There is more to being anti-castro than singing songs. They need to put their money where their mouth is. Some say they have, but I have not seen them lose money for being anti-castro. Its amazing that I know of many people who don't even know Gloria is cuban. Not by her fault, but many listeners are shallow and only listen to the music. So to say that their stand is costing them is not quite genuine (this is not speaking of any contributions that I am not aware of). Now they have an opportunity as I previously stated. They should cut any tracks which include santana and issue an apology. They will come out smelling like a rose. If not they can just continue the crossover and become as someone said liberal media darlings. They still have a chance to save face.

Val:

You put more passion into your writing than most men put into their lives; but don't waste it on those whose only interest in you or this forum is to use you. Be very wary in the future of phone calls from (self)-important people. If they reach out to you, rather than the other way around, try to look into their hearts rather than your own. Anyone can have all the virtues that we choose to lavish on them; but only an intimate acquaintance with people should convince us to become their champions. Men like Biscet and Fariñas — and that battered little girl, Elián's spiritual sister, who is threatened with his same fate — deserve our unquestioned support because they have won it by their scars. I don't see what Emilio and Gloria Estefan have ever done to merit your blind support or anybody else's. Yes, they are popular ambassadors for our culture and are not fidelistas. Should the fact that they are not fidelistas earn them a special grace? Should they be? They are no better or different because of that fact than the rest of us. Their fame and money benefits them. No one else. As for all that they have done for the cause, I should like to see an accounting. Can you name even one thing that they have done other than say that they are anti-Castro? With a fortune estimated at a half-billion they could have done a great deal. But I'll stake everything that you have put your money where your mouth is (and where your heart is) more times than they have.

You will disappoint me a great deal more if you fail to wholeheartedly embrace the abused little Cuban girl's cause than you would by defending the likes of the Estefans.

Manuel,

First of all, I was not "blinded" by anything. I offered the Estefans the benefit of the doubt not just because I would do so with anyone, but also because they have earned it in my opinion. And if you peruse the archives of this blog, you will not find a single instance where we have criticized one of our own publicly. I dont like to air our dirty laundry in public.

Pototo,

The problem with cutting the track is that the damage is already done. If they release the album with Santana and the C-A community criticizes and complains, then the community gets a bad wrap for being intolerant and intransingent. If they cut the track and release the album w/o Santana because of our criticisms and concerns, then the community gets a bad wrap for being intolerant and intransingent. Either way, we lose in the eyes of those who arent Cuban-American or exiles. It's a Pyrrhic victory for the victor.

Val:

You were blinded by your own faith in people who didn't deserve it. Isn't this what this is all about? Isn't this the reason that you now say that you have to eat crow?

Val,

I applaud your integrity in admitting your mistake so quickly.
It is a testament to your noble heart that you first tried to defend the Estefans.

They were just using their fame and position to try to influence you and it is THEY who should be ashamed for attempting to defraud an entire community.

They don't have to defend Cuba or do anything else. But when they use their Cubania to make money...then they DO have a responsibility to portray that with truth and dignity and IMHO they have failed miserably. I would not buy ANY of their stuff.

Val:

And, yes, what about the little girl? You wasted a lot of emotional and political capital on the Estefans. Why not "waste" even a little on the abused Cuban girl? I cannot understand your silence about her on this blog.

" If they cut the track and release the album w/o Santana because of our criticisms and concerns, then the community gets a bad wrap for being intolerant and intransingent."
who gives a rip what our community looks like to a liberal world. We can do no right in their eyes anyway. Its about a cause, a free Cuba!

BTW everyone,
Val is not the enemy. While I can disagree with him on things lets keep things in perspective. We need to hash things out yet not get carried away among what is "truly" our own here. My problem is with the Estefans. We may not agree with Val's loyalty to them here, but lets not lose focus. This is a place where we can disagree. lets not get ugly.

One more thing. If we cared about how we look to the world we should not have tried to keep Elian here, we should drop the embargo, we should not fight for human rights in Cuba, etc.

Pototo:

You are absolutely right. Why should we give a damn what our enemies think about us? They will trash us in any case. I think that it is this same hang-up about "the community not getting a bad rap for being intolerant and intransigent" that keeps Val from uttering even one word of support for the little Cuban girl on this blog. "No more Eliáns" seems to be Val's motto, as if our role in the Elián case were something we should be ashamed of.

Pototo:

No one is questioning Val's loyalty. I have praised him on these two threads almost as much as he praised the Estefans. Only I think I am justified in my praise. He clearly was not.

Manuel,
I have a deep respect for you and Val. I would suggest taking this issue to him privately to see the why. I also am against shipping any kid back to Cuba, but check with him first to see his reasoning then make your call.

You can check all the comments posted yesterday and I think no one mentioned that Val was an enemy. I am on the side that says no one should escape, no matter who they are. Again I'll say, the Estefans are not communist! They made a big mistake and have to live with the consequences.

Manuel,

There are a number of contributors to this blog that help cover teh news and issues. I cant possibly cover every single news item that comes along. Along with the responsibilities that accompany this blog, I also have responsibilities elsewhere: a job, a home, my family, etc.. Add to that the El Exilio Project and everything esle and Im spread pretty thin.

Pototo,

We should all give a rip about the reputation of our community as it's that reputation that the enemies of a free Cuba use to discredit us.

Pototo:

Actually I (and others) have been waiting a while for Val to make this call and I have tried to convince him as best I could to make the right call. But it is unavailing. He will simply not commit on this life-or-death issue, which dwarfs the Estefans' insignificant problems. I do not understand it. But it doesn't diminish my respect for Val, who has fought all the good fights in the past.

Great Val,
Then lets drop the evil embargo as castro says we are starving cubans, we should not criticize his sending doctors to other countries as they are for purely humanitarian reasons, elian needed to go back to his real father, those dissidents are only on the US payroll. There now, the community will like our image and Cuba rots. BTW where can I get my che t-shirt? They will love me for that.

I'm not sure anyone has gotten ugly here, yet.

I would also like to respond to Mr. Estefan's press release where he states:

"Por los ultimos 32 anos de nuestra carrera ha sido extremadamente clara nuestra posicion anti-Castrista frente a Presidentes, La Realeza de varios pai­ses, el Papa Juan Pablo, la prensa mundial y cualquier persona que haya tocado el tema de Cuba con nosotros. Incluso cuando hubiese sido mas facil callar hemos expresado nuestro desacuerdo con la dictadura en Cuba y hemos tratado de transmitir el dolor del pueblo Cubano a traves del mundo."

Are we all supposed to applaud them for this? Isn't this what all of us here do every day?
They just get to say it to more "important" people due to their wealth and position.
Im sure that most of us have spoken out when it would have been much easier and more politically correct to have remained silent. Isn't this what we all did during Elian?
I don't think that by telling the TRUTH that one deserves anything extra from our peers, it's more about self respect.

Val:

I am not asking you for anything except to say one word of support for this little girl on your blog. Not to lead a campaign on her behalf. Just to say one word. You did it for the Estefans, why not do it for her?

mavi,
I agree we far too often put these people on pedestals. I for one don't admire "celebrities" as they are people who just have a different job.
This is dangerous and one of the reason that this country has its problems. People follow celebrities and usually liberals and a few lead the many astray. This may be the case with the Estefans as they will either fix the problem and bring unity or make the problem larger and cause division as some will accept and compromise due to blindly following celebrity.

