Auntie Charo's Soapbox

HE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS

A dear friend is on the westcoast awating a heart transplant. He not only needs prayers, but needs cash as well.

]]> Joey Cepeda, deputy manager of GEDA is in the states fighting for his life. He has to have a heart transplant withing the next six months. Supposedly, he'll probably not be able to return to GUam after the surgery.
Both Joey and wife, Loling have jobs here.Joey's too sick to work at this time, but Loling will have need for a job. Hopefully, she'll purchase or rent a home, THey not only need cash donations t will need our prayers as well. Joey's such a nice man and far too young to have such a need but that's what he needs and hopefully, his friends will gat $10in his name and send on some cheer, cash and prayers.

There will be a fundraiser at the Sheraton hotel next week. Donation is only $10.00.
My thoughts and prayers are with Loling and the children.
Get well soon, Joey.

HE NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS

A dear friend is on the westcoast awating a heart transplant. He not only needs prayers, but needs cash as well.

There will be a fundraiser at the Sheraton hotel next week. Donation is only $10.00.
My thoughts and prayers are with Loling and the children.
Get well soon, Joey.

WHAT FRIENDS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT LIFE IN NEVADA

Most move to the desert state of Nevada because there are no income tax. Utilities aren't anywhere near the prices we pay and good medical facilities are near by.

]]> ANother thing that drives them away is the fact that their children will get better education. The school year is ready when it comes time to send the kids to their classes. They have books, that have enough teachers and even have enough school nurses. There no threat for increased utility rates from a czar that can justify an increase any damn time he wishes.
THe school board doesn't seem to think that
it would help matters if they cooperate so the needs of the school children are met. The board doesn't really look into the situation until they have to shut down the schools.

I totally agree with the exodus of our Chamorros who are so happy about the things available for them that they'll probably never return.

I personally feel that DOE should transfer all children to private schools and pay them for their services. I'd contact Atty. Mike Philipps and get him to plan the merge. We're an embarrassment. And that financial officer that quit said it all....she should never have taken the job, she obviously didn't know jack about finances. Good ridance(sp) I'd say

WHAT FRIENDS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT LIFE IN NEVADA

Most move to the desert state of Nevada because there are no income tax. Utilities aren't anywhere near the prices we pay and good medical facilities are near by.

I totally agree with the exodus of our Chamorros who are so happy about the things available for them that they'll probably never return.

SENATOR EDDIE CALVO DANCES CIRCLES AROUND THE SAME SEX MARRIAGE ON THIS MORNING'S TALK SHOW

Sometimes, questions are asked that are either yes, or no. There's no circling around a question when you ask a woman who's obviously pregnant if she's going to have a baby.

]]> Today, Ray Gibson asked Senator Eddie Calvo about the issue of same sex marriage as introduced by Senator B.J. Cruz. He said he respected the people who wanted to be married to a person of the same sex...the question wasn't if he respected those who want to marry a person with the same gender. He said he hasn't read the bill and on and on then said that he was a man who obviously was married to a woman and had children(not verbatim). This is an omen, I think, he'll be in the session hall and will probably be like a banana tree. If the wind blows to the right, he might swing that way or vice versa.

The following is cut and pasted from a cyber source:"It is clear, however, that the Bible condemns homosexuality as an immoral and unnatural sin. Leviticus 18:22 identifies homosexual sex as an abomination, a detestable sin. Romans 1:26-27 declares homosexual desires and actions to be shameful, unnatural, lustful, and indecent. First Corinthians 6:9 states that homosexuals are unrighteous and will not inherit the kingdom of God. Since both homosexual desires and actions are condemned in the Bible, it is clear that homosexuals “marrying” is not God’s will, and would be, in fact, sinful.

Whenever the Bible mentions marriage, it is between a male and a female. The first mention of marriage, Genesis 2:24, describes it as a man leaving his parents and being united to his wife. In passages that contain instructions regarding marriage, such as 1 Corinthians 7:2-16 and Ephesians 5:23-33, the Bible clearly identifies marriage as being between a man and a woman. Biblically speaking, marriage is the lifetime union of a man and a woman, primarily for the purpose of building a family and providing a stable environment for that family.

