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So sue Peter Perez!
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Posted on Sep 23 2004
How dare Kenneth Moore challenge Peter Perez to “…demonstrate that you truly care about the CNMI and its people who, unlike you and I, live and raise their families on-island, praying for a brighter and independent economic future.” How dare he compare an Arizona businessman, looking to strike an extremely advantageous deal, to Mr. Perez, a Chamorro who loves the islands and has joined with other natives to protect their property and their rights for future generations?
Mr. Perez may live in the states right now, but he has enough Chamorro blood in him to legally buy property in the CNMI. He travels frequently to the islands, has lived there for years at a time, his child was born on Guam, and his wife is Chamorro. His love of the Chamorro people, culture, and history has been amply demonstrated by the Chamorro.com cultural website, which he has funded and maintained on his own for many years, long before Mr. Moore came around with his ideas to mine Pagan.
Now Mr. Moore insinuates that he can drag Mr. Perez into court for simply publishing information about a public business deal still in negotiation, one that—if agreed to—will impact the lives of the islanders for generations to come. What does Mr. Moore plan to argue? That Mr. Perez encouraged the CNMI not to rush into anything? That he suggested there be an actual plan in writing, and proof where the dollars to start the business are going to come from? That he published a calculator, based on Mr. Moore’s own proposals, that shows there is a ton of money involved and most of it isn’t going to end up in the pockets of those island families “praying for a brighter and independent economic future?” That he asked, “who will clean up the mess” after the profits are depleted?
So sue him, Mr. Moore. Because, frankly, you will only help Mr. Perez’s cause. While you may not have experienced this personally, it really isn’t very scary to go to court when you’re telling the truth…
E.J. Paulino Perez
Saipan