Coño, pototo, how can you do me like that man? Im not saying we shouldn't defend our convictions, all Im saying is that in this particular case, which will undoubtedly get much more exposure in the weeks to come, the damage could have been avoided had the Estefans had better judgement.

Im surprised to hear those statements from you directed at me, as you know as well as anyone else here the absolute criticism I have received and the public bashings Ive received for stating my views and opinions matter of factly here on the blog.

Val,
I was trying to use absurdity to prove that putting the community image first is just as absurd. You should know me better than that as well. I have been supporting you via private email all morning. I do not espouse to the belief that we should worry about what the community looks like because as I was trying to state with my absurd example is that short of going belly up the community will never look good. You know me better as I do you. Give me the benefit of the doubt as well. I know how passionate you are and so am I. No harm intended.

Val:

You should embrace those public bashings as the badge of honor that they are, and, in fact, welcome them.

And, yes, what about the little girl?

Val:

We can't control what the enemy does and says about us. In fact they have spent much $$ and energy trying to discredit us. They will never stop. I can only control what I do and I must trust in God to open the hearts and minds of good people everywhere to see the truth of my testimony.

When all is said and done, we must be true to ourselves.

Manuel,

Tell you what. You write the post on the little girl and Ill review it and post it.

When all is said and done, we must be true to ourselves.

Absolutely.

Miguel Savedra just called in to Radio Mambi. He basically said that santana needs to come out and issue an apology. Not an apology to Emilio or through a phone call, in person so we can see him. He said that if the CD comes out with santana he will detroy it in Emilio's office.

Val,
How about seeing if Estefan will answer our concerns. You could present him with a summary of what we have discussed. I think this would give him a fair opporunity to address our concerns which is what should be important to him as a Cuban-American. He openly came to you. You deserve an opportunity to go to him.

Val:

Thank you for your confidence. But I have written at least 100 comments and several thousand words already on her. My position is known and needs no clarification. However, I will write the post if you will sign your name to it. Of course, that should be unnecessary, since you can do it as well as I can. Besides, I'm not asking you to write a post, but simply to state that you support her right to remain in this country and oppose her repatriation to Cuba. That's all.

Freedom,

Youll forgive me if I dont take Saavedra's call as gospel.

Pardon my ignorance, but I am a Cuban American who did not grow up in Miami. Who is Miguel Savedra?

Thanks Pototo, I was thinking the same thing. I've lived here for 10 years, but I have no idea who he is.

Pototo:

Saavedra is a man that Val has honorably defended on another blog when those enemies of our community made it a public spectacle to ridicule and slander this man. Val said on that occasion that he at least could understand Saavadra's pain and his sense of desperation when confronted by the indifference or hostility of others to our cause.

Before I run off to work, to make $$$, to keep my kids goldito y colorado.....the Estefens are Democrats not Republicans or conservatives.

The Bible says there is wisdom in a multitude of Counselers. Listent to all those you trust around you, weigh their comments, and make a decision.

I have been following the posts for one year now but recently I started posting my comments. I like what I hear from you and I have said so in private emails. I am definately in your corner and what to see your efforts succeed.

Talk to your mentors, your wife, other C-A bloggers you trust. What is the consensus? A lo ultimo Emelio tene una lengua de oro or he would not be rich, 2nd, he does not pay your bills or protest with signs on the street when we need him.

Toma your next move con mucha consideration y consejos y vas a ver how everything works out. Either way........I will continue to read, support and contribute @ babalu

Pototo,

Ive already forwarded the links to these posts to the Estefans and offered the blog as a platform for their response. Not much else I can after that.

Manuel,

For the record, I support the right of every Cuban exile, child or adult, to remain in the United States and not be repatriated. I am against the repatriation of this girl back to Cuba as I believe it is in her best interests to live in freedom and under the protection of the Constitution of the United States of America and with all rights granted therein.

Val:

Thank-you.

Guajiro,

gracias for your vote of confidence and support.

Then the ball is in the Estefan's court. The only way left to speak is with our dollars and not spend them. I would say that if they took santana off and made a statement I would hope that people speak as well with our dollars and spend them. A precedent needs to be set. Thanks Val.

Manuel,

My comments regarding Saavedra which you cite dont necessarily mean that I agree with his actions, but I do defend his right to same.

As I understand it, the little girl's case is in a family court. And that's where Elian's case should have been all along. What we have with that situation is a non-story that is being puffed into a huge story by the Herald in an effort to sell papers.

Here's the thing about "looking bad" to others. As much as we hate the way MSM treats our cause, we understand that a big part of our job is to try to get them to cover it. That's why our "reputation" as a community is somewhat important. We need to to remove the pre-conceived notion that most of these liberals have that we just are crazy loudmouths.

I honestly don't give shit what anyone thinks of me. But if perceiving me as a moderate helps get my point of view into the paper or the media so be it, because once there, I'm going to tell it like it is.

And that's why I'm angry at the estefan's. For needlessly backing us into a corner where we had to do exactly what val hates to do, attack our own and thus proving the stereotype.

But it's not our fault as Emilio tried to bullshit Val yesterday. It's his fucking fault and Gloria's for not anticipating what that stupid fucking decision was going to mean.

Henry,
The MSM is liberal and pro-castro. You know that. So anything short of Cuban Americans being pro-castro makes us nuts in their eyes. We don't need the MSM. Its the MSM (ala Matthews, etc) who helped get us into this mess to begin with. If we are depending on the MSM for help then this is truly a lost cause.

Henry:

As you no doubt recall, Elian's case also was originally in Family Court before Reno removed it to federal jurisdiction. Why is this a "non-story?" Is this little girl a "non-person?" Is her fate and future less important than Elián's? We should not have to be "baited" on this one by The Miami Herald or anyone else. It is at least as much our duty to support this little girl as it was Val's perceived duty to defend the Estefans. Or don't you agree?

If this much-abused 4-year old girl is repatriated to Cuba will you still feel good and superior because The Miami Herald couln't "sucker you" into supporting her cause?

Just a question. I checked 2 of Gloria Estefan sites and see no record of the press release. What public site can this be found on? Or was this just a fluff release?

pototo,

I have to disagree. We need support from those that are not Cuban-Americans or Cuban exiles. In order to get that support we need public opinion to be on our side. Try as we might here with this blog, we simply cannot reach as many people as a member of the MSM. And lately we have had a few of those members report actual truths about Cuba, not many, mind you, but some. And that's important.

And this is not a lost cause, not only we are having an effect on the way the media portrays our community, but the way some portray the Cuban reality.

It aint gonna happen overnight, and yes, sometimes it does seem like we're battling windmills, butthe cause isnt lost until we give up on it.

WHY OH WHY OH WHY...

Do we fight amongst ourselves so much?? Maybe Santana on the album was ideologically inconsistent. Is that worse, though, than all of us fighting amongst ourselves like a crazy mob?

It would be a FAR worse mistake for us to tear our own community apart, instead of focusing on more important issues.

Let's wait and see what the album is like. In the end, I'm willing to suck this one up if the overall message of the 90 Millas album is a good one.

And I just wanted to add: I've met Gloria twice, and based on my talks with her, I consider her a great ally in our anti-castro cause. She and Emilio have my full support.

