The “after Maria” disaster has already begun in Puerto Rico, where 3.5 million American citizens need our help.
The gruesome irony in all this is that some people are close to dying in hospitals. Hospitals with no power. No diesel fuel to run their generators to keep life support going.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz keeps calling for help:
Meanwhile the occupant of the oval office brags about the great job he is doing to assist Puerto Rico as he sits on his ass “working hard.” He lies.
His own Department of Defense has said that 44% of Puerto Rican’s do not have clean drinking water.
Trump must have mentioned the Governor of Puerto Rico 15 times — in his tales of how great he is doing sending aid to PR. Sure Gov. Rossello has said great things to the Orange Narcissist in Chief.
BECAUSE HE DOESN’T WANT TO PISS TRUMP OFF.
He’s begging for more aid — VERY politely.
He has asked that the Jones Act be waived.
Request denied.
I realize that a lot of people don’t know much about the Jones Act.
If you have a little time — you can watch these videos to see how it impacts Puerto Rico, and also Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam. Not just in a time of crisis — like Maria — but the impact on the economy of our “non-contiguous” states and territories.
Nelson Denis talks about the Jones Act — in relationship to the Debt Crisis in Puerto Rico.
His editorial in the NY Times
This conversation, an in-depth primer about the Jones Act — covers its impact on Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Guam.
Keli`i Akina and Mike Hansen discuss the Jones Act and its implications for the economy of Hawaii. This is a one-stop introduction as well as an update to the latest developments in reforming the century-old shipping laws which have had a major negative impact on Hawaii.
Every single person on the mainland has to understand what is going on. Call your family, friends and neighbors. Ask you co-workers if they realize that OUR FELLOW AMERICANS NEED HELP!
The results of this poll are appalling:
While Trump whines about disrespect to the flag (which is a lie)— he is trampling all over it by failing to send massive aid to those citizens who live under it.
Puerto Ricans serve in our military at a very high rates. They fight and die to protect America — and if they live on the island, not the mainland, they cannot vote for the Commander in Chief.
They serve anyway.
From the website of the U.S. Department of Defense:
Puerto Ricans Represented Throughout U.S. Military History
As of 2010, the Veterans Affairs Department listed Puerto Rico’s veterans at 116,029. More than 1,225 Puerto Ricans have died while serving for the United States. The names of those who perished in combat are inscribed in "El Monumento de la Recordacion" -- the Monument of Remembrance -- which was unveiled May 19, 1996, and is in front of the capital Building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Just look at this history from the article:
Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan
In 1990, about 1,700 Puerto Rican National Guardsmen were among the 20,000 Hispanics deployed to the Persian Gulf in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as part of the Gulf War.
Vietnam
During Vietnam, an estimated 48,000 Puerto Ricans served in the four service branches of the armed forces. Of the More than 340 Puerto Ricans died in combat, and 17 were listed as missing in action.
Korea
About 61,000 Puerto Ricans served in the Korean War, including about 18,000 who enlisted in the continental United States, Colon said. Puerto Ricans distinguished themselves as part of the 65th Infantry Division, the “Borinqueneers,” receiving many awards and recognition, though they were involved in the largest court-martial of the Korean War.
World War II
During World War II, Navy Lt. Maria Rodriguez Denton, born in Guanica, Puerto Rico, became the first known woman of Puerto Rican decent to become a female Navy officer.
The Army’s 65th Infantry Regiment, a segregated Hispanic unit made up primarily of Puerto Ricans, was sent to Panama to protect the Pacific in 1943, and by 1944, was sent to France. They participated in the battles of Naples-Fogis, Rome-Arno, central Europe and Rhineland. The regiment had 23 soldiers killed in action.
Puerto Ricans played key roles during the war. Navy Adm. Horacio Rivero became the first person of Hispanic descent to achieve the rank of admiral. Ships under his command provided artillery cover for the Marines landing on Guadalcanal, the Marshall Islands and Okinawa. Lt. Gen. Pedro del Valle, the first Hispanic U.S. Marine Corps general, played a key role in the Guadalcanal campaign and the Battle of Guam and became the commanding general of the First Marine Division.
Colon said about 60,000 Puerto Ricans were providing security among the Caribbean Islands or serving in Europe during World War II.
