In Behalf of a Free Cuba

It happened again this Sunday, August 14, 2011. Despite the international press coverage over last Sunday's attacks, Cuban women were again brutalized by regime agents as they walked silently to attend Mass at the Cathedral in Santiago de Cuba. That makes four consecutive Sundays that Castros' repressive forces have unleashed violence on the women. And despite the brutal beatings and detentions, the Ladies in White have maintained their nonviolent discipline and courage.

Prayers are in order for the people of Cuba who, because of their Communist overlords, live in a repressive, corrupt and woefully inefficient nation. And along with those fervent, frequent prayers, I encourage letters like the two below which I'm sending out this morning.

Letter Number One:

Dear Congressman Terry (copies to Senators Ben Nelson, Mike Johanns and Susan Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations),

For the fourth Sunday in a row, the thugs of Fidel and Raul Castro's police force have terrorized and beaten peaceful Catholic women on their way to mass. The reason? Because they walk together as the Ladies in White, a group of women who have parents, spouses, children and friends who are unjustly imprisoned in the horrid prisons of Communist Cuba.

These actions of intolerance and violence are, as you well know, part of the daily life of the Cuban people. And, despite a few cosmetic changes, the repressive regime continues to grind the general population into poverty and degradation while delivering particularly savage treatment to political and religious prisoners.

I write to ask what you are doing to help raise the banner of justice for the Cuban people. Are you, for instance, using the visibility and authority of your position to decry the human rights abuses of the Cuban regime? Are there speeches, press releases or position papers of yours on this matter that I could publicize and pass along to others? Are you pursuing the means that the U.S. government has at its disposal to protest these crimes; indeed, even to pressure Cuban officials to allow greater freedoms to their people?

Please know I would like to help you help the cause of a free Cuba. Let me know how.

Sincerely...

Letter Number Two:

Cuban Interests Section in Washington DC
2630 and 2639 16th Street, NW
Washington DC 20009

Dear sirs,

For the fourth Sunday in a row, the thugs of Fidel and Raul Castro's police force have terrorized and beaten peaceful Catholic women on their way to mass. The reason? Simply because they walk together as the Damas de Blanco, a group of women who have parents, spouses, children and friends who are unjustly imprisoned in the horrid prisons of Communist Cuba.

You must surely see that Cuba's international reputation for corruption, inefficiency and violent injustice continues to grow worse. And cosmetic changes will not help. Nor will any naive waiting for Communism to miraculously overcome the massive failure it has created everywhere it was attempted. Come on; the game is up.

Please stop the persecution of innocents. Please release the prisoners of conscience. Please institute religious freedom, fair court proceedings, and a free market for business. Please, let Cubans breathe free, clean air once again.

Sincerely...