The Battle for Paradise: Naomi Klein Reports from Puerto Rico
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- čas přidán 6. 04. 2018
- When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, Puerto Ricans almost immediately began worrying about disaster capitalists swooping in to buy up beleaguered public utilities and damaged beachfront property on the cheap.
Naomi Klein visits Puerto Rico six months after Hurricane Maria to see how the government and investors are taking advantage of the disaster - and how teachers, farmers, community organizers and others are working towards their own vision of the future of the island.
The post-Hurricane Maria recovery is seized by one overarching question: Who is Puerto Rico for: islanders or wealthy outsiders?
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Read the full article: theintercept.com/2018/03/20/p...
Puerto Rico's solar and local-grown crops is a great inspiration. Governor Ricardo Rosello comes off as being something of a "Banana Republic" dictator: selling off utilities and even education! The idea of Puerto Rico growing coffee for export and land for more hotels while they import food is ludicrous. This is old-school fiscal policies which have no logical or practical application should be resisted at any cost.
He certainly has a "banana republic" way of "ruling", on everything! And so did the ones before him, including all the legislative branch members from "eons" ago.
The resources of the island, be it the people, land or commodities, are managed for the benefit of a few well connected individuals and private enterprises. Leaving up to the masses to carry the burden of taxation, with a stunningly poor representation and even poorer, extremely high priced, public services. The obvious reason is to make the territory attractive and "likable" to those with the power of financial capital to further not the economy, not the prosperity of "the people" but of those cooking and serving, in a silver platter, the resources the island have.
Sadly, those "rulers" those "banana republic" leaders, were voted in, by the people, and the people is doing nothing! to achieve a better form of government.
Michael Gfroerer. Compliments to you.
japp rivera. Does the fact that you are intelligent ever lead to frustration? Kidding, I know it does.
Thanks for delivering a "real" news story naomi. Its getting so hard to find amongst todays punditry
Oh my god?
Om Eyehead I agree. I found this to be just what I needed to wrap my head around the situation.
I am a disabled senior with life threatening disorders. I almost wept to see Casa Pueblo helping those that need equipment to be recharged. How can anyone with compassion be against that? Some knucklehead below called them radical socialist without even seeing that socialism is for the people while capitalism is for the rich and the materialistic. I would rather be a red then a slave to greed.
This is Victoria from tampa, florida, sending you Naomi and all my awesome, strong, beautiful people of puerto rico, my warm love, and care. Do not be discouraged. Pay no mind to people that give negative talk, seek for help till you find it; if one says no, go to the next. Dont give up. Puerto Rico will arise from the ashes; we just must be willing to stay strong and focus. For more than 100 years they have been saying negative things about the people of puerto rico. people, i say it is time we arise and show them what we are made of. We are winners! Envidia always trying to shut us down, make us loose. we must learn to be humble like a dove, and astute as a snake. Do you agree? Then lets do this! Love you! And i shall continue to keep Puerto Rico in my prayers.
This is true journalism
This is so sad! We have nothing but WEALTHY DEVILS controlling our EVERYTHING! How a HANDFUL of WEALTHY DEVILS can have this kind of POWER & CONTROL over us is just upsetting!
yup , they do controll everything , to many power laws that affect the Caribbean, Puerto Rican people , and now all towns have been affected by supposed Helpfull malls..Also the huge amounts of Cars being imported here ..
Thanks The Intercept.☺
and naomi klein.
Keep speaking up. Privatization is NOT the answer. Let the people of PR decide their future!!!
I pray that Puerto Rico does not get bought up by greedy land developers, and that the people can determine their fate.
That will prove extremely difficult being how hundreds of thousands have exited the island.
Unfortunately, when those in charge of a society are in cahoots with those foreigners who have profit-making schemes, then those who are not in power will be victimized.
Love the intercept.
Please never stop reporting on such issues that rarely get talked about (covered) anywhere else. Thank you!
Great work bringing this to attention.
