The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a U.S. territory nestled in the heart of the Pacific, is a paradise betrayed. While the world pictures pristine beaches and vibrant culture, a dark reality lurks beneath the surface. This is a story of a stolen democracy, a silent coup, where corruption thrives in the shadows, facilitated by a compliant, foreign-owned press and a government that has become a puppet of its own making. This is a story of Paradise Lost.
The Media Machine: A Puppet Show of Silence
Imagine a stage where the news is not reported, but carefully crafted. This is the reality in the CNMI, where the two dominant newspapers; which reflect nothing of substance, policy, insights, "Americana", or "Reflective Embrace" of their adopted (h)omeland-; Our American soil; The Marianas Variety and The Saipan Tribune, are not beacons of truth, but propaganda machines controlled by foreign interests. Their "reporters," primarily Filipinos and are controlled by Chinese or other Foreign nationals; are not journalists with a dedication to uncovering the truth. They are paid performers, following a script dictated by the powerful forces that hold sway in the CNMI.
List of individuals that assisted CCP Chinese Casino defraud America.
The media landscape in the CNMI has become a distorted mockery of a free press.
These so-called "newspapers" and so-called "Reporters" no longer serve as watchdogs of the powerful but have become instruments for concealing the truth, silencing opposition, and crafting a false narrative that obscures the harsh reality. Rather than holding leaders accountable, they shield them from scrutiny, leaving the public unaware of the corruption and inequality that persist. Where are the investigative reports? As these critical stories vanish, the people continue to suffer under the weight of poverty and systemic corruption.
The Missing Pieces: A Labyrinth of Lies
The most blatant example of this media manipulation is the systematic disappearance of critical articles exposing the CNMI government's policies, particularly those involving the CW-1 worker program. This program, designed to bring in foreign workers for specific industries, has morphed into a tool of exploitation. It has allowed foreign corporations to circumvent local hiring regulations and prioritize cheap labor, leaving American workers on the sidelines and creating a system where worker rights are routinely violated.
The CW-1 program has created a two-tiered labor system, where foreign workers, often lured by false promises and exploited by unscrupulous employers, are treated as disposable resources. This exploitation is not just a moral failing; it has significant economic consequences, contributing to the decline of the local workforce and hindering the development of a sustainable, locally driven economy.
The "reporters" of the Marianas Variety and the Saipan Tribune, however, are curiously silent on this issue. Any articles critical of the CW-1 program, or that shed light on the exploitation and abuse of foreign workers, are conveniently scrubbed from their archives. The truth is inconvenient, and it is buried, leaving a void filled with carefully crafted narratives that downplay the true consequences of this program.
Beyond the Labor Market: The Shadow of Crime
The silence extends beyond the labor market. The CNMI's crime statistics, especially those concerning the disproportionate impact on the native Indigenous and transplanted American community, are systematically buried. The real extent of drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violence, often perpetrated by the same foreign workers the CNMI government claims to be protecting, is concealed from public view.
The government, in its efforts to maintain a facade of order, prioritizes presenting a sanitized image of the CNMI. This, however, comes at a cost. The real issues facing the community, the true impact of crime, and the struggles faced by the native Indigenous and transplanted American population are ignored, creating a false sense of security and leaving the community vulnerable to the very dangers that are being concealed.
The Ghosts of Investigative Journalism: A Silence Compounded
The absence of true investigative journalism in the CNMI is not a coincidence. It is a symptom of a system deliberately designed to stifle dissent and protect the powerful. Investigative journalism, with its dedication to uncovering the truth, would expose the intricate web of corruption that binds the CNMI government officials and their families, foreign corporations, and so-called "quasi-humanitarian" organizations. It would reveal the emperors with no clothes, the shadowy figures pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Imagine a world where the government officials responsible for overseeing the CW-1 program are themselves beneficiaries of its exploitative practices. Imagine a world where foreign corporations, with their vested interests in the CNMI's resources and labor, have infiltrated the government, manipulating policies to their advantage. Imagine a world where "humanitarian" organizations, supposedly dedicated to helping the marginalized, are actually fronts for profit-driven enterprises. These are the truths that a truly investigative press would expose, but they remain hidden in the CNMI's labyrinth of silence.
The Silent Coup: A Government Without Scrutiny
The CNMI government, rife with corruption and seemingly beholden to foreign interests, thrives in this manufactured silence. Their actions are not scrutinized, their promises are not held to account, and their true agenda remains shrouded in a veil of deceit. The government has become a puppet, dancing to the tune of its foreign benefactors.
