Here's a link to last year's article by Duncan Currie on the American Library Association's hypocrisy, http://www.nationalreview.com/nr_comment/nr_comment072803.asp The Forgotten 14

I know next to nothing about politics, history, military tactics, etc. But since I am Cuban, I won't let that stand in the way of my commenting on this situation.

Cuba is an island and therefore is isolated from those that could help the Cuban people liberate themselves. Castro will never change, nor will his successors, i.e. his brother or other filthy animal that takes his place.

Unless threatened with military action, internal or external, Castro and his ilk will continue to rule the island.

If Cuba does change via non-military methods I fear it will be burdened with hordes of commies that will persist in government for decades to come. Cuba will be nothing more than another third world craphole mired in political conflict much like Nicaragua.

I hope I am wrong but I think the only way to "flush out the system" will be via a forced removal of Castro and the associated commies.

Comandante: Been to Nicaraugua lately? They are at the end of an ivestigation involving the democratically elected President that obsconded with the treasury. The point I am trying to make is, it is not just the Socialists that are corupt.
The main problem with Nicaraugua is that less than 200 people own or control more than 70% of the land. And Nicaraugua is in better condition than El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belieze, and southern Mexico.

Bill,

I never said that the commies (aka socialists in a hurry) are the only corrupt ones. But thank you for throwing up that strawman.

All those places you mentioned:

El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belieze, and southern Mexico

are blessed with natural beauty, resources, etc. but they are social and economic cesspools.

Btw, why only Southern Mexico? The Central and northern parts of Mexico are rotten to the bone.

Look, I am not arguring for a plutocracy but your assertion, "The main problem with Nicaraugua is that less than 200 people own or control more than 70% of the land." Is meaningless.

Riddle me this Bill:
Who do you think "owns and controls the land" ALL the land in a socialist state? 200 people? 500 people? It's probably a handful of people.

The U.S. Federal Gov. "owns and controls" about 80% of the state of Nevada. What does this do for your theory? Or is it ok for the State to own all the land and not for individuals?

Hello, Bill?

The silence is deafening......

Far be it for me to stifle a civil debate, lets not hijack the thread into other topics.

I really do want folks to know about the Cuban dissidents and how nothing is being done about it.

Sorry,I have a cake in the oven...The point I am making is that Cuban issues and Central American issues, though similar, should not be catagorized together. The small percentage of land ownership is a hold-over from spanish colonialism. One of the leaders of socialist elite, Daniel Ortega, is a member of one of the families that prevent private ownership for much of the regular population. There is a reason that there is a large Nica population in the US.
The comparison you make with the state of Nevada and Nicaraugua is flawed ie; the land in Nevada is controled by the government of the United States, in essence, you if you are a citizen, whereas the land in Nicaraugua is owned by these few individuals. There is reason Nicaruagua is poor and it is because the right people like it that way. Having free deomcratic elections changed very little for the average Nica, out with one bad guy in with another. At least in the US the politicians can be vote out and policies can be changed, there, very little changes.
Val: I have learned that it is dangerous to pretend that you understand something by comparing it to something else that is fundamentally different. The problems in Cuba are markedly different than those that face other Latinos, in that it is not just Fidelito that binds Cuba to Socialism. Behind every gun is un dedo. He is kept in power by more than silience, and you know this to be true. The next time you get down this way stop by for que-que y un cafecito.

Sorry about going off on a tanget. I'll take my meds now.

I thought you might be interested in this. I'd like to know your opinion.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/03/18/cuban_americans_look_beyond_bush/

For all Kerry Lovers (Ugh):
http://rmeek141.home.comcast.net/KerryPinkoLeftie.GIF (Kerry and Daniel Ortega)

Stacy,

I read that article in the Boston paper earlier today. As with any group of people, you will find some that cut agaisnt the grain. However, my opinion is that the squeeky wheel gets the grease. Some Cuban-Americans think it was their vote that elected Bush in 2000,now, before the relection, they want something to show for it. I suspect Bush and co. will be coming to Miami quite a bit in the next few months.

I dont hold my breath when it comes to any US administration toppling Castro. Too little too late. Besides, Castro has puppeteered every administration since he's been dictator in charge for over 40 years.

Im a one issue voter. We need to finish what we started against terrorism.

Want change? Work for it, pray for it, do it. If you are a "Cuban in Exile" why would you want some one else to "Liberate" your country for you. Nothing is free.....and US military intervention would mean US politcal involvment if such an intervention is successful.
A peaceful cedance of power from Fidelito is NOT possible.....he has murdered to many of his own countrymen, therefor it isn't in his best interest to relinquish power.....no safe haven and all that. Even if he were so inclined, which, I am quite certain, he is not.
My Grandfather once told me "If you want something done right, do it yourself." Actually he told me more than once, but that is another story.

Will,

Im afraid that's a rather idealistic approach to the Cuba regime change. We could go as far back as the Brigada 2506 and the Bay of Pigs and the ensuing fiasco. It is impossible to fight Castro from within the island, as the situation of these 75 dissidents prove. It is also illegal to build and train any kind of personnel force to overthrow Castro from the US. I believe it was a promise made back during the Missile Crisis.

Unfortunately, Castro's charisma affords him a certain appeal throughout Latin American and Caribbean countries, thus, there really is no place to seriously plan and prepare for a coup against Castro.

I do agree with one thing however, whne the goat dies, it will be ugly.

?Quizas, quien sabe? Your first paragraph contains a possible solution to your problem. 75 disidents is a small percentage the population and ,for many Americans at least, it is hard to understand the apathy of the normal Cuban. This also underlines the importance of voting your conscience, not voting for which canidate will "give" you what you want.
He is favored in those areas more as an anti-thetic character, positioned in contrast to the US. Believe me when I say that people in those areas are well aware of his failures as a leader. Few still believe that the US trade embargo is responsible for Cubas in-ability to make socialism work.