Conflicting feelings for local US Army officer
A local U.S. Army infantryman is admittedly conflicted with the proposed military buildup in the CNMI, but from experience says that proposed high-impact live firing ranges would be safe.
“When we fired…the national Hawaiian geese was on those ranges. Whenever we saw the bird within a one-mile radius, the range goes cold. We shut down,” said Edward Dela Cruz, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
“How fast is it going to be? It’ll take three seconds,” he said.
“The ranges are highly safe,” he added. “…We have designated targets so soldiers will not miss. If they miss, we fail our jobs as officers.”
From speaking with his peers, he said most of them are “pro-military.” “They just don’t want to speak out right now because the crowds are really aggressive. If they came out here to talk about their service, they’d say [the firing ranges] are necessary.”
But as one who studied natural resource management in college, Dela Cruz conceded that “on the environmental side” the military could do much better, particularly on Pagan.
“How much freedom of access will they be given out there? The minute we give the military any ground—once they take those areas—they have every right to restrict people off it.”
But in the event the military does back off from using Pagan, he said the CNMI people and Northern Mariana Island descents “better damn see something happen” with the island’s development.
He was referring to Senate Bill 19-29, which aims to bring agencies together to set off the process of resettling Pagan.
“We’ve been harping that Pagan can be used for decades. Why just now? There’s been a lot of talks about how we can use Pagan as geothermal renewable energy source, or use it for ecotourism—and it takes a military buildup to wake up their eyes to finally build something?”
Dela Cruz challenged lawmakers to continue with this effort regardless if military buildup happens or not.
I get it… I am Veteran and I know the feeling of belonging to an the most awesome military/group/organization (etc.) in the world. And of course we want to be/feel protected from China, Russia etc..
But, lets do it in a sensible way. Not destroy a biosphere containing all sorts of life and beauty and leave nothing to our children. Craig B. Whelden don’t care about Pagan cause his children would not inherit it. He will speak and promote the military because he is paid to do so. He said the U.S. military is a “very good steward of the environment.” Ask them what happen that U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California San Francisco Division (the Court) regarding Henoko Plan? Maybe we should ask the rare species of manatees living there. Or how about Vieques, Puerto Rico Naval Training Range? There are many more. I was in uniform and witness first hand how the military personnel (not all but quiet a few) that don’t care about what they spill out (fuel, oil so on) on to the ground.
“Whelden said he would like to ask, “What do they mean by destroy the environment? Again, the only place military ordnance—which is bombs or artillery rounds or bullets—would land is in the volcanic area..” So he is now a scientist. Shooting into a volcano. Does that sound smart?
Mr. Whelden! Build your live fire training facilities or what have you on FDM! Locals are correct when they opting for the “ZERO OPTION.”
It is a shame that you continually insert yourself where you are not wanted. I am here, and I read. I do not need to hear what is said about what you write. Rude? We are not even close to the arrogance and rudeness of those planning to destroy our islands and those who support it without truly educating themselves. The man says he is torn, and he hopes that something can be done about Pagan to make it economically significant to avoid the acquisition., “The quiet majority…or at least indifferent”. What survey have you done to support this statement? You speak from your ears, man! You should try using your head. You may surprise yourself!
Take the lead and we will shut up, otherwise SHUT UP!
You’re so cute when you’re mad. 🙂 Nobody asked you to shut up. That’s not nice. I forgive you for your rude language, though.
Absolutely…I totally agree with you.
Our military is combat ready. However for the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who are to be based in the Mariana Islands they will need an area to train collectively in order to remain combat ready.
Then go and find another place in friendly countries in the area. The purpose of their development for training is to include those countries’ forces to train with our forces. These are but tiny islands. The military have yet to address their responsiblity in cleaning up FDM and here they are now wanting more islands to destroy!
There is no sense or need to clean up FDM as it is still being used.
SO CONTINUE USING IT FOR THE SAME PURPOSE and let us see if you are successful in cleaing it up and returning it to its original form! Ask the people from Bikini if they are free of contamination then you can talk!
Ready, not ready, set, GO, make wars to make peace to go to war in Iraq to see it taken over by a handful of crazies and now sit back and study china to see what the u.s. war machine can do there to make peace in the world while the u.s ponders on how to pay debt to china by increasing its military budget to make war with china just in case. Pass the pipe.