The Bible alone, however, does not have to be used to demonstrate this understanding of marriage. The biblical viewpoint of marriage has been the universal understanding of marriage in every human civilization in world history. History argues against gay marriage. Modern secular psychology recognizes that men and women are psychologically and emotionally designed to complement one another. In regard to the family, psychologists contend that a union between a man and woman in which both spouses serve as good gender role models is the best environment in which to raise well-adjusted children. Psychology argues against gay marriage. In nature/physicality, clearly, men and women were designed to “fit” together sexually. With the “natural” purpose of sexual intercourse being procreation, clearly only a sexual relationship between a man and a woman can fulfill this purpose. Nature argues against gay marriage."

Times have changed as have values. Few use the bible to guide them through life's journeys. But I say, the answer should be a strong 'yes' or, 'no'. I felt his willy nilly answer came from a person who doesn't want to lose votes. He wants votes from the gays as well as the straights. He wants to have his cake and eat it as well. While George Bush was president, he was against abortion, early or late term. He was unpopular with his stand on stem cell because the stem cells came from an aborted fetus and, he was against same gender marriages because it was unnatural. His no gray area answers didn't endear him to many....but, he was true to himself, to what he believed in.

It doesn't make a fat rat's butt how many states have allowed same gender marriages, we don't have to do what others do just to appease a few. I wonder if this bishop has the spine Bishop Felixberto Flores had when he threatened excommunications to those that voted to legalize abortion. Unfortunately, loopholes have allowed for many lives to be snuffed out while in utero for those who performed the murders, I say, 'karmic pay back's a bitch!'

After same sex marriages do we move on to beastiality?

WAS GAMBLING ISSUE, NOW SAME SEX MARRIAGE, WHAT NEXT?

Youth Congress president, Derek Hill introduces bill for same sex marriage and senator B, J. Cruz picks up and introduces same bill for current Guam Legislature.......

]]> So.......the community was asked to vote for a gambling bill.......no, no, hellno! The company tried twice to get their initiave passed.....the Bishop and friends made their speeches against the issue, and it didn't pass. Even the old Grayhound Races stopped and the dogs set free.

Yesterday, senator B.J. Cruz picked up on the Youth Congress' bill to introduce same sex marriage law. The archbishop quickly joined in and reminded his flock that marriage is between a man and a woman....I recall reading this in the bible, and growing up knowing this, there was nothing that would ever lead me to think otherwise. There was marriage(between a man and a woman)....and....divorce. I can't imagine what gender God would have picked if he created the first two human beings to complete each other....didn't He say go forth and multiply? Again, I can't imagine how two of the same gender can go and multiply. But I'm thinking this is really old fashioned thinking, almost like an old wives' tale.
I also never imagined that what is reported in national news would ever reach the shores of Guam.....it has.

On the Patti Arroyo show this morning, most of the calls were 'for' the marriage of the same gender....no one from the anti-abortion league called to protect the sanctity of marriage, between a man and woman. I suppose that these people are thinking that they'll oppose the bill when the legislature discusses the issue. It may cause a senator or two that votes in favor of same sex marriage. The bishop still has a strong hold on his side and he'll probably gather them to protest the issue when it's discussed at the hallowed halls of the legislature.

The bish doesn't like protests.......when protest threats were made in order for mass to continue at the St. Fidelis Friary before an evening mass at the Cathedral......he changed his edict to allow for mass but no services for death anniversaries, marriages or even funerals...the edict was slightly amended...making sure that all the money for such services continued to be made in 'parish' churches.

There are a group of people who think nothing of aborting a fetus just before its born(stem cells used, of course and that's a good reason for late term abortions/murder). The same group will stand for same sex marriage. Times and values have changed........'O mores, O tempores!

WHEW! IT DIDN'T LAND ON GUAM!

The South Koreans are sighing along with us.........that THING didn't land on us!

]]> Koreans who make Guam home don't always listen to local radio stations.......some of them continue to listen to Korean radio. Last week, a station reported that the North Koreans were going to target Guam as a landing for the rocket that was launched today. I used to think that we were important enough to wipe off the map but thought that Uncle Sam would think as well and would send up an anti-missle if such a threat was carried out.......besides, we have a few fancy, fast-flying planes that would certainly protect us.......hee, hee, I'm so dumb, it would only take about twenty or so minutes to 'gotcha' if the North Koreans really wanted to shut us down.....I said that if anything, the launch, if other than a communications satellite, would aim at cities with more people....and would probably aim for Hawaii, Alaska or the U.S. westcoast............the group was scared....for their relatives in South Korea and for themselves if the threat as reported, would be aimed at Guam.
So........since there's really no country that North Korea listens to....ha, ha, President Obama said that if the N. Koreans launched the satellite he would contact the United Nations........hee, hee, the UN hasn't been able to get any of its members to listen....which is why there are so many rogue nations......so, what now? I wonder what Bush would have done/or, said. This reminds me of a parent I was once behind at a neighborhood supermarket........the mother kept telling her unruly child, "If you don't put that drink back, I'm going to spank you!" The child not only didn't put the drink back, he opened it up and started to drink it. Yup, just as you suspected.......she didn't do anything..........perhaps she should have threatened to call the UN!
Bottom line.....we're glad that the darn flying object didn't land here.......we're already stuck with a dump problem and wouldn't be able to handle the additional debris! But, will continue to watch to see if the U.S. does make an official complaint to the UN for North Korea's littering.

