Up Next: The Truth About Liars

It seems that lying, along with a capacity for backbiting, obfuscation, and double-dealing, are, in fact, to be considered actual job qualifications for winning elected office. There are some deep political thinkers who insist that lying and deception is a requirement for success. It is an ideal that Eddie Calvo and Ray Tenorio have extended to actual governance and their own ideals of leadership.

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Calvo and Tenorio spent millions of dollars in 2010 to convince voters that they were men of honesty and trust. In a wildly desperately appeal for our votes, they were compelled to lie to island residents.

While there are three things most voters take as articles of faith - that the sky is blue; the pope is Catholic; and politicians are liars - politicians have seldom offered up lies so obvious that they are unable defend themselves against charges that they are liars. 

However, having proven a successful strategy for them in 2010, Calvo and Tenorio have since continued to shamelessly lie to the people of Guam, with little effort to hide the fact that they are lying.

Voters who elect politicians that lie over those who tell the truth, then shouldn’t be surprised when the liars prove incapable of honest leadership and become a threat to their own liberties.

For a number of reasons, the people of Guam, should be very concerned about the bad choice made in 2010, mostly because lying inevitably undermines trust, including citizens’ trust in their leaders and in government generally.

We have further cause to worry about the increasing dishonesty of the Calvo/Tenorio administration, as their deceitful conduct ramps up by degrees ahead of next year’s critical elections.

In 2010, Calvo/Tenorio outlined a “blueprint” for 2020, promising to take Guam in a new direction. They promised to transform island politics and government. To that endy, they have worked diligently to fulfill that promise; just not the way they told people it would change.

Unfortunately, for voters, psuedo-transformational leadership are dangerous because they accompany their deceptions with the destructruction or elimination of the institutional protections and educative political culture of constitutional democracy.

No big surprise with the multimillion dollar award by the Guam International Airport board of directors to Gov. Champ Calvo’s associates from Korean, the Lotte Group.

The company in a closed, predecisional affair was given the concessionaire contract worth upwards of $40 million after months of delays, and other questionable actions that led to a challenge by the DFS Group.

Of course, airport manager Chuck Ada, said the airport did nothing wrong and denied the challenge by DFS, clearing the way for the Korean associates of Gov. Champ Calvo to take over at the airport - where he has other plans to turn the airport into the island’s largest developer, competing with local private sector businesses.

This is all transparent and on the up-n-up naturally, in accordance with the new enlightened policy of openess of his little cousin Eddie. 

It remains to be seen what DFS will do next, considering that the company has invested in the range of $2 million for a powerful DC lobbyist group over the past few years.

Breaking News: Sacrifice

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On Tuesday, it was widely reported that an improvised explosive device ripped through the vehicle of soldiers on patrol in the Zhari district of Kandahar province. The military alliance initially said four US servicemen were killed, but that figure has since been revised down to three. 

Tragic news comes to Guamblog this afternoon, with unconfirmed reports, that two of the three US soldiers killed by the roadside bomb may be from Guam. The island already sacrifices more sons and daughters from this tiny community, per capita, than any other place in the United States.

Guamblog sources have provided the family names of two island families, but until their loved ones are properly notified, I will not repeat them here on the blog and ask blog sources to not refer to the family names in the comment section either.

This month has proven particularly bloody for members of the NATO-led security force, which is preparing to withdraw most combat troops by the end of next year, even as U.S. President Barack Obama plans to announce how many combat troops the United States will leave after the withdrawal.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to all those with loved ones serving in this costly war. We will continue to try to confirm details for readers.

UPDATE

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A U.S. soldier arrives Thursday to the scene where a suicide car bomber attacked a NATO convoy in Kabul, Afghanistan. A Muslim militant group, Hizb-e-Islami, claimed responsibility for the early morning attack. (Photo: Anja Niedringhaus / AP)

More detailed information is coming in to Guamblog, correcting an earlier tip regarding Guam sons who are reported to have died in Afghanistan this week.

