12-30-05

Hi friends, this is Harry Blalock; General Manager for radio stations KZMI & KCNM. It's that time once again to take a look at the issues of the week, and to offer some Food For Thought.

Traditionally, for my final Food For Thought of the year I have done a year in review, going back over the key stories and issues of the previous year. However this year is different as Governor Babauta was not re-elected, and therefore I really can't see the point in rehashing all the things he's done in the past year. Frankly, I'd like to forget as much as possible about his administration now and just get on with life, and if the election results are any indicator, at least ¾'s of you feel the same way.

That being said, I will dispense of the year in review and move on to a topic that is very fresh and raw. It is the topic of Saipan becoming a Safe Haven for Vietnamese girls who were forced into prostitution and taken to Cambodia. There was a public hearing about the proposed regulations promulgated by the Attorney General's office Thursday night at the Multi Purpose Center. The hearing was conducted, and I use the word conducted loosely, by Jeff Moots and Clyde Lemons of the Attorney General's office. In their defense though, I believe they were put on the spot and made to answer questions that their boss really should have been there to answer personally. They both admitted that they only learned of the regulations and this whole project in late November or early December. It seems that the regulations were written by Pam Brown herself, and much of the frustration of the speakers seemed to be centered on her. There have been persistent rumors that she skirted our immigration laws in the rules she wrote, and was going to be getting a job from United States International Mission, the group attempting to bring the girls here, after she lost her job as Attorney General, several speakers pointed to this as a conflict of interest and improper. I'm guessing that Pam Brown already knew that she would be severely grilled and criticized for the way she handled this already, and didn't want to have to answer the peoples questions. However, it was in very poor taste for her not to face the people's questions personally, and to dump this on her assistants. In a radio interview Friday morning, I asked Dave Sablan Jr. about the rumors of Brown getting a job with them after she is Attorney General, he said that no one in the organization has offered her any position.

Lemons and Moots seemed ill prepared to handle the public hearing though. They did attempt to set up some ground rules at the start, but they didn't stick to them. Former Governor, Dr. Carlos Camacho, rudely interrupted the presentation by David Sablan Jr. demanding that he stop talking so that the people could say what they wanted to say. The Assistant Attorneys General made a feeble attempt to restore order, but then when other people kept interrupting, including Senator Pete Reyes, it seems they just gave up and started going down the list of people who signed up to testify. Knowing that they had a list with 30-40 names on it of people wishing to speak, they did not limit the speakers remarks to a certain amount of time, letting some of them go on for extended periods of time. It was obvious that at least Lemons was not happy about being there, as he made an inappropriate comment when the last speaker was introduced, which was picked up on his microphone. While they might not have been happy about being thrown into the situation, it is their job, and one they should take seriously.

I have to say, I was quite disturbed at the attitude and comments made by many of the speakers. That is not to say that there were not some valid concerns raised, there definitely were, and some of the people who talked were very professional stuck to the issues and concerns they had. Senator-elect Maria (Frica) Pangelinan showed why she was the top vote getter in this previous election for the Saipan senate. Her comments were well thought out and organized, and she methodically went through the proposed regulations pointing out areas of concern and questions she had. She was the consummate professional, and I believe everyone involved truly appreciated her comments and the work she put into them.

Rose White also spoke toward the end, and I believe touched those who actually stayed to listen. She said that she also had some reservations and still needed some questions answered, but that we should not close our hearts and islands to those who need our help. She told why Christmas is a sad time for her as she remembers that no one could be bothered giving Mary and Joseph a place to stay, and Jesus had to wind up being born in a stable with the animals. She said that many people here, including herself much to her dismay, had looked down on other nationalities and had discriminated against them. She hoped that we had enough love and charity in our hearts to at least look into this with open minds and leave the door open to it until the details are all sorted out.

