Mr. Blalock is certainly entitled to his opinion however he comes by it. Just how Pew funding has influenced him is not the point. His is the view of a non-indigenous person that does not own those lands, but that’s not the point. That his “facts” stated in his radio station are simply his own opinion and not facts at all is not the point. That he will be leaving the island soon and his children won’t be affected by this attempted land and sea grab is not the point. That he verbally insults the overwhelming majority of legislators who represent the will of their constituents but excludes those of his pets who favor his short-sighted view is not the point either.
The point is that a broadcaster who pretends to be a professional should act in a professional manner and if he has a difference of opinion he should state it without resort to schoolyard name calling and disrespectful insults. Mr. Blalock deserves not our attention to his opinions posing as “facts,” but our scorn and derision as a person unwilling to display common courtesy. That he is unwilling to listen to other views without childish vitriol is shameful. That he has spent years in the commonwealth and learned little or nothing of our culture is shameful too.
I hope Mr. Blalock will be much happier once he is back in surroundings more comfortable to him. I would further hope that he seek this remedy as quickly as possible. Perhaps his hair will return along with his temper under the influence of a more receptive climate back on the mainland. I wish him luck and a speedy Bon Voyage (Ada-hi na un podong nan-ning-ha gi ka-re-ramo lagu).
Meanwhile, back in the present, I say who’s afraid of Harry Blalock? Obviously, he is not my Dirty Harry. I would request that the Speaker and the Senate president consider formal censure as a remedy for Mr. Blalock’s latest round of continuing discourtesy but leave the subject up to the wishes of the leadership of both houses. I have a version in mind. Hafa gui si Harry? Hina son-nia na para guiya uma ekungnoc yan uma honge todo I fino no nia yan guiya ha mas tumungo hafa mauleg para hita i taotao Marianas. A-num pulania gui! Mahadero!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
REP. STANLEY T.
MCGINNIS TORRES
16th CNMI Legislature