The blog follower said that the two US soldiers killed by a terrorist explosion were not among the three victims of Tuesday’s roadside bomb attack.

Rather, the source clarified that the two servicemen from Guam killed in Afghanistan, were instead victims of the suicide car bombing that tore through a U.S. convoy during rush hour in the Afghan capital yesterday.

That blast killed at least 15 people, including four others Americans, civilian contractors working for international security company DynCorp International. Also killed were two children, Cmdr. Bill Speaks, a spokesman for the U.S. Defense Secretary confirmed to international media.

It was the deadliest attack to rock the Afghan capital in more than two months and followed a series of other attacks against Americans, including the Tuesday IED attack, making May the deadliest month for international forces this year.

The Islamic militant group claiming responsibility for the attack isHezb-e-Islami, a fierce rival to the Taliban. The leaders of the that group told media that its fighters stalked the Americans for a week before striking with a suicide unit.

US defense officials say the new suicide unit formed in response to reports that the U.S. plans to keep permanent bases and troops in Afghanistan even after the 2014 deadline for the end of the foreign combat mission, was responsible for yesterday’s attack in Kabul.

We Get Mail…and then some!

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At Guamblog, I get lots of email. Some days more than on others. In addition to an email alert when a comment is posted, people often write directly to me at guamblog@ymail.com or send me a message via Fb.

The last couple of days has seen a flood of comments and emails from blog followers. A few from readers so excited to write to me that they forgot to sign out of their legit email account and sign into their fake one…the email account they use to anonymously send tips, barbs and just plain old mean stuff. It happens sometimes.

Take for example, the following email received shortly after the PNC news broadcast tonight.

I blurred the name of the sender intentionally to save the senator any embarrassment. I am sure this digitard lawmaker would want Senator BJ Cruz to still think they are friends - or at the least, friendly.

But “senator” - Guamblog wants you to know….you been seent, biatch!

(BTW - I take you up on your dare; here’s your email.)

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[My reply.]

Q:Did you get my email for BJ?

Anonymous

Yes. I received it…sorry for the edit, but here is most of your email to BJ.  Now, how about actually emailing him directly and use your real name. After all…isn’t it this whole ‘secrecy’ thing that’s at the root of the problem with Bill 32-102?

Inbox: Adelup Discrepancies

Hafa Adai,

I was reviewing the Governor’s budget and saw a major discrepancy. Maybe you can get this clarified.
According to the Governor’s website, they list their current contracts as of April 26, 2013 for only $138,500.
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But if you look at the Governor’s Office budget information on the OFB website, the contractual data for Adelup shows it is actually at nearly $900,000 - including a rather odd, unexplained notation of a contract for the “Lt. Governor’s House.” 

Is there an official residence for the Lt. Governor now?

Is it possible for you to please verify why there are conflicting amounts for contracts indicated and why the governor’s website does not have the true amount listed.
Thank you.
A Guamblog Follower

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Q:Read your comments on PDN about Sen. BJ's bill to let CSC go stealth and hide all their dirty work and secrets behind closed doors. With no minutes or notes required, to make them the most UNACCOUNTABLE agency in Gov Guam. That's more Bush than even Calvo! What ya think about him running for Attorney General or Public Auditor now, Mr. Know It All Romeo? Two jobs where we need accountability most and he believes in hiding shit in the dark from the people and you think thats a good idea! Dumbass!

Anonymous

What is there to hide?

Guam Police Chief Fred Bordallo has admitted, that the Guam police - more than two dozen of them - were meant to only assist the Dept of Public Health execute an ADMINISTRATIVE search warrant on the Wise Owl Animal Hospital.

Instead, zealous officers, some even wearing foolish disguises - like the idiot cop in a pink shirt, wig and ski mask looking like a gay burglar - exceeded their authority searching employee vehicles, smashing video cameras, intimidating bystanders and otherwise violating the rights of witnesses to their abusive behavior.

