Elian Gonzalez

[Lurker]

Anyone heard about Elian lately? Last I heard he was enjoying a normal childhood in Cuba.

I recall a relative of mine was frothing at the mouth saying that if he went back to Cuba he would never see his father again and would be used for propaganda endlessly by Fidel. I don't think that has come true, has it?

Lurker

[rikzilla]

Originally posted by Lurker
Anyone heard about Elian lately? Last I heard he was enjoying a normal childhood in Cuba.

I recall a relative of mine was frothing at the mouth saying that if he went back to Cuba he would never see his father again and would be used for propaganda endlessly by Fidel. I don't think that has come true, has it?

Lurker

Well there's this (http://www.whoisvan.com/elian.htm)
:D

-z

[ceo_esq]

Here's the story according to CNN, as of a year ago:

http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/americas/05/12/elian.gonzalez/index.html

[Lurker]

Good link, ceo. Glad to see the boy is doing well.

Lurker

[Tricky]

Turns out that returning Elian was a very smart thing to do. (BBC link) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3027654.stm)

FOX News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,90444,00.html)

HAVANA - An American woman who sought Fidel Castro's help in getting her son and daughter back from her ex-husband was reunited with the U.S.-born children after authorities arrested their father, the mother's attorney said Thursday.
...
In a case that recalled the battle over young castaway Elian Gonzalez, state-run television reported late Wednesday that authorities took action after confirming that Streeter had sole custody of the children.
...
The statement said Cubans remain mindful of the Elian Gonzalez case and the support most Americans showed for the child's return to his father.

"For that, we owe the American people our gratitude and respect," the statement said.

Out of interest, who thinks Dubya would have returned Elian?

[Lurker]

Originally posted by Tricky

Out of interest, who things Dubya would have returned Elian?

I doubt shrub would have returned him which says a lot about the 'family values' he espouses.

Politics before family...

Lurker

[LCBOY]

I think Bush would have returned Elian to his father.

[Tricky]

Originally posted by LCBOY
I think Bush would have returned Elian to his father.
I tend to doubt it. The Cuban vote is very important in Florida, and Bush probably wouldn't want to hurt Jeb.

Which makes for an interesting question. "Did rescuing Elian lead to the closeness of the Florida vote in the 2000 election?"

[Lurker]

Originally posted by LCBOY
I think Bush would have returned Elian to his father.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. See below:


-----
JIM LEHRER: Five days later, do you still feel the Justice Department did the wrong thing in reuniting Elian Gonzalez with his father?

GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH: I do.

-----
Lurker

[Tricky]

Originally posted by Lurker

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. See below:
-----
JIM LEHRER: Five days later, do you still feel the Justice Department did the wrong thing in reuniting Elian Gonzalez with his father?

GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH: I do.
-----

LOL! Nothing like a refutation from the horses uh... mouth. It also appears from the interview (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/election2000/candidates/bush_4-27c.html) that he was interested in protecting Jeb's hiney.

[gnome]

Of course, the liberal media gave Janet Reno such a pass on that issue that it couldn't have affected the election. :D

[Mike B.]

Originally posted by Tricky

Which makes for an interesting question. "Did rescuing Elian lead to the closeness of the Florida vote in the 2000 election?"

I don't think there can be much doubt. I think it may have cost Gore the election.