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Guestbook Archives
March 1-3, 2000
Name: Keith Valenza
E-mail address: kvalenza@aol.com
Homepage URL: http://elian.8k.com
Comments: Here I am writing another post in my own guestbook...but again,
what I am sharing does not come from me. It comes from a columnist who, until last week,
had vehemently opposed keeping Elian with his Miami family. Add her to the list of
prominent people who have changed their minds regarding this issue...and I firmly believe
that it takes a person of true integrity to admit when they are wrong or when they have
erred in judgment. Here is her column which appeared last Wednesday in 400 newspapers,
including the Sun Sentinel. Remember what I have said: TRUTH always comes to the fore
eventually. Let us continue to pray that the truth be known. (If the skeptics don't
believe me they can find this article at this web address:
http://orlandosentinel.com/automagic/features/2000-02- 23/FEAPARKER23022300.html) Where is
the truth in the case of Elian? By Kathleen Parker Columnist Published in The Orlando
Sentinel on February 23, 2000 The story of Elian, soon to be a made-for-TV miniseries, is
an iconoclast's dream. Nothing is as it seems, and our familiar sources of trust and
verisimilitude are reduced to instruments of propaganda and shadow. In trying to decide
the fate of our modern Moses, whom can we trust? Not Castro, clearly. I recall too well
childhood drills preparing for El Fidel's bomb attacks on my Central Florida home. People
who want to kill me are forevermore denied credibility. But what about newspaper editors?
Grandmothers? Nuns! Surely nuns, though perhaps not. In the past few days, stories out of
Miami have dashed any hopes that truth will emerge to clarify these complicated issues. On
Sunday, The Miami Herald ran a story in which Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, president of Barry
University and the nun who hosted the meeting between Elian and his Cuban grandmothers,
explained why she had decided Elian should remain on U.S. soil. Originally, O'Laughlin had
thought that the boy should be returned to his father in Cuba, but she changed her mind
after the grandmothers' meeting. She said she felt fear from the grandmothers and thought
Elian would be safer here. Failing to give specifics, she responded only vaguely when
questioned about her change of heart. On Sunday, O'Laughlin came clean. She reportedly
told the Herald that she had learned during a private meeting with the two grandmothers
that Elian's father was abusive to the child's mother, that he knew in advance about the
planned escape and that one of the grandmothers wanted to defect. O'Laughlin reportedly
said that the two grandmothers spoke of these things in her presence. Although O'Laughlin
says she doesn't speak Spanish, she says she understands most of what is said to her in
Spanish. But then Monday came, and O'Laughlin recanted. In a statement, Sister Jeanne
said, "While some of the specifics noted in the Herald contributed to my decision to
support keeping Elian in Miami, it is untrue that I heard any of that from the
grandmothers. Any information attributed to them came from other sources." What
sources? What specifics? The plot thickens. Meanwhile, who is telling the truth? Herald
Executive Editor Martin Baron said the story accurately reflects what "Sister Jeanne
told us." But the nun says she didn't say those things. Is Baron calling the nun a
liar? Did Castro's operatives get to the nun? Did the grandmothers float a message bottle
to Sister Jeanne after their return to Cuba, begging her silence? Is the Herald being
threatened by Castro-hating activists? Is Elian really a spy? Is Elian's father really
Elvis? We may never know what happened back in Cuba, or what the grandmothers really said,
or what Elian's father knew or what the nun heard. But we know this: Truth is anathema --
and punishable -- in Communist Cuba. Truth spoken is a hole in the refugee's boat. Like
Sister Jeanne, my first response to Elian's tragedy was that the boy should be returned to
his father and homeland. As a young child, I, too, witnessed my mother's death and am
grateful I had a father to raise me. My reaction to Elian was driven by an instinct that
holds family above politics. But now I'm not so sure. Whatever happened to Sister Jeanne
between Sunday and Monday, forcing her to recant and go into hiding, prompts another
instinct -- survival. When a nun is compelled by God to speak up, then by man to recant,
something is seriously wrong in Havana. Should we send a child into such mean streets?
