Relative of Repatriated Migrants Will Buck Republican Party

Mercedes and Aracelys Hernandez pose at the historic monument at Cuban Memorial Boulevard Tuesday. Mercedes, 42, and Aracelys, 31, are awaiting word on whether their niece, Elisabet Hernandez, will be allowed to leave Cuba to come to the United States. Elisabet was among the 15 Cubans the Coast Guard repatriated after they were found on an old bridge in the Florida Keys in January. A judge’s ruling has since found that they should not have been taken back to Cuba because the bridge is U.S. territory. Taking a political stance, Mercedes said she plans to switch her party registration from Republican to Democrat because, as she puts it, “the only people that have recognized us and seen us are the ones we went to see in Washington March 8.” Hernandez and Ramon Saul Sanchez met with Democrats Bob Menendez and Bill Nelson, Sanchez said. The U.S. government has helped the Cubans get visas to come to the United States. Sanchez didn’t want to touch the politics of it. “My position is that this is not a partisan issue, but a humane one.” Photo: sisters Mercedes and Aracelys Hernandez

Comments

[john]

Good

[PT]

The Democrats track record on Cuban issues is disastrous, icluding JFK in the Bay of Pigs and Clinton's non-response to the downing of the Hermanos Al Rescate planes and the denial of granting Elian his well deserved freedom. Mercedes needs to open her eyes and realize that the Democrats are backstabbers when it comes to Cuba and the Cuban exile communities.

[Robert]

Sanchez is right. There has been disgust on both sides of the aisle in the case of the 15.

Republicans aren't exempt from criticism when it comes to Cuba. But Mercedes needs to remember 2 things: the constant lobbying by Reps Diaz-Balart (both of them) and Ros-Lehtinen on Cuba. Secondly, it's an election year and politicians will promise the world to get elected.

As PT mentioned, Dems' track record in Cuban issues is anything but stellar.

[john]

Cuban vote doenst matter anymore, the anger is so growing so much that the left will take America back. Thanks, to the Miami cubans actions and subsequently voting Bush to the White House, the entire hemisphere has shifted left, including America. The Cuban vote will always be extreme right wing, so who cares what diaz and lehtinen ever has to say again.

[Carlos]

John, I think you are very mistaken as you clearly mentioned the Cubans have put Bush in the White House twice. what makes you think that there vote won't matter this time around? The Cubans have final say in Florida. Florida is a very divided state and the Cubans ultimately throw it to the right and put the Republicans in office. Diaz and Lehtinen have both been great congressmen/women and will continue to do there extraordinaire jobs. Sorry John but if you plan on living in Florida you have to except that the Cubans vote will forever matter and will determine the final outcome in this state.

[John]

Carlos,
Really, sorry you are the one mistaken. Cuban political dominance will be over by 2010. First, all of your Cuban women are getting married to non-Cubans by the thousands, and leaving Miami, just go to South Beach and watch all of the Cuban girls stalk non-cuban men. Second, the younger generation males think and dress like hip hop blacks, and seem more interested in hip hop music than freedom for Cuba. Third, the Cuban birth rate is some of the lowest in the Hispanic community. Fourth, the Puerto Rican vote in Orlando is growing by 10 fold in the last decade. Also, all the condos that Miami is buiding are not for the Cubans in Hialeah and Little Havana, but rather the "Americans" from up North. In conclusion politics are a numbers game, and quite simply the Cuban population is in decline in Miami. Little havana,hialeah, and hialeah gardens are being populated by non-cuban each and every month, by 2010 Cubans will not even be the majority in those areas. It is "you" that will have to get used to a new Miami, not me Carlos. Have a nice day.

[MCH]

John,
Perhaps you are in denial as to what Miami really is. Cubans not only made Miami what it is today, but will continue to do so in the future. Just look at the political landscape, the media, the language, the culture. What bubble are you living in?

Perhaps you are shopping for a Cuban girl to marry - there may be some in Cuba that is hoping for a Visa and willing to marry a person like you (althought I SERIOUSLY doubt that)....And your "stalking" non-Cuban men comment - PLEASE. I wonder what rock you are living under. The rock of blindnes? Or denial? Maybe when you are shopping for women in South Beach you are someone who is not able to distinguish countries of origin. Or perhaps that is something that helps feed your ego or your DENIAL.

Cuban women generally prefer to marry within their culture and if they marry outside of it, they make it a central part of their family lives. Young Cubans continue to have families. Young Cuban Americans continue to influence the vote, have a very strong voice in politics, and will continue to do so.

