Today’s Chutzpah Award

Yesterday Yahoo News reported that Fidel Castro celebrated his 89th birthday by declaring that the United States owes Cuba “many millions of dollars” because of the half-century-old American trade embargo. This is what happens when you begin diplomatic relations with a failing communist state–they immediately want money because communism doesn’t work.

The article reports:

The trade embargo that the United States slapped on communist Cuba in 1962, three years after Castro seized power by ousting a US-backed regime, remains in effect despite the thaw.

President Barack Obama wants Congress to lift it, although US officials say this will take time and is not an automatic part of the restoration of ties, as it requires congressional action.

Many Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, oppose the idea, insisting Cuba has to improve its human rights record and make other democratic reforms.

Fidel Castro pulled one of the most effective international deceptions in history in 1959 when he led a successful revolution and took over the government of Cuba. America supported him, believing he would bring freedom to the island nation. However, a quick review of his personal history would have revealed who he was.

Wikipedia has a few interesting notes about Fidel Castro:

Born in Birán as the son of a wealthy farmer, Castro adopted leftist anti-imperialist politics while studying law at the University of Havana.

Maybe America needs to take a closer look at its universities and see what is happening to their students.

Wikipedia also tells us:

After participating in rebellions against right-wing governments in the Dominican Republic and Colombia, he planned the overthrow of Cuban President Fulgencio Batista, launching a failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953. After a year’s imprisonment, he traveled to Mexico where he formed a revolutionary group, the 26th of July Movement, with Che Guevara and his brother Raúl Castro. Returning to Cuba, Castro took a key role in the Cuban Revolution by leading the Movement in a guerrilla war against Batista’s forces from the Sierra Maestra. After Batista’s overthrow in 1959, Castro assumed military and political power.

America realized after Castro took office who he was, but his revolution was looked upon favorably by the American government. Many college students who don’t understand the cruelty of Che Guevara still wander around with t-shirts bearing his image. Che Guevara was a cold-blooded murderer who essentially functioned as the enforcer for the Castro regime. His t-shirts are worn by students who really have no idea who he actually was.

At any rate, we don’t owe Cuba anything for the embargo. Cuba owes the world an explanation and apology for the way it has treated its people. Castro’s regime was one of fear and terror. Innocent people were arrested, tortured, and mistreated. That still continues. Until it stops, I see no reason to trade with Cuba.