The Weekly Journal - Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Wednesday, July 13-19, 2022 - // no. 168

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Reliable energy for economic development P6 Cryptocurrencies make their way in retail P7 FDA to consider ‘OTC’ contraceptives P9

Disbursement of reconstruction funds

increase

as projects go into construction But less than a fifth of all funds have been disbursed so far

Hawaii honors gender-fluid healers P13

D

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

espite Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3) executive director Manuel Laboy’s announcement that the disbursements for reconstruction and recovery projects for this year’s first semester had surpassed those of the previous two years, less than a fifth of the almost $28 billion originally allocated have been disbursed.

Next September will be five years since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico.

Still, Laboy is confident the pace will pick up from now own, as the bigger, more complex reconstruction projects enter their construction phases.

“We have implemented a series of policies and initiatives during the first six months of the year that have allowed us to disburse some $462 million, so far. That is more than the $457 million of 2020, and the $358 million of 2021,” said Laboy.

“We are confident we will be able to meet our $1 billion goal by the end of the year.”

While not necessarily an impossible task to GO TO PAGE 4

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, July 13, 2022 >

2

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

a week in review Lola: vibrant, intelligent and smooth

Bar-C-Lona Rooftop at the AC Hotel launched its exclusive and redesigned beer Lola BarClona. Described as a vibrant, intelligent and independent woman that knows what she wants, Lola is a pale lager beer with citric tones very well suited for our tropical climate.

Lola BarClona is a collaboration with Miramar Brewing LLC, a local group of investors that acquired the Old Harbor trademark and Ballester Hermanos, leader in artisan beers distribution. Lola’s label design is the brainchild of Cindy K. Alde and Milton Maldonado. Lola is only available at Bar-C-Lona Rooftop of the AC Hotel San Juan-Condado by Marriott.

Smirnoff starts from zero

Marco’s Pizza opens two new restaurants Fransglobal Inc., operator of Marco’s Pizza restaurants in Puerto Rico announced this week the opening of two new restaurants in San Juan and Caguas. The new restaurants, which generate 50 new jobs, will join the chains’ other 52 for a total of 54 restaurants across the island. Since its inception, Marco’s has enjoyed a warm reception among customers in Puerto Rico. “We are characterized by the freshness of our offerings and the public appreciates this,” said Carlos Budet, CEO of Fransglobal.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

The classic vodka has expanded its portfolio with its first spirit made with natural flavors, 100% fruit infusions, sugar-free and with a low percentage of alcohol by volume (30%). “Smirnoff Infusions is a product made for those who prefer options that allow them to have balance, without sacrificing flavor,” said Nicole González, Senior Brand Manager at V. Suárez & Co. Infusions is available in two flavors: Cucumber and Lime or Watermelon and Mint and Smirnoff suggests it could be enjoyed by just adding ice and sparkling water. One serving contains only 84 calories.

Infusions goes well with those moments when a person seeks to connect with friends.

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

VP of Accounting Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Vp of Marketing and Business Operations Michelle Pérez Miperez@elvocero.com

VP of Production Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

VP of Editorial Content Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic and Technology Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300 Customer Service: 787-622-7480

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Area in downtown Humacao affected by Hurricane Maria. >Archive/THE WEEKLY JOURNAL

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

administration this year, after their mayors have been indicted on corruptions charges (Cataño, achieve, the executive director did admit there Guaynabo, Trujillo Alto, Guayama, Humacao), are elements that impact the recovery and means it could be possible that the number of reconstruction process, over which the COR3 applications –for those municipalities, at least– has no control. Laboy referred specifically to the may drop again. “slump” in disbursements Another element that may experienced in 2021. impact the reconstruction projects –particularly at the municipal level– is the solvency The year after the election of the local governments.

“The first six months of 2021 “If the government were transitioning months.

Up to this date, $5.2 agencies and/or the municipal More than 20 municipal billion of the almost governments have liquidity governments changed $28 billion originally problems, their ability to pay administration, and in many allocated for the contractors would definitely be cases that included changes in relief, recovery and at risk,” admitted Laboy. the reconstruction work groups. reconstruction of Nevertheless, the COR3 The same happened with most Puerto Rico after executive assured the impact of the government agencies…

Hurricane Maria of such a situation has already new agency chiefs came on have been disbursed. been dealt with. board,” he explained.

About a month ago, the According to Laboy, the General Contractors Association situation reduced the number (GCA) held a round table of reimbursement applications meeting with its members and received by the COR3, thus the press where they voiced their concerns about reducing the amount of reimbursements. He the long waits for reimbursements to be paid, now assures that situation has been solved and which put them at risk of going out of business. estimated the Dec. 2022 goal will be met.

Laboy did recognized that sometimes While it did not seem to have been taken into reimbursements may indeed take longer than consideration for Laboy’s presentation, the fact expected, and that he is aware of the contractors’ that many municipal governments have changed

In fact,

The first six months of 2021 were transitioning months. More than 20 municipal governments changed administration…

Manuel Laboy, executive director COR3

complaints. On the subject, he said he had already met with the Contractors Association to address their concerns, and claimed they welcomed the “Working Capital Advance Program.”

“Three weeks ago we launched the ‘Working Capital Advance Program,’ which advances 25% of the funds obligated by FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Administration] to the municipal government,” Laboy explained. “Still, regardless of how efficient the municipalities and the COR3 are, independent contractors must have working capital and credit lines [themselves].”

