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Stop and smell the Covenant
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Posted on Oct 14 2004
Howard Willens’ address at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s October monthly meeting was quite the breath of fresh air.
I know he muses of himself as the “aging haole curmudgeon from the east,” but every time he returns to Saipan, this pioneer should be begged to address groups more young than old.
Although some of the audience was caught flatfooted, as his talk, which is always a web woven of the fabric of the Covenant, focused on the “roots” that confound, beleaguer and frustrate the business community every time we turn around at some new interpretation of the wisdom of that original legal document.
Willens’ insight is the equivalent, and parallels, his observation that the Covenant remains very vulnerable to mistaken interpretations by judges who have not become familiar with the insular area. His opinion that the Commonwealth needs to be a friend of the courts where interpretations of the Covenant are occurring, is not only wise idea, but it is a pride of authorship that can be educational and inspirational for the youngest of the CNMI.
Both local newspapers’ reports of Willens’ presentation were “mirrors” of the perceived value of the Covenant itself. The Marianas Variety chose to write about the archives attainable in DC libraries and the “constitutionality” of electing the CNMI Attorney General, while the Saipan Tribune wrote of Willens’ opinion on the court’s opinion concerning the “stateless” citizenry via the Covenant.
I liked the curmudgeon’s answer on the stateless issue because it addresses the “roots” that Willens is expertly qualified to address.
Mr. Willens has a way of summarily taking an inventory when he speaks.
When things are swirling all around, and I’m all caught up in a day’s commotion where numbers and logic, relationships and politics, business and anti-business are colliding, I should just take the time to reflect.
I should just stop and smell the Covenant.
Richard A. Pierce
As Mahetog