Oh my God finally a voice of true.Thank you
Just like many other places on the earth. Your land is NOT For Sale! Visitors are just that! Visitors!
Thank-you for all your hard work in getting this info out.
Progressive thinking is necessary, solar and other alternatives independent of the government! Self sustain or be controlled! Puerto Rico strong!
Thanks Naomi, great piece of work and very informative.
Thank you Naomi for the incredible insight that you have provided us with this report.
An excellent report from the best (and loveliest) journalist on the planet!
How could a private utility, (electric for example) be More affordable to the people? If ONE company controls the electricity, that's a monopoly. And if they have a monopoly they can charge Whatever They Want. So I wish the best of luck to those working toward solar, wind & water power, and varied agriculture to feed the people before feeding business.
Naomi as you witnessed yourself, Puertorricans are stronger than they want to make people believe. I can unequivocaly tell you that the people here are not gonna let the Government just take land and beaches without their input. Mr. Katz already tried and the poor man put his tail in between his legs and he's out.
Excellent breakdown thank you for posting.
The Island had been eroding from hurricane socialism, that's why Maria was so effective.
Great story and so sad for the PEOPLE who are getting it all taken away =(
Journalism the way it’s supposed to be... for the people. Que viva Puerto Rico libre y soberano!!!
I will upload this to share on my channel. If only ten people there see it and get it, it is a push forward against disaster capiltalist hawks
Work hard, enjoy true freedom & Independency
This is a great video , good job
I appreciate your hard work. Keep up the great work.
Wow!! Good info... Much love n Respect from Cayey Puerto Rico to York PA... Jus was there a few months ago. Condao. Cayey. San Juan. Santurce. IslaVerde. La Perla. Vega Baja. Naranjito. Dorado
beautiful....so proud of my roots....boricua de Cora...greeting from guayama puerto Rico...
yup , i felt that a few times , I felt like I was goin thru a portal door thru time, tripped me out , like a sense of a worm hole in to time...
Every Body Row! When the Going gets Tough, Ignored by mass media and the DC Fascists, Naomi Reports...reports...and reports. Brave Heart. thanks
Excelente documental, corto y preciso. Thank you!
A story well told
Que viva Puerto Rico libre!!
I suppose there is a point of balance somewhere in here, where Puerto Ricans can achieve a vibrant economy for their own benefit...but not giving up the reins of decision-making, even to the corporatists within (their governor), will be the fight. This is perhaps the same fight facing us all at this point in time. Multinational corporations/megacapitalism vs human and planetary welfare.
Arturo looks like Pedro Albizu Campos lmao, he’s going to lead the next revolution with casa puebla!
IT IS ALL ABOUT POLITIC SOCIALISM VS STATEHOOD THE PEOPLE THAT SPEAK HERE DO NOT REPRESENTS THE MAYORITY OF THE ISLAND THEY ARE MAYOR OF SAN JUAN FRIENDS WICH IS FROM MINORITY PARTY
Socialism entered PR a long time ago. Welfare, social security and foreclosures are part of the plan. Is coming through the back door and Washington gave them the key. The same in USA. The reason is that the power behind the throne is the throne. England wants the colonies back (HJR 192) GOLD CONFISCATION. Dollars became IOUs in 1933
Love 😍PR
How's the hotel business in P.R?
Puerto Rico :-(
VIVA PUERTO RICO LIBRE !!!
Late stage, out-of-control capitalism of the US is deplorably fighting to tear Puerto Rico apart for their personal pleasure and wealth, especially with their economic crisis and hurricane damages making them more vulnerable.
sanjuansteve Puerto Rico have been opportunity to choose independence statehood and they choose the status of commonwealth. Well every time they complain of USA but they emigrate to USA special Florida. Well you get what you deserve. Ask for independence.😤😂😰
puerto poor, not usa will be another shithole, because puertorican are lazy and on drugs,
do i need to tell you more
Some people are so poor, all they have are fear and greed (which also roots in fear).
Fear allows people to mentally wall off their own empathy to virtually zero. Deplorably...