(...despite the fact that I gave her my demo and my band, delexilio, has yet to sign a record deal) :) :) :)

Dave Sandoval:

Whether it's a good or bad album is not germane to this discussion. We are not music critics nor are we voting on the Grammys. A "good" album will not make everything alright.

While the mess is sorted out .... that little girl in Coral Gables needs a good lawyer or Guardian Ad Litem because now our congress has a liberal majority and, God forbid, if this case is railroaded like Elian's and the matter is transferred to federal court, apaga y vete. The federal bench in Miami is not the sharpest knife in the drawer and a lot of them are Klintonian appointees.

I say, keep an hawk eye on the case and get ready for a nasty move if this is moved out of family court. I'm sure la Seccion de Intereses and all those goons on the island have already extended their tentacles to grab the kid under the auspices of international law.

Aaaarghhh.

Gigi:

It may take some time to settle this case. Whatever the outcome it is certain to be appealed. By the time all appeals are exhausted another Clinton may be in the White House.

I do marvel at the indifference to this little girl's plight. At age 4, she has already been the victim of physical abuse at the hands of her insane mother, and her father in Cuba never did anything to stop it while he could. He just signed her away to her mother's custody. Now he wants her back and all the emoluments that come with a trophy child in Cuba.

If this horribly abused little girl cannot command our sympathy and support, then what Cuban can? Biscet and Fariñas made a choice and they are paying the consequences like the men they are. We are right to support them in their struggle. But how can we heed their calls for our support and ignore this baby girl's cries? Have 48 years of suffering made us indifferent to her pain, on every level greater and more filled with pathos than anybody else's. I wonder.

What some people don't understand is that not every issue that interests you interests everybody else. I personally don't know enough about the little girl's case and what the facts are to make an informed opinion. Do I want the little girl to go back to Cuba, of course not. But from the little I've read the proceedings thus far don't seem to indicate that she will. A sure way to politicize this thing is to follow the Herald's lead and make it into a huge story. Then the propaganda stakes for the regime rise. When Elian was just a quaint story about a boy that survived a horrible ordeal there was no problem. When it became this thing about US vs. Cuba we lost.

Manuel:

Please, please, please, don't even think about another klinton in the White house. Just the thought of it makes it hard to hold on to my breakfast!
As for the little girl, I'm with Gigi, count on my $$$ and support.
Regarding the Estefans....I'll deal with them the American Way, NO $$$.

so does anyone know where the Estefans have publicly posted their position of santana and che? Other than here.

Some questions:

Did the Estefans know about the Santana/Che business before hiring him for THIS album?

If yes, that raises grave questions about a number of things, starting with their sanity or grip on reality.

Let's say they didn't know. They certainly do now. The Santana statement has a huge, gaping hole in it. It won't even begin to wash. Even suggesting that the Cuban community should find such a contrivance acceptable is insulting.

Why would the Estefans persist in digging themselves deeper into the hole? Are they saying Santana is necessary, let alone indispensable, for an album that's a tribute to CUBA? Are his feelings and those of his fans more important than the feelings of the album's principal audience?

Emilio Estefan implied at least some of the things imputed to Santana on Maria Laria's show yesterday could be media lies. Is Santana prepared to refute them explicitly and publicly?

Is Santana prepared to admit the Cuban community has every right to be insulted and offended by anyone who promotes Guevara in any way, to apologize for doing so, to refrain from doing it again, and to denounce Guevara's crimes unequivocally?

What the HELL were/are the Estefans thinking?

P.S. Val, you're free to express yourself any way you damn well please, especially on your own blog, but your post on this yesterday struck me as excessive, extravagant and overwrought. Frankly, it made me cringe. We're talking about Emilio Estefan here, not St. Francis of Assissi. The man is absolutely NOT above suspicion. Practically nobody is. The best that can be said is that he made a very bad call. Anybody can screw up, but if he wants to fix the problem, he's going about it all wrong.

Gigi, you're dead wrong about the federal bench in Miami. First, Judge Moore who ruled on the Elian case was a Bush 41 apt. Of the judges currently on the bench here, the majority of them are conservative. Of the active judges, 10 of the 18 judges were appointed by Bush 41 and Bush 43. There are 8 Clinton judges approved by GOP senate of which 3 are pretty conservative no nonsense jurists. Of the senior judges, there are 4 judges selected by either Nixon, Reagan, and Bush 41 and 2 selected by Carter. The senior judges do not get that many cases since they are on senior status. The one senior judge who does get a lot of cases is very conservative.

The 11th circuit, which is the court of appeals for Fla, Ga, and Ala, it is primarily hard core conservatives on it.

In fact, our federal court judges are much superior jurists than anyone on the state bench.

I wish folks would stop opining on matters they really have no idea about such as judges. Trust me, I've been practicing in this district for 15 years.

I think the PR from Emilio was sugical to pacify the Babalu crowd and not stir controversy "outside Miami." El tipo save como aguantar sus asuntos.

He called Val from Mexico and sent him a fax or email. I would have told him that we can discuss this hombre a hombre face-to-face and not over the phone.

I am sure if one had seen Emilios eyes, the window of the soul, things would have been different.

I propose that we focus our efforts against Carlos Sanatana and demand an apology and not rail against the Estefans for 2 reasons:

(1) The drive by media will not write about cubans beating up on Cubans,

(2) If we succeed then we get a recantation from Santana that we can rub in the Leftist's faces y fidel's.

We can execute this in the form that the album is a good idea for the Cuban Community, and that we dont want to muddy the message Gloria is sending by having critics take note of Carlos.

In the end all we want is an apology from Carlos or a public recantation of his idiological position. I am quick to forgive si el hombre se come el sombrero.
Peace

I had been reserving judgment on this whole mess, wanting the Estefans to explain how and why Carlos Santana came to be part of their project. Well, we now have an "explanation," but it only has made things worse for them, in my view. First, they never answer the questions of "how" and "why," and then they make it worse by using Ché's own words to defend him, and themselves. And then, of course, they fail to apologize.

I don't blame Val for wanting to give the Estefans the benefit of the doubt, considering their considerable track record, but on this one, they are wrong. They could have cleared this up, but in the end, they only confirmed many of our worst fears.

I notice the Herald hasn't touched this one.

"What some people don't understand is that not every issue that interests you interests everybody else. — Henry

Oh my God, Henry. You leave me speechless and that's not easy to do.

"I personally don't know enough about the little girl's case and what the facts are to make an informed opinion.

Ever thought about informing yourself?

Here's a start:

http://www.babalublog.com/archives/004889.html

http://www.babalublog.com/archives/004888.html

Cigar Mike Pancier:

Here's something for you to chew on:

The judge in the Cuban girl's case, Jeri Beth Cohen, has never attempted to conceal her disdain for Cuban-Americans. Back in 2002, she stated in her courtroom that "If we deport people back to Cuba, we could empty our jails." The Cuban American Bar Association (CABA) took her to task for her remarks and threatened to file a complaint with the State Judicial Qualifications Commission. Judge Cohen requested a meeting with CABA and subsequently sent them a letter apologizing for her remarks. She met again with the Board of Directors of CABA who accepted her apology.

I was surprised that CABA even complained given any bar association's aversion to challenging judges that its members might some day appear before. I was not surprised, however, by how quickly CABA accepted her apologies and swept the whole thing under the carpet.

