If the NPP confuses the issue, forget statehood
Published on Sunday, May 23rd 1999 on The San Juan StarIn physics, "noise" is any electrical disturbance, especially a random and persistent one, that obscures or reduces the quality or clarity of a signal. It is also called "static". In computer science, "noise" is irrelevant or meaningless data generated by a computer, along with the desired data. In Puerto Rico, "noise" is the vehicle of expression of minorities that have no other way of conveying their message. If they could convey their message some other way, perhaps they wouldn't be minorities. In México, you can demonstrate all you want, but there are laws against alboroto, which is malicious, bothersome, or intimidating noise. Not here. Here some feel that intimidating noise is politically correct and will kowtow to that noise just to go along with the bandwagon. That's what is happening with the Vieques issue and the New Progressive Party. The anti-Navy clamor has made so much noise that otherwise unquestionable statehooders, such as our Governor, our Resident Commissioner and other NPP pillars, are going along with the noise. My advise to them: forget statehood. Switch parties, forget about political status, just stick to local governing, or whatever.
The "noise" is clamoring to get the Navy out of Vieques, ostensibly because of an unfortunate accident in which a security guard was killed in the target range while on duty. Not so. That accident was lamentable, as all fatal accidents are. What the "noise" is clamoring for is to get the Navy out of Vieques, out of Roosevelt Roads, and to get all United States Armed Forces presence out of Boriquén.
But the Navy is rightfully in Vieques and is rightfully doing what armed forces do, though some may view armed forces –and gringos– as wrong. There was a wrongful accident, but let's not confuse the issue. One accident, or one thousand accidents, rightfully demand restitution, indemnity or remedy, not eviction.
If we were objective and fair about this, we would stick it to the Navy for all it's worth as is fair and proper for an accident of this magnitude. We would also stick it to the Navy for all it's worth for the years of worry, uncertainty, fear, and unrest that the people of Vieques have been subjected to. Yes, worry, uncertainty, fear and unrest can be alleviated if there were better interaction –public relations– between the Navy and Vieques.
For example, the 1996 United States Bureau of the Census Estimate has the population of Vieques at 9,503; less than the crew complement of two Navy aircraft carriers. For God's sake! The carrier USS America (CV 66) has a complement of over five thousand people aboard at any one time. Why can't the Navy, as an example of good public relations, set up a power plant in Vieques and give free electricity to all its bona fide residents? After all, their carriers have power plants that are not connected to PREPA. Why can't the Navy provide water to Vieques? It could if it wanted to. Why can't the Navy assist Vieques residents in building hurricane-proof homes? Carriers can weather hurricanes out at sea. Why can't the Navy assist Vieques fishermen with surplus small craft, outboard motors, and freezers, for example?
All these things are possible if there were dialogue between the Navy and Vieques. But dialogue requires two who are willing to talk. Some in the Navy may feel that Vieques is not worth talking to. On the other hand, some Vieques noise is so charged against the Navy –by local anti-Navy leaders, some of whom are from the U.S. mainland– that they only want the Navy away. Gone! In a scenario like this, both sides are extremes. Both are wrong.
If the Governor's Vieques Commission really wants to make a contribution, first it must become immune, impervious and intolerant to politically correct "noise". Forget about reelection; this is not a local electoral issue. Second, it must become a forum for truly constructive dialogue between Vieques and the Navy. Third, it must become educated –and then be willing to educate– regarding the Navy's role in an imperfect war-prone world, and what the Navy's local facilities mean towards the protection of democracy. Fourth, it must remember that if we are seeking membership into an exclusive club such as statehood, our statehood leaders should not become the anti-establishment loudspeakers for anti-Navy noise. Then the Commission must specify and negotiate the Navy's legitimate contribution towards Vieques, as well as Puerto Rico's legitimate contribution to the common defense of a free world.
If the Commission just wants to be politically correct and coast along with the noise of the anti-American Americans, let it just consider how long it has taken Fidel, in a sovereign and independent Cuba, to get the Navy out of Guantánamo.
We can't eat our local anti-Navy "noise" cake and have our national statehood one too. It's either one or the other. There are no free lunches. Someone just has to get off the fence.