"Not very me, lai"
The flame tree blossoms are bursting into orange-red along beach road while an ambulance, fire truck and police cars were on code blue zipping south bound to a warehouse fire. On Capital Hill, upper chamber lawmakers are talking about lobbying the Bush administration against federalization.
The weather outside shifts erratically from blistering heat to warm but suspect lazy drizzles. Dusk was approaching as my energy level equally recedes with the impending sunset. I quietly wondered if this is really just one of those hectic days or was there something phenomenally strange or wrong about it. Had to look on the brighter side telling my half-beaten self, “Life Goes On!”
Perhaps, I’ve been reading too much about the impending economic slide on both sides of the Pacific divide, pondering how their negative effects would crash land in these isles–hard or soft. I checked my friend Duñg and Iku to sound them off, but they left a note on their door, “Gone Fishing!” It would have been a treat joining my two buddies right in the middle of Lake Susupe.
Or is it the sentimental journey in search of his roots (Michael Asanuma) that had poked and deflated my energy to zero. Maybe. Or is it because I’ve been reading too many follow-up materials of shifts from optimism to pessimism and more of the latter between the two global economic giants? Well, keep your ears to the ground for there are rumblings far from our shores that could just as well deal these isles heavier economic temblor than meets the naked eye.
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I’ve been quizzed, time and again, why the seeming indifference among locals on issues where our illustrious politicians have simply failed them.
The answer is simple: The local folks are still in some distant celestial body on issues. Most aren’t ready as yet to call a spade a spade. In fact, it still boils down to the filial level of blood over water.
However many of the educated and informed may be frustrated, such is the nature of the political maturation process that will take years before the electorate can resolutely stand up and declare: “Enough Is Enough”. Our “Enough Is Enough”, believe it or not, is even spelled differently: “Hellnuff Eat Hellnuff”. Sing it louder, please, “Ke sera, sera, whatever will be, will be”.
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Interesting that locals who hail from the CNMI’s business center would point their filthy accusatory fingers at the two smaller senatorial districts on budget matters.
The usual blame game urgently needs a time out so we can ask ourselves the greater question: What have our three (3) senators and sixteen (16) representatives done to secure what’s rightfully the share of their constituents?
Frankly, I have nothing short of admiration for Tinian and Rota lawmakers’ proactivity in securing more money for the people they represent. It’s a case of grand success in fulfilling the very role of their existence in both chambers. This persistence, however, often translates into gridlock, destination: news media. Compromise is scrapped where the only accomplishment is the quiet closure of another year without a fiscal budget.
Well, for Saipan voters, ask your senators and representatives what have they done to the budget package, specifically, their success rate in moving the appropriation measure through both chambers with your interest intact. The ball is on your side of the court. Give it an “Ace” in the voting booth this coming November.
Strictly a personal view. John S. DelRosario Jr. is publisher of Saipan Tribune.
