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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2008

Cubans Deserve Support

Regarding "Cubans Hope Change Will Break Shackles From Past" (front page, Feb. 20):

Why don't we give them the same kind of support that we give the bloody communist regimes of China, North Korea and North Vietnam? Rather than club them with the useless embargo that we have used for the past 50 or so years, we could show them the same disdain with billions of dollars of aid that we show the countries that have killed our citizens in wars we have fought with them.

Is it because JFK got a bloody nose when he supported the illegal invasion of the island nation in the 1960s, or because Castro thumbed his nose at us and made it stick without violence? Maybe that's Castro's problem - he never entered into any armed conflict with us, unlike the other three.

What is it that makes the bloodiest regimes in the world eligible for Most Favored Trade status and peaceful Cuba is only eligible for a total trade embargo?

When will this nation stop the hypocrisy that is our relationship with Cuba vs. that of the other three? Shameful, is the only word that comes to mind.

DON MILLIGAN

Lakeland

Don't Get Hopes Up

As a son of a Cuban mother, our family has waited many years for change, hope, freedom and liberty to take place in Cuba.

And once again Cuban exiles rejoice in the streets as word out of Cuba tells us Fidel Castro retires.

Let us not get our hopes up. Nothing will change. Raul Castro will not tarnish his brother's legacy until it is confirmed that Fidel Castro is dead.
Raul Castro has had over a year to bring change. He has moved very slowly toward a China-style, socialist government. Cuba should move swiftly to open free markets, hold democratic elections and open dialogue with Washington.

President Bush has a chance to enhance his legacy by extending a visit to Raul Castro and negotiating to lift the embargo and make history. Fidel Castro continues to be the obstacle.

Cuba is hungry for changes. I believe Cuba is ready to make swift reforms, rejoin the global community, promote free markets and end the embargo once and for all. Yet, none of this will occur until the world sees Fidel Castro in a casket!

JOHN VINCENT VALENTI

Tampa

Way Off On Travel Ban

Regarding "Castro Totters Into Retirement But Cuba Remains His Prisoner" (Our Opinion, Feb. 20):

Wow, congratulations. After all these years you finally got it right. Well, almost. After an accurate headline and well-thought analysis of the Cuban situation based on facts, you found the need to throw in a baseless assertion in the last paragraph.

There is no basis to state that relaxing travel restrictions will help the people of Cuba. But keep on trying; one day you will get it all right.

ROGELIO MADRAZO

St. Petersburg

Bush Using Scare Tactics

Regarding "President, Congress Face Off Over FISA" (Nation/World, Feb. 15):

President Bush has hit yet another new low! His scare tactics using al-Qaida, yet again, to scare the majority of Congress into supporting his illegal wiretapping FISA bill was cheap, as was the GOP walkout.

Thank God a grownup will be in the White House by this time next year.

Every time Congress doesn't vote his way, Bush uses the terror card, as if it's going out of style, and this administration has cried wolf so often that, thanks to them, we probably won't be prepared if another terrorist attack occurs. I pray to God that I'm wrong on this.

Our military is stretched way too thin due to Bush's foolhardy invasion of Iraq, a country which was never a threat to us.

If Bush really cares about this country's citizens, he should can the fear-mongering.

LOWELL C. JOHNSON

Lutz

Sold A Bill Of Goods

Is it any surprise we are facing a recession? The cost of the Iraq war is quickly approaching one-half trillion dollars. That's right! One-half trillion dollars down the tubes for a war that was deceitfully sold to the American public and has been grossly mismanaged from the start.

George W. Bush will be remembered as the worst president in the history of the United States for taking us down the path of self-destruction. The actions of this administration have answered the prayers of the Islamic terrorists!

If bin Laden was surprised at how successful the destruction of the towers was, he is even more tickled at the ways things have gone since. We have been sold a bill of goods and will be paying for this mess for many generations!

JIM GRAY

Tampa

Take Care Of Home

I am all for helping my fellow man in the world, but billions for Africa for their health care and we are told it is too expensive to have in the United States.

I started to buy a blouse the other day and it was made in Vietnam. Billions for Vietnam for setting up clothing manufacturing and we are shutting down plants.

High gasoline prices, homes being foreclosed, individuals being sent home with no job, and we get $600 to help start the economy!

Billions for a war, but our veterans cannot get financial and health benefits.

Now everyone wants to get on the bandwagon to elect a president who has two years of experience and talks a good game.

Enough is enough! Let's start looking for solutions for the "home folks."

BETTY ERBE

Zephyrhills

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