The warrant was signed by Superior Court of Guam judge Anita Sukola, who in May 2011 had felt conflicted enough to recuse herself from hearing an appeal filed by Wise Owl veterinarian Dr. Joel Joseph against the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners - the same people behind the recent raid on his clinic.

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Who is going to tell the gay burglar cop in the pink shirt and the officer threatening to confiscate personal property and arrest the young man LEGALLY recording their actions, that they are violating the protected rights and freedoms of island residents?

There is more video and photographs showing the illegal actions of Guam police in a politically-motivated 10 HOUR LONG raid.

Source: youtube.com

A mother's perseverence: Helen Tenorio

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This is a great story. It illustrates the strength of mothers and their commitments to their children - through thick and thin.

Ms. Helen Tenorio is one tough cookie…though her son, may not be the best son, it has not stopped her from being the best mother she could be. For that, like all mothers, she deserves our respect and admiration. We should all be as strong as a good mother.

Guamblog wishes Helen, and all the mothers of Guam, the best for a blessed and joy-filled day.

Source: guampdn.com

Q:I was thinking, where you shop for your clothes. Do you buy your pants online or do you have a seamstress here? I can't imagine you shop for clothes in Guam. You wouldn't ever be able to find a store to sell pants big enough to fit your balls. I mean, they must be ginormous! For sure the biggest balls in Guam. That's why I always wondered what you look like. Are you a giant ball sack with eyes, ears and arms? You wouldn't need legs, could just roll everywhere. I would like to see your balls!

Anonymous

I don’t really shop for clothes on Guam or online. I have too many; and actually, after giving away most of my things the past 5 years, I still don’t understand how I can get away with only doing laundry 4 times a year before I run out of clothes to wear.

As for balls….why do you ask? Does it have to do with anything you’ve read on Guamblog?

If so, you give me far too much credit. Having a pair of big balls is nothing special. Most women have bigger balls than most men - especially here in Guam. Their balls are so big women have had to carry them on their chest so they don’t chafe. 

If you are sneaky enough you might catch me sunning on the beach on days like today. Yesterday was hot, too so I went to beach. I like the beach. I hate cameras and try to avoid having my picture taken, but here is a picture my friend snuck of me.

So, now that you know what I look like, don’t be a stranger when you see me in the street. Stop and say ‘hi.’

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  • Me enjoying a sunny Guam day at the beach.

 

 

Vet Persecution Continues

In the immediate aftermath of an embarrassing ethics investigations of assistant attorneys general Ben Abrams and David Highsmith, who have used their position to persecute Dr. Joel Joseph of the Wise Owl Animal Hospital, the Guam Police Department and the Department of Public Health and Social Services last night executed a search warrant on the Tamuning veterinary clinic.

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The owner of Wise Owl Animal Hospital, who is likely the cause for an ethics investigation into two assistant attorneys general, filed after years of harassment of the veterinarian by Dr. Mamie Balajadia and the Guam Board of Health Examiners, called a raid on his clinic a “baseless action” and further evidence of Balajadia’s exploitation of her position as head of the GBAHE.

The retribution, which acting police department spokesman Officer Paul Tapao said was a controlled-substance investigation, exceeded the scope of a search warrant signed by Judge Anita Sukola, with officers expanding the search into the private residence of the veterinarian, which is not a part of the clinic, and even into employee vehicles.

The raid lasted from late afternoon until nearly midnight officers confiscated medications not listed in the warrant and medical records.

While variety reports that police informed them the clinic animals were all taken care of properly during the raid, witnesses tell Guamblog that in fact, the police confiscation of even emergency med not covered in the warrant ultimately led to the death of a dog during the politically-motivated crackdown on Joseph.

Furthermore, when the distraught owner of the dog was confronted by police in a belligerent manner (allegedly caught on video), and told them to leave her alone, police are said to have put her under arrest. No word on whether or not the arrested the dog for dying.

