Venezuela's Chavez backs widow of slain Puerto Rican nationalist

The Stamford Advocate ^ | January 29, 2006 | Associated Press

[Teófilo]

January 29, 2006 CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez condemned the killing of Puerto Rican nationalist Filiberto Ojeda Sunday, encouraging his widow to carry on her husband's fight for the Caribbean island's independence. "Long live an independent Puerto Rico, long live a free Puerto Rico!"

[Teófilo]

It gets worse. Check out these photos published today in El Nuevo Día Interactivo, the website of Puerto Rico's largest newspaper:

The photos appeared in an article entitled: Chávez convoca marcha por independencia de Puerto Rico (Chávez calls up a march in favor of Puerto Rican independence. If you read Spanish and want to risk throwing up, read it here.

Commentary. I never thought I would see together in one place so much vomit-inducing crap. We see an aspiring lefty dictaror, self-proclaimed supporter of any and every anti-American cause he can find--or concoct--disrespecting the Puerto Rican flag while enthusiastically supporting a dead terrorist, hugging the terrorist's widow on one side, and in the other, the disreputable socipathic liar, Cindy Sheehan!

Just the site of the flow on these gutters makes me want to puke. I've already taken a spoonfull of Pepto. The photos are most eloquent proof of how evil people seek each to other to validate their causes and their rotted egos.

The business of Puerto Rico's political status is one that will be solved between Americans, those living in Puerto Rico and those living in the Mainland. It will not be solved by Chávez, much less by the widow of a fugitive terrorist, even less by Cindy Sheehan. This is not Chávez's business and I repudiate any attempt of sticking his nose where he has absolutely no freaking business, no matter what Marxists fanatics in Puerto Rico or Left crackpots in the U.S. mainland have to say about it.

I hope that the terrorist's widow and Sheehan stay with their buddy, Chávez, for back home, no one wants them back.

[Teófilo]

Puerto Rico PING!

[Dallas59]

"Long live an independent Puerto Rico, long live a free Puerto Rico!"

"Soon it will belong to Venezuela!"

[Teófilo]

"Soon it will belong to Venezuela!"

Hardy hard hard! Stop it, stop it, you're killing me!

I just knew some was going to say that.

-Theo

[David1]

Isn't it true that the pro-idependence vote in puerto rico only manages to get around 5% of the vote?

[Teófilo]

Isn't it true that the pro-idependence vote in puerto rico only manages to get around 5% of the vote?

In their better times, yes. Usually 2.5 - 3.5%

-Theo

[Teófilo]

PING!!

[tomahawk]

If Pineapple Head can foment revolution in the U.S., we can foment it in Venezuela.

Take him down.

[Teófilo]

I was (and still am) very angry when I wrote this. As always: TYPOS. BLUNDERS. MINE.

[marron]

Two years from now, Puerto Rico will vote for statehood. Two years after that, so will Cuba.

Two years after that, so will Venezuela. Chavez won't be around to see it though, sadly.

[Joe Boucher]

Why should Puerto Rico become a U.S. state?
Why should't they become a country on their own rather then a quasi part of the U.S.?
Doesn't the U.S. spend billions each year on Puerto Rico?
Why?

Please don't think me crapping on puerto rico, just trying to learn and understand.

[cll]

"Why should Puerto Rico become a U.S. state?"

Because the Constitution of the United States does not provide for an internal apartheid system, where four million Americans live at the whim of Congress. I say again, the residents of Puerto Rico are Americans already.

"Why should't they become a country on their own rather then a quasi part of the U.S.?"

The bonds between Puerto Rico and the rest of the States are too tight to break. There are more Puerto Ricans living on the mainland than on the island. These are not just the stereotypical ghetto Puerto Ricans of certain northeastern US enclaves. These are Americans that live and work everywhere. Likewise, the island is home to many transplants from the mainland. And so on (it would take me time I don't have to give you all the reasons, but just one reason should suffice: we are Americans, already).

"Doesn't the U.S. spend billions each year on Puerto Rico?"

Doesn't the U.S. spend billions of dollars everywhere? These "gifts" to Puerto Rico are another myth. If I can cede to you one thing on this matter is that Statehood will put Puerto Rico in equal footing tax wise as the rest of the states. I know that a State of Puerto Rico would be strongly a Federalist state, and we would fight DC's intromissions to the benefit of the rest of the states.

[Sergio]

Thanks for the ping Teófilo.

Did you get a chance to see one of the Venezuelan message boards that was pointed out in another thread? Seems the Venezuelans were blasting Cindy Sheehan more gusto than we do on this board.

They were really angry at Jimmy Carter for certifying an obviously fraudulent election that kept Chavez in power.

As to Puerto Rico and statehood, remember that all Puerto Rico can do is "request" that statehood be granted. This request has to be approved by the House and Senate.

If allowed to choose, most Puerto Ricans will choose the current arrangement. If forced to pick between Independence and statehood, they will overwhelmingly choose statehood.

As to whether P.R. should even be considered as a potential state, I would say the island has paid it's dues. Puerto Ricans have volunteered to fight for the United States in every war and police action the U.S. has been involved in since WWI. Google "65th Infantry Division" to read what a bunch of Island boys from the warm Caribbean did in the cold of Korea during that little police action.

Time will tell what happens, but as I mentioned earlier, if it comes to it, the U.S. government will make the final determination as to allowing P.R. to become a state.

If only they were as picky with who they allow through our borders.

Best Regards

Sergio

[Teófilo]

As to Puerto Rico and statehood, remember that all Puerto Rico can do is "request" that statehood be granted. This request has to be approved by the House and Senate.

I appreciate all you've said and I want you to know that I am keenly aware of the hurdle you pointed out above.

I invite you to read the PR 51 FAQ File (in Spanish) to read how many supporters of statehood for Puerto Rico think about this and other subjects.

Just go here: http://nuevofederalista.blogspot.com and look up the link on the top left margin.

-Theo

[Sergio]

Hi Teófilo

Thanks for the link. I'll be reading that tonight.

What part of P.R are you from? I grew up in San Sebastian and Aguadilla. All of my wife's and my family still live on the island so we go back at least once a year. We usually go around Christmas time. There is nothing like Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Best Regards

Sergio

[Joe Boucher]

I don't underestimate the sacrifices of the people of Puerto Rico to be citizens. I served in the military with many and they served wonderfully.
I am not saying that Puerto Ricans are not worthy. I just think the differences of language, culture and lifestyles are very different then the vast majoprity of Americans. Also the economic differences are vast. The idea of graft and corru[tion within police and populace are too different.
To bring the infrastructure to U.S. standards as well as the level life would be too great.
And to be honest, for what?
What advantage is there for the U.S.?

[cll]

Well, "we" are already "here". The United States expanded their borders to include Puerto Rico in the year 1898. We were not let go like Cuba or the Philipines (who never were American citizens). It's too late for that.