Why the gagging tactics over the Kiribati Independent?

First Meeting of Marianas Trench Monument Council June 5-6 on Saipan

Guam - The Marianas Trench Monument Advisory Council (MTMAC) is holding its inaugural meeting for the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (Monument) on June 5 and June 6, from 8:30 am to 4 pm at the Fiesta Resort and Spa in Saipan.

The public is invited to attend the meeting. There will be opportunities for members of the public to provide comments from 4 pm to 5 pm on
both days.

The intergovernmental advisory council objectives for the 2‐day meeting are for the MTMAC members to adopt procedures to govern its activities, hear operational reports from Monument managers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, and provide initial advice and recommendations to the Service and NMFS for Monument management planning.

Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodations to participate in the public meetings are invited to contact Angela Butsch at  1-888-812-5759 (voice) or 503-231-6263 (TTY), or angela_butsch@fws.gov. Reasonable accommodation requests should be received at least 7 business days prior to the meeting to help ensure availability; 2 weeks’ notice is requested for ASL/ESL interpreter needs.

For updates on this meeting or additional information about the Monument and its two refuges, visit:

http://www.fws.gov/marianastrenchmarinemonument and http://www.fpir.noaa.gov/MNM/mnm_index.html

About U.S. Fish and Wildlife:
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Connect with our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/usfws, follow our tweets at www.twitter.com/usfwshq, watch our YouTube Channel at
http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

NOAA’s Mission:
Science, Service, and Stewardship. To understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.

NOAA’s Vision of the Future:

Resilient Ecosystems, Communities, and Economies. Healthy ecosystems, communities, and economies that are resilient in the face of change.

Visit us at http://www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov

AUDIO: House Republicans Block Guam War Reparations, Again

Washington D.C. - House Republicans have again blocked Guam war claims on the annual Defense Authorization Bill.

HEAR Matt Kaye’s report in FULL HERE>>>5-18 guwarclaimsackedagain.mp3

The GOP controlled Rules Committee that decides which floor amendments to allow, turned down Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo’s latest bid to pass the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act as part of the FY ’13 defense bill.

Bordallo told Rules her amendment, also turned back last year, was paid for:  “This amendment also identifies an offset, pursuant to Committee rules.  The offset that we’ve identified is the additional Section 30 funding, above Fiscal Year 2012 levels, that is received by Guam for federal personnel stationed on Guam.  It will only impact my constituents.”

Bordallo said Guam’s expecting additional ‘Section 30’ funds as more troops are realigned to Guam over the next several years. But the Congressional budget office was still scoring bordallo’s amendment with the cost-offset, H.R. 44 as introduced would cost about $100-million dollars and implement the recommendations of the Guam War Claims Review Commission.

Republicans argued they’d accepted 2-thirds of the democratic and bipartisan amendments offered.

A vote by the full House on the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act is expected Friday in Washington [Saturday on Guam].

The House was expected to take one more day to pass its defense authorization bill that would make it easier to spend over $3-billion in Japanese funds for the Guam build-up.

The bill strikes a 2012 requirement for certification of “tangible progress” on a Futenma replacement facility.

It allows some $139-million in spending for civilian infrastructure projects, including a mental health facility and artifacts repository still controversial in the Senate.

And it ‘green lights’ some $102-million for military construction.

Delta Air Lines Names Jeffrey Bernier as Managing Director Asia Pacific

Guam – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced that Jeffrey Bernier has been appointed to the position of Managing Director – Asia Pacific, effective May 11.

Jeff will have overall Asia Pacific commercial responsibility for all aspects of Delta’s P&L, outside of Japan.

Prior to this promotion, Jeff was the Managing Director - Pacific Sales and Affairs.  Jeff has made significant contributions to establish Delta as a leading player in Japan and Asia.  Under his leadership, Delta’s Asia Pacific business has grown by more than 35% over the last three years.  In his new role, Jeff will continue to be the head of sales and will also have the additional responsibility of managing all aspects of Delta’s P&L in all Asia Pacific countries other than Japan.  

“Jeff is an exceptional leader and his focus on all aspects of the very complex Asian environment will help ensure profitable growth for Delta Air Lines,” Vinay Dube, Delta’s Senior Vice President – Asia Pacific said. “His experience will help taking Delta to the next level as we focus on enhancing the visibility and accountability for performance on a regional scale, providing better support to our global team and improving all aspects of our customers’ experience.”

