How would you feel with nuclear tipped weapons 90 miles away from Aotearoa, and a trigger happy dictator with an itchy finger?
First, I would take a good bottle of wine and go there for a chat. I would not see a monster garrison as a viable option. This is not the movies!
Second, I would call in my best advisors and ask "how did we get into this situation?"
When they told me it was because of supporting a corrupt dictator (Batista), coupled with a morbid (and irrational) fear of Communism, followed by an inhumane boycott, coupled with stomping on countries - such as Canada - that dare to defy the boycott, I would say "Holy shit, it must be settled ... we should reach out to them."
Of all the recent Presdents who could have settled the situation by reaching-out to Cuba, I hoped Clinton could do it.
I have the same hopes for Obama.
But, of course, with the hanging chads and Cuban-exile beer bellies in Florida, it is not going to happen.
You will not be surprised to learn I like Cuban people. And I adore the way music pervades their sure-footed culture.
Which, despite having a large, nuclear-armed and hostile foreign neighbour, seems secure.
Canadian P.M. Pierre Trudeau told Washington where to stick their boycott and reached out to Castro.
As a result, Castro went to Canada for Trudeau's funeral.
I wish Obama would launch behind-the-scenes talks with Cuba. Having been there - and discussed it with a few academics at Havana University - I know there could be a settlement.
The U.S. will have stop fearing Reds under the beds and realize Cubans are human beings. Who, in my experience, are interesting and nice.
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