Obama In Cuba - A Game Changer?
The headline in the Miami Herald said "Cold War to warm welcome". And I learned some new slang. The picture on the front page above the fold showed the First Family arriving at Jose Marti Airport.
The story below the fold detailed the weekly march by the Damas de Blanco and their protest for more human rights and freedom for political prisoners on the island. At the end of their march they this Sunday they encounter pro government groups toss flyers into the air and lay down in the street and get arrested. "This battle for the streets is a well practiced ballet that occurs week after week. The government says it is protecting the Ladies from the pro government supporters, the Ladies and other dissidents say they are being repressed and at times beaten."
On one hand someone is going to say; this is the First Family going on a spring break trip to Havana and this shouldn't being happening while there isn't political freedom on the island. On the other hand the trade embargo and all sorts of other sanctions have done little to weaken the island's dictators.
Even in Miami there are folks that are saying it is time for a change. "Que bola Cuba" vs. "Que pasa USA. The island of Cuba is about 90 miles from Key West and living here colors what you think.
Channel 10 in Miami broke into its Sunday programming to show the arrival of Air Force One landing in Havana. The plane was barely visible and as it got closer and closer and then finally Air Force One landed in Havana I'm sure it was a moment that stirred those watching live and those that would catch the moment after the basketball game, shopping, the Ultra music festival or whatever folks do on Sunday afternoons in Miami.
The story below the fold detailed the weekly march by the Damas de Blanco and their protest for more human rights and freedom for political prisoners on the island. At the end of their march they this Sunday they encounter pro government groups toss flyers into the air and lay down in the street and get arrested. "This battle for the streets is a well practiced ballet that occurs week after week. The government says it is protecting the Ladies from the pro government supporters, the Ladies and other dissidents say they are being repressed and at times beaten."
On one hand someone is going to say; this is the First Family going on a spring break trip to Havana and this shouldn't being happening while there isn't political freedom on the island. On the other hand the trade embargo and all sorts of other sanctions have done little to weaken the island's dictators.
Even in Miami there are folks that are saying it is time for a change. "Que bola Cuba" vs. "Que pasa USA. The island of Cuba is about 90 miles from Key West and living here colors what you think.
Channel 10 in Miami broke into its Sunday programming to show the arrival of Air Force One landing in Havana. The plane was barely visible and as it got closer and closer and then finally Air Force One landed in Havana I'm sure it was a moment that stirred those watching live and those that would catch the moment after the basketball game, shopping, the Ultra music festival or whatever folks do on Sunday afternoons in Miami.
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