None of the 50 states would tolerate
a bombing range so close to a town.
A state's congressional delegation
would make sure any such operation got shut down. But Puerto
Rico isn't a state; its governor and nonvoting delegate to the
House must rely on persuasion instead.
It's time for the Navy to phase out the live-fire exercises or
move them to a safer location.
And it's also time for Congress to set up a neutral process by
which Puerto Ricans can decide whether they're ready for statehood,
with the advantages - and responsibilities - that entails. -CHRISTIAN
SCIENCE MONITOR
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