Castro’s Cuba

We spend millions of much needed dollars broadcasting the word “freedom” to the Cuban people while at the same time strangling them with our embargo. Of course Cubans suffer from shortages, hunger and disease; we would too if our trading partners would impose an embargo on us. The misery the Cubans are experiencing is the consequence of our three decades of sanctions, aggravated by our cruel deal with Russia to stop supplying and trading with them. We are the only superpower now; what threat could tiny Cuba pose to us?

I voted for President Clinton thinking that he cared for the human race and was on the side of justice and goodwill, that he would turn this insane U.S. policy around. Instead, we continue sacrificing innocent lives in order to save face. Let’s not send Cuba back to the days of our protege, the vicious dictator Batista. We should lift the embargo now and put an end to this misery.

ESTELA GIBSON

Cypress

* Isn’t it ironic that those in charge have decided we can no longer tolerate Cuban refugees as they try to escape the regime of Fidel Castro. This attitude just typifies our society where we ask our children to be drug-, alcohol- and sex-free, while we push pain killers, “lite” beer and free condoms. But now comes the ultimate in double talk. We tell the people of poor and politically corrupt countries to think freedom but please don’t pursue it.

MARK W. McCREARY

Monrovia

* Cuban refugee problem?

Set the emigrants up at Guantanamo and, in the spirit of the last liberal President, give the base back to Castro!

BRUCE ROLAND

Ojai