U.S. should give thanks

In spite of the enormous frustration expressed by George Miller, Danny Akaka, Frank Murkowski and other federal officials, the CNMI should actually be commended for its relatively pro-U.S. stance. In comparison to contentious Puerto Rico, the CNMI seems rather docile and complacent–content merely to maintain the status quo: no federal takeover.

But despite the federal takeover tensions, the people of the CNMI have not taken to the streets in violent protest against the United States government–an event that occurs much more frequently in schizophrenic Puerto Rico. To be sure, most CNMI residents still hold the United States in high regard–and are only critical when vital local freedoms are at stake.

Puerto Rico, by sharp contrast, has terrorist organizations intent on bombing American assets. Puerto Rican nationalists bombed the nation’s capitol in the 1950s. Some radical Puerto Rican nationalists are still serving time in federal penitentiaries (although Mrs. Clinton is now trying to pardon some of them in order to win herself a New York senate seat.)

Does the CNMI have active anti-American terrorist organizations? Has the Horiguchi federal building ever been bombed?

The CNMI is, by and large, an American team player, primarily concerned with maintaining the traditional American values of maximum freedom, autonomy and self-determination on local issues. The CNMI government has never raised much aggravation over U.S. military operations in the Pacific region.

Only recently, with the confirmed contamination of the Tanapag area, have the people of the CNMI expressed serious concern. But in this case, the concern is legitimate–not some delusional manifestation of irrational American hatred or resentment.

Puerto Rico, again by sharp contrast, wants to ban all U.S. military exercises on its territory–in clear violation of prior agreements. Puerto Rico, moreover, costs U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars in welfare state subsidies–and yet still insatiably demands even more cash infusions. (We mainly ask to be reimbursed for Compact-impact expenses.)

What’s more, unlike Puerto Rico, we are largely content with our U.S. citizenship. Puerto Rico wants to sue the federal government over second class citizenship.

The Puerto Ricans want to be naturalized U.S. citizens. They want the power to vote in US presidential elections. They want their U.S. citizenship to be based on constitutional rather than statutory grounds. According to a recent Associated Press story, the Puerto Rican government wants the US Supreme Court to rule on their quest for equal citizenship. They want a voting representative to the US Congress.

The CNMI merely wants what is fair and reasonable: to be reimbursed for its compact-impact and Chinese refugee expenses, to be fairly compensated for any PCB contamination–and, above all, just to be left alone.

Uncle Sam should appreciate our loyalty.