Coast Guard Interdictions Up

The Coast Guard is on pace to interdict more Cubans at sea this year than any year since the 1994 balsero crisis. Last year already set a post-1994 record.

Comments

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

The only reason that Bush and the Congress don't approve the construction of a Berlin Wall across the Florida Straits is that such a feat of engineering is not yet possible. Symbolically and functionally, however, such a wall already exists which was erected by Clinton and expanded by Bush -- it's called the "Wet Foot/Dry Foot" policy.

[a different thought]

The courage exhibited by the "Balseros" is formidable...One day we will read about them as freedom heros in the history books.

[Tu Abuela]

We need some comprehensive reform here. Regardless of whether they are wet or dry, the United States should repatriate anyone who attempts to enter the country illegaly and has no legitimate claim of persecution in Cuba to rest a political asylum claim on.

The wet foot / dry foot policy ignores those who are interdicted at sea with legitimate asylum claims, and it rewards those who enter the country illegaly without them.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Abuelita:

I am glad that you are willing to offer political asylum to all Cubans, since all Cubans, in one decree or another, have "a legitimate claim of persecution in Cuba."

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Spain has never forgiven Cuba for the humiliation inflicted on her in 1898, and it welcomed Fidel Castro as an avenger of her vanquished glory. Franco was like a second father to Fidel. Even democratic Spain heaped honors on the Caribbean satrap, including the gold medal of the Spanish senate in 1986. But do think, however, that Spain is indifferent to human rights. In fact, it has become the first nation in the world to recognize the rights of primates. The following article is no joke:

Spanish Parliament Supports Rights for Apes

By Jason Webb, Reuters

MADRID (June 27) - Spain's parliament is to declare support for rights to life and freedom for great apes on Wednesday, apparently the first time any national legislature will have recognized such rights for non-humans.

Parliament is to ask the government to adhere to the Great Ape Project, which would mean recognizing that our closest genetic relatives should be part of a "community of equals" with humans, supporters of the resolution said.

The move in a country better known for bull-fighting would follow a string of social reforms which have converted Spain from one of Europe's most conservative nations into a liberal trailblazer.

Backers of the resolution expect support from the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose government has legalized gay marriage and reduced the influence of the Catholic Church in education.

"With this, Spain will make itself a world leader in protection of the great apes," said Pedro Pozas, general secretary of the Great Ape Project's Spanish branch.

The resolution, presented by a Green Party parliamentarian, prompted criticism and some ridicule at first.

Spanish media quoted the Catholic Archbishop of Pamplona as saying it was ludicrous to grant apes rights not enjoyed by unborn children, in a reference to Spanish abortion laws.

But a spokesman for Archbishop Fernando Sebastian said he had been taken out of context and now supported the resolution.

"We are in favor of defending animals, but people come first," Father Santos Villanueva told Reuters.

Philosophers Peter Singer and Paola Cavalieri founded the Great Ape Project in 1993, arguing apes were so close to humans they deserved rights to life, freedom and not to be tortured.

"When a loved one dies, they grieve for a long time. They can solve complex puzzles that stump most two-year-old humans," said Singer.

The Spanish move could set a precedent for greater legal protection for other animals, including elephants, whales and dolphins, said Paul Waldau, director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University.

"We were born into a society where humans alone are the sole focus, and we begin to expand to the non-human great apes. It isn't easy for us to see how far that expansion will go, but it's very clear we need to expand beyond humans," Waldau said.

There are only a few hundred apes in Spain, mainly chimpanzees. But the resolution would also push the government to help endangered populations in Africa and Asia, said Pozas, speaking to Reuters at a sanctuary outside Madrid sheltering half a dozen chimpanzees rescued from abuse.

06/27/06 10:54 ET

[Manuel II]

That's all fine and good. But the important question is... WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH THE COAST GUARD INTERDICTION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?!?!

[Jersey City]

Well it's great to see M.A.T. riled up again. Anyone else sense his guilt in having fled his country rather than having stayed and fought for it?

[PEE Wee Herman]

It Is easy..

DRY FOOT POLICY MUST BE CANCEL
FOOD SALES TO CUBA MUST BE CANCEL
MEDICINE SALES TO CUBA MUST BE CANCEL
TRIPS BY CUBAN EXILES FORBIDDEN UNTIL CASTRO IS CANCEL

WANT MORE.... REMITTANCES ALL CANCEL

AFTER ALL BEFORE 1978 CASTRO HAD CANCEL THE CUBAN EXILES.

[rsabates12@yahoo.com]

Manuel has never made sense to me.

