Posted on 04/23/2002 11:22:12 AM PDT by Walkin Man
Mob Attacks Marines
Tue Apr 23, 2:13 PM ET
By PAISLEY DODDS, Associated Press Writer
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A mob armed with bats and pipes attacked 10 U.S. Navy (news - web sites) Marines, leaving one with a cranial fracture and others with injuries from broken bones to minor scrapes, the Navy said Tuesday.
The Marines — more than 60 wearing civilian clothes at the time — had just finished work as a security detachment for contested military exercises on the outlying island of Vieques.
Two Marines were arguing between themselves outside at about 11 p.m. when a mob armed with lead pipes and bats started beating them, Barker said. He did not say what the fight was about.
Eight other Marines came to their friends' defense, and the brawl developed into a large street fight involving more than two dozen people, the Navy and police said.
The attackers fled when police were called. There were no arrests.
Police and the Navy said the fight occurred outside the Hard Rock Cafe, but manager Arnoldo Pegan said it happened about five blocks away.
"The Marines stopped by for dinner and like always, they were well-behaved," he said, adding he saw no argument.
The Marines, stationed in Tidewater, Va., are expected to return to their duties on the mainland this week. They had arrived at the cafe in white civilian buses.
Anti-military sentiment in this U.S. territory flared after an off-target bomb killed a civilian guard in 1999 on Vieques.
Protesters regularly break into the bombing range to delay exercises. The Navy says that during the latest round of maneuvers, which ended last week, protesters threw rocks and other objects at military personnel. The protesters say their demonstrations are peaceful.
Bump
I agree fully.
Note how Americans are never asked if we want to have Puerto Rico as a state or not. I can hear the sucking noise of American tax dollars as we speak. Whats real funny is, and get this, they think their doing us a favor.
Professional baseball ;-)
No need for all that hardware. A couple dozen marines with Sam Brown belts ought to suffice.
Irish, African, Hispanic, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Islamic, Catholic, Jewish, or
AMERICAN AMERICAN(probably don't exist).
Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917 and are deserving of all the rights, privileges and responsibilities secured by our Constitution. Their "second class" status is a sham perpetuated by government bureacrats and businesses seeking to exploit this special status for their own enrichment.
Ultimately it is up to the Puerto Rican citizens to determine whether they desire statehood or independence. I can respect either outcome as long as it represents the will of the people by a clear majority.
...Though the Puerto Rican police did their best to catch the perps.
The rest of the story:
Unnamed officials denied rumors that a dozen or so Puerto Ricans, suffering from cuts, abrasions and numerous broken bones, who sought medical attention at a hospital near the attack were suspected of being involved.
"On any given night of the week," said one, "we see several dozen brawls in that same neighborhood, involving ten to thirty combatants earch. This is nothing. REALLY."
But, because this was in PR, not San Diego the true Americans here turn the story into a "let's trash all Puerto Rico" party. All you deep thinkers should take a visit to the Wall sometime and check out the dis-proportionately high % of Puerto Ricans whose names are engraved there. Or, just check out the current thread about 9/11 trading cards. The prototype card shown is of a FDNY FF killed that day who is also Puerto Rican....btw, how many of you tough guys got in your trucks on 9/11 or 9/12 and drove to help when yourcountry was attacked?
We all know about the welfare industry in PR. It is the same as in the Appalachians. Change that in Washington.
Any of you know when Puerto Rico got the right to vote? In 1917. You know what else they got? The right to be drafted.
There is a large PR middle class both here and on the Island. They are represented in large numbers in NYPD, FDNY, and the USMC. They are by and large conservative, religious (to the extent that most of us are) and family oriented. I've been in scary places with a couple of them while on the job myself. I wouldn't trade one of them for any of you loudmouths.
I'm not real sure but somebody told me once that God was a marine. So I'm pretty
sure he will forgive you for hoping that. However, my husband
insists that he is an old Chief Master Sgt. so I would say your're covered either way.
Ultimately it is up to the Puerto Rican Mexican citizens to determine whether they desire statehood or independence. I can respect either outcome as long as it represents the will of the people by a clear majority.
Sounds kind of weird coming from a Brigader.
Unfortunately, the "clear majority" wants independence for a few years when tourism is good, then statehood for a few years, when tourism is bad.
I say: all tourists boycott Puerto Rico.
After two years, offer independence. They will take a vote (they always do) and vote independence down.
Then either cut them loose, or give them statehood AND MAKE THEM PAY TAXES.
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