@@michaelmend8959 Shut the fuck up you trash. You'd talk about fellow Americans like that? You're trash.
@@michaelmend8959 That's true just like white anglo, Cocaine, acid, volume and meth in gringo land it's the norm. Keep your american dream because it's going down a shit hole soon, why the fuck I want to be associated with a bunch of drug addicts. 😂 😂 Especially a Neo nazis skin head racist like you God bless America what a joke. 😂 😂 Yeh haw!!! 😂 😂 You ain't whistling dixie.. 😂
Disaster capitalism loves crises......nature made or man made. U made that clear in ur book.
Bangladesh, with a population more than Russia is hit by floods, storms and hurricanes every year .. Sadly there is no Pre-Maria Post-Maria there ... the people just move on ...
Don't think Bangladesh would have much of a problem with greedy developers or investors.
love pr
Naomi is my homie !
Funny how the Tainos didn't seek another place to live in view of the trouble they kept having with those unmerciful seasonal hurricanes. I mean, look at those flimsy huts they lived in. I imagine that all that was needed was one strong gust, and off went the roof followed by the collapse of the walls.
viva la jente de puerto rico.. fuera con los pinches capitalistas !
“We need more government”
Also,
“The government has failed us.”
Sigan votando por basura
I dunno it’s because even though PR has US commodities, it’s geared to Spain customs vs USAs foundation is rooted on slavery. Spain became the father who can’t support it’s children, and PR being so close to US, where US benefits from its location. Final answer free association. PR is not Anglo, if that were the case it would be a state. PRs customs are in Spain and they know it.
Puerto Rico’s siblings are the Canary Islands.
Muy sierto lo q dice pero lo q pasa q los imigramos y no olvidamos de Puerto Rico
Thank you, Intercept. As always, Ms. Klein. Please make sure this gets to Cambridge Analytica's Facebook platform so we can spread it across the planet. The last stand for progressivism, collectivism, and socialism - may be Puerto Rico.
You people are sick.
Acasa pueblo thats the future, solar ,wind power
Fast forward to 2023 as we witness the devastation in Maui
I'm not against the us. Part of my family was born and live there. I grew up in near Boston. Mostly in PR. For decades we (puertorricans in the island) have been like lab rats by the us goverment. What is even worse, is that our actual goverment, specially that bad excuse of a governor we have ( an inexperienced fool ) whom are taking advantage of the situation we are going trough to spread fear, inestability and dispair. Recently this gov has been trying to eliminate "La semana de la puertorriqueñidad" wich is a celebration of our culture in schools. They are squeezing our society economically and psichologically speaking. This debt is being passed upon our poor and working class. By the way, our average gross income a year is $1,800. In the us is around $40,000. Yet, we pay almost twice as much . I could go into details, but it'll go on for a while. For years I wondered why some countries hate the us. Now I can see why. Now, I don't hate the us. I despise their goverments hypocrisy and abuse against my people. It is dishonorable to the good people of the united states.
CarlosLoganpr get independence and resolve your problems and them get ready for the new one.😡
I hate 'American Greed'..It has no compassion, no care & is only out 4 it's OWN interest's..Shout-out's 2 mi familia en puerto rico..i love you.
Rafael Pena You’re correct, but the greed, though prominent in American culture, is a global issue. It’s arguably the largest problem the human race faces. If we could permanently delete greed from humanity, we could certainly change the world for the better, basically in an instant. Most, of not all war, would be unnecessary. The climate crisis could be solved. Hunger and poverty could be permanently eradicated. Yes, truly greed is the worst of all the human emotions/feelings..
Anyway, good luck to your family in Puerto Rico! I hope that they are okay! ✌🏼
Nikola Demitri natural selection means we exist due to our ancestors being greedy enough. Irony of ironies, in times of sustained excess for most of the Northern and Western hemispheres, means drives to satiate Maslows hierarchy of needs or what have you is very much part of our most self destructive tendencies.