[rsabates12@yahoo.com]

Yes, i agree that dry foot must be canceled. I wonder what Bush is waiting for, he has had six years.

[Tu Abuela]

Bush won't touch this issue with Dick Cheney's finger. The only right thing to do is repatriate all of them. They are economic refugees, if they were political exiles they would have left a long time ago.

[rsabates12@yahoo.com]

Well, Bush can at least do something. I voted for him twice, but his Cuban-American policies have been extremely negligent. He has done absolutely nothing for our community. If anything Bush seems at times to be as bad as Clinton.

[matt Glesne]

It is more like 'Wet-Foot Dry-Foot' and the Cuban Adjustment Act have built a rainbow to South Florida. After all, what other immigrant in the world can be assured of full assistance (job, housing, English) and citizenship if they make it to their desitnation? What other immigrants are so welcomed into their city and country? What other immigrants are considered heroes by their new country?

Cubans are economic migrants like anyone else from the region. To claim people are leaving because they are subject to political persecution is just false.

Still, even with the perks billions in the world would die for, the number of Cubans caught at sea this year is below the number of Dominicans. In previous years there were as many Haitians or even Ecuadorians interdicted.

And lets not forget that Cuba is a simple 90 mile raft ride away in ideal trade wind and current conditions. Dominica is probably a good 700 miles away, against the conditions. The non-prosecution of Cuban smugglers doesn'y help either.

Most Americans know none of this and therefore the US plan to make Cuba look bad through naked, disgusting, murderous enticement goes on.

[rsabates12@yahoo.com]

Great post matt. I look forward to any future post from you.

[usambcuba]

The Cuban Adjustment Act is another twist in our distorted immigration and foreign policy, a relic of the Cold War. It will have to be reviewed, just like our current insane U.S. Cuba policies, by the future Congress and next Presidential Administration.

[a different thought]

matt said, "Cubans are economic migrants like anyone else from the region. To claim people are leaving because they are subject to political persecution is just false"

Really no political persecution? Tell that to the thousands of homosexuals on the island, or the others who have endured imprisonment for spewing the wrong views....

You may want to believe the crap that Castro publishes to make himself look better, but the rest of us know better...The Island is suffering economically now, because of the politics that have gripped that country since the early 60's.

[rsabates12@yahoo.com]

Good point, a different thought.

[nonee moose]

CAA doeas not guarantee any Cuban refugee-- political, economic, or otherwise--- US citizenship. Also, to label all Cuban immigrants, whether wet or dry-footed, economic refugees is rather simplistic, and completely ignores the widely acknowledged political repression that takes place in Cuba. This repression is acknowledged by the Cuban government itself, laughably excused as countermeasures against the US policy towards Cuba.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

There are flies buzzing in this thread, the offshoots of Jon Juan Dumbfellow's experiments in cloning. At least he created a higher life form than himself.

Why don't you represent your own views instead of hiding behind your little friends?

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

usamcuba:

Taking a break from shilling for the repeal of the trade embargo? Well, you deserve it.

But what a good little apparatchik you are! "Rest" for you means merely switching from one old bromide to the other. Along with all the other racists on this blog, you are now in favor of scrapping the Cuban Adjustment Act, which -- what a coincidence! -- is also what Castro wants, too.

Moreover, you want travel restrictions to Cuba rescinded so that the noble American tourist -- elsewhere known as the "Ugly American -- can bring liberty to the Cuban people merely by allowing the locals to associate with his august democratic person. The freedom and democracy will just "rub off." Like in China. Or Vietnam.

But although you are in favor of having Americans go to Cuba on this great humanitarian mission, you are opposed to allowing Cubans to come here except with Castro's permission and blessing. What little autonomy Cubans still retain -- the right to risk their lives for freedom -- you would take from them.

[pepe@yahoo.com]

Manuel,

I dont want to start an argument with you, that will result in a lot of name calling from you. But when you said that Pat Buchannon liked Cuban-Americans, you lost me too. Please dont start calling me names though.

[christina@bellsouth.com]

Ok, i think we can all agree that Manuel A. Tellechea is a scoial misfit. But can we all just move along, and talk about the unfair American wet-foot/dry foot policy.

[rubio]

Christiana,

No, Manuel is not a social misfit. His arguments are not fully thought out sometimes. And he is parroting George Bush's talking points, which are proving to be insulting and disrepctful to our proud community...

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Jon Juan (aka "Pepe" @ Yahoo)):

You say that you don't want to "start an argument" with me because you are afraid that I will call you names. In fact, I have refrained from "name calling" in your regard because all possible names have already been taken.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Jon Juan:

So now you have a feminine persona, too, "Christina" @ bellsouth. Well, good for you. A lot of people on this blog (not me, of course) have been suggesting for a long time that your problems are psychosexual, and I think you have taken an important step in your maturation process by exploring the full spectrum of your multifarious personality.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Curious, Jon Juan, "Rubio" also spells like you.

