siliconmom.com
back
American Freedoms:
Oh Really?
American Freedoms: Oh really? By Alison van Diggelen From the NPR KQED archives of siliconmom Welcome to America! The judge boomed. Tears pricked my eyes. I looked up at my family in the balcony. My husband, grinning manically, camera in hand. By his side, my six-year old, solemn, aware of the enormity of the occasion. My little four-year-old fidgety and bored, oblivious that a peregrine had finally reached the end of a journey. I looked around with blurry eyes at the exotic faces, all shades of brown and white, all ages, turbaned, blond and bald. All quietly composed and proud. All citizens of the world. I was welcomed as a new citizen to this land of the free, a few days before September 11, 2001. Since then, our freedoms have been under threat, and not just from terrorists. Last spring, my mother traveled all the way from Scotland to Cuba and returned with wonderful tales of the beauty of the land and warmth of the people. It was high on my list for vacation. But now, because I’m American, I’ve lost my freedom to choose. Last week, amid a crowd of invited Cuban exiles, George Bush announced a crackdown on travel to Cuba. “I’ve instructed the Department of Homeland Security to increase inspections of travelers and shipments to and from Cuba.” Bush said. “You see, our country must understand the consequences of illegal travel.” Bush says, it only helps “prop up the dictator and his cronies,” referring to Cuban President, