Third world countries still employ that strategy to control the masses and protect criminal elements influencing their governance. Americans must protect attempts to silence those precious freedoms.
The blatant attempt to target and retaliate against the Marianas Variety and staff is disturbing. Compliments are in order for the owner, editor, and writing staff of this newspaper for their courageous reporting even facing economic hardships and attacks on individuals by the administration and government of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
This community, a nation of free people, and the world should applaud the individual writers working at the Marianas Variety for their fearless reporting of the facts and accurate accounting of the historical record for the decent citizens of the CNMI.
We have a community accustomed to being ruled by fear, threats, and intimidation. Government workers, college students, and guest workers cry in anonymity, afraid to sign their family name. It is fitting and appropriate that Mr. Younis, the publisher, editor Zaldy Dandan, and MV reporters be honored.
RON HODGES
Puerto Rico, Saipan
