All Puerto Rican Birth Certificates To Be Revoked

Good lord, they couldn't find a better way to deal with it? And why isn't Puerto Rico a state already?

This summer all Puerto Ricans will have the chance to be born again -- at least on paper.

The government of Puerto Rico is invalidating every birth certificate issued on the island before July 1, 2010, in an attempt to curb rampant fraud and identity theft that officials say has ruined lives, strained social service programs and compromised national security.

(snip)

It's a radical solution to what many say has been a serious and growing crisis involving Puerto Rican birth certificates, which are used to apply for everything from U.S. passports to Medicaid.

The U.S. State Department and Homeland Security Department estimate that an astonishing 40 percent of all U.S. passport fraud cases in recent years involved Puerto Rican birth certificates, though exact numbers are unknown.

Puerto Rico and other territories left out of healthcare reform

Then stop being dumbasses and just make PR a state already. Funny you don't hear about substantial issues like this on the teevee machine. Oh wait, the majority of these people are of color. Nevermind. Much more at the link.

Healthcare is becoming an increasingly contentious issue between Democratic leaders and Hispanic lawmakers who feel that many Hispanics are being left out of the reform efforts.


The latest disagreement splits powerful committee chairmen and Hispanic lawmakers over the issue of whether healthcare reforms apply to the 4 million American citizens in Puerto Rico, which is predominantly Hispanic.


A new bill unveiled by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) raises questions about whether Puerto Ricans will be able to participate in a health insurance clearinghouse intended to reduce costs for Americans living in the 50 states.

(snip)

Americans living on Puerto Rico do not pay federal income tax, so some conservative-leaning members of Congress argue that they do not deserve full healthcare benefits. But proponents of equality for Puerto Ricans, such as Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Reps. José Serrano (D-N.Y.) and Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), argue that many Puerto Ricans have fought and died for the United States in wartime and are just as American as anyone else.

"Excluding the residents of Puerto Rico from a health care bill -- or any bill -- that is intended to protect our families is an outrage and demonstrates the kind of hypocrisy that makes people resent Washington," Gutierrez told The Hill. "We owe more to our country and more to the Latino population, which is increasingly being pushed out of health care reform. When we effectively bar any population from buying private insurance from the exchange, we relegate them to emergency room care at the highest cost to taxpayers.

Rush Limbaugh dumped by Puerto Rican radio station

This just kills me. I'm looking for a statement online, so for right now this is just from someone who heard the actual dumpage.

Rush Limbaugh has been dumped by the only local English-speaking AM radio station here in Puerto Rico. This was music to my ears as I awoke and was preparing myself to go to work today. The radio interlocutor (who I believe is also the station owner) read over the air a communication from a listener that called for the removal of "the racist" Rush Limbaugh after he made statements comparing or linking in some way or other Judicial Supreme Court Nominee Puerto Rican Sonia Sotomayor to the Ku Klux Klan.

(snip)

On this occasion, after reading the communication over the airwaves, the station owner said that WOSO was responding to the views (not exact words) of its public. Interestingly he said, "WOSO isn't dumping ...Limbaugh, Limbaugh is dumping us."

Will Puerto Rican foods cloud Justice Sotomayor's decisions?

As someone who has bunches of Puerto Ricans in my family, my guess would be yes. G-d knows it influences my judgment when I eat it.

Sotomayor also claimed: “For me, a very special part of my being Latina is the mucho platos de arroz, gandoles y pernir — rice, beans and pork — that I have eaten at countless family holidays and special events.”

This has prompted some Republicans to muse privately about whether Sotomayor is suggesting that distinctive Puerto Rican cuisine such as patitas de cerdo con garbanzo — pigs’ tongue and ears — would somehow, in some small way influence her verdicts from the bench.

And don't even bother trying to say her name correctly you asswipes, we know you don't mean it. h/t everyone.

U.S. Public In Favor of D.C. Voting Rights

Give them voting rights, then make Puerto Rico a state. Do it fast.

• 58: Percentage of Americans who favor of giving D.C. a voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• 35: Percentage of Americans who oppose D.C. voting rights
• 40: Percentage of voters who would rather D.C. residential areas be given to Maryland
• 60: Percentage of voters who oppose D.C. becoming a state
• 38: Percentage of voters who think Congress should end its oversight of the D.C. government

Barack Obama Picks Up Last 5 Delegates From Puerto Rico, 2 New Supers (so far)

Just head it breaking on MSNBC. Not sure if they are add-ons or what. More when I get it.

