Comments on Puerto Rican Independence

My Thanks once again to Global Voices Online for picking up another Jenius post. However, this time they listed Me as "Jil the Genius." Versatile, I am.

While I was there pondering the "Jil the Genius" change, I noticed a section titled "Puerto Rico: Independence, Anybody?" Thanks to Skye Hernández, My original July 4th "Independence (Some)Day" post was highlighted for discussion. Six comments appear of which one is largely a repeat. 

The first (and fourth) comment are from ronbothunter, who amongst his remarks says "Puerto Ricans, who desire to be free, must always know that the federal government, here in the States has no “subject matter jurisdiction” over the person, case or location and should be challenged to proof (sic) it."

Actually, this point goes against Puerto Rico and has been "proofed" several times, with the most convincing argument being Our Constitution, which clearly states We have a subordinate role voluntarily accepted. To challenge the question of jurisdiction must begin with challenging whether Our Constitution--Our "compact"--has a legally valid basis from the point of view of whether We had any other real option or not. In other words, Our fight is not with the U.S. and its indifference, but with Us and Our search for convenience.

In his second comment (the fourth shown), ronbothunter adds this: "The Federal Government owns Puerto Rico as an ASSET, because it is a slave colony—whether you like the idea or not. But the Federal Government takes orders from those who own and run this (Corporation) Country, but are not of this country. The International Bankers, who really own the corporations called the USA, will let PR be free, only if enough real men of Boricua blood wish to be free, by reserving their rights under the Constitution."

The operative words here are slave, colony, corporation and international bankers. Although I am one who has advocated the economic imposition of U.S. interests on Puerto Rico--thus making Us a colony--We are not slaves. And to call a government a corporation to later state that said "corporation" is run by international bankers is like calling a race horse a playing card and casino dealers the Gnomes of Zurich. (To make it easier for ronbothunter to understand: Your statements are one foot below the heights of stupid conspiracy thinking.)

The second comment listed is from Jerri Johnson who states: "In my investigation I have found no real way for us to continue with the lives we have and be independence (sic). Twist the number (sic) around anyway (sic) you want complain all you want but no matter how you do it we are very well off when compared to others and will likely be even stronger if we chose statehood. Hawaii certainly improved greatly after choosing state hood (sic)."

True, We are better off than most other "non-industrial" countries because of Our relationship with the U.S. of part of A. But your investigations, Jerri, mean squat as to whether We can or cannot continue with the lives we have and be independence (sic). Just because you--and Independence Party president-until-death Rubén Berríos--can't come up with a solution doesn't mean there isn't one or several. 

And though Hawaii may have improved greatly after choosing state hood (sic), any simple search for independence movements in Hawaii will reveal a deep level of discontent with the process and end result. Sadly, even Vermont--yes, Vermont--shows a stronger independence movement than We do.     

Comment #3, by ecoavila, is another example that monkeys can learn to type. Badly.

Comment #5, by Antonio Santiago, is short and sweet: "I love your article! May Free Independent Puerto Rico LIVE FOREVER!" Unfortunately, he isn't referring to My article. 

And in the last (for now) comment, Eduardo García writes: "…independence will never happen for we the puerto rican (sic) VAST MAJORITY do not want it or SEEK it!!!!" I agree, but it's distrubing to Me that in 3 out of 5 instances, he didn't capitalize "Puerto Rico", but did so 2 out of 2 times for "United States/Estados Unidos de America (sic)." Then he closes this depressing session by plunging headfirst into the ideological latrine of confusing dissent with disillusion by stating that independence-minded people--patriots in every sense of the word--should "...pack your bags and move to the dominican republic (sic) or la madre patria (sic) for yours is a lost and unwanted cause in puerto rico (sic[kening])." 

Sigh. And a strong need to spit.

The Jenius Has Spoken.