Who is Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves

Remember the slogan "Puerto Rico, shinning Star of the Caribbean" well by all accounts every entry in Wikipedia wants us to believe this about our Archbishop. "The Hispanic rising star". "A moderate within the Hispanic community". Loved by his parishioners. I lived in Boston, MA for 20 years plus. I cannot remember him, and yes, I went regularly to Mass at St. Bernard's parish in West Newton, MA. I also visited Churches in Boston, Dorchester, Brighton, Brockton, Waltham. No word of Gonzalez Nieves. I guess he was a well kept secret. I was in MA. during the transition from Newman Flanagan to Bernard Law. MA has yet to recover for the debacle of the 90's and first part of the 21st century. But that is a whole separate chapter or book.
First; the simple facts: Gonzalez Nieves was born in New Jersey, in the fifties. Went to school in Puerto Rico and New Jersey, later seminary school mainly in New Jersey, Boston,Maryland and New York. He became a priest in 1977 and Archbishop in '88. Then he worked with Bernard Law he spent about 10 years in Boston, MA then was transferred to Corpus Cristi TX and finally arrives in Puerto Rico.
Lucky us.
As I stated previously by all printed accounts the Archbishop is considered a moderate. A reading of his anecdotes tell us he is fairly conservative as to the catholic dogma, against homosexuality, abortion, marriage and priesthood, so on. The reviews also tell us he was revered by the Hispanic community because he felt the pain and suffering of this community and the racism Hispanics suffer as he also suffered this racism. This last part is telling because it gives us a why the Archbishop is so ANTI AMERICAN, (yes he was born in New Jersey, he would be able to become president, his birth certificate indicates Elizabeth, New jersey, not Santurce Puerto Rico.) Yet, in complete contradiction, he is openly aspiring to become Archbishop of NYC. So how deep are those scares, I guess presiding St. Patricks Church could heal them pretty quickly.
We fast forward to the present. 1999. Sila Maria Calderon becomes Governor of Puerto Rico, corruption was rampant under the Rosello administration, and Gonzalez Nieves is the new archbishop.
A brief aside here: I believe in statehood for Puerto Rico. It's is my opinion, my belief. Yet, it really pisses me off when the pharisees for other ideologies preach to me about their virtues, as they steal, rob, connive, lie, cheat,and forgive their own while condemning the rest of the non-believers of their dogma.
This is the essential problem with Gonzalez Nieves and Puerto Rico. He is NOT a moderate but a conniving politician who pretends to care and does not. On one hand he gives communion to Sila Calderon,who was divorced at the time (I cannot keep track of her love affairs), gives his ring to Acevedo Vila as he steals,lies and bring PR to the brink of bankruptcy, yet lambasted Rosello as the only corrupt scoundrel who ever existed in PR. He seeks to keep the separation of church and state yet instigated the ousting of the Navy from Vieques not as an environmental issue but as an ANTI AMERICAN issue. He consistently met with the ultra leftist of Puerto Rico's union movement, yet will not condemn their corruption. He questions the actions of the FBI and killing Filiberto Ojeda, did he ever wonder about the assassinated victims from the heist Ojeda took part of. Or why didn't he reprimand Acevedo Vila for providing access, and information to the FBI or for allowing AEE to cut the electricity at the Ojeda residence. He questions the firing and the layoffs of government workers, yet he had no qualms laying off 165 teachers by closing the catholic schools, or laying off the head start teachers, of whom he refused to give raises and better working conditions to them and the children (talk about contradictions!!).
Recently, the shit has hit the proverbial fan, our MODERATE Archbishop has decided to close 6 of the 15 Catholic schools under the care and custody of the Archdiocese. Among the reasons were raise in minimum wage, yes you read right, rise in minimum wage. So, the poor sod who was making 5.15 an hour did not deserve a raise. How Christian, Marxist, leftist; NOT, just hypocritical. Other reasons, as a social responsibility ( I know I read this and I too was lost)and sound administrative policy.
Sound administrative policy or perhaps lack there of is what has the church teetering at the brink of bankruptcy here in Puerto Rico, the Archdiocese of various cities have already been declared bankrupt.
And then we have the issue of Academia Perpetuo Socorro. One of the elite schools of Puerto Rico. Whose campus is located on prime real estate. Whose building fund generates over a cool million a year. Whose parents and Alumni are among the who's who of Puerto Rico. So, what has our MODERATE Archbishop done, piss off the whole school. Everyone. Parents, students, Alumni, teachers, everyone. Parents are taking their kids out of school and transferring them to other schools, threats of lawsuits. And all this while the Middle states council is reviewing the academics of the school for accreditation. Talk about boneheaded moves.
Our Archbishop is not a moderate, he is a politician, which I guess is OK if only he as a senior representative of our church he would break the mold and be an honest politician, caring, a good Catholic. Not the Pharisee, the hypocrite or act like the other screwed up politicians of Puerto Rico, who regardless of political party remind me of the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz "if I only had a brain".
The church has not grown under his leadership, it has shrunk to levels never imagined, the apathy and disdain is destroying the church and he is either to blind or too egocentric to care. Meanwhile, students are left looking for new schools, teachers got laid off, Perpetuo is in an upheaval, its Holy Week and the churches are empty.
This is so screwed up, but this is our Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves, a politician, who like Nero plays the fiddle as Rome burns not the moderate raising star of the Hispanic community.

