NMI Elections 2005

It has begun. That circus otherwise known as Election 2005 is on its way to town and the major players in this little drama have started to strategically position themselves, casting the pebbles that have yet to create enough ripples to matter at this point in time. It is gathering strength, though—a barely perceptible drawing of collective breaths that will soon break over us, sweeping along everyone in its path as the CNMI yet again hurtles toward another election.
And it would most assuredly blow strong, picking up everyone in its path to pit families against families, fathers against mothers, brothers versus sisters, and strangers versus strangers. Nowhere is an election more personal than in a close-knit community and you could go no farther than the CNMI when it comes to being close knit. With everyone being related to everyone, the CNMI has become the perfect example of what happens to the democratic exercise of choosing a leader when blood is factored into the process: It can become nasty, vicious, and decidedly personal.
Which is why it is incumbent on the media to keep a cool head in the midst of this maelstrom. For sure, the Opinion pages will be inundated with letters to the editor that will be partial to one candidate against another. In fact, this paper has already begun to receive such letters, and have previously printed them as a matter of course. However, the tone of the letters have become quite troubling in that level-headed discussion of issues have given way to personal attacks that are heavy on emotions and character assassinations, effectively precluding the intelligent exchange of ideas and opinions and contravening the original and ultimate purpose of the Opinion pages.
The Saipan Tribune has therefore adopted the policy that it will only print letters to the editor that focus on issues—and the candidates’ stance on those issues. If you would like to criticize a candidate in a letter to the editor and want to see that letter land on Page 11, be sure that it is specific to issues, including but not limited to the candidate’s voting record, his or her stance on various matters of importance to the CNMI such as education, the environment, business, governance, etc., legislative track record, and causes that the candidate supports, among others. Space would most assuredly be given to letters that bring the electoral discourse to a higher plane, while letters that impugn character would quickly find its way to the trash bin.
Taking the high road is the only way for this paper to make it through Election 2005 with a shred of sanity intact and the only promise we can make is that we will try to be as impartial as possible in the treatment of our stories, our Opinion columns, and in the selection of letters to the editor that will see print. With that said, bring it on! Election 2005, the Saipan Tribune is ready for you!