The executive also met with members of the Puerto Rico Co-ops Association to “advise” on the regulations and procedures the COR3 follows in the reconstruction process.

“I’ve met with the Co-ops Association to inform them how things are worked out at FEMA, so they’ll

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

be aware of the procedures and they’d be able to make their assessment when servicing their clients,” Laboy said, while anticipating he will have a similar meeting with the Puerto Rico Bankers Association (PRBA).

Up to this date, $5.2 billion of the almost $28 billion originally allocated for the relief, recovery and reconstruction of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria have The fact that been disbursed. That is 18.5% many municipal of the total allocation. governments Laboy justified the arguably have changed low disbursement rate saying administration Projects still pending that the smaller projects have this year, after Laboy established two been the ones completed by their mayors have distinct periods in the island’s this stage of the reconstruction been indicted reconstruction process: the process, but that is about to on corruptions first, from 2017 to 2020, and the change in the coming months charges, means it second, from 2020 on. when the bigger projects get could be possible The first period into the pipeline. He estimated that the number of corresponded to FEMA’s several projects from the disbursements may emergency response and the Puerto Rico Electric Power drop again. projects needed to bring the Authority (PREPA), the Puerto island back to operational Rico Aqueduct and Sewer status. The second one, in Authority (PRASA) and the place since 2020, refers to its Department of Education will permanent reconstruction. go into construction by next “It’s about five years since Maria, but this all year, thus increasing the number of projects under started in 2020. People forget that FEMA funds for construction and the disbursement rate. the reconstruction were made available in 2020.

But, along with these projects being among Before that, there were the emergency funds,” the biggest and more expensive, these are said Laboy, who adamantly stated that “if we are also the more complex. Thus requiring specific going to count the 10 years [allegedly needed to expertise for their construction and evaluation for complete the reconstruction], we need to start compliance prior to disbursing the funds, which in counting from 2020.” turn presumes longer evaluation periods.

In fact,

Devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in La Perla community in Old San Juan. >Archive/EL VOCERO

If the government agencies and/ or the municipal governments have liquidity problems, their ability to pay contractors would definitely be at risk.

Manuel Laboy, executive director COR3

Laboy dismissed those concerns saying the COR3 is taking a three prong approach to solving the so called bottleneck effect.

“First, we have improved our efficiency at the COR3 without compromising compliance and transparency required by FEMA. Second, the number of projects under construction has increased –2,700 as of March 31st– thus increasing the amount of disbursements. And thirdly, we have dedicated resources to provide the necessary tools and training to government agencies, municipal governments and non-profit organizations [subrecipients], so they know how to manage reconstruction processes with FEMA,” explained Laboy.

“We are soldiering on to meet our $1 billion year-end goal, and comply with Governor Pierluisi’s policy to become facilitators in Puerto Rico’s reconstruction,” he said, pointing out he expects all funds to be disbursed before 2030, the 10year deadline for the completion of the recovery process.

Still, Laboy admitted PROMESA’s Financial Oversight and Managing Board (FOMB) has estimated that COR3 and FEMA may very well be disbursing reconstruction funds until 2035, almost 20 years after Hurricane Maria.

Gas station in Humacao destroyed by Hurricane Maria. >Archive/EL VOCERO

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Resilient Energy Sources as a Solution

for Sustained Economic Growth US Department of Energy chooses the Microgrid of the Mountain for collaborative program

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Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

fter Hurricane Maria in 2017, the Cordillera Central –Puerto Rico’s central mountain range extending East to West, that splits the island into two coastal plains – was the last to be connected to the power grid. It’s a seismically active area prone to landslides that often suffers from blackouts that effectively cut it off from the rest of the island.

Without resilient energy, a community cannot sustain growth over time. When the power goes out, they soon lose water - a primary need.

After losing access to clean water, the health of the community rapidly declines along with its economy. Homes and businesses in vulnerable areas need an uninterrupted power supply, and this is what the Microgrid of the Mountain is been developing in the Cordillera Central.

Officially registered in August of 2019, the Microgrid of the Mountain – an initiative by nonprofit Unidos por Utuado, Inc – is Puerto Rico’s first electric cooperative. Last month, the US Department of Energy (DOE) nominated them to cooperate in their Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP).

C.P. Smith, executive director, Through the program, the cooperative Microgrid of the Mountain will refine its intermunicipal microgrid plan, develop and design specifications for batteries and distribution, as well as make other over a year,” explained C.P. Smith, Executive improvements. It strengthens the region by Director of the Microgrid of the Mountain, as bringing the latest technology well as other renewable energy and energy management projects, in an interview with THE solutions to a community WEEKLY JOURNAL. that is rarely invested in.

Small businesses that lose The stability provided by a electricity every week suffer from Small resilient energy network is unpredictability; their clients businesses that lose the foundation to economic cannot depend on them as a electricity every development. reliable resource. week suffer from “Many of the businesses in unpredictability; the mountains work with 5-10% Instability their clients cannot margins.

