This is the current comic at The Washington Post, brought to you by the same enlightened types who would not think of publishing a cartoon about African-Americans being sent back to Africa, or Jews being sent back to Nazi Germany. Heck, they wouldn't print one about Muslims being sent somewhere to the Middle East. But somehow, this is acceptable. Imus loses his job for using "nappy headed hos," yet this piece of detritus is published by one of the major newspapers in the United States.
I've often wondered why Cuban Americans are the only minority group that can be attacked with impunity. And, I suspect, there are many factors, envy, xenophobia, etc... But there's a clue in this abomination. Take a look at what the soon-to-be exiles are saying. They won't be allowed to "interfere' in the next election. It's about politics, folks. What they cannot forgive us is that we are in the main politically conservative, tend to vote Republican, and have the power of numbers in the very important state of Florida. Yup, that's it. We're not cool.
Why should it be a surprise that Cuban Americans vote Republican? Cubans arrive here fleeing a ubiquitous totalitarian state. They do not see government as the beneficent doler out of entitlements. It then makes sense that they would like to see the least government possible. And which party has traditionally stood for less government, for the right to bear arms? Then there is the question of taxes. Being of an entrepreneurial bent, firmly planted in the bourgeoisie, they are very sensitive to questions of taxes and regulations. Any question as to why they would be conservative? Finally, there is the question of history. I'd say at least half of Cuban Americans remember the men that were left to die on the beach at Playa Giron, facing Russian tanks, when the promised air support didn't arrive. Is that enough to keep voting Republican in perpetuam? No, but it doesn't make one feel very Democratic.
Mas Canosa once supported a Democrat, Bill Clinton. And how was he repaid? With Wet Foot/Dry Foot, with paratroopers busting into a family home, guns drawn, to forcibly send a child back to a Stalinist state to be with his father, the father who had suddenly desired custody of his son, AFTER Castro demanded Elian's return. And so it goes. I wouldn't count on a mass exodus to the Dems anytime soon.
By the way, Mr. Oliphant, the most wonderful thing is that I am as American as you are. I'm probably even more American than you since I live in the real world and not in the rarefied air of circles where no one has ever earned a buck by the sweat of his brow. And before, you put me in that row boat, you'd better get the Mayflower out of mothballs, honey.
Update: It is not enough to practice hate speech in the pages of the Washington Post, they have the offending scribble as the featured cartoon on Slate.
H/T Babalublog
5 comments:
Great letter. No answers....
Thanks, Charlie. I've written to the WP, CNN's Reliable Sources, various programs, Bernie Goldberg, CANF,and Sen Martinez, both as a constituent and a contributor (ex-contributor now, I might add) And nothing. CANF was the only one who answered me. They were obviously upset and promised to let me know what, if anything, they were going to do. You're right, the silence is deafening.
I've called the Washington Post and well, I got a hint from a friend RSNLK, they would not answer me because the cartoon was not published in the printed version. So I gave them hell in my NON printed blog.
Thanks for coming and read us, it's nice to know that our material is half way interesting!
Charley, my parents came the first time pre revolution, and my few contacts are not representative of most, so I get a feel for how people see things from your blog, not to mention the odd assorted rock post. You know, old hippies never die, they just fade away. You and KC are doing kick butt work. Keep it up, and one day we'll all drink Cuba Libres by the Malecon, toasting from our wheelchairs, that is.
Sorry, Charlie.
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