The CNMI's elected officials have become so accustomed to this environment of unchecked power that they have lost sight of their fundamental responsibility to their constituents. They have forgotten that their duty is not to serve foreign interests, but to uphold the rights of the people they represent. They have forgotten that their actions should be transparent, their decisions accountable, and their motives beyond reproach.
(FYI: The authors' First Amendment Protected opinion is: Former Secretary of the CNMI Dept of Labor defrauded / embezzled $3-4 Million in PUA federal funds using a third-party VPN and routing said federal funds to a third country via family members)
The People's Voices: A Cry for Change
The CNMI community is being robbed of its voice, its future, and its very identity. The manufactured silence is a threat to the very fabric of their society. This is not just a matter of a few bad actors; it is a systematic assault on democracy, a slow and steady erosion of the fundamental rights of the people.
this was due to "our" call for an Audit of the CNMI DEPT OF LABOR PUA PROGRAM: in which SEC OF DEPT OF CNMI LABOR ILLEGALLY GAVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS TO FOREIGN WORKERS & THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS
The CNMI community deserves better. They deserve transparency, accountability, and a government that truly represents their interests. They deserve a media that acts as a watchdog, not a puppet. They deserve a future where they are not the victims of a silent coup, but the architects of their own destiny.
The Fight for Truth: A Reclaiming of Paradise
The CNMI community has a right to know the truth. They have a right to participate in a democracy where their voices are heard, their concerns addressed, and their rights upheld. They have a right to reclaim their paradise.
Here are the steps that need to be taken:
Demand a Free and Independent Press: The CNMI community must demand the establishment of an independent, locally owned and operated media outlet that is truly committed to reporting the truth and holding the powerful accountable. This can be achieved through public pressure, advocacy groups, and the support of local investors.
Expose the Truth: The CNMI community must actively seek out and share information that exposes the true nature of the CNMI's government and its complicit media outlets. This includes promoting independent blogs, podcasts, and online forums, encouraging whistleblowers, and supporting investigative journalism initiatives.
Hold the Government Accountable: The CNMI community must demand transparency, accountability, and an end to the abuse of power by the CNMI government. This requires engaging in public protests, filing freedom of information requests, supporting independent investigations, and holding their elected officials responsible for their actions.
Protect American Workers: The CNMI community must fight for the rights of American workers and demand an end to the exploitation of foreign workers under the CW-1 program. This includes advocating for stricter regulations, promoting fair labor practices, and supporting local hiring initiatives.
The fight for truth and justice is far from over. Organizations like CNMIGA.ORG, dedicated to exposing the truth and advocating for the rights of the CNMI community, are on the frontlines of this struggle. They are providing a platform for the silenced voices of the CNMI, empowering them to fight for their rights and reclaim their paradise.
The CNMI community has the power to break free from the shackles of manufactured silence. It is time to embrace the truth, no matter how uncomfortable it may be.
The future of the CNMI depends on it.
#CNMISilenced #CNMIExposed #TruthOverLies #NoMoreCorruption #FreePress #JusticeForCNMI #StandUpForCNMI #ProtectAmericanWorkers
It is time to reclaim Paradise Lost.
AUTHORS PROFILE:
Authors’ Profile:
Zaji "Persona Non Grata" Zajradhara: A Voice for the Voiceless Zaji "Persona Non Grata" Zajradhara isn't just an author; he's a force of nature. A staunch advocate for American workers and Indigenous rights in the CNMI, Zaji's life reads like a gritty urban novel, filled with struggle, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Labeled "persona non grata" by the CNMI government for his relentless pursuit of truth and his outspoken criticism of corruption, Zaji has become a symbol of resistance against those who seek to exploit the islands and its people. As an unemployed Afro-American father, he knows firsthand the sting of the CNMI's dysfunctional labor market, its rigged political system, and the exploitation of vulnerable communities. His experiences fuel his activism, driving him to file numerous legal claims against companies for violating labor laws and discriminating against American workers. Zaji's voice, though silenced by the establishment, resonates through his writing, exposing the harsh realities faced by those on the margins. But Zaji's compassion extends far beyond the shores of the CNMI.
As Program Director of CNMIGA.org, a non-profit dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance in Myanmar, he leads a team committed to delivering essential support and resources to communities in need.
Zaji's story is a testament to the power of one person to make a difference. He is a writer, an activist, a humanitarian – a true urban warrior fighting for a more just and equitable world.
Comments