U.S. must look beyond Miami in forming Cuban policies

U.S. must look beyond Miami in forming Cuban policies

EDITOR:

As a Cuban-born American I must point out that Cubans in Soouth Florida must have the perception of importance in presidential elections for their own political industry and not for the benefit of America. Andre Oppenheimer’s Sept. 30 column, “U.S.-Cuba policy tied to vote in Florida,” is a case in point.

It is unfortunate to the militant Cubans in Miami that the Cold War is over and that Miami has become more heterogeneous. The old Miami politics has changed. The United States does not need the Cubans in Miami to augment the foreign policy of the United States. The United States must conduct foreign policy with the United States in mind and not with Miami in mind.

Mr. Oppenheimer and Professor Suchlicki are living in the past. The new president, winning Florida or not, will be presented with a new world challenge which must be dealt with outside of the myopic view of the exile Cuban politics of Miami.

Latin America is moving forward independently of the U.S.A. and making deals with Russia and China. The independent countries of Latin America have shifted to politics more allied with Cuba and Venezuela than with the U.S.A.

It is more important for the new president to address the new world order and start making friends in Latin America than to adhere to old failed Cuban politics of the 1960’s. Dialoque with Cuba is a good start. Eliminating archaic policies is even better.

Mr. Oppenheimer is as wrong now on his assessment as when he wrote his book titled “Castro’s Final Hour” 15 years ago.

MILTON SANCHEZ-PARODI, MD

Poland

Youngstown can be proud of role as host to youth group

EDITOR:

I am the senior program director for the Ohio Northern Region BBYO. BBYO is the leading pluralistic Jewish teen movement aspiring to involve more Jewish teens in more meaningful Jewish experiences. For more than 80 years, AZA and BBG chapters in communities around the world have been providing exceptional leadership programs and identity enrichment experiences, shaping the lives of 250,000 alumni who are among the most prominent figures in business, politics, academia, the arts and Jewish communal life.

Now, more than ever, BBYO offers unique opportunities for teens to connect with one another, serve their communities, navigate the college admissions process and travel the world, providing each participant with a network of lifelong friends, a perspective which adds value and meaning to life and a shared commitment to strengthening the Jewish future.

This past weekend, the Youngstown Jewish Community Center, Mahoning Lodge of BBYO, Youngstown Jewish Federation and community at-large welcomed over 220 Jewish teens from the local community, Akron, Canton, Cleveland and Toledo. The convention weekend (theme: “ONR Goes Global”) was a huge success and kicked off our programming year in grand fashion. I would like to thank all those mentioned above for opening their homes and hearts to our teens. In this day and age, we need more supportive and welcoming communities like Youngstown. I cannot thank the Youngstown community enough for making the weekend so special.

TODD KAY

Beachwood