While I have been taking time to reflect and time to care for personal and non personal tasks, I have not kept myself devoid of the goings-on within our political and social circles.
It wasn't too long ago, December 28, 2010, that Ruben Berrios, President of the Puerto Rico Indepence Party (Partido Independentista Puertorriqueño (PIP), met with the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño. They discussed and agreed to the appointment of representatives of the differing parties who would meet to seek solutions to the problem of the island's political status. The proposal first requires the need to identify whether Puerto Ricans on the island want a non-colonial or non-territorial status. The second part of the proposal calls for a separate vote on whether the procedural mechanism should be handled by referendum or constitutional assembly. The third proposal calls for the fulfillment of prior consultations to be mandated by referendum or constitutional assembly.
The idea is to unite as a country and give the U.S. Congress a clear and concise message that people want change. This change can only come when the U.S. realizes its obligation to the citizens of Puerto Rico.
Unfortunately, all this comes just as a decision by House Republicans to take away the Territorial's rights to vote on the House floor was made, a right that was given to them by Democrats four years ago. This not only includes Puerto Rico but the territory of Guam, the Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. Now, I'm not one to question or really care who the Governor of Puerto Rico is sleeping with but I guess he likes it with a slap in the face. But, why do the millions of people under U.S. banner in Puerto Rico and other territories have to take a slap in the face as well?
I'll close by reminding a certain snowman to take a little cultural excursion. That snowman is actually Missouri Republican Senator Brain Nieves. Seems Brain has a problem with spanish and would like to see it removed entirely from all Missouri state proceedings. He recently caught a tantrum when he found out that Missouri Attorney General, Chris Koster, had a website built, in spanish, two years ago. Turns out that the site was built before the state's language requirement was made. The best part, Nieves said it was an inappropriate use of state money and vowed, on his Puerto Rican family's soul, to make sure the Spanish site was taken down. On his Puerto Rican family's soul? Now, did he say this in spanish or english? Some of those souls may only speak and understand in spanish. Someone, pleeease give this guy a tissue!
Rapper/actor Ice Cube said it quite well in one of his songs, "You better check yo self before you wreck yo self".
Sunday, January 23, 2011
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I think we all know the results of Fortuño kissing the Republican parties ass.
ReplyDeleteSo far he has not been able to get much support from the U.S. or his buddies up north.
It is sad how they prioritize looking for the solution to the status issue when their are easier issues to fix and they don't address them.
Regarding to Mr. Nieves tell him to come down to the Island and take that same stance using his Puerto Rican Heritage as a reason to allow him to make such comments.