IF you have a grievance with Uncle Fed, you can protest outside the base to register said grievance/complaint. On the other hand, if you have a grievance with GovGuam, why is it that folks don’t protest in Tumon, the heart of tourism and where GovGuam gets most of its revenue?
The military comes in second when it comes to providing revenues to the local government but yet it surges to the front and bears the brunt of the “scorn” and “ire” when folks have complaints against Uncle Fed.
The military is like lawyers you “hate” them until you need them. But why not the same party when we have outstanding complaints against the local government? Isn’t that the best way to get your message heard? We don’t want to hit where it hurts because we all depend on tourism in some form or fashion but we don’t mind hitting the military even if we all depend on the same military for protecting these shores (besides generating jobs and revenue).
Here is why:
We have a difficult time looking into the eyes of local folks who run the businesses, the local government, and tell them that they have “messed up” but we have no such problem looking into the eyes of the military folks who run the show on-base because they do not look like us (sometimes) and/or they are here for two-year stints. (Tourist are here for one-week stints.)
On two related notes, Cha-mor-ros by and large have benefited greatly from the U.S. flag when it comes to property rights and values. Who owns most of the property not on federal land? And if there are outstanding land issues — and they are — it is incumbent upon the local government to take this fight through federal courts (not elite local courts) and Congress. There are those who are willing to do legal work “for free” like Atty. Mike Phillips (COLA) who are in it for the long-haul. On marriages, Chamorro women decide who they want. What can you do?

MATT PHILLIPS
Mangilao, Guam