Effective May 11, Masaru Morimoto is appointed as Managing Director – Japan and he will lead Delta’s Japan-based team and will have responsibility for managing all aspects of Delta’s P&L in Japan.

Matteo Curcio, Managing Director – Strategy and Market Development, will continue to have responsibility for strategy and market development for the overall Asia Pacific region.

“Increasing our leadership presence in the region is a further proof of Delta’s long term commitment to the Asia Pacific market,” Dube said.

Bordallo “Disappointed” GOP Controlled Rules Committee Blocks Guam War Reps, Again

Guam - Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo is “disappointed” with the GOP controlled Rules Committee’s decision to remove H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, from the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act.

Bordallo issued the following statement:

House Rules Committee Blocks H.R. 44 Again

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 17, 2012 – Washington, D.C. –

Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo today announced that the House Committee on Rules has prevented the text of H.R. 44, the Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act, from being considered as an amendment to H.R. 4310, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. Therefore, Guam war claims will not be included in the FY13 NDAA, which the House is expected to vote on tomorrow.

Congresswoman Bordallo’s amendment, designated Amendment #45, included the text of H.R. 44 as well as an offset to address Republican concerns about the cost of the bill. Her proposal would offset the cost of war claims using only additional Section 30 funds received above FY12 levels that are derived from additional military forces on Guam due to the build-up. The recent Memorandum of Agreement between the IRS and the Department of Defense provides for the cover over of taxes from all rotational (UDP) and permanently-stationed Marines who are expected on Guam as part of the military realignment in the Pacific. This agreement will increase the amount of available Section 30 funds.

During a closed-door meeting of the Rules Committee last night, Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts spoke in support of Amendment #45 and requested a recorded vote for its inclusion. All Republicans, however, voted against the measure to block its consideration on the House floor. Republican leadership raised concerns that H.R. 44 had not gone through regular order in the House Committee on Natural Resources, where the bill was referred shortly after introduction in the 112th Congress. War claims was not included in the FY12 NDAA due to similar procedural concerns.

“I am disappointed the Republican-led Rules Committee has once again prevented H.R. 44 from a vote on the House floor as an amendment to the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2013,” said Congresswoman Bordallo. “Since last year, I have worked with the House Natural Resources Committee to hold a hearing on H.R. 44, which occurred in July, to address any concerns, and move the bill forward. I have identified an offset, pursuant to the Resources Committee’s request; however, it has yet to be included in a mark-up that will allow it to move out of Resources for further consideration in the House.  It is time for this Congress to afford the people of Guam the right to have an up or down vote on this important legislation.

“Despite this setback, I would like to thank my colleagues, Resources Ranking Member Edward Markey and Congressman McGovern, for their efforts in working to include H.R. 44 in the NDAA.  I appreciate their continued support, and I will seek every opportunity to bring war claims to the floor, either as stand-alone legislation or as an amendment to another bill.”

VIDEO: Guam Mourns Passing of Joe “Uncle Tote” Cunningham

Guam - Guam is mourning the passing of  Joe Cunningham, known affectionately on Guam as “Uncle Tote”.

Cunningham came to Guam in the military and loved it so much he stayed. He worked on Guam in advertising and radio but his love for music put him in the center of many of Guam’s most notable musicians and writers.

“Uncle Tote was versed in Japanese, Tagalog and had a passion for the Chamorro language. He nailed the Chamorro rendition of the National Anthem when he shared the stage with then President Clinton when he visited Guam in 2000.

SEE and HEAR “Uncle Tote’s”  rendition of the Star Spangled Banner during President Clinton’s visit HERE

The social media is remembering “Uncle Tote” today,  particularly his gift for writing.  In March of 2010 he wrote a piece which laid out options for what he calls the fun ways to deal with his disposal. In the last option he writes: “rather than grieving for me, allow yourself to enjoy my graduation party and indulge yourself in a little mortuary humor.”

“Uncle Tote” dead at the age of 68.

SEE and HEAR YouTube Jam Session featuring Joe Cunningham “Uncle Tote” HERE

MAG-12 Gets Full on Fuel at Tinians’ West Field

Tinian (May 15) – Third Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Aircraft Group 12, Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, bulk fuels specialist Marines began receiving fuel from C-130’s for flight operations during Exercise Geiger Fury 2012 May 15.
One of the primary objectives of MAG-12 operations at Tinians’ West Field is establishment of a forward refueling point to extend aviation-training operations within the Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) airspace.

