If Puerto Rico is indeed a colony, then, isn't the USA violating their rights?
198716
Yes, it's USA common-wealth
577102
Yes\n\nThe bottom line is that all countries, in this supposed civilized world, have no right to occupy/invade another country unless there is a threat.... That threat has to be proven and UN approval must be granted. This is exactly why we, and many other countries, helped Kuwait when Iraq occupied/invaded them.\n\nOne country has no right to decide on its own to suddenly go liberate another country. That is common sense in a civilized progressive world. That (and I am not trying to compare Bush to Hitler) is exactly what Germany did in WWII when HItler kept occupying one country after another. The world recognized that as wrong.\n\nAlso as far as being charged with war crimes... yes.\n\n* Bush has violated the geneva convention \n* Bush has used redension to knowingly use torture.\n* Bush is holding prisoners without allowing the Red Cross to have access to some of them and also not releasing some of their identities.\n\nSorry if some of us Americans don't want to hear that but all of that is fact and are clearly war crimes.\n\nI also believe that assassinating ppl in Iraq and killing 100,000s shoud be considered a war crime in this circumstance because Bush had no right to invade that country. He invaded on false-pretense. BUT that part is just my personal belief and I am not sure where that falls under any war crimes act.\n\nAlso Answerman, don't fall into the 'congress voted for it' trap. They want you to believe that all who voted to GIVE BUSH AUTHORITY IF NECESSARY was saying it was ok to go to war. I've seen many interviews with politicians who stated they never would have believed in 100 years that Bush was going to go into Iraq without UN approval. They got tricked into falling for his scam.\n\nPpl should learn their history: Vietnam, Korea, Bosnia were not occupations. They were either forms of containtment (that is the political term for the freeze on the spreading of communism) or humanitarian acts.
662372
Puerto Rico is a country, but it is not a fully sovereign one.\n\nFirst, you have to understand political science terms. A country is a nation. A "state" in US politics is a region or province of that country. But also a state is a self governing entity in international politics. It has a dual meaning. When we talk about the "states" of the US or Mexico or Venezuela we are really talking about a province or region that is part of that country. When we talk about the 'state of Israel'  we are talking about the self governing- sovereign government of that country. We need to understand this duality of meanings. \n\nThere are countries that are not fully sovereign :Palestine, Puerto Rico, Tibet.\n Some countries are divided into 2 states ( 2 governments) like Ireland, (due to colonialism or military invasions): Republic of Ireland and the province of northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom).\n\nPuerto Rico has all the attributes of a country,it is one no doubt. it has a language,history and culture of it's very own that makes puerto ricans unique. Puerto Rico has an olympic team and competes in all international events as a nation. Puerto Rico has won many international events including 4 times the crown of Miss Universe. A puerto rican movie was nominated for an Oscar as  Best Foreign Film in 1989 for "Lo que le paso a Santiago".\n\nPuerto Rico's current political status is that of a self governing commonwealth associated with the US (this status does not make it part of the US).This current status is not permanent and it's self determination is recognized by the United Nations.
215332
Well, if you read the text of most (most) of the protections guaranteed by the US Constitution, it says "no person"  rather than "no citizen".... which kind of begs the question how some conservative strict constructionalists can argue that "person" really only means "citizen"...\n\nBut I've heard a lot of people say that they don't think non-US citizens should have rights. What's even more frightening is that a lot of people I've talked to think that even US citizens shouldn't have any constitutional protections if they are SUSPECTED of being involved in terrorist activities. The whole "innocent until proven guilty" concept is totally out of the window. At least, according to the Bush administration's current policies (see US v. Padilla).\n\nI'm just stocking up on popcorn (and canned goods) and waiting for the fireworks to start.
274303
Yep. They are technically American citizens.. though most people like to be called Puerto Rican over American beacuse of the pride in there culture.
507662
... since when does the U.S. care about other nation's human rights...\n\nunless they are looking for an excuse to attack someone...
158233
Haiti's not a part of the U.S. We're not repsonsible for how things are run there or what's going on there. Of course we can provide aid and assistance, which I'm sure we are in some way, but there's only so much that the U.S. can do. We TOO have problems of our own to take care of including poverty and instability.\n\n\nHowever, there are ties to the U.S.\n\nHaiti has always been one of the poorest countries in the Americas. Much of this is due to post-independence schemes of the former colonial power- France. In 1838, the French agreed to recognize Haitian independence under the condition that Haiti pay 150 million francs (worth several billion dollars today) as an indemnity for the loss suffered by French slave owners in the loss of their slaves and plantations. Unable to make payments, Haiti, in an attempt to win international acceptance, was forced to seek loans totaling some seventy million francs. Not until 1862 did the United States finally recognize Haiti as a sovereign nation, and send diplomatic representation. Through the 19th century it was ruled by a series of dictators of varying degrees of incompetence. The outside world took little notice until 1915, when the country's unpayable debt led to American occupation.
