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Post by Shumaker on Oct 2, 2017 1:08:14 GMT
@derekvandyke I think the points you made are valid, and as far as answering your question, I think since it is a colony of the US, it should obtain the necessary help that we also gave to Texas and Florida. The point of rebuilding is to try and help it maintain stability to the best of its ability. Although it's not a state, there are still American citizens living there. If Hawaii were to come under the same turmoil, we would be quick to send supplies to it, because it is a state. I don't think Puerto Rico should be any different.
@williams I think Puerto Rico is too financially unstable to currently obtain independence. There doesn't seem to be much benefit, and they really need all the help they can get from the US. If they did go independent, I think it would end up being like the Haitian independence and eventually just return to it's previous state because they are too unstable.
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Post by Painter on Oct 2, 2017 2:10:45 GMT
Although it seems as if Puerto Rico is still a victim of colonial neglect, reports on the issue appear to have been stretched, as most news topics are in the U.S. Don't get me wrong, the situation in Puerto Rico is awful and very unfortunate, keep the families in your prayers, but don't forget to consider the source. Yes, response to the issue may have been sluggish, but it was not nonexistent. Puerto Rico has been without power, drinking water, food, etc. The news makes it seem as if the United States has not made any effort to aid Puerto Rico after this awful disaster, but in reality, we have. Trump administration is temporarily waiving the law known as, The Jones Act. This will help make the delivery of food, medicine, clothes, and other supplies easier. Considering only 54% of Americans know that Puerto Rican's are U.S. citizens, the remaining 46%, probably would not be compelled to acknowledge the severity of Puerto Rico's situation. The article states, " Puerto Rico has been a little more than a profit center for U.S." If you haven't noticed, it seems as if people only do things to help others if they feel they can benefit from doing so, which is selfish and unfortunate. We as citizens of the United States tend to overlook situations such as this one. We see the tragedy and feel bad, then before we know it we are back to our regular lives and completely forget about it. Some may think, "it isn't affecting me, there is nothing I can do, so it doesn't matter." Puerto Rico is not experiencing complete colonial neglect, just some slow government action.
What do you consider colonial neglect? Do you agree with the news sources pushing, Trump has been the main reason "response from the U.S. has been lackluster" ?
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Post by Painter on Oct 2, 2017 2:21:59 GMT
It is quite obvious that Puerto Rico is experiencing colonial neglect.I feel like the severity of the neglect is being a little over hyped. Love him or hate him but a lot has been put on Trump that it is his fault for apparently taking to long to aid in this natural disaster. This topic has taken time for the news to report on because of more popular issues like the NFL protests. BUT it has not taken time to respond. There was pleanty of immediate relief by the national guard. The head of the National Guard on Tuesday said "there has been no delay in federal help to Peurto Rico despite claims from lawmakers that the territory was not receiving adequate help." General Joseph Lengyel "said he has not seen any political posturing that would deny or slow aid to the U.S. territory". However this is the National Guard it is moments like this that they are there for so it is expected that they respond quickly. It does seem though that the quantity of supplies being sent over is not enough and more could be sent. The help is there just not enough supplies yet. With only 10 hospitals running resources are getting used rapidly. "Two people died yesterday because there was no diesel fuel where they were". It is hard to believe with the way we have all grown up in the states that two people lost their lives because of lack of diesel fuel. It is crazy to think that I have that simple resource that could of saved two lives sitting in my garage right now! The islands debt was bad enough but after this disaster it hasn't pretty much put put Puerto Rico in the dirt. After doing further research and fact checking, it is said that vox is left wing. This could have altered the beneficial facts like our National Guards immediate response. Also after doing more research this is not the first time the United States has been criticized for taking to much time to respond after a hurricane. It was complained that in 2005 relief efforts took to long after hurricane Katrina which hit in the states let alone an island that's much harder to get to. Forming an opinion is hard in today's political topics because there is hardly anywhere you can find news that is not one sided. What is the point of rebuilding? What if this happens all over again next hurricane season? Link to hurricane Katrina article: mg.co.za/article/2005-09-03-katrina-why-did-help-take-so-long-to-arriveLink to fact check for vox: mediabiasfactcheck.com/vox/Derek, I totally agree with you! It is hard to believe people are dying from something as you said, we probably all have lying around in the garage. Sometimes it is easy to overlook how good we have it. It is difficult to know what to believe when it comes to topics such as this one, news reports always lean further to one side of the political spectrum. When it comes to this situation, what is considered "too much time" to respond after a disaster? |
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Post by Painter on Oct 2, 2017 2:29:11 GMT