[jersey city ??]

Posted by: Jersey City | June 28, 2006 at 06:50 PM

Well it's great to see M.A.T. riled up again. Anyone else sense his guilt in having fled his country rather than having stayed and fought for it?

[manuel A.Tellechea]

Jersey city is Jon Juan too.

[manuel A.Tellechea]

Pee Wee i think you may be Jon Juan also.

[manuel A.Tellechea]

Anyone who disagree with me like this can safely be assumed to be Jon Juan. Pee Wee you have bad grammar too. So that is why i think you may be Jonn Juan. Pancho is for sure John Juan. And i have thought that usambcuba is John Juan. Think about it folks.

[manuel A.Tellechea]

Jon Juan has stolen my nickname guys. Think about it.

[matt glesne]

Moose, sorry I meant "permanent legal residence" (within 1 year) not citizenship, but there is no practical difference. If not 100%, then 99% of migrants came for economic of familiam reasons - not politics.

ADT, you should know darn well homosexuals in Cuba are not discriminated against anymore. Yeah, in the early days there was a lot of machismo left over, which led to their disallowal from the military. But today they are completely integrated - more than we can say. I Havana you seem groups of gays congregating and partying late into the night on the malecon. I wish we had that freedom in America.

As for those in prison for expressing their views, even Amnesty put that number at no more than 100. And that vast majority of those folks had links to the US Govt. and/or had received playment from our subsideraries. That is not me believing Castro, that is me reading the court documents that reported on years of surveillance and loads of evidence against those doing our regime change work.

[manuel A.Tellechea]

Good point matt, i think at times the us media lies about Fidel's human rights abuses.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Jon Juan:

It won't work. In order to steal my name you have to be able to copy my writing style, too. This is clearly beyond your ken, although I am sure we will all enjoy your feats of mental calisthenics in endeavoring to parody me. And you will be the better for it, too, Jon.

I have never suggested that you were usambcuba, Jon. That, too, would be a reach for you.

[moby aka katie couric]

Thank God no "smallfellow" in this discussion. I don't agree with the Dry/wet foot policy and it should be recinded. the problem is that the arguement about the embargo, wicked exiles, and the aburd idea of free education and healthcare convalude the real issue with Cuba. Fidel has been in power 47 years, no elections in 47 years, Cuba has an apartheid system, and what does the international community and media do:

NOTHING!!!

If the international community and the media would of denounced this brutal regime, it would have fallen long ago.

What about the political prisoners? All we hear about is Gitmo. 47 years of political prisoners-no nightline special on that with a special British accent?

What about Farinas? He is on hunger strike because he can not use the internet....yet we all know about the hunger strike at Gitmo that now includes the likes of Susan Sarandon and danny clover.

I can go on and on......

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Matt Glesne:

It was not the "left over machismo" of an earlier time that caused Castro to establish the UMAP re-orientation camps for homosexuals in the 1960s. In bygone days, there were no such camps in Cuba; it was Castro's own homophobia which caused him to jail homosexuals in the 1960s and quarantine HIV patients two decades later.

Many prominent U.S. homosexuals, such as the late poet Allan Ginsberg, who publicly confessed a crush on Castro, refused ever to condemn the world's premier basher of gays.

[nonee moose]

Matt:

I just don't think you can make a clear distinction between an economic and/or political motivation for immigration. When even governmental(and, by extension, political) structures/systems are closely identified with economic models, I don't believe the two can ever be distinguished at all. I will grant you that, in theory at least, a "pure" economic refugee, or a "pure" political refugee for that matter, can exist, I'm not sure there is a difference to the distinction.

In the case of Cuba, is there any disagreement among us that public dissent, political dissent, is subject to sanction? And if that is true, does that not place anyone in that country who disagrees with the government-- whether it is because of the dearth of meat, or the economic apartheid, or the legitimacy/absence of elections, pick one, any one -- in "fear"? And there are lot of other examples around the world where this is also true. My point is, how can you claim that Cuban immigrants are "strictly commercial", when the institutional political repression is acknowledged by all, including the regime itself?

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Noose,

Actually, i agree with Matt. The Cuban immigrants are strictly commerical.

[cubanpatriot]

Matt glesne continues to spread false information. No surprise. Dominicans interdicted at sea are not trying to make it to the mainland US. They are attempting to get to Puerto Rico. That's not 700 miles away.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

cubanpatriot,

Are you John Juan?

