On St. Croix, Senators Feel Heat Over a Pay Increase

ON ST CROIX, SENATORS FEEL HEAT OVER A PAY INCREASE
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal 7/13, AUTHOR: Conor Dougherty conor.dougherty@wsj.com]
A group of Virgin Island senators are asking the Federal Communications Commission to block a radio show host's proposed purchase of WYAC-FM 93.5, the station that broadcasts his show. The host has been accused of leading an attempt to overthrow the Virgin Islands government; some suggest he's a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Why all the fuss over Roger Morgan? He led an unsuccessful effort to recall four St. Croix senators after the senate voted itself a 31% pay increase. The fight between Mr. Morgan and the senators has touched on lots of lofty issues, like free speech, political accountability and race relations on an island where most people are black and many newcomers, including Mr. Morgan, are white and wealthy by comparison. But the friction also illustrates what can happen when Americans from the mainland -- known as "continentals" to the local Crucians -- bring a more abrasive brand of political criticism to a place where politicians have a cozier relationship with their electorate.
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