Let's see who is right in 2010 ... until then, I suggest you take your rascist go opinions elsewhere - perhaps somewhere in the midwest or even underground.

If we see another nationality step up to the plate in Miami as Cubans have done by 2010, I am sure the city would be SHOCKED - it simply isn't going to happen. Don't kid yourself, John. If you are not happy, just move. Miami would be a better place.

[MCH]

John,
Perhaps you are in denial as to what Miami really is. Cubans not only made Miami what it is today, but will continue to do so in the future. Just look at the political landscape, the media, the language, the culture. What bubble are you living in?

Perhaps you are shopping for a Cuban girl to marry - there may be some in Cuba that is hoping for a Visa and willing to marry a person like you (althought I SERIOUSLY doubt that)....And your "stalking" non-Cuban men comment - PLEASE. I wonder what rock you are living under. The rock of blindnes? Or denial? Maybe when you are shopping for women in South Beach you are someone who is not able to distinguish countries of origin. Or perhaps that is something that helps feed your ego or your DENIAL.

Cuban women generally prefer to marry within their culture and if they marry outside of it, they make it a central part of their family lives. Young Cubans continue to have families. Young Cuban Americans continue to influence the vote, have a very strong voice in politics, and will continue to do so.

Let's see who is right in 2010 ... until then, I suggest you take your rascist go opinions elsewhere - perhaps somewhere in the midwest or even underground.

If we see another nationality step up to the plate in Miami as Cubans have done by 2010, I am sure the city would be SHOCKED - it simply isn't going to happen. Don't kid yourself, John. If you are not happy, just move. Miami would be a better place.

[PT]

The Cuban population maybe declining due to influx of other demographic groups. But the condos in Miami are not going to "'Americans' from up North" , they are actually going to Latin American immigrants and investors who are pulling money out of their countries due to the dangers they see in their socialist governments. In fact, Hugo Chaves could be named realtor of the year. Although the recent Venezuelans influx to South Florida may not be eligible to vote, they will present an important voting block in future years. Colombian-Americans are seeing the light because of the great strides conservative Uribe has made in their native country. The left's belief that they "will take America back" because of growing anger is foolish. Running on hate and anger with hopes right- leaning voters will crossover and elect Dems is rediculous. Americans are not stupid.

[Carlos]

John,
You obviously don't hang out with the Cubans I talk about because the Cubans I mention do not live in Hialeah or Little Havana, they live in Coral Gables, South Miami, or Kendall. As you said yes there are less Cubans in Little Havana, etc. because the Cubans have advanced to higher levels-most probably higher then you. The Cubans I deal with and am surrounded by are the ones that fill the political seats in this city and state. They do not only have College degrees but go on to have even greater advanced degrees. John, from personal experience I tell you "my Cuban women" are not leaving the Cuban men behind, I have only dated Cuban women and plan on marrying one. Maybe as MCH said you do not know how to distinguish people's origin as it even more difficult to distinguish Cubans from pure bread Americans-my sister, brother, mother, father for example all have blonde hair and blue eyes. The condos being built are going to South Americans more then anything so please read up on that. The only recommendation I have to you is that you leave this city because the only change that may occur by 2010 is that I become the mayor. I'm sure if put up to a vote here in Miami-Dade county you would definately be voted out because remember we do have majority by far. Thank you for your time John and please refrain from your racist comments and accept the fact that this country is made up of immigrants and only goes on because of its immigrants.
Carlos

[john]

First, please point me to my racist comment that i made. Maybe it was "hip hop" blacks, that is by no means racist, it is actually a trend. Second, calling whites racist is a well known tactic that Cubans use in Miami to stifle free debate. Curious though, Cubans have a reputation throughout Latin America as being the most racist people in the Western Hemisphere. It has been stated that white Cubans fled after Fidel took over, because they thought that they couldnt continue their racist beliefs and practices. Unfortunately, many Floridians believe that the those same white racist Cubans brought their brand of racism to Miami. In fact it has been stated that man Marial boatlift survivors were discriminated against by Cubans in Miami when they arrived here in Miami. Kind of sad if that is in fact true. Also, you specifically stated that Cuban girls only date Cuban men. That my friends is clearly racist. As a result, you have proven that your women are bigots against non-cubans. You said it not me. Additionally, you stated that Cubans built Miami up. I have to strongly disagree. Miami is the 4th poorest city in America. Maybe you are thinking Miami Beach when you say that. Interesting to note however, it was the Jewish community that built up Miami Beach. In addition, i have noticed that not that many Cubans live on Miami Beach. I asked about the lack of Cubans on Miami Beach "which is by the way where the wealthy Miamians live" and i was told that Cubans are unable to afford the luxury of living on Miami Beach with us "real" Americans. Also, i am able to determine the Cuban chicanos from the other latin chicanos. But to be sure when i go clubbing this weekend, i will conduct an informal poll with all the girls that ask me to take them out to dinner. Im sure my polling sample will show a clear majority wil be Cuban girls. Finally, Miami is my new home, last i checked this is an American city, so im not going nowhere. You Cubans have to start assimilating into our culture, which means speaking the language, flying the American flag, and driving nicely on 1-95. Oh and by the way no need to offer me an apology for calling me a racist, and attacking my education which by the way is very superior. Thank you, and have a splended afternoon.