G B This is very true, and it presents a paradox of sorts. I fondly remember a very powerful acid trip in college, when 3 of my friends and I had a long, and actually surprisingly competent (we didn’t have this conversation at our peak trip) discussion about the future of humankind, and what hope there is for “salvation”.
To make a long conversation short, what we ended up concluding (with the assumption that none of the major religions are correct, and no god is going to save us) was that the only way we’d truly be able to peacefully band together as one, is if we somehow could edit out greed from our DNA (granted, as our technology, and understanding of greed exists now, this is complete science fiction). We did discuss how that could potentially backfire, like if this editing would lead to an extinction of our drive to compete and innovate completely, or what if it lead to too feeble a race, that couldn’t defend itself (in the unlikely occasion aliens attacked.. that was the acid talking). After really getting deeper into my studies (I majored in psychology, and focused more on cognitive, social, and evolutionary psych), however, I came to realize this was a confusion, because greed isn’t what got us here, and isn’t essential to our survival, quite the contrary.
Yes, greed is a factor in what got us to where we are today, but that’s in the sense that it was present? Is greed an intrinsic part of innovation, or even competition? I would argue no. Selfishness (which isn’t equal to greed), however, was a very important part of what got us here, along with altruism.
I think it’s important to distinguish the differences, however subtle, between greed and selfishness. Greed is really a type of, or particular expression of selfishness, which is focused on resource acquisition (which includes money, of course). Greed is a kind of selfishness, but selfishness needn’t be greedy. We are all selfish to varying extents, all the way down to the level of the gene, but we’re not all greedy. I’ll try to explain with an analogy..
I think of greed as the cancer in the system. Take the human body: all of the cells are selfish, but they’re not all taking as many resources as they can get from one another to the point that they’re killing off the body. When cancer is present, it is greedily doing everything it can to make sure it takes all the resources at the expense of everyone else, and ultimately at its own expense (when the body dies, the cells die). The most greedy amongst us are the cancer, and the human race is the body.
Selfishness has caused groups to survive, and altruism within those groups is a part of this. Altruism includes sharing, with the expectation of reciprocity, so I’m fine with the argument that reciprocal altruism is still selfish (explaining “true” altruism is another matter). Altruism, reciprocal or not, isn’t a part of greed, however, and the greedy, when they lack power, do not fare so well. Part of this is because the actions of the greedy come at the expense of the group. The group is selfish, so it naturally wants to survive, and thrive, so the greedy won’t get too far without some sort of power over the group. I’m sure you understand and likely have studied all this, and can likely see where I’m going with it. Expand this to where we are today, in a global economy with technology that effects the entire planet, and the group is now all of humanity.
This brings us to the paradoxical point you added, that what got us this far is what is now our problem (I hope I’m not putting words in your mouth, or projecting my understanding/view onto you). I agree, but while greed was a part of that story, it’s a bug of/in the larger picture of selfishness, and selfishness is the feature that got us here. Our problem is that we didn’t evolve to see the in-group as the entire human race. It’s also that with the current economic framework, and certain current philosophical frameworks, the in-group has broken down merely to the level of the family, if not the individual, for very many people. Many of those people happen to be VERY greedy, and what’s more, they happen to hold quite a bit of power. This is why I’m saying greed is THE issue, and what I wish could be extracted and discarded. Not only could the problem(s) facing humanity be taken care of on an individual level, it could also unite as on a group level (to be clear, I’m all for individualism, but not if it’s the modern greedy sort).
Unfortunately, we don’t have that technology, and almost certainly never will, so what we’re faced with is that much more difficult. No matter what the case, what I’ve concluded to be absolutely certain, is that all humans MUST start to view our in-group as the entire human race, or the odds are extremely high that we will drive ourselves to extinction (again, assuming to external forces, alien or divine, are coming to save us).
