There is no statute of limitation on freedom.

We've had an incredible amount of reaction to Marco Rubio's May 23rd speech at the Cuban-American National Foundation luncheon. Marco Rubio is of course the first Cuban-American Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives. He gave this speech before the featured speaker who was Barack Obama. In it he takes the media to task as well as those who would negotiate with raul castro (Obama). On Rubio's myspace page he has this to say about the speech:

This is my speech before the CANF. I got some flack for doing it because some people (including me) do not agree with the CANF on Cuba issues. But I felt it was important that I speak at this event, especially in light of the fact that only 10 minutes later Barack Obama argued the position contrary to me on that same stage.

I've decided to transcribe the speech and post it here:

Thank you very much and I promise to be brief, I know you have an exciting day ahead of you, but I would hope you would give me your attention for a few moments because I’ve had this unique opportunity, thank you to Jorge and to the Foundation for the opportunity to speak to you at what I believe is an extraordinary moment in the history of our community. A lot has been written, and I see we’re joined here today by members of the national press corps, I know they are not here to see me but thanks for keeping your cameras on for a moment. Much has been talked about, an ongoing debate in the Cuban-American community, I want to be clear with each of you, I fully support the United States policies towards Cuba. I also fully support the rights of those to disagree, for example, on the travel issue. We live in a free society and that’s the difference between living in Miami and living in Havana, and I’m fully appreciative of that.

[Applause]

But what I know is this, and this is what I hope you will report upon tonight when you write about the Cuban-American community and you report on it: on the most fundamental and important issue of all, this community is as united as any ethnic community in this country. It is the indisputable and undeniable belief, by everyone who desires the freedom and liberty of the Cuban people, that the freedom and liberty and future of the Cuban people should never negotiated with the illegitimate leaders of that country Raul and Fidel Castro. They should never be, because it’s not theirs to negotiate.

[Applause]

And there’s two reasons why. First, as Americans, if you believe in the constitution as I do, the Constitution says that all people are created equal. Not all people born in the United States, all people in the world, and that their rights as human beings come from their creator, not from a government, not from a president and not from a leader. Those are inalienable rights that are given to you by God himself, and it also says that the only power government can have is the power that people give ‘em. The people of Cuba have never consented to the rule of Raul and Fidel Castro and they are no more the legitimate leaders of that country than a home invader, than a home invader, is the owner of your house.

[Applause]

And the second thing I’d like to say before I conclude is this: what message would we send as a country to the world that looks to America as a beacon of hope? And let me tell you that’s what we are, they may not like things about us, but if you live in Miami you interact with people from all over the world and they will tell you they look to this country and they see the hope that one day they too can be free, that man can govern himself. And there is nothing promising about a message of the freest, greatest nation on earth accepting the legitimacy of a regime that has never had the consent of the people that it governs. It sends a horrifying message. It sends a message that we will fight for democracy and freedom, unless you’ve been there for forty-some-odd years.

There is no statute of limitation on freedom.

My concluding thought is this: one of the things I’m proudest of, of this community is the number of young Cuban-Americans that are engaging in the political discourse of this country. It encourages me deeply, and I just ask you to remember who we are and where we came from. You are the sons and granddaughters of men and women, who when they were your age, they had dreams and hopes for their future just like you have right now. And histor..destiny brought them here. Some achieved tremendous success, like Cubans have all over the world, succeeded economically in virtually every over the last fifty years except for one: Cuba. But many met more modest success, they worked as mechanics and plumbers, carpenters, bartenders like my dad, they worked hard so that you and I could fulfill the dreams of our youth. They are the historic exiles, and they are often the subject of ridicule by national publications. They are the only ethnic group in America that it is politically correct to attack, and it’s a shame and a travesty because you haven’t walked in their shoes and you haven’t lived their experience. And until you do, you can’t fully understand what they have lived. And I hope that this generation of Cuban-Americans, regardless of your political affiliation or persuasion, will honor them in everything we do. Always remember we are the heirs to two generations of unfulfilled dreams, and no matter what title we achieve, what party we join, or what path we follow, we will always be the sons and daughters of exiles, and that is something I will always be proud of. Thank you.

[Applause]

Posted by Henry Louis Gomez at August 10, 2008 06:19 PM

Comments

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