We can only imagine how much this means to the people of Rota, who, I imagine, were holding their collective breath, until this appointment was confirmed. Congratulations Rota! You have hit the jackpot! We can all now rest assured that the once faltering casino is fast-tracked for success. Way to go Rota!
Meanwhile — speaking of hats — the mayor of Tinian has vowed to appoint another gaming commissioner so that commission will finally have a quorum. This is indeed great news for the people of Tinian and, no doubt for the Tinian Dynasty which can look forward to the bold leadership of the full commission as well as increased revenue.
To be sure there are some minor financial problems in Tinian (some fuss recently about doctors and blood tests, for example) but these will soon be things of the past as the full commission now has the reins.
Along with everyone else, I was also relieved to read that Governor Fitial “is closely monitoring” the ruckus in Korea, having, according to his PIO, “received intel from Washington, D.C. that the ongoing situation poses no immediate threat to the Marianas.” While the local government is “keeping a close eye on developments in the region” this is no time to speculate, according to Angel Demapan, PIO: “it would be premature to speculate that the conflict in the Korean peninsula would serve as basis to escalate the impending military buildup in the Marianas.” Well, I beg to differ. I think this an opportune moment to speculate (what does no immediate threat really mean?) especially about the possibility of the George Washington, the ship, of course, stopping by on the way back home.
That would be an MB-U (military buildup), according to my intel, of about 7,000 sailors and Marines, all flush with cash, all throbbing for slot machines, poker tables, bar girls and romance. Boy, if that were to happen wouldn’t we have egg on our faces for killing the pot bill?
WILLIAM R. BARRINEAU
Puerto Rico, Saipan