West Field provides a unique training venue because it has no bulk aviation fuel storage capacity. MAG-12 Marines have successfully installed high-volume fuel bladder storage and distribution systems to fill the gap.

Each expeditionary fuel bladder has the capability of storing more than 20,000 gallons of fuel.

Because fuel expands in the heat and MAG-12 is operating in a tropical environment on Tinian, the bladders are never filled to max capacity. This extra safety measure prevents any rupture in the liner of the bladder.

In the unlikely event a rupture were to occur, additional safety systems are applied around the bladder to ensure the fuel could be retained for further use and there would be no negative impact on the environment. A self-contained hazardous material liner lays underneath and around the bladder system as one such safety system to prevent leaked fuel from seeping into the ground.

“The protective berm around the bladder is basically a fuel safety net,” said Lance Cpl. Daniel L. Featherston, MAG-12, MWSS-171 semi-refueler operator. “That berm allows us to safely store the fuel we receive from the planes so that no fuel can leak out and harm the environment in the area.”

The fuel bladder system is a vital tool for Exercise Geiger Fury 2012.

“Without this fuel, we cannot operate any of our components,” said Sgt. Jonathan R. Cadenas, MAG-12, MWSS-171 bulk fuels specialist. “There would be no fuel for the planes, vehicles, generators as well as all other systems requiring fuel.”

The amount of time it takes to unload the fuel from the C-130 aircraft differs with the amount of fuel the plane is carrying.

“Each plane is carrying about 6,000 gallons of fuel,” said Featherston. “It can take anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half to properly unload the fuel into the bladder systems.”

Supporting expeditionary flight operations with a safe and reliable forward refueling capability is a critical requirement that enables the Marine Corps aircraft to quickly respond to real-world contingencies. It’s the dedicated and continuous efforts of all MAG-12 Marines that will ensure exercise Geiger Fury 2012 provides the realistic training needed to maintain the highest levels of readiness and proficiency.

DOE Investigating Teacher Who Reportedly Made Vulgar Remarks

Guam - The Department of Education has launched an internal investigation into allegations that a teacher from John F. Kennedy High School made vulgar remarks.

DOE Deputy Superintendent Robert Malay says the teacher has been removed from the school while the investigation is underway. 

Malay says DOE’s central office is looking into allegations that the teacher made vulgar remarks and may have placed his/her hand on the soldier/neck area of student. 

Malay says the allegations do not in any way involve sexual intercourse. 

He adds that DOE remains focused on the health and well-being of students which is why the teacher was removed until the investigation is completed.

VIDEO: 7th Grader Leonard Calvo to Represent Guam in National Geographic Bee MAY 22-24

Guam - What is the name of the body of water between the Bosporus and the Dardanelles?

If you answered “Sea of Marmar”, you might stack up well against Leonard Calvo, a 7th grader from Guam who will represent the Atlantic Territories in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee in Washington D.C., May 22-24.

Out of millions of participating students, Leonard is one of only 54 who have qualified for the finals of the annual competition, with $50,000 in scholarships up for grabs among other prizes.

The final round of the Bee will be simulcast on the National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD on May 24 at 8 pm ET/PT.

SEE Leonard’s video presentation of Guam HERE

READ the National Geographic Bee release below:

GEOGRAPHY WHIZ KIDS TO VIE FOR 2012 NATIONAL BEE TITLE AND $50,000 IN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS, MAY 22-24
Final round to air on National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD on May 24 at 8 p.m.

WASHINGTON (May 2, 2012)—Fifty-four of the nation’s brightest young geography brainiacs will gather in Washington, D.C., from May 22 to 24 to take part in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. The fourth- through eighth-graders, ranging in age from 10 to 14, will be competing for the 2012 Bee crown and three scholarships worth $50,000. Google is the sponsor of this year’s contest.

The National Geographic Bee champion will win the top prize of a $25,000 college scholarship and lifetime membership in the National Geographic Society. Second- and third-place finishers will be awarded college scholarships of $15,000 and $10,000. Additionally, the national winner will travel (along with one parent or guardian), all expenses paid, to the Galápagos to experience geography firsthand through up-close encounters with the wildlife and landscape of the islands on an expedition aboard the National Geographic Endeavour. Travel for the Galápagos voyage is provided by Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic.