Puerto Rico is still a victim of colonial neglect in the manner that even as they are considered US citizens, they still have not acquired the same status and opportunities as other US state citizens. They do not have the opportunity to vote in presidential elections and it seems half the US population does not even know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. With the two hurricanes that have ripped through Puerto Rico and left the island in great turmoil, the US is indeed sending resources and aid. However people say that the aid could have arrived much quicker and that the US is not treating this is as big of a disaster that it is. Despite being far away from the US mainland in more ways than one, breaking off from the US would not be beneficial for the territory itself. The island is in crippling debt and the economy was not in stable condition even before the hurricanes hit. Even though the support the US gives Puerto Rico is limited, it is still beneficial to the island to remain part of the US. They would not have the resources available in enough quantity to survive on their own as an official country. Do you think Puerto Rico would benefit or suffer if they were to gain total independence? Erin, great job, I agree. If Puerto Rico were to gain independence, they would majorly suffer. They are already having a difficult time getting back on their feet, and without outside help many of the people would suffer more than they already are. |
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Post by VanDyke on Oct 2, 2017 2:46:15 GMT
Colonial neglect is most definitely still evident today. Even more so now that the hurricane completely devastated the island and made it almost completely uninhabitable. The point that over 50% of people didn't even know that Puerto Ricans were considered U.S. citizens aids in my point that the island is neglected. People weren't willing to help the colony until they realized that more American citizens live there than in 21 U.S. states. Some people just view the island as a means of profit, and aren't really willing to do anything to help the people. Trump himself is even making excuses to avoid helping them by saying that it's “on an island in the middle of the ocean,” where “you can't just drive your trucks there from other states.” Also, people living on the colony don't really have any government representation, despite legally being citizens. Why is everyone so hesitant to help Puerto Rico? We were quick to help Texas and Florida after the hurricanes that hit there, why is Puerto Rico any different? I don't quite see how that's an excuse made by Trump. I see it as the truth because it is am island and no you cannot drive to it with a truck or you would sink. |
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Post by VanDyke on Oct 2, 2017 2:50:29 GMT
Puerto Rico has faced many troubles and natural disasters which causes it to be dealing with colonial neglect. There are multiple meanings for the word "neglect" . For example there can be a country or state that is already "neglected" or there is a country or state in the process of being neglected. Everyone is starting to think that The U.S. has basically neglected Puerto Rico because of Donald trump and how long it is taking to "help" or "Support" Puerto Rico. But the article said "The United States may not like to see itself as the type of nation that has colonies, but if you’re not treating Puerto Rico and its American citizens the same way as you treat states and theirs, that’s the only explanation". However Puerto Rico is receiving resources and aids but they weren't receiving them as fast as everyone would like. U.S. citizens think "Trump" doesn't care about Puerto Rico just because of how we didn't get to them super "fast" but Puerto Rico wasn't the only place that was effect that the U.S. helps. The article said that the president's “attitude toward Puerto Rico is just the latest example of how the United States views its island colony — good enough to be a place for U.S. companies to make money, but not good enough to have any real political power,” making it seem like we are only using them for the money but all the citizens in Puerto Rico don't even have a chance to vote during the presidential elections so it gives the U.S. citizens a opportunity to think that we are using them. By not helping Puerto Rico "fast" then how are supposed to get back on there feet and make a living? If the U.S. is actually "using" Puerto Rico after they heal from this disaster do you think they will go independent? I agree the supplies are going in slowly but surly. Why are they going in so slowly though? |
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Post by Nick w on Oct 2, 2017 3:25:21 GMT
You do not to be very educated to realize that Puerto Rico is experiencing colonial neglect. A lot more can be done to help the people, who are in large American citizens. The thing i do not agree with are the claims that there is no action being done to help Puerto Rico out. The current administration is in a tough spot right now. They have not done much to help their case (Trump tweeting about the NFL anthem protesting). Three of some of the biggest hurricanes have hit either the US mainland or Puerto Rico. While we were trying to mobilize resources for Harvey relief, Irma came. When we were mobilizing resources for Irma, Puerto Rico got crushed. When Maria hit Puerto Rico, first responders were on the scene. Plenty of people were there to help. One thing that could have been better was the amount of supplies flowing into the island. The island itself has been taken advantage of by the government and the wealthy. The Washington Post article quotes Nelson Denis, author of War Against All Puerto Ricans, by saying Puerto Rico has been little more than a profit center for the United States: first as a naval coaling station, then as a sugar empire, a cheap labor supply, a tax haven, a captive market, and now as a municipal bond debtor and target for privatization. It is an island of beggars and billionaires: fought over by lawyers, bossed by absentee landlords, and clerked by politicians.” With Trump having his businessman background, this will mostly likely not change. With its economy already in shambles, Puerto Rico is not the type of country you would want to annex.
What has to be done in order for Puerto Rico to be annexed or at least given more attention?
