Seeing is Believing  

   We wish young people being fed propaganda about other nations could see first hand, or investigate for themselves. And where are American educators (and parents) who are supposed educate? 

   A Tampa Bay Times editorial writer is upset with the Trump Administration's new ban on visits to Cuba. He writes, "Anyone who spends hours on the streets of Havana - in the shops, museums, restaurants and markets - cannot help but gain a greater understanding (how lousy strict socialism is)." 

   During his recent visit, he says, "The Cuban government announced new rationing of eggs, rice, beans and other staples. The shelves of many state stores were empty. Few bathrooms had soap. Venezuela is paralyzed with a power struggle of its own." 

   "As in the Soviet Union," he continues, "I dealt with my share of indifferent state workers in Cuba and mindless enforcement of pointless rules. Police officers ignored an old woman struggling across a busy street, but stopped four lanes of traffic for a military patrol."  

   "Wet laundry hung from decaying balconies. Nearly every corner was a contrast between the false promise of the revolution and the sad reality of it," he observed. 

   "Kids hustled cigars and played soccer with a crushed beer can."

   Our administration claims Cuba is passing tourist dollars on to Venezuela. The Times writer argues that without cruise ships, travelers will stay in state-owned hotels, only helping the government. Who knows?

   By now every sane American should understand the message of our so-called Southern border: Ordinary people (not the traffickers) looking for a better life are streaming North, not the other direction. 

Tomorrow: The lie of democratic socialism

      Jimmy