They are just one natural “These communities are depend on them as a disaster away from closing suffering from two conditions. reliable resource. permanently and what can help One is they’re aging rapidly them is what the cooperative and one of the reasons why offers–a lower fixed rate for these communities age rapidly electricity,” said Smith. is because young people leave So far, the Cooperative has one microgrid as soon as they can. And then Hurricane Maria up and running. A second one will be installed just completely shut down their economies for

“Puerto Rico [requires] a regionalization of power resources, which means that we have to create distributed energy, source the generation in various areas in the island…” /

In fact,

soon, followed by other installations at strategic points within the communities. ETIPP brings together the DOE and its national and regional partners to work with remote and island communities throughout the US and its territories to support projects in communities with vulnerable energy infrastructure caused by increased risk of natural disasters and climate change.

Island-Wide Resilient Energy

On July 12, an explosion occurred at a Luma Energy installation in Jayuya, leaving the municipality without power. A few months earlier, a 40-year old circuit breaker caught fire at the Costa Sur Power Plant in Guayanilla, leaving without power schools, businesses, and even, briefly, a hospital.

“Puerto Rico [requires] a regionalization of power resources, which means that we have to create distributed energy, source the generation in various areas in the island and then identify ways that we can reconfigure and reconnect the grid to ensure that, should pockets of the grid go down, it doesn’t drag down the entire network,” Smith advised.

The Microgrid of the Mountain has not received any funding from the Puerto Rico government. According to Smith, Puerto Rico is suffering from a number of challenges, including ‘ridiculously slow implementation’ times. The cooperative is indicative of the power and capacity that communities have to organize themselves and develop plans, which they should be able to present to the government in order to seek funding.

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

How Businesses Can Make Crypto Work for Them

Blockchain technology evolves to meet everyday demands

C

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

transactions are processed by the network every 10 minutes, so it takes at least 10 minutes for a transaction to be confirmed. For payments that need to be completed quickly – in a cafe or retail store, for instance – this is painstakingly slow, but until the transaction is confirmed, the merchant is at risk of not getting paid.

ertain retailers, such as Pac Sun, The Lightning Network have started accepting crypto as So how can a business reap the rewards the cash register. THE WEEKLY of bitcoin – one of which is minimal foreign JOURNAL spoke with Erik transaction fees – without being limited by slow Alvarez, Head of Operations transaction times? The lightning network was at Velas designed to reduce the burden Commerce, on the main chain network, on the benefits of completing making bitcoin available for use in transactions on the blockchain payments again. using cryptocurrencies.

Called a second layer, the Velas Commerce offers lightning network is a smart The bear consulting and implementation contract made on the bitcoin market of the past for businesses interested in network that takes bitcoin and few months has integrating bitcoin in their locks it into a hashed-timelock seen wavering payment systems using bitcoin contract (HTLC); two parties make trust in some lightning integrations. The an agreement to open a payment crypto enthusiasts, lightning network is a second channel between each other. especially those layer built on top of the bitcoin “It’s like everyone is starting who are just network to facilitate fast and a bar tab with each other based looking into its cheap payments using bitcoin. off bitcoin,” explained Alvarez, opportunities.

On the bitcoin network, “Payments can be done at the the cost of a transaction is speed of sending information typically calculated based on [they’re] no longer dependent on the complexity of the transaction and the data that blockchain confirmation time. [Current] fees required. While bitcoin transactions were originally on the lighting network are a fraction of a percent.” envisioned as cash for the internet, problems arise when there is a complex transaction or busy Integrating blockchain technology network. According to Alvarez, transaction fees can The bear market of the past few months has range between $5 - 10 during busy times or fifty seen wavering trust in some crypto enthusiasts, cents at night. especially those who are just looking into its Another aspect that makes the bitcoin network opportunities. difficult to use is the blockchain itself. On average, “In my opinion, short-term volatility is really

In fact,

In my opinion, short-term volatility is really critical for small to medium businesses.

Erik Alvarez, head of operations at Velas Commerce

critical for small to medium businesses. We are a small business, we invoice in bitcoin, [but] we don’t live day to day with the money brought in with crypto. So for us, because of what we do, we look at bitcoin as a long term investment. We try to hold on to what we get,” Alvarez said of small businesses accepting bitcoin as payment, “Still, if money is worth half of what it was last month, it still makes life difficult.”

“The amount of people who use crypto daily for making purchases is quite small. Large integrations make a huge dent. Lightning payments grew by 80-90% when El Salvador passed the bitcoin law and Cashapp integrated bitcoin lighting payments,” said Alvarez, who believes that it’s not impossible that Puerto Rico could see something of its own Bitcoin Beach in the future.

Small and medium sized businesses can accept crypto payments and use them as an investment, or they can convert these payments into their local currency. “It’s about how much of that money you can afford to save as an investment. Once that is decided, it points you in the direction of what technology you should use for accepting crypto payments. The technology is out there for the full spectrum of crypto users,” advised Alvarez.

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Technology opens a flank to

cyberattacks in both government and private sectors Jobs Act, over $2.3 billion in funds to increase resilience against cyberattacks, as well as to strengthen infrastructure to resist attacks of such magnitude as, for example, preventing threats that have been intended to interrupt utility Madison Choudhry, Special to The Weekly Journal systems.”

Specifically the funds provided by the s technology continues to Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) are advance, cybersecurity has intended for state and local governments to become a growing concern. prepare for any potential cyberattacks on public A report from Fortinet, a firm and private networks. that provides automated The funds have also been allocated to build cybersecurity solutions, and maintain the infrastructure of services detailed Puerto Rico as the such as the power grid. In addition, the funds target of 926 million cyberattack attempts in are meant to address cyber threats in rural and 2021. With such a looming threat the topic has municipal public service systems and advance garnished the attention of top officials. the cybersecurity applications and technologies With the large demand for answers, for the energy sector.

