Of course, the history of Mr. Torres’ histrionic hyperbole is well known, and to expect him to reign it in is as implausible as to expect Emperor Ben Fitial to stop his drive-by racist shouting ways. Oh, well. Life on Saipan will no doubt go on (minimally) even as the commonwealth strives to regain its former glory as a talaya-fishing, banana-picking subsistence indigenous economy.
Before signing off on this enlightening reply to the old “drivel-doer” himself, we really should help to set the record straight for Mr. Torres, et al. Mr. Torres wrote of the “Proud… citizens of the commonwealth in voluntary political alliance with the U.S.A.” Well, that isn’t exactly how it is, Mr. Torres.
Oh, the citizens may be “proud” all right, some of them. However, there are no “citizens” of the commonwealth. The people of the commonwealth are citizens of the United States of America and are “residents” of the commonwealth. That fact will remain true unless and until you turn in your U.S. passport and show the world a valid CNMI passport.
Furthermore, the commonwealth exists in a political UNION with the great U.S.A., not in an “alliance” with it. An alliance is formed by treaty between sovereign independent states. The Marianas have never been a sovereign state. Not now, not ever. The Marianas were not a “political state” prior to 1521 when Magellan sailed through and have been governed by other entities ever since. And that is the cold, hard, historical reality of it, all illusions, delusions and pretenses aside.
Furthermore, the word “Union” derives from the Latin, “unis” meaning “one” as in “uno” and as in “ONE nation under God, indivisible…etc.” Yes, ONE nation, indivisible, Stanley. There is no alliance between the CNMI and the U.S.A. The CNMI is part of the U.S.A. as much as California, Florida, New York and Washington are. And that’s the way it is.
Finally, you also really ought to drop the self-deceiving false notion that any “union” with the U.S.A. is voluntary at this time. It is not voluntary today. The political union with the U.S. is now an “obligation” and has been that way since the day the Covenant with the U.S.A. was signed and adopted by both parties.
This reality check is offered with the sincerest goodwill. Enjoy the sun, surf and free coconuts.
CARLOS J. NARANJA JR.
(former CNMI resident)
Boca Raton, Floriad
