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The head of an independent human rights organization dedicated to a free Cuba says the "blame America first" crowd can be relied upon to ignore history and deny reality by criticizing President Bush's refusal to coddle Fidel Castro's communist dictatorship in Cuba.In an October 24 speech at the State Department, Bush described Cuba's government as a "socialist paradise" that is actually a "tropical gulag." He continued, saying: "And as with all totalitarian systems, Cuba's regime no doubt has other horrors still unknown to the rest of the world. Once revealed, they will shock the conscience of humanity. And they will shame the regime's defenders and all those democracies that have been silent."Frank Calzon, executive director of the Center for a Free Cuba, recently wrote a column supporting President Bush's tough stance. In an interview, Calzon states: "The president has been extremely clear in what he would like to see in Cuba. He would like to see a free and democratic Cuba where Cubans are able to decide their own destiny. He has said that many times."But Calzon says unfortunately there are harsh voices on the American left who think the president should coddle the communist regime. "The 'blame America first' brigade decides that calling for freedom in Cuba is a bad thing," he says. "These are the same folks who thought it was stupid for Ronald Reagan to call on Gorbachev to bring down the Berlin Wall. But Reagan was right and they were wrong," he notes.Calzon predicts Bush will similarly be remembered as a friend of democracy in Cuba. He also points out that among Europe's democracies, there is growing support for Castro's opponents in Cuba.As in the days of Noah...