Congresswoman Jenniffer The act also establishes a González-Colón sponsored a relationship with the Cybersecurity conference to discuss current and Infrastructure Security Agency and potential solutions.

(CISA), an agency that “manages “The FBI’s new cyber strategy the risks arising from threats and Puerto Rico focuses not only on how we dangers both physical and cyber, was the target of 926 will meet the unique challenges and strengthens the security and million cyberattack of cyberspace, but also on the resilience of cyberspace, supporting attempts in 2021. why of our cyber mission: for national security efforts.” the American people to be safe, Cyber Security Chief for CISA’s secure and confident in a digitally Region 2, R. S. Richard Jr., also in connected world. But we know attendance at the conference, that the government cannot do provided practical and technical it alone. This fight requires a whole-of-society solutions to the growing threat of cybersecurity. approach: the government and the private sector, Richards explained that among the most sophisticated working together against threats to our national cyber threats identified by CISA is money theft and security and our economic security,” explained cyber fraudsters, who are continuously developing Joseph González, Special Agent in Charge of the capabilities to disrupt, destroy or threaten the FBI’s San Juan Field Office. provision of essential services.

In regards to the action taken by Congress, FBI Special Agents Christian Nieves and J.C. González-Colon explained “we approved, as part Slaughter closed the conference detailing real life of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and scenarios that lead to cyber security fraud and

Cybersecurity becoming a mounting issue in Puerto Rico

A

In fact,

This fight requires a wholeof-society approach: the government and the private sector, working together against threats... / Joseph González special agent in charge, FBI San Juan Field Office

the method behind finding and charging such criminals. The special agents emphasized the importance of creating a positive relationship with the FBI before such attacks occur.

The agents reported that since the beginning of the fiscal year in October 1, 2021, to July 5, 2022 in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, the most financially damaging cybercrimes reported to the FBI were investment scams, business email compromise, confidence or romance scams, cryptocurrency theft, non-payment/non-delivery of goods and services, personal data breaches, tech support fraud, and SIM swapping. These crimes totaled more than $14 million in reported losses.

Banks, educational institutions and universities, municipalities, state agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and small businesses are some of the most vulnerable when it comes to a cyberattack. However, the individual is not immune to cyberattacks. In an increasing digital world it is more important than ever to be vigilant and forward thinking about approaches to protect sensitive digital information.

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Drugmaker seeks FDA approval for over-the-counter birth control PILL Request comes amid legal and political battles over women’s reproductive health Matthew Perrone – The Associated Press

W

ASHINGTON — For the first time, a pharmaceutical company has asked for permission to sell a birth control pill over the counter in the U.S. HRA Pharma’s application on Monday sets up a high-stakes decision for health regulators amid legal and political battles over women’s reproductive health. The company says the timing advocates when it loosened access to abortion was unrelated to the Supreme Court’s recent pills. The agency faced similar political pressures in decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

2006 when it approved over-the-counter use of the Hormone-based pills have long been the most emergency contraception pill Plan B. common form of birth control in the U.S., used Many conservative groups stress they are only by millions of women since the 1960s. They have interested in curtailing abortion, and state bans always required a prescription, generally so health often explicitly exclude contraception. professionals can screen for conditions that raise Even before Monday’s announcement, the risk of rare, but dangerous, blood clots.

Democratic lawmakers were calling on the FDA The French drugmaker’s application compiles to swiftly consider any such years of research intended to requests. convince the Food and Drug “We urge FDA to review Administration that women applications for over-thecan safely screen themselves counter birth control pills for those risks and use the pill without delay and based solely effectively. on the data,” said more than 50 “For a product that has been Reproductive members of the House’s Proavailable for the last 50 years, rights advocates Choice Caucus in a March letter. that has been used safely by want to see other Many common medications millions of women, we thought prescription have made the switch from it was time to make it more contraceptives move behind the pharmacy counter, available,” said Frederique over the counter including drugs for pain relief, Welgryn, HRA’s chief strategy and, eventually, heartburn and allergies. officer. abortion pills.

In each case, companies An FDA approval could come must show that consumers next year and would only apply can understand the drug’s to HRA’s pill, which would be labeling, evaluate its risks and sold under its original brand use it safely and effectively without professional name, Opill. The company acquired the decadessupervision. HRA spent seven years conducting the old drug from Pfizer in 2014, but it’s not currently FDA-required studies, including a trial that followed marketed in the U.S. Reproductive rights advocates want to see other 1,000 women taking its pill for six months.

Behind the company’s efforts is a coalition of prescription contraceptives move over the counter women’s health researchers and advocates who and, eventually, for abortion pills to do the same. have worked for nearly two decades to make That potential for a precedent-setting decision contraceptives more accessible, especially to once again places the FDA under an intense groups with less access to health care. political spotlight.

Birth control pills are available without a Late last year, the agency was condemned by abortion opponents and praised by women’s rights prescription across much of South America, Asia

In fact,

For a product that has been available for the last 50 years, that has been used safely by millions of women, we thought it was time to make it more available.

Frederique Welgryn, chief strategy officer at HRA

and Africa. Last year, Paris-based HRA won U.K. approval for the first birth control pill available there without a prescription.

