Tip of the hat to Whispers in the Loggia that had a very good post All the (Vice-)Pope's Men . A very good post that touches on more than just Cardinal Bertone trip to Cuba and is a interesting read.
In that piece he touch on this article Cardinal Bertone Censures Embargo Against Cuba. Where the Cardinal Sec of States said:
The Holy See repeats the words of Pope John Paul II: The embargo is ethically unacceptable," said the Vatican representative. "It is an oppression for the Cuban people and it is not a means to help the Cuban people win their dignity and independence. It's a violation of the independence of the people.".
Well it very well might be. I am totally anti Castro and have no illusions about the regime in Cuba. You can see that in my past post President Bush, Cuba, Fashion Super Models and The Breasts of Freedom .
Still I do wonder if the embargo is still a wise thing to do. Especially since we appear to get past this all the time. For instance in 2005 , The Louisiana Governor with the approval of many legislators signed a trade deal with Cuba. Needless to say Louisiana folks are not pro communist and there was little outrage over it. It seemed not to be a election year issue anyway.
Still if the Holy Mother Church wants a end to the embargo it would be helpful if the Secretary of State made these speeches in South Florida where the Cuban community seems to have a different point of view. Especially since they keep rel electing people(both Dem and Republican) that think the Embargo is much needed and in fact is very ethical.
I have not come to a position on this but it is something I am sure that is being discussed again in DC. The problem is this is all occurring in an election year where Florida is so so so important to each party. So like I said the good Cardinal, whom I like very much, needs to be talking in Miami. I suspect that the powers that be in both parties would like very much to open up things a bit.
There are good arguements both for and against the Cuban Embargo, but it is pure non-sence to say that it is Ethically unacceptable. It is more of an economic and national issue rather than a moral or social issue. Americans have the right to choose not to do business with a country such as Cuba. One can disagree with the logic if one wants, but it is over the top to call it an ethical issue. Sure every issue may have an ethnical element, but this is not primarily an ethical issue.
ReplyDeleteOHIO JOE