Castro Laments

There was a story on CNN yesterday that Fidel Castro complained in a newspaper article that he was not being kept informed of the goings-on in Cuba. Castro is now 87, but has not been in the public eye since he stepped down from the Presidency in 2008.

The story reminded me of a handshake in September of 2000 that then President Bill Clinton did with Castro. Criticism erupted.

The encounter took place at a U-N luncheon. It was the first time they had met.

Clinton said he'd been talking to a large group of people when he turned around and saw Castro. He says the Cuban dictator had "apparently come up and waited."

Cuban-American leaders were sharply critical, saying the greeting conferred legitimacy on Castro's dictatorship.

The questions asked then and even now is since when does courtesy confer legitimacy or support or friendship? Since when does being polite diminish the sanctity of democracy or even remotely condone the dictatorial or obstructionist actions of other leaders?

It should not be necessary to remind all ex patriots that America's grace comes not from effrontery or insulting actions, it comes from an open heart and an open hand, both of which encourage discussion that could lead to a positive change that violence may never accomplish.

Let America welcome and talk to all the scoundrels of the world. Let them see that the evidence of democracy is not fear, not coup d’état, and not dictatorial. The call of freedom rings loudly by open example. It is not smothered in the abyss of mistrust and fear.