'저는 그들의 땅을 지키기 위하여 싸웠던 인디안들의 이야기를 기억합니다. 백인들이 그들의 신성한 숲에 도로를 만들기 위하여 나무들을 잘랐습니다. 매일밤 인디안들이 나가서 백인들이 만든 그 길을 해체하면 그 다음 날 백인들이 와서 도로를 다시 짓곤 했습니다. 한동안 그 것이 반복되었습니다. 그러던 어느날, 숲에서 가장 큰 나무가 백인들이 일할 동안 그들 머리 위로 떨어져 말과 마차들을 파괴하고 그들 중 몇몇을 죽였습니다. 그러자 백인들은 떠났고 결코 다시 오지 않았습니다….' (브루스 개그논)





For any updates on the struggle against the Jeju naval base, please go to savejejunow.org and facebook no naval base on Jeju. The facebook provides latest updates.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Text Fw: [famoksaiyanfriends] The Buildup Proponents Strike Back

* Text informed by Koohan Paik through [famoksaiyanfriends] on April 28, 2010

PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT

Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai‘i


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commentary

BRINGING BALANCE TO GUAM BUILDUP DISCUSSION

By Jay R. Merrill
HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Business Journal, April 26, 2010) – Reading much of the national press, one gets the impression that most people on Guam are against the military buildup for one reason or another. The Draft Environmental Impact Study hearings seemed to uncover staunch public opposition to what is planned. The participants who voiced their concerns were passionate, young and for the most part articulate. It is not surprising that the Washington Post, Nation magazine and others have portrayed Guam as a community that believes it is being imposed upon and taken for granted. Such was most of what was heard at the hearings. The hearings were contentious and marked the emergence of a new social brand called "We are Guahan." The group has continued beyond the hearings, advocating vigorously for sustaining Guam’s environment, its culture and "way of life." They express sincere and passionate fears about the change the military buildup will bring. While it is hard to argue against sustaining the environment and the island’s culture, the national media gets it wrong when they portray Guamanians as opposed to the change the military buildup will bring. The fact is, if a survey were held today, a majority of Guamanians remains in favor of the military buildup. Most people are not afraid of the change that will come; they fear more what Guam will become without it.

That is why the evolution of a new social brand is refreshing and needed. The group is called Hita I Marianas, which, I am told, translates to "We are the Marianas." The group is trying to create greater balance in the public discussion about the buildup. It believes that as much must be discussed about how the community can benefit from the economic growth that is coming as is discussed about the challenges it may present. The benefits the military buildup will create will be opportunities, not dollars falling from the sky. Unless the community understands those benefits, prepares for them, and starts working now to insure their fruition, they just might pass us by. If so, what then? What alternative exists to the buildup that could create as many jobs, as much income, and help Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands finance the public infrastructural improvements required by both communities? At the moment, no one has an answer.

The face of Hita I Marianas is retired Army Command Master Sgt. Ben Palacios, from Saipan wanting to start a business, concerned about the future of the region’s economy. It is also Adam Tydingco, soon to graduate from university in California wanting to come home to a career in Guam. The group believes more has to be focused on making those kinds of dreams a reality. The discussion should be about both Guam and the NMI, as the buildup will affect the entire region. There should be more discussion about connecting local businesses and off-island concerns to work together to create jobs. Hita I Marianas wants the public to learn more about how the military and the community can work together to forge a coexistence that can make the region a better place to live and work.

The group is forming; it is soliciting others to join in. It is holding a conference in San Diego to inform businesses on the mainland that the people of the region are looking for investors interested in the long term. The conference is about informing those thinking of coming to the region about long-term opportunities that exist and are emerging. It also provides a chance for U.S. firms to learn how to partner with local firms and with the community in ways that will be more efficient and will improve the region. The group’s website can be found at www.marianasbuildup.com. It is worth checking out.

Marianas Business Journal
Copyright © 2009 Glimpses of Guam Inc., All Rights Reserved


Jay R. Merrill is chairman of Market Research & Development Inc.

No comments:

Post a Comment