THE recent show of support at the Legislature with Republicans far outnumbering all the other concerned citizens (Democrats, Arnold & Dave and Independents) groups combined but it reminded me of one of the greatest battles in the history of the world “David v Goliath.” While the outcome of the vote was no surprised as the polling of Representatives had already shown the Governor would indeed be impeached. But the Republicans pulled out all the stops anyway which could have been MORE for the Senators to consider than the House. The big show of support for the Governor didn’t stop the House from Impeaching the Governor and it shouldn’t stop the Senate — don’t forget, David defeated Goliath!
The Governor still seems to think that “using people to speak-up for him and to attack others” is really going to work when he didn’t so much as lift a finger himself to do anything in the formal setting with the JGO that would prove he didn’t break the law. It was soooo funny to see Ms. Grace, the Governor’s Emissary, who was in front of me to testify but she got up and went out so she could speak after me, obviously so she could attack me. But her attack on me didn’t work, the Governor was Impeached and more importantly her unwarranted and unnecessary attack PROVED and substantiate the continued pattern of Republicans attacking people like they did to some of the JOG members instead of speaking to the issue at hand, which is known as “deflecting & gaslighting.”
Speaking of Senators, I pray you will vote based on the evidence as there is a mountain of evidence that wasn’t even presented. Some of that evidence points to WHY Tinian and Rota have been suffering and are still suffering with the loss of their casinos and no effort to replace them. These Senators need to think about “WHAT has the Governor done for YOUR island and YOUR People” because the long-short answer is NOTHING! Luta and Tinian have been on a path of Economic decline for the past two decades to the point that these islands are “ghost-towns” to a large degree figuratively. The Senators from Luta and Tinian need to be worried if you plan to acquit because the Governor has put ALL of you on the spot to CHOOSE “Loyalty or Justice FOR the People.” Don’t forget, the “silent majority voters” were not part of the David v Goliath Show that was obviously staged by the Governor but their VOTE will determine your political future so DO the RIGHT THING based on the evidence!
I noted Rep. San Nicolas and Rep. Ada wanted to assert that because the AG and Public Auditor have FAILED to do their duty that what the Governor did was OK. Well, just because some Government Officials don’t do their job there is another part of Government that will place a “check & balance” on the parties who are alleged to be breaking the law — it’s basic U.S. Government taught in High School. But I do want to thank everyone (Democrats & Republicans) who voted to impeach on behalf of the People! I also want to offer a special THANKS to Rep. Corina Magofna and Rep. Tina Sablan for making it very CLEAR to the Republican “nay-sayers” that the Governor caused the Impeachment Process because of his actions, it was not politically motivated but indeed MANDATED BY the People and authorized by OUR Constitution which is WHY they elected a Democrat Majority in the House. Rep. Tina Sablan was also right about the five who didn’t vote to Impeach using the foolish and even ridiculous rational of “not having all or enough answers to impeach” when they had over a year to get the answers they wanted. Claiming IGNORANCE about the facts when it’s all over by Rep. Angel Demapan, Rep. Roy Ada, Rep. Patrick San Nicolas, Rep. Leepan Guerrero and Rep. Joseph Flores when you didn’t attend JGO Hearings nor did you ask for any copies of documentation does NOT make you guys look smart BUT in fact it PROVES you didn’t do your job to FIND OUT! Thanks for revealing just how BAD and LAZY you guys are as Representatives whose LOYALTY prevailed over the People. I’m sure the silent majority will remember YOUR “poli-tricking malafunctioning” in November when they VOTE!
One people One Direction.
The writer is an Economist, Political Scientist, retired teacher, former CNMI Board of Education Member, James Madison Fellow (U.S. Constitutional Scholar), a Fulbright-Hays & Humanities Scholar who resides in Kagman III.
Ambrose M. Bennett
