The Jason Salas Experience

Damn...I should have been a lawyer. One of the things that I enjoy most about being in the media business is the ability to justifiably put audiences in thier place if they're in the wrong. This isn't the first time I've blogged about this little job perk. I relish this benefit so much more because having come from a retail background, where senseless consumer ass-kissing is mandated, the "customer is always right" pragmatism doesn't necessarily apply.

Here's an example of such from today. A story I did yesterday in which the U.S. Marines conducted urban training near a residential area (which you can read or watch) training inspired the following e-mail from a viewer:

Jason,

I am perturbed as to how the military can do things like blow things up without proper permission. Or did they get permission and we don't know. Do you know who gave them the good-to-go to invade the old GMH site? Can you cover the permitting process for this on your next news cast?

I do understand that training for urban warfare "might" be important for the military. But what they are really doing is hypnotizing our island as to their impending reoccupation of the island.

We become mesmerized with the uniform and "boom".

My concern: Our tourism industry is important. Once the military starts showing up wherever they want and start doing disruptive things, what does the tourist take back home from their trip here? I say they would tell their friends that the military is taking over. I don't think a tourist would want to vacation on an island that displays an aggressive violent disposition.

Having somewhat of a military background myself - many friends and relatives have or do currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, and I was in ROTC in high school - this led me to pen the following retort:

Thanks for writing. I can understand your concern, but keep in mind that we are talking about the United States military, so all aspects were planned out meticulously prior to Sunday's training, and safety - both for the Marines themselves and especially for the surrounding civilians - was Job #1. They also don't "blow things up without proper permission"; everything was properly cleared with the proper authorities and secured beforehand. Marines were posted around the perimeter of the training area so curious passersby wouldn't be in harm's way.

Just to ally your concerns about the use of the land - the USMC was granted use of the old GMH property from the Government of Guam, and there was even at least one Camacho Administration cabinet member who stopped by to see that everything was running smoothly. The training exercise was also under tight observation from the FBI.

The Marines' public information officer also personally went from door-to-door at the surrounding residential areas and at the new GMH and informed residents that such training would occur. We've also been mentioning the training on the news for the last week, and advising our neighbors not to be alarmed if they hear anything out of the ordinary. So the public certainly was given a heads-up that the training would be happening - whether they chose to heed the warnings or not is beyond our control.

As for tourism, it's a known aspect by the travel industry worldwide that Guam is an island with strong ties to the military, and apparently it hasn't deterred visitors from coming. If anything, it adds to the attractiveness as a U.S. territory. Hawaii, San Diego and other popular places are the same way, and they're not hurting too bad in the tourism game.

So take it from me because I was there, and as a reporter I asked exhaustive questions about the mission. Everything was legit, and I felt completely safe in the company of my new friends...and I was literally a few feet from the blast area.

Damn...I should have been a lawyer.