Is the Vieques issue moving people to make PR a free country?

[Mike_Coordero]

Hey, I need your help. Is the Vieques issue moving people to make PR a free country?
How about our fellow brothers from Dominican
Republic? I read here some place that we
don't like them and if we became a free
country they may have to move? Any true in this. And one more thing. Are Puerto Rican
police really killing people in PR and the
only one that could stop them is the FBI?
Please give your opnions.

[Mike_Coordero]

Well, what is wrong? Still waiting for your
commons and etc.

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[Mike_Coordero]

Well, what is wrong? Still waiting for your
commons and etc.

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[El_Jibaro]

Well Mike:

It is sadly true, that many Puerto Ricans don't like Dominicans, specially the ones who advocate Independence. Whenever I talk to an Independence Advocate and the topic of Dominicans comes up, the stories from their own mouths is about the negative effect the Dominicans have in Puerto Rican Society. The issue of Dominican immigration in Puerto Rico is so delicate, that it is one of the main reasons the "Estado-Libristas" have asked for more political power for the Commonwealth. That is why I am convinced that upon getting Independence one of the first things the new government would do would be to regard anyone not born in the Island as foreigner, and kick out of the Island very many Dominicans.

About the Police, our Island Police is not completely corrupt. There are some bad apples. The problem is that the Mafia has infiltrated the ranks of the Police in the past, and no doubt to a certain extent today. There was a case some 15 years ago when a PR Police Captain killed a witness against the Mafia, and he himself had recruited several Mafia Gangsters as Police Cadets. However, I don't think our PR Police is as corrupt as the ones in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, or Mexico. For this we have to thank the FBI. When someone applies to become part of the Police Force they do a background check through the FBI, like in the Police Forces of the rest of the United States. Were we to be Independent there would not be this requirement.

Two things that need to be done in PR that is not done now is to recruit as State Police only College Graduates (they do that over here in New Jersey), and give them a better pay. Lack of education makes a man with a gun to be a potential THUG. Lack of good pay makes a good man exposed to death into an easy target for corruption and buy-out.

Also we need allot of Policemen in PR. In the Island they "shine by their absence". Here in New Jersey you cannot drive more than three miles without seeing one. That is why I can leave my car with the doors unlocked in most of New Jersey except the big cities.

It is interesting that for 1997 there were only 327 murders in New Jersey. If I am not mistaken, that same year approximately 1107 people were murdered in PR. Keep in mind that 8 Million people live in New Jersey, and 3.7 Million People live in PR. Thus PR has a murder rate more than three times the murder rate of NJ. And I know that at least 4 Million New Jerseyians are living in poverty. Food for thought. I think the clue for the difference is the Death Penalty, but my Leftist Friends in this Board refuse to believe it.

Anyway, see you later Compatriota.

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Manuel Alonso

[EL_BORICUA]

IT IS TRULY FUNNY THAT EL JIBARO TALKS ABOUT
CHRIST AND HIS REDEEMING LOVE IN ONE COLUMN
THEN STATES HOW WE SHOULD KILL CRIMINALS
ALTHOUGH MOST CRIMINALS ARE POOR AND CAN'T AFFORD A GOOD DEFENCE SO MORE THAN NOT POOR
AFRICANAMERICANS AND LATINOS WILL END UP BEING PUT TO DEATH GUILTY OR NOT,BUT THE RICH
WILL WALK,LIKE THE CASE IN SOUTH JERSEY WHERE
A WOMAN RAN OVER A MAN AND KILLED HIM AND TOOK OFF,SHE HAD MONEY SO SHE GETS A YEAR
WORK RELEASE.I DONT KNOW WHAT PART OF N.J.
EL JIBA LIVES IN BUT PEOPLE I KNOW WHO LIVE IN N.J. DON'T LEAVE THEIR CARS UNLOCKED.
AS FOR THE N.J. STATE POLICE THEY KILL UNARMED PEOPLE IF YOU ARE NOT WHITE LOOK OUT.
THEY HAD A BIG SHAKE UP RECENTLY DUE TO AN
UNJUSTIFIED SHOOTING OF BLACK YOUTHS AFTER A TRAFFIC STOP.
AS FOR HATING DOMINICANS THATS B.S. IT IS HERE STATESIDE THAT PROBLEMS ARISE BETWEEN
THE TWO GROUPS.
INDEPENDENCE IS THE ONLY JUST SOLUTION FOR
STATUS PROBLEM IN PUERTO RICO IF THE VIEQUES DISPUTE HELPS THAT ALONG GOOD.
I SUGGEST THAT EL JIBARO GO BACK TO HIS BIBLE
AND READ ABOUT GRACE AND THE FORGIVENESS
OF JESUS CHRIST.

[El_Jibaro]

There goes Borax...

Socialists have a funny sense of values, defending Criminals while Punishing the Victims.

But, when they are in power there is no shortage of people to kill, even for just wearing glasses, like in Cambodia.

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Manuel Alonso

[joseuno]

Ok! The problem with police corruption in Puerto Rico is the great quantities of money to be made from the drug traffic in the island! There is no salary raise big enough to match the drug pay unfortunately. As to leaving your car doors open in New Jersey im sorry but you are soooo wrong or living in Utopia but that has not been my experience. I almost get killed by a car thief and there wasnt a "beat cop" around to help me! Unless you live in a "mafia" neighboorhood which are the safest in the world! As to the murder rate Comparison, well we are more passionate in Puerto Rico!

[This message has been edited by joseuno (edited 22 January 2000).]