I know this was quite a massive reply, but it’s something I’ve thought about quite a bit, and your comment definitely brought all this stuff rushing back to my mind, all the way back to my night in the mountains outside penn state, trying to solve the worlds problems with a bunch of nerds with heads full of LSD.. 😂
I’m interested in your thoughts, though. Thanks for the reply! ✌🏼
G B I understand if you don’t want to read, and reply to such an essay of a response. If you want me to, I can just isolate the main part. I’m just realizing how long that reply is.. Sorry, but what you said got me on a role with one of my biggest interests.. ✌🏼
The greed is not only American. There a many from other countries putting their hands in and buying up land and investments...this is global. It's about the rich. Not a nationality
How did chechnya get to what it is today....grosny looks good.
Puerto Rico should take the advice that trump gave to Theresa May, the PM of the UK...Puerto Rico should sue America.
In my opinion the island is in need of both changes! At this precise moment Puerto Rico is at the stage of third world country! It is a great opportunity for Investors to develop their investments and a great opportunity for Puertoricans citizens to sow their land and detach up to certain level themselves from the imports of the United States!
Luis Ramos Melendez this would be great, but unless USA releases is grip from the island, the PuertoRican people will have no voice. Saludos
Luis Ramos Melendez sorry but Puerto Rico does not exist Puerto Rican citizenship they are USA citizens.😞
Judith Sanchez I appreciate the benefits that we get as US Citizens! I work with many other ethnic groups and every time I listen how much they pay to try to become US citizens I just appreciate how Blessed we are! I am just encouraging our fellow brothers at the Island to work harder to improve their quality of life!
The Heeeooricane? LOL!
Two wings of the same bird...Puerto Rico and Cuba...both get battered by hurricanes...one, Cuba, rises Phoenix like...because it is an independent nation...independence hard fought for...from and against the US...won through a popular revolution...and still fighting against an unfair and crippling embargo...the other a colony, fighting for independence from the US, exploited wholesale, by Disaster Capitalism...
qince15 / Perfectly said.
Cuba, do not allow Corporate Government of US to get their corrupt hands on your long hard earned independence.You have succeeded in living sustainably with first class home grown organic produce.Possibly the largest in the world.Show the way forward and stay strong.
That’s a funny joke
So *true* *qince 15*
Santa Juanita Bayamon your thoughts on this.....www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-irma-cuba-20170911-story.html
I think this is really interesting but a highly biased piece of journalism. She failed to address the monetary defaults that occurred and the massive hedge funds who are the investors. The Puerto Rican government like most government have fairly substantial levels of corruption and as such end up bankrupting their societies by borrowing and spending too much. The Roman Empire even did it eventually collapsing like Venezuela and other highly socialistic countries are. People are under the illusion that social democracies are operating based on the will of the people when they are being operated by special interests that are exploiting the majority. Just do a quick study on the subsidies to Big Sugar here in the U.S. to get just a small sample of the problems the majority faces.
Naomi is sadly under the erroneous notion that libertarianism or free-market capitalism is bad for the majority because it allows commercial interests to create monopolistic controls. That's pure economic nonsense, yet so many people believe this. That's because we have been misled by years of manipulation and misinformation by mainstream media and our education system. You must ask yourself why the ruling class hates people like Ron Paul? There is a reason the ruling class hates libertarianism and people like George Soros love social democracies. It allows them to redistribute the majorities wealth into their pockets. If free-market capitalism benefited them more, we would be more free-market. We have so many redistributions of wealth schemes at the various levels of government nobody can even list them all and they are bankrupting our society as well. Puerto Rico has already defaulted on a large amount of the debt they owe. They need to reduce taxes and government spending which in turn, will attract free-market investment and greater economic activity and expansion. Sadly the ruling class will let it start and then they will clamp down with more social policies to once again steal the wealth that the majority has created.
Chile
It's a good report, but one-sided. Opportunistic foreign investment isn't all bad. The tourists who will come to those new hotels will bring money with them which they will spend in Puerto Rico, putting money into the Puerto Rico economy, creating jobs. Luxury homes will be bought mainly by foreign retirees who will bring their savings and pensions into the country, generating jobs but not taking jobs.