[Guamblog will try to acquire footage of the raid and post as soon as possible.]

The pretext for the search of  Joseph’s clinic was suppoedly for a violation of the Guam Uniform Controlled Substances Act. However, a recent show-of-cause hearing that was conspired by Balajadia, Abrams and Highsmith in an attempt to take away Joseph’s controlled substance registration, ended with Judge Michael Bordallo ruling against the troublesome troika and reinstating Joel’ registration. That ruling allowed the veterinarian to stock certain drugs, showing the pretense of the investigation.

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Above, the controversial Mamie Balajadia has been accused of abusing her position of authority as head of the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners to cause a real stink with a number of businesses who some suspect represent economic competition to enterprises owned and/or operated by her close friends and family; or with those professionals in the community that may have publicly spoke out in the past about her questionable credentials and qualifications to hold certain high-paying gigs in the government of Guam.

Public Health and the GBAHE are fully aware of that ruling, raising serious questions as to how they were able to get a search warrant in the first place: through duplicity or complicity of the judicial system.

The law says I have a valid registration,” Jospeh told Guamblog. “The fact that there are people in this government who simply won’t provide the actual paper document to me is another issue I have had to go to court to resolve.”

Not coincidentally, the raid comes less than 48 hours before Joseph is to present before Superior Court judge Vern Perez, Friday at 1030am in another round of challenges to the unbridled economic intimidation and persecution at the hands of another corrupt government board.

Joseph said he will appear before Perez in a previously scheduled hearing of the CSR issue. “I believe they’re doing this in order to try and bolster their case or change the things that are going on this Friday,” the vet said.

The first witness expected to be grilled under oath by Joseph’s attorney Mitch Thompson is GBAHE lawyer, assistant attorney general Highsmith.

Thompson is expected to confront Highsmith with internal documents and statements made by Highsmith to charge the controversial assistant AG with unethical conduct, including perjury and ex parte communications.

In recent days, the AG’s office has been under a withering spotlight; pilloried in local press for a de rigueur attitude toward the administration of justice that has left the public - and now their pets - vulnerable and victimized by violent criminals and rogue government officials alike.

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The Committee reports that Guamblog Assistant attorney general David Highsmith, above, and his colleage Ben ABrams are targets of a recently filed ethics investigation for their conduct involving their role on behalf of the Guam Board of Allied Health Examiners, in the persecution of Guam professionals, including a dentist, cosmetologists, a chiropractor practice and the outspoken veterinarian Dr. Joel Joseph, among others. Ironically, Highsmith once headed the legal ethics committee, which met last month behind closed doors to discuss the Abrams matter, which witnesses say left the brusque barrister in a snit during a court appearance for Guam Board of Allied Health examiners that day.

Q:who are the significant people of talofofo

nerva024

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All of them. It’s God’s country, you know.

People are significant. People are important. Period.

When you delude yourself into thinking there are “classes” of importance, and begin to stratify your world, then you actually lessen yourself and make yourself less significant.

It is true, that all of us are born equal. But after a few years of education, making money and acquiring an individual personality, we are certainly no longer equal. But we are all, nonetheless significant.

If you don’t think so, you should apply for a job with the Attorney General’s Office or maybe try Adelup. They don’t get that all people are significant either.

Anon.Gu

ANON.GU: a·non  /əˈnän/ abreviation for Anonymous Guam. We’re everywhere.

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Guam is too small. It seems whenever I try to go somewhere to ‘hide,’ I always run into someone trying to do the same.

My general coffeeshop hangout these days is not only a popular destination for the coffeehouse set and lunch crowd, but it is also becoming obvious to people that I can be found there…which can be distracting when I want to prep a blog post or work on a client project.

There is always somebody who want to pass on a tip or offer their opinion on a topical issue.

So, it was with some reluctance I abandoned my routine and headed down to the Mix at the Westin Resort to seclude me and my thoughts from the fray.

And what the ‘blank’ happens? Nothing less than a friggin’ parade!

