[TheSpottedOwl]

It is not the father's politics. The father has no rights. And, no, the USA was not consistent in the action. By US law, Elian had full protection to stay in this country. The law was twisted to allow his re-introduction into communism. That is shameful. And if we could really know the truth, I doubt Elian's father wanted Elian to be return. But the father's wants and desires played no part in any of this saga.

Pcx99-Are you by chance a "non custodial father"? What if Elian's mother and father were both in agreement about the run to Florida? That boy has relatives here in the US. Maybe the plan was for the mother and child to get out, then the father would try and leave when the heat was off. This is Communist Cuba; everyone wants to leave!

Elian's father simply didn't have a choice but to ask for his son. Sure the mother could have run off with the boy, unbeknownst to the father; but you have to figure how she could hide that kind of planning. His father(and any family members still over there) must have gone through hell through all of this dog and pony show.

Elian and his father are yet two more victims of Castro...and Janet Reno. This isn't exactly an example of the United States trampling on a father's rights. It's more of a human rights issue. Elian's father would always be welcome here....

[AmishDude]

It should be noted that Elian's family in the US was from the paternal branch.