The good news

For far too long a period, the CNMI has been slammed in one form or another by various detractors: the US media, the labor union cronies in the federal government, misguided college students, and so on, and so forth. Last week, however, brought a series of good news to our much maligned commonwealth. Let us review these positive, highly encouraging developments and rejoice.

First off, the SGMA announced a new video project designed to present a much more accurate picture of our local garment industry. This new video documentary represents an aggressive step in the right direction. For more than anything else, it reflects the SGMA’s sincere commitment to remaining a positive and sustaining economic life force in our community. In this time of economic crisis, the project reassures us of continued revenues from this vital industry.

Secondly, both the OSHA and the retail clothing industry buyers have marked our garment industry with their official “sweat-shop free” stamp of approval–a distinction not shared by many of our textile counterparts back on the US mainland (of all places). Such confirmations refute the reckless charges leveled against our garment industry. Now that all of the facts are in, the CNMI’s critics can no longer exploit the dastardly “sweat-shop” label with impunity.

Thirdly, the New York law firm suing our garment industry for $1 billion hit upon some serious hard times recently. Apparently, the law firm of Milberg, Weiss et al. are not all that they were cracked up to be: a lawsuit they litigated back-fired on them–to the tune of $50 million! As they say in Chamorro, “Binecho diablo!”

As if these development were not enough, the CNMI still has more benefits to enjoy: namely, the Chinese boat people, diverted to Tinian from Guam, who offer us yet another compelling argument in our fight against federalization. Federalize CNMI immigration and, under US law, those refugees would qualify for US asylum. Keep the CNMI’s local immigration control and the problem is thus averted.

Best of all, despite all of the spurious negative publicity, our friends in the US Congress are still with us. Operating on the principles of freedom and maximum local
self-government, there stand Representatives Tom DeLay and Dana Rohrabacher, firmly behind us, never wavering for even an instant. Thank you, gentlemen.

It is not often that we enjoy so much good news in the space of a week.

Strictly a personal view. Charles Reyes Jr. is a regular columnist of Saipan Tribune. Mr. Reyes may be reached at charlesraves@hotmail.com