FREEDOM FIGHTER AWARD . . .

. . . Zurama, who writes SUNRISE IN HAVANA, passed out some awards to bloggers this month, and my blog was once again included! This award, the Inconfidentes Prize 2009, is given in honor to the people who fight for their town, their nation, and serve as an example to others. The award is also a freedom award, for blogs promoting individuality rather than collectivity, and celebrating freedom in contrast to Socialism and Communism. [A side note here: I find it very interesting and very sad at the same time that someone from Castro's Cuba (doesn't matter if it's Fidel or whoever, the government hasn't changed) sees the trend in American government today. She isn't by herself. Many who have immigrated here from Socialist Europe and other Socialist countries are amazed that most Americans fail to see where America is headed. It's amazing to me too.] Bloggers receiving this award must defend the freedom ideals defended by TIRADENTES "until the last moment" and represent the world-wide fight against Communism, in particular the type advocated by the FORO DE SAO PAULO.

I am honored by being one of the ones granted this award. Do stop by Zurama's blog. It's an excellent read, and she includes English translations of most of her posts.

Thank you, Zurama!

A SAFER AMERICA?

I heard on the news today about President Obama's first day in office. With the economy in shambles, and according to him, it's "the worst economy since the Great Depression", I figured the first thing he would start working on would be the economy. Not so. The very first thing he did was draft an EXECUTIVE ORDER to close GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE within a year. President Obama also "asked" the military judges to suspend the war crimes trials and as of this afternoon, at least one did so who was presiding over a Canadian accused of killing an American soldier. Needless to say, 9/11 families are infuriated at President Obama's request (9/11 FAMILIES OUTRAGE BY OBAMA CALL TO SUSPEND GUANTANAMO WAR CRIMES TRIALS, Fox News, January 21, 2009).

For one thing, this is another Obama flip-flop. During his campaign, he stated he wanted to close Guantanamo Bay within two years (OBAMA PLANS GUANTANAMO DEADLINE, BBC News, December 18, 2008). Now, on the very first day in office, it's less than a year.

So, where are the enemy combatants going to go? Some are just going to be released . . . period. Others will no doubt be tried in our court system, with the same rights and protections afforded you and I, at YOUR EXPENSE. Some, if not all, will get off on a technicality and they will go back to doing their dirty work - the next terrorist attack on the U. S.

Lest anyone start talking about all the alleged abuses there and so on, let me make this point. If there are abuses, deal with the abusers, not just do away with the whole thing. If we used this reasoning with our prison system, we wouldn't have any prisons or jails left and the thugs just running the streets.

There's one other thing that we don't hear about in the news that I think is important. RED CHINA has oil drilling rigs in the area of Cuba. The Cuban government aligned itself with the Red Chinese government after the breakup of the SOVIET UNION.

It was once said that those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it. I think we are now about to repeat history. When Fidel Castro's Cuba was allied with the Soviet Union, Soviet troops were trained in Cuba. The Soviet Union also carried out espionage operations against the U. S. from Cuba. It was very convenient since Cuba is only about ninety miles from Florida. And let's not forget the CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS. Fast forward to 2009. Do you actually believe that Red China is "just" drilling for oil there? Do you really believe the Chinese government would miss such a grand opportunity to conduct covert surveillance operations against the U. S. from these "oil rigs"? Electronic monitoring from there would be a snap. Keeping a close watch on the Chinese there as well as any future Chinese military training taking place there would be very easily done from the Guantanamo Bay base. Don't think such things can happen? Raul Castro, who as you know took Fidel Castro's place, recently officially strengthened Cuba's ties with China and Moscow (CUBA-CHINA STRENGTHEN TIES, Havana Times, November 21, 2008).

Considering what is at stake, we cannot afford to close Guantanamo Bay. It's very strategically located INSIDE an enemy nation and we absolutely can't afford to just let any of the terrorists there go free. I think President Obama needs to seriously rethink this one.