Now it is time to analyze more carefully Judge Cohen's remarks and apology. It seems to me that she should have recused herself in this case or any case involving Cuban-Americans. But then again, since Judge Cohen believes that Cuban-Americans are responsible for all crime in this country and deporting them would empty our jails, she must also believe that she would be out of a job if she were barred from hearing their cases. She should be out of a job and certainly would be if she had directed her remarks at African-Americans.

HELLO????

Who here has heard this album??? Don't you think we should listen to it before we demand an apology? Let's not jump the gun, people.

Gloria said this in an interview with Demetrio Perez's newspaper, LIBRE:

Gloria insistió que, en ningún momento, el documental o el disco harán referencia al problema de los balseros sino a “todas aquellas estrellas de la música cubana, aquí y en la isla, que han hecho grande este arte”, reiteró.

That says it all !! There is the answer to everyone who says "Let's wait until the album comes out. Maybe there will be a positive message in it."

If she is umwilling to talk about the "balseros", they will not talk about Cuban politics either.

With all due respect to Cigar Mike ~ practicing in the district doesn't always give you an inside track on what the bench is like. Whereas the 11th cir. may be "conservative" in many respects, the Elian case was ruined in the lower courts. In Miami fed. court, the Elian case got tossed around -- just look at the docket. And Reno imported prosecutors from her DC office to handle a lot of it; many people in her office in Miami suffered in their careers for sticking up for the little boy.

The same thing can happen to this case brewing with the little girl. If you don't believe that judges can buck under the pressure, you are naive, which I do not believe you are. Some judges do. Some do not. And just because they were appointed by Bush 41 or Reagan doesn't mean they will be/remain conservative either; we have lots of examples of judges who change their minds or sell out.

As for the federal bench having superior jurists, that is true to a high degree only because federal practice requires that everything be briefed, so you must be more competent in handling case & statutory law and talking on your feet. But, as you well know, many of the finest state judges are picked from federal practice; I would not trash any of them.

AND ... as for having the credibility before posting a commentary on topic, FYI, my tenure with DOJ in Miami started in the days of Leon Kellner and through the Reno/Clinton years, followed by private practice work for former federal prosecutors. Will be happy to send you a copy of my picture with Albero Gonzales taken last year.

Like you, "I wish folks [now, look at the mirror] would stop opining on matters they really have no idea..." such as the experience and background of the posters here.

This is an OPINION thread, not a court brief. Save for the occasional infiltrado troll, posters on this site are very good and quite informed, whether you agree with them or not.

Regards.

Dave,
You must be joking. What does it matter what they play and sing? Methinks the artist in you is clouding your discernemt. we are talking che guevara worshipper here. Cuba and che don't belong together. No matter what the lyrics and beat.

I know I have made comments and hold opinions that have ruffled feathers in the past. Heres another one: The reason that one has to go to Cuba Nostalgia at Tamiami Park or wherever its being held this year instead of going back to a free Cuba to see relatives, the reason fidel is still in power and nothing has changed in close to 50 years, it's right here, in these responses and the other threads about the Estefan's. This is one mighty pissing contest and no one wants to give an inch and get the last word. And it's real easy to turn it and say "no the problem is fidel", but it's just not that simple. It is this kind of attitude that prevents any progress. Too many cheifs, not enough indians, no one knows whe to keep their fool mouth shut. Val f'd up, was had and admitted it. Not many people here have the stones to admit it. I for one did not agree with the blanket policy of not speaking bad of "the exiles" or whatever name you want to give it regardless of actions. And this one has surprised and impressed me. What more do you want from Val? Notice the enemy isn't fidel anymore, it's the Estefans for exercising the right to meet (or not meet) and colaberate (or not) with whoever they wish. The enemy now is Val for writing (or not writing) and expressing (or not expressing) his views. Man this has been a couple f'd up days.

Dave Sandoval,

Like Manuel A. Tellechea said in a a previous comment, we are not music critics nor are we voting for a Grammy. The album doent need to be heard in order for us to have an opinion on it. Che has represents all of the evils of la tragedia Cubana. For the Estefans to support and hire a man like santana who proudly wore his shirt for whatever reason and ,who has not even made a public apology for doing so is a mockery to everything C-As fight for on a daily basis. The music might be good but the behind the scenes politics son una mierda.

Cigar Mike:

And speaking of George Bush 41st, surely you know what he says the biggest mistake of his presidency was?

Appointing Associate Justice David Souter.

Because a president appoints a "conservative" judge doesn't mean he is going to stay conservative.

What the Estefans have done does work against what united Cubans do and that is to endorse a che follower who IS an enemy of a free Cuba. No one asking Val for more, but of the Estefans who make a living and who they are because of starting out with a Cuban American audience. No it is not this that prevents progress. It is the lack of any substanitive action that prevents progress. This isn't a pissing contest its a matter of principal. And if we had more of it we would indeed be seeing forced changes.

I agree with Dave. Let's get have focus and some control people.

"Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer
things fall apart, the centre cannot hold
mere anarchy is loosed upon the world."

–W.B. Yeats

Yesterday, in my comments on the E$tefans I erroneously consider it a misjudgment on their side. Then after reading some of the other comment and having more deeply though about this I had come to the conclusion that I was wrong.

This was not a mistake by the E$tefans. Why out of thousand of artist honestly sympathetic with the Cuban cause pick the more controversial, the one that they know will provoke our outrage. This was no mistake. Recent events envolving other artist show that controversy add big $$ to their packets. Ask Mel Gibson or Madonna about it. The E$tefan are just following a trend with no regard for the Cuban community feelings for this issue knowing that our reaction will provoke higher interest for the DC by potential buyers. And will also, as I mentioned in my previous comment, open a possible new market for them. Shame on them!

I will have not problem with the E$tefan if they had participated in a project with Santana that do not carry the name “90 Miles” and is suppose to be a tribute to our people. This is an insult to the memory of all Cuban that had die in the hands of the Castro’s tyranny. I also consider that because of the name non-cuban artist must not be included in the project regardless of their solidarity for our cause. If they want to bring other artist sympathetic to our cause to the project let change the name of the CD. For instance “United for Cuba” or something of that sort will do better.

To finish with my comment let me add that this issue rather than pull us apart, is uniting us as Cuban expressing outrage for the attitude of one of us that having a preference place in our community must be held at a higher standard than the rest.

Dave and Songuacasal,

Im sorry but I must disagree. Much is said about separating art and music from politics, but when the artist or musician uses their notoriety gleened from their art or music to promote a certain political ideology, art/music and politics become intermingled and cannot be separated.

For me, as much as I have loved Santana's music my whole life, I can no longer, in good conscience separate it from che guevara and thus can no longer truly enjoy the music for music's sake.

The artist is inseparable from his art.

If there is anyone out there who should appreciate the offensive nature of Che's image, you would think it would be the Estefan's. Then to collaborate with an individual who proudly wore the image at a public event the magnitude of the academy awards, regardless of his intention, was clearly poor judgment on their part. They will suffer a monitary consequence just as anyone else who screws up would. Ahora se estan dando cuenta.

Amen, Val. Well said and painfully true. Artists like Santana will issue their fluffy non-apology blurbs in order to minimize damage and keep selling their wares.

