JO - Eyeing the Obama/Castro meeting

From my archive of press clippings:

Jamaica Observer

Eyeing the Obama/Castro meeting

Ricky Singh

Monday, May 12, 2008

As President George W Bush was hurling his latest political insult at Cuba last week, it was becoming increasingly evident that Barack Obama is not only set to emerge in November as the first Black American president, but become the first US head of state to meet with President Raul Castro, brother of the retired legendary Fidel Castro.

Read the whole article here.

Snippets(s):

"With the seismic shift in presidential electoral politics occurring in the USA, the small Caribbean nation of Cuba 90 miles away from the world's sole superpower, appears destined to have a different kind of confirmation of Fidel Castro's memorable prophesy that "history will absolve me", in the revolution he set on course back in 1959 and when, finally, the mighty USA ceases to blind itself to the Cuban reality in this first decade of the 21st century. Do not expect miracles following an expected meeting of Obama as president with Raul Castro, whether in Havana or Washington, once the young charismatic senator from Illinois becomes the new tenant in The White House in January 2009."

&

"(T)he world is quite familiar with the fundamental difference in the governance systems in the USA and Cuba. Also with the reality of Bush's own policies that account for the gross human rights violations of political prisoners by America at Guantanamo.

Nor should it be forgotten how George Bush was defeated by Al Gore with more than half a million popular votes at the 2000 election, but ended up being president by a single casting vote of then US chief justice William Rehnquist to halt a recount of the votes in Florida. Those who advocate free and fair election, to which all Caricom states correctly subscribe, must not ignore how George Walker Bush became president of the USA."

One myth per paragraph here. For some reason it's making me thirsty for Kool-Aid.