THE NEWEST RUMOR

Would that old building in Tamuning be big enough to use as a small hospital?

]]> If I were reporter, I'd just hang out at nightly rosaries for news gathering, of course, a good reporter would have to chase the story to make it 'factual'.........I'm not a reporter so I'll just pass along the latest rumor I've heard at the most recent rosary......that being..........that the old Ben Franklin building in Tamuning is being considered to rent/buy or use as a new hospital. I think there are five floors and an escalator and two elavators which makes it possible but think there will have to be a lot of plumbing work to make it work....oh, then there's the parking issue....

But, I'm no engineer, my brain's too small to wrap around the theory that the building could be used for multiple doctor's offices or out-patient facilities but hospital?........whatever the building becomes would make me feel better........we can't keep talking that we're not bothered by the great depression when we're driving up and down Marine Drive and see a great number of empty buildings such as the old BF building and its sister building that used to house Continental Airlines.

My two cents worth? I think that the old Sherwood Hotel across the condemned JFK high-school would work better as a small hospital because each room already has plumbing......but....who's asking me.

TO FURLOUGH OR NOT TO FURLOUGH....THAT IS THE THREATI

If you live on Guam, you know that the best way to get people to do things is to threaten them...get the masses upset then use their hysteria to your advantage. ..

]]> If those clowns at Julale don't pass this bill, then I'll just threaten to cut off a few hours on those who can't afford it.(The people of course will be made of of the grass roots who will cry and whine and complain to all thier relatives not to vote for those hooligans at Julale. Papa at the front office will tell the grassers that he just doesn't want to cut off their salaries but doesn't have any alternative. Of course, he'll need a full staff so there probably won't be anyone cutting off any time in his back yard.

The criers-victims will make their way to Julale and may even do their own threat thingy.....Ha! You think I'm going to vote for you again, after you've done this to my family? The clowns will put their head down, maybe even shake it, they'll wring their hands and tell the cry-grassers that they're just trying to save auntie and uncle by adding the COLA and whatever else makes it on the bill...of course the cry-grassers won't know any better because they probably got their job at GovGuam cuz they didn't have to have a high-school diploma.....hey, I didn't make it up, it's a law, you don't have to graduate to work there! And if you didn't graduate, then all you'll know how to do is threaten back.........."I promise, my family has 600 voters and they won't be voting for you"......
It's like the song about the wheels on the bus goes round and round(except to FBLG school, that is cuz the dumb principal is using the experience that he used to close JFK has worked at this new assignment....giving the kids an early spring break.....even if Guam doesn't have spring...aye adai, I digress!!!)
What I meant to say is that we're going 'round-n-round' and it's costing money that's mysteriously surfacing. Gawd, I'd love to have been governor for a month..........not pay the million dollar a week punishment from Uncle Fed......and see what he does to the mentally challenged officials.......if uncle's court decided to jail the stubborn......would he place them at a brig at Naval Station or would he let them interact with those at DOC........wow, that would have been fun to watch.....
So I've just read a bunch of comments about the subject dumpy....they're talking about the possibility that the Julalians might not get re-elected.......hmmmmmmm, this looney toon island has a few people who could really make a difference by getting elected......only thing is, they already have careers and don't eat at the public trough(rhymes with cough).....dear lawd, who's going to replace the governor wannabees along with their wannabee lt. govs?
My prophesy is that we'll have the return of the sunshine from Agana Hts............there's no way in hell that a republican would win if they run two sets of wannabees........sorry Eddie, it ain't gonna be your turn again if you can't convince the doctor to go back to GMH where he's needed, although he's spent more time on the island than his friend.....(Hmmm, wouldn't you just like to know how many mileage points his friend earned since he got elected top coconut?)
So........I think it's easier to raise the GRT and let the deadwood continue to keep their 40 hrs....and everyone will be re-elected and we'll live unhappily ever after!

