HOUSE Armed Services Committee member Joe Wilson yesterday assured island leaders that the planned relocation of Okinawa-based Marines to Guam will happen.
“It’s mutually beneficial to the people of Guam and to the Marine Corps,” he said. “We also want it to be beneficial to the people of Japan and Okinawa. I know we can fit all this together because the districts I represent, like Ft. Jackson and Paris Island, also have military facilities.”
Following a luncheon at Government House in Agaña Heights with Gov. Eddie Calvo and Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, the South Carolina representative met with lawmakers to discuss the Guam buildup and the overall realignment of U.S. forces in the region.
Also present were Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz, Majority Leader Sen. Rory Respicio, Minority Leader Sen. Frank Blas Jr., and Sens. Judi Guthertz, Tina Muña-Barnes, Sam Mabini, Aline Yamashita, Tony Ada and Chris Duenas.
During the luncheon, Bordallo stressed the buildup will happen despite the downsizing.
“We all know that but I have met with a number of people who have all said it will happen,” she said.
In light of the conclusions of the independent Center for Strategic and International Studies report, Blas wanted to know what the federal government foresees and what the local government can expect with regard to the realignment.
Sequestration
Wilson answered that the situation in Washington is evolving, especially with all the talk about “sequestrations” due to the financial problems of the federal government.
“That could have a devastating effect on America’s national security,” Wilson said. “The House has voted for a budget that would address sequestration. Sadly it’s being held up in the U.S. Senate.”
Wildon, however, is pleased Department of Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is aware of the dangers of the process but noted this could still mean a half-trillion dollar, across-the-board cut in the Department of Defense budget even after a nearly $500 billion reduction.
“To me that puts America at a weakness and in danger,” he said.
But Bordallo believes many things may still turn around for the better.
Respicio, meanwhile, wanted clarification on Bordallo’s comment that “we should all speak with one voice.” When Bordallo was asked who the comment was addressed to, Bordallo answered: “The people.”
Comments
Specifically, on the buildup, of course, it will happen. In fact, there is "always" a buildup occurring unbeknownst to local folks. The size and scope is always subject to change depending on the circumstances on the ground, as it is commonly put. Related to the buildup, I want to mention something that Dr. Robert A. Underwood said about self-determination which differs from Rear Admiral Bushong's remarks. The former said, at least the British and the Spanish called themselves colonizers, unlike the Americans. The latter, meanwhile, said that the U.S. only put enough resources into this island to stabilize it. Colonizers take stuff out. (I paraphrase.)
I have to agree with the latter even if I used to agree with the former in this regard. The British used to have the British East India Company just as the Dutch used to have the Great East India Company in India and Indonesia. Americans are not colonizers, but liberators. Change the jargon. Drop the quest. Move towards incorporation.
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