I did the same with Babs (streisand), Sheen, Sarandon, and that epitome of disgust, Sean Penn. I refuse to subsidize people who undermine what I hold dear.

Allow me to clarify:
Of course I agree that you can't separate the music from the politics sometimes. But I'm not saying separate, I'm saying

BUT... what I am saying is that (1) we're making a much bigger deal of this than it is, and hurting our own community in the process (2) nobody has even heard the content of the album, so we should wait until we hear it before making a judgment (3) I am willing to ignore a minor detail like Santana's presence on one track, in exchange for preserving our community. Let's pick our battles, and not attack our own.

LOOK -- the only reason that Cuban-Americans are strong as a community is because we are UNITED.

We are only hurting ourselves, and any clout that we might have, when we rage against Val, Emiliio, and other Cuban-Americans.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." Abraham Lincoln

Sounds like unity to me!

This past weekend, I put up a post on the Herald article about a little Cuban girl's custody case. Since I broke that story here at Babalu, I think it is my responsibility to clarify a couple of points I made in the original post. My reaction to the Herald article, the "Oh no not again" was two fold: that this child not be returned to Cuba, and that the case not be politicized the way Elian's case was. Which so far it has not been. We don't know the girls identity, nor do we know all the facts in the case. We do know that the State has requested the judge to grant long-term custody with the family currently caring for both the girl and her older brother. So far so good. The girl's father, represented by the Cuban state, has requested custody. He has a high profile lawyer associated with the castro regime, and there is evidence that the judge is prejudicial. When it comes to anything in Cuba, it is political, so I disagree with those who say this case is very different from Elian's because the crux of the case is whether or not this child will be sent back to Cuba. The State is on her side, so far--and this is where I want it understood that I believe the worse thing that could happen would be for the community to over react and pave the way for an exile-castro confrontational media campaign--because we all know how that would play out. Hence my aside to the Republican Party to remember their promises to the Cuban community; my intent being for the Bush administration to do the right thing by staying out of the case, unlike the shameful, illegal orchestrated sham the Clintons pulled to make sure that castro got what he wanted. My motive for posting the article was so our readers outside Miami, or who don't read the Herald be aware of the story, and to present it for discussion. That is one of the purposes of blogging; to present the news, and comment on it. Where I erred, was in relating my reaction to the story. I am sorry my writing did not clearly relay my intent. Some of you have demanded that Val take a stand for this little girl, implying that his silence meant he doesn't care when everyone here knows better. If the court rules in favor of the father, it will no doubt be appealed and yes, we need to be ready for that fight, but please, let's be smart about it and do it behind the scenes and not in castro's headlights. And let's not attack each other in the process.

Déjà vu

Estefan spoke with Exito as she left the CBS Telenoticias TV studios, surrounded by a knot of reporters and the curious. "I want it to be well understood. I've been lied about and defamed on a Miami radio station," said Estefan. "How could they call me a communist! Me, a communist? That really makes me angry." She then refused to take questions from Cuban radio station WCMQ, known for its strong anti-Castro stance. "What do you want me to say when you are twisting my words," Estefan said to a WCMQ reporter. Someone from the crowd suggested Estefan seek equal time from WCMQ. "What for?," shot back Emilio Estefan, Gloria's husband. "So they can improve their ratings after the absurd things they've been saying? No, we're going to give our side and they can go on with theirs. People will soon know who is lying."

WCMQ reporter Cary Roque said on the air during her 1 p.m. show "Cuba a La Una" that although her station had some differences of opinion with Estefan, they had treated the singer respectfully and that it was the Estefans who had made untrue statements about WCMQ. She said she felt the singer had been badly advised, regretted the rift and invited Estefan to talk things over on WCMQ.

According to Estefan, everything started a couple of weeks ago when she was reading the newspaper. She learned that, at Commissioner Bruce Kaplan's request, the Dade County Commission had removed Peggy McKinley from her position as a member of the county's advisory council on film and broadcasting.

McKinley had criticized members of the Cuban community opposed to allowing Castro associated artists to perform in Miami as a "strident minority." This statement offended Cubans, most of whom don't want Castro to benefit from the fees his artists would earn here. However, Estefan was concerned about what she saw as a basic denial of freedom of speech. "I felt insulted that woman was removed from her position for expressing an opinion. I said to myself, this is not the United States," said Estefan. "I told my husband I was thinking of writing a letter to the paper, and my son said, Mom, why do you want to get involved in that mess?"

Exito, October 1997

The article goes on to speculate that one reason Gloria and Emilio might want to get involved in that "mess" was that they would be the logical choice to sign-up those Castroite musicians to Sony contracts.

http://www.fiu.edu/~fcf/estefanspeaks102397.html

Ziva:

You are to be commended for being the first to post a thread about the little Cuban girl. The most commendable aspect of that post was that you did relate your reaction to the story. Others did not comment at all on your post or the subsequent one by Robert, but did leave comments on this subject in another blog. This refusal to commit one way or another seemed curious to me and highly uncharacteristic, so I asked Val on his blog what his opinion was on this subject. I asked him several times before I got an answer. It was a highly satisfactory answer, at least to me. Henry, whom I had never asked, volunteered an answer too. It was far from satisfactory, at least to me. And, of course, nobody was attacked in the process.

Manuel, I know no one was attacked, but I don't know why everyone has to "make a statement". I think anyone who reads this blog regularly, with the thousands and thousands of words archived, should know where we all stand when it comes to almost anything related to Cuba. But having said that, I think the girl's case must be watched and we must fight for her freedom if they decide to send her to Cuba and my request to not attack each other is for that future battle. We have to be careful and be smart and we have to contain our emotions for the greater good and not over react to everything every person says or does not say. We are all on the same side here.

Daniel,

You said … “This is one mighty pissing contest and no one wants to give an inch and get the last word”.

Ever heard of the U.S. Constitution and its first 10 Amendments? Well… Just in case you haven’t, the first amendment gives US the right of FREE speech. WE have the right to VOICE our opinions.

You also said… “It is this kind of attitude that prevents any progress.”

Evidently, you are of the opinion that in order for progress to take place EVERYONE must THINK alike. You my friend, definitely, don’t LIVE in the U.S.A.

You further said… “Too many chiefs, not enough Indians, no one knows when to keep their fool mouth shut.”

Without a doubt you must have US confused with the U.S. CONGRESS.

Firefly
Actually, I don't live in the US, not for the last year and a half or so. Yes, everyone has the right to voice their opinions, as many do on this blog. That also gives the right for Val to blog, or not blog, defend or not defend whomever/ whatever he pleases. It gives Santana the right to wear whatever shirt he wishes and make whatever statement defending it, and the Estefans to record with whoever the please. The whole point I was trying to make, which I find ironic that was lost on you, was that there was infighting and bickering over who blogged or didn't blog about a little girl and who supports Gloria and who will buy or never buy her or Santana's albums. And all the while the people who snipe the blog with comments are sitting bak laughing their ass off. Just think, those who read the blog in Cuba, and Val has hits from their are thinking now.

Ziva:

I knew, of course, the reason that Val, Henry and the rest were reluctant to address this issue. The Elián case was the Vietnam of their generation and still a painful recollection today. It caused them to change many assumptions about this country and their place in it much as the Bay of Pigs or Mariel did for other generations of Cubans. But I thought that it was important — not only for the girl, but for them — to come to terms with that experience. We will never be able to help this little girl if we are still in a state of shock from the Elián affair. It's time to get over that; certainly we should not let it paralyze us when another child presents herself who needs us as much as Elián did and has as great a claim to our protection. God forbid that we should ever become so obsessed with our "image" that we ignore the cries of a helpless child.

