That’s an excellent idea. Let’s hope he can get them together. In the past those appointed usually failed to appear for meetings. If they’re as hard to find as the commission staffers it won’t be easy. At this writing it appears that three of the required 11 members are on board, though the executive director reportedly has no office or phone other than his cell. Maybe he’ll be able to track commission members. Perhaps fit them with GPS transmitters.
Let’s assume for the moment that commission members can eventually be identified and motivated and the commission is convened. What should we expect from them? They’ve done nothing measureable since the commission was created by then-Governor Gutierrez more than 10 years ago. No meetings, no presence, no benefit to the taxpayers. We do, however, reward the executive director and his elusive staff with some $150,000 or more in pay and benefits, not to mention many years of retirement credit for not showing up for work. Aren’t commissions that don’t meet supposed to automatically disappear? How did this one hang on for so long?
The Guam Legislature struck the first blow. They set the plebiscite wheels in motion with a couple of bills ramping up to a Chamorro-only political status vote. Big mistake, and I’m pretty sure they know it. They’ve done it before —five times between 1998 and 2005. So what if they also cancelled every time? They might do so again and, after all, it’s the thought that counts.
The governor has pledged to force appointments and convene the commission. I hope that happens soon. He said, “Together, we will move this process forward and bring the right of self-determination to our people once and for all.” Well, yeah, “together” — except for about 110,000 of us who aren’t invited to the party.
One talk-show host suggests that the Guam Legislature seeks a legal opinion from the AG on the constitutionality of P.L. 25-106. That’s also a great idea — one that might save GovGuam tons of money and another embarrassing trip through the federal courts. Would the AG actually come through and render an opinion? Will the Legislature ask for it? Not likely in either case. The Legislature fears the answer they’d get and the AG wants to be reelected. He knows that an honest legal opinion would put him squarely betwixt the proverbial rock and hard place, politically speaking.
Regardless of my views on all this, there must be others who share my concerns about constitutionality, civil and voting rights and other such trivial matters. We should prod the Legislature and the governor to request that legal opinion and above all, make it public: not “withdrawn” and buried like the 1995 opinion on the Chamorro Land Trust Act. I can provide a copy of that if you’re interested.
So, what say you, senators? Yes, I realize that most of you are wisely keeping a low profile on this issue. Frankly, I’m really disappointed in some of you who at other times in your lives exhibited some measure of responsibility and leadership qualities. Have you the guts to ask for that legal opinion? No? Please tell us why, because it seems like a simple and reasonable first step toward getting the political status issue off square one with minimum trauma.
By the way, were you taxpayers aware that you’re buying life insurance for 12,000 GovGuam classified employees? Maybe yes, maybe no, maybe you don’t care. Yes, I know it’s not germane to this issue. Just thought I’d throw it out there to check whether you’re paying attention.
DAVE DAVIS
Yigo, Guam
