Befriend Cuba Already

By Chris Freind

In 1961, an American-backed, CIA-trained paramilitary force stormed Cuba in the hopes of deposing Fidel Castro. After an initial victory, the counter-revolutionaries were routed, proving a major embarrassment to the United States and reinforcing the notion throughout Central America that the U.S. was a nation hellbent on imperialism. That ill-fated operation came to be known as the Bay of Pigs.

Over the last 53 years, America’s policy has been, and continues to be, isolating Cuba through a strict embargo in the hope that its socialist government collapses. Given that a half-century has gone by with no results, it’s safe to say that the policy is flawed, and the leaders who refuse to change it are pigheaded.

But what else is new dealing with our own hemisphere?

America freely gave away one its most strategic assets, the Panama Canal, while gaining nothing. It is continually at odds with Venezuela, which happens to have the world’s largest proven oil reserves. And it can’t gain Mexico’s good-faith cooperation to control drugs and illegal immigration. Rectifying any of those, let alone all three, is an extremely tall order, no matter what party controls Washington.

That’s not exactly a stellar track record. But with bold leadership and foresight (along with a little humility), we can change direction and gain huge victories for freedom and free enterprise right in our backyard.

It’s called befriending Cuba.

To be fair, enacting the embargo on and restricting Americans’ access to Cuba during the height of the Cold War, when Castro cozied up to the Soviet Union, was reasonable. Common sense should have told us that if it didn’t produce the desired results in five or even 10 years, it was never going to work. But since political common sense is an oxymoron, the sanctions continue to this day.

As a result, Americans and American products are denied a huge market within close proximity. We lose access to cheap Cuban goods, and perhaps most important, the relatives of Cuban-Americans continue to suffer under authoritarian rule in a stagnant economy, while U.S. law makes family reunions in Cuba all but illegal.

Since it would be a win for everyone to lift the embargo and improve relations, it’s a fair question to ask why we aren’t doing so. Consider:

1. Too many presidential candidates (along with Florida’s congressional delegation) still bow to the demands of an increasingly small but highly vocal minority of Cuban Americans who detest the notion of “helping” a Cuba ruled by anyone named Castro. Given Florida’s paramount importance in electoral politics, it’s understandable for candidates to think that opposing this lobby could lose them the state (much like opposing ethanol subsidies in Iowa).

But they have failed to see that the Cuban voting bloc is no longer tied to the embargo issue as it had been decades ago. The number of first-wave Cuban refugees with the strongest passion are dwindling, and each successive generation not only places less importance on the sanctions, but view closer ties as the path to prosperity.

Being beholden to a special interest is never good, but placating one that doesn’t exist is stupidity.

2. Despite the embargo, development in Cuba is on the upswing, fueled by European businesses that are snatching up the prime real estate and business opportunities — an easy task when American competitors are nonexistent. American jobs take a hit, and economic growth lags when it should be booming. If the embargo’s objective was (and is) to collapse the Cuban economy, and it didn’t work before, it certainly can’t be successful now that numerous other countries are stepping up Cuban involvement. It’s time for us to get in the game.

3. No one likes to admit they were wrong, but 53 years of isolation with nothing to show? We can’t wait for three minutes at the drive-thru without complaining, yet, we patiently adhere to a woefully ineffective law that will soon approach six decades of failure. What exactly do we think will miraculously change?

4. The embargo hurts the very people we purport to be helping: The Cubans themselves. By denying them economic opportunities, we keep them in poverty with no chance at prosperity. The way to win people’s hearts is through their wallets, as a growing middle class produces stability and respect for law — a rising tide that floats all boats. Yet, that unique American lesson is not being taught.

5. Defenders of the embargo love to rattle off conditions Cuba needs to meet: institute human rights; hold fair elections; free political prisoners; embrace democratic ideals; and compensate families of the oppressed. Gee, that’s nice. And it would be great if the world were filled with rainbows and lollipops! Except that it’s not. To make those demands shows a naivete at best, and hypocrisy at worst.

If those are prerequisites for doing business with other nations, our list of trading partners would shrink to Antarctica and Santa’s workshop.

Out-of-touch politicians aside, there is a growing call to lift the embargo and increase diplomatic, economic and cultural ties with Cuba.

In doing so, America would get back to what it does best: Be a beacon of hope to the world, showcasing that freedom and capitalism are its biggest exports. China still has a long way to go, but America, not through force but by its values, has transformed that nation in a revolutionary way, guiding it toward liberalism (small “l”). A vibrant middle-class has been born and they are starting to taste the good life as more freedoms are earned and opportunities realized.

If we can accomplish that with China, doing the same with Cuba, with its dynamic people and incredible cultural heritage, would be a walk in the park.

So let’s build a bridge to our neighbor just 90 miles from our shores, and tear down that wall.

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Don’t Give The Dog A Bone — Or Fat

Don’t Give The Dog A Bone — Or Fat
You know not to give dogs chocolate.
And you know not to give him raisins and grapes and garlic and onions.

