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Esta página no está disponible en español. Puerto Rico’s Loss Is Our Gain…Local Control For Vieques… Weigh Decision Carefully…Get United States Out Of Puerto Rico… A Myopic View
TO: PRH RE: Puerto Rico’s Loss Is Our Gain With the lose of Vieques' practice range means the gain of million of dollars for several states. The closing of the Navy's range will transfer some of its maneuvers to Florida's panhandle. Its practice will bring more funds to this already prosperous area where the Air Force has the largest weapons testing and practice site. The influx of more military personnel in this area will bring more money to the millions of dollars the military already is investing in companies that service the military and the service members who live in the surrounding towns and cities. Texas also has gained from Puerto Rico's lose. The Army South's exit due to the Puerto Rican government's inept and uncaring attitude to keep good relationships with the Army in Ft. Buchanan. The 80 million dollars that Puerto Rico will lose will go to the city of San Antonio and its Citizens. Now the Navy is hinting of closing Roosevelt Roads which will put over 2000 direct civilian employees out on the street and not to mention the lose of indirect employments. The worst that Puerto Rico has lost is the confidence of their fellow American Citizens on the mainland. Several television programs have shown the anti-American and military demonstrations and many here question why and how can so-called "American Citizens" do that in this day in age when the security of USA is at risk? "william" 30 Apr 2003
HARTFORD COURANT 5/7/03 Local Control For Vieques I salute the U.S. military for finally abandoning the use of the island of Vieques as a naval bombing area [news story, May 1, "Navy Leaves Vieques"]. From a recent visit to the island, I know that the natural beauty of the bioluminescent bays, relatively unspoiled beaches and plentiful marine life are some of the most stunning natural resources our nation possesses. The bays in particular, with their explosions of light from millions of tiny microorganisms, were a humbling experience for me. The federal government should return these lands to local control for the benefit of the local population and to allow the Puerto Rican government to determine the best strategy for development of the land. Just as we in Hartford must balance the need for downtown development with the preservation of our neighborhoods, Puerto Ricans will have to balance the economic development of Vieques while not spoiling one of the most beautiful spots in this nation. John B. Kennelly Hartford The writer is a Hartford city councilman.
LETTERS THE HARTFORD COURANT May 12, 2003 Weigh Vieques Decision Carefully I am amazed that Hartford City Councilman John Kennelly could reach his conclusion about the future of Vieques after one recent visit to the island [letter, May 7, "Local Control For Vieques"]. My husband and I have spent a minimum of two weeks per year for more than 10 years on Vieques. We have spent countless hours discussing this issue with local residents of Vieques, both Viequensens and resident "gringos." It is our opinion that the majority of people would like to continue enjoying the natural beauty as it now exists. There should be absolutely no rush to determine the fate of the land on the eastern end recently vacated by the U.S. Navy. The former military land on the western end has been turned over to the municipality of Vieques, the government of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It would seem prudent to monitor development on the western end prior to making rash decisions on the eastern lands. Mr. Kennelly need only look to the neighboring island of Culebra as a successful model for land use. When we first visited Vieques, the newly elected mayor's campaign slogan was "Vieques: En Ruta al Progreso" (Vieques: En Route to Progress). More than a decade later, that ruta is as clear as mud and that mayor left office under a cloud of municipal corruption. If Vieques develops into another Hartford, we will be looking for another travel destination. E. Flynn O'Keefe
Get United States out of Puerto Rico LETTERS 8 May 2003 As a citizen of the USA and proud of it, I am sick and tired of people trashing and burning our flag. Now that we are out of Vieques, the people of Puerto Rico are burning the American flag. I would like to see the United States completely pull out of Puerto Rico, militarily and financially. If Puerto Rico does not want to be part of the United States, then dump it. It's time to take a stand and we should make an example out of Puerto Rico. Gene Schenkel
A Myopic View Of Puerto Ricans The Morning Call 20 May 2003 This letter is in response to a May 8 letter to the editor, "Get United States out of Puerto Rico," revealing the writer's limited world view of Puerto Rico. It is always interesting to hear, or in this case, see, native English speakers misuse the language in reacting toward Puerto Rico. Especially noteworthy is the use of phrases that lump together everyone in Puerto Rico. It doesn't do justice to the complex beliefs and actions of the Puerto Rican people. Secondly, if he would study economics, especially Keynesian, he would see that the very existence of the United States as it is today depends on its past and present relationship with Puerto Rico. His views ignore the aspirations of the New Progressive Party, which seeks statehood for the island. It's not easy to dump a good thing, which is why the idea of statehood persists. The writer needs to move beyond his myopic world view. Candido J. Garcia
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