Aside from the fact that they took them from homes, what Vick did was not more humane than what the contractor did. YMMV.
Are we prepared to assign blame to a nation based on what government contractors do? Let’s not go there.
So… What interpretation? See above.
Are you sure PR does not have animal protection orgs?
Sorry, still don’t see it. I also don’t see anyone excusing it, like some did with Vick. YMMV.
Sorry, I am loath to blame entire nations for the actions of criminals, politicians, or even criminal politicians. It can come back to bite me in the ass.
Did you get the impression that I was sticking up for Michael Vick? Please, let me assure you that I would see that drippy wad of syphillitic amphibian shit drawn and quartered in the public square, were it up to me. Which is why it isn’t.
Number 1, Puerto Rico is not a nation, it is a commonwealth of the United States. Number 2, I am not blaming the US, or even, necessarily, the entire Government of the Commonwealth, as with most bad things that happen, the blame starts at the local office/government hall, and subsequently climbs up the chain to rest on the shoulders of the highest office in the area.
Well, we can start with: Contractor A heard gov’t functionary N say “Those dogs and cats need to be gotten out of there, here’s $5,000”
What contractor A heard was “If I chuck em off the bridge, I can spend like 500 bucks, and take the rest home”
And go from there.
Never said they didn’t. Clearly though, they need more teeth (so to speak) in the regulatory authority.
Those that excused Vick are no better than he is.
Of course you are, but that’s the way things are. The people at the top get blamed when the people at the bottom do the screwing up. Again, I’m not really even blaming the Commonwealth in this instance (they’ve put the right amount of distance between them and the contractor) and they’re stepping up to the plate to help those affected by this contractors misdeeds.
Still and all, I’m not going to PR because I don’t want to be depressed, angry and/or upset on vacation. I’ll stay with Sint Maarten this year again, thanks.
(slight hijack) When my son was small, he got a kitten from his Aunt. As the kitten grew, it started to spend time outside. One day it did not come back, as it was hit by a car. Know what color it was?
I’d like to assure you that I am fairly informed about the Status of Puerto Rico vis-a-vis the United States. I am also aware that despite its political status Puerto Rico is, culturally, a different nation. In was in that sense that I called it “a nation”. Not your fault for misunderstanding me though, I suppose you might have encountered people who don’t know a lot about Puerto Rico.
But you need to take the government’s reaction into consideration to assign blame. You cannot blame somebody for something they did not do, did not authorize, and did not cover up/defend after the fact.
Which means that sometimes governments hire the wrong people. Or people lie to get contracts. This is not a distinctive Puerto Rican trait.
Having spent some time in Puerto Rico I have to honestly admit I did not see any of that. Does it happen? I have to take the resident’s word for it, but I still did not see it. And luckily I can still separate the country from its screwups. If I couldn’t I would never go anywhere. Heck, I would not even leave my bed.
Sorry, I just think Puerto Rico is cool and you are overreacting.
FWIW, I spent a week in Puerto Rico in August and didn’t see a single beach strewn with dead dogs. I did see some freaking awesome spanish forts, a mesmerizing tropical jungle, and brilliant blue bays with striking white sand beaches. And I’m totally going back as soon as I get the chance and not just because the drinking age is 18, nosirree.
Puerto Rico, as every other destination in the world, I believe, is as good or as bad as you want it to be. I am sure that even Switzerland must have rats somewhere.
The average tourist in Puerto Rico goes to Old San Juan, the beaches on the West Coast and a handful of assorted destinations all over the island. These are all beautiful, clean and well kept.
The infamous Yabucoa beach used to be an ok beach until many years ago when it was dredged to open a navigation canal for an oil terminal for a neighbouring refinery. Nobody bathes there ever, as it now has a terrible undertow. So you have an unused beach next to a seaport. You find me a pretty one under those conditions in any country.
If you stray too far from the touristy path, you are bound to find ugly stuff, anywhere you go.
*Pets thrown off a bridge in Puerto Rico
A dead pet bridge in Puerto Rico
It is a special one, it’s never seen the sun
It only comes out when the moon is on the run…
*
Eh, I got nothin’.
I never said PR didn’t have animal welfare agencies (implied? YMMV, but never said it).
Asshole contractors aren’t native strictly to PR!?!?! No shit. :rolleyes: :smack:
I’m sure it’s a dandy example of tropical wonderment and all that, but when there are so many places to pick from, I’d rather spend my time someplace that this type of thing didn’t/doesn’t happen, besides, it’s my money, I can spend it where I like.
