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Cubans are still fleeing from Castro's 'paradise'

It never ceases to amaze me how the humanity and dignity that we go out of our way to defend for others is so casually pushed aside for the people of Cuba.

Here we are, before a dictatorship that's been going on for 50 years, with hundreds of political prisoners and executions under its belt, and from whom every time there is an opportunity, thousands flee from "the paradise" it created, risking their lives at sea; and we still get letters like the one sent by John Gerace.

Doesn't the occasional visitor to Cuba wonder, "Hmm, maybe things are not what they seem here."

Gerace writes: "When I asked the raven-haired Cubana seated next to me," -- don't worry, I won't ask you where or in what circumstances -- "she replied, 'We have what we need. We dance, we sing, we drink rum and go swimming in the river.'ââ"

You know, my dog has plenty of food and water. He has toys and a nice soft bed. He goes to the vet twice a year whether he likes it or not. We both enjoy going for long walks, only he wears a leash, goes when I decide and in the direction I choose. He too has everything he needs. ...

Of course dear, they are going to treat you with courtesy and friendliness. It is part of our culture. Never mind that "the guy in Rob O'Neal's Sunday picture," [Raul Castro] needs you to portray him as a kind and fatherly old man before the American public opinion. ...

We, the Cubans here and on the island, are not pigs. We like clean clothes too, and knew about hygiene long before the Castro dynasty took over 50 years ago, promising elections that never materialized. And even then, we had the best medical system in the Americas. Just ask any old Conch where they want to get medical attention.

As for the $6 an hour wage at any Holiday Inn in America; that, you'd have to ask any doctor driving a taxi in Havana for the equivalent of $6 a month to feed his family, or any engineer having to prostitute herself as a ginetera, if given a choice, what they'd rather be doing.

Yolanda Maloney

Key West

Thanks for coverage, both news and policing

We would like to thank The Citizen staff and all our Key West Citizen journalists for attending meetings and other informational sources, and accurately researching, recording, writing, printing and delivering our favorite news source. A thank-you for a difficult profession.

We also would like to thank our county Sheriff's Office, the Key West Police Department for solving many burglaries, thefts, assaults and the many other types of criminal enterprises, including traffic control, preventing many more of the same by their presence. We feel we have the good fortune of Sheriff Bob Peryam and Police Chief Donie Lee, and both departments will continue to recruit deputies and police officers who have the dedication and personalities to cope with the problems of both us locals and the tourism industry.

Bob and Mary DeHaven

Key Haven

Recycling is easy and it saves the city money

Today, the Key West City Commission will consider the city of Key West Recycling Ordinance. I would urge every citizen to write or call their city commissioner and to attend this meeting to let our politicians know we support this cause.

Why? Well, for pure selfish reasons it will save us all money. See, we pay per pound for actual garbage to be hauled out and dumped. The more we recycle the more we save, and the savings are substantial -- somewhere between $800,000 and $1 million dollars. It's as simple as that. On the other hand, it's the right thing to do -- we can be only so wasteful, put so much into the water and the air before it all catches up with us.

Maybe you don't buy into the global warming thing or are not a "tree-hugger," so do it for financial reasons, to keep our costs down living in the beautiful Florida Keys and our beloved city, Key West.

Much of our dismal recycling rate over the past few years I believe is about lack of education and getting the word out -- and getting bins to you. Over the next 12 months we will educate everyone about just how easy it is to recycle.

It's as simple as just dropping that plastic, glass, aluminum can or newspaper in the bin instead of the trash can. It's so easy.

Christine Russell

Key West