Finally, I always make it a point to answer any questioned directed at me (as I believe you do also). It is not, I think, too much to expect the same in return.

Manny, the judge you mentioned is a state court judge. different creature.

Gigi, say what you will on the attorneys who handled that case in the District court and above be it from DOJ or the pro bono lawyers. Personally, I think the case was bungled not so much from the judicial end, but from the lawyering. But that's just my opinion.

And true, some judges change their stripes, but save for a few appointments from Clinton, many of the judges appointed in the last 12 years have gotten more conservative to the point where nearly all civil rights cases filed will be thrown out on summary judgment.

But even with the libs on the bench down here, I would say that there are no activist judges on this court (as compared to the carter appt. judge up north who struck down the Bush wiretaps)

So maybe I am naive then. But I've yet to see any proof of judicial activism in the SDFLA. I think the judges are by and by fair; many times they are wrong too, but I've not seen any evidence of a deliberate cave in on the law because of political pressure.

I see it every day in the state courts though and the state district courts of appeals and to a lesser extent (in recent times) the Fla. Sup. Ct.

Hence why we all say that the weak cases we file them in state court and the strong ones in federal. Anything goes in the state courts.

I can send you pics of me and big shot politicos too, but that doesn't mean or prove anything. If you like I would prefer to send you my nature photos which are much nicer.

Nothing personal I just am pretty righteous and defensive about the court I practice in. I'm very old school in how I practice and don't tolerate shenanigancs from whereever they may come. If there's crap going on, I want to see proof.

And all the while I wonder, where is George PitBull?

Daniel-

Are you suggesting that we behave as other minorities and just go along and defend anyone just because they belong to our group? That we not have certain standards of behavior that should and must be upheld? OJ comes to mind.

That, my friend, would be a huge mistake. If we criticize and hold accountable retailers and other businesses, why not do the same for Estefan, Inc.? In fact, they should be held to a higher standard because they should know better.

I consider a person as "my own" by the content of his character and not by the group to which he belongs.

I'm proud of those who love Cuba for standing up and exercising their freedom of speech and defending the ideal of a Free Cuba and denouncing anyone who sides with or helps those who neither care about our pain or have publicly denigrated and insulted our community.

The Estefans have created this mess because they failed, for whatever reason, to see the impact of their decisions on the larger community. It is they that have not considered the rest of us as "their own" and only looked at what was good for them.

Los Estefans se pueden comer a Santana con papitas fritas, que a mi me importa un bledo. Pero cuando lo ponen en un disco que tiene que ver con Cuba se les fue la wawa.

I don't care what's on the album; I will NEVER support ANYONE who stands for tyrants and murderers.

TO MANUEL A. TELLECHEA, and everyone else on this blog:

Gloria Estefan criticized the fact that Peggy McKinley was FIRED for expressing an opinion, not the content of that opinion. If you think that she should have been fired, then I'm sorry, but you are a fidel of a different shade. fidel is the one who is intolerant of opposing views. I, however, believe in the Constitution, and the First Amendment values it holds.

In this country, we have the right to express ourselves, and as Cuban-Americans, we should defend that right more strongly, because our families have seen the consequences. Even though I disagree with Ana Menendez, for instance, I will fight to the death for her right to speak her mind.

Let's not forget all the other times that the Estefans have stood up for this community. Let's not eat our own kind.

A HOUSE DIVIDED ITSELF CANNOT STAND. IF WE HAVE ANY HOPE OF HAVING ANY CLOUT IN THIS WORLD, WE HAVE TO STOP THIS IN-FIGHTING ONCE AND FOR ALL. If not, fidel wins. We destroy ourselves.

WE ARE ON THE SAME TEAM. We may not always agree 100%, but the bottom line is we are all ANTI-DICTATORSHIP, and PRO-FREE EXPRESSION.

let's NEVER, EVER, EVER, forget that. I think we do all too easily.

Daniel:

Cubans on the island who access Val's blog must think how wonderful a place the U.S. must be, where opinions are exchanged freely and not at the pleasure of the government; where the small may challenge the mighty and not be crushed by them; where every man's opinion counts for something and no man can silence another on a gibbet or a scaffold. A discussion like this one, Daniel, would be more welcomed in Cuba than water in a desert.

Everything said here falls within the range of civil discourse and it is obvious that everyone respects one another.

Manuel the reason I haven't posted about it is because I haven't been inspired to do so.

I would gladly read your blog when you cave in set one up. If and when there's an angle to the story of the nameless faceless girl that inspires me, I will write about it.

By the way, you sound like rick from SotP who is always telling other people what they should be blogging about.

NOnononononononono
That's not what I said at all. David said best
A HOUSE DIVIDED ITSELF CANNOT STAND. IF WE HAVE ANY HOPE OF HAVING ANY CLOUT IN THIS WORLD, WE HAVE TO STOP THIS IN-FIGHTING ONCE AND FOR ALL. If not, fidel wins. We destroy ourselves.

Instead of blogging and commenting on a better Cuba and how to get rid of fidel and how to rebuild, we are arguing about how "anti-Castro" the Estefan's are and Manuel is complaining cause Val won't blog about the girl.

Wrong Manuel, they are pointing at it and saying "you see how they treat each other if you don't bow and bend to their wishes". I know I know it's ironic.

Dave:

Gee, Dave, I have just delivered myself of an inspiring discourse on the civility and respect which we all have for one another on this blog and you have to chime in with the "you are a fidel of a different shade" comment.

You write that though you may "disagree with Ana Menéndez, for instance, [you] will fight to the death for her right to speak her mind." Really. You value your life that cheaply. Would you also "fight to the death" to defend Fidel Castro's "right to speak his mind?" Now that would be the greatest waste of a life.

Don't waste your life, Dave.

Daniel-

We are not going to get rid of fidel by getting in bed with our enemies either.

In fact, I would say that it is precisely because so many people have been in bed with Cuban communists that they (communists) are still alive and well on the island. If more people had a little integrity and the courage of their convictions, then we would not be where we are today.

So youre saying the Estefan's are in bed with the communists? Or those who refuse to blog about the girl? Or those who buy and support the Estefan's albums/ concerts?

"Instead of blogging and commenting on a better Cuba and how to get rid of fidel and how to rebuild, we are arguing about how "anti-Castro" the Estefan's are and Manuel is complaining cause Val won't blog about the girl."

Oh if only Cubans on the island were free to argue such things in a public forum, this discourse at Babalu is exactly what they don't have, the right to say what they think without fear of retailiation. Water in a desert indeed.

I don't think I understand the "not blogging about the little girl" controversy. This is coming from someone who posted on this subject not just in this blog but over on my "home blog" 26th Parallel (free plug, thank you very much).

Henry, Val, et.al are just as wise for spending as much time as they'd like analyzing and reflecting on this case before writing a post on it, assuming the inspiration hits them to do so. Demanding a reaction or post from them is not the proper way to approach this, IMHO.

