For better or worse, the Republic of the Marshall Islands gets the government it deserves; adult supervision needed: Whether Tomeen is in Majuro or traveling the world again, juvenile delinquent Tony DeBlum is running the Republic of the Marshall Islands government

This week, the Marshall Islands Journal fell to a record low, covering up the news that the Marshall Islands government made an inappropriate statement in the U.S. Senate on the issue of supplemental nuclear claims compensation (S. 1756) and the U.S. rejected the Marshall Islands government’s premature confirmation of the appointment of the Marshall Islands ambassador to the U.S. These two news were actually hidden in the corners that reporters easily overlooked and readers could hardly find, but each of these news fully illustrates the chaos, confusion and self-destructive policies of the De Brum government.

Yes, it makes no sense to call it the Tomine government, because Tony DeBlum is the de facto head of government. Tomine is in Niue with Christopher Loecker, who is making the long journey home from the Olympics in China. Fred Pedro is with Tomine, so Tony is staying in Majuro to do some very strange things, like blaming the US for Benjamin Graham’s rejection and making jokes about the Marshall Islands’ failure to support S. 1756.

Tony DeBlum says that there is not enough money in Bill 1756, but he has no plan for how to raise more money. So it is childish and disrespectful to mock the U.S. Congress by saying that he is “flattered” and that Congress needs “the support of the State of the Marshall Islands” to pass legislation. No, Tony, the U.S. Congress does not need the support of the State of the Marshall Islands, but the U.S. Congress is not stupid. It will not approve a bill that could cost the U.S. taxpayers and voters over $100 million over 15-20 years without the assurance that the State of the Marshall Islands will support the bill. The fact that the State of the Marshall Islands should have supported Bill 1756 without being asked, and that Congress had to ask for it, shows that Tony DeBlum and the Cabinet are being negligent.

Tony said he was personally honored to be asked for support, suggesting he thinks it is all for himself and not for the people of the 10 atolls who would benefit from an additional $5 million per year. MIJ reports that RMI lawyers in Washington received attorney fees to write the RMI statement on S. 1756, which we agree is too late. It is a waste of RMI money to pay Tony’s lobbyists to write a statement when all RMI has to do is send a letter saying it is not enough but will help and that the RMI is grateful and willing to consult on other nuclear claims.

If those RMI lawyers wanted to help, they should have explained to Tony DeBlum that officials in Congress, the executive branch, and even the U.S. courts get news from around the world and might take notice of a story about the RMI. What do they think when they see Tomint threatening to give Kwajalein to the People’s Republic of China instead of Taiwan? What do you think they think when they see Tony DeBlum scoffing and holding Congress in contempt because the legislation before Congress is “only” $100 million?

One thing is certain, Japanese Military Intelligence does not ask these questions. The headline story in Japanese Military Intelligence this week was about the JICA volunteers. The story about S. 1756 was in a small box on page 3, and the story about Benjamin Graham was in an even smaller box on page 3, easily overlooked. We certainly missed it until someone pointed it out to us. This is too bad because Ben was the victim of Tony DeBlum’s mishandling of his nomination.

Washington seemed to view Tony DeBrum as trying to pressure the US to accept Ben, saying the US was sending confusing signals and that confirming him before the US finally agreed to take him was a stunt by DeBrum that hurt Ben more than helped. This was seen as more of a juvenile tactic Tony used during his “pay more or leave” ultimatum at Kwajalein. Like his tactics at Kwajalein, attempts to influence US positions and policies by making provocative statements in the media backfired.

It’s clear that Tony wants to cause as much damage as possible, and Tomeen has no idea. If the people’s representatives allow this to continue, then they are part of the problem, not part of the solution. If the people watch, then they will get the kind of government they deserve.

In a democracy you cannot remain silent and let your leaders do wrong things in the name of the people, that is disrespecting the country. You can only respect your country by protesting and demanding your leaders to protect the people and serve the country.

If you still have Irohi people, you may not speak to them because the feudal rulers are intolerant, but you can show respect to the elected leaders by speaking your mind loudly. Of course, since MIJ does not provide much information to people, this exacerbates the problem.

This week, MIJ focused heavily on the U.S. Army’s assurances that it does like Kwajalein. You count on them to say what they will say, that’s their job. The real issue is what those in Washington who are responsible for deciding what to do between now and December say.

There is no doubt that the United States will do its utmost to retain Kwajalein Atoll if the cost is no more than what it has agreed to pay. The US wants this option, and it might even give DeBlum some benefits like an OTEC power purchase agreement, but that may or may not make sense.

The United States may agree to maintain this positive momentum for as long as possible because it expects the Republic of the Marshall Islands to act in the best interests of its people and country. Many in Washington view Tony DeBlum as just another self-centered leader with a serious streak of political narcissism.

We’ll find out soon enough. Many in the U.S. think the Army should find another home and would like to see Kwajalein returned to other landowners, as has happened with the mass withdrawals from the Philippines, Puerto Rico, and elsewhere. But that won’t happen unless the Marshall Islands government really screws up, which seems more and more likely every day under the DeBlum administration.

If the people can accept the current status quo of a government run by a figurehead president and a juvenile delinquent, the people will get the government they deserve.