Way to go Kendrick!!! (Updated)

I havent always seen eye to eye with U.S. Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek, despite the fact that he is a personal and family friend, but after reading this article in today's Miami Herald about the newly formed Cuban Democracy Caucus, I appreciate his friendship that much more.

The Cuban Democracy Caucus is a bipartisan group of legislators formed to promote Cuba's civil society and pro-democracy movement and further weaken the totalitarian grip of fidel castro upon the Cuban people.

Conversely, I was a bit disappointed this morning when I read this post at Paxety Pages, hilighting the US-Cuba Trade Association:

A group of 30 companies and organizations from 19 states wants to open trade with Cuba and plans to fight Bush administration rules tightening trade. The Sun Sentinel reports The U.S.-Cuba Trade Association includes well known companies such as ADM, Cargill, and Caterpillar, plus some groups that are no surprise, such as The U.S. Rice Federation and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

The group organized after the Treasury Department decided in February that sales to Cuba must be cash only.

"This action has already disrupted and directly hurt the smooth trade which in three years produced over $1.2 billion in sales by American firms," Association President Kirby Jones said in a statement.

Folks who still believe there is an embargo, take a look at that number - $1.2 billion. I'll admit being conflicted by this topic. On the one hand, I'm bothered by the quote - it seems to show a crassness - a sense that only money is important.

On the other hand, I'm convinced that the Cuban people will never be able to overthrow fidel so long as they have to spend most of their waking days worrying about how to feed their children. I think fidel knows this and purposely starves the petulance. After all, 1958 was a pretty good year, economically, in Cuba.

Juan goes on to suggest that maybe its time to rethink the US policy towards Cuba and lift the embargo, thus flooding the island with US goods.

And he may be correct, but... given fidel castro's history or oppression; given the fact that Cuba has been and does trade with all other countries in the world; given the fact that new regulations were imposed upon the Cuban people to restrict their contact with foreigners; given the fact that dollar stores are already chock full of goods - from the US and otherwise - while stores with goods available to ordinary Cubans remain empty; given the fact that the avergae Cuban makes a whopping $20 a month; given the fact that tourism is run bythe Cuban Ministryof Defense; given the fact that fidel castro has imposed even more taxes on US dollars upon his people; given the fact the regime castigates those Cubans who take it upon themselves to better themselves; given the fact that without individual freedoms there can be no progress; given the fact that Cuban dissidents themselves have stated, to Congress no less, that the lifting of the embargo will only serve to prolong thier punishment; and not to mention that the proponents of lifting the embargo cannot prove that anything would change in regards to the complete and total oppression the Cuban people face...I hardly believe that lifting the embargo at this stage in the game is the prudent thing to do. Yeah, it may work, but it may also be catastrophic.

So I say, go ahead and let this US-Cuba trade group meet and make their suggestions in the hopes of lining their pockets. Because that's what it's all about for them: money. Sure, they'll take on a couple of token Cubans and Cuban-Americans with them for effect, just to tug at the heartstrings a bit. Just to sell the "the embargo is hurting the Cuban people" line and the "restrictions are dividing families" propaganda, but make no bones about it, it's all about selling goods to Cuba. And the Cuban people be damned because those sellers know, absolutely and from the onset, that the average Cuban can't afford to purchase a damn thing. They know, going in, that they will be dealing with the castro regime and the castro regime alone.

As long as we have politicians in office like those of the Cuban Democracy Caucus, who understand the nature of fidel castro's regime, politicians like Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., U.S. Reps. Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart, R-Miami, U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Shultz, D-Weston and of course President George W. Bush - who has stated in no uncertain terms that he will veto any bill calling for the lifting of the embargo and the easing of sanctions, there is a better chance for political change in Cuba.

And, IMHO, if you want to really help foster democracy and create a different political climate in Cuba a little faster, put some fucking teeth into that embargo. No more fucking travel at all, by anyone, be they students, priests, rabbi's, politicians, whatever. Not a single gottdamn red American cent to Cuba and not a single gottdamn cent to any company or country trading with the bearded bastard. Ni un centavo. Put some damn teeth into it an bite down hard. Masticate. Lock the jaw and ferociously hold on until fidel castro has no other choice but to scream Uncle.

Update: I want to make clear that the preceeding rant was aimed at those making an effort to either lift the embargo or ease restrictions and not at Juan of Paxety Pages, whom I consider a friend and fellow blogger and brother in arms.

Posted by Val Prieto at April 27, 2005 11:06 AM

Comments

Posted by: Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz at April 27, 2005 11:58 AM

Posted by: Miguel at April 27, 2005 12:35 PM

Posted by: Felix Ricardo at April 27, 2005 12:46 PM

Posted by: Felix Ricardo at April 27, 2005 12:46 PM

Posted by: Robert at April 27, 2005 05:57 PM

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Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at April 27, 2005 11:36 PM

Posted by: A.M. Mora y Leon at April 27, 2005 11:37 PM

Posted by: cohetedude at April 30, 2005 01:44 AM