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Cuba move praised

2 min read

For those whose instinctive reaction to the stunning announcement of the normalization of relations with Cuba is outrage, I would ask the following:

– What has our 53 year attempt to isolate the small island nation accomplished other than to foment poverty among innocent Cuban citizens and an ignorance of Americans and our culture?;

– Are you also furious that we maintain good relations and a dependence on a country like Saudi Arabia, whose anti-Western passions bred the hijackers/terrorists who brought about our modern day of infamy?

There is political hay to be made through engaging in an eternal war against the Castro brothers and Communist Cuba, but the reality is that engagement provides multiple benefits for both countries and the greatest chance that democracy, or some form of it, will ultimately be adopted by popular demand. It shall also serve to shine a light on Cuba, making it more difficult for repression to occur.

I believe that on this issue, President Obama is a groundbreaking leader. Congress can kick and scream, it can deny funding for an embassy and other routes to relations between the countries, but I believe that engagement will ultimately carry the day as it should.

Regrettably, Russian President and villain Vladimir Putin comes across as a knowledgeable statesman today as he notes that the embargo lasted far too long and that sanctions against Cuba were worthless.

Oren Speigler

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