The Organization Of American States Lifts Ban On Cuba

On Wednesday, after 47 years, the Organization of American States lifted its ban on Cuba. There is no news on any change in policy on the part of the Castro regime so we must conclude that this is a good faith effort on the part of the OAS. With or without motivation, inviting Cuba to this table helps legitimize a long-standing dictatorship. One immediate outcome I see is access to more funding through the international banking system. The impoverished Cuban people may see some benefit from these loans while we can be assured los Castro will collect its generous share.

In the immediate future, all of this will transpire while hundreds of political prisoners continue to rot and free speech goes unheard. Will the softer approach offered by the OAS reach the heart of the dictatorship? It's possible, but the precedent of 47 years of "tough love" on this once-prosperous island should limit any softening in terms of both time and extent. I would like to think the OAS has already prepared a tool for assessing their wayward member's progress toward "good standing." And how refreshing it would be to see this venerable organization take the leading role in achieving liberation for Cuba.

Arbuckle Coffee Trading Card: Pennsylvania

Wonderland

Be what you would seem to be -- or, if you'd like it put more simply -- Never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.

The Duchess
Alice in Wonderland

In an interview prior to his departure for a trip to the Middle East and Europe, President Obama stated that the "U.S. could be considered one of the largest Muslim countries in the world." I already know that our president is intent on creating a "kinder, gentler" image of the United States in international circles. On the other hand, it's doubtful this approach will work if he keeps feeding his audience complete fantasies. As I've said before, Obama either has no training in world history or he's been exposed to delusional revisionists for so long that even the basic facts can't get through. This strategy may work if your audience is equally ill-informed which unfortunately for us, it is not. Despite all the "histortions" beyond our border, I believe other nations and leaders have a much better grasp of historical reality. Saudi Arabian royalty knows full well that Muslims are a tiny minority - less than two percent - in the United States. While most Americans might challenge such a statement, then move on, students of Arab culture know that a man who makes such a statement will be played to exhaustion much like a hooked fish. To us, it is a statement of ignorance; to Arab culture, it is submission. In diplomatic history, little good has ever come out of a submissive posture.

As our president departs for what appears to be another international "apology" tour, it pains me to think about what I'm going to hear from the leader of the free world.

Arbuckle Coffee Trading Card: Oregon

OJT Motors

My news sources are buzzing with the name, Brian Deese. Who? We need to know his name because he's the new guy in charge of taking General Motors through its bankruptcy, or as The New York Times called it, "dismantling." Deese is 31 years old, left Yale's law school a few credits short of graduating, and has what could be called a transparent employment resume because it's virtually empty.

There's no question we have entered an era of change. This appointment could not have occurred ten years ago. Any executive, in or out of government, would have been ridiculed even thinking of such a move.

Gateway Pundit has more details here, including a video assessment from Glenn Beck who seems to have recovered his senses after a few over-the-top rants in the last few weeks.

I wish Deese well as he faces this monumental challenge. In some respects, he cannot do worse than the management-union fiasco that destroyed this once-great corporation.

Arbuckle Coffee Trading Card: Oklahoma Indian Territory

Arbuckle Coffee Trading Card: Ohio