A Note To Conservatives What is suggested here is radical—that Puerto Rico be granted independence from the United States. A conservative might well believe that the our current relationship with Puerto Rico is justified and that to suggest otherwise is unpatriotic, but consider this: in our own revolution the conservatives wanted to continue our relationship with England; the radicals wanted independence. With regards to slavery, the conservatives were with the status quo while the radicals were the abolitionists. In the old Soviet Union the conservatives were the hard-line Stalinists; the radicals wanted democracy. In defense of conservatism, where "radical" comes from a Latin word meaning "root", the intent of conservatism is to conserve. Conservationists, historical preservationists are conservatives, and while conservatism is a block to progress, one must consider the nature of the progressive act: is it destructive or is it just? To tear down a valuable, historical old building, or an ancient forest is an act of destruction. To grant a nation of people self-determination is just. Those who are blindly conservative are just as myopic as radicals with no concern for the consequences of their actions. Each must balance and temper the other. But where justice is concerned they must stand united and save their partisan rhetoric for when they can afford it. If you are a "conservative" I respect and share your concern for the value of the past and of tradition; I only ask you to respect my hope for the future. Please read these pages with an open mind and with reasoned thought. If you do not agree with us at least understand our passion and convictions. We all long for peace, support the struggle for liberty and believe in justice. There is much more that we have in common than divides us. —Daniel B. Zwickel