Insults and mistreatment of Luta’s people

I couldn’t help but to read the letter from the Tinian resident about legalization that was full of insults and the twisting of facts. First, he insulted the entire community of Rota by using in the title “Rotard” which implies every person on Rota is a “retard.” This reminded me of the Civil Rights Movement and how all blacks were viewed as being substandard humans by many whites. You would think a person with Dr. in front of their name would know better than to make fun of all the people on Rota as we teach students today to avoid negative group stereotyping of any kind. I have agreed with the Dr. on many things he wrote about but I have to beg to respectfully differ on his opinion about legalization and I don’t approve of his insulting explanation.

Yes the author did make a mistake by saying Colorado collected $2 billion when it was almost $1 billion (97,741,988) only $2.6 million short. But the Dr. took this mistake and used it to attack the author instead of just correcting the amount. He also twisted the facts and even asserted that legalization is not making a difference in the quality of life and safer roads. FYI Dr., the problem is what to do with all the money which is why states (23 this year) are lining up to legalize marijuana so states are benefiting and the tens of thousands of people working in the new marijuana industries of America are living better with high paying careers and the governments are improving their services. Dr. you also need to know that state legislatures are arguing over what to do with all the money and unlike the other states, the CNMI does not pay the federal taxes you were so adamant about. I respectfully ask that you wait until you have read all three parts of my essay which will be published and then make a determination on legalization because I can see you really don’t get it and you are still stuck in the past when the future is changing NOW right before your eyes!

Dr., your age is not an advantage on the marijuana issue and in fact it hurts you because you are so set in your old ways. But if you have learned anything with your doctorate degree you should know that everything changes over time and smart people know or have learned how to go with the flow because the only other option is to drown figuratively—America is legalizing marijuana like it or not. I am just soooo glad and thankful that my daughters and students helped to keep my mind and attitude “young at heart” which has kept me from growing old and being a grouch who thinks he knows it all unlike the Dr. who seems to thinks being old makes him somehow better than the younger generation. FYI, God told us in the Bible that we can learn from the “ant” so you can learn from the young folk if you will listen with an open mind.

“The MV Luta lawsuit”—are we not our brother’s keeper?

The lawsuit against Lt. Gov. Hocog and Finance Secretary Larson needs to be dropped if we are truly a family and our brother’s keeper. The $400,000 that was loaned was not for personal use and they should be commended for finding a way to help all the people of Rota and be glad the lieutenant governor’s family is trying to make life better for everyone on Rota. If not the lieutenant governor’s family, then who and if not now then when—will Rota’s needs be addressed? So please show some respect and compassion for your brother in our CNMI family by dropping the darn suit—it’s like one brother suing his parents for loaning money to the other brother—duh! The more Rota can help itself the easier the job of funding Rota will be for the CNMI government. In fact, I think the Legislature should make the money a free “transportation subsidy” because everyone knows Rota has been suffering for years from the lack of shipping to Rota. Rota is delicious and our brother so let’s treat Rota like a true family member of the CNMI—it is really that simple! PS: I have learned from personal experiences that the lieutenant governor is an honest and honorable man so we can trust that the money will be returned if the Legislature doesn’t want to just give the money to Rota as a subsidy. I didn’t use any names because it’s about the issue of legalization and I have respect for both authors.

Ambrose M. Bennett
Kagman