Curious Cuba Confusion

Hi, remember me? Well, my first quarter resolution hasn't been going too well, but I've also had a new kink in my blogging schedule. That would be the non napping Realpolitik toddler. Yes, it's true, my days of quiet nap filled afternoons might be coming to an end very soon but in the mean time onward to the blog of the day.

A few days ago I heard on NPR - about my only source for news anymore. That Raul Castro commented that maybe the Cuban government may have said and done some things in the past that could have hurt Cuban-American relations. I am glad to see the Obama administration take some steps to ease some of the tensions that exist while also relaxing some of the restrictions on Cuban living in the U.S. traveling to Cuba and how much money can be sent to relatives who still live on the island.

My confusion and I guess surprise is Raul's comment. His brother, Fidel, who had been in power for over 5 decades and has only criticized the United States from its policies to its leaders and everything in between. I never thought I might see the day that a Castro, especially while Fidel is still alive, might say that maybe the leadership has been wrong in their actions all these years. I am not sure where this change of heart has come from but I do believe that it is sincere. It might be that everyone has little warm fuzzies for our President Obama - which we saw during the G-20 summit - or maybe it Fidel's ailing years he has seen how both sides have erred in their relations with one another. Whatever the case may be I think how the United States government and the Cuban government proceed may bring some new policies towards Cuba. We may not be ready yet to repeal the embargo until the Castro government, be it Fidel or Raul, are completely gone, but I do think this is a situation has a positive conclusion in I hope the next several years.

Obamapalooza

I should have been more on top of this, but I just now got around to finding my camera and the attachment for the computer to upload pictures from the Obama Rally on Election night. If you blow these pictures up and squint you MAY see Obama speaking.

This is when they announced that Obama was the projected winner,

The City of Chicago glowing

Do you see him?!?!?!?!

Obamacoma

Yesterday was historic in many ways and thanks to a very good friend I was able to be a part of the celebration by attending the rally at Grant Park or Obamapalooza. What a night! While I stood in Grant Park with over 70,000 of my bestest friends (and Oprah) I got to experience an election party for the 44th President of the United States. photos to be posted soon

Initially, I didn't know how I would react either good or bad, but when CNN announced Senator Obama as the projected winner, when everyone just let out a big cheer, I was astounded, excited and just happy it was all over. My thoughts first went to the daunting challenge ahead for him and the country as we begin to rebuild as well as heal the very distinct division in this country over ideology. There are so many things that need to be "fixed" right now that while I have some uneasiness, but things are bound to get better. This was before Obama actual speech. After Senator Obama came out and spoke to us and the world, my uneasiness faded. It is still there a bit, but my hope for a brighter future on both national and foreign policy issues is stronger than ever.

Now the work begins. In my eyes the right candidate won and will lead us all in the right direction, but I don't wear rose colored glasses. The 4 years and 76 days until the next inauguration day will be a tough and I hope that the issues raised in the campaigns will continue to be scrutinized to keep us challenged and on the path for a better tomorrow.