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To: Rockingham

"Of course, that does not mean that I cannot remain angry about the Puerto Rican attitude toward Vieques"

Yet, when the Navy proposed to move the range to South Padre Island and the Texans refused and protested, that was quite alright. But we're Puerto Ricans without political power so we're easy to kick around.

Veterans and others staged numerous counter-protests that most times outnumbered anti-Navy protestors. Of course, that wasn't covered in the MSM so you didn't get that information. Admiral Kevin Green consistently got standing ovations when he spoke at the Rotary Club, at 4th of July activities, at the Army ball, and wherever he could muster an audience. But you did not get any of that information. We fought to keep the Navy here, even if by tradition Puerto Ricans are mostly Army-leaning.

Yet Bubba wouldn't have any of it. He wanted Hillary in the Senate and she needed the so-called Puerto Rican vote in New York. It's because of such idiocy that there's a schism between "Newyoricans" and "Puerto Ricans".

You and others focus on the Navy losing a weapons range in Puerto Rico. When it happens in Hawaii there's not a peep from ya'll. When hordes of mainland and global leftists descended upon Vieques to get some face time on TV, far outnumbering actual Vieques residents, you keep blaming Puerto Ricans, as we're easy to kick around.

So you see, we're powerless and that's the source of our frustrations and social ills. That's why I fight.

But thank you for your interest on the subject.


50 posted on 08/03/2005 5:40:47 AM PDT by cll
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To: cll
What you overlook is that it is a far different proposition to put in a new base and test range in an area -- South Padre Island -- than to continue one long-established -- Vieques. It is similar to the difference between residents opposing a new highway proposed for a settled neighborhood and residents complaining about noise on a highway that has been there for many decades and has less traffic than ever before.

All credit to those Puerto Ricans who supported Vieques. But Puerto Rican opinion and the body politic were not sufficiently supportive or resolute to dissuade the protesters. Indeed, they gained strength as time went on.

Hillary Clinton and other leftists took up the Vieques issue because it was expected to generate votes for them among Puerto Rican voters in New York and New Jersey. Long before Hillary ever said a word on the subject, I am sure that her polling showed that Vieques would produce a net gain of votes among Puerto Rican voters resident in New York.

Do not get me started about Hawaii's protesters and nativist lobby. Their state created racial and cultural preferences and grievance mongering two generations after statehood and full American legal rights does not support an argument that Puerto Ricans only want equality.
52 posted on 08/03/2005 6:43:04 AM PDT by Rockingham
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To: cll

"Yet, when the Navy proposed to move the range to South Padre Island and the Texans refused and protested, that was quite alright. But we're Puerto Ricans without political power so we're easy to kick around. "

Get off your high horsr fellow. Have you or your family had your land taken from you? Well my family had not one but TWO farms taken away by this Federal government for Army bases(Ft Campbell, circa 1940)
Quit whining about getting "kicked around" and start acting like "patriots"


54 posted on 08/04/2005 3:25:51 PM PDT by RedMonqey
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