So what else is new, amigo?

It was a Friday evening (pay day Friday) as Juan and Pedro Malas sipped their beer, a modern fad in paradise, as they patiently turn flank steaks, tataga` and pork bellies on the barbecue pit. It’s the only time of the week when my two amigos kick-back and let it all hang out. Not quite surprisingly, the issue they’ve picked for discussion was about the future of paradise in the next millennium. I decided to be a good and humble listener.

Juan, popping open another beer offered: “This soured relationship must be settled forthwith or we would be singing similar refrain down the stretch whenever a member of the US Congress needs to hit a spanking boy”.

“Nah, you can’t use the existing situation as a basis to head out the back door. Like a marriage, one must seek out harmony in the rough terrain a relationship gone sour. It’s the most prudent thing to pursue,” related Pedro Malas.

Said Juan: “If everytime we turn around and there stands another replica of a George Miller or Allen Stayman peddling the agenda of special interest groups, hey they’d kick us in the face time and again”.

“I say bring your concerns to the political machinery so provided under the Covenant via the 902 Consultation Talks. It is there where we trump our cards in frank exchange of views with the goal to resolving differences”, related Pedro.

“That’s taking the noble high road, amigo. But you seem to be neglecting the fact that our detractors are playing awfully low and dirty not to mention an agenda that is being bankrolled by the US textile labor unions,” offered Juan.

“Patience, my friend, is a greater virtue in this debate though I must admit that no one ever said anything about how difficult it is to be patient. No matter the ‘dog eat dog’ attitude of vicious special interest, one must hold steadfastly to patience”, said Pedro, playing a devil’s advocate in favor of our mother country.

“Nah, it isn’t a matter of patience but more so an issue of articulation and management of our rare financial resources that is at issue here in the defense of the rights of the indigenous people to self-government,” remarked Juan.

“You’re partially right, amigo. But the positive side to this controversy is the quiet imposition of a true test of local leadership who are forced into a corner to defend the future of these islands in the overall scheme of things”, said Pedro.

“Hold it! You’re going off the ranch, amigo. This relationship would have gone the other way in superb fashion if the key players in Washington stick to their fiduciary responsibility to ‘assist these islands attain a higher standard of living’, but they’ve decided to be both judge and jury at the same time”, offered Juan.

“I still say that there’s still some room for constructive engagement with the view to shelving posturing and grandstanding in that it has netted both sides nothing else except strife and indifference in the resolution of issues that have divided us”, said Pedro.

“It’s sad that this matter is all left or right foot. In other words, we’d be at the mercy of whoever takes over the helm in the US Congress. We can only pin our hopes in the likely election of Texas Governor George Bush as our president and one whose forte` isn’t commander of mischief”, said Juan.

The conversation went on and on with no compromise in sight. I wasn’t about to put up with mosquitoes who were ready to lift me off into the suspicious Japanese encephalitis that seem to be in bloom at this time of the year. I had to leave calling it a day. But it was a healthy exchange of views which should be encouraged among our young people.