Tampa’s recently concluded Cuba Summit was a graphic reminder that there are good, principled people on both sides of the emotion-drenched issue of America’s relationship with the government of Fidel Castro. It’s appropriate to remember that until you’ve actually walked in the shoes of those who have directly suffered at the hands of the Castro regime — from expropriations to executions — you might want to err on the side of empathy.
Having said that, there is also the hypocritical, politically self-aggrandizing, disproportionately powerful, South Florida-based Cuban-American lobby. In complicity with every administration since John Kennedy’s, this veto-wielding element shares blame for the continuance of this country’s failed, counterproductive Cuban policy that negatively impacts Cuban citizens, U.S business interests and America’s global image. That much hasn’t changed.