Previous Story
Oversight hearing
|
Posted on Mar 13 2017
Many of your readers do not watch C-SPAN’s daily coverage of the nation’s politics, and I am one of them that tune in on important issue that attract my attention.
The March 7, 2017, broadcast of the Veterans Affairs Committee oversight hearing on veteran’s matters with the new Secretary of Veterans Affairs gave a snapshot of what is in store for veterans by the new administration.
I am a veteran and make frequent visits to the Veteran Affairs Administration’s website. But what stunned my attention during the hearing was at the point when Delegate Gregorio Sablan received recognition by the committee chairman. From the beginning, Mr. Sablan appeared grasping for words and dragging his comments to people at the witness table and all present in the hall. Unfortunately, the chairman stopped his erratic presentation in the middle of his time. It showed Mr. Sablan to be lecturing at the witnesses present. I thought the chairman had it at that point and cut off further comments by Mr. Sablan. Then, after the hearing, you can see when the camera panned out that Mr. Sablan displayed frustration and dismay, as shown by his frown, and just walked away with a snobbish look at the Secretary of Veterans Affairs with disinterest.
I am not sure how and when our delegate should display acceptable decorum and statesmanlike behavior. That squares as his business and his alone. I even wonder whether that day’s congressional work marked his low moment and indifference. I thought that, by sharing this with your readers, interest will flow to watch C-SPAN. It certainly opened my curiosity and view when evidence-based information presented itself such as the C-SPAN broadcast. It was a learning expedition, and I am ashamed of my delegate to the U.S. Congress.
Francisco R. Agulto
Kannat Tabla, Saipan
