posted 09-08-2004 07:23 AM         

One of the many headaches that the U. S. has had was the Puerto Rican
Island of Vieques. In the waning years of the Clinton Administration,
protesters demanded that the US Navy abandon bombing and naval gun fire
exercises that had taken place on the largely uninhabited island for nearly
seventy years.

In 2002, the bombing exercises were transferred to an Air Force bombing
range in central Florida, not far from the Jacksonville and Pensacola Naval
Air Stations.

In January, many of the protesters were back in Puerto Rico, celebrating
the final bombing exercise on Vieques and waved Puerto Rican flags and
placards that read "U.S. Navy, get out of Puerto Rico."

The following Feb, Rumsfeld announced that the U.S. Navy will close the
Roosevelt Roads Naval Air Station in Puerto Rico in 2004, eliminating1200
civilian jobs as well as 700 military positions. This naval facility is estimated
to have put nearly $300 million annually into the local economy.

The next day a stunned Governor Sila Calderon, held a news conference in
San Juan, protesting the base closure as a serious blow to the
Commonwealth's fragile economy. The governor stated that "The people of
Puerto Rico don't now or never did have an interest in closing the Vieques
bombing range or the Roosevelt Roads naval base. We are interested in both
staying in Puerto Rico."

When asked, the Commander-in Chief, Western Atlantic Command, said,
"Without Vieques, I see no further need for the facility at Roosevelt Roads.

None." So, Yanqui go home? Fine. But we'll take our dollars with us.

Hasta la vista, baby!

On February 21, the Secretary of Defense also announced that starting this
year, the U.S. European Command would begin moving most if not all of
its active combat and support units from bases in Germany to others being
established in Poland, The Czech Republic, Hungary and Turkey to
"better position them for rapid deployment to likely hot spots in those
parts of the world".

Immediately the business and government leaders in the German states of
Hesse, Rhineland and Wurttemburg, protested the loss of nearly $6 billion in
revenue each year from the bases and manpower to be displaced.

A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry speculated that the move may be "what
the Americans call 'payback' for the actions of this government in opposing
Military action in Iraq."

Does anyone know the German translation for "Hasta la vista,baby?"

Zum Blick, Baby!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

posted 09-08-2004 09:01 AM         

------------------

Current mods: Mopar dual exhaust & front mudflaps; MacMotorsports Air Intake;
Real Rod Air Patrol; Graphics by Balistek Designs; ($8) Chrome grille; Chrome
tire valve-stem covers; Painted rear bumper lettering; Prowler Pro Gears; Synthetic
Oil; Raybestos Ceramic Brake Pads; TGF Door Panel Inserts & Headrest Covers;
SheepskinExpress Sheepskin Seatcovers; Grille Light; Pinstriping by Bo Boring;
Painted Valve Cover; Window Tinting; Windshield Visor Banner; Front Bumper
Removal / Relocation of Front Turn Signal Lights; Real Rod Transmission Cooler
Cover, Sill and Carpet Covers, Aero Front Covers and Roadster Rear Pan, rear
bumpers removed; rear mudflaps; painted calipers; Prowler Products by Gary
Drilled Rotors, front and rear; Painted tach; Jay's Aluminum Billet Center Caps
w/shimmers, Chrome Lugnuts and Chrome Radio Bezel Shimmer; Dash Rings;
Windshield Wiper Arm Removal; Fender Trim; Speaker Replacement; Painted
Plenum; Painted Radiator Crossmember; Painted Rear Mudflaps; Air Patrol
graphics; Aluminum engine compartment support bars; PlasmaGlow 7-color LED
Underbody Kit; Dash Designs Dash Mat; and Airbrushed Rear Trim Panel.

More 'Pumpkin' photos . . . . . More cars and other stuff

New pictures in Personal Scrapbook (02/23/03)

"I may have to grow older, but I do not have to grow up!"

posted 09-08-2004 11:29 PM         

France's 2003 GDP: 0.1%
Germany's 2003 GDP: -0.1%
Puerto Rico's 2003 GDP: 1.6%
Belgium's 2003 GDP: 0.8%

United States' 2003 GDP: 3.1%

United Kingdom's 2003 GDP: 2.1%
Poland's 2003 GDP: 3.6%
Australia's 2003 GDP: 2.8%
Spain's 2003 GDP: 2.4%
Bulgaria's 2003 GDP: 4.4%