Voting for Saipan casino was not selfish
This letter is in response to the John S. DelRosario Jr.’s op-ed piece “2016 Summertime Blues” that was published in the Saipan Tribune last Aug. 5, 2016. Readers should know that I respect and admire Senot DelRosario’s op-ed pieces especially those he writes in Chamorro. I always hope they will inspire others to write in the indigenous languages spoken here in the CNMI. Every writer is entitled to their own opinion but writers need to be careful with their use of or misuse of facts and information. They are not entitled to make up their own facts.
Sen. Francisco Borja and Lt. Gov. Biktot Hocog know full well and knew full well “the comparative advantages Saipan has over Tinian” which DelRosario referred to when they voted for a casino on Saipan. Nobel prize winning economist, Daniel Kahneman, in his 2011 book, “Thinking, Fast and Slow” refers to work on primes that guide us done by psychologist Kathleen Vohs. The priming effect according to Kahneman, “suggests that living in a culture that surrounds us with reminders of money may shape our behavior and our attitudes in ways that we do not know about and of which we may not be proud.” I am proud to have known Lt. Gov. Hocog and Senator Borja for more than 30 years. Despite Senot DelRosario’s denigrating remarks about both gentlemen their constituents on Tinian and Luta love them and have shown respect for them in election after election.
Would Senot DelRosario like to return the multimillions of dollars BSI has pumped into the CNMI economy BEFORE their hotel and casino have even opened? Both new casino investments on Tinian are off the ground contrary to his remarks. The votes for a Saipan casino by the respective gentlemen from Tinian and Luta provide benefits for the entire CNMI. If they had voted against it would DelRosario have written they were selfish by keeping casinos only on Tinian and Rota?
He also seems to object to them reaching out to constituents on the mainland and eating in restaurants (“elite culture”). What is wrong with that? Many groups, civic, governmental, friends, families, join together in fellowship and share meals with each other both at home and in public places. Surely he can’t be proud of objecting to this prime profound manner of living. Isn’t it a well loved and well integrated part of Chamorro, Carolinian, and island culture. Biba Sen. Anke Borja! Biba Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog! Yan Biba gayera lokkue! Si Joey (Pepe Batbon) Connolly, Tinian.
Joseph B. Connolly
Tinian
Are you surprised the spread of misinformation originated from an outside comer to Tinian? He seems to be learning fast from his local associate/s, who knows maybe mostly politicos pao asu ni dogngus. Hafa mohon chelu?
Buenas Senot Connolly,
“Every writer is entitled to their own opinion but writers need to be
careful with their use of or misuse of facts and information. They are
not entitled to make up their own facts.”
I am sorry to inform you that Senot Del Rosario would not misuse of facts and information relating issues affecting our island chain. He is the most informed person on the CNMI and he had proven himself to speak of the “truth and nothing but the truth.” Maybe you should look further into the substances of the issue being discussed by John and he speaks for others who could not or would not speak for themselves. Yes, many of our elected officials had been re-elected over the years, because they had master the politico and they are the most conning individuals throughout our island chain. Individuals not need to be love in order to win an election, but he/she needs the know how or the art of misleading the public.
Sooner or later, your theory would catch up and dearest Uncle Sam would make sure that those who turned against the norm of our society would pay for their mistakes. Do you really think you know everything behind the story of the Casino in Saipan? At least Mr. Del Rosario had the inside scope what had transpired behind close doors. He is the most political connected individual on our archipelago and he speaks for the rest of us or the underprivileged individuals.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase
I am against the casino in the first place. What part of No do they not understand? Look at the ill effects of gambling. It is creating a lot of trouble in the community.
Self serving, self glorification article on your nepotism corruption, only smart tough intellectual like John S. DelResario a half Chamorro / Carolinian have the guts to speak out on CNMI corruption he John is da kine we need to help CNMI Prosper.
voting for the casino was against the peoples wishes and the death of the industry in Tinian and Rota. now how is that not selfish?
“I am proud to have known Lt. Gov. Hocog and Senator Borja for more than 30 years.”
THAT statement says it all in regards to your credibility and slanted views along with your standing in the small Tinian community.
I am curious as to what “scraps” these two are throwing you and just what your involvement is with those two?
You state that you know them for “more than 30 years” I am assuming that means that you have been on Tinian for 30 years? Interesting that I can’t place you by name IF that is the case.
I see all my admired writers below disagrees with Connelly. But i agree with them somehow. Tinian Casino has buried itself deeper into the abyss. Reckless expenditure by all former administration. No long term investment or a trust fund came into mind. Corruption has plagued it into darkness. TG Commissioners failed the industry for not informing Michael Quan to pay his dues to the feds. Then a CNMI debt of 15 million reduced to five! Then Best Sunshine came in and a it helped somehow …but it also contributed to the hardship of reviving it back! Peace!