As far as the Estefans are concerned, they should be criticized. I have no problem with that. The discussion has been passionate and honest while maintaining a modicum of respect. I don't think we should be afraid to respectfully criticize our own if need be, even if it hurts as it does in the case of people that we've admired and respected for many years.

Whoops, before someone corrects me, yes I know how to spell retaliation.

Henry:

If I set up my own blog I would have little time to devote to you and the other Cuban-American bloggers. Now, that would really be a shame, wouldn't it?

As a sidebar, I did once set up a José Martí Blog and requested readers to submit their questions. It would have been a pleasant pastime for me to immerse myself in a past that is not so distant for me. But guess what? No one had any questions. So I have no choice but to attend to the present. Lucky you.

Manuel I thought you had two blogs? I Am Cuban or Cuban Thoughts, A Free Cuba, something like that.

P.S.: And, Henry, sad to say, you sound at times like your friend Alex from Stuck on the Palmetto, too. But you would regard that as a compliment.

Daniel:

I set up the other blog because I wanted to reserve the title in case I ever did decide to set up my own blog. It really is a ghost town. I haven't visited it in months.

I do have plans for the Martí blog. I want to upload all of Martí's works both in the original and my English translations.

Robert:

I will answer you when I get the inspiration.

See, thats why we love this place. One minute were arguing up a storm, the next it's all hugs and kisses and now, back to the argument.

Daniel-

Sorry this took so long I've had some technical difficulties.

No- I don't believe they are communists. But that they don't have the courage of their convictions nor do I think they have any integrity. It has all been much blah, blah, blah.

There are many ways to help your enemy and in this case, there was absolutely no need to do so.

By endorsing a che loving fool like santana- they do legitimize his attitude and prior political statements and thereby help our enemies. They were also in support of bringing Cuban artists here where part of the money would be given to the Cuban government. This even though exiled Cuban artists would never be allowed to perform in Cuba.

The Estefans are neither different nor better than Congressman Jeff Flake and others who want to trade with Cuba out of greed. Some use food, others music, but it's all the same.

They certainly have not put their money where their mouths are. I don't see any other way to rationalize this.

Yes, I do support the right of ANYONE to speak their mind in this country. Even people whose views I hate. Nazis, fidelistas, KKK -- they all have the right to speak in this country. Once we start censoring those views we don't like, we start a slippery slope... down to the place that had Che's policies putting my mother in la agricultura, and my grandfather and great uncle in prisons for speaking their minds. If you would censor people for their opinions, how are you better than fidel?

It's the 1st Amendment; I've sworn to uphold it, and it's what makes our country great.

I know that in a country with free expression, where all sides can speak their minds, fidel's arguments would always end up losing. It's censorship that keeps him in power. In a free market of ideas, fidel's philosophies wouldn't last a day. The biggest fear of a tyrant is a free press.

WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME SIDE, PEOPLE. When we fight amongst ourseves, the only losers are OURSELVES.

I agree, the Santana thing seems like a blunder. But have you ever heard the phrase "CHoose your battles"?????? This fight does us more harm than good.

A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND.

Dave:

It is one thing to advocate free speech and quite another to be unwilling to die to uphhold your enemy's right to free speech. Let your enemy defend his own right to free speech. You defend yours.

BTW, this time you ask "how are you better than Fidel?" Shall I count the ways?

...We need support from those that are not Cuban-Americans or Cuban exiles...

I'm not a Cuban American nor a Cuban exile and I support you. In fact, I've learned way more from this site, posts and links followed, than I ever learned in school.

I don't always understand it, but I support you.

I also know that Che was a murderous prick and I can't believe anyone would work alongside someone, WILLINGLY, who would wear that shirt and support that. While anti war/soldier individuals are not even close to what Che was, my first thought was, that would be like me working on a project with some asinine liberal scumbag who wishes death and failure for our troops in Iraq. I would never, EVER willingly work alongside with someone like that for ANY amount of money. If I feel like that about those types of people, imagine how I might feel about someone who supports something on a much, much higher, deadlier scale.

There comes a time when you have to say, "This is not right, the money isn't worth it."

Dave,

I admire your "A HOUSE DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND" message. I can't agree with you more.

Still, we shouldn't be afraid to be self-critical when the situation arises. I don't see that, nor this discussion, as dividing us. We all agree on one main principle, freedom for Cuba and the elimination of the regime that keeps the Cuban people imprisoned. We can argue whether including Santana on a Cuba-themed CD is something worth wringing our hands over, and frankly both sides of the argument have merit.

But we should never be afraid to call out one of our own, as long as it's done in a constructive and respecful manner. For the most part, I think we've accomplished that here.

just in cae anyone cares
"and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:" - Jesus Christ
not Abraham Linclon

Serentiy,

Thank you. I know what you mean about the defeat loving (for America, that is) Liberals.

Pototo, thanks for the correction -- it was the Man himself that made such a wise pronouncement.

Robert, I agree 100% with you. We should be self-critical. I just think that we shouldn't tear ourselves in the process.

Manuel, if we support the fact that someone was fired from a public post because they expressed an opinion, then how is that different from fidel?

"Respect for freedom and for the ideas of others, of even the most wretched being, is my fanaticism. If I die, or I am killed, that will be the cause." "El respeto a la libertad y al pensamiento ajeno, aun del ente mas infeliz, es mi fantaicismo: si muero, o me matan, sera por eso."

-JOSE MARTI

I recorded this afternoon on my TIVO, Arrebatados, on Channel 41. That's the show in which Emilio Estefan called in from Mexico to defend his position in regards to the infamous CD. In the beginning of today's show, the host, Maria Laria, read the "press release" from the Estefans and said that they were going to have Emilio Estefan in studio soon to discuss the ordeal with the CD.

I found the following at Petition.com:

To: Gloria Estefan

A Petition to Protest Gloria Estefan's New CD, 90 Millas

We are concerned with the recent news that Gloria Estefan has asked Carlos Santana to collaborate with her on her album, 90 Millas.
http://www.gloriaestefan.com/pdf/usaToday021607.jpg

The reasoning behind this suggestion relates to the 2005 Oscars. Carlos Santana walked down the red carpet sporting a trendy black che guevara t-shirt.http://u.univision.com/contentroot/locales/art/images/12mia/WLTV/2005/03/28_santana_che_3.jpg. At one point he opened his jacket so photographers can get a good picture of the murderer's face on his shirt. We feel betrayed and deeply offended by Gloria Estefan's choice to have Carlos Santana on her album. Gloria Estefan is aware of the atrocities che guevara committed in the first 4-5 years of the Cuban revolution. che guevara is one of the main reasons why my family and her family could not continue their lives in their homeland. She has chosen to ignore the fact that Carlos Santana wore the t-shirt for the world to see.

By signing this petition we are requesting ...............

1. That Gloria Estefan issue an apology to all her fans on a sticker applied to the album cover which should also contain a condemnation of the political leanings of Carlos Santana who clearly favors the communist violence suffered in Cuba.

2. That Gloria Estefan and all the participants in the album issue a written statement condemning the tyranny of fidel castro in the liner of the album, as well as a statement condemning the dry foot wet foot policy which discriminates against Cuban refugees, which will be part of a sticker added to the album cover.

3. That the proceeds of the album or a sizable fraction of them are used to help the internal opposition in Cuba, and for it to be stated in the addendum to the album cover.

