Your vision of the NMI?

A young scholar and potential writer asked if I am optimistic of the future of the NMI? I replied affirmatively and confidently. He was taken aback in that my views, in his opinion, don’t seem to support my answer. Well, they were observations, pure and simple in what’s known as fair commentary. Nothing is etched in stone!

Be that as it may, we are both walking on the path of “political maturity”—a slow process that would take years to develop until we attain a sense of mature governance with appreciable contentment. The disorienting experience we’re treading now is part and whole of the fallacies of a democracy. How quickly we develop good governance is in the palm of our hands. The process has begun. Therein lies my confidence.

Even our country, with over 200 years since it was founded, has yet to attain clarity and understanding upholding the concept of separation of powers. Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have taken the role of the U.S. Congress on policy decisions. Even President Obama attempts being a president and legislator at the same time. It’s being meddlesome where it is constitutionally prohibited.

Here at home the origin of self-inflicted difficulties isn’t trapped in the complexity of substantive issues. It is primarily one of percipiency—ability to understand what’s at issue—on imperial Capital Hill. They know everything, especially “nothing!” And they smile nervously, sporting nervous arrogance as though a new fad.

The economy is headed deeper south yet we see policies in the prohibition of panty hanging in Garapan including a one-lane road. Do you now see the lack of depth on policymaking?

Though not a fiery proponent of tourism, Guam’s thrives while ours dies, the former working out of a set of plans it refines as it moves along.

Vacillate: We vacillate on issues while inspecting if the cargo cult mentality would work. This specialty triggers incoherence. In brief, the right doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. But we move along smiling while singing “Ke sera, sera”. And we seem happy as though a special talent.

What do you think is the answer? It’s a challenge in assessment and only you could pinpoint the flaws in our “ke sera” syndrome. I’m also ready to meet with you to challenge your considered vision of our future.

More so than anything, I now focus on returning NMI scholars to begin the long road to fostering meaningful self-government. I’m tickled to death with their proactivity, saying enough of this self-inflicted victimhood. They’re on their way to forging brighter tomorrows. I hear the same thing from scholars off-island. They’d engage in “educated” discussion what paradigms are needed to set the course for some very difficult navigating up ahead.

If you will, a lot of bright young scholars are teeming with energy to eventually explode into the fold of leadership to make a difference. I’d roll out the red carpet and welcome them home for I’ve waited long and hard for their return.

With rock solid academic and professional credentials they’d navigate our canoes even with shredded sails, successfully. I see brighter days ahead. Join the chorus so we sing in unity and harmony.

The storm: Had to check out my friend Magoo to see if his tin shack survived the wrath of Soudelor. The entire shack was gone. He bounced right back and rebuilt it in two days.

He’s an industrious person who doesn’t wait around for Santa Claus. Later he harvested some root crops or taro and tapioca from his garden. He gave me some while I returned the favor with canned goods from home. The simple exchange is known as “communal sharing.” It is the very fabric that has held us together for centuries.

This part of the local culture is still very strong. I don’t see any flaws in it. It’s the most Christian thing to do for friends in real need.

Volunteers: A volunteer, a college grad, smiles when assigned to clean gutters somewhere. “There goes my college diploma…came here to help people and they ask me to pick up trash.” Why can’t we put people where they could do the most good?

Why confuse bureaucracy and the needs of victims? I mean people need help not the gutters on road corners! The placement of the right people in the right positions is what good management is all about. But then how do we pound sense into incompetent political hires?

Thanks KKNP: On my way north some five hours before Goni made landfall between Tinian and Rota, Gary Sword hooked up with NOAA for the latest storm information. Thanks Gary. The information was most timely. Didn’t have to brave listening to so-called “official” information from upstairs. You should continue the conversation with NOAA. It ensures timely information from the horse’s mouth! Outstanding job!

Si Goni`: Just 13 days after Soudelor, Mr. Goni decided to make a visit himself. The upside is the cool weather he brought after days of scorching heat. But he also delayed work in the recovery effort.

Then there’s Atsani churning steadily. Weather forecasters hope to see shear lines fizzle out so it moves and disappears up north. Another superstorm is a bit too much for our tiny little plates. Definitely, this is the strangest year for storms on the islands.

Last Sunday, Aug. 16, was the twelfth day the southern part of the island was shut-off from water. Do we keep singing Twelve Days of Christmas once more in August? The spin doctors on imperial Capital Hill who have a new skill—misinformation—are saying “We’re doing everything that we can.” Really? Nice try!