NMI salutes Majority Whip Tom DeLay

When as US Citizens who aren’t represented in the most powerful legislative body in the world you’re visited by the most powerful member of the US Congress who understands island realities, one feels a rare uplifting of stampeded hopes and dreams as part of the so-called “American political family” or “American Economic Community”.

That person is no other than Texas Congressman Tom DeLay known among his colleagues as “The Hammer”. Yes, he was the power behind the impeachment of William Jefferson Clinton, a position he took premised in his belief in the principles of justice, equality, strong moral fiber for American families across the country and the letter and spirit of the US Constitution.

His position on this matter is a powerful reminder to America of the moral decay that political polls have eaten away slowly over the years. It grants the country the opportunity to reassess and rebuild its sense of morality compromised by a permissive attitude that has gradually devoured the very foundation of American families. Lest we forget, it is families throughout American communities with strong moral responsibility that makes our country the greatest in the world. This foundation upon which rests the greater American Community is the very strength that Congressman DeLay wanted to preserve and perpetuate among all Americans “beyond the years”.

I met Congressman DeLay two years ago at a reception. When he took the microphone for some words of felicitation, a number of issues on what constitute quality leadership came to mind. He reminded me of management gurus who’ve studied the leadership that was found in President Abraham Lincoln: His ability to listen and visit the troops out in the war zone. Lincoln visited wounded soldiers and shook hands with them personally, including consoling families who have lost loved-ones in the battle field. Essentially, this is what DeLay did when he visited this tiny archipelago two years ago.

I’m sure that as he visited places in the islands, including the American Memorial Park in Garapan, he envisioned (as he placed the wreath and prayed) the blood spilled by both young American soldiers and the people of these islands during World War II in the name of freedom. He understands the sacrifices that we had to endure to bring freedom to the pearly isles of the Northern Marianas. Behind his steely eyes and powerful mind he had to be quizzing why would anyone in Washington dare suppress the rights of this group of US Citizens to secure their rightful place in the “American Economic Community”.

A former businessman, he definitely understands the devastating effects of strangling federal laws and regulations that inhibit rather than encourage wealth and jobs creation. He understands the bout businessmen had to endure when mandated wages and other regulations are imposed without due consideration to the sentiments of the local governance. Perhaps this is one significant business experience that eventually led him to run for the US House of Representatives.

I must say unequivocally that Congressman DeLay is one of the few giants among American leaders. For critics who disagree, what you need is a return to the basics of responsible journalism for it is your dedicated arrogance that the American media has royally lost its credibility among the reading and listening public. In short, every American deserves fair treatment by the media whether it bruises your ego as a journalist because you failed to turn your subject into a prey. It involves fairness and a strong sense of responsibility and if you can’t settle your score on this premise, perhaps it’s time to look for another job for you can’t be trusted with the public trust as an alleged journalist.

For now, biba Majority Whip Tom DeLay, biba people of Texas, biba “America the Beautiful!” And Si Yuus Maase` Congressman DeLay for rekindling hopes and dreams of the simple folks of these isles. In our hearts, you’re more than just our hero!