Guam: The America that Americans forget • Hacker News Board

Re: Guam: The America that Americans forget

#241

Post by seanmcdirmid » Fri, Jul 14, 2023, 10:14 PM UTC

pmarreck wrote: post #235

seanmcdirmid wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is it really that different from Guam? It seems to have a similar hot and humid climate, they are both islands of similar size, Bali is just closer to the equator.

It may not be that different from Guam, but I was comparing it (I guess, without making that clear, my bad) to more temperate retirement areas, than Guam. I'm sure it's based on preference and tolerance, but very hot humid heat just saps all the enjoyment of life out of me when I'm outside, unless I'm on a sailboat or in a pool with a cold drink in my hand.

Bali has a bunch of weird microclimates, so it isn't that bad. Like, you can just go up to the volcano and the temperature is really different.

Re: Guam: The America that Americans forget

#242

Post by alistairSH » Fri, Jul 14, 2023, 10:30 PM UTC

fnordpiglet wrote: post #228

throwawaaarrgh wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I had a partner like that. Would freak out if I started driving without our destination already in the GPS. I think at least half of travel should be an adventure. Adventures are uncomfortable - but they make the best stories. Nobody has ever said, "Man, remember that time we went on that perfectly planned trip where nothing out of the ordinary happened? How exciting!"

When you have a kid and a stressful job and adventures shooting out your ears in day to day life, sometimes the idea of going to Guam and swimming in the beautiful waters and relaxing is what you want out of travel. Adventures don’t have to be exotic, I live adventures daily, and I spend a lot of my life uncomfortable. Many people do. The idea of the adhoc adventure trip i think resonated a lot more with me when I wa…

Heck, I enjoy a good adventure. But I want the adventure at my destination. There is nothing relaxing or exotic about missing connections and spending the night on a dirty concrete floor.

Re: Guam: The America that Americans forget

#243

Post by leobabauta » Sat, Jul 15, 2023, 12:24 AM UTC

YellOh wrote: post #233

leobabauta wrote: post #231

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Guam is the homeland of the Chamorus, and it was taken from us by the Americans. For them to say they should vote on what should be done with it seems more unfair. We're a minority because of American action, not by choice.

On a historical level, I agree it's unfair. The Chamorus should never have had your land taken against your will. However, there are now a lot of Americans born on Guam, and it's to the point where it seems like it would also be unfair to kick out those people born there, with their families living on Guam for decades & who are now the majority. I'm not arguing against you, necessarily. It's a hard situation and mayb…

Decolonization is a fairly established process around the world, many places have decolonized. And it's established that the colonized people are the ones to decide, not the colonizers. The U.S. (and Americans living in Guam) don't seem to grasp it because they think if they're living in Guam, they should have an equal say. That doesn't make sense if you're not one of the colonized.

And yes, as you noted in the addendum, there has been money allocated for decolonization education. It happened, but all efforts to have an actual vote were blocked in court by (a handful of) Americans living in Guam.