[cubanpatriot]

"The Dominican Republic has historically been a major source country for undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S.. Crossing the Mona Passage (the body of water between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico) to enter Puerto Rico, thousands of people have taken to sea in a variety of vessels, the most common is a homemade fishing vessel known as a Yola. Most of these migrants are smuggled by highly organized gangs. From April 1, 1995 through October 1, 1997, the Coast Guard conducted Operation ABLE RESPONSE, with enhanced operations dedicated to interdicting Dominican migrants. Over 9,500 migrants were interdicted or forced to turn back."

That's from the US coast guard. http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/g-opl/AMIO/AMIO.htm

The Mona passage is 80 miles wide. Key West to Cuba is 90 miles. http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0833676.html

And "90 mile raft ride away in ideal trade wind and current conditions." ?????? Kind of like the favorable conditions that killed Elian's mom and every other person in their party? It's just like Pirates of the Caribbean at disney world, what a wonderful ride.

Don't let facts get in the way of a good story, huh Matt?

And P.S. Matt: Dominica is a whole 'nother country. Don't confuse it with the Dominican Republic. Idiot.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

cubanpatiort,

Hi John Juan. Are you still learning to read?

[gansibele]

Matt Glesne wrote:

"I Havana you seem groups of gays congregating and partying late into the night on the malecon. I wish we had that freedom in America."

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME.

Ever been in South Beach? Or in San Francisco? Chelsea? You have any proof that at any time in modern history homosexuals have been rounded up in this country and sent to reform camps?

Matt, people like you saying things like these... all you do is undermine the debate. If you are sincere about Cuba, the best thing you could do is stop parroting propaganda. You make it too easy for the hardliners to paint everybody else as out of touch with reality. It's so unfortunate that when it comes to Cuba all we get is extremes from the left and the right. Reasonable, reality-grounded people are few and far between in these debates.

[usambcuba]

Manuel - "there you go again..."

The Cuban Adjustment Act is another example of incongruency in our immigration and foreign policy. The same justifications you make for it could be applied to a host of other nations. It is not.

Ask the Haitian, Dominican, Mexican, or other foreign alien what they think of the Cuban Adjustment Act - they wish they had one for themselves. And if you do not think it breeds resentment, think again. It does among other immigrant groups.

But again, the embargo "apparatchik" is big business now, U.S. Cuba policy prostitution for the political machine of the hard line exile.

And yes, in the process of normalizing relations with Cuba, we would have to take a look at the CAA and see if it should not be repealed or sunset. Just like Helms Burton needs to be repealed and sunset too.

And btw, I am not opposed to Cubans coming here -- again Manuel your extrapolation and putting words/and false interpretations in people's language is a clever tactic, but no cigar here. Please stick to the issue without personally attacking.

I happen to think Cuba's process of emigration is a bureaucratic nightmare for Cuban nationals with what they have to deal with their interior ministry. I hope it will change in an environment where we are no longer engaged in a quasi war with Cuba. Castro is not hurt by any of this. Cuban people are. And Castro is empowered by our policies not hobbled.

And no current U.S. policy is going to change that policy in Cuba.

[cubanpatriot]

All matt glesne does is parrot communist propaganda. He's not a moderate. He's a died in the wool castroite.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

usambcuba,

Yah, but personal attacks are funny to me. For example, i think you probably kiss like a frog. Hahahehe

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

cubanpatriot,

Hi John Juan.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

"Ask the Haitian, Dominican, Mexican, or other foreign alien what they think of the Cuban Adjustment Act - they wish they had one for themselves. And if you do not think it breeds resentment, think again. It does among other immigrant groups." — usambcuba

Am I suppose to care what Haitians, Dominicans and Mexicans think about the Cuban Adjustment Act? All I know is that they are not exactly flocking to Cuba's beckoning shores. In fact, Cuba is the only country in the Caribbean that doesn't have to deal with the problem of illegal migrants. Not even Haitians would trade their miserable existence for the lot of the ordinary Cuban. Doesn't that tell you something, Mr. Ambassador? Well, it should. The Cuban Adjustment Act is an exception because Cuba is an exceptional case.

And, yes, the more that you reveal yourself to be a doctrinaire spokesman for the Castro regime, the more contempt I feel for you and the surer I become that you have a personal stake in the continuation of Fidel Castro in power.

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

Oh, Mr.Ambassador, i almost forgot. You kiss like a frog. Hahahehe

[Manuel A. Tellechea]

I much prefer the guileless idiocy of a Jon Juan (see above) to the secret agenda of usambcuba.