Thoughts On Cuba And Kansas

Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, has just undergone an operation, and the world still waits for news of his recovery. While he is incapacitated, he has turned over the reins of power to his brother. Sadly, many in this country seem to be wishing for Castro's death. I guess they have conveniently forgotten the brutal regime of Bautista, when the mafia owned Havana, and the American fruit and sugar companies owned the rest of the island.

The truth is that ordinary Cubans are much better off now than they were before Castro. All Cubans have a right to a free education. This was not true before Castro. All Cubans have a right to free medical care. This was not true before Castro.

Would I like to see more democracy in Cuba? Yes, but not the kind our country is trying to force on countries such as Iraq. We need to leave Cuba alone, and let them determine their own future on their own timetable. Our last attempt to force our view of democracy on Cuba was a disaster. The next one probably would be also. The U.S. government should stay out of Cuban affairs. The U.S. should also normalize relations with Cuba, a move that is long overdue.


Meanwhile, it looks like common sense has returned to the state of Kansas. Going into yesterday's primary, the conservative anti-evolution crowd controlled the Kansas Board of Education 6-4. That is no longer true. At least two of the anti-evolution board members have lost their bid to be re-elected, to candidates in favor of teaching good science. This changes the balance of power to 6-4 in favor of science. Well done, Kansas!