Author Topic: Left out to dry, Mayor of Puerto Rico threatens to punch the bully in the mouth!  (Read 4934 times)

Ringo Starr

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This is a reminder to Tibetans of how, when America has used, chewed, and swallowed you, the last thing will be spitting you out.

Exclusive: Puerto Rico governor warns White House: 'If the bully gets close, I'll punch the bully in the mouth'

CNN Digital Expansion 2017 Jim AcostaKevin Liptak-Profile-Image
By Jim Acosta and Kevin Liptak, CNN

Updated 1519 GMT (2319 HKT) March 28, 2019

(CNN)Tensions are escalating between President Donald Trump and Puerto Rico's governor over disaster relief efforts that have been slow in coming for the still-battered island after Hurricane Maria.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said he would not sit back and allow his officials to be bullied by the White House.

"If the bully gets close, I'll punch the bully in the mouth," Rosselló said. "It would be a mistake to confuse courtesy with courage."

Rosselló's top aides told CNN that during a tense encounter at the White House on Wednesday they were warned by senior White House officials that representatives for the US territory were pushing too hard to arrange a meeting aimed at discussing the island's dire situation with the President.

Despite their requests, Trump has declined to schedule a meeting with Rosselló to discuss recovery efforts that are ongoing nearly two years after the storm hit.

According to Puerto Rican officials, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, along with other senior officials, all but threatened the island's representatives during the meeting.

"You guys have to f***ing stop with the meeting request," one official said, according to the Puerto Rican officials.

"Your governor is f***ing things up," Navarro added, according to sources at the meeting.

The White House didn't immediately comment on the encounter.

The battle this week between the White House and Rosselló's office erupted after it was reported Trump told Republican senators on Capitol Hill that he questioned the wisdom of directing more storm relief aid to Puerto Rico, despite the fact that billions of dollars in funds have already by authorized by Congress.

In the closed door meeting with Senate Republicans, Trump went out of his way to point out the totals of disaster relief aid that has been distributed in the wake of a series of storms and hurricanes in 2017. It is a pet issue Trump has had for months -- mentioning Puerto Rico's finances and total disaster relief in negative terms repeatedly in meetings with lawmakers and staff as they've worked through iterations of the next disaster relief bill.

"The point was - are we spending the money wisely?" Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican said. "I have nothing against helping the people of Puerto Rico, but we have got to spend the money wisely."

Trump, senators said, then utilized a chart to showed the difference between what Puerto Rico has received compared to other hurricane-affect regions such as Texas and Florida. At one point, Trump noted that Puerto Rico has received more than $90 billion in aid.

"The Trump administration is committed to the complete recovery of Puerto Rico. The island has received unprecedented support and is on pace to receive tens of billions of dollars from taxpayers," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

"However, the Trump administration will not put taxpayers on the hook to correct a decades old spending crisis that has left the island with deep-rooted economic problems," Deere added.

Rosselló said the President is working off of bad information provided by White House officials.
"It's unfortunate that we are having to hear this. These statements lack empathy, but more so they lack the true facts of the matter," Rosselló said in response to Trump's comments. "They're not aligned with the truth and reality, No. 1. And No. 2, I just think we have to end this battle of words and just recognize we're not his political adversaries, we're his citizens," the governor added.

Rosselló is in Washington to meet with lawmakers as part of a new push for statehood for Puerto Rico, a move the governor sees as necessary in order for the island to have the leverage it needs to expedite recovery money for the territory.

Trump has complained that Puerto Rico is wasting the money it has already received, an assertion that Rosselló insists is flat wrong.

"He treats us as second class citizens, that's for sure," he said. "And my consideration is I just want the opportunity to explain to him why the data and information he's getting is wrong. I don't think getting into a kicking and screaming match with the President does any good. I don't think anyone can beat the President in a kicking and screaming match. What I am aiming to do is make sure reason prevails, that empathy prevails, that equality prevails, and that we can have a discussion."

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/28/politics/ricardo-rossell-donald-trump-puerto-rico-funding/index.html

Tracy

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What's new? This is how America is, they like to act like they are the big brother and the great hero to save the world. But in fact, everything they do is with an agenda. They want something for themselves.

When someone has no more value to them, they will just turn around and walk away. Look at what happened to Iraq. Didn't the Americans said they want to liberate the Iraqis because their ruler Saddam Hussein was a monster? But in the end, the Americans just leave a big mess behind to the Iraqis. Life of the Iraqis is worse than during the Saddam Hussein era.

The Tibetans are stupid to still want to rely on the US. The economy and power of the US are getting weaker. China and India are the rising stars. If they are smart, they should remain in  India or China, there are definitely more opportunities in these countries.

SabS

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Well, if the world news is anything to go by, then Puerto Rico is not the only country that faces the delightful Trump's treatment. He has already exhibited his preference for the "White Superiority" policies and I don't understand why non-white would support him? Have their lives improved or now in a worse state of affairs? Trump won't see Puerto Rican as his citizens unless to utilize them for his own agenda. Sorry, but he is genuinely not a nice person. Whatever "ist" stands out, chauvinist, racist, supremacist....Anyone wish to take it from here? America is always saying they are the big brother. Well, there are big brothers that take care of others and there are big brothers who bully just cos he can. So guess which is the America of today?

Rowntree

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Trump is just being himself. He is not doing anything different. It is the world that needs to realise who he is and suck up to him if they want any favours from the US. The centuries of white supremacy and arrogance people in the West have are the cause of their growth & failures. The growth doesn't come about smoothly and properly not because they are incapable but their practise of this extreme view.

We have witnessed by now that for things to run and progress smoothly, it is important that we strike the balance of all elements involved: the people to be in harmony, the system is followed closely, the responsibilities and etc. are carried out evenly.

In a wonderful world, things happen smoothly but in planet earth, we have humans and their greed and desire to deal with before anything can really be done genuinely for the benefits of others.

SabS

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Trump is just being himself. He is not doing anything different. It is the world that needs to realise who he is and suck up to him if they want any favours from the US. The centuries of white supremacy and arrogance people in the West have are the cause of their growth & failures.

You said it so well. Trump is being himself and guess what? It is the people who put him there. He is the reflection of all those who had contributed to his being there. Now many in America are regretful of their decisions but so much harm had already been done, for the country's slide down in the economy and people's livelihood. It shows bullies don't win and it affects the people in many different degrees. I am glad that China has a great leader in President Xi who is not only diplomatic but wise to work towards long term sustainability of his country and people. Just as in the case of Tibet where previously they lived as serfs under the previous Leaders but now live to enjoy their hard work and freedom in religious practice. If CTA continues as bullies, they will and has incurred much ire from people around and away from them. Wake up CTA!