House approves bill to let Puerto Ricans vote to become 51st state

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by Boodleboy322

Very interesting - I would speculate that this won't get passed the Senate. I had the pleasure in visiting the "El Conquistador" Resort about a year ago in Fajardo and had a really good time. Everything was a little bit on the pricey side but worth it. They have a really good light beer there that you can't get in the US. If this thing does pass the Senate I wonder if any of these types of goods will be better facilitated to get over to the US. Anyway, the beer is called "Medalla Light". It is sort of like a Corona or Land Shark beer but better. It definitely tastes great in that Tropical heat by the Caribbean. If you're ever down there and want more Medalla for your buck I would highly suggest taking a rental car and head out to "El Yunque" for a day. El Yunque is a natural Tropical Rain forest out there. You'll have a blast and if you take your spouse or significant other there is a natural waterfall at the foot of the mountain that you can hike to and get that "Token" snapshot. Anyway, on the way you'll come across a little Puerto Rican convenient store near a little neighborhood. There's no AC in there but they do keep their beers refrigerated. You'll be able to get a 12 pack for the price of 1 back at your resort or hotel. Of course there is a plethora of Rums in PR. That should be obvious for any fan of the Captain or Bacardi. We'll see what happens here. I imagine that accepting Spanish as a second official language would stir up some folks opinions and legacies. As long as they are getting Federally taxed like the rest of us I have no problem with it.

Cheers,

Boodleboy322

The thing with that is the United States as a whole does not have an official language.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by epchick

More of the white anglo part than the outsider.

Usually when someone says 'gringo' they mean it in a more derogatory way. And we use it for people who *usually* are non-Spanish speaking white people.

A more affectionate term that could be used is 'guero' which doesn't always necessarily mean "blonde."

Thanks! I've been called "gringo" but not 'guero'.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Last time, they had a school kid design the flag. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...ryId=106228362

Woooooow. That was neat.

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

It just seems kind of shitty to me that we just fought a losing battle for trying to get DC statehood, and now about a week later, the House is like, Hey, Puerto Rico! Wanna join us?

This made me laugh a little, but I totally understand. I don't think this will get past the Senate either, but it'd be interesting if it did. I still feel like Alaska and Hawaii aren't widely accepted as states in most people's minds. Like people from Colorado are more likely to be called "Americans" than people from Hawaii. They're usually called "Hawaiians." If PR is added to the mix, I think it'll be the same.

I didn't realize the term "Hispanic" offends some people until I saw a debate about it in a movie. It kinda made me realize how much in this world can offend or be "not okay" with people that I just don't realize.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by epchick

More of the white anglo part than the outsider.

Usually when someone says 'gringo' they mean it in a more derogatory way. And we use it for people who *usually* are non-Spanish speaking white people.

A more affectionate term that could be used is 'guero' which doesn't always necessarily mean "blonde."

I've been called guero but never a gringo, which is good because I'm sure I'd get a little hot under the collar if that happened.

And don't get me started on the practice of referring to everyone with white skin Anglo. Maybe I'm wrong but if you're not from what's now northern France and the U.K. you aren't Anglo.

[RU OX Alum]

Yeah, plus 50 is a nice round number. And congress is already a cluster. It's not like we really more of them running around. And besides, it kind of wreaks of a power grab. Like, if all of a sudden Puerto Rico becomes a State, those two extra senate seats could really change a lot of things.

At a time when it would be advantagous (sp?) for those already in congress who are pretty much forcing a non-issue. This is the Democratics version of the gay marriage thing. Our leaders are out their minds, and we live in a representative republic.

So, in summary, I think Washington, D.C. already has enough politicians, I don't think they any more. It's not like the ones there now are even doing their job right.

[ASUADPi]

Okay, I don't want to sound dumb here, but I remember being taught in HS (albeit back in the late 90's since I graduated in 97), that D.C. is a part of Maryland. Like it is a "city" within Maryland. Um, when did that change? When was D.C. annexed from Maryland? Or was my teacher in high school just a moron?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

Or was my teacher in high school just a moron?

This, I'm afraid.

PIKA2001 and RU OX Alum are right -- originally Maryland and Virginia ceeded land to the federal government for the district. The district was square -- 10 miles on each side -- and included Washington (once it was built), Georgetown and Alexandria. The part north and east of the Potomac not in a city was called Washington County, and the part south and west of the Potomac was called Alexandria County (and included Arlington and other communities). Congress returned Alexandria and Alexandria County, which by law could not include any federal offices, to Virginia in 1846. In 1871, Congress revoked the individual charters for Washington, Georgetown and Washington County and made the district and the City of Washington coterminous.

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ETA:

Originally Posted by epchick

Is the city of Washington the only city in the 'District of Columbia?' And if it is, why would you want to make it a state?


It probably has been discussed here anyways, and I don't really follow the politics about it, but I've always heard that the District of Columbia could never be a state. *shrugs*

No taxation without representation...except for DC.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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LOL. You are such a dork.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

This, I'm afraid.

PIKA2001 and RU OX Alum are right -- originally Maryland and Virginia ceeded land to the federal government for the district. The district was square -- 10 miles on each side -- and included Washington (once it was built), Georgetown and Alexandria. The part north and east of the Potomac not in a city was called Washington County, and the part south and west of the Potomac was called Alexandria County (and included Arlington and other communities). Congress returned Alexandria and Alexandria County, which by law could not include any federal offices, to Virginia in 1846. In 1871, Congress revoked the individual charters for Washington, Georgetown and Washington County and made the district and the City of Washington coterminous.

Helpful animated gif:



ETA:

No taxation without representation...except for DC.

Why was it returned in 1846?

ETA: I found this: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Alexandria,_Virginia

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

Why was it returned in 1846? They didn't teach us for sh*t.

Because Virginia wanted their land back.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

LOL. You are such a dork.

You're just figuring this out?

[PiKA2001]

I think Maryland "donated" the land to create D.C.

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I think Maryland "donated" the land to create D.C.

Yeah, that's about what I was taught. Basically. I was also taught that Alexandria was once part of it, but after the Civil War we (Virginia) got it back. I don't know if that's true or not. It might be.

The City of Washington is located within (situates and occupies) the District of Columbia hence the term Washington, D.C.

[thetygerlily]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

The City of Washington is located within (situates and occupies) the District of Columbia hence the term Washington, D.C.

I am officially in favor of DC becoming its own state. Why? There can't be two states named Washington, so they'll have to stop using it and people will stop confusing us (the state) with DC (land of politics). No other state has to say state as a qualifier... when you hear or Oklahoma State or Pennsylvania State you think college, not the actual state. I would be perfectly happy to not say Washington State anymore... which is why so many people use Seattle, northwest, or Pacific Northwest instead of saying Washington.

/naming tirade

Side note, I didn't know the differentiation between city & district- makes sense but hadn't heard that before. Thanks!

[epchick]

Is the city of Washington the only city in the 'District of Columbia?' And if it is, why would you want to make it a state?


It probably has been discussed here anyways, and I don't really follow the politics about it, but I've always heard that the District of Columbia could never be a state. *shrugs*