ANOTHER ADIOS

She will be remembered with much love...what a classy lady she was!

]]> It was a week to say 'good-bye' it seems....but, she lived a rich and fulfilled life. She always had a smile for you and always asked about members of your family when you ran into her. She was an example of how it was to be a mother, keeping her children together and by example, teaching how important it is for family to stick together. Times have changed and our values have changed but for Veronica McDonald Calvo, she lived the values until she took her last breath. She was ninety-five years old.....
My thoughts and prayers are with her loving family.
So dear lady, adios. Thank you for your lessons on how to live and...love!

WHO CARES ABOUT THE SYMBOL OF TURNING OFF THE LIGHTS FOR ONLY AN HOUR?

We are judged by what we don't do....sometimes!

]]> A small group of people thought it would be symbolic if we, as part of the bigger picture, could participate in doing without power for just an hour. Who knows what turning off the power would save the world....certainly those 4,000 cities in Australia saved some money by participating in 'offing' the lights that draw so much energy.....

A minute(as in a small amount)group tried to bring the message to the island.....they talked a minute group to shut off 'extra' lights during the Earth Hour last night. We drove around the island to see how many would take part in this symbol of making a difference if but for an hour.............heck, hardly anyone bothered...their lights burned as if there was no tomorrow....an endless amount of fuel and it's escalating prices....made no difference....perhaps we've lost touch with what's important, what's too uncomfortable to be without bright lights for an hour. Were we afraid that we would have to talk to eachother or do something with eachother for this hour?

Marine Drive between Tamuning to upper Tumon was so bright that we could have saved tons to have them turned off for sixty lousy minutes. Tumon was lit up like a Christmas tree.....no need to save here!

We say we care about our earth but our actions say much louder that we talk from both sides of our mouths.....We call the radio station and complain about how we haven't done anything about the dump and are so angry that GovGuam has to pay Uncle Sam a million dollars a week........well, we're so clueless about what's happening to our earth home that we think we're doing right by fighting the Feds over their rule to close the dump..........we're not earth savers....when gas was at the five dollar rate.....few planned their trips....fewer car-pooled........there's an endless pit and we'll abuse the source until it runs out.........last night confirmed this behaviour. When we run out of gas, we'll car-pool, when we run out of diesel, we'll turn off the lights.......it's such a Guam thing to use things til it's broken...then we whine until someone saves us from ourselves...

I hate that I know which neighbors don't care about not caring about the symbolic need to turn off the lights........when it's all gone(resources)....we have no one but ourselves to blame......we are after all.......just a farce. We say we care.....but oh what a lie we tell by our actions.

Obviously, our priorities are misplaced...........sad hour, that Earth Hour.......!

ADIOS, ADIOS

Two totally different men who have made their 'difference' pass away and we're poorer because they no longer walk this plain with us.

]]> He was really a part of my life although I never shook his hand or made eye contact with him. He was an 'in your face' man with passion for everything he touched. He quietly returned to home, worked at GMH and you heard about his work there. As he got comfortable, his practice grew, as did his passion for everything he did. He was passionate about GMH, good or bad, he did what he thought was right...and sometimes, he was downright wrong....but he moved ahead, bull-like in big arena. He had a very public and nasty divorce...the t.v. stations dying to get their cameras in the court room. He was Guam's famous doctor now on t.v.,radio and in print. He survived that horrible time and moved on with his life. He fished passionately, rode jet skis while others watched and wondered where he got his energy...he also had a love for the 'hot rods'.....and somewhere in all that, he managed to get elected to serve the legislature....he was passionate about that as well...he had some private and public arguments about how the hospital should be run....he made a few friends and lost a few in the fights.....and when you thought he was down to the count, he became an afternoon talk show host....a time I let him into my life. He was unpredictable, funny, nuts and totally 'certifiable'.....but he brought so much laughter in my life that my belly hurt.....it was a dark day when he quit to join his friend at the Lt. Gov's office....and for a brief while, he was out of sight and thought until it was reported that he was in ICU and that he not only had a stroke, but was battling cancer as well. Dr. Edwardo Cruz, how do you say good-bye to a friend who didn't know that you cared for his well-being? He made a difference in many lives.....he wasn't perfect, but who could fault him for trying to do what he thought was 'best'?
I'll miss the idea that I would hear his laugh, his natural humor, his funny grin and his passion...he perfected all of these....and my thoughts are now with his family that will miss him the most. Surely the happy memories they have of him will carry them through these painful days. Earth's loss....heaven's gain.

