Take action and speak up on DEIS
There are many reasons to consider preparing and submitting comments to the military on the DEIS for Tinian and Pagan islands in October. Here are some examples of why it is important to take action and to speak up.
Last time I recall, the United States was a free country and not communist Russia or China. Last time I recall, this nation was supposed to have a government of, for, and by all the people, not just for most of the people. Last time I recall, the government of this nation was supposed to represent the will of the people and protect individual rights and community concerns, not just concerns of citizens residing in the continental U.S., Hawaii, or Alaska. Last time I checked, Americans living in the Mariana Islands cannot vote for president, have no real voting representation in Congress and have no formal representative to speak on their behalf at most mid-level government discussions and are totally absent from participating in high-level government conversations. It is therefore in the best long-term interests of Chamorros and all residents of the Mariana Islands to at the very least prepare and submit comments on the DEIS for Tinian and Pagan.
Last time I recall, Guam, as one example, had among the highest rates of military service and killed-in-action rates on a per capita basis nationwide and so if we were courageous enough to serve in the military and courageous enough to help protect this nation and courageous enough to contribute to fighting its wars based on policies that at times are incomplete and ambiguous, we should be courageous enough to actively participate in all opportunities that are presented to us as Americans to voice our concerns and challenges regarding the DEIS for Tinian and Pagan islands.
The active duty military stationed in Guam continue to ask islanders informally to support the transformation, arguing that we are “Americans” and it is therefore our right and responsibility to do so. As usual, though, the military is focusing on only one of several frames of reference and fails to state that the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Army and national intelligence communities do not own notions of patriotism nor do these communities have exclusivity, trademark, or advantage on notions of citizenship, commitment, and honor to this nation. The discussion needs to be expanded and one effective way to grow the conversation is to submit comments on the DEIS, pointing out what’s missing, what’s lacking, what’s wrong, and what’s conveyed. We have the responsibility to do so because this is our country too and part of the American patchwork is that portion belonging to the Chamorro and Carolinian people from the Mariana Islands.
Rick Perez
Hanover, NH
Buenas Rick,
Don’t worry we had summit our opinions supporting the military build up in the CNMI. If our memory served us right, many of us served in the United States Armed Forces and we welcome the military on our soil. Peace chelu.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase
Yes, Jun, many of us did serve – not just you. And 99% of those who served recognize that these bombing ranges, that will destroy our lands and our tourism based economy are a bad idea. Why you put the military before your own people is a question you should be thinking about. Everybody else is wondering why you wish to sell out your people.
The military has adequate training facilities that have served them well training hundreds of thousands of marines, navy and army personnel since world war II. The only reason they insist on taking our lands is that it is convenient to them.
Bombing ranges destroy land, pollute ground water and kill civilians – sometimes quickly when the bombs miss their targets, and sometimes slowly as they poison us.
Think again Jun. Stop your false patriotism. True patriots think of all Americans, not just the white ones. True patriots value American ideals of equality, justice and respect. None of those are being shown by the military leadership who want to push their destructive project on our tiny commmunity that has so little already and will be greviously harmed when we lose our tourism industry and two wonderful islands.
Welcome back, it’s been awhile since you comment on this blog. You probably just came back from a training exercise.
For your information, I am not speaking for anyone but for the future of my offspring. Just because you come from well to do family and the silver spoon is given to you, that we are going to abide by your opinions. Losing our tourism would be on the horizon, if Uncle Sam flex the national security trump card. Tell your mom buenas from us.
Jun, you stated “If our memory served us right, many of us served in the United States Armed Forces and we welcome the military on our soil’; speak for yourself brotha’. I am a Veteran and still serving our country and I welcome the US Mil but put my children’s future first. That does not make me less patriotic than you. I would like for my children on down to own the Marianas just as my father and forefathers have passed on to me and thats with the ecosystem intact I might add for all those islands.
Our Marianas is the only thing our “offspring” have to tie them with their ancestors. Then I can see where your thoughts are coming from though… You stated in past blogs that you grew up in the “ghettos” in the states and being around gangs and guns; so I understand your mindset. You don’t care cause you never bonded with our Marianas.. Ai Chelu..
Rock on Rick..