Yank Envoy Defies Cuban Regime Over Display of Christmas Lights

New York Sun ^ | 12/16/04 | JACOB GERSHMAN

[wagglebee]

Cuban strongman Fidel Castro is cracking down on the latest enemy of the revolution: Christmas lights.

The dictatorship has threatened the American interest section in Havana with "serious consequences" if it does not remove a Christmas light display around the perimeter of its headquarters.

In a country where the display of Christmas lights is strongly discouraged by the communist government - public displays of lights in the capital are virtually nonexistent - the golden lights festooning the base of the interest section have inflamed the Castro regime.

Government officials "said on two occasions if we didn't take down the objects, there would be serious consequences," the American chief of mission, James Cason, told The New York Sun from Havana.

Mr. Cason said the American interest section - the equivalent of an unofficial embassy - has no intention of taking down the decorations. He did not know what retaliatory actions the government might take.

[wagglebee]

I think the second this Marxist thug tries anything we should send in a special ops team and end his reign of terror once and for all.

[Nick Danger]

If Castro doesn't get the lights extinguished, the ACLU will.

[KellyAdmirer]

They should rearrange the lights into the image of a hand with the middle finger raised.

[Poundstone]

I'm very proud to see the State Department hanging tough. Way to go!

[goldstategop]

The should hang up a lighted "Merry Christmas" banner. That will get a rise out of the Cuban Commies.

[Ciexyz]

I saw this on the 700 Club, and I thought, right on!

[ProudVet77]

Amazing how often the ACLU and the commies are in agreement.

[wagglebee]

We should trade the ACLU members for Cubans who have a desire to live in freedom.

[WSGilcrest]

[wildcatf4f3]

yaozaa!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I like that idea!

[Do not dub me shapka broham]

I say we deport Naidine Strossen to Havana.

Let her do some real work, for a change.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Mr. Cason said Sunday he held a Christmas party at his house for children of the political prisoners. He said 10 Cuban security officers stood outside his house in an attempt to "intimidate" people coming to the party.

Nothing like keeping people oppressed for a tyrannical government to succeed.

[em2vn]

Send Jimmy Carter to get the facts. He will tell us how wrong we are.

[Victoria Delsoul]

He will tell us how wrong we are.

He'll tell us that without without going anywhere.

[wagglebee]

Jimmy Carter probably wants to be Castro's successor when and if he finally dies.

[Frank_2001]

I agree!