I Still Think of Elian

Jewish World Review ^ | April 29, 2003 | Nat Hentoff

[Segale2001]

If a group of disorderly persons blocked a major highway with political antics, and the media magnified it on TV as the media does, I ask you what you would do if you were faced with a life threatening problem with your child in your car, or any family member. Would you allow their demonstration to cost your family member their life?

I think you should reconsider your comments. I know what the Cubans in Miami are all about. I know the history of Miami, and the actions some of its residents pull are pathetic.

[AbsoluteJustice]

I see I am at an impasse and am getting nowhere with this discussion. In no way have you provided me links to facts to back your argument but have based your ENTIRE argument on emothion and speculation. You asked me for evidence I provided you links, I ask for a discussion based on fact I get more emotional responses. I have thus completed my discussion with you.
"How dare I disagree with the pro Elain crowd as if Elian was the Mother Mary herself."

BTW that was rhetorical.

[null and void]

BUMP.

This was the catalyst for getting me active in politics.

Yes, I still think of Elián.

Often.

[AbsoluteJustice]

See it is easy for those that live outside Miami to comment without front knowledge of what occurs there.

[RMDupree]

You are now trying to justify what you said. I'm sorry Segale, but what you said is unjustifiable. You know it.

I never participated or agreed with the slowing down (NOT blocking) of traffic on highways that some of the Americans of Cuban descent did for the reasons you cited (emergency. etc). However, I would never go so far as to actually verbalize a threat on another human being, regardless of my differences with them. That is an example of maturity and, if you will, a sound mind.

I know what the Cubans in Miami are all about.

Obviously not. You know nothing of me or my family, our contributions to others and our relentless passion for freedom from tyranny.

As a matter of fact, I'm willing to bet that if you met me without knowing who I was, you'd be a bit surprised. ;)

[RMDupree]

See it is easy for those that live outside Miami to comment without front knowledge of what occurs there.

I know that you "researched" my profile page before making that statement, right?

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I know what the Cubans in Miami are all about."

You know me?

[AbsoluteJustice]

Not referring to you directly just a generalazation on those that are commenting that do not live there with front hand knowledge is all.

[RMDupree]

I love it! Not even smart enough to check the profile page before posting!

[RMDupree]

Hmmmm. Well then, it was just a coincidence that you replied to Segale's direct post to me. oooooookay.

[AbsoluteJustice]

I believe he did mention that if he felt or he did feel that his life was threatened. If this were ever the case IF it were ever the case I am sorry but my family comes before any demonstration.

[AbsoluteJustice]

My mistake.

[RMDupree]

Read it again, AJ.

I am from Miami, and I am discussed with the Cuban people of the City. The whole deal with this kid was so drawn out and twisted, it made me i'll. The behavior of these people is pathetic. To stop traffic on 826 highway is inexcusable. I am glad I was not there to see it. I would have plowed right through them. God forbid I had a medical emergency or something serious to do, these cowards of political conviction should fight the fight they want and not smail for the cameras. It is sad what they did to that boy. However for the Record. P'ss on Clinton.

I don't think it was about his life being threatened. The emergency part came AFTER the plowing.

I won't even get into the part where he stated "cowards of political conviction". He, like many people, has his own personal hatred for the Miami Cubans and Elian gave them the perfect opportunity to allow that anger to manifest itself. The media made it "cool" to talk crap about Cubans.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I'm willing to bet that if you met me without knowing who I was, you'd be a bit surprised."

Surprised is not the word I have in mind, I know what my reaction was.

[dirtboy]

The guns blazzin was a direct result of the huindreds of Cubans outside the home not alowing the law to do its' job.

First of all, no shots were fired during the raid, so that calls into question just how much you actually know about what transpired. And second, on FR you need to actually support your opinion with facts to have anyone treat your statements with any credibility - how exactly was the law doing its job here? What do you know about immigration law as it pertains to Elian's situation?

[RMDupree]

Silly wolf!

I was teasing the poor man. ;)

[AbsoluteJustice]

Plowing portion I would not agree with "cowards of political conviction I would have to say I agree with that comment. There are many out here that are tired of small special interest groups throwing themselves out in front of the country to satisfy their own political motivations back home. This is not exclusive to only cubans this is across all political stands. I found it sick what the cubans were doing there do I hate cubans? Nope....

[Segale2001]

“Our contributions to others and our relentless passion for freedom from tyranny.”

FYI- Traffic was stopped on the 826 highway I saw it. As for your tyranny.

As for your freedom, what have you done about tyranny other than fled from it?

The bottom line is that the Cuban people on Miami are seen as a joke. For better or for worse they are in the public eye.

Kendall Regional Medical Center, tell me what is displayed in the main lobby larger than life. You tell me what that is, and I will show you what is wrong with the Cuban mentality in Miami versus the wonderful Cuban people and mentality of other cities in the United States. There are two distinct differences. Exiles and those who left before Castro not as refugees, but in the same respect that Europeans left Europe.

[Ken H]

I still believe that even if he was an out of wedlock father he was still his father and had the right to have his son back.

An out of wedlock father does not have "the right to have his son back". Juan Miguel never had custody of Elian in the first place, so your argument is bogus.

We do not know how good of a father he was. Ya we can go off rumors from biased family members living in Florida who have no contact with him but until someone can proove to me that the man was an imminent danger to the life of that child then the child belongs back with his father.

Wrong again. That is not the standard for custody. An out of wedlock father must obtain custody in a State family court.

And yes, that applies to immigrants as well as American citizens. That is the policy of the INS, and Reno rode roughshod over it.

The rest of you post I can definately agree with.

The other assertions I made, which you just agreed with, were:

1. That it was disingenuous to argue this as an immigration policy issue, as you were doing.

2. That the only thing your side accomplished was to help the Clintons defeat an enemy and hand Castro a big victory.

I'm glad we agree on that point.

[Segale2001]

My statement was an analogy for what was transpiring there. It was a complete Circus. Trust me.

As for the Law, prior to the raid on the house. The relatives who had temporary custody of the boy had lost their court battle to keep the boy.

The mob outside prevented law enforcement officials from taking the boy. So to answer the clain you suggest, there is the backup.

I'm not trying to be unfactual, but the truth it the whole thing there was a joke!