|
 |
|
|
|
Este informe no está disponible en español. LETTERS - VIEQUESPuerto Rico Ungrateful For Federal LargessU.S., Si; Bombing, NoPeople In U.S., Vieques Pay A Price For SecurityProud U.S. CitizensStop Using Vieques For Practice RangeVieques’ Duty***** LETTERS Puerto Rico Ungrateful For Federal Largess May 4, 2001 I read with much interest Jack Spencer's May 2 Commentary column on the Navy's use of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques as a training area and the island's efforts to shut it down ("Vieques Island: Peace vs. quiet"). Although Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, they do not pay federal income taxes. Despite this, the territory receives several billion dollars per year in federal spending. What does the mainland United States ask in return for this largess? Not much, other than the use of Vieques as a bombing range. Now, it appears, even this is too much to ask. Puerto Ricans (along with such misguided mainland politicians as New York Gov. George E. Pataki) don't seem to know or care where the Navy would exercise if it was made to leave the island. I have a solution: If residents of Puerto Rico don't want to do their part, give them independence and let them provide for their own defense. JOHN A. BARNES ***** LETTERS U.S., Si; Bombing, No May 5, 2001 The Puerto Rican people voted to remain a U.S. commonwealth and as such enjoy protection and benefits from this country. They are American citizens, accepting our financial support and backing. They now have the unmitigated gall to demand the U.S. Navy leave our base on Vieques . This is a case of the confused and unqualified tenant seeking to evict the landlord. J. J. Trezza ***** LETTERS People In U.S., Vieques Pay A Price For Security May 6, 2001 To the Editor: I don't understand the protest over Vieques Island. When I was in the service, I went from Fort Dix, N.J. to Fort Sill, Okla. Fort Dix had live fire ranges for rifles and hand grenades. Fort Sill is an artillery training center. Ask the people of Lawton, Okla. Next it was Fort Stewart, Ga., with live fire for tanks and helicopters, plus artillery demonstrations that required road closings because the shells crossed over them. The people in nearby Willow Grove have a naval air station in their backyard that has proved to be much more dangerous than Vieques . Right here, we have military aircraft doing touch-and-goes at Lehigh Valley International Airport. If you want the privilege and benefits of the United States, you have to take the good and the bad. We all have to pay the price for our security. George Bogert ***** LETTERS Proud U.S. Citizens May 8, 2001 Philip Terzian's April 29 column about the situation on the island of Vieques , "Living La Vida Vieques ," gives the impression that Puerto Ricans just want all the benefits of being U.S. citizens without any responsibilities. While it is true that Puerto Rico receives federal aid without paying federal taxes, Puerto Ricans have defended U.S. national security, although we cannot vote for the president and nor do we have voting representation in Congress. Oh, by the way, some of Roberto Alomar's contributions to baseball are: a .304 lifetime batting average, eight seasons hitting over .300, nine Gold Gloves, eight Silver Slugger Awards, ten Straight All Star Team selection, and the highest career fielding average .98644, among second basemen in the American League. Puerto Ricans are proud of their Hispanic heritage, and their U.S. citizenship. MANUEL B. FREIRIA ***** LETTERS Stop Using Vieques For Practice Range May 8, 2001 My heart is with the people protesting the Navy's use of Vieques as a practice bombing range. It is unconscionable that the Navy insists upon using this tiny island -- home to 9,000 U.S. citizens -- for a practice bombing range. My heart is with the people in the streets of San Juan and at the gates of Camp García protesting to have this injustice end. I want people, especially Puerto Ricans in Florida, to know that the reason for this brutality has been explained by Eli Siegel, philosopher and founder of Aesthetic Realism. It is the human desire for contempt, "the addition to self through the lessening of something else." He wrote, "As soon as you have contempt, as soon as you don't want to see another person as having the fullness that you have, you can rob that person, hurt that person, kill that person" (www.Aesthetic Realism.org). The people of Vieques have hopes and fears as real as yours or mine. It's a national shame and violation of human rights that many of them now have cancers and devastating illness because of the Navy's use of napalm and depleted uranium. As the wife of a Puerto Rican and a New York City teacher with many students from the island, I see the message the Navy is sending to our youth as one of utter disregard for human life. This matter is not a political issue, but ethical. And central to ethics is the question asked by Eli Siegel, "What does a person deserve by being alive?" Donita Ellison ***** LETTERS Vieques' Duty May 10, 2001 I have followed with great interest the news of the Vieques Island-U.S. Navy bombing range problem. I am a frequent visitor to Puerto Rico , having relatives there. Studies by qualified people there indicate no environmental harm is being done to the island. The important point is that Vieques offers a unique geographic conformation; the terrain is suitable for Navy maneuvers. Not getting that training means the difference between life or death for our men in uniform should they go to battle. I call the attention of all Hispanic lawmakers who, without knowing the facts, side with the anti-Navy faction simply because it is a Latin problem. True, the Navy shares the blame; its public relations is nil, and it has never taken the people of Puerto Rico into consideration. Certainly, it could meet them halfway. I find it hilarious that noise is supposed to be an environmental problem. No place in the world is noisier than San Juan. Overpopulation, cars and the loudest music imaginable force me to wear earplugs when I visit. What Puerto Ricans should consider is that by letting the Navy do maneuvers, they are helping save lives, and many of those boys in uniform are their fellow conciudadanos. Eva S. Balcazar
|
