I've noticed something annoying about the American public. Not to be unexpected, I guess. But anyway, to ignite the ire of fellow board regulars:Elian Gonzalez, the cute little Cuban boy who was found adrift after a shipwreck, is causing a national controversy. You see, Elian is Cuban, but is now present on American soil. His mother is dead. His father, still in Cuba, would like his son returned. Other family member's of Elian's are protesting his return to Cuba, have filed lawsuits and whatnot to keep him here. Similar marches and rallies, led by Elian's family, are under way in Cuba also.
Now, the American public, already laughable in the eyes of much of the world for out idiotic paranoia during the Cold War, want to prove just how inconsistent we are in our Xenophobia by giving this young lad and his case national media attention. We want to show how shallow we are as a people by giving Elian's case front page news stories for months, while when boatloads of Haitian refugees show up on our shores illegally they are unceremoniously (and uncontroversially) sent back. Elian is "fleeing communism," or so they say, so his case is special. To all others we give a swift kick and a harsh "Stay Out!"
Now the issue goes into the Senate, where Senators, obviously not representative of me or my wishes want to stake a claim for young Elian in the golden land that is the United States, make him an honorary citizen, or some other such nonsense. Meanwhile, all the regular legal immigrants who have to report to Naturalization Services have to pass tests asking things about our country that most native-born US citizens couldn't answer in order to gain their citizenship. But let's jump on the bandwagon and give Elian a free ride! He's got it so hard there in Cuba with his family that loves him and wants him back.
The inconsistency, (and its motivations) are staggeringly idiotic. Elian has caused a controversy because he is a cute little kid. He's so unlike those "ugly, black Haitians" (not my words) that show up all the time "and just want to drain our country's welfare system and steal our jobs." Sound familiar? Statements like these crop up all the time among our politicians, media empires, and our citizenry. But suddenly, we've got a new case on our hands: Elian Gonzalez, and we want to save him because he's just so adorable playing with that puppy on the evening news.
Well, if we're xenophobes let's be xenophobes. If we're charitable, let's be charitable and open the floodgates. The only conditions under which I'll accept Elian's permanent residence in the US is if we systematically find all of those previously denied entry and invite them back. Then let's hold marches in their honor and make their names known among every American household. When that day comes, Elian can stay and I'll welcome him with open arms.
Until then, Elian can get the fuck out, and his family, their sympathizers, and certain unnamed senators can go off themselves for making such a mockery of our naturalization policies and embarrassing the rest of the nation.
Rant off.