Advocates were particularly interested in HRA’s drug because they say it’s likely to raise fewer safety concerns.

The pill contains a single synthetic hormone, progestin, which prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from the cervix.

Most birth control pills contain progestin plus estrogen, which can help make periods lighter and more regular. Progestin-only pills are generally recommended for women who can’t take the more popular combination pills due to health issues.

The FDA is required to hold a public meeting to evaluate HRA’s application before making a decision. Safety considerations are likely to take center stage.

Executives at HRA, which is owned by Perrigo Co., expect a decision in the first half of 2023.

Advocates hope it will be the first of many.

/ Wednesday, Sept

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Eduardo Hilera, M.P.S.

Emergency Hilera, Management and Homeland Security Expert Eduardo M.P.S. Emergency Management and Homeland Security Expert

IT

The Storms of September Where’s the hold-up?

nteracting with the federal he Atlantic season— government, be it thehurricane executive branch or Congress, is thethat most significant the one impacts Puerto challengeRico—runs that any state governor from June 1or to town mayor can face.

November 30. The peak, Who’s really at fault? Simple. A however, occurs from midWashington establishment who doesn’t understand PuertoSeptember Rico’s needs.to mid-October, which In Congress, historically,has thealready approvalstarted, rating folks.

The permanently recorded in our for thehurricanes federal legislature has been under 20%.

The approval its members by their Hugo on memories all rating madeof landfall in September. constituents19, is through the roof, however.

There 10, September 1988; Hortensia on September are members that win with more than 80% of the 1996; Georges on September 21, 1998; and Maria vote. on September 20, 2017. There is a clear trend here.

In the Executive branch, regardless of Abraham Lincoln said: political “If I onlyappointee had one hour to who’s in the White House, chop downSenior a tree, I wouldService spend positions, 45 minutes positions, Executive and Cabinet-level positions remain vacant for sharpening my axe.” years.

The federal government Applying Honest Abe’s wiseruns logicbecause to hurricane hard-working career employees make sure that season, we should do everything possible to get agencies are doing their job. However, when it ready before a disaster. comes to executing the policy initiatives that Alladministration it takes to getcampaigned ready is a little creativity, logic the on, career and a few bucks.

Being prepared makes employees hold back. Unless they’re told toour communities more resilient. change a procedure, things run the same way.

The most judicial branch, all the way to the Supreme The basic emergency management Court, has been stacked with controversial concept is planning. Emergency managers agree nominees.

This alone it has reversedare crucial— that the first 72year hours after a disaster decisions that were widely supported by most itAmericans, takes thatshaking long forthe help from first responders country to its core. to reach those in need.

In spiritBecause of planning, So why is Puerto Rico stillthe hurting? below is a checklist of the steps we can all take Puerto Ricans are still shaking their heads from tothe beroll prepared those 72 hours.

It doesn’t of paperfor towel thatfirst hit their face after Damage from Hurricane Maria in Sept. 2017 >Carlos Rivera Giusti, Archive submit that budget to the state legislature and the lastsophisticated disaster they were trying to just recover involve equipment, a few things the Fiscal Oversight Board at theenough same time.

If First Aid Kit—Most of us have first aid products Water—Keep drinking water from! we can do by ourselves. the legislature, the “Junta” and the Governor don’t but may not keep them all in the same place. family hydrated for 72 hours. In addi Puerto Rico has been fortunate to have careful agree on the budget, then the “Junta’s” budget is and efficient representation in Congress during Look through your home containers full of tap water for basic Inspect Your Home—Look the law of the land, ignoring the will of those who Funding to solve the island’s the last decade.

The island has had bi-partisan and store them all together. needs.to represent them. around your home at doors, Puerto Ricans elected representatives who work energetically to get The Red energy crisis has been tiedCross to and othersState agencies that have federal funds windows, potentially hazardous the island to move forward. Congresswoman Food—Cook what you can and use pe provide recommendations of to move available the island forward and want objects, and anything requirements for clean energy at Gonzalez-Colón and Governor Pierluisi have Make sureRico’s to keep non-perishable foo work Puerto progress are specific items to have, to such asto ensure easily repairable.

Address lobbied Congress to obtain recovery funds and a time when the island struggles at a stand-still because they don’t have staff bandages, topical antibiotics The hurricanes whatever you find and can fix to the island’s have succeeded in shining a light Electronics Charging Routine—Mak to conduct accounting of those funds and to control a grid that regular, andhas ice packs. needs. permanently recorded immediately.

Look for loose electronics them char receive little toyour no guidance fromand the keep federal The exposed hold-up however is with doors, windows, andthe federal in our memories wide-spread power outages. back-up and disposable batteries han government on how to move these projects Emergency Phone Numbers— government. Congress has approved all made landfall in non-tempered glass windows or funding along. In addition, they must with bidding However, the deal single most important to recover from Hurricane Maria and the Modern times have made us September. Hugo processes thatdevice often don’t move forwardKeep it handy panels.

Fix or secure everything is the flashlight. earthquakes of 2019. This funding, however, has drift away from it, but use pen contractors cannot finance projects up because 19, you can. fiscal crisis. been tied to insurmountable requirementson thatSeptember and realize paper that andthe write down front your and wait Tool for a reimbursement of funds Kit—Just like your first that aid kit, m 1988; ongovernment must The federal Puerto Rico is in no position to meet. Funding to Hortensia most important contacts.

