The Height of Madness

The federal government, last week, decided not to allow Cuba to participate in the inaugural World Baseball Classic tournament. The basis of the decision, as claimed, was the trade embargo against Cuba (i.e. that Cuba's participation would allow money to be earned by Cuba). This is a silly decision on a few levels but opens up a larger can of worms.

First, the tournament is a purely sporting event. Almost all international sporting events (like the Olympics) are awarded to a host country with the understanding that no country would be barred from participating for political reasons. Ooops.

Second, has the embargo worked? Castro has been in power since 1959. That's 47 years. He's outlasted 10 U.S. presidents, including 2 Bushes. He's lost his Soviet subsidy. Despite essentially the same policy towards Cuba regardless of the party holding the White House, Castro is still alive and in power.

Third, we don't allow direct trade with Cuba, but we do allow Cuban "refugees" to send money back to their families. Is there a difference between funding the government and funding the people?

They say that the height of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a differnet result. It would seem to me a different strategy is in order. Why don't we inundate Cuba with Coca Cola, Levis jeans and MTV? Why don't we bring American culture to Cuba in a big way? It worked in the eastern bloc and it could work in Cuba.

One thing is for sure...the current program isn't working.