Give Us Our Space - Respect Our Place

Tonight from the RNC, I experienced a metaphor of the quintessential Virgin Islands experience. And, all I can say to the powers that be is:

As we stood in the designated spot for the US Virgin Islands on the Convention Floor, our aream became inundated by the press. Our location was directly in front of the "VIP Section," and the press was hoping to garner great shots of Sarah Palin's family.

So much press crowded around the small area for the Virgin Islands, that we were being pushed out of our space. In addition, the area was so crowded that no one could move in either direction. Security came by to clear the confusion. However instead of moving the press, they decided we needed to make room.

We ended up sharing space designated for the Virgin Islands. Soon, our space was overrun...the press had taken control. There was nothing our small delegation could do about it. There was nothing that anyone else would do to assist our predicament.

Here's the metaphor:

We are a small colony - I mean territory - of the United States. And, just as we were disrespected on the Floor of the RNC, we are disrespected in this Country. Yet - even more strangely - we continue to wait for those who disrespect us to act in our favor!

Well, let me tell you: we will not have the pleasure of their respect until we take it.

It behooves us as Virgin Islanders to "join or die."

We must join together and stand up for our beloved homeland. Because of our apathy, our land is ripe with corruption. Due to that corruption, we are subject to greater and greater encroachments upon our liberty. Because of these offenses, we are forced to seek an existence in a community other than our own.

ENOUGH!

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Virgin Islanders for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

Campaign for Liberty and the VI Constitution

Today, I was at the "Rally for the Republic" hosted by Campaign for Liberty.

One of the key ideas hammered upon was that the Constitution was written in order to restrain the Government from infringing upon the rights of the people. Further, it is the restraint of Government that ensures the liberty of the people. And, it's liberty (freedom) that promotes prosperity. Without respect for the Constitution, the rights of the people are ignored and the people become subject to government tyranny and corruption. And, until the people stand up for the Constitution, they will not be able to end the corruption and reclaim the land for the people.

Hmmmm......

I cannot help but think: In the Virgin Islands, we don't even have a constitution! By that standard, we Virgin Islanders have no liberty. We are subject to government tyranny and corruption with no recourse to end the plunder. The Government runs rampant, stealing money here and cutting deals there, while "We the People" - we the Virgin Islanders - are left defenseless.

Maybe that's why we don't have a Constitution? Too many people would be held accountable. Maybe that's why "they" don't want a VI Constitution? It will end their plunder. Maybe that's why we hear nothing about/from/pertaining to the current (delayed/beleaguered) Constitutional Convention? They don't want to become accountable to you.

If we had a constitution, we'd have a framework by which to retake our beloved islands. At this point, a constitution might not even need to be drafted by the "Powers that Be." They are the problem. And, the reason a constitution is not forthcoming as that there are powers trying to find ways to craft a document that will enable them to continue raping our home and our people.

Key dates are upon us people...check this out.

Keep watch, and remain vigilant.

Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

The Virgin Islands in the RNC 2008 Platform

The platform section is called, "Working with Americans in the Territories." I present it to you on this blog for your analysis and feedback. Your questions and comments may help me address my comments and questions appropriately, while here at the Convention.

Working with Americans in the Territories

We appreciate the extraordinary sacrifices the men and women of the territories are making to protect our freedom through their service in the U.S. Armed Forces. We welcome greater participation in all aspects of the political process by Americans residing in Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, the Northern Marians, and Puerto Rico. We affirm their right to seek the full extension of the Constitution, with all the political rights and responsibilities it entails.

We recognize the valuable contributions made by the people of the United States Virgin Islands to the common welfare of the nation, including national defense, and their contributions to the federal treasury in the form of federal excise taxes paid on products produced in the territory.

We support the Native American Samoans' efforts to protect their right to self-government and to preserve their culture and land-tenure system, which fosters self-reliance and strong extended-family values. We support increased local self-government for the United States citizens of the Virgin Islands, and closer cooperation between the local and federal governments to promote private sector-led development and self-sufficiency. We recognize that Guam is a strategically vital U.S. territory, an American fortress in the western Pacific. We affirm our support for the patriotic U.S. citizens of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to achieve greater self-government, an improved federal territorial relationship, new economic development strategies, a strong health care system that meets their needs, and continued political self-determination. We support a review to determine the appropriate eligibility of territories as well as states for Supplemental Security Income and other federal programs.

We support the right of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico to be admitted to the Union as a fully sovereign state after they freely so determine. We recognize that Congress has the final authority to define the constitutionally valid options for Puerto Rico to achieve a permanent non-territorial status with government by consent and full enfranchisement. As long as Puerto Rico is not a state, however, the will of its people regarding their political status should be ascertained by means of a general right of referendum or specific referenda sponsored by the U.S. government.

What does this all mean? Of course, I placed emphasis on those areas noted in bold-type.

1. We affirm their right to seek the full extension of the Constitution, with all the political rights and responsibilities it entails.
   
   To me this means that they support our right to fight for full Constitutional Rights. Yet, there is no definition to what that support will entail. To me, this is not necessarily bad. While they did not clearly state how they will support and what efforts they will support, they also did not clearly state how they will not support and what efforts they will not support.
   
   
2. We support increased local self-government for the United States citizens of the Virgin Islands.
   
   Here, I'm a bit perplexed. I guess increased local self-government could be a constitutional document. Yet again, there are no details to what will be supported and/or what will be opposed.
   
   
3. The last two highlighted points address Guam, the Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico. However, the applications speak volume to the distance we have yet to travel. Their respective situations are addressed with a bit more specifics.

In sum, I feel that these points provide us with an entry-point by which to hold Republicans accountable. What further questions does this plank in the platform spark within you? Does anyone have a copy of the DNC Platform and its plank towards the Virgin Islands/the territories? If so, can you upload it here - or give me the link?

I know most in the VI are Democrats, but do you think it's useful for us as Virgin Islanders to begin working both Parties to see who will be the first to meet our specific - VI - needs?

Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!

Fighting for the VI

At the RNC Convention today in Minnesota, I was interviewed by KCRW 89.9fm (Santa Monica, CA) Producer, Christian Bordal. Tell me what you think!





Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!