Find other ways to raise revenue

I was reading the Saipan Tribune online when I noted the article “NMI Pushed as Pacific Gitmo” and was immediately concerned.

First of all, I never thought that I would hear such a thing. Secondly, I just wish to side with caution that this may be a naive notion to volunteer our beautiful island paradise for this huge undertaking in the hopes of generating revenue. Generating revenue can perhaps come in many different forms, ways, and means. However, let us not rush to the conclusion that allowing our paradise to be the central collection point for terrorist detainees would be beneficial.

Let us examine what our cost-benefits are first. Let us not focus on what this can do for us in the near term, but rather let us analyze mostly, with great consideration, how it will impact our islands in the long term. In our recent history, we have led ourselves down the wrong path by rushing to bright ideas without first examining the real consequences (long-term, that is). We have convinced ourselves to act prematurely in the past, failing to envision what the long-term effects were. Sure, our economy thrived with emerging bright ideas not too long ago. However, we failed to envision and plan for the “what ifs.” Let us not allow ourselves to make the same mistakes again.

I stand against the suggestion to transfer terror convicts to any of our beautiful Northern Mariana Islands. Maybe I just do not see the real benefit behind it. Perhaps I just see the long-term negative effects this may have. Imagine the impact on tourism. Will it improve it, or will it negatively affect it? That is merely just one piece to consider. There are so much more. Perhaps there is a reason why so many states do not want to even bother with it. For almost a year now, I have been here at the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS, working on a master’s in Military Arts and Science. Here at the Army’s intellectual crossroads, we study national strategy, joint forces doctrine, leadership, and various other global affairs. The recent topic of relocating the Guantanamo detainees, needless to say, has been a hot issue in our discussions amongst senior Army leaders. In fact, even the huge federal prison here at Fort Leavenworth is being considered. However, in the process the greater Kansas community does not want this endeavor to come close to their state at all. It is not about patriotism or lack thereof. If we do not get our territory on the list, no one will consider us unpatriotic. On the contrary, if we think we will be considered more patriotic than ever because we volunteer our territory, then we may perhaps be fooling ourselves.

Don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly agree that we must make every effort to revitalize our economy. However, I do not think that this is the best idea for it. Let us instead push our young and talented minds that are out there for the emergence of other better ideas—ideas that will render a bright future for many generations, not just as a band-aid fix. I fully support the initiative to move the prison, but not to our territory. I suppose that this idea will perhaps generate revenue, but I also think that it will do us more damage than good in the long run.

I have also fought abroad and have seen how great our armed and security forces perform. And yes, we have the finest. Furthermore, I too believe that we have the finest in our Commonwealth and will, without a doubt, handle the mission with distinct honor. However, I just do not want our islands’ future to be impacted in the wrong way because we failed to make good judgment. Let us collectively work together to come up with another initiative instead of this. Let us rush to the side of caution before we act, and if I am proven wrong, then so be it. I am only one voice, and the decision is for the majority to make. But we must be deliberate and careful; and if a decision is made, I will support whatever it may be. Hafa Adai and may God bless our Commonwealth!