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Seth the boss kennedy
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Post by Seth the boss kennedy on Oct 2, 2017 3:29:26 GMT
Puerto Rico has been a victim of neglect for many years. This recent disaster may actually help raise awareness of the unfair conditions that puerto ricans have been facing for decades. While this does not downplay the current issue of the disaster at hand, i think it is beneficial to be able to see past the tragedy and to realize that we could turn this situation into one greatly beneficial for the puerto ricans in the long run. The mainland US has been using the largest of the caribbean islands for profit for so many years. I see the current lack of media coverage as a way of not having their voices heard throughout the mainland. The puerto ricans are so faintly represented in the functional democracy of the mainland, and if media coverage there was as great as the coverage of florida and texas after their disasters, then this would be the most “representation” that the islanders have seen for nearly a hundred years. Puerto rico is an anti example of what our democracy stands for, an example of taxation without representation, an example of governing without the consent of the governed and a failure of the rule of law the US was established on. Effective media representation could undermine the governmental seclusion of puerto rico’s voice in American politics. This seclusion and unjust control can be seen in their failed revolution in the past, where our military fired on it’s own US citizens to suppress their spreading ideas of freedom and independence for a native people subjugated by mainland control. If we are to keep puerto rico as a functioning part of the US, then they need to gain statehood and proper representation. I hope ,for puerto rico’s sake, that this issue be brought to light and americans shaken awake to see the real underlying problem in this controversy of “limited media coverage”. There is no failure of mainland support and disaster relief in puerto rico, there is a failure of representation and democracy.
Do you agree that the US has been using puerto rico for unfair profit the whole of their union?
If so is this a chance for puerto ricans to have their voice heard? Or will this be another failure of coverage and what could be done to change that?
What do you think is more responsible for the lack of media coverage: the lack of power throughout most of the island, or our government suppressing the voices of over 3 million US “citizens”?
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Post by nick w on Oct 2, 2017 3:31:31 GMT
The troubles and heartache Puerto Rico faces is heartbreaking , and should be no matter if they are citizens or not. The unawareness that this country inst even known to be a US colony is pitiful for a nation, It shows a lack of proper education and situational awareness. The current situation most definitely shows neglect from the US , from both the citizens and the administration. The administration is making excuses as to why help is not present, throwing an entire suffering island into more pain, an island of US citizens which the current administration, wanted to focus on in the beginning , the well being of the US citizens . They're just an "island in the middle of the ocean", a small island but an island full of innocent helpless people, and citizens of a country to uneducated and neglectful to have any sympathy for them . Do we simply neglect a part of our country if its 'to far away' to help ? What would happen if all of Hawaii was devastated, would the same thing happen? i agree that what Puerto Rico is going through is not good. But I feel like if Hawaii was devastated, we would act differently. Ultimately, Hawaii is a state and Puerto Rico is not. There is a moral obligation to Puerto Rico, but if the administration did not do anything (which would we wrong) there isnt much that could be done |
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Post by Nick w on Oct 2, 2017 3:35:24 GMT
Puerto Rico is still a victim of colonial neglect in the manner that even as they are considered US citizens, they still have not acquired the same status and opportunities as other US state citizens. They do not have the opportunity to vote in presidential elections and it seems half the US population does not even know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. With the two hurricanes that have ripped through Puerto Rico and left the island in great turmoil, the US is indeed sending resources and aid. However people say that the aid could have arrived much quicker and that the US is not treating this is as big of a disaster that it is. Despite being far away from the US mainland in more ways than one, breaking off from the US would not be beneficial for the territory itself. The island is in crippling debt and the economy was not in stable condition even before the hurricanes hit. Even though the support the US gives Puerto Rico is limited, it is still beneficial to the island to remain part of the US. They would not have the resources available in enough quantity to survive on their own as an official country. Do you think Puerto Rico would benefit or suffer if they were to gain total independence? there is no doubt that Puerto Rico would not be able to sustain itself if they had total independence. |
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Seth the boss kennedy
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Post by Seth the boss kennedy on Oct 2, 2017 3:39:53 GMT
