Dear Source:
Clearly, Mr. Richard Waugh, you have not read any of the provisions of Act 6905, nor could you have listened to the senate hearings that led to the changes in the Retirement System. Why write before you read and understand a topic? The senator's salaries are now linked to the lowest paid commissioner. The changes in the Retirement System were drafted, suggested and advocated by experts of the Retirement System. You must have missed the three days of legislative hearings, testimony and documentation that the experts provided to the Legislature and this community, advocating the changes. You are simply wrong on the facts and your commentary is illogical and based on a lack of information.
In addition, you seem to even know less about the Right to Free Speech. I'm sure you are unaware of the fact that your senators objected to the transfer of the FCC license to "Rain Broadcasting" (Roger Morgan's Company) because Rain Broadcasting is violating FCC rules and regulations. Any responsible knowledgeable citizen has a duty to report any company, individual or entity that is breaking laws or violating long standing rules and regulations. The FCC issues that your senators exposed have nothing to do with denying anyone Free Speech. Indeed, it is about following Rules and Regulations. Read the filings before the FCC and the FCC letter issued to the owners of WYAC and you will understand that your senators have exposed some serious violations of the FCC rules that have placed that station under inquiry and investigation.
Now my delayed response to your letter of misinformation and discontent is due to me attending Finance Committee meetings as your representative in the Virgin Islands Senate. In the Senate we appropriate money to help alleviate poverty in the Territory, we provide summer employment to hundreds of young people, we appropriate money for health care, public safety, Human services and all of the privileges, pleasures, and benefit you receive choosing to live in America's Paradise. We question officials, conduct research, and investigate issues of major concern to all who live here. We field calls on a daily basis from all residents regarding the entire gamut of problems. You see, Mr. Waugh, we represent you in our democratically elected government. Except for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, your Senate is all you have to represent you to set policy, pass a budget, make laws and solve all of our problems.
By the way, I attend the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Frederiksted. You should be familiar with that church. Attend, pray, learn, and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ before you write such repugnant pieces for everyone to read, not knowing the facts, not knowing about me or about what I stand for as your elected official. My office is open for you to visit; my radio show is available for you to call. I publish the Russell Report, and my webpage is soon to come.
I disagree with your view of the Wall Street Journal article. We know it is a conservative paper that serves the Republican interests. As such, it avoided mentioning the reason the FCC is inquiring into the operations of WYAC. In addition, why would we expect them to print anything positive about democratic senators? Nonetheless the article demonstrates that your senators are not about hate, anger and calling people buffoons.
The fact that you have bought into the misinformation that the FCC matter is about Free Speech demonstrates the huge task we as senators have, to inform persons who are totally misled, and to add insult to injury demonstrate hate and anger based on misinformation
Instead of writing like you did, please join me in my effort to change attitudes, mindset, moods, feelings and prejudices that contribute to the destruction our wonderful Virgin Islands community.
Sen. Ronald E. Russell
27th V.I. Legislature
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