Discoveries 2012

Today is a holiday around here, called Discovery of Puerto Rico Day, as much a misnomer as Columbus Day, but a good excuse for another day off. The article linked above is pretty good in its inclusion of the real beginnings and peopled history of Puerto Rico, nicely relegating Columbus as a now famous guy who also happened to come by the place, renaming it (as long ago white Europeans tended to do) after John the Baptist. Which seems weird. You can read all about it if you like.



Saturday was Victor Gonzalez' Discover Culebra Day. It was the day he found out that beyond protests with marchers holding signs, beyond the vilification of him publicly since very shortly after he arrived, he found out we also can get lawyers, official entities, and the general citizenry to take him to legal task.

The hastily called public forum, in light of the change of governments and the lack of support whipped out from under him to continue to plunder our island like a ravaging one man army of destruction, outing his false information by Fish and Wildlife, the DNR, the FAA and other initialled groups I don't know because they are in Spanish, made abundantly clear that the raping of Flamenco beach is illegal and must cease. His plans for windmills (that he submitted as being 150 feet high rather than the 300+ feet, his lack of permits, his general lying, selfish, ecologically unsound plans were brought into the light of day. Ironically, he brought most of them. We shone the light. It was beautiful.

My favorite part of all was after he, the only proponent, and we, the room full of supporters, among us the well prepared speakers including lawyers hired by private landowners and public groups, the never ceasing activists who put their time and money and talents on the line over and over and over against those who would exploit this unique place, and our newly elected mayor speaking; at the end of all of that Victor asked for the opportunity to say 'only 4 lines'. The judge gave a resounding 'No.'

Yin and Yang

Oh, it's not over. This was a public hearing, as required but previously not done - a Victor trademark - but this was a huge, huge step in the right direction. As decisive a blow to the pillaging of Culebra as was the election earlier in the month. An election that is already changing the course of conversation and action. A new wind is blowing through Culebra and indeed, Puerto Rico. Discovery indeed.

Ivan (our soon to be officially in office mayor) speaking out for our island

Have a mighty Monday! Do something mouth-wateringly momentous.