51 stars?

[Grim Reaper]

53% of Puerto Ricans have voted for a change in their political status. Of those people, 65% chose statehood as an option.

Puerto Rico could become our 51st state after approval by Congress.

[Big RR]

Interesting; as I recall, these plebescites are nonbinding so who knows what the effect will be. Further, if PR were to formally apply for stehood, I don't think it would automatically get it. But it's a change in the opimnion of the residents.

I've been there a number of times and personally would love to see my state secede from the union and become a commonwealth along the lines of PR. Sure you can't vote in national e;lections, but you get most of the rights of US citizens and don't have to pay federal income tax. And for the most part you have considerable latitutde to govern your own territory. I guess it's a bit like a 38 year old man luiving in his parents' basement, but I don't think the trade off is all that bad.

[Grim Reaper]

Yeah, they're not exactly going to start adding a new star overnight, but it is the first time such a referendum has resulted in favoring statehood.

[Big RR]

It is a bit surprising; iin 1998, after the island (and a lot of the Carribean) was decimated by hurricane hugo and the people relied upon (and were grateful for) US aid federal aid pouring in (making their recovery much shorter than some of their neighbors), a change in status was still rejected. Based on that, I never thought I'd see such a change anytime soon.

[liberty]

I never thought it would ever happen either, but I would prefer Honduras over Puerto Rico. If Puerto Rico joins us what do we get? An island in the Caribbean, we already have islands in the Caribbean; we don’t need another. But if Honduras joins our federation we would be too able to block the isthmus from future threats from the south and possibly our own canal. Sorry I am a military man; I think like a military man.

[Lord Jim]

personally would love to see my state secede from the union and become a commonwealth

Yeah but Big RR, if you did that, aren't you worried that you could become an Iranian Protectorate?


Well, to prevent that, I suppose Christie could always declare Martial Law and proclaim himself New Jersey's President-For-Life....

[liberty]

personally would love to see my state secede from the union and become a commonwealth

Yeah but Big RR, if you did that, aren't you worried that you could become an Iranian Protectorate?


Well, to prevent that, I suppose Christie could always declare Martial Law and proclaim himself New Jersey's President-For-Life....

Just thinking Jim, do you think that life under Iranian rule would be that bad? I suspect that most women and homosexuals may not care for it, but would it be that bad for most men.

[dales]

Good Lord.

[liberty]

Good Lord.

What got something against thinking?

[oldr_n_wsr]

Can Iranian men have more than one wife?

Scratch that thought, I can't handle one wife.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Every once in a while it's brought up that Long Island should break away and form it's own state. Don't know if Brooklyn and Queens would be part of that state.

[liberty]

Can Iranian men have more than one wife?

Scratch that thought, I can't handle one wife.

Trick is two secret words, yes mam. And run if you have too we men can usually out run them.

[Sue U]

Every once in a while it's brought up that Long Island should break away and form it's own state. Don't know if Brooklyn and Queens would be part of that state.

Brooklyn is still sorry it ever let itself become part of NYC. (By itself it would be the third or fourth largest city in the country.)

[rubato]

In my personal political fantasy land I would have asked the residents of Puerto Rico to vote up or down on becoming a state and paying taxes &c like real people or being cut off from the federal teat.

But I would have always expected, and wanted, them to say 'no' so we could cut them loose.

This will take some getting used to. Shit!




yrs,
rubato

[Lord Jim]

Just thinking Jim, do you think that life under Iranian rule would be that bad?

Well, I could certainly get used to the no necktie thing, but no booze and no porno?

No, you can have it....

[rubato]

I never thought it would ever happen either, but I would prefer Honduras over Puerto Rico. ... "

Because you like brutal dictatorships who rule by violence and fear?

You're stupid?

What?


yrs,
rubato

[dales]

Good Lord.

What got something against thinking?

Is that what you call it?

[liberty]

Good Lord.

What got something against thinking?

Is that what you call it?

Yea, what is your definition of thinking?

[liberty]

I never thought it would ever happen either, but I would prefer Honduras over Puerto Rico. ... "

Because you like brutal dictatorships who rule by violence and fear?

You're stupid?

What?


yrs,
rubato

So you think I like brutal dictators in spite of the fact I devoted my life to the struggle against such people. At a time when the Communist looked assured to win, I join the Air Force and became participant in the cold war and when I retired I was awarded the MSM.

[dales]

Yea, what is your definition of thinking?

Certainly different from yours, yea.