And you may not know to give dogs macadamia nuts but don’t as they are very, very bad for them.

What you almost certain don’t know is that you should never give your dog a bone as bones can splinter in his digestive system.

And really never give your dog fat trimmings either. It can cause pancreatitis. It’s very bad.

Here is a slide show of things you should not give dogs, and even a few things you can. Rice is good. So are carrots, lean cooked meat — never give dogs uncooked food — and apples without seeds.

 

Don’t Give The Dog A Bone — Or Fat

Stalking Kids Called Free Speech

John Kane, who is expected to be the Democrats nominee in the race to fill the 26th District Pennsylvania State Senate seat being vacated by Republican Ted Erickson, has released, according to the Delaware County Daily Times, a statement slamming  HB 1154,  the bill recently passed by the State House that would amend the criminal code to prohibit harassment, stalking and the “threat to use weapons of mass destruction.”

Kane claims it seeks to outlaw the right to picket against
unfair or unsafe practices.

“Picketing and protest are essential rights that every American should be guaranteed,” said Kane, of Ridley, who is the business manager for Plumbers Union Local 690

Um, John, taking photos of kids at school bus stops and abusing women in restaurants is not picketing.

Hey, nobody is going to stop you from having a couple of guys standing near a job site wearing signs saying “unfair”

Providing they aren’t blocking anybody’s right of way, of course.

We suspect you will still be able to set up those stupid inflatable giant rats too.

The Republican in the race is County Council Chairman Tom McGarrigle, of Springfield.

Go Tom.

HB 1154 still must be passed by the GOP-controlled state senate and signed by Gov. Corbett. It’s not as done a deal as one would think it should be as there are Republicans in that body who are in bed with union bosses and other special interests as much as the typical Democrat.

 

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Stalking Kids Called Free Speech

Jolly News

Teri Adams of the Independence Hall Tea Party Association notes that the unexpected win of Republican David Jolly in a special election, Tuesday, to fill the congressional seat for Florida’s 13 District is a strong denunciation of ObamaCare.

She also congratulated President Obama for postponing enforcement of the troubled program’s individual mandate. She said her group has been pushing for this since the fall.

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William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-14-14

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-14-14

Viscount Horatio Nelson, Great Britain’s greatest admiral and naval hero, defeated the combined fleets of Spain and France at the Battle of Trafalgar. Lord Nelson was fatally wounded at the height of the battle but knew he had won. His last words were, “Thank God I have done my duty.” His men then pickled his body in a barrel of brandy and sent it back to England.

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For the Legend of Abd-el-Kader and a recipe for baba ghanoush, which goes great with Cryptowit Quote Puzzles, visit here.

Corned Beef Cuts

With St. Patrick’s Day arriving Monday the topic of which cut of brisket to use for corned beef is one that most certainly must be addressed.

The point cut is fattier and usually cheaper.

The flat cut is leaner.

The flat cut makes better slices. The point cut makes for better shredding, some think.

We are glad to have been of assistance with this most pressing matter.

 

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Legislator Pensions Unconstitutional?

Roger Howard, who is seeking to be the Republican nominee in the 158th District in the Pennsylvania House, is saying that legislative pensions are prohibited by Article II, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution and has posted the wording on his Facebook page which we repeat here:

The members of the General Assembly shall
receive such salary and mileage for regular and special sessions as shall be
fixed by law, and no other compensation whatever, whether for service upon
committee or otherwise. No member of either House shall during the term for
which he may have been elected, receive any increase of salary, or mileage,
under any law passed during such term.

Seems pretty cut and dry as pensions are certainly not salary or mileage but are clearly compensation.

Of course, don’t expect a state judge happily in bed with those putting an ever tightening yoke on the state’s taxpayers to agree.

Roger has said he will refuse to take a legislative pension if elected.

The primary election is May 20.

Go Roger!

 

Govt Workers Nearly Twice Expensive

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported March 12  that employing a state or local government worker is 45 percent more than an equivalent worker in the private sector.

For December, employers in private industry spent an average of $29.63 per employee hour worked, while employers in the government sector — although most don’t comprehend it — spend an average of $42.89 per hour.

Government employees average 33 percent higher but their pension and retirement benefit costs are a mind-numbing 254 percent higher.

Hat tip Brietbart.com

 

Proof Vote Fraud Happens

The mummified body of Pia Farrenkopf was found, March 5, in the backseat of her Jeep Liberty inside her garage in Pontiac, Mich.

She had been dead for six years. She had only been missing for four, however, as she managed to vote in the 2010 gubernatorial election.

City of Pontiac officials say it was a  clerical error.

Pontiac is not what you would call a Tea Party city.

It is pretty safe to say that photo voter ID would have worked in this case.

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William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-13-14

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-13-14

Extra! Extra! Tsing Pao, a Chinese journal is probably the world’s longest lasting newspaper. It is believed to have started around 500 A.D. and it lasted until 1935.

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