Credibility and breeding a corrupt government

Joseph A. Sablan of Kagman’s claim that I have no credibility was based on nothing but his opinion for his character assignation attempt. My credibility has nothing to do with the empirical facts about what our governor and Legislature has done and failed to do. I guess he is ignorant of the fact that his opinion is not the same opinion that the majority of voters had on the casino in the last polling of the people. Joseph doesn’t seem to know that as of the last tally taken, the majority of voters in the CNMI agreed with me, not him, so his claim of no credibility and a few followers is simply ludicrous and obviously maliciously injected. Joseph’s rampage was clearly the same old kill-the-messenger attacks with no substance or proof of anything. The only good that will come of his ugly personal attack will be the lessons he and others will get from this reply and my prayers for him.
Joseph had the nerve to say the casino will be the caretaker and lifeblood for Rota, Tinian, and the Northern Islands. There isn’t one study or any proof the casino can do what is being promised. Since when did our government start living up to its promises? What are you smoking, Joseph, to believe a promise from Capital Hill? But we know for true from the Colorado and Washington state experiments that the legalization of marijuana will bring in more tourists and more millions than we need. Complaining about our need for cash when it will take a minimum of two to three years before we even start receiving money from the casino as we are only getting the $30 million up front until the casino is built, which is years down the road. The 25 percent will be in jeopardy again before a casino is even built.

Joseph and those supporting a casino are the ones contributing most to the problem by supporting a disrespectful governor and Legislature that has clearly violated the trust and confidence of the people. Joseph and people like him are really helping to breed and even cheer for corruption in our government by supporting their disrespect for the no vote. Everyone knows the governor and Legislature were wrong to force the casino on us so why are so many people supporting something that is clearly disrespectful and wrong? What are you people going to say or do, Joseph, when they disrespect you and they will do it again if we let them get away with disrespecting the people this time.

As for my ferry dream for the CNMI, Joseph, one of the biggest problems we have with our leadership is that virtually none of them is a dreamer. America was founded on dreams, the civil rights movement was driven by dreams, the Commonwealth itself is the result of dreams and there is a plethora of things in the evolution of mankind that are the result of dreams. It is obvious Joseph doesn’t know how much a black person can dream as we had to go from being slaves to dreaming of being equal and even becoming President one day. So Joseph’s complaint about me dreaming for the CNMI is really a good thing as dreams are often the epic center for change and improvements on Planet Earth. In fact we need our leaders to become dreamers as they have been stuck on casinos for over a decade. Voters are not stupid, Joseph, and could see your miserable attempt to cover up for the administration and the casino supporters.

P.S.: I’m glad retirees will start getting their 25 percent but if they are really smart and want to keep getting the 25 percent, they will help by signing the economic initiative and voting to make sure it passes. The next Legislature can always repeal the casino and we will certainly have the money to refund the $30 million if the economic sunshine initiative is approved by the people.

Ambrose M Bennett
Kagman, Saipan