World War I
In July 1917, about 236,000 Puerto Ricans registered for the draft for World War I, and close to 20,000 served, said retired Marine Corps 1st Sgt. Ildelfonso “Pancho” Colon Jr. “Those that had to serve in combat had to leave Puerto Rico and enlist in New York,” he added.
They served for us — now it is time for us to stand up for them.
Speaking of War — the Jones Act was a result of one.
Senator McCain has asked for a permanent waiver:
Members of Congress are proposing a recovery plan for Puerto Rico, which includes the Jones Act:
Letter to the Hon. Elaine Duke, Department of Homeland Security- Recovery Plan for Puerto Rico
Dear Acting Secretary Duke:
On September 20th, Puerto Rico endured a direct impact from the worst storm to make landfall on the island in nearly a century. People have lost their homes, entire communities have been displaced and families on the mainland have been unable to establish communication with relatives back home for days.
In an island that was already plagued with an acute financial crisis, the destructive passage of Hurricane Maria is another crippling blow to the people and economy that threaten its recovery. Unfortunately, Puerto Rico is without the necessary resources to self-finance its relief and recovery efforts.
One area that was damaged severely was the aging power grid. The local government has already predicted that it may take up to six months to turn the lights back on. While that may seem like hyperbole, to many Americans living in the mainland, the Island's electric grid was already showcasing its vulnerabilities before Hurricane Maria. Last year, technical failures at the Aguirre power plant left one-third of the population without power. In August 2017, inclement weather caused power outages for over 40 thousand people. Just weeks ago, Irma left over 1 million Puerto Ricans without power. A direct hit by a powerful storm was the worst-case scenario for the grid, and Hurricane Maria has now made that scenario a reality. Efforts to get the island back on track will be extremely difficult.
We are thankful that the Federal Government has stepped in and has already deployed its existing resources to ensure that Puerto Ricans affected by this horrific natural disaster are fed, clothed and housed. Every agency must act swiftly, in the way that America does when it faces an attack, natural or otherwise, on its own soil.
As Members of Congress, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure that the Federal Government promote the economic development of every community across the country. The people of Puerto Rico have long been denied the same benefits provided to other American citizens. Today, the stakes are just too high.
To that end, we are requesting two regulatory changes to expedite the delivery of essential supplies to the Island and provide the necessary relief for the local government to preserve its already limited financial resources so that it can provide citizens the essential services they need.
Temporary Jones Act Waiver
The Marine Merchant Act of 1920, commonly known as the Jones Act, requires that all goods shipped between waterborne ports of the United States be carried by vessels built in the United States and owned and operated by Americans.
The island is now facing an unprecedented uphill battle to rebuild its homes, businesses and communities. Temporarily loosening these requirements -- for the express purpose of disaster recovery -- will allow Puerto Rico to have more access to the oil needed for its power plants, food, medicines, clothing, and building supplies. Therefore, we request the Department of Homeland Security to provide a one-year comprehensive waiver of the Jones Act requirements for Puerto Rico.
Waiver of Federal Matching Requirements
As you know, federal regulation requires FEMA to enter into cost-sharing agreements for recovery programs. However, Puerto Rico's current economic conditions have already pushed the local government's financial resources to the breaking point. Requiring cost-sharing during this critical time could take local resources away from providing the essential services many citizens need. We therefore urge the Department of Homeland Security to provide a waiver for any funding tied to disaster aid, emergency repairs and/or restoration.
Hurricane Maria has taken a significant toll on the Island, its infrastructure and its residents. The Federal Government has the duty to ensure these American citizens are provided the relief they need. By granting these temporary waivers, DHS can ensure we are doing everything we can to help American families in need.
We look forward to working with you to ensure that the Island's needs are kept at the forefront of any disaster relief efforts.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Source: https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/members-congress-push-recovery-plan-puerto-rico
You can help by making calls:
Of course you can also donate money for Puerto Rico relief — but ultimately the solution to this current crisis and a future for Puerto Rico will be in the hands of the U.S. Government — which means, those people you elect to the House, the Senate and the White House.
Do you know where your elected officials stand on Puerto Rico?
Find out.