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Let’s galvanize support vs military use of Pagan
This summer represents the better time range for Mariana islanders to garner additional public support and media coverage of the protestations associated with the proposed U.S. military use of Pagan and the proposed greater military use of Tinian. Next summer’s media coverage will be heavily focused on national election politics and threat inflation claims that is almost certain to give the military ongoing advantage in dealing with Mariana Island residents who protest MARFORPAC desires to damage Pagan and Tinian. While national campaign coverage grows, the U.S. Pacific Command will be scurrying to finalize a report for Congress that is related to its desires and recommendations regarding the further militarization of the Marianas due by March 2016.
Mass media attention will further benefit the Pentagon during most of 2017 because while the press focuses on the January 2017, presidential inaugural festivities and the presidential honeymoon period, the Navy Pentagon will be submitting its FY 2018 budget to the White House and the new president will not necessarily be able to make his or her mark on the national defense issues already in play. The significance of mass media focus converging on presidential politics and threat inflation in 2017 will, with a high degree of certainty, most likely cap reporting coverage that has been given to recent protests on Pagan and Tinian. It is in the collective interest of residents of the beautiful Mariana Islands chain to continue to press forward with bolder and more courageous action to tactically and strategically protest and reject the military’s desire to permanently harm and damage the Mariana Islands through live bombing and live firing exercises.
Rick Perez
Hanover, New Hampshire
