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Open discussion
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Posted on Feb 09 2012
My previous letter about the 99 percent elicited many online comments. That’s good. I wanted to start an open discussion about the silent majority on Saipan, and the discussion certainly flourished. I enjoyed reading all the comments, even the ones that had nothing to do with my letter and everything to do with personal vendettas against me.
But the online comments prove my point. A certain 1 percent is very vocal on Article 12 and other issues, but their sheer numerical count is very low. Are we talking about perhaps 20 people (self-selected by plenty of time on their hands, not popularly elected as our leaders are) trying to represent these islands? And about 20 people—many of them just passers-by here—who want to permanently change landownership in the CNMI?
I signed my letter with my real name, and even where I live. I stand behind my comments. My life, my reputation, and my family’s reputation are here on Saipan. Meanwhile, online commenter hide behind aliases in their drive-by attacks. Do they even live in the CNMI? Their attitudes and language aren’t the ones I know from these beautiful islands.
All kinds of outsiders are welcome to live here, and even to spend all day posting angry comments and innuendos. All we ask of them is that they clean up after themselves, give respect where it’s due, and leave land ownership here in the CNMI for us NMDs.
[B]Diego C. Blanco[/B] [I]As Lito, Saipan[/I]
