OP-ED: USA SHOULD SEND CUBA SHIPLOADS OF NEW CARS TO ENGENDER HARMONY

By JAMES A. MARPLES

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I have read countless articles in the News for many years on the subject of economic trade between the United States and Cuba. For sure, heated debates have occurred on all sides of this issue. I think the American Embargo of Cuba in 1962 was justified during President John F. Kennedy’s time. However, since Fidel Castro has been dead for years, much of the slate has been wiped clean. Granted, Fidel’s 95-year-old brother Raul Castro is still alive with a 42 year old grandson namesake. Nevertheless, I think, in our current day and age, we must make a distinction between “the common Cuban citizen” versus “the hardliners in the Cuban government”.

I have a few friends (rather acquaintances), many of whom I’ve never met in the flesh, but know via communication and photos. Nearly all, are hard-working Roman Catholics by religion. By friendship associations, some are members of the Masonic Lodge or the similar, yet different Odd Fellows Lodge, just like I do. They are common people just trying to raise families and survive.

Yet, all my life,(and I’m 62), I have seen pictures of resourceful Cuban citizens driving classic 1950s-era American automobiles. My idea would be for the USA to send five shiploads of brand new 2026 American cars to Cuba. No strings attached.To me, a kind act would engender more good-will between America and Cuba than choke-hold sanctions. Modern-day Cubans shouldn’t have to pay for the sins of Fidel. The ordinary Cuban citizen shouldn’t have to scrimp, save, and sacrifice to repair and rejuvenate old, ancient cars just to survive. I don’t believe in crippling food and medicine to needy civilians.It is one thing for a politician in one nation to have policy differences with a politician in another country. It is sad that the Geneva Convention and subsequent agreements have largely been ignored numerous times since the 1940s. Various leaders of Various nations have often talked about Peace. But, relatively few know how to act prudently, so Harmony prevails.