Asked if the Republican Party had put him up to holding the news conference, González said, ``No, no, no. This is spontaneous between us and the community.'

The Miami Herald was notified about the news conference by Republican state Rep. David Rivera, of South Florida. He also provided background information about the two campaign advisors.

Can somebody please explain why these attacks are always against people "close" to Obama (Wright, Rezko etc), and not Obama himself. Surely if you disagree with his policy positions on Cuba, you must have reasons? Outline them, build an argument.

Frankly this kind of scattergun attack (point the barrel at someone else and hope some of the shot hits Obama) makes no sense to me.

/PS Secret Service, this was a simile, and in no way a statement of intent

'The link between Barack Obama and a Castro apologist like Greg Craig is extremely relevant to Cuban-American voters because it provides further insight into Obama's weak position toward the Castro dictatorship,' Rivera said.

Obama has called for lifting restrictions on travel and money transfers by Cuban Americans to family on the island, and for initiating talks with the Cuban government in the hope of sparking democratic reforms.


It's about time the influence of the anti-Castro brigade was neutralized. If we have normalized relations with China, under no circumstances is it acceptable to remain hostile to Cuba. How long do Americans want the ridiculous policy to continue? All it does is hurt the Cuban people.

DuncanMhor: Can somebody please explain why these attacks are always against people "close" to Obama (Wright, Rezko etc), and not Obama himself. Surely if you disagree with his policy positions on Cuba, you must have reasons? Outline them, build an argument.

Yeah, why should his grand uncle voice his opinion on personal matters close to his heart? Surely, technical differences on policy would mean more to Gonzalez and his community.

As for Obama's positions on Cuba, perhaps he can start by making it clear whether he's for the embargo or against it?

'We're going to express opposition to Barack Obama's visit to Miami, and explain how we're opposed to him having individuals on his campaign who were associated with Elián's seizure in 2000,' González said. ``Some wounds are so deep that they do not heal over time, such as taking a child and sealing his fate to a communist dictatorship.'

BURN!

Last One Left: Yeah, why should his grand uncle voice his opinion on personal matters close to his heart?

He can say and do what he likes. The "Community" are spontaneously protesting Obama because of things done without his involvement, which to me would render the protest pointless. Nothing to do with technical differences in policy.

Your second point:

I will maintain the embargo. It provides us with the leverage to present the regime with a clear choice: if you take significant steps toward democracy, beginning with the freeing of all political prisoners, we will take steps to begin normalizing relations. That's the way to bring about real change in Cuba - through strong, smart and principled diplomacy.

Seems pretty clear. As your article points out, he's changed his position on methods (not goals - freedom for Cubans) since 2004.

Personally, I don't have a position on the Cuban embargo, but I'm not worried about a politician changing his position on how to accomplish a stated goal, as long as they don't change the goal itself (and the mechanism isn't obviously flawed)

/in short, flip-flopper is a ridiculous insult

Suicidal Writer


It's about time the influence of the anti-Castro brigade was neutralized. If we have normalized relations with China, under no circumstances is it acceptable to remain hostile to Cuba. How long do Americans want the ridiculous policy to continue? All it does is hurt the Cuban people.


I was gone, for about a year. I come back, and there are all kindsa new folks spouting the normal amount of crap, yourself, sometimes- included.
However- nail > hammer > nailhead . Nice.
That main thing- the useless waste of resources that is our embargo against Cuba because we dont like that old bastard and he just refuses to die...
Kudos !

I got teh sequence wrong, btw, but I trust you ken it.

No offense to you old cubans, but STFU please. Just because you hate Zombie castro does not mean your hatred gets to dictate American policy. You are all going to vote for McCain anyways. So go ahead and do it and quit making any kind of pretense of non-bias.

... and that poor boy sure does look like he's suffering. What with the daily beatings from the Commie stick and him being forced to live in a phone booth.

SwiftRaftsForTruth.org

For those keeping score at home....

If it's an illegal immigrant a Democrat sent back, that's an outrage.

If it's an illegal immigrant a Republican sent back, that's good because it protects our borders, economy, healthcare, etc.

All this time and I thought that little boys name was Alien.


/Got that joke from Al Franken, only time he made me laugh

This isn't really going to effect things one way or another. It's pretty much a non-issue except in the cuban communities of S. Florida.

The much bigger issue Obama faces is surrounding himself with people that are so distasteful, his judgement comes into question.

3_Butt_Cheeks: The much bigger issue Obama faces is surrounding himself with people that are so distasteful, his judgement comes into question.

sure. right. What's that? That's the sound of McCain's Campaign Manager's ties to the Ukraine.