If your Congress already approved.

Prepare Your Car—If you own a government of Puerto Rico has had a massive tools are organized and accessible.

A September 10, 1996; solve the island’s energy crisis has been tied to In the meantime, Puerto Rico faces a new phone dies, this could come in exodus of institutional memory due to the car, keep the tank full.

Set a requirements for clean energy at a time when tool kit, like many retailers carry, is a Georges on September hurricane season, and those very agencies in retirement of public servantsvery whohandy. cannot be This list will also reminder your phone.

In an the islandon struggles to control a grid that has keep handy.

21, 1998; and Maria on will respond as they have in the replaced due to strict fiscal measures imposed by ofWashington serve as a reminder the folks regular, wide-spread power outages. emergency, a full tank of gas will The federal September 20, 2017. mandated board. past, perpetuating the biggest holdup in Puerto a Congressionally government also requires thattothe island’s you should keep in touch with Stay Tuned—Identify and follow you get you wherever you need There is aGovernment clear trend agencies on the island must submit Rico’s recovery. government commit its own funding upfront for during the emergency. The author isnews sources.

Make sure they’re go. In addition, identify a safe the director of PR3 Consulting, LLC. relia here. a balanced budget to the Governor, who has to some recovery projects when the island is still in frequently updated. In addition, pick

In fact,

spot where you can park your car.

Cash at Hand—Electronic payment platforms, ATMS and

battery-powered radio.

11

se olvidan de nosotros.

La verdad te necesita para reivindicar.

La verdad no tiene precio.

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, July 13, 2022

La verdad

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Beyond buffets and slots: Casinos double down on fine art The strategy seeks to lure those who might not otherwise visit a casino

A

Wayne Parry – The Associated Press

TLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Louvre, The Museum of Modern Art and ... the Hard Rock?

Hoping to expand their appeal beyond the slot machine and buffet crowd, some casinos are turning to fine art galleries or exhibitions to bring in new business from customers who might not otherwise visit a gambling hall.

In the process, they are helping not only broaden their own customer bases, but are also putting new eyeballs in front of some of the world’s great works of art.

One such effort began Friday at Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino, where the highly acclaimed “Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” exhibit opened. The 30,000-square-foot display uses over 300 of Van Gogh’s works, reproducing An image from the “Beyond Van Gogh” exhibit is projected onto a wall at the Hard Rock casino in Atlantic City. them digitally and projecting them onto screens, >AP Photo/Wayne Parry walls and floors. other shapes and images all around the viewer.

“The whole point of an experience like this is to Other casinos are doing likewise. The Bellagio bring people in,” said Fanny Curtat, the exhibit’s Gallery of Fine Art in Las Vegas has displayed art historian. “For a lot of people, museums are works by Picasso, Monet, Warhol, Titian and Van intimidating. It’s all about exploring and having Gogh. more ways of experiencing art.”

The Palms Casino Resort Joe Lupo, the casino’s features modern art pieces president, said casinos need to from Jean-Michel Basquiat, appeal to as broad a range of Richard Prince and Andy potential customers as possible.

Warhol, and numerous street “You need to try different artists. experiential things to help the Placing fine art in MGM’s Aria Resort features city acquire new visitation, casinos benefits not Joe Lupo, president public art including sculptures whether it’s art or some other only the gambling Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino by artists including Antony experience to acquire that halls by appealing Gormley, Richard Long and person who doesn’t look at to new customers, a spokesperson for the casino. “We believe that Henry Moore.

Atlantic City as just a gaming it also helps create any appreciator of the arts would be impressed The Hippodrome Casino destination,” he said. “The new art lovers. by our art pieces, and we are always looking for in London in 2013 appointed Van Gogh exhibit has been opportunities to promote the collection.” a digital artist in residence, successful in every major Placing fine art in casinos benefits not only the Thomas D Gray, and offers a market in the country, and gambling halls by appealing to new customers, competition for U.K. artists to Atlantic City needs to be looked according to Curtat, the Van Gogh exhibit historian. at as one of those major markets. I think it elevates have their works displayed there.

She said it also helps create new art lovers.

Maryland’s Live! Casino & Hotel has an art the city and the property with such a high-profile “It might seem like an unlikely pairing, but if collection curated by Suzi Cordish, whose husband exhibit.” anybody gets out of this a feeling that they have owns the casino. The collection includes more The walk-through exhibit projects Van Gogh’s this connection with Van Gogh, maybe the next than 40 works by artists including Warhol, Jennifer artwork onto the walls and floor of a viewing time they are in New York they’ll want to go to (The Steinkamp, Charlie Ahn, Robert Indiana and Not room, with images growing and flowing into one Museum of Modern Art) and see the actual ‘Starry Vital. another: cherry trees, for example, sprout and Night’ on the museum wall,” Curtat said. “That will “Many guests are intrigued once they realize grow blossoms, that then blow away in the breeze. the breath of the collection,” said Renee Mutchnik, Shimmering walls of color dissolve and flow into be a win.”

In fact,

The Van Gogh exhibit has been successful in every major market in the country, and Atlantic City needs to be looked at as one of those major markets.

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

In fact, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, one of the curators of the new Kapaemahu exhibit at Bishop Museum, poses for a photo in front of pictures of four healers who visited Hawaii from Tahiti more than 500 years ago. >AP Photo/ Audrey McAvoy

The Hawaiian people loved the healers for their “tall stature, courteous ways and kindly manners.”

