Student needs to take more courses, grow up, and develop maturity

Lyna Vizconde’s recent letter to the media showed that she missed entirely the point of my discussion regarding Juan Babauta’s gubernatorial leadership. My article involved a discussion that showed what Babauta had conveyed to the island community regarding the fiscal situation of the CNMI government and what was on record in terms of what actually transpired. Notwithstanding the fact that my analysis was critical simply because it brought to the forefront the discrepancies of what Babauta said to the electorate and media versus what had really taken place, the intent of my discussion was to give the island community an opportunity to review a synopsis of Babauta’s gubernatorial leadership over the past three years. Moreover, my judgment of the governor was based strictly on figures and what he said and not on a “subjective feeling” that I had.

Since the figures mentioned in my article surrounding the economy of the CNMI and the things Babauta said which were in conflict with those numbers had nothing to do with any frustrations I may have for not being chosen for the NMC presidency, then Ms. Vizconde’s statement implying that I was demeaning and spitting disparagement is not only immaterial, but clearly without merit.

In lieu of substantiating that the figures I presented from bona fide financial reports generated by the OPA, finance secretary, and reputable independent auditing firm were inaccurate, all that Ms. Vizconde could offer was a worthless and unfounded opinion stating that I made an attempt to sound like I knew what I was talking about. I think that Ms. Vizconde is the one who is frustrated and clearly does not know what she is talking about.

Her analysis of my discussion is indicative of individuals who like to “talk out of their hat.” And since Ms. Vizconde has demonstrated that she is incapable of presenting an analysis of my article regarding Babauta’s gubernatorial leadership with a substantive argument “proving” that what I stated was inaccurate, then I have no other recourse but to consider the recent letter she submitted to the media as merely nothing more than a ridiculous compilation of words that are without value and meaning.

It is quite apparent that Ms. Vizconde has yet to learn how to present a criticism of another individual with a substantive argument that is rational and without being unprofessional. Her contemptuous comment “shut up or put up” reflects a condescending and immature mentality that must resort to expressing themselves using phrases that are inappropriate and puerile because she clearly does not possess the skill to express herself otherwise.

The presumptuous directive telling me to “stick to my own business” is outlandishly absurd primarily because who is she to tell me what to do. Moreover, it is none of her business as to what business I decide to be involved in. Furthermore, who appointed her to decide which articles and/or letters should be accepted by the media for the island community to read?

Fiscal responsibility is a large part of the role of any governor. To suggest otherwise is demonstrating a pronounced lack of knowledge of the purpose and function of the gubernatorial office and what has transpired in the mainland regarding governors. Ms. Vizconde may need to consider taking more courses in government while attending college and become knowledgeable about government officials.

If fiscal responsibility of a governor is not critical, then I ask Lyna Vizconde why Grey Davis, a Democratic California governor, was recalled. The reason Davis was voted out of office stemmed from the simple fact that the California economy was going south and he was not able to effectively convince the electorate in California that he had a plan to turn it around. Thus, California elected a former weightlifter and actor to take on the task of pulling California out of the economic doldrums. And with prices for real estate, food, gas, and virtually everything going up and not down, I am not certain just how good a job Arnold Swarzenneggar is doing as governor for California.

Lyna Vizconde is correct about Sept. 11 2001, having a major negative impact for the United States, as well as other countries. Specifically, the airline and tourism industries took a big hit because of the security necessary to prevent another 9/11 from happening again.

Every country comprising the international community is directly, or indirectly, influenced by the economies of other countries. However, what Lyna Vizconde does not seem to comprehend is the internal handling of the various revenues, e.g., taxes, fees, and grants from the federal government, generated and received by each individual country. Before trying to analyze economics, perhaps it might behoove Ms. Vizconde to take some courses in economics.

Any funding coming from another country, e.g., funding from the U.S. to the Commonwealth, may have stipulations attached as to how it should be applied. A case in point would be the Compact Impact Funds being designated for education, health care, and social services. If this funding is mismanaged internally, it has nothing to do with any other country or what is happening globally.

Lyna Vizconde mentioned how people talk about the “dark side” and do not see the light. The absurdity of Ms. Vizconde’s thinking is that “the truth is the light” and those individuals who espouse something other than the truth possess questionable values, integrity, character, or all of the above.

Lyna Vizconde implied that I should offer alternatives for the island community if my “intentions are good.” And if bringing out the truth about how approximately $4.6 million was squandered on a failed project and La Fiesta Mall purchase that did virtually nothing positive for higher education and the island community is not considered “good intentions,” then I would like for Ms. Vizconde to define for me what good intention is (and remember to make the definition substantive).

My recommendation to Ms. Vizconde, which is not a directive to tell her what to do, is that if she expects to progress in academia, as well as in the real world, then it would behoove her to work on presenting written criticisms of people vis-à-vis letters to the media, with clear and rational thinking, that is something more than insubstantial.

Ms. Vizconde is right about me not being a part of the island due to the obvious fact that I reside in the mainland. What she is dead wrong about is that my ethnic background and blood is 100 percent Chamorro and my family goes back several generations. Thus, the island community is a part of my world regardless of whether I am physically detached.

For Ms. Vizconde to suggest that a person with Chamorro heritage and blood is not being a part of the island because they are not there physically is baseless and erroneous thinking. Furthermore, it is a “double standard” for her to accuse me of not being a part of the islands, when she is in fact “off island” and a student in California.

The other question that needs to be posed is, “Since when did Lyna Vizconde become the authority on which Chamorros are a part or not a part of the island community?

The question that I would like to pose publicly to Ms. Vizconde is: “Does your heritage reflect Chamorro and/or other indigenous people in the CNMI going back several generations? If the answer to that question is no, then perhaps you should be the one who should keep their mouth closed and discontinue spewing nonsense and blather.

As far as admiration is concerned, it is Lyna Vizconde’s prerogative to admire or not admire whomever she wants. Quite frankly, it really does not matter to me whether Lyna Vizconde, who is long on submitting unsubstantiated letters laden with emotion but short on reason, admires or does not admire me. I couldn’t care less about a student who has chosen to display ignorance with a foolish letter written very poorly to the media. Taking more composition courses might be in your best interests Ms. Vizconde.

In order to ascertain what the island community really thinks about me and Babauta’s performance as governor, the media might want to consider conducting polls with the following questions:

1. Do you believe that the hikes in taxes and fees proposed in the IFP by Juan N. Babauta are a reflection of a governor whose intention has always been for the people?”

2. Did Dr. Camacho spread misleading raw information in his discussion of Babauta’s gubernatorial leadership?

3. Do you think Dr. Camacho is an “Angel of Doom” because of his candid discussions submitted to the media?

4. Do you think that Dr. Arkle’s proposal is the economic panacea for the financial woes of the CNMI?

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California