Another man, also filled with passion crossed over and left a big void is the man who is known to have made a long trip to the great white father in Washington D.C., and had his hand in the political arena. He was smart. He wanted to know everything about everything...and he would use that knowledge to better the lives of the people of his island home.......He was a leader of leaders, a man of old values, yet managed to live comfortably with the changes of time and morals...Although he chose to live in California, his heart remained on Guam and came for frequent visits....and he would tell 'the story' of this island and how its evolved.....I think he's still telling 'the story', only this time, in heaven.
The old former speaker of the Guam Congress has taken his earthly chores to heaven to perfect. Unlike the other who was only sixty-seven, Carlos P. Taitano lived a full life, crossing over at ninety-two.

So, adios, adios dear friends....and, happy trails!

WE'RE TRENDSETTERS!

It's not great being known a 'trendsetter'.......Alas! We could almost print a 'how to book' for those that are on the same path as we're on.

]]> Does the government need money in order to keep operating? Does the government need funds to pay tax refunds....pay bills from vendors?
Yup!!! As I write this..........the government needs your tax refund money to pay for the bodies that work for govGuam...it needs it to pay other bills, ya know, fixing pot holes, hire real teachers other than school aides to babysit during what should be a learning environment for Dick and Jane, oopsk meant Jesus yan Maria. We're out of funds to do almost anything that would benefit the community.......and what does happen to keep things going.......is to keep your tax refunds to keep afloat..........and we're already talking about increasing sugar and non-sugar sodas and beer and cigs......I'm sure that the able staff of Ms.Boss at BBMR, Bertha the miracle worker can write instructions on how to survive..........and once the feds want their million dollars a week order, she might be able to sell how she and her colleagues found the funds to keep the government open...........but, I digress........
This is really a testament to fact that there's no bottomless pit that has billions to screw around with..........In national news tonight, there are states that are going to be taxing movies and other luxuries(ha, who says going to a movie is a luxury) taxing sodas and other items AND, not pay tax refunds.........that's so Guam, isn't it? Heck, we've been not paying tax refunds for years, you'd think the various states would have learned our secret years ago!
So California and Kansas and other money-less states........check out how we're running our government......heck, you might even learn how to borrow from retirement funds as well! Biba Guam.........trendsetter again!

LET GO AND LET GOD

A must read for those with(or without) children.

]]> I'm probably years behind because the book has probably been on coffee tables for at least a year, but I finally read the book written by Gennie Calvo about her daughter who had an incurable disease.
The entire book was lyrical. Each page was lovingly written, almost as if one was reading the journal with pictures. There was no place in the book that mother or daughter played themselves to be victims, thus, the book was about being a hero and accepting God's Will. The daughter accepted what was given her and she lived out her young years not blaming God for her condition. Gennie Calvo didn't damn God for taking away this beautiful child that had so much to live for. Instead, she continued to pray for her daughter and did what she could to make her daughter's last years filled with as much love as possible.
Each of us who have children have no clue for what comes next. Some of us are lucky that the children grow up without getting caught up in drugs, DYA or DOC.....and grow up without incurable diseases and we take these blessings for granted. After you read Let Go, and Let God, you'll have a different feeling about what it's like to raise a child and spend the last years of her life travelling to and from hospitals in the states to get her well....or to do this and in the end, she dies anyway.
I am applaud Gennie's courage to write the book and pray that God continues to bless her and give her the strength to live her life without her beloved daughter.

GFD AND THE FUND FOR UNIFORMS

If the dude wants to wear last year's uniform.......let him.......just don't give him the money for one if he's not going to buy a new one!

]]> There's so many situations that confirm "stupid is as stupid does!"
I can't understand why the government is howling over the fact that it's given X number of firemen/women allowances for uniforms and they are used for something else........
Stupid........if you want the men and women to wear the uniforms, don't give them a uniform allowance, you know they aren't going to spend it on the darn things........maybe a new cell phone or other macho gadget but uniform? Ha ha, guess again.
I say that if you want the men and women to wear the uniforms, have them turn in a request along with sizes(probably sizes XXL and XXXL) and have the department order the garments.........we already know that we can't trust them to buy uniforms on an annual basis so.......don't hand out the funds until they send in an order for same......don't bother having the dudes turn in a receipt for new uniforms........we all know they're best friends with the providers and that a receipt written by Mr. or Miss Friend working at the tailor will write a receipt any time one asks for one..........
I can't believe that as we get older.......we become more stupid......I don't see the problem with the school children that are mandated to wearing uniforms!