A Grand Illusion

She posed seven simple questions to both the president of the United States of America and to the leadership in Cuba.

Obama has responded and that is the link above. So far the Castros have not responded and never will.

This is what America really is: we open lines of communications, we tear down walls not build them up and we do not terrorize and torture our citizens (or anyone else).

Is there any question as to how to move forward? You empower the Cubans on the island to speak out against their inneffective and morally bankrupt government. You do not cut out the legs underneath them by making their situation worse so you can pinch your fat little cheeks in Miami and bask in your own moral superiority.

Yet some people still call her naive and question her sincerity while still pretending to work on behalf of the Cuban people even though their policies are at odds with each other.

The questions (click the link for Obama’s answers):

Questions for Raúl Castro, president of Cuba:

1. What negative influences on the ideological structure of the Cuban revolution might there be from an eventual improvement in relations with the United States?
2. You have demonstrated on several occasions your willingness to talk with the American government. Are you alone in this proposition? Have you discussed it with the other members of the Politburo to convince them of the need to talk? Does your brother Fidel Castro agree with regards to ending the conflict between the two governments?
3. You are seated at a table opposite Obama. What are the three major achievements you would wish to get from that conversation? What do you think would be the three major achievements that the American side would wish to get?
4. Can you list the concrete advantages the Cuban people would have in the present and in the future, if this long dispute between the two governments ended?
5. If the American side wanted to include a round of negotiations with the Cuban community in exile, members of opposition parties within the Island, and representatives of civil society, would you accept that proposal?
6. Do you think there is a real possibility that the current United States government would opt to use military force against Cuba?

Questions for Barack Obama, president of the United States:

1. For years Cuba has been a U.S. foreign policy issue as well as a domestic one, in particular because of the large Cuban American community. From your perspective, in which of the two categories should the Cuban issue fit?
2. Should your administration be willing to put an end to this dispute, would it recognize the legitimacy of the Raul Castro government as the only valid interlocutor in the eventual talks?
3. Has the U.S. government renounced the use of military force as a way to end the dispute?
4. Raúl Castro has said publicly that he is open to discuss any topic with the U.S. provided there is mutual respect and a level playing field. Is Raúl asking too much?
5. In a hypothetical U.S.- Cuba dialog, would you entertain participation from the Cuban exile community, the Cuba-based opposition groups and nascent Cuban civil society groups?
6. You strongly support the development of new communication and information technologies. But, Cubans continue to have limited access to the internet. How much of this is due to the U.S. embargo and how much of it is the responsibility of the Cuban government?
7. Would you be willing to travel to our country?

You can almost hear nutwingers heads’ blowing up.

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