Not very Christian

Well it's that time again to enroll our kids in school. Pay the big money to secure an education, we're not talking college here but private schools. Puerto Rico's educational system is so screwed up there is no way one can send them to public school. The public school system in PR is a cruel joke played on the undeserving and the poor. The teachers union is more concerned with playing politics than the well being of it's students. But, I am venturing away from the focal point. The whole public school system analysis is for another day. Today I want to talk about a private catholic school. The key word catholic. The school is Academia Perpetuo Socorro, APS for short. APS has been in the news as the Monsignor wants to abscond with the schools war chest. But the ugly side of the Archdiocese's was exposed last week.
We are all going through very difficult times, financially and emotionally. It appears though the Archdiocese's could care less. Last week parents were advised and informed there would be NO EXTENSIONS afforded to parents who were late in enrolling there children for the upcoming academic school year. The deadline originally extended was drawn back from the end of march ie. tomorrow to last Friday. Parents were left scrambling trying to get the money to meet the new deadline. And parents were NOT ALLOWED to pay part of the enrollment fee and the building fund at a later date. No payment plan. No accommodations.
Academia Maria Reina is conducting interviews with those parents requesting a payment plan to determine eligibility. Trying to accommodate the needs of the parents during these very difficult times. A beautiful tribute to our catholic beliefs and teachings.
Why would the Archbishop deny parents who have been part of APS for generations this opportunity? Simple new parents will not have the loyalty, affection, and devotion to the school the Alumni and current parents have.
The gang of four, Gonzalez, Chiappi, Vargas and Soto have no other intention than to milk the APS cash cow dry. To rape and pillage until every penny is extracted and only a shell remains of APS, the same as with El Pilar and other parochial schools which have fallen to the mismanagement and greed of the Archdiocese's and its Gang of four.
We as Catholics are ashamed, embarrassed and angry at the actions of this infamous Gang of Four. We will NOT tolerate the prostitution of our children's education and the Catholic fundamentals which the same Archdiocese's is failing to safeguard.
Let the Gang of four be on notice "We have only begun to fight".