The 54 finalists, winners of their state-level geographic bees, have beaten millions of students to earn a place in the national contest. They represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, Atlantic Territories, Pacific Territories and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.

The preliminary round of the 2012 National Geographic Bee will take place on Tuesday, May 22. The top 10 finalists will each win $500 and advance to the final round on Thursday, May 24, which will be moderated by “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek.

National Geographic Channel (NGC) will air the final round on May 24 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/PT. This two-hour primetime special will be simulcast on NGC and Nat Geo WILD. The Bee also will air later on public broadcasting stations; check local listings for dates and times.

Thirteen of the students taking part in this year’s National Geographic Bee are repeat state winners; three of the 13 are competing for the third time. Anthony Stoner of Louisiana and Anthony Cheng of Utah represented their states at the 2010 and 2011 championships; Vansh Jain of Wisconsin was his state’s winner in 2009 and 2010. Two-time returnees who participated in the 2011 national contest are Daniel Picard of Alabama, Andrew Hull of Alaska, Christian Boekhout of Arkansas, Michael Borecki of Connecticut, Benjamin MacLean of Maine, Karthik Karnik of Massachusetts, Tanner Carlson of North Dakota and Krish Patel of South Carolina. Returning for the second time since 2010 are Matthew Wilson of the District of Columbia and Gopi Ramanathan of Minnesota.

This year’s top 10 national finalists as well as next year’s top 10 may be eligible for selection to the three-person team that will represent the United States at the international National Geographic World Championship in 2013, to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia.

A survey of this year’s state and territory Bee winners shows that they have numerous talents in addition to their prodigious geography knowledge. Many are on their school honor rolls; many have won math, science and spelling contests; a number play musical instruments; and most enjoy a variety of sports and other outdoor activities.

Teachers, grandparents and other family members top the list of people (apart from their parents) whom the students admire. While many kids said they are quite content being themselves, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, U.S. president and past Bee champion head the list of other people they might choose to be.

John Fahey, National Geographic Society chairman and CEO, said, “National Geographic’s mission is to inspire people to care about planet. Through the National Geographic Bee and everything else we do at the Society, we hope to foster a lifelong passion for learning about the wonders of Earth and its diverse lands and cultures.”

Google is sponsoring the Bee for the fourth year. “The National Geographic Bee provides students with a unique opportunity to showcase their knowledge about the world around them. Our teams at Google are thrilled that young minds are using Google Earth as an educational tool to deepen their understanding of both natural and human geography,” said Brian McClendon, vice president of engineering, Google Earth and Maps. “We’re proud to sponsor a competition that demonstrates the power of technology to foster learning and inspire future generations, and we wish all this year’s national finalists the best of luck.”

The National Geographic Society developed the National Geographic Bee in 1989 in response to concern about the lack of geographic knowledge among young people in the United States.

The National Geographic GeoBee Challenge app, with more than 1,000 questions culled from past Bees, is available from the App Store on iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, or in the Android Market.

National Geographic Books recently updated two Bee-related volumes: “The National Geographic Bee Ultimate Fact Book: Countries A to Z” (ISBN 978-1-4263-0947-2), by 2004 National Geographic Bee champion Andrew Wojtanik, and “How to Win the National Geographic Bee: Official Study Guide, 4th Edition” (ISBN 978-1-4263-0986-1), by Stephen Cunha.

The 2011 National Geographic Bee champion was Tine Valencic, 13, a seventh-grader at Colleyville Middle School in Colleyville, a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas. The winning question was: “Thousands of mountain climbers and trekkers rely on Sherpas to aid their ascent of Mount Everest. The southern part of Mount Everest is located in which Nepalese national park?” Answer: Sagarmatha National Park.

About National Geographic
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.

Scharff Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Importing Heroin

Guam - 52 year old  Marvin Scharff has been sentenced to 8 years in prison on 2 counts of importing heroin.

 

Chief  U.S. District Court Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood also sentenced Scharff  on Thursday to an additional 4 months in prison and 4 years supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alicia Limtiaco announced the sentence.

Scharff  was indicted on June 8, 1994 and pled guilty on July 8, 1994 to two counts of importation of heroin. He did not show up for sentencing on February 24, 1995 and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Scharff  had been hiding in the Philippines, and 16 years later, he turned himself in to the State Department and expressed his desire to return to Guam.

On April 29, 2011, the defendant was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service upon entry into Guam.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karon V. Johnson and investigated by special agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).