Alex

I don’t think a “lawless” society is truly possible because even the mere allowance or banning of an act is codifying its role in a society.

My point is not that the law as it currently exists isn’t a system of oppression, or that racial injustice is not entrenched in the current systems. I was simply making the point that it is a law unto itself to decree if hate crimes or other injustices will be prosecuted or allowed.

The lack of punishment is in this hypothetical ”the law” unto itself

A “lawless” society would not be able to prosecute hate crimes so yes

This has got to be intentionally trying to increase anti-semitism right? I have a problem with the “Israeli government tries to increase anti-semitism” claim since it often comes with an implicit “and that’s why we shouldn’t care about anti-semitism” but this is just like

#メガテン
#shinmegamitensei

My favorite character

Something like ranked choice for

-Statehood
-Independence
-Territorial Status Quo
-Free Association Compact

That sounds fair. I think it should also be structured like the 1949 Newfoundland referendum where one choice has to get an outright majority, and it is revised every round. That way the decision is unambiguous.

How about all adults with proof of residency in Puerto Rico at any point in their lives are allowed to vote in a nationwide referendum. This would exclude some of the diaspora but it is a pretty clean way of making sure all Puerto Rican citizens get a say.

A Puerto Rican mutual of mine said that the mainland diaspora should get to vote too but I’m not sure how achievable or fair that would be to islanders. I’m not necessarily opposed to that it’s just not really ever been done in similar situations like Quebec.

To solve any prior referendum controversies or ambiguities the vote should be 100% mandatory like in Australia.

Well I’m just an American so I think whatever Puerto Ricans choose is good as long as it’s their choice.

We should make Puerto Rico the main country and make the mainland a territory

I apologize for my cavalier response. I support all Puerto Ricans in the world getting to vote on their self-determination and I respect whatever future they decide upon, and will advocate for such.

Mandatory vote is only for islanders.

So the 3,000 Puerto Ricans in Toronto probably aren’t getting a vote but I don’t think it’s too significant.

I doubt it, since the Canadian Quebec referendums did not include Franco-Ontariens, for example. I suppose what would be fair is all adults with either proof of residency on the island or listed Puerto Rican ethnic identification on the census vote, with the exception of those living outside the US

And I stress that if independence wins in a clear, 100% mandatory turnout referendum then Puerto Rico should be independent asap and that Americans should similarly accept those results as the truth and that PR is not their colony.

I just think Puerto Ricans should get self-determination right now, and that if statehood wins that should be respected for the time being. That doesn’t mean I don’t respect pro-independence voices or not support them advocating and changing minds.

I wouldn’t say I disagree with this, but I don’t think there’s anything worse than the status quo. If PR were at least in commonwealth/free association it would be independent outside of military affairs. Hawaii certainly has more authority than before 1959, and at least remains non-white majority.

I misread the math it’s not clear what the results would be sorry. Even better argument for a voting-mandatory referendum. With international observers at all voting stations to dispel any fraud.

they’re a much more significant force and could make a better argument for a mandatory referendum.

I mean tbf even in the 2024 referendum if all 36% nonvoters were pro-independence statehood would still win. Idk what the 200k specifically left blank ballots would choose, which is why I’m saying if they were pro-independence boycotters they should have just voted, since it would be clear

I think Senate abolition solves the dilemma of the territories’ statehood leading to unbalanced representation since I don’t think there‘s a good argument for American Samoa’s 45k people having more than 1 voting rep. Wyoming already does not deserve a 70x more powerful vote than California.

As a very much not-Puerto Rican American I absolutely respect the opinion of pro-independence islanders and their right to advocate for such, but reading up on their choice to boycott referendae seems counterintuitive. I think we should respect the choice of the whole island whichever way.

I think to solve any debates over the veracity of Puerto Rico referendums they should be choice-ranked and that the vote is mandatory with people being fined if they don’t submit a ballot. Then they should either be immediately granted statehood or independence.

Trying really hard not to root for America this year but getting the gold in skiing was pretty cathartic….

Dlanor is like the embodiment of shooting and crying though so it’s very appropriate for an Idf soldier

My “favorite” manifestation of this is when pro-Hamas types will defend the Uyghur genocide and reeducation camps because of “Xinjiang terrorism”