On July 3rd, I discussed Carlos Delgado’s fight for justice on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques. The article I quoted, Geoff Baker’s Citizen Carlos in the Toronto Star, was met with a predictable mixed reaction. On one side of the aisle were those like Dave Zirin at Common Dreams that credited Delgado for his activism. On the other side, Delgado was met with harsh criticism from those who feel dissent should be disallowed.

    <p>While reading through the online reactions to Delgado's stance, I also came across an insightful interview with the slugger conducted nearly three years ago to the day.  Seth Livingstone of the-now-defunct-and-rolled-into-Sports-Weekly <i>Baseball Weekly</i> asked Delgado "which is most important to you - what you do on the field, helping kids off the field or having the forum to speak on political issues?</p>
    <blockquote cite="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/bbw/2001-07-18/2001-07-18-extra.htm"><p>It's a combination of all of them. I can't do one without the other. If I wasn't a baseball player, I wouldn't be in a position, financially or socially, to have the leverage that I do. I'm pretty happy with my life. I'm pretty happy with the person that I am. I love what I do on the field and that takes a lot of my time. But I also make time to help other people because a lot are not as fortunate as I am. If I'm in a position where I can make a difference, that would be great. That's like hitting a home run.</p>
    <p><i>[Cite: "Delgado's range touches many," USA Today, Byline Seth Livingstone, July 18, 2001]</i></p></blockquote>
    <p>If only our elected leaders were more like Delgado, disasters like Vieques would never happen.  Kudos to you, Carlos!</p>