In search of MM

James Connaughton, chief of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, is here seeking the support of the CNMI for the establishment of a marine monument in the northernmost part of these isles.

The plan doesn’t include any of the three islands being sought by Pew but only the vast expanse of marine area around the three isles, according to Connaughton. This is substantially different from the Pew proposal.

It seems untimely a plan for there’s the desire that it be done before President Bush leaves office in three months’ time. The governor firmly expressed the view that there’s no need to “rush” the issue.

Connaughton assures that the plan will include real participation of the NMI via the issuance of a high-powered presidential proclamation. It must be pointed out that the federal government hasn’t been able to work as a real partner with the NMI over the last three decades. This factual premise makes any other federal plan highly suspect.

Federal law mandates Washington to provide for a “progressively higher standard of living” for the people of the CNMI. This hasn’t happened but the feds came out with US Public Law 110-229 that sets the stage to reduce revenue generation by as much as 50 percent. What sterling performance!

He mentioned that the establishment of the marine monument would give the NMI greater patrol coverage from the U.S. Department of Defense. It must be noted too that the failure of the DOF isn’t a reason for acquisition of a marine area here. It seems that every failure is translated into acquisition of some sort. It doesn’t follow, does it? All that DOD needs to do is increase patrol boats and head to sea on a regular basis.

Connaughton meant well in his presentation. But there’s the question of authority over the marine monument. Though legally the vast expanse of waters being sought may be the purview of the national government, majority of our people are strongly in conformity that the land and sea has been a part of tradition since time immemorial. We’re not ready to relinquish our ancestral rights in any form or fashion.

Too, I heard through the grapevine that the USGAO wants to revise its report on the CNMI. We should be cautious on this issue and counter it with our own at the appropriate time. A revision without our input is baseless and useless. Scrambling to regain credibility must be USGAO’s ultimate goal in its planned trip to the islands.

Manufacturing On Final Sail

When JAL left the NMI, it drained these isles of about $700 million. It’s a huge plunge in revenue that no longer recycles in the local economy. We were caught off-guard with our pants down.

Now, the apparel industry is on its final sail out of the harbor en-route to a venue where labor is cheap. It will also drain the NMI of some $32 million in direct taxes. It leaves behind a ghost town and hundreds of unemployed locals.

We ponder with fainted confidence how do we replace these losses as local leadership converges to figure out the future of these isles. What makes it difficult is that solutions to these concerns can’t be resolved via the instant soba mindset.

In the process, I have seen a parade of Atlases shrug as the challenge intensifies to resolve issues of substance that will determine the wellbeing of posterity. Most are staying low hoping nobody recognizes their presence. Fortunately, the governor hasn’t shrugged. He’s the only Atlas standing ever determined to navigate the rough seas of financial uncertainty at the global level. He has real leadership resolve to rebuild and return these isles to economic normalcy.

Indeed, there are internal and external detractors who would do anything to derail our efforts. But we will stand with all who wish to join us in the march to providing concrete solutions to the bitter end. After all, there’s nothing more satisfying than the personal satisfaction that you have done something substantive to improve the lot of your people. This is what leadership with real resolve is all about, no more, no less!

Absent Clarity of Understanding

Various views have been expressed versus the federal lawsuit. How sad that Gregorio Cruz claims to represent the indigenous people. But he has mastered the art of vacillation and buckles when tasked to protect the inalienable rights of the indigenous people to greater degree of self-government.

It boggles the mind how a weak-kneed Captain Indigenous just misses the point from A-Z. But then what are we to expect from an angry man and his diminished cabal incapable of understanding with clarity what indigenous issues of substance entail.

This group is a chartered, non-profit organization and such being its status, may I publicly call upon the Office of the Public Auditor to conduct a thorough ocular review of its fundraising, funds collected, expenditures, among others.

I am also publicly calling upon the Office of the Attorney General to probe Mr. Cruz’s collection firm. Specifically, who are his clients, how much has he collected and whether he has paid them their dues. Again, my friend, let’s do it right.

Let’s see if Mr. Cruz isn’t hiding behind the veil of a non-profit group for purposes of his rumored personal aggrandizement. It’s only right that we do it right, sir! Let’s see if you’re one Atlas who won’t shrug in the midst of the virulent seas of adversity.