FROM THE PUBLISHER ’ S DESK
This will be the year of Bitcoin explosion . Not that it hasn ’ t exploded yet . The first Bitcoin ATM just opened on Guam . Autospot ’ s radio commercial bombards listeners with its “ Bitcoin pockets ” offer . You can ’ t be not curious now ; Bitcoin has become a household word .
Recruiters on Guam have been hustling and the madness is growing to a tormenting level . “ Do you have Bitcoin yet ?” “ My $ 1,000 Bitcoin investment is not worth $ 10,000 .” “ Let me tell you about Bitcoin .” And after you told them you ’ ll think about it , they will call you again the next day . “ So have you considered investing in Bitcoin yet ?” If you don ’ t respond , they would email you a link to the latest article from the Bitcoin magazine .
It almost seems like a fundamental religion — the Neocatechumenical Way of the financial world . Like the religious zealots who offer to lead you to the path of salvation , the bringers of truth about Bitcoin promise to take you to financial nirvana .
Don ’ t get me wrong . I ’ m not a total skeptic . After all , we live in the “ Black Mirror ” age , when the non-tangibles of the digital sphere have been shaping the way we live . Wasn ’ t there an initial resistance and agnosticism when the credit card was first invented ?
Although the Bitcoin era has produced a large battalion of self-appointed financial experts , I still can ’ t completely fathom how this crypto-currency works . Like the denotation of the word “ crypt ,” the concept of “ mining ” remains a mystery to me . The only thing I understand is its volatile nature . In early December , Bitcoin was valued at $ 16,599.99 on one U . S . exchange and over $ 19,000 in Korea . A couple of days later , it dropped briefly to around $ 10,000 and then went back up to about $ 14,500 . It seems like a gamble , like a stock investment that will bring you either the promise of bliss or take you to the abyss of disappointment .
Along with Bitcoin explosion , 2018 is also election year , with the much-anticipated gubernatorial race .
The gubernatorial scene will have more dramatis personae this year . On the Republican side , Lt . Gov . Ray Tenorio has always been touted as Gov . Eddie Calvo ’ s heir apparent , with former Sen . Tony Ada as his running mate .
The Democratic camp has always been more animated and compelling to watch . Unlike in 2014
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Bitcoin and politics in 2018
As we have always experienced , election is like investing in Bitcoin — it will either deliver the promise of bliss or take you to the abyss of disappointment .
when the Democratic Party had to scour the entire island in search of a willing candidate , the 2018 primary will be a crowded year for the people ’ s party . Bank of Guam president and former senator Lou Leon Guerrero is running with career hopper Josh Tenorio . Sen . Frank Aguon is running with former US attorney Alicia Limtiaco . Former governor , Carl Gutierrez , is back in the game . But his choice for running mate , Sen . Dennis Rodriguez , has his own gubernatorial ambition .
The congressional race may be unpredictable this year . Delegate Madeleine Bordallo who is facing ethics investigation in the U . S . Congress , may be in a volatile position . Sen . Michael San Nicholas has announced his intention to challenge the star for all season in the Democratic primary . Former Speaker Judi Won Pat , who was painfully ousted from the legislature in the 2016 election , is expected to make a comeback to try her luck with the congressional seat .
On the Republican side , former Gov . Felix Camacho is likely to come back and step on his spanking dryrun in 2016 . Former Sen . Frank Blas is likely to take his chances , as well .
“ Who do you think is going to make it to the gubernatorial race ,” a friend of mine asked .
Well , I said , considering the volatility of politics , it ’ s like predicting how much the Bitcoin will be worth in the next 10 hours .
“ But who do you think is the best candidate for governor ,” he asked again .
As we have always experienced , election is like investing in Bitcoin — it will either deliver the promise of bliss or take you to the abyss of disappointment .
Publisher Mar-Vic Cagurangan publisher @ pacificislandtimes . com
Editor-in-Chief Bruce Lloyd editor @ pacificislandtimes . com Associate Editor ( Pacific Note / Palau )
Ongerung Kambes Kesolei okkesolei @ gmail . com
Palau Bureau Chief Bernadette Carreon carreon . bernadette @ gmail . com
Contributing Writers Richard Brooks Zaldy Dandan Jayne Flores Maria Hernandez Joyce McClure Joseph Meyers Diana Mendoza Jonathan Perez Aline Yamashita
Editorial Cartoon Andrea Nicole Grajek
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Administraitive Assistant Lolita Therrel lolitsky @ yahoo . com
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