La Voz del Sinchi's new quest

It has been some time since my last post, to those left behind my apologies. Like many out there the last months has been quite difficult. Not just the economic turmoil but the uncertainty of it all. My restaurant which started as a dream ended up short of a nightmare, with over a dozen wonderful hard working people on the street. I am only a small cog in this maddening roller coaster ride. Yet, I have much to be grateful for, a roof over my head, a wonderful family in its broadest definition who has been there, health, and some part of my brain still left from college, to help me get through and I, we ,will get through.
This last weekend I had the chance to spend time with the family, mom, dad, and my kid bro. Good time. A current theme though out the weekend was the bleak future of our dear island. In my last blog, I was frustrated and above all angry. Angry at the politics, corruption, and basic deterioration of a culture I once revered and loved. It was a sad conclusion my brother and i reached that we do not see the future of the island changing. But if NYC changed from the drug and pimp haven it was in the 70's when Kojack and Barney Miller patroled the streets we in PR can also change.
I want La voz del Sinchi to do a little more. We all need to rant and get it out of our system,and I will rant, but we also need to provide alternatives, real alternatives to improve not just out lives but those of our children. We must in our way help.
This weekend in Culebra during the regatta I saw young kids sailing their little Optimist (small sailboat used as a trainer) competing enjoying and learning to enjoy without the vices, out in nature and learning the value and respect of the ocean at an early age. Very few people realize these young Optimist sailors represent PR in competitions all over the Caribbean and usually place in the top 3!!. They also learn to value PR greatest natural resource the ocean.
La voz del sinchi will try to have a broader spectrum, not just local politics, but other matters which affect us, the lack of capitol for small business,the outrageous tax system for small business, abuses by credit card companies, politics in the mainland, and other topics. Above all I have chosen this site to get your feedback, support and participation. In that sense the experience others have encountered can be shared, the ideas which need to be heard can be expressed. And the music, books, film which help us grow culturally will be exchanged.
There are always subjects which polarize when presented with a broad brush, yet within those divisive issues we can find common ground. From that common ground we can perhaps build a better foundation which is what we all want for our future generations.
and our island. Thank you and hope you enjoy.

Posted by Emilio J. Torres-Requena at 3/25/2009 1:16 PM | Add Comment

In Puerto Rico We Trust?

The last 8 days have left a lot of us scratching our heads after listening to our newly elected Gov. recite the recommendations outlined by his panel of "gurus". Bottom line we our left begging the question "Do I continue to invest in Puerto Rico" or hold on to the cash or credit; or invest in a more business friendly environment.
The problem for business in Puerto Rico is the hostile environment in which we must operate. The inefficient bureaucracy and the apathy of the government agencies towards the small businessman make it very difficult to get motivated and invest in Puerto Rico.
After sitting down with various small business owner this is the consensus I can gather as to some of the measures which could assist in keeping capital in Puerto Rico and motivating us to invest.
IVU: Crank it to 10% fine. But you must exempt items such as food, medicine, and essentials. This must be accompanied by a reduction in the income tax like in the mainland up to 250k. Contrary to popular belief there is a growing number of islanders in this bracket and who like to spend and spend alot on goods in the island. Keep them here don't force them to move stateside.
GAS TAX: I'm for it if and only if it will be used to facilitate alternate transportation methods, funds infrastructure and bonds to create jobs developing this infrastructure to alleviate our traffic problems and huge dependence on spending on gasoline for our cars to get from point a to b.
CORPORATE TAX: lower the tax bracket for small business in the 5-8 million dollar range. These business are the engine which drive the economy. Give these small businesses incentives to invest and keep personnel.
CRIM: Do away with the tax for inventory and capital. Its already has been taxed and only works to keep industry from investing in new capital. It is archaic and it is anti capitalistic anti investment.
SIN TAX: Use it to assist in funding health reform. Concentrate on preventive medicine, preventive care, in the short and long term much more cheaper and effective in controlling health care cost.
CFSE: Privatize. Take the heat and and just do it. The system is only used as a cash cow to balance the budget. Workers benefits are dismal, Fees charged are outrageous, and the salaries of the employees of this agency are disproportionate with the industry standard.
AEE: Privatize. If the UTIER goes on strike do like Reagan fire all of them declare a national emergency and sell the damn agency. It has only brought grief and despair to the people of Puerto Rico.
HACIENDA: You hired John Wayne when we need Gary Cooper. Contrary to what the secretary of hacienda is touting intimidation and gun slinging is not the way to gain the trust of the people. The system is everything you can wish for to create evasion and trickery. I have dealt with the IRS and as long as you do not ignore them they will for the most part work with you. At the end of the day they want revenue. So create an atmosphere and system where this is the standard, the norm, the rule. And please eliminate the archaic and ridiculous system of "collecturias". What a waste of time, money, energy and funds.
Mr. Governor figure out the losses. Do you think you will be able to count with the union votes come election time 2012. NO. Regardless of what you concede they, the Unions will not back you. Same for the Hostosiano, and 50% of the Government workers so why accommodate a minority which played NO part in getting you elected.
In closing please do not tell us you are implementing these measures to save the jobs of government employees. We do not care to save agencies which are bloated with lazy inefficient bureaucrats. Government MUST BE DOWNSIZED. Our tax dollars cannot continue to be squandered to to pay for government workers; attrition, hiring freeze and merging of agencies is the alternative.
So, you ask me "Do we trust Puerto Rico so as to invest" right now my answer is NO. If you cannot convince me and those who drive the economy we will seek other places and alternatives to invest, only because we can and the big loser will be Puerto Rico.

