NO REST FOR THE AWAKE - MINAGAHET CHAMORRO

For years nothing much happened in terms of decolonization advocacy at the governmental level. I wish I couldn't make this statement, but it is unfortunately true. The issue fizzled out towards the end of Governor Gutierrez's last term, and received close to no attention during Governor Camacho's time in office. Even, the island's current chief executive, Governor Calvo, who is currently pushing for a decolonization vote in the near future, did very little for the majority of his term. While it is good to see him coming around on the issue, it has to be acknowledged, that with so little coordinated efforts for so long, it would take a great deal of resources and focus to make up for lost time. It remains to be seen if Governor Calvo recognizes this fact and will do what is necessary to make his current goals a reality. During that time, those in civil society and in particular in academia in Guam did what we could to make up the difference. Every year, either myself

I liveblogged for most of the Great Debate held last week at the UOG Field House. I’ve been to most of the Great Debates over the past decade and a half and it is a highlight of the election year. This time there was no primary debates, just the general election debate. The drama was heightened because it was circling in the media and the tilifon alaihai that Calvo was dodging Gutierrez by cancelling his appearance for a debate. Gutierrez with far less money and far less infrastructure was pushing out several different lines of attack against Calvo and this would be the chance for Calvo to push back and defend himself, his administration and his family. Alas, the debate wasn’t that great. Gutierrez needed a crushing win and in truth, by my calculations Calvo came out ahead in the debate. There was definitely a contrast between the two candidates, but for most people they would have seen it as Calvo being prepared, composed and on message, while Gutierrez was off-beat, strugglin

My posting might become either very irregular or overly regular in the next few days, depending on how my access to internet and level of energy goes. I'm on a solidarity trip to South Korea right now. As the delegate from Guam I'm joining delegates from Okinawa, the United States and the Philippines in meeting with local peace, antiwar, demilitarization and reunification organizations. I have a crazy schedule of non-stop protests, workshops, tours and meetings for the next week, which includes a two-day visit to Jeju Island off the southern coast of South Korea. After spending one day here, para bai hu sangani hamyo, there is plenty to write and blog about. But the question remains, as to whether or not I'll have the time, energy or decent enough connection to keep posting. In the meantime I just wanted to share a short report that I just typed up, at the very last minute to be translated into Korean and be distributed at the different meetings I'm going to. Each o

For the next two days I'll be in and out of the "Guam Community and Economic Development Forum: Strategies for a Sustainable Future" which is taking place agupa' and agupa'na at the Sheraton Resort in Tamuning. I'm hoping to live blog for the parts that I attend, and so stay tuned for an update tomorrow. This forum promises to be an interesting one. There are plenty of people speaking whose ideas and insights I trust, but even more people whose ideas and plans for Guam I find incredibly suspect. Most economic forums on Guam, especially those related to the military buildup, tend to take the form of yard sales, where local and Federal government officals, as well as local businessmen promise that everything and anything on the island is up for grabs, and that there will be plenty of money to be made by those who do the grabbing. So as I said, there might be a serious dimension to this conference, and might actually provide some critical thoughts on economic d

Joint Guam Program Office Public Meeting January 22, 2009 Agat, Guam *************************************************************** 6:25 – Took pictures of a lovely sunset. The mayor’s office is right on the beach. 6:27 – Met a member of the JGPO who was there at the Critiquing the Military Buildup Forum I spoke at last November. He asks for my info so that we can meet up. Someone behind me whispers not to give him my real email address. I do though. 6:28 – The Agat Mayor Carol Tayama opens the meeting. 6:30 – John Jackson, executive director of JGPO starts his opening remarks. He invokes early the idea that this military buildup is not a transfer or a new move, but is in actuality a “return.” 6:32 – Jackson builds off his previous point, by admitting that the Marines are actually already here. There are four or five of them in the room right now. One of them in fact is marrying a local girl next month (this is not a joke, Jackson actually said this). 6:34 – A woman is introduc