Once again, you are forgiven. It’s a shame that you are not able to engage in a debate without resorting to name calling. Perhaps if you were less inclined toward hysteria and vitriol, you’d persuade more people to agree to help you with your cause. People in positions of power to help, instead of sign a petition which goes nowhere and does nothing. So far the only ones on your side seem to be those who wish to protect the interests of the foreign casino investors (sell any of your ancestors’ sacred land lately, Missy?) and those who are easily led. It’s puzzling that the closer I get to the truth, the angrier and more personal your replies become.
I would also add that those on her side seem to be enjoying comfortable positions in the CNMI Government.
Who are you to be saying these, and what exactly are you insinuating?
I’m insinuating that some of you care more about your bank account than your duty to your country. I’m observing that you have zero problem selling off your precious sacred ancestral land to folks who will destroy it with casinos, theme parks, resorts, strip malls. What do you think the construction and operation of those eyesores will do to the pristine natural beauty of the land and sea? But when the military comes to collect on deal made long, long ago, suddenly you’re a passionate environmentalist. If that doesn’t raise a few eyebrows, you’re just not paying attention.
I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that the loudest voices on that side belong to members of the Gaming Commission, government folks, and mouthpieces for the foreign investors.
Perhaps if you are less inclined to be discriminatory then we can have a respectable debate. Your tone, sir, speaks very loud of your haugtiness. You are so quick to point our deficiencies without owning your responsibility as a community member. Sitting down and criticising does not make you a responsible citizen. Offer solutions and be a part of it too. Otherwise, albiet you have no right to freedom of speech, youi have no utter your complaints!
I am not sure “deception” is the best argument, and the anger does not help.
Was it contemplated by the Covenant that the base on Tinian would destroy archeaological sites and, more importantly, contaminate Tinian’s sole aquifer with spent munition leachate?
No problem. Just do not do it here. Since you are an intelligent analyst then please do tell us that our tiny little islands is CRITICAL and no other place in this region is better but these islands. Otherwise, the military, in my humble opinion, is inadequately – grossly so, I might say – justifying their intent on these islands.
Telling us “the military will drink the same water” does not cut it.
The military will be rotating through for brief training missions, with a relatively few posted on Tinian as their duty station for a mere few years.
By contrast, the people of Tinian must endure exposure to these toxins for their whole lives, including the biological developmentally sensitive periods of infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
The people of the CNMI have endured high cancer and other environmental toxin-related disease rates following World War II. We are not test subjects! This borders on genocide. Mere “assessment” is not enough:
“The Range Environmental Vulnerability Assessment would be implemented on all live-fire operational ranges after they have been in use for a minimum of 1 year to provide a snapshot of the current environmental conditions of operational ranges as well as a detailed assessment of potential munitions constituent migration from operational ranges to off-range areas. Reevaluations would occur at a minimum every five years. The munitions constituents evaluated under the Range Environmental Vulnerability Assessment program include high explosives (e.g., trinitrotoluene, royal demolition explosive, high melting explosive from munitions items containing high explosives), perchlorate (from propellant in rocket fuels), and lead (from small arms).”
CJMT DEIS/ODEIS (cited by you) 4.3.2.2, Best Management Practices and Standard Operating Procedures, http://cnmimarines.s3.amazonaws.com/static/DraftEIS/Chapter%203-4%20%28Resources%29/Ch.%204/4.3%20-%20Water%20Resources.pdf#page=4 .
Genocide?!? Exaggerate much counselor? Using fantastic statements like that really does not help the discussion. The fact that the military has noted the chemicals of concerns and will have regular sampling plans in place shows that they do take the possibility of contamination seriously. The same chapter I cited that you cite back also states that additional actions will be taken if it is found that the contaminants start to migrate off site and threaten the aquifer. I am sure you’re also aware that the CNMI EPA or its equivalent will regularly monitor the water as well. Do you really think the military hasn’t learned from its past? They are extremely aware that they must be good stewards of resources entrusted to them. As I bring up past sins of the military please do not jump on that bandwagon as if they are the only ones who have done so. Industry, Governments Federal, State and Local and the normal citizen has harmed the environment in our collective ignorant past. As we all learn and move forward we are getting better at protecting the environment.
You are as persistent as those tiny little gnats that have to swarm in numbers cuz they are so small. You are also as useless in spin that has been regurgitated too many times to warrant agreement.
Thank you for the incoherent comment. The fact that you don’t attempt to rebut my points and choose instead to attack me only helps to legitimize my position.
The quote about the aggressive protestors was from the CNMI resident not me. Nothing to spin.