PUERTO RICO: ABC Report Highly Critical of Anti-Navy Protesters (Did ABC finally get one right?)

The San Juan Star | Tuesday, March 18, 2003 | ROBERT FRIEDMAN

[4Freedom]

Those who protested the Navy exercises on Vieques "want bombs to stop falling from the sky, but they want money to keep falling" to Puerto Rico.

That more or less was the gist of a critical report, aired Friday night over ABC to millions of stateside viewers, of efforts to keep Roosevelt Roads Naval Station open after the Navy ends exercises on Vieques on May 1.

The report, featured on the 20/20 news show by commentator John Stossel, suggested that keeping Roosevelt Roads open after the Navy leaves Vieques was "a waste of taxpayer money."

Stossel, who usually hosts a segment entitled "Give Me a Break," which spotlights excessive federal spending, noted that Adm. Robert Natter, head of the Atlantic Fleet, said he did not need Roosevelt Roads anymore.

The 20/20 commentator noted that the base contributes $300 million a year to the local economy, and its possible closing has upset the politicians who protested the use of Vieques by the Navy.

"It's as if some of the protesters want bombs to stop falling from the sky, but they want money to keep falling," said Stossel.

U.S. Rep. Jose Serrano, D-N.Y. was quoted on the report saying the Navy wants to close the base to punish the protesters.

"[The Navy] says, 'We'll fix you. We're getting out. And we're taking everything,'" Stossel quoted Serrano as telling him.

Serrano said it was up to Congress to decide on whether the base closes, and with the presidential election coming up and everyone courting Latino votes, he predicted that the Navy will stay put.

"When the president realizes that it's getting close to 2004, and this becomes another Latino political issue again, he's gonna tell them, you don't have to go. And they won't go," Serrano was quoted as saying.

Stossel ends the segment by saying: "He [Serrano] may be right. With votes at stake, politicians may spend millions on a base the Navy doesn't even want. Give me a break!"

Many e-mails to the show's Web site opined on the matter. One from doradodown said: "I agree with Adm. Natter. It really burns me to hear the arrogance of people like Serrano who so smugly declare that politicians whoring for votes will back his sentiments. If Puerto Ricans want their independence, I say, great! Give it to them."

According to DatonaBikerBabe: "I think Congress and the president should unilaterally grant Puerto Rico independence as well - with zero foreign aid. They don't want to be American. They want to be independent, with government aid."

But hectormaria had a different take on the issue.

Noting that base closings always stir up out-cries from residents of the surrounding areas because of the economic impact, the writer said that in the case of Vieques "problems created outweighed the economic advantages, therefore they wanted the bombing practice to end."

The writer agreed with Serrano that the Navy was trying to punish all Puerto Ricans "for daring to ask them for the closing" of the Vieques target area.

"Thousands of Puerto Ricans have died protecting those rights you and the Navy so cavalierly want to deny fellow American citizens. Your report simply smacks of 'yellow journalism,'" said hectormaria.

[tiredoflurking]

Ah, but I am also of Spanish descent. That's a fact, no? My ancestors came from Spain and settled in Puerto Rico, mixing it up with the native Tainos. Nothing subjective there.

[marron]

Spent a month on the south side of the island last summer, working. Loved it. Would like to move there, if it became possible.

I notice a difference in the attitudes of some mainlanders towards Puerto Rico; as Fred says there is something of a xenophobic tendency that blinds some people. When I hear some of them describe the island, I find it impossible to believe we are talking about the same place. Of course, I lived in various places in Latin America over the years, and so it is very likely that I see it with different eyes. But the place is beautiful, and the people I worked with there were very first rate, very serious about their work, and I liked them. The place is modern, the infrastructure is "first-world". It is a better place to raise kids than most places I have been.

The independence movement is a tiny minority, mostly academics and students, who are about as leftist as their mainlander colleagues. The "Republicans" on the island typically want statehood, the "Democrats" want territory status. The independentistas can only get a hearing by lying to themselves, I have heard them say that it would be possible to retain US citizenship after independence, which should tell anyone how serious they are. No one has any intention of giving up their citizenship, not even the independentistas.

For the folks that want to "cut them loose", dream on. They are US citizens. They are not leaving. You can't make them leave. If you think too much federal money goes there, fine, do something about it. You will probably find that there is a reason behind every dollar.

[dennisw]

The real deal is Puerto Rico gets tons more Federal welfare money of all kinds than it contributes in taxes. Among the most of any state/territory. Yet at the same time Puerto Rico wanted the Navy to get rid of a very valuable bombing range and asset at Vieques. You are US citizens yet you try to hobble our military.

It's outrageous. Gimme gimme gimme and then you evict the US Navy. Where is the gratitude? My guess is your island would go communist if we cut off the welfare and we don't want another Fidel Castro or Hugo Chavez.

[4Freedom]

"You will probably find that there is a reason behind every dollar."

Yeah, just like Congressman Serrano says, votes for spineless, pandering politicians.

[4Freedom]

What a crock.

