Wednesday, June 11, 2008

The Perilous Plight of Puerto Rico


Puerto Rico has a long standing relationship with the United States, a relationship that's comparable to a native American half brother that a family refuses to show to neighbors and friends. It denies his existence and refuses to acknowledge his calls for attention. But it provides support even if it uses the island as a testing ground for the Military's bombs. Thankfully, George Bush put an end to this practice in May 2003, after large scale protests. What Puerto Rico is now is an American creation, a Commonwealth that mirrors the face of American colonialism since the 19th century, where its proximity to the mainland is its most fortunate fate for it has forced benevolence out of its sovereign master.

The island is an "unincorporated territory" of the US, belonging to, but not part of, America. It is like a yard dog that lives within the property but not part of the household. It has a Commonwealth constitution and a bicameral legislature. A Governor is elected to head the executive branch, representing its Head of State, the President of the United States. Its Republican form of government is subject to US jurisdiction and sovereignty. Recently, its elected Governor, Anibal Acevedo Vila went into saber rattling, calling on the UN to back his people's right to self-determination; accusing President Bush of denying their democratic right to choose their own course - independence.

The UN panel voted to support the motion. After 110 years as a US owned island, and its first elected governor (sworn in January 2005) under the adopted constitution that was ratified 56 years ago, Vila's demand for independence is as surprising as hearing a mouse that roars. The Harvard educated Governor must have learned a few tricks in international politics. By turning his back on his own party's (Popular Democratic Party) position of support for the Commonwealth, he calls attention to an issue he may believe will get international support like Tibet, as well as secure the backing of the Nationalists (Puerto Rico Independence Party) who have resorted to violence in the past, including the attempted assassination of President Truman in 1950, and the shooting rampage at the US Congress that injured 5 lawmakers in 1954. Support from Venezuela and/or Cuba could also be one of his expectations.

This could merely be squid tactics meant to cover his tracks. Last March 27, the FBI charged him with 19 counts of campaign finance corruption and conspiracy to violate federal election laws. Several of his key cabinet members have previously been interviewed by the FBI or called to testify before a federal Grand Jury. Acevedo Vila has denied all the charges against him, perhaps for public consumption, and is now seeking to use the independence demand as a defense against what he is expected to accuse the US of : political harassment.

Governor Acevedo Vila must be desperate and feels cornered by the FBI's indictment. He is using the fate of the island's people to save himself while endangering its existence in the process. Federal funding would end, industries may relocate, tourism - one of its largest earners - could grind to a halt; all because of his greed. The Puerto Ricans may also lose their American citizenship granted since 1917 because of this gamble. Clearly, Governor Vila is acting like King Richard, demanding a horse in exchange for his Kingdom. By riding on the future of his people, he expects to escape the siege of the federal government.

The poor people of Puerto Rico will not find solace in independence, they are not prepared for it. A prevailing psyche of subordination to Uncle Sam as the great benefactor persists and a mindset of being closet brothers is widely accepted. For as long as this orientation remains, Puerto Ricans are doomed to being second class inhabitants of American owned territories. With leaders such as Governor Acevedo Vila, their future is in peril.

Haaarrrrrwwwk...Twooooooph...Ting!

7 comments:

naijaleta said...

The question is, can Peuto Rico survive on her own without getting support fro the US?

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi naijaleta,

WELCOME!

That's just the point. Puerto Rico is not prepared psychologically and politically. And to demand Independence at this time for the Governor to save himself is the height of selfishness and hypocrisy.

To be independent of the US so that he can be free from the charges and dismiss all investigations is a squid tactic. By being anti-America, he probably hopes to win the support of Cuba and Venezuela. I don't think leaders of these countries will trust him - use him, certainly - but no trust. :-) --Durano, done!

William said...

Sorry, but this post is a mess. I think you should do a bit more reading on this story. Real quick: Vila is not accusing the Bush administration for denying their right to choose independence. And Vila is certainly not a champion of independence. And what's up with: "With leaders such as Governor Acevedo Vila, their future is in peril." Puerto Ricans are not living under a dictatorship. They vote, you know. And do you know that only about 5% of Puerto Ricans on the Island support independence?

Tapline said...

Brad, I was in the military with men from Puerto Rico. great people....They're represented and vote in our elections. It is my understanding that when a vote comes up for independance or statehood, they vote it down......When I was in Juvenile Justice in Washington DC. Puerto Rico also had their representatives on Juvenile Justice at the conventions, soooooo, me thinks they are quite content to be what they are and do not want to become a state, but enjoy the representation they have without it...Counld be wrong, but.......stay well.....

