Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan, said he was “saddened” by Harry Blalock’s commentary which, he added, reminded him of how Chamorros used to be insulted by the Spaniards during the colonial era.
House Minority Leader Oscar M. Babauta, Covenant-Saipan, suggested that they write to Blalock’s employer and complain about the “harsh” language used by the radio commentator in criticizing the lawmakers’ opposition to the marine monument proposal.
Rep. Stanley T. Torres, R-Saipan, proposed that the Legislature “censures” Blalock for his “unwilling[ness] to listen to other views without childish vitriol.”
Rep. Tina Sablan noted, however, that “I’ve been called far worse things.”
“If we feel insulted we should ask ourselves, ‘Why?’ If there’s no merit to the criticism then we shouldn’t feel insulted.”
Blalock, she added, has been a long-time resident and is “a U.S. citizen like us, but we still call him ‘outsider.’ ”
She said it is the CNMI government that is “intolerant of free speech.”
“In the past we even called persons ‘persona non grata’ — shame on us for that. We’re digging our own graves. We give credence to their criticism. Now we want to retaliate,” said Sablan, Ind.-Saipan.
Blalock, she added, has invited her to his Tuesday radio show. “In the spirit of Christian forgiveness, join me on his show and discuss this issue with him,” she said.
Rep. David M. Apatang, R-Saipan, believes that “Americans are peaceful, democratic people. This is America. But some people in the U.S. still think we’re foreigners. They still think we’re a foreign nation.”
It is Blalock, he added, that should “come up here and tell us what he wants us to do.”
According to Torres, “If Blalock doesn’t get what he wants, he’ll try to destroy you.”
He said he will send a letter to Blalock’s employer.
Before ending the discussions on Blalock’s commentary, Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, told the members that “we are elected officials — we must accept criticism.”