SUPERS- Virginia DNC member Jerome Wiley Segovia and Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party. With the new 5 from Puerto Rico, that brings the amount he needs today to 39.

Hillary's Puerto Rico speech: Liveblogging

By GottaLaff



Here is her latest "popular vote" ad.

Her popular vote turnout didn't increase much, what with Puerto Rico's low turnout and all. She got about a 20% turnout, and they usually get 80%, per CNN's Jessica Yellin. But remember, she's more electable. Barack has beaten the ultimate insider. Let's see what her mindset is.

I give you Hillary Clinton (but will you take her?):

Oh no, she's doing "the Hillary clap" to the festive music . I hate "the Hillary clap".

I have four words for you, "Que quiero Puerto Rico". Never has P.R. had such an important voice. I am so grateful. I hope we've helped to draw attention to your concerns and spotlight the beauty and the spirit of this wonderful place. I came to listen to your voices. I hear you. I see you. I will always stand up for you.

I also want to recognize Obama and his supporters. Our campaigns have turned out rampant numbers of new supporters. There is so much at stake and we must elect a Democratic president. I am overwhelmed by this vote today, but I can't complete this journey without your help. We have 2 more elections to go. Visit Hillary Clinton dot com. Every contribution will help us make our case. You voted for the person who you thought will be the strongest nominee, the strongest president, and you are not alone. (crowd cheers "yes we can"..huh?)

She then gave the number of votes she's received. (missed the number) Lists the people who she cares about (college students, nurses, etc.) who yearn for a president who will restore leadership in the world, and restore the economy. The people are resilient and resourceful, they can keep working for a better tomorrow... the American Dream [see Obama's speech].

You need a president who is on your side, who will stand up for better health care, etc. etc. Real solutions. Today you defied the skeptics. More people have voted for us than any candidate in the history of presidential primaries. We are winning the popular vote. Now there can be no doubt. The people have spoken and you have chosen your candidate. And it's important where: Swing states. Together we've won the battleground states (lists them)... including Michigan and Florida. And I hope by my second term, you too will be able to vote for the next president.

On Tuesday, neither will have the number of delegates. I'll have the popular vote, he'll have a slight lead in delegates. It will come down to the convention.[Please note, she said one more thing before the "convention" word, and I missed it] A decision has to be made. I ask you to consider: Which one best represents the will of the people who voted? (crowd: Hillary! Hillary!) Which is best able to lead us to victory in November? And which is best able to lead our nation as our president in the face of unprecedented challenges at home and abroad? I believe I am that candidate and will be that pres. We are winning the popular vote because we believe in the core principles of our party. [Lists them.]

We are winning against John McCain. We have what it takes to get the electoral votes. The majority of voters know who is ready to serve on Day One. I am the candidate who has the strength, knowledge, experience... who knows first hand the challenges... It's not about Obama or me, it's about YOU [SOUND FAMILIAR?].

Thank yous to staff, campaign workers, etc. I want to reiterate: Together in my first term, we will resolve the status question. Puerto Rico should have the opportunity to choose. We will work to ensure that P.R. is treated equally re: Medicare, Medicaid, etc. Thanks labor unions. Thanks Hispanic community in P.R. and in U.S., her family.

We are in this for a candidate who will unite us. [!!] I am grateful for every day of this campaign. Join me as we take America back. Let's keep fighting for our dreams. For one another. For America. America is worth fighting for.

Clinton wins Puerto Rico by a "wide margin"

Wolf Blitzer on CNN just called it. I'll update.

No surprise, of course. Voters who want Puerto Rico to have closer ties to the U.S. were her supporters, 82-17%. They want it to become a state.

Also, the 78% who have a favorable opinion of Bill Clinton helped her along.

Donna Brazile says that "in order to secure the nomination, the candidate has to reach 2118, which I called cheatin... If you want to start arguing electablity...Obama will have to do some homework, reach out to Hillary supporters and Independents. He has time to do that."