[John]

Oh, and one more point. The Venezulians live in Weston, because they have money and refuse to live in Miami. More importantly when the Democrats take over, they will slam the door on all this illegal immigrants especially from Venezuala. Also, the the latin america has gone left look at chile,bolivia, and venezula. And when America does go left, well lets just say it will be some long days for these radical down here. Finally, i would remind that Gore and Kerry only lost the White House by one state. And the White House usually changes over after two terms. Have a nice day.

[MCH]

Oh, John. You are a sad and bitter soul and truly I pity you. Now I see where your bitterness truly lies.

You obviously hate Cubans and it makes you feel better to personally attack them. Small person. Perhaps it is time for you to remove yourself from a blog called "The Cuban Connection" if all you intent to do is be a bigot - and a so-called "real" American.

You obviously don't have either nice days or splendid afternoons becuase you are busy being a hater.

[John]

Again, you cannot point to one bitter or hateful thing i have posted. A Cuban here specifically said that Cuban women will not marry non-Cubans. Truth of the matter is what i have posted is what the majority of most Americans think, particulary after the Elian Gonzales fiasco. Please dont hate me because i am speaking for most Americans. I read an article in the Miami Herald where it said whites have been fleeing Miami the last 10 years up to Ft.Lauderdale? I wonder why that is for. Have a nice day.

[Carlos]

It's because they cannot stand the fact that a minority is superior to them or at least at there level. Broward will soon also be controlled by Cubans and other Latin Americans so they will have to continue to flee so that they could feel like they are superior. As Mch said "BITTER." Please remove yourself from the blog called "Miami's Cuban Connection" if you do not like the Cuban Connection that Miami has.

[alex]

Please, the Venezuelans live in Doral, everyone knows that. And not everyone who lives in Hialeah makes a menial salaray, either.

[Ravenne]

ALL, I repeat, ALL cultures should have a say as to how the United States should be run. That's why the United States is considered multi-cultural! I swear, this has to be the stupidest argument I've ever read! Cubans will own this, Cubans will own that -- PLEASE!!! Get real!! No race or culture should have to own anything or anyplace! It should be for ALL!!! Good grief!

[A L]

America should be for all, but you have some people who make it seem otherwise.

[amp]

Who are you referring to when you say "Chicanos"? What does that mean?

[Carly]

I am British but I dated a cuban and would like to say a few things even though my ex was in Canada when we dated.
I got to know his family and his culture to some extent.
I have to say that first of all most Cuban men are hot and I think this is why white americans have problems with them. They are latin lovers who are exotic and have sex appeal , warmth and charm.
In Cuba itself, there is a 100% literacy rate which would put North America to shame.1/11 Cubans in Cuba have a university degree..........not bad for such an impoverished country.
They are far more hospitable than North Americans .
I think the americans have to remember that you are made up of British immigrants...........there is not really a true american in your ancestory ( unless one is native indian).
I would take a cuban man over an american one anyday.
Nothing spells *yawnnnnnnnnnnn* moreso than some pasty, loud mouthed, racist ,american who thinks they are Gods gift.

[Carly]

Further, when you compare Cuba to America, who would choose to leave such a beautiful country in the Caribbean for America if not for the poverty which America's embargos help create?
Some Americans don't like Cubans immigrating to "their" country yet allow the american government to adversely affect the Cuban economy which creates an exxodus in the first place.
Why place embargos on Cuba so that they live in squalor?
Then have the cheek to bitch if they go to america to try and live the american dream?

[Bill]

I want to thank all the Cuban men!! You guys have no clue how to treat Cuban women, especially after they arrive on American soil and get a taste of our culture. Cuban men try so hard to be black that the beautiful women of Cuba are seeking American men! Thanks guys!!! Your women are beautiful and they have no interest in your ghetto fabulous ways!