Did you notice the timing of President Obama’s economic lifeline to Castro as announced on December 17th under the guise of “changing [our] relations with the people [emphasis mine] of Cuba?”
No? But you have noticed the price at the gas pumps, right? These two items are closely related. Oh, and by the way, every atom of evidence shows that the actual people of Cuba actually want U.S. sanctions against the Stalinist regime that tortures them tightened. So perhaps President Obama should stop insulting the intelligence of Cuba-watchers by claiming to speak and act on their behalf. Here’s their reaction to this week’s early Christmas gift from Obama to the Stalinist dictator who tortures them:
“Sadly, President Obama made the wrong decision. The freedom and democracy of the Cuban people will not be achieved through these benefits that he’s giving — not to the Cuban people — but to the Cuban government. The Cuban government will only take advantage to strengthen its repressive machinery, to repress civil society, its people and remain in power.” (Berta Soler, leader of “The Ladies in White,” Cuba’s biggest dissident group.
“[Alan Gross] was not arrested for what he did, but for what could be gained from his arrest. He was simply bait and they were aware of it from the beginning… Castroism has won.” (Yoani Sanchez, Cuba’s most internationally famous dissident.)
“I feel as though I have been abandoned on the battlefield.” (Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, former Cuban political prisoner awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush.)
The list of back-stabbed and outraged Cuban dissidents is much, much longer.