This news from Puerto Rico… Evidence has emerged that in 2001 the U.S. Navy paid one point seven million dollars to a public relations firm to increase support for a public referendum over the Navy’s use of Vieques. In November 6, 2001 voters in Puerto Rico went to the polls to decide whether the Navy should be allowed to keep use Vieques for live-fire training. Voters overwhelming called on the Navy to stop using the site even though the Navy spent approximately $358 per referendum voter in their PR effort. According to documents obtained by Judicial Watch, the Navy hired the Rendon Group to “… organize local leaders to build grassroots communications support … ensure the integrity of the voting process … develop methods and tracking procedures to increase support among citizens.” The Rendon Group is the same PR firm that was used to help form the Iraqi National Congress–the Iraqi exile group that pushed for the U.S. invasion. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said, “I think most Americans would be shocked to learn that the military had a program to 'ensure the integrity' of our voting process.”