2008 Woodie Awards
Editorial: Castro's retirement opens door for U.S.
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: Viewpoints
After 49 years of power, Fidel Castro has finally stepped down as Cuba's communist president.
And the United States could not be any happier.
It's not a secret that the U.S. is not a huge fan of communism or Cuba for that matter. Since Fidel Castro took power almost half a century ago, the two countries have been at odds with one another. The U.S. has been saying for ages it wants to bring democracy to the country and wants to repair their strained relationship.
While hopes started out high for change, so far the U.S. has yet to make an effort. The question now is whether or not we want to make ties with Cuba. After all, the U.S. maintains a zero tolerance policy for communism and Raul Castro has no plans to abandon his brother's government. Do we really want to make amends?
One of the most powerful leaders in history of a communist nation just stepped down from power. Raul Castro is talking about loosening up the Cuban economy, and even extended an olive branch petition to the U.S.
Raul Castro is not his brother, and his emergence into power opens a small window of opportunity for the U.S. If there was ever a time to step in and do something, it's now.
This is our opportunity to turn a country that has hated us since the Cold War into an ally. It's time for us to make nice and reach out to make friends with Cuba.
We do not want to have to wait another 50 years for this opportunity to come around again.
And the United States could not be any happier.
It's not a secret that the U.S. is not a huge fan of communism or Cuba for that matter. Since Fidel Castro took power almost half a century ago, the two countries have been at odds with one another. The U.S. has been saying for ages it wants to bring democracy to the country and wants to repair their strained relationship.
While hopes started out high for change, so far the U.S. has yet to make an effort. The question now is whether or not we want to make ties with Cuba. After all, the U.S. maintains a zero tolerance policy for communism and Raul Castro has no plans to abandon his brother's government. Do we really want to make amends?
One of the most powerful leaders in history of a communist nation just stepped down from power. Raul Castro is talking about loosening up the Cuban economy, and even extended an olive branch petition to the U.S.
Raul Castro is not his brother, and his emergence into power opens a small window of opportunity for the U.S. If there was ever a time to step in and do something, it's now.
This is our opportunity to turn a country that has hated us since the Cold War into an ally. It's time for us to make nice and reach out to make friends with Cuba.
We do not want to have to wait another 50 years for this opportunity to come around again.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
john
posted 2/20/08 @ 7:56 AM EST
Why? As far as I'm concerned, Cuba can sink into the ocean. From the news reports I've seen, most of the population support Castro and hate the US. If that's the case, let them stay down there in their pissed off little world and we'll not have to float their economy with money that we dn't have to spare. (Continued…)
jk
posted 2/20/08 @ 9:15 AM EST
The best thing that could happen is Hugo Chavez will stop his $2 billion annual aid to Cuba. Then maybe the Cubans would have a new revolution.
Matt
posted 2/20/08 @ 11:34 AM EST
First of all, the two previous comments could not be more ludicrous. Because our own government's propaganda has inculcated the population of the United States with the "evils" of Castro's communist Cuba, Americans remain ignorant about all the great things he brought to Cuba, including universal education and universal healthcare. (Continued…)
john.depew
john
posted 2/20/08 @ 9:33 PM EST
The Cubans who were in deposed when Castro took over are mostly dead. It has been at or around 50 years since they lived there.
As for the rest of your circular drivel, I ask "Who cares?" Why do we need relations with Cuba? They're a small, insignificant part of the world's population that has supported a leader who hates the US, and by that support, you could surmise that they do not want the US involved in their country. (Continued…)
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