Sunday, March 29, 2009

Puerto Rico Statehood Debate

Again and again....the 110 year old question of Puerto Rico's status was debated by panelist, that included former New York Gov. George Pataki, at a Fordham Law School forum on March 26, 2009. Unfortunately, the only real status' discussed here seem to be that of statehood and enhanced commonwealth. Read the article here....

3 comments:

  1. Well, the reason why “the only real status’ discussed here seem to be that of statehood and enhanced commonwealth” is because it’s beyond dispute that commonwealth and statehood are the only two political status options that have the support of sizable portions of Puerto Ricans. From a theoretical stand point, the availability of other options can always be debated. But if the purpose of a debate is to engage in meaningful discussion as to how to enable Puerto Rican self-determination, then to force the panelists to talk about options that have been overwhelmingly rejected to by Puerto Ricans and are supported by less then 5% of Puerto Ricans would be an awful waste of time. http://paisciego.blogspot.com/

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  2. Yes, I agree, the two status' have garnered the most support and, from a debate point of view, it would be a waste of time to debate on the lesser supported options. But one cannot ignore the fact that there still is a small portion, regardless of size, of the Puerto Rican population that still favors other options and if it came to an actual vote on self-determination it would only be appropriate to include those other options.

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  3. "The Puerto Ricans forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry on the battlefields of Korea...are writing a brilliant record of achievement in battle and I am proud to have them in this command.I wish that we might have many more like them."
    General Douglas MacArthur
    February 12,1951

    Puerto Rico's 65th Army Infantry Division in Korea:
    - 10 Distinguished Service Crosses
    - 256 Silver Stars
    - 595 Bronze Stars
    - 1,014 Purple Hearts

    Puerto Ricans fighting for America in other wars:

    18,000+ WW1
    65,000+ WW2
    61,000+ Korea
    48,000+ Vietnam

    Puerto Ricans awarded the Medal of Honor:

    *PFC. Fernando Garcia, USMC 1st Marine Div-Korea
    *PFC. Carlos Lozada,USA 173rd Airborne-Vietnam
    *Cpt. Euripides Rubio,USA 1st Infantry Div-Vietnam
    *Spc4thClass. Hector Santiago-Colon,USA 1st Calvary Division-Vietnam
    *Cpt. Hector Roque Versace,USA Special Operations-Vietnam

    PUERTO RICO IS AMERICA! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

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