"A lot of shippers" don't want Trump to help Puerto Rico. Many shippers. A shitload of shippers.

[Miles Archer]

Trump: ‘A Lot Of Shippers’ Don’t Want Me To Waive The Jones Act To Help Puerto Rico
It appears he’s considering an industry’s profits over aid to 3.5 million Americans facing a humanitarian crisis.



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-puerto-rico-jones-act-maria_us_59cc281ee4b05063fe0ef7ec?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he’s considering waiving the Jones Act for Puerto Rico ― an arguably outdated law that imposes exorbitant shipping costs on the island ― but tempered his support for it because he’s getting pushback from the shipping industry.

“We’re thinking about that,” he said at a White House press event. “But we have a lot of shippers and … a lot of people who work in the shipping industry that don’t want the Jones Act lifted. And we have a lot of ships out there right now.”

The 1920 law requires that all goods shipped between U.S. ports be carried by American-owned and operated ships, which are more expensive vessels than others in the global marketplace. That means Puerto Rico has to pay double the costs for goods from the U.S. mainland compared with neighboring islands ― and that U.S. vessels are making bank. The law costs Puerto Rico hundreds of millions of dollars every year, and now, in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, the costs to import food, fuel and other supplies will spike amid the island’s economic devastation.

Trump’s comments are a galling admission that he’s weighing an industry’s profits against the needs of 3.5 million Americans facing “apocalyptic” conditions in Puerto Rico. Most people there haven’t had water, power or cell service since Hurricane Maria decimated the island last week. Roads are washed away or covered in debris. Many Americans still haven’t heard from loved ones after a week, and at least 13 people have died.

[WePurrsevere]

1. And yet the Jones Act was waved for FL & TX...

They're ALL US citizens and deserve help equally but Trump's made it pretty clear he's biased (not to mention ignorant) when it comes to Puerto Rico and its citizens.


I hope the news of this spreads like wildfire, hangs around his neck like a ships anchor and sinks him finally. There's NO excuse for this BS, NONE.

[dalton99a]

6. Absolutely.

[Scruffy1]

2. As much as I despise Drumf this is somewhat misleading.

After tsalking to people I know in the maritime industry I've found the real problem is not getting stuff in, but a broken infrastructure to distribute it. Lack of power for cranes, blocked roads aand you name it. This goes for fuel , too. What I think they really need is Army and National engineering outfits to get power going and roads cleared. some seabees would be a blessing.

[atreides1]

3. Did those people happen to mention roll off/roll on ships

RO/RO ships don't require cranes to be off loaded. These ships can be loaded with construction equipment and supplies, and can start the process of clearing roads and repairing the port facilities!

Twenty-seven auxiliary roll-on/roll-off ships are U.S. Maritime Administration Ready Reserve Force ships that can be quickly activated to support military sea transportation needs. They are used for military wheeled and tracked vehicles and associated rolling stock. When activated, they come under operational control of Military Sealift Command.

The auxiliary roll-on/roll-off ships are designed to carry military wheeled and tracked vehicles and rolling stock. The ships have large stern ramps that are used to load and unload their cargo.

The roll-on/roll-off ships fall into several classes, some using steam turbines and some diesel engines. All are maintained in reduced operating status on the U.S. East, Gulf or West Coasts near potential loading ports. Crews are provided by commercial companies under contract to MARAD.

[WinkyDink]

5. Why are you Trumpsplaining, when that is NOTHING of what he said??

[MyOwnPeace]

4. The great Roberto Clemente

died in a World War II DC-3 airplane while trying to help a devastated Nicaragua after they had suffered an earthquake. He lost his life trying to help others. He died when the plane went down off of the shores of his native Puerto Rico.

Some thanks the US is showing him and his fellow citizens.

[WinkyDink]

7. I respected RC as much as the next baseball fan, but Nicaragua?

Last edited Thu Sep 28, 2017, 06:45 AM - Edit history (1)

Not American citizens.

[MyOwnPeace]

13. Simple -

he cared about people, not flags or nationalities.

[WinkyDink]

8. "Great, really tremendous shippers. But if I suspend the Jones Act, maybe I'll call it the Trump

Act. Whattaya think, folks? The Trump Act. Has a nice ring to it, right? I think I should open a hotel in Puerto Rico when it's all fixed. You would all stay there, right? But then I would need those great shippers, so I better not make them angry now!

Puerto Rico is a great island in the Atlantic, we love Puerto Rico, lots of Puerto Ricans in New York, right? We are doing great things there now, money, food, whatever. It's all going great. Puerto Rico will be back better and stronger.

And I'll bet no Puerto Rican will ever take a knee!" *Loud cheers.*

[dalton99a]

9. +1

[njhoneybadger]

10. Puerto Rico could be his Katrina

[kentuck]

11. That is a disgrace.

A fucking disgrace.

[superpatriotman]

12. Are these the shippers who fly foreign flags

to avoid taxes?
Panama, Libya, etc