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Will,

If you see the post as a mess, it's alright, we all have our angles of perceptions.

However, I think it's the Puerto Ricans who are messed up. Why in the world would they want to be second class for over a hundred years now, and still look to the US as benefactor? Besides, the constitution they have was ratified 56 years ago but allowed to be implemented only in 2003(?).

If you follow the link that highlights Acevedo Vila's name, the basis for the post is there; that he accuses the US (and Bush) of denying their right to self determination, implied in this statement is the choice of independence. The UN panel even supported this motion.

I know that Vila is not a Champion of Independence, but he chooses to be vague to create suggestions in this direction. And when I say that with leaders like him "their future is in peril" is precisely because he is creating an issue to draw attention away from the FBI indictment against him for corruption and violation of federal laws. If the US pursues these cases, he can then scream political harassment because of his "self-determination" created issue. Get the picture? Purely squid tactics.

Puerto Ricans are NOT under a dictatorship true, but they are not sovereign. It is the mis-education of the Puerto Ricans and their acceptance of being second class that allows them to favor the present situation or become a state. The 5% who will vote for independence will never be heard for as long as this anomalous belief persists.

But I guess if they are happy with this situation, they are free to live under it. That being the common sentiment, what's the sense for Vila's accusations - isn't it just to save his thick skin at the expense of his people who are unprepared for what the outcome might be? :-) --Durano, done!

durano lawayan a.k.a. brad spit said...

Hi Tapline,

I know Puerto Ricans can be extremely loyal but also very good at doing their chosen jobs or professions.

I am aware that they always vote down independence and statehood - the majority want the status quo. The post is not written to advocate Independence for Puerto Ricans but to simply expose the shenanigans of a corrupt leader who is creating an issue to cover his tracks regarding campaign finance violations and federal election laws.

This is the reason why I say that they are in peril. Sure I agree they are currently very contented with the situation, and this "leader" is attempting to create crisis to mess things up.

Thanks for dropping by. :-) --Durano, done!

RONBOTHUNTER said...

WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OPPOSES YOUR RIGHT TO BE FREE!!

Puerto Ricans, who desire to be free, must always know that the federal government, here in the States has no “subject matter jurisdiction” over the person, case or location and should be challenged to proof it.

You won’t be told this in court but: All jury members, judges, attorneys, and employees working in federal court, must reside in federal territory to legally be a federal juror or touch your case or they can be commercially sued, disbarred and financially ruined for violating your constitutional rights etc.

Your god given right to be free is not wanted by the USA, it will oppose your desire for independence and freedom.

The USA has been the biggest alien invaders the world has ever known. In order to win your freedom you must oppose them by knowing that their weakness lies in the Constitution and the common law and common law remedies.

To win --You must always reserve your constitutional, commercial rights and know what they are.

The majority of Anglos have no idea that the USA has killed more Latinos, than Hitler Killed Jews, The USA has supported traitors, Gringitos, Butchers, Sociopaths, and Megalomaniacs who were supported and kept in power by sucking up to the Anglo Alien Invaders.

Latin America has had enough of this form of genocide of Latinos. That includes other African, Asian etc. countries that lost millions of innocent people from USA aggression.

I want to vomit every time some ignorant fools says: “If you don’t like it here –go home”.

If the Alien Invaders would get out of each and every Latin Country and stop interfering in our affairs—it would make sense to say such a stupid thing. But unless the Snakes get out of Latin America-we have just as much right to be here!!! So, grin and put up with it—this was once our land.

A Puerto Rican without a desire for independence and/or freedom from alien control has no soul of a man.

The fact that the public does not know that we are NOT free, makes no difference, to the desire to be free. The PR that wants Statehood is a Gringito, who has no soul of a man left in his traitor's heart. Freedom is happening all over the world and yet we allow Gringitos to kill our right to be free.

A Gringito is a non-Anglo thing/person who internally is so inferior, that he desires to be what he can not be—thus Gringito means little gringo.

We allow the Alien Invaders to kill, harm, abuse, rape, and scam us and yet the Gringito wants to give our Country away.

This abuse must end. No man or woman is a real Man or real woman who is too scared to fight for their souls and be free. If you listen to the Gringito, you will lose your soul.

Thru out eternity Humanity owes its freedom from slavery, ONLY to brave souls who fought for your right to be free.

The fight will NOT succeed if you don't fight the Gringito enemy at home first. He is there next door and claims he is a real man and tries to give you many excuses of why PR can't be a free Country.

The fight for the independence of Puerto Rico is now non-violent and will be won in the hearts of real men around the World.

The Ronbothunter,

A proud freedom loving Puerto Rican.

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