The people of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and the rest of the caribbean (most of whom the residents of Puerto Rico hate) wish they could have been unfairly exploited by being given $100's of billions in U.S. Taxpayer handouts over the last 10 decades.

Ask marron, he's seen what the Taxpayers of the United States have lavished on Puerto Rico.

We have states that need that help. The sooner Puerto Rico is given its independence the better for the U.S. Taxpayers and their families.

[marron]

Careful with the "you"; "tiredoflurking" is a Republican.

Actually, most of the activists causing trouble at Vieques were leftist mainlanders, not Puerto Ricans. The Puerto Ricans work there, and depend on it for their living. But there are a lot of mainlanders that are turning Vieques into their own private domain, and they tend to be leftists.

And, then there are the leftists and academics on the island, who are as pro-military as any academic anywhere in the US. You have to realize, you are dealing with the same ilk there as here. The left hates the US. Doesn't matter if they are mainlanders or islanders, or Euros or Egyptians.

The governor is, basically, a Democrat. She tried to find some kind of a compromise to satisfy the left, but in the end, she tilted left. Why? She's a Democrat. She is playing to the left, while trying to hang on to the jobs that go with the base. Does that sound irrational? Hypocritical? Of course. She's a Democrat.

The break-down on the island between Repubs and Demos is about the same as on the mainland, and the non-Democrat hardcore left is a distinct minority. Which means that there, like here, if you are a Repub, you have your work cut out for you. My position is you don't back down to the left there, or here, or anywhere. Any small victory only encourages them.

[dennisw]

Bottom line: Puerto Rico kicked the US Navy out of Vieques. The Puerto Rican people who were partiotic enough to want to keep Vieques were not strong enough to negate the malcontents.

Real kick in the a$$ is Puerto Rico did this during our war on terror.

[Go Gordon]

Ah, but I am also of Spanish descent. That's a fact, no? My ancestors came from Spain and settled in Puerto Rico, mixing it up with the native Tainos. Nothing subjective there.

It depends. If you were born here in the US, you are an American. If your ancestors were born in Spain, they would be Spanish. Ergo, you would be an American of Spanish decent.

[marron]

Yeah, just like Congressman Serrano says, votes for spineless, pandering politicians.

Since islanders don't vote in mainland elections, what votes?

One New York congressman isn't going to have the stroke to get $18 billion in subsidies for his own district, let alone a district that doesn't vote.

I'm interested in the subject, so I'm not merely being combative here. I see that there is federal money there, all of the federal institutions have a presence there, from the post office, to the Coast Guard, to the FBI and Justice departments.

Welfare is probably an issue, but welfare reform has put everyone on a 5 year limit. This is a problem that should be correcting itself there as well as in mainland cities.

And, frankly, my impression is that work is available for people that want it. Maybe I'm comparing it with Latin America, but the place is prosperous. Wages are about 2/3 what they are on the mainland, but compared to the rest of Latin America, that is fantastic.

Most of the people I worked with had been to the Dominican Republic on projects, and some had ties to Venezuela, and all of them knew what life is like outside the US. All of them appreciated their citizenship in ways that the typical mainland leftist never will.

As I have mentioned, you are fighting the same battle in Puerto Rico that you fight everywhere. You have 45% Democrats, 45% Republicans, and 10% leftists. Which means that you have folks who get it, folks who sort of get it some of the time, and a few who will never get it, and will try to seize control of the 90% if you let them. The biggest push for island independence is the left, and not just the island left, but the mainland left, the same folks we fight on every other issue.

If our $18 billion is mis-spent, then lets identify which dollars are mis-spent, and work on doing something about it. Our congressmen outnumber Puerto Rico's congressmen, since they have "none". Maybe one guy in NYC that panders to them, as you say. But I suspect we will find dollars having to do with normal federal efforts that no one intends to curtail.

[chgomac]

Puerto Rican were drafted and served with distinction and honor in Viet Nam ....you are so right--we shouldn't lump all the wonderful people there with the independistas.

[4Freedom]

Puerto Rico is inhabited by people that are predominantly Leftist/Socialist. There are no true fiscal/social conservative politicians on the island.

If Puerto Rico was given statehood, they would immediately send 2 more Liberal Senators and 4 to 6 Liberal Representatives to the U.S. Congress that would make Congressman Serrano and Hillary Clinton look conservative in comparison.

Medicine is already socialized in Puerto Rico. Former Gov. Pedro Rosello snuck his Rosello Plan through while the U.S. Taxpayers were distracted by Hillary's shenanigans. The Plan is bankrupt and guess who has to bail it out?

Statehood would also see Puerto Rico receive another $3 billion in social program payments.

Most of the population declares so little income that not only would they not pay any federal income taxes, but they'd probably all get an additional, big, fat, Income Tax Credit check from the U.S. Taxpayers. Wouldn't that be a kick in the teeth?

The residents of the island of Puerto Rico will never be anything but a huge drain on the U.S. Taxpayers. $10's of billions each year, huge.

If you're as conservative as you say you are, statehood for Puerto Rico should be the last thing you would want.