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My ears have been on fire since lunch hour today as the Gb inbox is loaded with speculation that former governor Carl Gutierrez and Bank of Guam president Lou Leon Guerrero met today to plot a strategy to correct the misdirection the island has taken since Calvo/Tenorio took office in 2011. In addition to that heat, is buzz that Calvo was at the same time meeting with speaker Judi Won Pat to secretly plot their own mutually beneficial strategy. Ironically, one source says all four wound up at the same exclusive eatery at the Westin Resort. I wonder what thoughts and concerns whirled in the minds of the foursome when they bumped into each other and caught a gander of who was having lunch with whom.

When I spied Bank of Guam president Lou Leon Guerrero heading in my direction, I didn’t feel compelled to move. She has igged me off so successfully since her days in the legislature as to reduce me to nothingness, that I have effectively become invisible to her.

The invisible man needn’t hide in plain sight.

I ordered a coffee with a nod (they know me here, too) as she disappeared from view.

Then former governor Carl Gutierrez strutted in. Being, as Joe Guthrie calls me, a Carlista, I normally have no problem running into the Gov.

But today, well today was one of those days when I was feeling inward and antisocial…I slipped into a corner to escape his incredible observation skills.

I thought I had succeeded in acquiring my seclusion until I saw Telo Taitague. Then Lil’ Cousin Eddie and then speaker Judi Won Pat.

“WTF??!” I mumbled aloud. I didn’t need the evil eye from Calvo or the banality of small talk with anyone today.

I did my best impression of a ghost. All with such big egos, none could see past their personal agendas, thankfully.

Every one of them furtively slipped into the lower level of the hotel, so I assumed they went into that Japanese restaurant there. No better place for them to hide from the hoi polloi and riff raff than a joint that serves at least one meat items at $20 a slice.

When the coast was clear, I unplugged and hauled ass away from the Westin, and Tumon, fleeing back to the comfort and confines of my little coffeeshop haven, tucked neatly away in a nondescript strip mall in Tamuning.

Anon.Gu are legion. Many eyes in many places. I din’t have to be there to learn what was going on below me.

Apparently Calvo and Won Pat huddled at one table, plotting their private successes together, as they tried to figure out a runaround legislative opposition to Calvo’s agenda (think BJ).

This little tête–à–tête left a couple of blog followers wondering today what the Democratic caucus would think, as there’s been ample suspicion for some time about where Won Pat’s loyalties lie, especially since the career politician decimated the talent in her office to a modicum of what it once was, by her own casual (and unrepentant) betrayal of longterm, dedicated staffers and the institution of Calvo-esque draconian policies; like the one that makes it a firing offense for staff to talk about the office to anyone outside the office - or with anyone within the office, outside of the office - or some such nonsense.

Across the room at the über-expensive Isshin, one stunned diner witnessed Lou and Carl having a hushed lunch filled with lots of smiles and energized conversation.

The diner texted Guamblog - even as I was making a mad dash for the exit only a couple of floors up to report what they observed.

The dropped jaw diner sent a flurry of texts, reporting that the two parties made failed attempts to not gawk at the other. At one point, the fellow patron wrote that the gang of four did speak to each other, with someone trying to take a photo - but that notion, and the camera, were quickly put away.

Though there were plenty of eyes who witnessed this political promenade in Tumon, there were no ears. Leaving most (though not all) of the commentary received thus far mere speculation.

Ultimately, only time will tell what the two parties discussed today - but one idea that has been burning up the phone this afternoon, and the inbox, as word about this lunchtime rendezvouz got out….is that Calvo and Won Pat almost certainly had at the top of their agenda, a lengthy discussion about what to do about the Henry Taitano nomination.

After all, Henry’s mom was the treasurer for Won Pat’s last election campaign. The speaker may recuse her vote, but she is not neutral on the matter according to info coming from other Democrats.

Well, my ears hurt…so, let me get out of here now….because I think I see another parade starting.