NO REST FOR THE AWAKE - MINAGAHET CHAMORRO

Below is a letter I was forwarded by Michael Leon Guerrero from the Global Grassroots Justice . I've been waiting weeks for something like this to emerge, a Native Alaskan perspective on Republican VP choice Sarah Palin's record in Alaska. I'm glad that its finally here, because the lack of this perspective has been horrifying, especially amidst all the pro-Palin exuberant coverage. Although the erasure of the indigenous people of the United States is the norm (as they represent histories, legacies and contemporary realities that your "average" American citizen or politician refuses to deal with), I've been surprised at the lack of coverage of Native American opinions on the Republican Presidential and VP candidates. For McCain, coming from Arizona and being for several years the chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has a long relationship with Native American tribes, and has helped write numerous laws regulating their gaming industries and their

The continuing list of famous people I've seen so far (seen, not necessarily talked to). Jonathan Alter, journalist Paul Begala, pundit Ann Curry, tv person (who was, according to rumor born on Guam) Fran Drescher, actress Tammy Duckworth, former Congressional candidate in Illinois New York Governor David Pattersen Penn. Governor Ed Rendell Former California Congressman Norman Mineta California Congressman Mike Honda DNC Chariman Howard Dean Minnesota Congressional Candidate Ashwin Madia Hawai'i Congresswoman Mazie Hirono Congressman from Maryland Steny Hoyer Colorado Congressional Candidate Hank Eng Guam Senator Ben Pangelinan Guam Senator BJ Cruz California Comptroller John Chiang California Congressman John Chiang Susan Sarandon, Actress and Activist Tamlyn Tomita, Actress and Activist Lisa Edelstein, Actress Minnesota Senator Amy Koblucher Maya Sotero-Ng, Barack Obama's sister Kansas Governor Katherine Sebelius Former Democratic Presidential Candidate George McGovern J

I spent Barack Obama's speech crawling around on the floor of Invesco Field, trying to worm my way close enough to the candidate so I could get a decent picture of him with my cheap digital camera. Unfortunately, the closest I was able to get was right in the middle of the Texas delegation, so I have several dozen photos of a brown blur in a black suit that still has plenty of gravitas. I enjoyed the speech, although when you are working on taking pictures and talking to delegates or other people crouched and crawling its easy to miss some of the the finer points. Being someone interested in justice for oppressed communities and also an Ethnic Studies scholar, I had hoped for much more though on the glorious anniversary that this speech was taking place on, and in general the struggle for civil rights and racial justice that he represents. Unfortunately, since his "mature" speech on race didn't quite allow Obama to seal the deal on the nomination, or solve his Jeremi

From the floor of Invesco Field: Guam Senator and Convention Delegate, Ben Pangelinan on Guam's participation at the Democratic National Convention. "For me its a double edged sword. We come here and we participate in the process of the seleciton of the nominee, and then its stops and so its like a journey incomplete. Its frustrating to that end. I'm glad that yesterday during the roll call vote we were able to make a statement about Guam not having the right to self-determination...That opportunity to make that statement was a positive for this trip and gives me hope that people are listening. We've had an opportunity to talk to many people who are, quite frankly shocked that America disenfranchises people who are asked to bear the burden and responsibility of citizens, and yet are not give that one most precious element of citizenship in this country, the vote."

While looking for a seat at Invesco a bit of serendipity took place, as I ran into a freelance journalist in the same section, who was looking for people to interview, and who after learning about where I was from and why I was at the convention, told me that she had spent three years on Guam in the 1970’s. When I asked what for, she told me that she had worked for Tony Palomo, as a journalist writing for his newspaper The Pacifican . Sadly, the paper didn’t last very long and soon after it was born it was driven out of business by the Pacific Daily News . She asked if I knew Tony Palomo and I said yes, and so she told me some of her life so that next time I see him I could share with him how she’s doing. She ended up interviewing me and my thoughts on the Convention, and I gave her my usual, I’m excited to be here, but…if you aren't enamored with all the excitement and sign-waving, the specatcle of inclusion, then what you've got is basically friendly American colonialism.

Congresswoman Bordallo Proud Of Guam's Presence At Democratic National Convention Written by Mana Silva, Pacific News Center Guam, Saipan, CNMI, Asia-Pacific Thursday, 28 August 2008 Guam - It was an exciting time for democrats taking part in the Democratic National Convention, and Guam certainly put its best face forward, and made its presence known. The convention in Denver, Colorado was attended by thousands, and according to Guam's Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo "the event has been electric." Former presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton showing her support during the convention yesterday. President Bill Clinton took center stage today, and of course, vice presidential candidate Joe Bidden also called to speak before the crowd of supporters. Quite a surprise though, was a visit by Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama. Guam's congresswoman was also called to the stage to join House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Bordallo also had a chance run in with former

Estague i chalan siha, nai mamamokkat yu' kada diha. Bula linahayan, yan diniskuti taiguini. Ai adai, esta mampos yafaifau ya puputi i patas-hu.

Today we move the convention from the Pepsi Center to Invesco Field, to accomodate a much large crowd to witness Senator Obama's speech tonight accepting the nomination for the Democrats. The change in venue will be huge for increasing the "historical" nature of this event, opening the event up for even more people. But unfortunately, this change will make internet access more difficult for me. There is a section of the press box marked specifically for bloggers, but I'm sure it'll fill up fast. If I'm at Invesco all day, then I might not post much on the day's activities until late tonight or tomorrow.

Although he has not been posting recently, when he was Carbondate from the blog The Command Post was a very insightful writer. He is currently in the service and at least several months ago was stationed on Guam. At present its possible he's in the Middle East right now. He was absolutely the type of Democrat and blogger that I have been hoping to find at the Democratic Convention this week, people who may come from different positions in the United States, different places, different political backgrounds, different social worlds, yet can still come together and discuss things through a common critical frame. In Denver this week, there is sadly a scarcity of these sorts of things, except for those directed at Republicans and John McCain. In other ways, there are also the usual sorts of critiques that liberals and Democrats can share, about health care, environment, democracy, peace. But for me, as I wrote yesterday, the frames I am searching for are those dealing with American c