And yes, just as Puerto Rico would make a lousy state, I believe Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bosnia, etc. would all make lousy states. ;^)

[tiredoflurking]

I haven't tried to hobble anything. You don't even know me!

The reason Puerto Ricans (those on the island) aren't contributing much in taxes is that they don't have representation in the government. No taxation without representation, remember? Even Pres. Bush said he wouldn't support taxing PR under its current status, but he would support statehood if they wanted it. Those on the island can't vote for President or have voting members in Congress or the Senate. Therefore they are not taxed on their earnings. If you want to get money from PR, it would have to be made a state. There are plenty of wealthy Puerto Ricans. The island was quite impoverished 100 years ago, but it's a new day.

In '98 only 2% of the people voted for independence (this is what the terrorists support). It doesn't really matter because we don't limit ourselves to the island. I hate to break it to you, but we do live all over this great country now. Just try getting rid of us, although I don't know why you'd want to lose all those votes. As I said, there are a lot of conservatives from PR.

P.S. I've never said "gimme gimme" to anybody, and how dare you suggest Puerto Rico would "go communist." I'm beginning to think I registered for this website way too quickly. I was wrong. A Democrat isn't any worse than an ignorant bigot.

[marron]

Puerto Rico kicked the US Navy out of Vieques

Go back and look at press reports. You will see mainland leftists in the fore front, including celebs going down to get themselves arrested for the cameras. Not Puerto Ricans.

Bush's people made the decision to back down rather than deal with it right now. But I agree with their threat to close Roosevelt. This is Puerto Rico's chance to get on the right side of it. Either reverse course, elect a new governor, or lose the base. The left won't care, but they aren't the ones we are trying to reach.

[chgomac]

Stick around. These guys need to remember that it was the leftists who pulled off the Vieques caper and now the Island will suffer. Wasn't it a holy pilgrimage of Revs Jackson & Sharpton that really stired this up?

[dennisw]

Don't take what I say personally. I am simply stating that one way or another the US Navy was run out of Vieques. I'm pissed and so are many other Americans. You can blame it on all the PR commies and leftists you want. Where were the other Puerto Ricans to stand up for keeping Vieques?

I'm finished. You have the last word if you want.

[4Freedom]

There are no truly conservative politicians in Puerto Rico. They're all more Liberal than Congressman Jose Serrano.

The Republicans are just as much for throwing the Navy off Vieques as the other parties. It was the RINO Rosello that went over to Clinton's campaign and supported his re-election (getting out the Puerto Rican vote stateside) in return for an agreement for the Navy to leave Vieques among other things.

It was the RINO Rosello that socialized medicine in Puerto Rico, not the Democrats.

Re-read what Serrano says about the stateside Puerto Rican vote. It went solidly Democrat and almost cost Bush the election.

You're kidding yourself if you believe the stateside Puerto Rican vote isn't a factor in all of the PORK/LECHON our pandering politicians lavish on the island.

The campaign contributions from the island are a factor as well. The largest single campaign contribution to Clinton's re-election campaign was $250,000 from the owner of a Medicare recipient dependent hospital in Puerto Rico.

Almost the day after Clinton was re-elected, Medicare funds were increased to the island.

Jeb Bush picked up $150,000 the last time he was there.

Then the Bushes say bye-bye to Vieques.

You have to learn how this pandering to special interest groups by our stateside politicians works.

[Minty]

I am puertorrican too and agree with you in all you say except one thing. You said:
"There are just as many people demanding statehood as demanding independence."

Truth is there are (and always have been) more puertorricans that want the statehood than those tha ask for independence. The sector for independence HAVE NEVER BEEN a majority . Election after election, they have been in the minority. When special elections have been call to settled the matter, time after time tha majority of puertorricans have voted to remain part of the USA. My father served in the army all his life from 18 years to retirement. We are as americans as any native of the states because there is no such thing as puertorrican citizenship. We are born americans citizens.

Right now, here in the states from coast to coast, we are having the hippies peaceniks on the streets with their nonsense all around, that does not make every american a peacenik Does it? Well this is the same thing. There are morons everywhere.

[Minty]

I guess youhave your mind made up and nothing that can be discussed with you willpenetrate your mind set. But in the same way that there have been terrorist oin PR the stated had to endure the Black Panthers, and what was that group that kidnaped Patricia Hearts and so on. I tell you moronic behavior cross cultures and frontiers. But I guess that when you need to feel superior putting others down then it won't matter the arguments. The matter have been set for you long time ago and it has very little to do with reasoning.

[Minty]

Thank you!

[tiredoflurking]

You're right, Minty. I corrected that statement up above after I looked up the results of the most recent vote. My father also served in both the Marines and the Air Force.

As to a comment made elsewhere about a conservative supporting statehood: while I have no strong preference on the matter, my grandfather is a perfect example of a staunch conservative who strongly supports statehood. Why? Because he happens to love this country and everything it stands for and would like to see PR become a full-fledged active part of it. I can think of one large piece of southern territory that didn't always feel that way but still enjoys statehood now.