So long, Farewell, Goodbye 2008

2008 for me and for many has been an emotionally and physically exhausting year. Sleep became as much of a commodity as money. Aside from the daily headlines, uncertainty as to what would happen tomorrow was our greatest concern. Both in the mainland and in PR the election results were very telling of a population desperate for change, and a new vision. And in the mainland and in PR the minority party has refused to accept the election results.
In the mainland there is a greater likelihood that both parties will find a common ground to get the nation on track. Here in PR we have the third wheel which will make attaining our goals for prosperity much harder. What level of tolerance do the people of PR have for the politics of the third wheel is yet to be determined. Just as how hard will the new administration come down on those who refuse to follow law and order and justify every action as civil disobedience.
How we balance our love for the First amendment and a civilized government will be as important as to what policies we implement to get there. Ronald Reagan set the tone of his presidency when he fired all the union workers of the Air traffic controllers at the beginning of his presidency. The nation was not in the mood for me first and screw the needs of my neighbor. Though his fiscal policy left much to be desired, Ronald Reagan brought back to the American people pride and confidence lost during the Carter years.
I trust Obama will bring back this trust to America as a Nation and as a people, here and abroad. I hope and pray Fortuno will do the same in PR. Sadly, there are many who are by the sidelines wringing there hands hoping for him to fail so they can say "I told you so" and to hell the future of our island.
The press, that is the Ferre-Rangle conglomarate and the third wheel have already been thrashing the governor elect and have purposely hidden the chaos we are inheriting from two terms of atrocious governing by the Calderon/Acevedo Vila administration.
La voz del sinchi will continue, I will do my part to provide my opinion so we may have a discussion as to alternatives for a better Puerto Rico, better living environment, better future. I also make a call to those who truly believe in statehood as an alternative to the betterment and future of PR to start acting and stop talking. And the first cause of action must be to boycott the Ferre Rangel conglomerate.
To 2008 I say so long farewell. 2009 will be tough, but if we play our cards right we can start talking about the future again. Thank you, May God bless you and all your loved ones, and may the new year give us "peace, love and understanding along with health and prosperity.

