It is quite appalling and ridiculous, yet really not shocking that a few select individuals choose to put the blame on the reduction of the number of U.S. military personnel coming to Guam as a result of the military buildup on our senators. This despite the fact that:
1. Guam Senators have NO control over the National Defense Authorization Act OR the military buildup.
2. The U.S. House of Representatives is controlled by the same party as those who seek to put the blame on our local Senators (and is also controlled by fiscal conservatives who refuse to support war reparations to the people of Guam).
3. The Japanese economy is in as much debt as that of the United States, and Japan has to pay for reconstruction costs as a result of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
If our senators did not stand up and voice concerns over the military buildup, than by all means start opening your sarcastic mouths and rightly criticize them.
Our senators were elected to represent the interests of ALL the people of Guam, not just the interests of the rich. When you are faced with the arrival of thousands of individuals to an island 32 miles in size, that will without a doubt overwhelm the limited infrastructure we have on the island AS WELL AS threaten the fragile recovery of the Chamorro language and culture.
If the military buildup took into consideration: war reparations to the people of Guam, the repayment of Guam funds used to cover the costs of the Compact-Impact agreements, the protection of the Chamorro language and culture, the protection and recovery of lands taken by the United States military, and jobs for all the unemployed residents of the island...then those who are opposed to the buildup or who want it done slowly won't be as "stubborn" to such a move.
We commend our senators, especially Speaker Judy Won Pat, Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, Majority Leader Rory Respicio, Speaker Ben Pangelinan, and Senator Judith Guthertz for their efforts to protect the interests of ALL the people of this great island.
