Tuesday, August 1st, 2006...4:08 pm
Paging Emily Litella
Patty Weiss announced that Cochise County Supervisor and former State Representative Paul Newman has endosed her. Here I was going to make some silly joke about Newman’s name…I dunno…a reference to Slap Shot or maybe Hud? Naw…I am so much more mature that that. It’s all been done, hasn’t it?
Besides, there are so many other political names to get confused about. To wit…
This morning the Cuban government announced that Fidel Castro will be incapacitated for a time, and that former Arizona Governor Raúl Castro will be taking over the reigns for a time. Castro has extensive experience as a prosecutor, judge, governor and ambassador to call on. Arizona should be proud!
Some of you may remember that Maryland Senate Candidate Michael Steel made some remarks about how hard it is to run as a Republican this year. The comments made many Republicans unhappy. Some are talking about dropping Steele; they can always get Susanna Hoffs as a replacement candidate.
Okay…I didn’t say it would be a brilliant post, did I?
2 Comments
August 1st, 2006 at 5:05 pm
Oh using the Bangles was pretty good.
August 2nd, 2006 at 12:55 am
Well, I will attempt a serious comment:
I believe that the U.S. has really and is really hurting ourselves with the Cuban trade embargo. The embargo was put in place in the 1960’s with the goal of bringing down Fidel Castro.
First of all, it has failed most miserably at that. Castro has been able to use the embargo for his own purposes, claiming that it is proof that the U.S. plans to destoy Cuba, and therefore he has, in order to protect the nation, the right to restrict the freedom of and even execute political opponents. The idea that there is any mileage at all left in an embargo that is now routinely violated by nearly every other nation in the world is ridiculous. We tried it for forty years and it failed; now it is time to try something else.
Second, as American companies have sat on the sidelines, foreign investors have invested heavily in the Cuban economy. Already, oil companies from Spain and Canada have snarfed up most of the choice drilling areas off the coast of Cuba. Other foreign companies have moved into Cuba in a big way, and when we finally do get our heads out of our rear ends, American investors will find that the best opportunities have already been taken.
3. Parallel to the economic concerns is a political concern. One day both Castros will be gone. Sooner or later there will be a new day in Cuba. Cubans will write a Constitution, vote and otherwse create a new Cuba. Only the United States won’t be a part of it. We’ve effectively dealt ourselves out at the table, while Europeans and others will have the most influence on the new Cuba. We are left on the outside looking in.