| Submit your comments on this article |
| Caribbean |
| Puerto Ricans Lament Loss of Vieques Dollars |
| 2003-07-27 |
| MIAMI — File this one under "Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." The people of Puerto Rico are facing some unanticipated consequences from a victory they won in 2001. You betcha. For several years, Puerto Rican protesters demanded that the U.S. Navy leave the island of Vieques (search). Groups staged violent protests outside the main gate of "Camp Garcia," saying they were sick and tired of the live-fire bombing exercises. Remember, even Jesse and Al Sharpton were arrested in order to get their names in the press. The violence resulted in the gates of the base being torn down. Several U.S. troops and police dogs were injured in the demonstrations. In response to the years of protest, former President Clinton agreed to stop Navy exercises there. Congress and President Bush ratified the deal and live-fire exercises were halted last May. But with its mission muzzled after 60 years, the Navy has decided to pull out of Puerto Rico completely. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!! That means the largest employer on the island, the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station (search), is now slated for closure that could come as early as October. Not soon enough. Island workers are accusing the Navy of economic revenge. And the point is?? "You dedicate all your talents, all your efforts. You’re loyal to your employer, this case being the U.S. Navy, and what do you get in return? A kick in the you-know-what," said Ana Angelet of the Puerto Rican chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees. Hey Ana, how come your group didn’t have counter-demonstrations and quiet the anti’s??? SO SHUT YOUR GOT DARN MOUTH, BAYBEE!!! The 2004 defense-spending bill that is working its way through Congress has a provision in it to close the base down officially. With the loss of the base, Puerto Rico will also lose nearly $300 million the military pumped into it each year. However, it won’t stop the $billions that the U.S. taxpayers pour into P.R., since those dregs sponge free welfare, food stamps, AFDC, and all other free money and don’t pay Federal taxes....WHAT GARBAGE!!! Puerto Ricans say the Navy is just mad because they won, and forced the live exercises to end. The Navy does not hide its disappointment. Navy officials say the location was long considered the best overall spot for exercises and stopping the live-fire training cost American military lives. Thank you. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., a member of the Armed Services Committee (search), said Puerto Rico’s politicians are to blame for the financial misfortune since they backed the protests. "I just think it’s a shame that the people, the ones that are suffering, are the people of Puerto Rico because it was the politicians that did it to them," Inhofe said. Bingo. Puerto Rican Gov. Sila Calderon, who backed the booting of the Navy from Vieques, made no apologies for a decision that could crush the Puerto Rican economy. "We are partners with the U.S., but definitely the rights of the people of Vieques are not for sale or for any other purpose," Calderon said. She also refused to discuss the possibility that the base closure could become law. "This decision is not final at this point. The bill is not approved, and our aim as the commonwealth government is to have the decision postponed for 2005, when all the bases are going to be evaluated," she said. Sorry, punta, but it’s closing down sooner than you think. I wonder how she’ll spin the blame on the U.S. The U.S. government may decide to hold onto the more than 8,000 acres, rather than returning it to the people of Puerto Rico. YESSS!!! "Those that don’t want that to happen say well, ’Let’s just give back to the Puerto Rican politicians,’ and reward them with an asset that’s worth $1.7 billion for kicking us off that range that has cost American lives. That’s just not going to happen," Inhofe said. Inhofe for President!! The sense on all sides is that Congress will give the green light to shut down "Rosie Roads" officially. Bush could sign the bill into law as early as next month. If it does happen, there is definitely a God. |
| Posted by:TJ |
| #5 B-A-R they've been repeatedly offered that yet stay suckling on the Fed teat |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-7-28 12:46:12 AM |
| #4 How about returning the land to Puerto Rico? And them releasing them from their commonwealth status? That'll be one less headache to worry about. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-7-28 12:12:42 AM |
| #3 Joe-- That was part of the scam that Democrats were playing in Vieques. They wanted to "redevelop" the range into condo sites, etc., but the Federal gov't now tells them that it's far too dangerous because of unexploded ordinance so the area must be maintained as is--no development. It should come as no surprise that the anti-navy folks had allegedly bought up land around or otherwise stood to gain financially if that part of Vieques did "go condo" but now it won't happen and they're stuck and their constituents are screwed! I don't know who's telling the truth on that (or if even those charges are true) but the bottom line is the PR politicians and their mainland Democrat supporters went out on a limb and sawed it off. You gotta love the irony of unintended consequences. |
| Posted by: JDB 2003-7-27 11:41:58 PM |
| #2 Well this just kind of sucks. Puerto Rico (the sixth NYC borough) is a great place to visit but could definitely use an economic boost. We should be building a kickass vacation destination to siphon off Cuba-bound Euros and take a larger chunk of the Carribean tourist industry. I like Inhofe's frankness, but it seems shortsighted. Also, how much of this is old-military thinking? |
| Posted by: Joe 2003-7-27 10:54:31 PM |
| #1 All that land (MOST of the island) will be turned into a National Wildlife Refuge, just like they did on neighboring Culebra when they stopped bombing there. Bwah Ha ha ha ha ha! Vieques Map |
| Posted by: Parabellum 2003-7-27 8:23:51 PM |