610227
The ignorance in the US about Puerto Rico is remarkable.\n\n1.Puerto Rico along with Cuba remained the last autonomous regions of Spain until 1898\n2. Puerto Rico was invaded by the US in July 1898, US naval ship bombed San Juan and many civilians died.\n3.US imposed a military colony regime that lasted almost 50 years, also imposed a statutory citizenship.\n4. The nationalist revolts of the 30's and 40's convinced the US that Puerto Rico was never going to be assimilated like Hawaii did, that annexation was impossible due to the strong national identity of Puerto Ricans and the fact that Puerto Ricans were fighting the colonial regime since the invasion.\n\n5. In July 25 1952 Puerto Rico finally achieves a self governing status. A constitution is voted and established. The official name of the government will be : Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico ( translation: Puerto Rican Free Associated State) (This state was inspired by the Irish Free State before Ireland became a full sovereign state in 1948)\n6. Puerto Rico's self government was recognized by the United Nations in 1953. \n\n\nPuerto Rico is a nation , it is a latin american country, no doubt about it. it has a common language and history with Cuba and the rest of Latin America and a culture of it's very own that makes puerto ricans unique. Puerto Rico has an olympic team and competes in all international events as a nation. Puerto Rico has won many international events including 4 times the crown of Miss Universe. A puerto rican movie was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Film in 1989 for "Lo que le paso a Santiago".\n\nPuerto Rico's current political status is that of a self governing commonwealth associated with the US (this status does not make it part of the US).This current status is not permanent and it's self determination is recognized by the United Nations. This status has helped puerto ricans enjoy some benefits while the US has had 2 military bases, and protection of US commercial interests which makes Puerto Rico an important export market for US products.
201686
Unfortunately, because of the way the Electoral College works, Puerto Ricans, who are US citizens, do not have the right to participate in the election of the President of the United States if they reside in Puerto Rico.  The Constitution specifies that only states (and DC) can participate in the presidential election by choosing "electors" who are part of the Electoral College.\n\nA number of people from Puerto Rico have tried to sue the US Government to force it to recognize the right of the American citizens to participate in the presidential election.  These efforts have ultimately been unsuccessful.\n\nHowever, in 2000 there was a glimmer of hope for the American citizens who reside in Puerto Rico.  The US District Court for the District of Puerto Rico issued judgement on August stating that Puerto Rico had the right to participate in the Electoral College, as long as the state legislature approved a method.  The state legislature approved a law for the election of presidential electors from Puerto Rico, to be held together with the general election on November 7, 2000.\nThe ballots were printed (with Bush & Gore's names and pictures), and mailed out to absentee voters.  Unfortunately, just before the election, the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit reversed the judgement of the District Court, and the state Supreme Court invalidated the local law.  Therefore, the American residents of Puerto Rico could not participate in the 2000 presidential election.\n\nA few (around 100 absentee voters) people actually cast their presidential ballots, but we will never know how they voted.
393550
No, already projected during puerto rico's influx. The US Society would be overwhelmed .
260222
What I know is that the USA are thought to be the center of the world.It seems to me that only Americans have the right to live.
615839
Puerto Rico has been debating state hood for a long time now.\nI don't know if I am for or against it. Right now they have the advantages of our government programs, but I don't believe they\nhave to contribute with taxes. It doesn't seem right. Either become a state or let them be on their own
82100
That's a good question.  I don't think Puerto Rico should become a state; most Puerto Ricans agree with me.  The average per capita yearly income in Puerto Rico is about half that of the US national average.  I'm not an expert, but I do know that different tax, wage, environmental, and various federal laws apply to Puerto Rico that are not uniform with those in the 50 states; integrating the island into the US law system would be difficult.\nA higher percentage of Puerto Ricans have served in the US military than almost any other minority ethnic group.  Puerto Ricans have fought valiantly in all of America's wars since PR became part of the US.  Their loyalty is unquestionable.\nI'd like to see a study that shows how much Puerto Rico's economy benefits the rest of the US, versus how much money we lose each year because Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income tax.  I'd bet we don't lose much, if any.\nPuerto Ricans have been given the chance to change their island's legal status, but they have freely voted time and again to maintain the status quo.  I'm fine with that.
131907
Maybe some of the previous answerers are too young, but they're wrong in so many ways.\nAt the time of that quote, for example, many Latin American countries were indeed ruled by dictators backed by the U.S. You may say that it was because of the Cold War and the need to keep communists out of power, but there is no denying who put them there, or kept them there. The U.S. backed, or installed, dictators in, among other places, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Cuba and Chile. (And that's a partial list in Latin America.)\n\nWhy? Well, to use the words to FDR when installing the Somoza clan in power "Somoza may be a son of a b**ch, but he's our son of a b**ch."\n\nDon't kid yourselves. many of us went to war defending various brutal dictatorships who were "anti-communist." It's all in the public record. So you may say we were "right" in doing it, but you can't deny we did it. MLK knew his history.
134569
They arent recognized by the US Government, but they are as real a Soverign Nation as it gets.  Just like the rest.  Just 'cause the US Government says it's so does not make it correct!
353328
That is a question for the people of Puerto Rico to decide for themselves.  That question has been put to them at least three times in the past and each time, the people have voted to remain a territory.  I don't see that anything has changed sufficiently to make any difference today if the question were presented again.
336083
You are right that PR is part of the USA and I for one think it is time that you be considered a state! And no you are not the same as the illegals. They just want to find anyone they can to side with them. I don't think that they realize that by doing what they have, with the protests and all, that they have alienated those who would have supported them. \n\nPoint being is this,I can't go to any other country and protest or take an active part in voting or politics or even ask for assistants living because I am not a citizen of that country. So why should the illegals here be different. \n\nI am sorry you have had to deal with this personally. It is not right and I am saying so. You are an American and as such should be treated like it.