Jeff Toobin: He has to bring up Iraq and the Supreme Court Justices, not atmospherics. Appeal to people's intelligence.

Suzanne Malveaux: There was a lot of compromise going on with Michigan and Florida. They have the numbers to push 50-50, so they reached out to the Clinton team, to work with them. They do have to reach out to women voters, though.

Jeff: The 19-8 vote on Michigan meant Hillary supporters were reaching out.

Donna: On the hijacked comment by Harold Ickes: I saw the 2 camps compromising, and we went for the compromise given by the Michigan Democratic party. We saw a lot of people at each other, but we agreed to be civil, we talked about our goals...so quite frankly, I was shocked, at his anger. I held myself back. My sisters are proud of me because I could have [gone further], I wanted to show Harold a little "salt and vinegar". This is about people making ends meet, and I'm gonna stick with the unity plan, not this intramural fight. Harold's anger was directed at the Clinton supporters in the room. I could direct [messages] to Clinton/Obama supporters, but this is about the party. I felt uncomfortable changing the metric, but we had to send a message to Michigan and Florida.

Jeff: The "going to the convention" attitude is not picking up steam.

Puerto Rico polls close in 3 hours, very low turnout

By GottaLaff

Turnout in Puerto Rico is half of what they're used to for a local election. This is not good for Hillary, per Jessica Yellin on CNN. She'll win, but the turnout is "not great". Many see this primary as a foreign election, since they can't vote in the general.

Latin artists support Obama in music video

By Paddy

Some spice for your morning.

More than 20 stars from the Latin music and film community released a Spanish-language video in support of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Thursday, days before Puerto Rico's primary.

The video, Podemos con Obama, or We Can With Obama, features such Puerto Ricans as actor John Leguizamo and hip hop artist Don Omar, and international pop stars Alejandro Sanz and Paulina Rubio. Actors George Lopez and Jessica Alba also participated.

(snip)

Produced by Andrés Levin, the video was inspired by one he made earlier this year Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, titled We Are The Ones, and unveiled just before the Democratic primaries in Texas and Ohio in March. Both Alba and Lopez also participated in that ad.

The video opens with Spanish text that says President Bush was re-elected in 2004 by roughly 3.5 million votes, and that 8 million Hispanics who were eligible to vote did not.

''Your vote makes all the difference,'' the video says before Sanz appears playing guitar.

Obama And Clinton In Puerto Rico

Obama Takes San Juan

By Paddy


Because it sounded like fun.

"Hola, Puerto Rico! How's everybody doing today?" he shouted. He recounted his meeting earlier in the day with some Puerto Rican war veterans at a local university, said that the goals of his candicacy applied equally to the island the mainland, and pledged that as president he would do everything he could to allow Puerto Ricans to decide the future status of their island, which has been mired in a commonwealth vs. statehouse vs. independence debate for years. And he encouraged all to vote on June 1. "If we do well in Puerto Rico, there is no reason I will not be announcing that I am the Democratic nominee for president of the United States of America!"

A few moments later, he was off, walking slowly up the main drag above the fort walls in a scene of barely controlled chaos: hundreds of supporters dancing behind him, others reaching to shake his hand from behind barriers along the sidewalk, island and national media shooting video from a slow-moving truck and rushing ahead of him on foot as the ample, and highly anxious, security forces shouted for all to keep moving. Over it all, a sound truck blared a jouncy song written in the candidate's honor: "Obama la esperanza y el futuro...Un amigo presidente porque respeta nuestra gente." ("Obama the hope and the future/A friend president because he respects our people.")

Chelsea Clinton not allowed to campaign in Vieques

By GottaLaff

Oh dear:

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- The U.S. Navy has denied Chelsea Clinton permission to campaign for her mother on a former bombing range on a small Puerto Rican island.

Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign wanted to use the land Wednesday as a setting to discuss the candidate's clean up plan for the region and call to give some areas to local residents.

But Navy spokeswoman Lt. Lara Bollinger said no one is allowed to campaign on federal property.

Chelsea Clinton is making her second campaign visit to Puerto Rico in the last three weeks. The U.S. territory has 55 delegates at stake in its June 1 Democratic primary.

The Navy closed the range in Vieques in April 2003 following years of protests after two errant bombs killed a security guard.

Posting on the run today. See you later!