[biblewonk]

This embargo is BS. Cuber doesn't have oil so it's easy and safe for us to bully them. They are not 1 percent as dangerous to us as Saudi Arabia. The only reason for the embargo is to appease a bunch of cuban americans in a swing state. It makes me sick.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

This embargo is BS. Cuber doesn't have oil so it's easy and safe for us to bully them.

The only "bullying" going on is in Cuba, by Castro on the Cuban people. Stop and think.

[Clemenza]

Yeah, but Cuba can trade with any other damn nation. Besides, I happen to like my Cuban American neighbors here in Florida and, even better, love sticking the BIG middle finger to Fidel.

Besides, bringing "democracy" to Saudi Arabia will only bring the muftis to more power than they already enjoy.

CUBA LIBRE!!!

[daviddennis]

I happened to have visited Miami in the middle of the Elian fracas. I was on my way to Miami beach from the Everglades and ran into a sudden traffic jam, with people energetically waving signs and protesting - a great deal like a Freep.

I got out of my car, hauled out my video camera and started shooting. Everyone was really super-nice. It was at that moment that I grew to love Cubans - I could see that, unlike California's immigrants, they had a love for the US and a basic uncynical belief in our system I rarely see elsewhere.

From my point of view, they were a breath of fresh air. I definitely don't think Reno did the right thing in sending Elian back to Cuba. We sold them out, but I hope we didn't make them as cynical as we deserve them to be.

Miami has the only shopping mall I know of (CocoaWalk) where there is literally dancing in the aisles. The Cuban spirit is really something to see.

Cubans are optimists at heart, and of course they have done amazingly well here. Much better than California's immigrants; in fact, the contrast is a little startling.

In short, I don't think they're an "interest group" to appease. I think they deserve our support in fighting Castro and his government.

D

[TexasRepublic]

"They are not 1 percent as dangerous to us as Saudi Arabia."

Did you personally live during the Cuban Missle Crisis of 1962? Do you remember it? Fidel hosted Russian missles tipped with nukes until the Russians lost their nerve. I remember the bomb drills and the fear, etc. I will never forget and will never forgive Fidel Castro. Can a tiger change its stripes? That old Stalinist never will! Sic Semper Tyrannis!

[gundog]

The only reason for the embargo is to appease a bunch of cuban americans in a swing state.

I think the embargo serves Castro pretty well, too. It gives him an excuse for his nation being a squalid hell-hole. If trade opens up, the cultural effects could destroy his regime. How ya gonna keep 'em down on the finca after they've seen MTV? The rest of the world trades with Cuba...if the place sucks, it's due to tyrannical Socialism, not the embargo.

And if memory serves, Florida swung the right way last time...appeasing a few thousand voters there may not be the worst thing to do.