OP-ED: “Stirring Up Trouble in Puerto Rico,” by Jeane J. Kirkpatrick and Kenneth L. Adelman, New York Times, 26 February 2006, p. WK13.

Weird to see Kirkpatrick and Adelman making this argument. They seem unhappy with this quiet plot of the Bush White House to force Puerto Rico to either chose independence or statehood, ending the cushing “commonwealth” deal we gave them a half century ago.

Here’s the trick the Bushies are pushing: a special vote to force Puerto Rico to decide on a “permanent solution” to their status. In this vote, locals will be forced to yes or no, thus encouraging the statehood types and the independence types to vote similarly in the hopes of forcing a second vote that would allow only two choices: independence or statehood.

Apparently Adelman and Kirkpatrick don’t like forcing this issue, because it mimics the long-term complaints of Fidel Castro about P.R’s unresolved status.

Like anybody should give a rat’s ass about anything that tired dictator has to say other than to clutch his chest and yell out, “OMYGOD! This is it!”

Here’s the weirdest part from Adelman and Kirkpatrick: their defense of the status quo in which Puerto Ricans have no vote in Congress or for the presidency yet enjoy no income tax. “Given that deal,” they write, “many of us stateside might seek commonwealth status.”

Criminy! So no-taxation-plus-no-representation is being held up by two conservatives as a better model for America?

I say, either join the club or make your own. Free country, free world.

P.R. should have been the 51st state a long time ago.

Want to scare the crap outta Castro anybody?