Castro: U.S. embargo hasn't broken Cuba

SFGate ^ | 2/14/04 | Lisa ADams

[freedom44]

America's economy hangs by a thread while Cuba -- after four decades under a U.S. economic blockade -- continues to offer free health care and boasts an infant mortality rate lower than its northern neighbor, President Fidel Castro asserted early Saturday.

[JohnnyZ]

The Diaz-Balart brothers are American citizens serving their constituents in the US Congress.

No s***, Sherlock.

Why would they be discussing the possibilities of becoming president of a foreign nation?

Apparently you don't know who the D-B's are.

1. THEY'RE CUBAN. Cuba is not just "a foreign nation" to them.
2. They've been working to get rid of the current government in Cuba.
3. Their family, IIRC, has a political history in Cuba.
4. When Cuba becomes democratic, many in the Cuban exile community will want to go back and help lead the country back to prosperity (don't even dare say "why would they . . .?"). Could that include the D-B's? I don't see why not.

I just thought I'd throw out a fun possibility, but thanks for trying to smack it down.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Apparently you don't know who the D-B's are."

I know them personally, If you'd like, I can provide you with a copy of my Radio FreeRepublic interview with Mario.

I was born in Cuba.

[JohnnyZ]

Yeah, I've read your posts on Cuba threads for some time now, which is why I pinged you to this one, I just wasn't prepared for a snippy rhetorical question in response.

There are good reasons, at least from an outside perspective, that the D-B's could A) go to Cuba and B) hold elective office there, reasons which I provided. If you have actual reasons why those assumptions are apparently so ridiculous in your opinion, or knowledge that the D-B's have ruled out doing so, then I would like to hear it.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Because they believe, as I believe, that a free Cuba's president, should be a Cuban national, not an American citizen.

[David1]

Besides, I don't think Cubans o the island will accept as their new president someone that left the island. They probably will choose someone that stook it out all these years.

[Luis Gonzalez]

There's a world of difference between helping to make Cuba prosperous again, and seeking to rule it.

Certainly many here will join in the rebuilding effort, and help Cuba via commerce, but Cuba's political leadership should come from within. To have people return after thirty or maybe forty years absence to seek political office, will cause deep resentment and drive a wedge between those who remained in the Island, and those who left.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Long time, no see!

[David1]

Hi Luis!!! I've been around. I just haven't posted too much. But I do check out the site just about every day. ;-)

[aruanan]

Castro: U.S. embargo hasn't broken Cuba

Castro tiene la mente castrada. Si Cuba tiene negocio con TODO el mundo menos los EEUA, como va hacer impacto que los EEUA no hace nada con Cuba? El punto no es tratar de romper Cuba por el embargo--es declarar que Castro no es legitimo.

[JohnnyZ]

Because they believe, as I believe, that a free Cuba's president, should be a Cuban national, not an American citizen.

That is as it may be. But history is replete with those who have returned after years in exile to lead, and I don't think your dismissive attitude toward a lighthearted suggestion was warranted.

There's a world of difference between helping to make Cuba prosperous again, and seeking to rule it.

A world of difference? Perhaps we have different perspectives on life. I don't believe a president rules a people. He is the servant of all. How better to help one's country than to lead it during its difficult reformative years?

Obviously it depends on the individual whether he considers himself an exile or emigrant, but I see no reason why an exile would or should be shunned upon return.