Turning Pages

Part I.  Some background.

I wasn't alive when Cuba took its first steps towards trying to punish the people of the United States.  That was over 50 years ago.  And looking back at all of those years since you have to wonder what the government of Cuba was thinking. I mean why would so many chances be squandered to start anew with neighbors?  In an earlier time, during secret meetings between the two governments, Cuba showed it recklessness and got involved in a crazy military adventure in Angola, frustrating the South African interventions which were supported by the US!

At least that was happening in Africa.  Previously, Cuba had repeatedly burned parts of Florida's precious agriculture and blown up Miami shopping malls. It was all pretty ugly.  Perhaps the most remarkable incident which will forever stain the consciences of good people was the bombing of a civilian airliner. Those revolutionaries seemed like nasty sons of bitches.  Had they not done everything imaginable by exerting pressure on countries all over the globe, creating the most difficult economic circumstances for our nation, who knows what our potential could have achieved? Perhaps we would't see poverty in our land of boundless opportunities.  

President Obama has obviously succumbed to the pressures.  Just a few weeks ago we saw people here arrested while protesting against police brutality and black and brown people have been joined by whites in demanding justice. Luckily our protesters don't serve lengthy prison sentences but they do get taken in and processed by authorities for wanting fairness. From the outside of our borders it probably looks like an untenable situation.

Part II. All jokes aside, 

Better late than never.   Wednesday morning was nothing less than shocking.  The announcement of the remaining three Cubans who were convicted in Miami and imprisoned for sixteen years were going home as was Alan Gross, the America imprisoned in Cuba. But what was announced by President Obama moments later was more incredible.  He had spoken the night before with Cuba's President Raul Castro and the countries were going to begin normalizing relations! Pretty much most of what the US president could do on his own in regards to reversing the insane and wicked policy that has been in place will be done. 

Immediately the usual characters began screaming.  They are searching for obstacles to place in the way of progress but having to explain why their position makes even a shred of sense will prove impossible. The worn thread that held their disproportionate power over the policy towards Cuba has finally been cut.  By President Obama stating out loud, publicly, and in an address to the nation that the 50 plus year old policy was a failure, means only fools would propose more of the same. And I can assure you that the fools will try.

I think that most people are sober enough to understand that the goals of the policy remain and haven't been actually abandoned.  At the same time since people are fully aware of this, it becomes much more unlikely to be accomplished.  It is what it is.

But that doesn't take anything away from the emotion that people felt and will feel for a while, the smiles, and tears.  I still find it difficult to wrap my head around it.  Although everyone knew it was something that had to happen, happening Wednesday was a complete surprise.  Nobody knows what the next chapters will bring but the page has been turned.  Perhaps the next chapters will be written by people who have grown tired of the sad novel with too many pages. Too many years were lost, too much heartache thanks to that awful thing.  Actually, maybe the page wasn't turned.  I think after Obama read the words "The End", we've actually reached for an entirely different book.  I think this one will be a much better read.