Hawaii museum revisits history of gender-fluid healers

The display highlights the deep roots of gender fluidity in Polynesia

H

Audrey McAvoy – The Associated Press

ONOLULU — More than 500 years ago, Hawaiians placed four boulders on a Waikiki beach to honor visitors from the court of Tahiti’s king who had healed the sick. They were “mahu,” which in Hawaiian language and culture refers to someone with dual male and female spirit and a mixture of gender traits.

The stones were neglected for many years, as Christian missionaries and other colonizing Westerners suppressed the role of mahu in Hawaiian society. At one point a bowling alley was built over the boulders.

Officials restored the stones multiple times since the 1960s but informational plaques installed next to them omitted references to mahu.

The stones and the history of the four healers now are featured in an exhibit at Bishop Museum in Honolulu. The display highlights the deep roots of gender fluidity in Polynesia.

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu is mahu and one of the exhibit’s curators. She said the healers were revered for their skill and hopes their story will show children in Hawaii that “proper Hawaiian culture” doesn’t pass judgment against those “who have elements of duality.”

“They were respected and honored because the people knew that their male and female duality made them even more powerful a healer,” WongKalu said.

Kapaemahu was the leader of the four healers, and the exhibit is named The Healer Stones of

Kapaemahu. Their story was passed down orally, like all Hawaiian stories, until a written language was developed in the 1800s.

But Hawaiians were discouraged from talking about mahu. DeSoto Brown, a Bishop Museum historian and the exhibit’s lead curator, said Christian missionaries who arrived in 1820 forbade anything that deviated from “clearly defined roles and presentation” of male and female genders.

The earliest known written account of the mahu healers is a 1906 manuscript by James Alapuna Harbottle Boyd, the son-in-law of Archibald Cleghorn, who owned the Waikiki property where

They were respected and honored because the people knew that their male and female duality made them even more powerful a healer.

Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, mahu and exhibit curator

the stones were at the time. Cleghorn’s wife, Princess Likelike, and daughter, Princess Kaiulani, were known to place seaweed and offer prayers at the stones when they swam.

Boyd’s manuscript “Tradition of the Wizard Stones of Ka-Pae-Mahu” said the Hawaiian people loved the healers for their “tall stature, courteous ways and kindly manners” and their cures became famous across Oahu.

“Their ways and great physique were overshadowed by their low, soft speech, and they became as one with those they came in contact with,” Boyd wrote. “They were unsexed, by nature, and their habits coincided with their womanly seeming,

although manly in stature and general bearing.”

When it was time for the healers to leave, four boulders were brought down from Oahu’s Kaimuki area. Two were placed at the site of the healers’ hut and the others where they bathed in the ocean. Idols indicating the dual spirit of the healers were placed under each stone.

Many Hawaiians grew up not knowing about Hawaiian concepts of mahu or the stones because the American businessmen who overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893 banned Hawaiian language instruction in schools and discouraged speaking it in homes. Generations of Hawaiians lost connections to cultural traditions.

Wong-Kalu, 50, said as a child she was made to believe mahu was a derogatory word. She remembers being among those who would sit on the stones and drape towels over them after swimming, oblivious to their significance.

Mahu are akin to “two-spirit” common in many Native American cultures, Wong-Kalu said, adding there are physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements to being mahu. The representation of male and female depends on the person, she said.

“In Hawaii, one could exist really in the middle,” she said.

The Bishop Museum exhibit, on display through Oct. 16, recounts this history and displays artifacts like massage sticks and a medicine pounder that healers would have used centuries ago. Islander concepts of gender fluidity are explored through stories like that of King Kamehameha III and his male lover.

Tatiana Kalaniopua Young, a Native Hawaiian anthropologist, mahu and a director of the Hawaii LGBT Legacy Foundation, said the story the stones and healers helped her family understand that she was not “this weird creature that’s outside of the norm.” And that in a Hawaiian sense, she was part of the norm.

“It gave me a sense of place and purpose as a mahu and it really made me proud to be Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiian,” she said.

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/ Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Pope: I wouldn’t live in Vatican or Argentina if I retire Nevertheless, Francis assured he is not planning to retire any time soon

R

The Associated Press

OME — Pope Francis said he would not live in the Vatican or return to his native Argentina if and when he ever retires, but would instead like to find a church in Rome where he could continue hearing confessions.

“I’m the bishop of Rome, in this case the emeritus bishop of Rome,” Francis said in an interview segment with Spanish-language broadcaster Televisa-Univision that aired Tuesday.

Francis, 85, denied he was planning to retire any time soon but repeated that “the door is open” after Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 became the first pope in 600 years to step down.

While having a retired pope on hand has gone well, the Vatican needs to better regulate the survive.” He answered “surely no” when asked figure of an emeritus pope, Francis said in the if he would live in the Vatican as a retired pope interview. or would return to Argentina, and said “maybe” Some cardinals and canon lawyers have long when it was suggested that he might take up questioned Benedict’s decisions in retirement, residence in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, including his continuing to wear the white cassock which is the traditional seat of the bishop of of the papacy and keeping his papal name, Rome.

