Vieques Puerto Rico

Dropping the sovereign immunity defense in the Vieques environmental case would demonstrate the Obama administration's commitment to ending the overzealous use of national defense claims.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson acknowledged the need to clean up the island of Vieques last week at the national convention of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

In the government's twisted logic, warning people about the impending bombing that will contaminate their air, water, soil and bodies could harm these citizens more.

President Obama should instruct all relevant federal agencies to live up to his stated commitment to address the health crisis in Vieques immediately, pursue an "environmentally acceptable" clean-up for Vieques, and work toward a fair and complete resolution to the ongoing litigation.