You guys need a better meme. McCain discredits you with that one every damn week.

McCain proposes we kidnap all the children of our enemies. It's the only way they'll be free.

Nestea Plunge: Control_this: For those keeping score at home....

If it's an illegal immigrant Cuban a Democrat sent back, that's an outrage.

If it's an illegal immigrantCuban Mexican a Republican sent back, that's good because it protects our borders, economy, healthcare, etc.
FIFY

DarnoKonrad: 3_Butt_Cheeks: The much bigger issue Obama faces is surrounding himself with people that are so distasteful, his judgement comes into question.

sure. right. What's that? That's the sound of McCain's Campaign Manager's ties to the Ukraine.

You guys need a better meme. McCain discredits you with that one every damn week.

The article didn't mention McCain. You don't feel these people dragging Obama's name down are a bad thing? No judgement issues come into play here?

BobXXL: If it's an illegal immigrant Cuban from a group whose vote the Republicans need that a Democrat sent back, that's an outrage.

If it's an illegal immigrant Cuban Mexican from a group whose vote the Republicans don't need that a Republican sent back, that's good because it protects our borders, economy, healthcare, etc.


FTFY, albeit awkwardly.

The Cuban American community is the only hispanic group in the U.S. that largely votes Republican.

If they were going to vote Republican anyway, I don't see what effect this will have on the Obama campaign.

The would've done the same thing if it was Hillary; they would say her husband's administration sent Elian back.

/BFD.

Stop the embargo. It's stupid. It accomplishes nothing except give the Dems & Repubs something to use as an issue

For those few idiots who think Elian should have stayed..

What if he came from Iran? China? Japan? Canada?
Would it have been ok to keep him from his home country then? (against the wishes of his legal guardian)

Control_this: For those keeping score at home....

If it's an illegal immigrant a Democrat sent back, that's an outrage.

If it's an illegal immigrant a Republican sent back, that's good because it protects our borders, economy, healthcare, etc.

You forgot this one...
If a Democrat sends a child back to his father, he's a Commie coddling pinko!
If a Republican sends a child back to his father, he's a firm believer in "family values"

Cyber_Junk: (against the wishes of his legal guardian)

how about "Is it ok to remove the child from the custody of his father?"

3_Butt_Cheeks: DarnoKonrad: 3_Butt_Cheeks: The much bigger issue Obama faces is surrounding himself with people that are so distasteful, his judgement comes into question.

sure. right. What's that? That's the sound of McCain's Campaign Manager's ties to the Ukraine.

You guys need a better meme. McCain discredits you with that one every damn week.

The article didn't mention McCain. You don't feel these people dragging Obama's name down are a bad thing? No judgement issues come into play here?

No, I applaud Elian's estranged distant relative, that tried to kidnap him after his mother drown, badmouthing Obama.

But let's not forget we live in a dichotomy. Questioning Obama's judgment is a direct reference to McCain -- it's not my fault we're a two party system. And McCain surrounds himself with people that make his judgment look dismal. Hence, your judgment meme that sticks to Obama like Teflon looks pretty dumb.

Obama's judgment is enhanced by being attacked by a kidnapper.

the_good_reverend_doctor: The would've done the same thing if it was Hillary; they would say her husband's administration sent Elian back.

/BFD.

This little protest would make more sense if it were Hillary running now. I wonder if the Republicans are just going to keep acting like they're running against her.

If you love an illegal Cuban alien, set it free. If it comes back, it's yours. If it doesn't, it never was.

The "exiled" Cubans seem to think if they communists left Cuba, there would be vanilla scented puppies and sparkly unicorns smoking rainbow cigars and angels throwing roses in the streets of Havana. Instead of being a bunch of poor godless socialists forced to have free healthcare while reading censored news and driving vintage cars under the foot of a communist regime, they could be a bunch of poor Catholic peasants in factories sewing women's underwear for Walmart while their children serve perverts on vacation, all under the foot of a junta or corrupt government. While the first situation isn't so hot, the second seems a little shiattier.

I was hoping it was going to be Elian's hot cousin Marisleysis and not some schlumpy uncle.

DarnoKonrad: 3_Butt_Cheeks: DarnoKonrad: 3_Butt_Cheeks: The much bigger issue Obama faces is surrounding himself with people that are so distasteful, his judgement comes into question.

sure. right. What's that? That's the sound of McCain's Campaign Manager's ties to the Ukraine.

You guys need a better meme. McCain discredits you with that one every damn week.

The article didn't mention McCain. You don't feel these people dragging Obama's name down are a bad thing? No judgement issues come into play here?

