This is a prime example of why the whole Cuban embargo is a waste of time.  I’ve know quite a few Cubans, some of whom came over in the 70s, so I know how emotional they are about Castro.  They have a right to that emotion.  Castro has been, and always will be, a bastard.  However, that doesn’t mean our policy of isolation towards Cuba is good policy.  I’ve debated this with many of my Cuban friends and while the opinions run heated on both sides I doubt seriously America would grind to a halt if we stopped treating this tiny island like it’s the world’s pariah.  I mean, they have the same type of government as China, engage in some of the same reprehensible actions as China, yet we fall all ourselves to treat China like a trusted ally.  Of course, it’s economics.  What the hell does Cuba have to offer us? Sugar?  Don’t need their Sugar.  The thing is, this policy of isolation is a failure because the rest of the world ignores it.  Cuba, thanks in no small part to Venezuela, doesn’t need us.  Doesn’t need our products.  Isolation certainly hasn’t made Castro change.  It’s time to be done with this stupid policy — even if it pisses off Cuban-Americans.  It’s time to move on.

I’ll hand it to Democrats, they finally seem to be growing some balls.  Instead of rolling over on the minimum wage increase (as I had suggested), they stuck to their guns and defeated the GOP’s chance to decrease the tax burden on some of the wealthiest people in America.  Republicans will, of course, try to play the obstructionist card, but I think Americans are little too smart to fall for that one.  The poorest in our country should be paid a fair wage and it’s sad that Republicans want to give them that wage only while kissing the asses of their rich constituents.

CBS has come up with a new idea for their nightly news show:  and editorial segment called "Free Speech."  Of course, this is nothing new, but what would be great is if CBS opened this up to everyday citizens to express their view on any topic they wished.  That would be something to see.