A change of words and possibly of heart?

This is good news even though it isn't great news.

The vocabulary has changed.  Which means a change of mindset, which means someone has definitely had a change of heart, mind, and attitude.

I love the title of this PDN article:

10th migrant criminal's sentence commuted

I'm guessing that the FSM population is Guam is pretty large.  So 10 people out of a hundred? a thousand?  That's very low.

Plus they are using the word "commuted" and reserving the word "deportation" for federal authorities:

"Gov. Eddie Calvo commuted the sentence of a 10th migrant inmate and turned him over to federal immigration authorities for deportation proceedings, according to a statement from Adelup."


The article even goes so far as to say that the previous men... not criminals.. "volunteered" to have their sentences commuted and return to their home in Chuuk.  Great choice of words.  The tone has changed.  The vocabulary has changed.  

And not a word from our FSM President.  The noise was made in Guam and resolved at the Federal level.  Why would a President step 'down' to the territorial level when he has a Nation to run??

Thank you President Christian for staying high and dry from all of this.  


Meanwhile, I would like to thank Mr Robert Underwood in Guam for his take on freedom of press.  And to encourage all of you in FSM to keep reading, keep posting because a "free press makes honest government"  

Territorial over territory and showing Sovereignty

Recently Governor Calvo  stated :
'I'm glad to see that we are now being engaged by the U.S. federal government who seem to better understand the position Guam is in and are showing that they will work with us to protect every man, woman, and child on this beautiful island that so many people call home.' 


I am always touched by how we unconsciously confirm our strongest beliefs.  Governor Calvo has stated the obvious.  He has raised the bar to the appropriate level.  He has shown us that we can all get along when the correct channels are utilized.  This is great! I applaud Governor Calvo for being an advocate for all Governor's in the U.S. and U.S. administered territories when dealing with Sovereign nations.  Si Yuus Maase!




Meanwhile, in the Nation of FSM:
FSM PIO's press release on the 47th Pacific Island Forum:
"Later in the week during their retreat at the FSM Congress Chambers, leaders (from 16 sovereign nations) focused their discussions on a wide range of regional issues including economic growth, fisheries, maritime surveillance, regional mobility and harmonization of business practices, West Papua, the Regional Assistance Missions to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), Pacer Plus, cervical cancer HPV vaccination, framework for rights of persons with disabilities in the Pacific, the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, climate change and disaster risk management."
And:
The FSM just recently established Diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates and before that, established Diplomatic ties with the Government of Kuwait! Both in a single month! :) Interesting to note that the FSM Government has established Diplomatic ties with over 70 other Sovereign nations.


The Nation of FSM has Diplomatic Missions in Japan, Fiji, China, US (consulates in Guam and Hawaii), and to the United Nations. 


I might be stating the obvious as well in my blog post.  But like I said at the top, we are always unconsciously confirming our strongest beliefs!

FSM on the Rise... Guam a territory.

The 47th Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat's Leaders meeting is done!

 

FSM President Pete Christian chaired this year's meeting.  Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull and New Zealand PM John Key both showed up.  It was an international affair! 


Neighboring RMI President Hilda Heine was also present.

Christian caused a stir when he 'excused' the media on the first day of the Forum. 


Later on, at the site of the Leaders retreat with New Zealand PM John Key, Pete Christian approached the media and asked,
"Which one of you got mad when I asked the media to leave?"
No one said a word.  He was of course, just joking. 


It was a great time to be in Pohnpei.  School was out, new people were everywhere, motorcades were racing back and forth with sounds of motorcycles and sirens filling the air, and people were proud to be a nation among nations. 


Somebody asked me, why are they all here?  I answered it's the 47th Pacific Island Leaders Forum.  He said 'Wei eh?  Pohnpei is really important', then he stopped for a while and smiled saying 'FSM is really important!'  That's right, FSM is a partner nation with RMI, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, New Zealand and Australia. 


And new members New Caledonia and French Polynesia are now part of the Forum.  Welcome fellow Pacific Islanders!


Meanwhile during the PIFS meeting, in other parts of Micronesia that are not considered Micronesia by the inhabitants, some negative press for Micronesia!
Guam Governor Eddie Baza Calvo had some strong words for FSM Government officials but the comments from his supporters were even stronger! It's the same old story from the Guamanians.  It's as old as the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (which doesn't exist anymore).  We went our own way.  We chose our path.  They chose theirs.  The Guamanians have never considered themselves our equals - brothers / sisters.  But while they were busy chasing the 'American Dream' we were chasing the 'Sovereign Nation Dream'... and now we have a President, a Congress, Diplomatic missions abroad, and a seat on the UN, PIFS, SIS, ACP, PIDF, etc, etc.  We also have a compact of free association with the United States of America... "WITH" .... take note of that word. 
 
So, I wish the people of Guam all the best.  I'll leave with a comment made by FSM Speaker Hon Wesley Simina and he said
"Although I sympathize with the governor of Guam's efforts to deal with a number of bad elements from the FSM in Guam, this is a matter for the federal government to address". 


Well said....

The move toward self determination, Humility and detained vessels (chinese)

What's going on Guam?
"The Independence for Guahan Task Force is one of three commission task forces charged with spearheading efforts to educate and inform Guam about the three political status options available to the island’s residents, should a plebiscite be held"


So here we go again with de-colonization.  Guam has been a "part" of the US since the end of the Spanish-American war over a 100 years ago.  Still they can't vote in national elections!! They were invaded by Japan... re-taken with devastation to their island and loss of life... Still they can't vote in national elections! They got planes, submarines, Marines, Army, bombers, missle things and still no voting for President...
So in the latest case regarding self-determination and decolonization a non-Chamorro man sued GovGuam after he was not allowed to register to participate in the self-determination plebiscite... Confusing! A US citizen who lives on Guam, can't vote with other US citizens (chamorros) on self determination because he is a non-Chamorro. 


Speaking of Guam... A nice Chuukese Woman in Guam is speaking out about the deportations.  I say nice because she is respectful and humble and appeals to our kinder, gentler side with words like these:

 

"I really respect the Governor all the leaders. I respect every Chamorro people. I am just a guest here and I respect them as a guest that’s why I've been very careful to follow the laws and to be the best that I can be because we are all guests coming here so we grew up back home we are nurtured in respectful [ways] and how we really have to be just a good citizen as we can be," said Konchita adding, "I really respect Governor. I really respect all the leaders. It's just that sometimes we really have to look at the way we deal with our work as leaders. We are there for the people and from the people to nurture life to be the best we can serve and we can lead."

What can you say about that? Kinisou Chapur :) for showing the kind, respectful, gentle side of Chuuk. 


In the FSM capital of Pohnpei preparations are under way for the 47th Pacific Islands Forums leaders meeting 7 - 11 September.  Lots of coverage from Pohnpei in the next couple of days....


In Yap, a "Chinese research vessel" was caught and brought into Colonia.. Aren't we friends with these guys?  :)  Anyways, conflicting stories out there, but the story speaks for itself.. or does it?


From time to time, I like to check up on our law-making body and see what they are up to. They seem to be pretty busy accepting grants, resolving this and that and even confirming appointments. 
By the way, congratulations to the new Pohnpei State AG, Exec Director of Housing and Election Commissioner.  You can read about it on the Pohnpei Met site along with new board of education members, EPA board member and members of Pohnpei Public Broadcasting corporation... Congrats!


Here's another great opportunity for us: Australia-Pacific Technical College scholarships/airfare and international training! 


Have a great weekend!