No, I applaud Elian's estranged distant relative, that tried to kidnap him after his mother drown, badmouthing Obama.

But let's not forget we live in a dichotomy. Questioning Obama's judgment is a direct reference to McCain -- it's not my fault we're a two party system. And McCain surrounds himself with people that make his judgment look dismal. Hence, your judgment meme that sticks to Obama like Teflon looks pretty dumb.

Obama's judgment is enhanced by being attacked by a kidnapper.


Sure it's fair to bring up McCain's 'circle'. However, I see noone as divisve and plain asinine as Rev. Wright, and that other pastor in his church. These campaign associates also appear to have issues. His friendships with William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

Ace Frehley's Ghost: I wonder if the Republicans are just going to keep acting like they're running against her.

I sure hope so.

They took 16 years building up a terrific amount of hate against the Clintons. They are evil personified according to most neocons. They had a machine ready to steamroll Hillary with every bucket of muck they could find.

Then the Dems nominated Obama.

And the Republican machine has nothing. Even if they try to say Obama is like Clinton, Obama will point at the Clinton years and say "Yup, I'm the candidate of Peace and Prosperity."

If they try to go after him because he's black, then they will face the whole barrel of backlash from the conservative democrats and independent centrists they need to win. And they will be blown away harder than McGovern was stomped by Nixon.

Their only hope is if McCain goes back to the 2000 McCain, or if at least he convinces people that he's still the "straighttalking Maverick". Unfortunately, he's spent so much time fellating Bush, Fallwell, and Cheney that he probably can't do that. "I was against the tax cuts before I was for them! I was for protecting the environment before I was against it, I was anti corruption before I was in favor of corruption"

Uncle in question?

Elian was the reason we've had 8 years of Bush.

The Anti-Castros flooded over to the Republicans, which set off the who farking chad fiasco.

Control_this: For those keeping score at home....

If it's an illegal immigrant a Democrat sent back, that's an outrage.

If it's an illegal immigrant a Republican sent back, that's good because it protects our borders, economy, healthcare, etc.

I too disagree with Cuban policy and think the conservative Cubans need to STFU but actually a Cuban stepping foot on American soil is not illegal as far as I know.

Cubans have a special relationship with the US in that if they make it here, they're legal, thus Castro's mindfark with the Mariel boatlift.

I also thought though that Elian should have gone back to his legal guardian. As far as I know, this whole thing was kind of like the Terri Schiavo problem in that most of America did not agree with the conservative establishment's view.

OtherLittleGuy: Elian was the reason we've had 8 years of Bush.

The Anti-Castros flooded over to the Republicans, which set off the who farking chad fiasco.



I too, blame Chad.

I love the faux outrage from people who were never going to vote for Obama anyway.

I cannot wait until the debates. As long as they stuff Gibson and Stephanopoulos in a trunk beforehand.

Teflon.

3_Butt_Cheeks: However, I see noone as divisve and plain asinine as Rev. Wright

You must have been sleeping.

McCain worked long and hard to get John Hagee's endorsement ^{(^)}. Hagee's statements were out there for all to see, and McCain kept fellating the guy.

After he gets the endorsement, the rest of the public gets a taste of:
"All hurricanes are acts of God, because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that."
"Islam in general -- those who live by the Koran have a scriptural mandate to kill Christians and Jews"
"As millions of people anticipate the release of the latest Harry Potter book and film, we're reminded once again of Satan's ongoing attempt to deceive and destroy. The whole purpose of the Potter books is to desensitize readers and introduce them to the occult."
"military confrontation with Iran is foretold in the Bible as a necessary precondition for the Second Coming."
bloggers are uncovering other controversial past positions as well, including a fundraiser that included an appeal to "Make plans to come and go home with a slave."

[Hagee] has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church. For example, he likes calling it "The Great Whore," an "apostate church," the "anti-Christ," and a "false cult system."

McCain said, "all I can tell you is that I am very proud to have Pastor John Hagee's support."


Of course, he's not as bad as Wright. He's worse.

maddogdelta: 3_Butt_Cheeks: However, I see noone as divisve and plain asinine as Rev. Wright

You must have been sleeping.

McCain worked long and hard to get John Hagee's endorsement (^). Hagee's statements were out there for all to see, and McCain kept fellating the guy.

