GUM and mainlanders but waive it for Ruskies and Filipinos.
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