Tensions Rise as More Flee Cuba for U.S.

Drudge Report ^ | Dec 17, 2005 | BY ABBY GOODNOUGH

[armydawg1]

MIAMI, Dec. 17 - The number of Cubans intercepted at sea while trying to reach the United States is at its highest level since tens of thousands took to the Florida Straits on makeshift rafts and in small boats in the 1994 exodus sanctioned by President Fidel Castro. The sharp rise - and an increase in clashes between would-be immigrants and the Coast Guard - are inflaming tensions over a policy enacted in response to the 1994 migration that allows Cubans without visas to stay if they reach American soil but turns back those caught at sea. The "wet foot, dry foot" policy, which does not apply to any other immigrant group, is being blamed by critics for at least 39 deaths this year in the Florida Straits and is testing the resolve of the Coast Guard, which the critics say has become too aggressive in enforcing the restrictions.

[armydawg1]

You can look at this two ways.

If we shut off all immigration from Cuba, the boiler there eventually explodes and communism is gone. That would have happened years ago if we had undertaken that policy.

Or, this is just another example of the State Dept bureaucrats exercising a double standard. Fleeing communism is not good. Fleeing Mexico is ok. Cubans vote Republican. Mexicans dont.

Poor Elian, had he "swam" the Rio Grande instead of the Gulf of Mexico, he would still be here.

[13Sisters76]

Creep Castro should kick pretty soon- a good day for the world- and he imagines his brother will last more than 12 hours?
ok, ok...I'll give him 24...
Even when Castro is gone and Cuba finally becomes a state, Im sure we will still have refugees in the Florida Straits...

[GAB-1955]

Unfortunately, Castro has been a master at repressing his population. One advantage of living on an island is you can stop the shipment of arms with an efficient coast guard. So, there shall be no revolt against Cuba. Thus, the only way Cubans can make freedom is to go to the United States or another friendly nation by sea.

[cricket]

Perhaps a fine CBS reporter could do a story. . .some interviews with the latest arrivals from this 'paradise'; ask them why they are leaving. . .rather than enjoying life on their beautiful island home.

[Ax]

I was stationed at the U.S. Mission in Havana in 1994. The country pretty well ground to a halt during that summer. Our house was on 1st Avenue in Miramar, right on the water. We were watching the crowds of hundreds of Cubans marching up 30th St. to the beach from whence they would launch their garage-built craft. My wife, daughter and I went to the beach and mingled with the crowd. I told one guy that it was very likely that he'd be intercepted by the USCG and sent to Guantanamo. He gave me a "talk to the hand" answer and said that even if that were true, he'd be walking on Calle Ocho in Miami inside of six weeks. Turns out, he was right. Another Cuban told me that he'd dearly love to join the flotilla, but his roots were there in Havana.

Usually the ubiquitous PNR (Policia Nacional Revolucionaria) patrolled that area constantly, but during this crisis, they were nowhere to be seen

[gotribe]

ask them why they are leaving. . .rather than enjoying life on their beautiful island home.

No matter what, the liberals and media would still praise Castro because he offers "free" healthcare. It's like a broken record - "And EVERYONE has access to free healthcare!.

[Muttering Mike]

I watched the documentary "Balseros" last night. Very powerful stuff. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to see the plight of some of the Cubans who make the "float to freedom".

My prediction: Castro will die, his brother will take over and Hugo Chavez will rule Cuba by proxy because his oil is the only thing keeping Cuba from disintegrating.

[hershey]

Ah, good old NPR, who not so long ago during fundraising efforts, offered trips to the communist paradise of Cuba. Don't know if they're still flogging these trips. (They'd extoll the health care and educational systems.) Perhaps they couldn't get enough takers.

[libertylover]

imposed by the Bush administration last year, have led to greater desperation among many Cubans.

But some Cuban-Americans in South Florida say Mr. Bush's refusal to make exceptions to the current policy is evidence that he is deserting the anti-Castro cause.

Ah, you can always count of the NYT to sew the seeds of "Let's hate Bush". And then near the bottom where they blame Bush for the deaths of the two grandmothers. So predictable. So disgusting.

[the final gentleman]

This is clear thinking?

If you are caught in a boat in US waters you are sent back to your country of origin - Cuba.

If you are caught in the United States you are are sent back to your country of origin - Mexico.

If I was a Mexican I would say I was a Cuban, and pigs climb trees and cats swim seas on the road to Mandalay.

[GAB-1955]

Oh, you can tell the difference between a Cuban and a Mexican the minute they open their mouths. Cubans *drawl*.

[libertylover]

This is clear thinking?

No, it's not clear thinking. Also, we have a huge inconsistency in the way we treat Cuba vs. China- makes no logical sense. I was just trying point out that the NYT doesn't miss an opportunity to bash Bush even though the policy predates the Bush administration.

[truemiester]

Perhaps soon we will see a flotilla of yachts with Hollywood elites telling the people to go back to the workers paradise as the US will use them for slave labor. (unless they choose to work on the elites boat(for room and board only, of course))

[Clemenza]

Some of us will NEVER forget:

Brigade 2506. I had three former co-workers who were among these prisoners.

I was living in Miami when the above travesty occurred. Butch Reno and Billy Jeff will NEVER be forgiven!

CUBA LIBRE!