4. That Gloria Estefan and the album producers tap any Cuban musicians -antiCastro within the Island and those who reside in exile, to play in a new album that would pay homage to the real Cuba of the men and women who oppose Castro and a future free Cuba.

We urge Gloria Estefan to take this petition seriously and not to forget in the future that collaborating with someone who likes to wear che t-shirts is not worth more than standing by your fellow Cubans.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

http://www.petitiononline.com/05201902/petition.html

Manuel,

I am the creator of the petition. You can sign that one our you can sign the new one below. I received words of wisdom (two very important guys from this blog) and they told me that the petition you found was a bit demanding. So I decided to create this one and add very important details: http://www.petitiononline.com/05201902/petition.html. The signatures from the first one will not be lost. I will send both of them to Estefan Enterprises and David Naranjo.

I have read all the posts and thought a while before posting my humble opinion.
I can’t imagine what kind of isolation the Estefans are living in, if they did not know about Santana displaying (opening his jacket, to boot!) ) the Che tee-shirt at the Oscars. If they did not know about that, they are living in a more secluded world than the rest of us. But if they did know about it, then this fact changes the whole equation. But at least someone among their numerous Cuban-American friends must have told them about it when they found out Santana was going to be on their record about Cuba.
If they knew and yet they agreed to have him on the record, then I cannot understand their behavior.
As far as Santana’s apology, it sounds contrived and phony, but after all he is from the San Francisco crowd and that city has more leftists per square mile than any other city in the USA. I have to admit I liked his music but the moment I saw him with that tee-shirt, I decided I will never again buy another one of his records. Like someone posted here, I will express my disgust by not purchasing any of his music anymore. It may not mean a thing to him, but I will feel very good about it. I will not endorse or support anyone who proudly displays anything with a picture of Che or Fidel. But Santana should have never been on a record made to honor Cuban music. Certainly not after his behavior at the Oscars.
As far as caring what the MSM think of us Cuban-Americans, who cares? They have ignored our plight, accused us of being intolerant, right wingers etc. They don’t waste a chance to praise Castro and his Robolucion every chance they get,
so I don’t loose any sleep about what they think of us.

Robert:

Alright, Robert. I have the inspiration to answer you now. I trust you did not have to wait too long. The controversy to which you allude does not exist. I never asked Val or Henry to blog about the girl. In fact, Ziva and you had already done that. I merely inquired of Val, not Henry, what his position was. I had to inquire several times before Val answered. Although I had not asked him, Henry volunteered his own reply, which was that the subject did not interest him, later amended to a lack of inspiration to blog on the topic. Henry made the same mistake as you did in assuming that I had asked him or even instructed him to blog on this subject. I never did. He made the further mistake of comparing me to Rick of Stuck on the Palmetto on that score, something which I shall not soon forget.

Phew!! I was holding my breath for a while there, Manuel.

You did sound overly demanding when asking Val for a comment on the girl, but no big deal...it was just an observation.

And no, I wouldn't compare you to our fellow blogger from SotP.

Robert:

You didn't compare me to Rick from SotP, but Henry did. That has already cost him a call from me to his radio show. My annoyance may continue to grow.

Manuel,

I listened to the entire showing waiting for you to call in (I had not read your post yet) and was very disappointed that you didn't call. Please reconsider for next time. :)

Manuel, I don't think any kid should be sent back to Cuba unless the kid is old enough to decide and that's what he wants.

And coño Manuel you have a tendency to alienate even those might otherwise agree with you. Take it down a notch.

Manuel, I was also disappointed that you didn't call in, and hope you will reconsider by next week's show.

Henry:

I do not compromise my principles; if this does not always win me friends, so be it. I would rather be true to myself than popular. However, I note with some satisfaction that I have never wanted for friends in the blogosphere. I may praise you today (as I have praised you many times) and tomorrow condemn what you say because my allegiance is to the truth (as I see it), not personalities. At least you can be sure that whether I praise or criticize my judgment is fair and impartial. Finally, I am not responsible for the rudeness with which I have been treated on occasion on other blogs by overgrown adolescents.

I see now that you were very right: you have not had the time to devote the attention to this topic that it deserves. This is clearly on display in your statement: "I don't think any kid should be sent back to Cuba unless the kid is old enough to decide and that's what he wants." When is it exactly that kids were granted the right to tumble into a well or leap off a building? And at what age is that right conferred on "kids?"

I could well advise you to "turn it down a notch" yourself. After all, what greater insult can you conceive of than to compare me to Rick of SotP?

Finally, I will remind you yet again that I never asked you what your opinion of the girl's plight was. I asked Val. I got a reasonable answer from him. From you I will wait till you are illuminated by inspiration.

Ziva and Mavi:

Do not fear. I will surprise everyone soon. The earnestness of Henry's voice — or more correctly its guilelessness — makes it impossible to be angry at him. By tomorrow, he'll be restored to my good graces; and barring any other "Rick" incidents, I will call the show next week.

The same age that a judge usually allows a kid to decide which parent he/she wants to live with. I don't know, about 12 or 13.

Rather continue this little chat, and go down a road that one of us will regret later on, I'm just going to abandon this thread and go on to the next thing.

You can have the last word. I won't be here to read it.

Henry:

It seems to me that you like me when I agree with you (as in the case of the fired Miami Herald journalists) and dislike me when I don't. I agree with you 90 percent of the time, but forgive me if I don't tailor my opinions to exactly match your own. This is certainly not something that you require from others.

I do not know what "road" you are referring to which if we go down "one of us will regret later." I trust it is not the Freedom Trail.

It may be such influences that have convinced you that a 12 or 13 year-old should be allowed to choose for himself whether he wants to remain in the U.S. or return to Communist Cuba. This is definitely not the equivalent of "decid[ing] which parent he/she wants to live with." The decision to return to Castro's Cuba should await majority (age 18) when none will surely want to return there.

Twice on this thread I have been compared to Fidel Castro but I brushed it off, since such comparisons are ridiculous on their face. By the same token I have said nothing to offend you but still you insist on taking offense.

To avoid this situation in the future, I will simply not address your remarks on this blog. That should end all contention between us.

And, of course, you are going to read this reply.

Cordially as ever.

P.S.: BTW, don't confuse guilelessness with guile. Even complimenting you is a minefield.

Let me predict here and now that the Estefans will follow the PR disaster of the press release with something even more hideous and unexpected. I would not be surprised to find Emilio at a press conference wearing a "Che" tee-shirt to show that even hardline anti-fidelistas as himself can still admire the "human qualities" of "Che," and ask: "If I, an anti-Castro Cuban of impeccable credentials, can wear a "Che" tee-shirt, why can't Santana?" while Gloria chimes-in: "Viva freedom of speech!" If you think this scenario unlikely, how likely did you think 48 hours ago that Gloria and Emilio would issue such a press release?

Manuel,
Please forgive me if I compared you directly to el tirano. My point was rather, how can we claim moral superiority to fidel on the "freedom of speech" issue, if he censors from the left, and we censor from the right?

My Jose Marti quote explains how I feel, and I hope you'll agree on free speech as a universal human right, regardless of how stupid the speech itself is.

Dave:

I agree with you that every man should enjoy free speech. Where we disagree is your insistance on laying down your life (and silencing your speech) so that your enemy may enjoy his unhampered. I advise you to defend your own free speech and let your enemy defend his.