Seattle Press on Line - Bush's Convoluted Concept of Freedom

Jim Hightower

Jim Hightower

Bush's Convoluted Concept of Freedom

By Jim Hightower

Jun 06, 2002 -- Here's a terrific idea: Let's condemn Fidel Castro for not allowing enough freedom for Cuban citizens ... then let's punish him by curtailing the freedom of our own citizens.

This is what passes for logic in George W.'s knee-jerk, reactionary Cuban policy. For some 40 years, assorted U.S. presidents have tried everything from exploding cigars to economic boycotts in a futile effort to drive Castro from power. Never mind that Castro's Cuba poses zero threat to our national security, he makes a popular political whipping boy.

Now, Bush is adding to the lunacy. Stunned that Jimmy Carter dared to cross the Florida straits and call for the end of the U.S. boycott against Cubans, Bush rushed to Florida to announce a get-tougher policy, under which he said he will crack down on U.S. citizens who travel there. Hello. He's going to advance freedom in Cuba by restricting freedom at home? That'll teach them! This is why American literature has so little political satire in it--our political reality is satire.

Yes, travel to Cuba has long been technically illegal, but recent presidents have not chosen to crack the whip over U.S. citizens who defy the travel ban and make peaceful and pleasurable trips to Cuba each year. However, in George's first presidential year, his autocratic regime went after nearly 800 Americans who had traveled to Castro-land.

Were these people radicals bent on importing Castro's communism to our shores? Hardly. Senator Byron Dorgan points to two examples--a 75-year-old retired schoolteacher who went on a bicycle ride in Cuba, and a man who went there to scatter the ashes of his parents at a Cuban church they had helped to found. Bush whacked both of them with criminal charges and $7,500 fines.

Ironically, just before announcing his travel crackdown, Bush puffed out his chest and said: "My message to the Cuban people is: Demand freedom, and you've got a president who stands with you."

This is Jim Hightower saying ... What about a president who'll stand for freedom here?

Jim Hightower's column appears courtesy of Alternet.

Reader Comments

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J. Glenn Evans	Jun 11, 2002	Seattle, Washington	Writer
Impeach Bush before he puts us all under. J. Glenn Evans


Chris Barker	Jul 09, 2002	Auburn WA	System Engineer
Castro poses no threat? Didn’t he invite Russia to install nuclear missiles on his island? Didn’t he empty out his prisons and ship thousands of violent criminals to the U.S.? Doesn't he profit from illegal drug business? * * * * * The retired schoolteacher and the ash scatterer both spent money in Cuba, and it went, more or less directly, to Castro, who owns Cuba. Which is why the civilized world doesn’t want tourists going to Cuba. Bad people with money can do more damage poor bad people. * * * * * And what’s with the comment about importing Castro’s communism to our shores? No one is suggesting, or worring about that. It’s a totally nonsensical comment, both in the context of this essay, and in the general discussion. It can only be a cheap debating trick meant to inflame emotions. * * * * * Jim says presidents who ignored illegal actions were good guys. By enforcing a law (which is his job) that he didn’t pass (that’s Congress’ job) President Bush is the bad guy. * * * * * Jim says enforcing this law restricts the freedom of Americans. That comment merits a hearty “well, duh.” Generally speaking, laws restrict freedom. That’s why we write them. For instance, some people want new laws restricting parents’ rights in selecting schools for their children. They want to restrict that freedom. * * * * * Jim says, What about a president who’ll stand for freedom here? Yes, what about that? We need a president who repeatedly affirms, and acts on, the truth that any country that does not provide basic freedoms for its people is dangerous to free people everywhere. We need a president with the moral fiber to do what is right, even if it is unpopular. We need a president who treats the presidency as both a great honor and a great responsibility. If you don’t know that President Bush is that president, you haven’t been paying attention.


Leo Johnson	Feb 24, 2003	Citrus Heights, Ca	structrual draftsman
America has been the largest supplier of war for the last 50+ year's. Now we will all reap what the richest people of America has sown. It has been the lust for more and more money and power that has made the world such a sad place to be. There is not a place under the sun that the rich and powerful have not infected.


t.i	Mar 18, 2004	sandiego,california	clerk
Bush is just a ignorant self centered evil man