Dems should be advised:
Subject: Celebration
From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008
Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch:
Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day, and on July 4, I celebrate America ‘s. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.
On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba, and a few months later, I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
I’ve thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, so when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.
When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said, ‘Praise the Lord.’ And when the young leader said, ‘I will be for change and I’ ll bring you change,’ everone yelled, ‘Viva Fidel!’
But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner’s guns went silent, the people’s guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education, it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented, Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over, more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I’m back to the beginning of my story.
Luckily, we in America would never fall for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America ?
Would we?
Manuel Alvarez, JR.
OMGosh reading that brought tears to my eyes.
I have several friends who came from Cuba and they are scared to death of obama. They have heard this before. They recognize it for what it is.
I cannot begin to imagine what they are feeling. To escape from a hell like Cuba and be terrified of the very real possiblity that it could be —if not the same— then very close, in their new country. A country they love and appreciate more deeply than more than a few who were born here.
What we have to counter it is our free speech (for now), our prayers, and our precious votes.
Wow.
Just Wow.
(I keep wondering how it is that we have reached this place. Hope and CHANGE is enough to perhaps elect the most anti-American presidential candidate ever?)
That man's letter about Cuba would make a great ad. There are some who may actually take a moment and use their brains to wonder: WHAT CHANGE is The O going to bring?
MOgirl