Benedict, rather than reverting back to his birth He recalled that he had planned to retire as name, Joseph Ratzinger. archbishop of Buenos Aires at the time of the They say those choices and Benedict’s 2013 conclave that resulted in him becoming continued presence in the Vatican created pope. Francis said he had prepared a nice confusion among the faithful and apartment in Buenos Aires enabled Francis’ traditionalist where he could continue hearing critics to use Benedict as a confessions at a nearby church conservative point of reference, and visiting the sick at a hospital. threatening the unity of the “This is what I thought for Catholic Church.

Buenos Aires. I think this scenario, Some cardinals “The first experience went if I survive until a resignation – it’s and canon lawyers rather well because he’s a saintly possible I might die before - … I’d have long questioned and discreet man, and he handled like something like this,” he said.

Benedict’s decisions in it well,” Francis said of Benedict in The interview covered other retirement, including the interview. “But in the future, topics. On whether Catholic his continuing to wear things should be delineated more, politicians who support abortion the white cassock of the or things should be made more papacy. rights should continue receiving explicit.” the sacraments, Francis repeated “I think for having taken the first it was a matter of conscience for step after so many centuries, he elected officials to work out for gets 10 points. It’s a marvel,” Francis added. themselves. While the Catholic Church opposes Francis said he would also step if the time abortion, Francis added that priests and bishops was right before he died while still serving, “if I should remain pastors.

In fact,

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, left, greets Pope Francis prior to the start of the beatification ceremony of Pope Paul VI. >AP Photo/ Gregorio Borgia, File

The first experience went rather well because he’s a saintly and discreet man, and he handled it well.

Pope Francis on Benedict XVI’s resignation

“When a pastor loses the pastoral dimension, he creates a political problem,” Francis said, referring to the “polarized” debate in the United States concerning President Joe Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, both Catholics who support abortion rights.

U.S. bishops considered rebuking Biden for his support of abortion rights, but ultimately backed off a formal rebuke. Pelosi’s bishop, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, has barred her from receiving Communion in his archdiocese, though she recently received Communion during a papal mass at the Vatican’s St. Peter’s Basilica.

Asked what such Catholic politicians should do, Francis said: “I leave it to his conscience and that he speaks to his bishop, his pastor, his parish priest, about that inconsistency.”

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Doctors urge access to

psychedelic therapies in New Mexico to expand responsible therapies using doses of psilocybin.

Leeman and other advocates outlined emerging psilocybin protocols, involving six-hour supervised sessions and extensive discussions about the experience in subsequent counseling. He warned legislators that public interest is spawning illicit, Morgan Lee – The Associated Press underground experimentation without safeguards.

“I do think there is a lot of promise from these ANTA FE, N.M. — Physicians and medications,” said Leeman, who also directs a researchers are urging New Mexico program providing prenatal and maternity care to legislators to allow the use of women with substance abuse problems. “If this does psychedelic mushrooms in mental go ahead, let’s do this really safely, let’s make sure health therapy aimed at overcoming we have people who are well trained (to administer depression, anxiety, psychological the psychedelics) ... Let’s make sure that people have trauma and counselors to see afterward.” alcoholism.

It was unclear whether any A legislative panel listened New Mexico lawmakers will seek to advocates who hope to legislation for the medical use of broaden the scope of medical psychedelics, which are still federally illegal. The Democratic-led Legislature treatment and research assisted The study of convenes its next regular session in by psilocybin, the psychedelic psychedelics for January 2023. active ingredient in certain therapy has made The study of psychedelics for mushrooms. inroads in states led therapy has made inroads in states Oregon is so far the only state

by Democrats and led by Democrats and Republicans to legalize the therapeutic use of Republicans alike. alike, including Hawaii, Connecticut, psilocybin.

Texas, Utah and Oklahoma. And Recent studies indicate psilocybin has been decriminalized in psilocybin could be useful in the the cities of Washington and Denver treatment of major depression, including mental suffering as well as Ann Arbor, Michigan; Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Oakland and Santa among terminally ill patients, and for substance Cruz in California. abuse including alcoholism, with low risks of In several states, military veterans are helping addiction or overdose under medical supervision. to persuade lawmakers to study psychedelic Physician Lawrence Leeman, a medicine mushrooms for therapeutic use in addressing postprofessor at the University of New Mexico, urged traumatic stress. legislators to move forward without waiting for Currently in New Mexico, lawful access to federal decriminalization or regulatory approval

Studies indicate psychedelic mushrooms could be useful in the treatment of depression

S

In fact,

I do think there is a lot of promise from these medications.

Lawrence Leeman, medicine professor at UNM

psilocybin-assisted therapy is available mostly through clinical trials.

Yale University psychiatrist Gerald Valentine said that leaves out people with low incomes and severe afflictions. He said the University of New Mexico is expanding its expertise in psychedelicsbased therapies, and that a supportive environment can be found in communities such as Santa Fe, known as a progressive hub for healing and the arts.

“These questions are starting to be answered about who might benefit from this therapy,” Valentine said. “I just feel very fortunate to be in a position to really bring this forth into real world situations.”

Classic psychedelics include LSD, mescaline, psilocybin and ayahuasca. Plant-based psychedelics have long been used in indigenous cultures around the world.

At least one New Mexico church group uses hallucinogenic ayahuasca tea from the Amazon as a sacrament. A 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision ensured access to ayahuasca imports for a temple on the outskirts of Santa Fe affiliated with the Brazil-based Centro Espìrita Beneficiente União do Vegetal.

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