Wednesday March 1st 2000 02:33:56
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Name: Keith Valenza
E-mail address: kvalenza@aol.com
Homepage URL: elian.8k.com
Comments: Sorry to keep posting to my own guestbook AZGAIN...but I wanted to
remind everyone that you can post a prayer for Elian online at elian.8k.com. Feel free to
use it for your prayer requests. Also...Channel 7 news in Miami reported Tuesday night
that ELian Gonzalez's Miami family will be testifying before a committee in Congress on
Wednesday. Scheduled to testify are Elian's cousin (who has become a surrogate mother to
him) and other Cuban refugees who will discuss what life is really like in Cuba. No doubt
the networks will not cover this, nor will perky Katie Couric interview any of the family
members like she did the grandmothers. Interestingly, two other notables will testify. One
of them is Elian's Miami uncle who favors sending him back to Cuba. Now I ask you...why
would a Cuban who now lives in the States want to send a child back to slavery in Cuba? Is
he a Cuban agent? Someone should ask, and if I were a reporter covering this story, I
would not hesitate to investigate that man's background. Where have all the good
investigative journalists gone? When will they ever learn? ALso scheduled to testify is
Castro's daughter, who defected to the United States several years ago. That in itself
should be newsworthy because she has been very critical of her father's regime ever since
she defected to this country. But it wiil be a miracle if the rest of the nation learns
about it. Pray for the family tomorrow...and pray that God's spirit will be with them as
they testify. Pray that our lawmakers on both sides of the aisle will gain an insight that
they did not have...and that God's truth will speak to them.
Wednesday March 1st 2000 04:29:10
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Name: Eli
E-mail address: roughhouse28@hotmail.com
Comments: First of all I can not see the comparison between Nazi Germany and
Cuba. This is just like comparing apples to oranges. Now I am not saying that I agre with
either of their goverments. Now let me just put you in a situation. Say that you get in an
argument with your spouse. Your spouse then takes your only child and goes away for a
while. It turns out she decided to get on a boat and try to go to another country. Now the
boat is wrecked and everyone dies except for your child. Your child, being stranded in the
ocean, is rescued by the goverment of another country. This country is larger than the
U.S. and has a totally diffrent political system. Now do you deserve your child back or
should your child stay in the other country where they think they have a superior
government. I'm sure you would want your child back. Is it in his/her best intrest to stay
in this other country. You would say no, because you have been raised and taught to except
your countries system of government. Who is to really say that Elian will be better off in
this country. He might, but he might not. Unfortunately, being taught from our births that
this is the greatest country to ever exist and that will ever exist, we have a hard time
forming an opinion opposing this idea. Don't get me wrong, I love my country, but we hvae
problems here just like every other nation does in the world.
Thursday March 2nd 2000 12:36:40
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Name: Miguel
E-mail address: me2cold4you@hotmail.com
Comments: Reply to Eli: Yesterday at the Senate hearing Fidel Castros
daughter spoke out against the government she fled. His own daughter. That speaks volumes.
Nazi Germany is exactly what Cuba is. They have consentration camps for people with Aids
and kids who are in Rock Bands or speak out against the Government. They put people to
death through firing squads without any legal court system. They have driven countless of
Cubans out of thier homes and bussinesses and used these homes and offices for Government
gain. Not to mention the thousands upon thousands of people who have fled that Country.
APPLES TO APPLES for sure. Read all the stories and articles posted on this page alone.
Thursday March 2nd 2000 09:32:30
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Name: Lupe
E-mail address: Lupe28@aol.com
Comments: ?Some of you must be feeling blue today after finding out that
Alina Fernandez, CASTRO’S OWN DAUGHTER, who herself is a refugee residing in Spain,
testified yesterday in Washington. Her testimony? Against her father, to whom she referred
to as the dictator. Another blow to the murderous dictatorship! She was not the only one
with important and credible testimony. Juan Formel, the son of the director of the Cuban
“VAN VAN” group, who also defected the CONCENTRATION CAMP as a refugee residing
in the USA as a free human, testified, you guessed it! Against Castro. Among other, Doctor
Paul, also testified as to his experiences in Cuba a couple of weeks ago, HURRAY FOR DR.
PAUL! His other son “Fidelito” is in Cuba and has been under house arrest for
years, just now a few weeks ago, he was out, like a trophy, and paraded around like a
puppet in one of Casto’s orchestrated Elian’s marches. I guess he needed to have
him there to take a picture, so that he could prove a point to the unsuspecting world.
