Let’s not repeat mistakes

Posted on May 26 2015

Tag: CMNI, CNMI, military, United States

I write regarding the U.S. military’s proposed construction of live-fire ranges and training areas on Tinian and Pagan. As a former CMNI resident and a member of the international community concerned about preserving our collective cultural heritage, I am concerned about the adverse impacts of this proposal. There are few places in the United States that still have intact ecosystems and serve as the traditional homeland of indigenous peoples. My home in Alaska is one such place; Tinian and Pagan share this honor.

I urge the military to remember the long-term impacts resulting from bombing the Marshall Islands from 1946 to 1958. Not only did this result in the U.S. paying billions in compensation, it destroyed a way of life that cannot be replaced. Let’s not make the same mistake in the CNMI.

E. Barrett Ristroph, Esq., MRCP
Fairbanks, Alaska

Jun Dayao Dayao

This post is published under the Contributing Author. He/she does not normally work for Saipan Tribune but contributes for a specific topic or series.

Legalize pot for the right reasons

Native-born rights

Disclaimer: Comments are moderated. They will not appear immediately or even on the same day. Comments should be related to the topic. Off-topic comments would be deleted. Profanities are not allowed. Comments that are potentially libelous, inflammatory, or slanderous would be deleted.