You do not to be very educated to realize that Puerto Rico is experiencing colonial neglect. A lot more can be done to help the people, who are in large American citizens. The thing i do not agree with are the claims that there is no action being done to help Puerto Rico out. The current administration is in a tough spot right now. They have not done much to help their case (Trump tweeting about the NFL anthem protesting). Three of some of the biggest hurricanes have hit either the US mainland or Puerto Rico. While we were trying to mobilize resources for Harvey relief, Irma came. When we were mobilizing resources for Irma, Puerto Rico got crushed. When Maria hit Puerto Rico, first responders were on the scene. Plenty of people were there to help. One thing that could have been better was the amount of supplies flowing into the island. The island itself has been taken advantage of by the government and the wealthy. The Washington Post article quotes Nelson Denis, author of War Against All Puerto Ricans, by saying Puerto Rico has been little more than a profit center for the United States: first as a naval coaling station, then as a sugar empire, a cheap labor supply, a tax haven, a captive market, and now as a municipal bond debtor and target for privatization. It is an island of beggars and billionaires: fought over by lawyers, bossed by absentee landlords, and clerked by politicians.” With Trump having his businessman background, this will mostly likely not change. With its economy already in shambles, Puerto Rico is not the type of country you would want to annex. What has to be done in order for Puerto Rico to be annexed or at least given more attention? Yo nick newman I am glad that you saw the same underlying problem as myself. I think the the first step would be for the public to shift their focus from a lack of disaster relief to the lack of coverage of actual puerto ricans. this could start with a new demand for actual coverage of puerto ricans and their view of the current and underlying problems being faced by the islands inhabitants. |
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Seth the boss kennedy
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Post by Seth the boss kennedy on Oct 2, 2017 4:00:15 GMT
Puerto Rico is still a victim of colonial neglect in the manner that even as they are considered US citizens, they still have not acquired the same status and opportunities as other US state citizens. They do not have the opportunity to vote in presidential elections and it seems half the US population does not even know that Puerto Ricans are US citizens. With the two hurricanes that have ripped through Puerto Rico and left the island in great turmoil, the US is indeed sending resources and aid. However people say that the aid could have arrived much quicker and that the US is not treating this is as big of a disaster that it is. Despite being far away from the US mainland in more ways than one, breaking off from the US would not be beneficial for the territory itself. The island is in crippling debt and the economy was not in stable condition even before the hurricanes hit. Even though the support the US gives Puerto Rico is limited, it is still beneficial to the island to remain part of the US. They would not have the resources available in enough quantity to survive on their own as an official country. Do you think Puerto Rico would benefit or suffer if they were to gain total independence? Erin the current trade between the US and puerto rico was set up by the mainland US and of course accounts for most of the islands imports and almost all of their exports. this is set up for maximum profit for the US as they build textile industries to process raw american goods on the island, it is also set up to keep the island dependent on the mainland and not be able to break away for economic reasons. the island's debt is owed mostly to the mainland, this is yet another controlling device held over the island. However if it were not for these established economic ties, the island would be functional on it's own, just as the many other highly profitable Caribbean islands. |
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Post by Beckwith on Oct 2, 2017 12:20:04 GMT
Even though there was alot of biased information through this article I do agree with the neglection of Puerto Rico as an American colony because they may be doing something but I don't believe we are putting enough effort in helping these American citizens for example this weekend I caught a glimpse of the mews and it was talking about how the whole colony is out of gas but that is just an example but as I said I do understand they are bring supplies over and trying to contribute but I don't think as much as if it was on the home land and the argument will be made well yeah not as much is going into the colony because they are not connected to the home land but I believe we are not helping as much out of the fact its not convenient for us and maybe the cost of taking people amd airplanes and helicopters over to Puerto Rico so through me reading the article my stance is with agreement if the article as Puerto Rico is a neglected colony of America
So my question to everyone is if its out of connivence to help Puerto Rico or not could we not see maybe a environment to fuel them in a revolution or a break off from American rule
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Post by Williams on Oct 2, 2017 12:23:17 GMT
@evelyn Hawaii is not the same as Puerto Rico because Puerto Rico is part of the U.S. And Hawaii is its own state. We could help Hawaii out like we are helping Puerto Rico but it would take way longer because they aren't as "important" to us.
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Post by Beckwith on Oct 2, 2017 12:25:10 GMT
Colonial neglect is most definitely still evident today. Even more so now that the hurricane completely devastated the island and made it almost completely uninhabitable. The point that over 50% of people didn't even know that Puerto Ricans were considered U.S. citizens aids in my point that the island is neglected. People weren't willing to help the colony until they realized that more American citizens live there than in 21 U.S. states. Some people just view the island as a means of profit, and aren't really willing to do anything to help the people. Trump himself is even making excuses to avoid helping them by saying that it's “on an island in the middle of the ocean,” where “you can't just drive your trucks there from other states.” Also, people living on the colony don't really have any government representation, despite legally being citizens. Why is everyone so hesitant to help Puerto Rico? We were quick to help Texas and Florida after the hurricanes that hit there, why is Puerto Rico any different? Like I said from my post I believe its the matter that it is not convenient for us to but more time then the bare minimum to help them because of the cost of travel cause its way out of the way aswell its easier to just tell people to go drive or travel 100 or so miles to help those states vs the over water transportation |
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