
Originally Posted by
HK4U
Boris sent the following to me today.
Letter to the Editor from a Cuban . . .
A most interesting and foreboding
letter.
From Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, July 7, 2008 ~
Dear Editor, Times-Dispatch:
'Each year I get to celebrate
Independence Day twice. On June 30
I celebrate my independence day,
and on July 4 I celebrate America's.
This year is special, because it marks
the 40th anniversary of my independence.
'On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist
Cuba, and a few months later, I was
in the United States to stay. That I
happened to arrive in Richmond on
Thanksgiving Day is just part of the
story, but I digress.
'I've thought a lot about the
anniversary this year. The election-
year rhetoric has made me think a lot
about Cuba and what transpired there.
In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought
Cuba needed a change, and they were right.
So when a young leader came along, every
Cuban was at least receptive.
'When the young leader spoke eloquently
and passionately and denounced the
old system, the press fell in love
with him.
They never questioned who
his friends were or what he really
believed in. When he said he would
help the farmers and the poor and
bring free medical care and education
to all, everyone followed. When he
said he would bring justice and
equality to all, everyone said,
'Praise the Lord.'
And when the young leader said,
'I will be for change and I'll
bring you change,' everyone yelled,
'Viva Fidel!'
'But nobody asked about the change,
so by the time the executioner's guns
went silent, the people's guns had
been taken away.
By the time everyone was equal,
they were equally poor, hungry, and
oppressed.
By the time everyone received their
free education, it was worth nothing.
By the time the press noticed, it was
too late, because they were now working
for him.
By the time the change was finally
implemented, Cuba had been knocked
down a couple of notches to Third-World
status.
By the time the change was over, more
than a million people had taken to
boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You
can call those who made it ashore
anywhere else in the world the most
fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back
to the beginning of my story.
'Luckily, we in America would never
fall for a young leader who promised
change without asking, what change?
How will you carry it out?
What will it cost America?
'Would we?'
Manuel Alvarez, Jr.