Call me Grinch

It's Christmas and we are in the worst recession since the depression IE the going back to 1930's. We are not close to what transpired during those times. But, we are at the ledge staring down a very deep ravine. It's Christmas and as an employer it's time to give out Christmas bonus (yes all denominations take advantage of this great Christian giveaway). I do not mind giving out bonuses. I do mind being forced to give bonuses. And it really frosts my ass being told the amount I must give out as a bonus. This is the classic example of government bureaucrats who have no idea what it is to meet payroll, to pay a commercial loan, pay rent, you work for a living.
So, in the middle of the worst recession ever we are forced to increase the bonus amount we are to give our employees. Even the lazy bum, who you are forced to keep on payroll because getting rid of him cost too much (that a whole other issue and another bottle of whiskey). We are talking about $300.00 minimun and $600.00 depending on how many employees you have. OK, let's do some quick math, 14 employees (like the majority of small business) 300 x 14=4200.00 plus that weeks payroll. Now say you are lucky enough to have 15 employees well its 15x600=9000.00. But wait, there's more. You are paying every employee the same amount. What about the employee who's been with you through thick and thin, you can't pay him the same as "lazy bum". So, good employee gets well, pissed, bummed, disappointed, and to an extent rightly so. The law makes no distinction between the good employee and the bad, the one who always is willing to give that little extra, and the one who is always staring at the clock.
You see the law was 1. written by incompetent buffoons,2. and written to mainly benefit government employees. Since the government can play poker with our money they do not care what it costs. They can be magnanimous. The outgoing administration at the Executive level has given out over 500,000.00 in bonuses that we know of at a time when the government has to borrow to make it's payroll, is over budget, and has IOU's in the hundred of million's.
And lastly, you are one of the thousands of businesses coping with losses, struggling and want a dispensation from the government agency who regulated the bonuses ( of course there is an agency who oversees this and they too have no clue what it is to have a real job) you MUST PRESENT AN AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT FROM YOUR ACCOUNTANT. Which will cost you thousands, and will be, can be used against you in the future. Of course, no one had, has the money for an audited statement so we are stuck, screwed and having to pay the bonus required by law. Call me Grinch, I just don't feel like paying what the government tells me to those who do not deserve it. Have a Merry Christmas, courtesy of "Estado Ensuciado de Puerto Rico".

It's all about service

At the beginning of AVV tenure the government ran out of money and could not pay the hundred of thousands of government workers. The Government shut down for what was it a week a few days. During the debacle the sentiment on the street was one of complete apathy towards the workers. No one really cared and the reason was simple. The public at large sees government workers as overpaid, lazy, opportunistic, and callous towards our needs the taxpayers. This is not true of all the government workers, but the stereotype does fit the majority of them.
This dysfunctional attitude has permeated many a private industry. To the point where we are actually surprised when we receive good service. We go out of our why to promote this particular company, person, professional, whatever. I am part of this industry. There are times I could give a rats ass about a particular client, but when you least expect it that is the one person who will pass one a good word about your product.
Large corporations are particularly prone to this sort of callousness. A dear and very very close relative had such an experience with a health care provider. She as all of us is going through very difficult times and fell behind in her payment for medical insurance. Not once but...twice. The insurance company told her she now had to have her case reviewed by "the panel". Coverage denied. Coverage cost increased. But the real reason the insurance company took the action it did was due to the fact one of the insured has a pre existing condition. The delay in payment was the perfect excuse to get rid of the liability.
These are the same companies who came running to get a bail out. Citi, AIG, and all the other high priced zoot suits crooks who can't manage there companies but berate us when we fall behind in our payments. Does anyone care when these workers are out on the street. Doubt it. Like the Government workers in PR they too are over paid, if not lazy, they are greedy, callous and self righteous. Remember the Masters of the universe.
We will cheer those who bend over backwards to help us. Who go the extra mile to give us good service, that manager who will empower his employees to make a decision and help a client. Whether its about changing a cell phone, making a payment plan to keep coverage, changing the plate because the food was just not "as good as it usually is". It is about service and when we receive this service we spread the word, we recommend, we defend. The business, person, which understands this principle will survive these troubled times. The ones who don't will not or should not survive, they are not worthy of our money, time, or anything in between.