Defense of Tinian letter is insubstantial

In a letter to the media from Matthew Blanco, he asked who gave me the right to badmouth “everyone” on Tinian. If I am not mistaken, I have only written responses to letters from Dr. Thomas Arkle, Howard Cole, Joan Flores, and Matthew Blanco. Is the population of Tinian four? To make a generalization that my responses to some individuals is criticism of the entire Tinian population reflects thinking that is something other than the truth of what I have done and is clearly off the mark.

As far as Howard Cole is concerned, the discussion between us had to do with environmental impact reports and not his teaching profession or giving something back to the community. Howard Cole was the one who brought up the issue of “credentials” and posed the question about mine. His suggestion that the island community ignore me because I did not have the credentials to discuss EIRs is what prompted my response.

Furthermore, since allowing a person to have an opportunity to give a defense when refuted via the media is only fair, I submitted my credentials so that the island community would have an answer to the question posed by Cole.

My discussion of issues via articles to the media involving education, government, or the environment is an exercise of my First Amendment right to freedom of expression. if anyone does not concur with me on anything that I write about, then they can exercise their First Amendment right and respond. However, I will caution that if anyone should choose to debate with me, I suggest that they have all their ducks in one row first before placing the submission to the media.

If a response to the media regarding me is lacking in rational thinking and is a frivolous argument to issues I have brought up in a letter, then I will always respond to show where and how the response does not “hold any water.” Although responding to a letter that displays “faulty thinking” might be construed as a negative gesture by some, I believe it is necessary so that the individual who produced the insubstantial letter will “learn” from it and learn to think critically.

The issue of a doctorate was brought up in Howard Cole’s letter. At no time have I ever flaunted my doctoral degree or waived it in anyone’s face. What I find to be repulsive is that there are people who have been critical of what I have worked hard for and earned and expect me to sit back and let them say disparaging comments about my credentials and/or articles/letters I have submitted to the media.

Moreover, I have never put anyone in the CNMI down because that individual did not possess an earned doctoral degree. I resent and abhor the insinuation that this is the mindset I have. Not only do I think it absurd, but highly unwarranted and extremely juvenile.

Since Matthew Blanco does not have the right to speak on behalf of all of the people on Tinian (unless, of course, there are only four people who reside there and a petition from them asking him do this can be produced), then I will take his comment that my “poison pen” has offended the whole of Tinian with a grain of salt.

And as far as offending Matthew Blanco, I have no control over that and I have no intentions of issuing an apology to him simply because it is just not warranted.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California