Wow, I don't remember you ever writing such a cogent (and lengthy) piece. The only argument in opposition might be the minor points that under Castro the Cuban literacy rate is over 95%. And the infant mortality rate is better than that in the US. Other than that, your piece is a good exploration of the life Cubans suffer under a dictatorship.

It should be pointed out that dictatorship seems to work in some situations. Marshall Tito's comes to mind. Since his death, no structure could keep in check the hatreds between the Serbs, Croats, Macedonians, and others. Only the central authority of dictatorship seemed to be able to keep the groups from each other's throats and keep Stalin at bay at the same time.

Perhaps we should examine our role in perpetuating the hostility between the US and Cuba. We have kept a severe embargo against this tiny island when we have resumed trade and dropped restrictions with Viet Nam, and granted most favored nation status to Communist China. Tell me you don't see something wrong with that picture?

BTW, wasn't the show you reference in 1957 instead of 1959? Not trying to nit-pic, just clear up cobwebs.

Publius