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!

Seeking Full Citizenship for Virgin Islanders

Today, I am off to the Republican National Convention. We have been working tirelessly to make arrangements to meet with our fellow Colonial Subjects from Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Marian Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Our hope is that we can gain support of leading Republicans to support and promote the full citizenship of Virgin Islanders.

Please keep up with this blog over the next few days, as we will update you on our progress. Also, please participate in our Facebook Blog Network (link to the right). We are soliciting your suggestions for how best to approach these politicians and elected officials.

Now is the time to promote our agenda! Who cares whether the assistance comes from Republicans or Democrats? All we need is progress for the VI! I'm counting on your assistance.

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

VI Athletes Not Capitalizing

I saw an article today that probed my thinking. They were speaking of UVI's new sports recruits. I couldn't help but think of the recent Olympics. Through the whole time, I had the pleasure of seeing only one of our athletes: Tabarie Henry, in track and field.

Now, I don't want to take anything away from his performance. He didn't win, he didn't place. But, he did make it to the Olympics - and that's more than I can say for myself.

Here's my problem. As I watched the Olympics - especially Track and Field, I noticed how competitive the Caribbean Nations were. Who can deny the domination of Jamaica? Trinidad made a good showing. So did the Bahamas. Even St. Kitts & Nevis made a good showing.

It makes sense. In the Caribbean, we benefit from weather conducive for year-round training. However, for some reason we don't seize the opportunity. The rest of the Caribbean is producing great track athletes...providing them with a means to college scholarship. Latin America is producing great baseball players...providing them with opportunities unthinkable in their homeland.

Where are we? What are we doing?

When I was in school, we didn't even have tackle football. Professional scouts rarely - if ever - came to watch our baseball prospects. The track program died.

Like it or not, athletics provides people an opportunity to climb economic ranks. If we empower our promising athletes, we can give them a better future. And, if we educate those athletes properly they could use some of their millions to empower our homeland. Just a quick thought...

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

Quick Tidbit of VI Pride!

Did you see the VI Plate on the screen at MSNBC during Biden's speech? If they post a picture, I'll try to put it up here. If you find the picture, let me know so it can be uploaded!

For the Perfectionist in You...

Maybe the new graduates can apply for a proofreading job?

Do you see the error in this picture? Do you sense the irony? Could this be why we're in such want?

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