After he gets the endorsement, the rest of the public gets a taste of:
"All hurricanes are acts of God, because God controls the heavens. I believe that New Orleans had a level of sin that was offensive to God, and they were recipients of the judgment of God for that."
"Islam in general -- those who live by the Koran have a scriptural mandate to kill Christians and Jews"
"As millions of people anticipate the release of the latest Harry Potter book and film, we're reminded once again of Satan's ongoing attempt to deceive and destroy. The whole purpose of the Potter books is to desensitize readers and introduce them to the occult."
"military confrontation with Iran is foretold in the Bible as a necessary precondition for the Second Coming."
bloggers are uncovering other controversial past positions as well, including a fundraiser that included an appeal to "Make plans to come and go home with a slave."

[Hagee] has waged an unrelenting war against the Catholic Church. For example, he likes calling it "The Great Whore," an "apostate church," the "anti-Christ," and a "false cult system."

McCain said, "all I can tell you is that I am very proud to have Pastor John Hagee's support."


Of course, he's not as bad as Wright. He's worse.

McCain has not been a personal friend or had Hagee as a 'spiritual advisor. He has not been a member of his church for 20 years. McCain shunned his endorsement. Perhaps you have been sleeping.

FunkOut: The "exiled" Cubans seem to think if they communists left Cuba, there would be vanilla scented puppies and sparkly unicorns smoking rainbow cigars and angels throwing roses in the streets of Havana. Instead of being a bunch of poor godless socialists forced to have free healthcare while reading censored news and driving vintage cars under the foot of a communist regime, they could be a bunch of poor Catholic peasants in factories sewing women's underwear for Walmart while their children serve perverts on vacation, all under the foot of a junta or corrupt government. While the first situation isn't so hot, the second seems a little shiattier.

The difference is that the Cubans who left are the ones who would have been running said sweatshops.

snkliquid: I cannot wait until the debates. As long as they stuff Gibson and Stephanopoulos in a trunk beforehand

Why would you want that? How else might we get answers to such pressing issues as, Aunt Jemima's or Mrs. Butterworths? Or, how much syrup is too much? And, what really makes a short stack short?

/griddled minds want to know

coco ebert:
I also thought though that Elian should have gone back to his legal guardianfather.

This is where the argument should have ended. Republicans are all family first...until. Then they acted like they were sending him back to Cuba to be Castro's personal butt boy. So they fail on both accounts. It's easy to refute this as the bullshiat that it is.

3_Butt_Cheeks: Sure it's fair to bring up McCain's 'circle'. However, I see noone as divisve and plain asinine as Rev. Wright, and that other pastor in his church. These campaign associates also appear to have issues. His friendships with William Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn.

You are in the minority. I'd keep a U.S. Marine with a big mouth over McCain's shill for the Myanmar Military Juntas any day.

'We're going to express opposition to Barack Obama's visit to Miami, and explain how we're opposed to him having individuals on his campaign who were associated with Elián's seizure in 2000,' González said. ``Some wounds are so deep that they do not heal over time, such as taking a child and sealing his fate to a communist dictatorship.'

You know, the Cubans in Florida have an excellent point. Cuba sucks so bad, no child should be there.

I propose we invade and bring all the children of Cuba to the US.

Then send the little bastards back when they turn 18.

I loath obama, but this just seems like an attempt to discredit him.

That said. Don't worry, when Obama gets into office he'll end world hunger, cure cancer aids and the clap, and plant wheat fields next to the whitehouse so he can skip through the fields hand in hand with castro and kim jung il

These expatriate grudgers have a disproportionate influence on U.S. policy.

PenisGargle: That said. Don't worry, when Obama gets into office he'll end world hunger, cure cancer aids and the clap, and plant wheat fields next to the whitehouse so he can skip through the fields hand in hand with castro and kim jung il

You need to come up for air more often, I think you might be suffering from hypoxia.

3_Butt_Cheeks: McCain has not been a personal friend or had Hagee as a 'spiritual advisor. He has not been a member of his church for 20 years. McCain shunned his endorsement. Perhaps you have been sleeping.

So you've taken a couple 30-second sound-bites and attributed that as representative of 20-odd years of sermons and community service... Wonderful.

I don't know your experiences but I've seen people change for the worse over the years. Take my ex-wife, for example (please!). You wouldn't recognize her today having known her 20 years ago.

Let's just let the whole Hagee/Wright issue fade into the oblivion it deserves. I think both candidates are capable of distinguishing their own opinions and can overcome the apparent influence many people seem to think these pastors have over either candidate.

/end threadjack

BobXXL: This is where the argument should have ended. Republicans are all family first...until.

Exactly, this is such a crock.

Sensationalist Subby is making too much out of an insignificant association to a faded and "meh" event that nobody in this thread has given a thought to in years and years.

Nestea Plunge: What the hell did Gloria Estafan do that was so great, anyway?


Not that it's great.

Just like monkeys *may* grow wings and start flying out of my butt.