Pastor Ray Kinsella spoke along the same lines and reminded the audience about the parable of the Good Samaritan. Someone had been robbed, beaten up and left for dead by the side of the road. All the people who you would have expected to help him just walked by, not bothering to stop or help. His fellow countrymen and those in a position to do something all felt he wasn't their problem and just continued on their journey. But when the Samaritan, whose people did not get along with the Jews, saw him laying there, he stopped, cleaned the mans wounds and cared for him. He then took him to a motel and told the innkeeper to nurse the man back to health and give him a place to stay while he recovered, and he paid for it all himself. It was not his obligation or duty to do so, but it was the right thing to do, and he was in a position to do something about it, so he did. Pastor Ray also recognized that there are a lot of issues that need to be addressed yet, and a lot of questions that need to be answered, but he actually spent the time to talk with the people on both sides of the debate for hours trying to sort out the merits and concerns of the endeavor. He encouraged people to at least leave their hearts open and see if there is anything that we can do or not.

But then there were the others, including an incoming Representative whose comments seemed to be wrapped in fear, hate and racism. Most of them did not have comments on the proposed regulations, but instead chose to focus on the people involved in United States International Mission. The people called them liars, cheats, scammers and worse. They insinuated that they were doing this for what they would get out of it and were looking to profit from it. I thought it was ironic and sad that these people had already made up their minds without even giving USIM representatives a chance to explain themselves or talk about their plans. But to brand them as liars, cheats and scammers on misinformation or a lack of information is extremely unfair, and frankly, I had previously respected some of the people who spoke. I say previously because many of them lost any respect I had for them because of the way they handled themselves last night. If you have concerns about something, then you express those concerns listing them and giving reasons, you don't start attacking the people involved and calling them names because you don't like what they are trying to do. An ugly mob mentality was prevalent at that public hearing, and it isn't something we want to be known for.

Does this mean that I am totally convinced that USIM is legitimate and is capable of doing everything they claim? Like many of you, I still have quite a few concerns and questions, but that doesn't mean that the project should be shelved, it just means that we still have some work ahead of us in getting the needed answers. What I do know is that I have the utmost respect and confidence in both David M. Sablan Sr. and David J. Sablan Jr. I believe that their reputations and accomplishments speak for themselves, and the years they have invested in these islands should mean something. You do not just automatically assume the worst of someone like that, especially when their previous track record would suggest just the opposite. Yes, it is true that I count both men as friends, and consider myself lucky to do so, but I don't believe that has clouded my judgment in this situation. I believe that due to their past, their reputations and their many contributions to the islands, they should automatically be accorded the benefit of the doubt. At least give them the chance to explain themselves first and to answer any questions you have. It doesn't mean that you will come to the same conclusions or agree with them, but to just jump to the conclusions and accusations that were voiced Thursday night is wrong and very inappropriate.

I believe that one of the first things we need to find out is where incoming Governor Fitial stands on the issue. Martin Manglona, the transition team Chairman said that Governor-elect Fitial is opposed to the idea and will never support it, therefore it was a dead issue. I'm curious as to whether he really had the authority of Governor-elect Fitial to say such a thing, and whether that is indeed his stand. After all, the Governor does appoint the Attorney General, and it is up to that office to promulgate the regulations, unless it is dealt with through legislation. Therefore finding out where Governor-elect Fitial stands on the issue, and whether he is at least open to listening and exploring it or not is of vital importance.

I was also rather disappointed at the dismal showing of our elected officials. In addition to Senator-elect Maria Pangelinan, Senator Pete Reyes and Representative-elect Cinta Kaipat also spoke. I also noticed Representative-elect Absalom Waki was there to listen and get feedback. I have to commend him for actually doing just what we elected him to do, listen to the people and get input on the issues. As for all the other elected officials who are supposed to be representing us, where were they? Do they think they don't need to get any information on this whole thing before passing judgment or making decisions regarding it? Do your jobs politicians; you were elected to represent us and to be up to date on the issues facing the Commonwealth. To not even bother showing up to something of this magnitude and importance to hear both sides shows that you don't really take your job all that seriously.

Yes, there are many issues and concerns surrounding this, but let's approach it with open minds and hearts. It may not be possible for us to do it here for many different reasons, but until we get some definitive answers we should not be so quick to judge or to ridicule. Frankly, the mob mentality that was in demonstration that night was a very ugly thing to see. Is that really who we are and what we have become? Is that how you want to be known and viewed by others? I would hope not, but I guess the ultimate decision on that is up to you.

I'm Harry Blalock, thanking you once again for giving me a generous slice of your valuable time and allowing me to share my Food For Thought.