Two opinions for 2017

When my wife and I visited the Tinian Dynasty, it reminded me of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. It was vast, looming, deserted, and it felt weird to be there. Yes, there were a few gamblers, but not many. They seemed like “extras.”

My wife and I wandered the endless, empty hallways and looked out the windows. There was nothing to see. No stores, no tourists spots, nothing.

So here was this vast, hulking monstrosity, virtually vacant. Why was it there at all? It seemed, and remains, terribly out of place—similar to the billionaire loony who bought London Bridge and had it re-assembled in the American desert. Why?

Now, the Dynasty is in a pickle because $75 million in fines are owed and no investor with any brains would touch it. And yet there may be a way out.

The Dynasty would make a first-rate military hospital, and I hope the U.S. military considers it. The building appears to be sound and in good shape. There are more than enough rooms for patients, and other spaces for administration, urgent care, operating theaters, and all of the other things a treatment facility requires.

The Tinian runway would have to be reinforced, but that’s likely to happen anyway, now that it’s going to become the “divert airfield.” I don’t think the current runway would support a big jet more than once a week.

Usually, military treatment facilities are reserved for military personnel, but there have been exceptions in the past wherein civilians requiring urgent medical care are admitted. If this were possible, it would certainly lighten the burden of our fleabag CHC, as well as having teams of specialists standing by.

Guam has two military hospitals: The 36th medical group (which, I believe, is within Andersen AFB), and Naval Hospital Guam. I was unable to find out much about these facilities; only that they exist. At the present time, Guam has better medical facilities than the Commonwealth has, but it requires a flight down there. Tinian is right next door, and local patients could be evacuated by helicopter if need be.

There is a U.S. military hospital in Hawaii, and another in Japan. Having a new hospital on Tinian could be a great resource, especially since the situation in the South China Sea is percolating. God only knows what will happen out there.

Anyhow, the Dynasty seems to be finished as a casino (unless a group of brainless investors decide to pony up the $75 million). A topnotch military hospital is just what the doctor ordered.

•••

There has been a lot of discussion about Article 12 lately, and for good reason. Many of the locals are upset—with some justification—that the sale of land to non-NMD’s would further dilute the indigenous culture. They have a point. And yet Judge Manglona recently ruled that non-NMD’s have the right to vote on Article 12. This has caused an uproar in the indigenous community. If it eventually goes to a vote, it will be close.

But hang on a second. There is an “all or nothing” mindset, that is, either Article 12 remains, or it is abolished. Here’s my take on this:

Ease the Article 12 restrictions for private residences, but not for commercial use. That way, a homeowner would be able to buy the land his house is on. Resorts, hotels, and other commercial establishments would still be bound by the provisions of Article 12.

There is no perfect solution to the Article 12 problem, but amending it might be possible. Just a thought.

Russ Mason
As Teo, Saipan