When politics hurts real people.

[jynxedu]

Once upon a time, call it the Clinton era, there was an island owned by the US Navy known as Vieques. The people protested the Navy's use of the island for training/bombing and the adminitration said it will cease. Enter a new Commander in Chief, his administration looks at the information and comes to the conclusion that the adjoining facilities on the main island of Puerto Rico are not needed and are to be closed.

The results - a $500 million a year loss in revenue. Negative growth numbers across the board, a near 20% unemployment rate and over 100 murders by February 1st. (Beating every one of the 50 states)

So what should be done when politics hurts people?

[Theophylact]

What do you suggest: start bombing again? I'm not sure I get your point...

[Undeadlord]

I am not sure what you mean Jynx? I mean yes its a shame when bases close as areas lose revenue. However its not politics, its common sense. The nearbye testing island was shut down, so the base that was the staging point for that was shut down as well.

When we built that base we never stated it would solve all the problems of the are nor did we gurantee it would be there forever. What did the people in that area do before the base was there? Maybe they should go back to it. Plus I have no idea how 100 murders has anything to do with the base leaving. Did the soldiers start shooting on the way out?

Undeadlord

[tony_j15]

Assuming jynx's facts are correct, it makes perfect sense. The people want it both ways. The enviromental wackos scream about "irreversible damage" to the island, but now cant afford to buy their own food. Why? Cuz the Navy pulled out their personell, who were the big spenders in the area.

[TOAD6147]

Where did you get this info? Doesn't quite hold up to close scrutiny.

Vieques Island lies seven miles east of Puerto Rico and can be easily reached by ferry or small plane. See schedules. The population is apprx. 9,500 and is centered in the middle of the island. The eastern 12 miles is a US Fish and Wildlife refuge since this May 2003. the western part is a nature reserve too.

Tourism and food stamps are 2 sources of income for Vieques. Fishing is the traditional main source for many local families. It is expected that tourism will rise sharply now that the Navy has pulled out. Vieques is one of the more ideal ecotourist destinations in the Caribbean It also hosts many northerners who choose to winter or retire here.

Vieques attractions center around the beaches and the worlds most brilliant bioluminescent bay. Visit Elenas Vieques website for complete information about Vieques.

Elenas NEW! website about the Island of Vieques. elenas-vieques.com

[Gomer]

Where did you get this info?

If I had to guess I would suggest an email forward.

Was kind of expecting some sort of link with that myself.

[TOAD6147]

Did I miss the point? Were you talking about PR and not the island? If so I doubt very seriously that a base closing would impact PR like that but if so, as others on the conservative side of the aisle have pointed out, that's the way the cookie crumbles...,or something along those lines.

[TOAD6147]

Bush signed the bill

Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat and ranking member of the defense subcommittee, said the Navy insisted that without live bombing exercises on Vieques, the base is not worth keeping.
"The Navy is overly committed all over the world, and they need these 3,000 people in other places," Mr. Murtha said.
Rep. Jose E. Serrano, New York Democrat, is outraged at what he calls the "arrogance" of the Navy. He said the people of Puerto Rico are "panicked" about their future without what is affectionately called "Rosey Roads."
"I think it's punishment" for the protests, Mr. Serrano said. "We are being punished for winning an issue against the federal government. The Navy said, 'Oh yeah. We're going to fix you. We're going to close the base.' "
Sen. James M. Inhofe, Oklahoma Republican and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he feels sorry for the people of Puerto Rico but that they were "lied to by their politicians" and the protest movement.
"Puerto Rico used every unethical and illegal means to kick us off that live range," Mr. Inhofe said.

[Ed_S]

So.. the reason this base operates no longer exists, but the locals think we should continue it solely to support their economy???
How ridiculous can you get!!!

Scary part is that aparently some of OUR politicians think the Navy is wrong to close it & sell the property - guess they think the PR economy is more important than their constituent's tax dollars!!

[cyphen]

Here here, Ed! Another instance of people looking for a meal ticket from the US taxpayer....