That is a misconception. With the ramping up of the global warming and ensuing climate change and given PR's geographical location and low-lying coastline, it will soon be inundated and all those beach properties will become worthless.
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Open your eyes and try and understand that the world is about to change *drastically* from what you, or anyone has hitherto known.
I and a group of Puerto Rican intellectuals invited you to go to Puerto Rico about two years ago so that you could learn about its problems. Your handler and you did not evben respond to us. Vulture journalism? Dr. Jose M. VAdi
Fight for what is your,s Puerto Rico we have lost all our rights to corporate power in the U.S.A with Trump in office we are doomed ,God be with you Puerto Rico he is not here
chilly dog unfortunately he's the power to buy huge lands in Puerto Rico ,and no one marched for that!!
Politics, politics and more politics as always
Nothing New... Have Y'ALL been a sleep FOR 50 yrs. HELLO
Michelle Barkman Viva la revolución!
Coffee u still call it that....its just burnt bean soup....nothing nutritious.
Relying on monoculture and commodities like oil and copper when you could grow all the food you need in a perfect climate self-sufficiency is a way to go.
No no no hell no to charter schools. Didn't work here in New Orleans, won't work there.
hoodini
PNEN CANCIONCITAS PAGANAS, NO LE DAN EL EXPLENDOR , NI LA EXALTACION AL ETERNO. ..Y ASI QUIEREN PROGRESAR? RECORDEMOS QEU NOSOMOS NADA SIN EL. SHALOM 132
i am here because my teacher is making me do a 9th grade project on this
Libertarian Fantasies? There is nothing Libertarian about regime change and illegal wars..missed the boat on that observation. Libertarians cling on to the hope that our troops and presence in the Middle East will come to an end. Makes any reporting you've done on a foundation of sand if you can't seem to understand basic libertarianism.
Thomas Upchurch yet you guys get funded by the koch brothers
Some audio don’t match so thumbs down from me.
I tried to watch this, but at 55 seconds, that music became just too much - it's louder than her voice, and has absolutely NO VALUE. Ruined your own story with shite music obscuring your voice.
I am by no means a conservative, and consider myself a moderate. I have to say that this piece is totally biased in favor of the ultra radical socialist left wing that are a minority in PR and part of our current problem.
What this story doesn't tell you is that most of those interviewed are abdicating for policies that are responsible for PR current debacle and oppose any changes to make PR more competitive to the world and also oppose our goal of achieving equality as a US state. Right now those teachers that are protesting are doing it out of political motivation and not for.the benefits of teachers on the island.
How do you know? Why is being socialist radical when in fact it is a system for the people rather than the greedy capitalism destroying the world? I absolutely loved the video and hope my people will take care of the island and each other rather than the radical greed you seem to support.
you are right about something, socialist left wing are a minority, in fact so small, they have absolutely no effect or consequence on public policy or even public opinion. is ironic socialism only works and is blindly and widely accepted when the biggest recipients of it's bounty are governments and corporations...
U and US estate in other words please is ok all the injustice the us
have done
Emilio F. Flecha if it becomes a state then wheres the culture
You are speaking out of your arse! *Emilio F. Flecha* Besides, IF (and at the current rate of human population growth and depletion of global resources, that is a might BIG *IF* ...) the human race is to survive, then true socialism needs to be universally embraced.
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The reason why right wing (moderate/liberal ? !!!) nitwits like you bleat on about (your perception of....) the left-wing ideology, is that you fear losing your immoral income /gains.
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Capitalism has failed. We require a complete paradigm change, GLOBALLY, if the human race has any chance of survival past this century. (A state of which unfortunately, I suspect will not happen).
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Puerto Rico needs to ditch the US. Uncle Sam and his idiot buffoon 'Child President' are doing nobody (including US citizens...) any favours.
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Many of us will be watching Puerto Rico with renewed and keen interest. AND WE ARE ROOTING FOR YOU ALL.
Thank you Naomi for keeping me informed; You are Super Awesome!