Mr. Smith’s dignity

You have to admire attorney Eric Smith for his formidable character. Sure, he wanted to serve the CNMI as a judge in our Superior Court. He probably wanted it very much, too. But he steadfastly maintained his honor and dignity throughout the agonizing and drawn-out process.

(When Governor Pete P. Tenorio finally nominated him for the Superior Court post, the position had essentially been kept vacant for nearly two years.)

Still, Eric Smith never groveled. He never abjectly pandered. Unlike some other judicial contenders, Eric Smith did not shamefully, ignominiously prostrate himself before the governor and the legislature. Unlike some people, he never begged for the position in an utterly pathetic and desperate way.

Unlike some other potential candidates, Eric Smith did not get down on his knees, perform a kow-tow, and really beg for the nomination and confirmation. By all accounts, Mr. Smith did not bootlick to curry favor with our government officials.

Despite losing the confirmation, Eric Smith should be proud of himself. In seeking the Superior Court position, he conducted himself very well, apparently without compromising any of his sacred principles and convictions. And for this the local community should truly commend him for his honorable and dignified bearing throughout the arduous (and often highly political) ordeal. Eric Smith stayed the course.

And even when the Senate essentially gave him the shaft–even when they refused to give his nomination a fair public hearing–Eric Smith was no bitter or acrimonious. He was disappointed perhaps–as well he should be, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his defeat. But he still took it in stride.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of some other Superior Court contenders. There are some others who will practically do anything to become a CNMI judge: bootlick, beg, flatter, cajole, you name it.

Now that Mr. Smith’s nomination has essentially been rejected with contempt–without the decency of a fair public hearing or debate–we have to worry about some unscrupulous candidates who would do anything to fulfill their ardently power-hungry, lecherous judicial ambitions.

Naturally, this kind of naked ambition is entirely unacceptable. The more an attorney covets the Superior Court position–the more he desperately wants to become a judge–the more suspicious the local community should be.
We should indeed be leery of some of Mr. Smith’s former competitors–who, incidentally, may have had a direct hand in the derailment of Mr. Smith’s confirmation.