Poor “Fidelito” after the walk, back into house arrest. Casto cannot afford,
“Fidelito” defecting on him too! All of Castro’s family, except Raul, have
left Cuba or have been smuggled out, what does that tell all of you? If that is the way he
treats his own blood, do you find it strange that he has divided every Cuba family, by
scattering members, of previously very closed families, all over the world? You all must
know by now, that Elian’s family, both sides, were a very close family, that monster,
called Castro, has divided a beautiful family relationship on international TV. Just for
your information, which you may take or leave. Lots of people that know and work with
Elian’s other uncle, Miguel, the one Cuba wants to give custody to in Miami, have
proof that this man had a business with Cuba. He traveled there several times, taking with
him merchandise to sell in the black market there. Upon his return to the USA, he smuggled
“Cuban cigars” and “rum” among other things to sell in Miami. As we
all should know, that is completely against the embargo! Now, for you to see the
difference in decency, between Miguel and his brother, Delfin, the one with custody at
this time, the one that unscrupulous people are calling “scum”. Delfin, will not
say a word against his brother Miguel, that my friends, is loyalty to family ties and
love. You have also never heard them say anything derogatory about Elian’s father,
the reason is very simple, they know for a fact that he is being pressured and each and
every word out of his mouth, is Castro talking, not Juan Miguel. ?I guess his African
religion was right, when a few months ago, it told him he was doomed! No wonder, he is
acting completely crazy, even more than usual, spending millions of dollars orchestrating
constant marches that paralyze the whole country, while at the same time the poor people
of Cuba, don’t eat, are forced to walk on empty stomachs and destroy the only shoes
they have. But definitely, the saddest of all is that they are little by little dying a
very slow death. If you have any decency and believe in a God, can't you truly go to sleep
at night, really wanting to send a 6 year old baby, that has gone through what most of us
never will, to be tortured by a crazy, murderer. I can't believe you would be capable of
such an evil act. We all need to put the pressure, and fault were it falls. Lets pressure
the Cuban govenment to allow Elian's father together with his whole family, leaving no
hostages, whatsoever, behind for Castro to terrorize. Then let him decide what they really
want, if at that time he wants him in Cuba, so be it! I strongly believe, they will all
ask for political assylum. Castro will never allow that to happen, he cannot afford their
desertion. Then the world would see who is really at fault here. Won't they?
Thursday March 2nd 2000 08:22:56
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Name: J. Schaukal
E-mail address: Orbit 47979@aol.com
Comments: ?Elian has a top notch group of at least eight lawyers of different
nationality background. These lawyers are not charging a penny for their services. Thank
God, there are still people like them in this sorry world. Since the Miami family has not
accepted any money from anyone and they are not wealthy, I believe the Cuban-American
population backed up by a radio station are planning to have a “radio marathon”
soon. The money collected will go to tons of other legal costs, not to pay the attorneys
and not to the family. As I had mentioned before, they are all doing God’s job on
earth, for love of freedom and human rights. Communist people are atheists, and we must
stand up to them! When I know for sure, I will let all of you know.
Friday March 3rd 2000 04:15:29
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Name: Lupe
E-mail address: Lupe28@aol.com
Comments: ?What Elian has achieve for our Cuban-American population has never
been remotely done by anyone else in the last 41 years. Elian has awakened a fervor for
our country that was very much needed. Our children, who were born in the United States,
and in their childhood years we had to force them to speak, write and read Spanish, and
felt they were Americans not Cubans, these children have awakened. Our children are now
young adults, with children of their own and careers. They have all come back to their
roots, now they call themselves Cubans. They are passing on our customs to their children,
our strong moral standards and values. They speak both languages, and thank us for forcing
them to learn it. They love our music, and are quite interested in Cuba’s history.
But best of all, they pray and acclaim freedom for our island. Strange, but it seems the
older they get the greater their love is for Cuba, an island that most of them have never
seen. What more can we Cuban-American parents ask for? Castro, your life has been in vain,
four decades later, and Cubans are still going strong. You did kill thousandths of good
Cuban people, for no reason at all, something that you will have to pay for someday. You
also created what you call the "NEW MAN" for very obvious reasons, your creation
was a bust, they want freedom just like their fathers and grandfathers before them wanted.
They are so desperate to leave the island, they are willing to cross a shark infested
ocean on whatever might float. Man needs freedom to survive, it was more than a BIG BIG
BUST! And yes, you did destroy our beautiful island, but that money and knowhow will fix.
The most important thing you were not able to do, was kill our love for Cuba! Soon,
together with our children and grandchildren, it will be rebuilt! Remember we are a proud
and capable bunch! Fidel Castro, MURDERER, you are doomed. Elian will be the end of you!
Elian you are a God sent, such a small child capable of opening so many eyes worldwide,
what power! Thank you, Elian, for bringing out the best in all of us. God bless you
always!
Friday March 3rd 2000 06:39:11
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Name: Lupe
E-mail address: Lupe28@aol.com
Comments: Yes, I saw Emperatori hug and kiss the famous "abuelita"
on TV. One thing did take me by surprise, she didn't bite his tongue and checked his
genitals to see if they had grown from the last time they were together in the good US of
A. Well, maybe she left it for later! I'll share a riddle with you: NO MORALS, NO VALUES,
NO FAMILY, NO LOVE, NO GOD. What do you have? A communist!
Friday March 3rd 2000 09:52:53
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