Former FBI Agent appointed Puerto Rico Police Superintendent

[ChrisF1987]

latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/03/29/puerto-rico-names-new-head-police-department-amid-crime-wave-scandals/
caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=69767&ct_id=1

Hopefully this guy can do something to reign in the out of control crime rate in the US Caribbean territory. Many within the ruling Statehood Party are concerned that the crime problems could derail the island's bid for becoming the 51st state later this year.

The 17,000 member Territorial Police - the 2nd largest police department in the United States - is troubled by corruption, allegations of illegal killings, misconduct, etc and was the subject of the scathing report by the US Dept. of Justice earlier this year.

[Syla1]

Originally Posted by ChrisF1987

latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2012/03/29/puerto-rico-names-new-head-police-department-amid-crime-wave-scandals/
caribbeanbusinesspr.com/news03.php?nt_id=69767&ct_id=1

Hopefully this guy can do something to reign in the out of control crime rate in the US Caribbean territory. Many within the ruling Statehood Party are concerned that the crime problems could derail the island's bid for becoming the 51st state later this year.

The 17,000 member Territorial Police - the 2nd largest police department in the United States - is troubled by corruption, allegations of illegal killings, misconduct, etc and was the subject of the scathing report by the US Dept. of Justice earlier this year.

IMHO if no social problem precluded the acquisition of this Island and its people as an US colonial territory, no one should preclude the regularization of their duly US statehood status either

[lirelou]

Well Syla1, unless Puerto Rico can come up with a plebiscite that does not include Commonwealth as an alternative, there's no way they're going to get the majority they need to convince the Congress that they deserve a serious bid for Statehood. Now, there's no reason there has to be a commonwealth status on the ballot, but likewise, there's not even a requirement that Puerto Rico weigh in on the issue. As an unincorporated territory, Congress has the right to unilaterally grant it independence, which frankly speaking, would be a better deal for the American side. Of course, there is about as much chance for Congress unilaterally granting Puerto RIco independence as there is for the Congress moving forward on a Statehood Bill that does not have a 90 plus percentage of the island's population clamoring for statehood.

Not sure what a former FBI Agent can do for Puerto Rico that hasn't been tried before. They've had retired Regular Army colonels and retired National Guard generals in the position before. One, an American named Riggs, was gunned down on the steps of the San Juan cathedral by Nationalists in 1936 or 37. As I recall, it was the Statehood Party that gave convicted felons serving time the right to vote in island elections.

[Syla1]

Originally Posted by lirelou

Well Syla1, unless Puerto Rico can come up with a plebiscite that does not include Commonwealth as an alternative, there's no way they're going to get the majority they need to convince the Congress that they deserve a serious bid for Statehood. Now, there's no reason there has to be a commonwealth status on the ballot, but likewise, there's not even a requirement that Puerto Rico weigh in on the issue. As an unincorporated territory, Congress has the right to unilaterally grant it independence, which frankly speaking, would be a better deal for the American side. Of course, there is about as much chance for Congress unilaterally granting Puerto RIco independence as there is for the Congress moving forward on a Statehood Bill that does not have a 90 plus percentage of the island's population clamoring for statehood.

Not sure what a former FBI Agent can do for Puerto Rico that hasn't been tried before. They've had retired Regular Army colonels and retired National Guard generals in the position before. One, an American named Riggs, was gunned down on the steps of the San Juan cathedral by Nationalists in 1936 or 37. As I recall, it was the Statehood Party that gave convicted felons serving time the right to vote in island elections.

Please remember that the no less than eight million Puerto Rican people in the Island or elsewhere all along the US are already the "American side"

[ChrisF1987]

There is virtually no support for independence in Puerto Rico - forcing the island to become independent would hurt our prestige and integrity. 90-95% of Puerto Ricans desire a permanent status within the US Federal Union whether it be as a full fleged state of the union, or as an "improved/enhanced/perfected territorial Commonwealth" (ie: the status quo + the benefits and status of statehood).

[TacCovert4]

Originally Posted by ChrisF1987

The 17,000 member Territorial Police - the 2nd largest police department in the United States - is troubled by corruption, allegations of illegal killings, misconduct, etc and was the subject of the scathing report by the US Dept. of Justice earlier this year.

The irony of course that the US DOJ can rule anyone as corrupt after Fast and Furious, among others......maybe the Puerto Ricans should be investigating them.....

[lirelou]

Please remember that the no less than eight million Puerto Rican people in the Island or elsewhere all along the US are already the "American side"

Trust me, I cannot forget. And those Puertorricans paying federal taxes would see a smaller tax burden if Congress simply unilaterally granted Puerto Rico independence.

improved/enhanced/perfected territorial Commonwealth" (ie: the status quo + the benefits and status of statehood).
Reply With Quote

The commonwealthers aren't after the 'status quo'. They're after a status equivalent to an "associated Republic", which boils down to autonomy in international affairs, control over Puerto Rico's borders, plus the benefits of statehood and access to the U.S. taxpayer's pocketbook.

[ChrisF1987]

Originally Posted by lirelou

Trust me, I cannot forget. And those Puertorricans paying federal taxes would see a smaller tax burden if Congress simply unilaterally granted Puerto Rico independence.



The commonwealthers aren't after the 'status quo'. They're after a status equivalent to an "associated Republic", which boils down to autonomy in international affairs, control over Puerto Rico's borders, plus the benefits of statehood and access to the U.S. taxpayer's pocketbook.

The PPD dropped the "ELA Soberano" idea after the 2008 elections when Hector Ferrer replaced Anibal Acevedo-Vila as party president. They are now back to "enhanced commonwealth" (increased powers short of sovereignty). Current party president Alejandro Garcia-Padilla has rejected free association in all forms including the "ELA Soberano" concept.

http://www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com/n...=67972&ct_id=1

“The PDP reaffirms that commonwealth is a unique status that is not subject to the plenary powers of Congress,” he said, indicating that the PDP has abandoned the idea of sovereign commonwealth. “Commonwealth is unique and not territorial and the U.S. Supreme Court has noted so.”

Asked about the free-association option, which certain elements within the PDP support, García Padilla insisted that the party is united on the plebiscite vote and doesn’t support free association.

[lirelou]

Sila must be turning over in her not yet grave. But, the PDP can reaffirm Puerto Rico's Commonwealth status all they want, it's the Congress who will decide whether or not it is subject to Congressional plenary powers.

Chris, there doesn't have to be support for independence in Puerto Rico. Those born American citizens will remain so after independence, and those remaining on the island will be no different than the 1 million North Americans living in Mexico. Puerto Rico is fast approaching the centenary of its American citizenship. If 90% of the population won't support statehood, they need to be cut free, which should put at least $22 billion a year back into the federal treasury.

[madmike]

Anyone know this FBI agents name?

[ChrisF1987]

Originally Posted by madmike

Anyone know this FBI agents name?

Hector Pesquera

The Soberanistas like Sila Calderon are the reason why the PDP was crushed in 2008.

Unless a referendum is only statehood vs full independence you will never see 90% for statehood and that will never happen as long as "Mr. Commonwealth" Rafael Hernandez Colon is alive. This guy is so delusional he thinks the colonial commonwealth is equal to a state of the union. He also thinks that the commonwealth can get all the benefits of a state and still be exempt from federal income taxes.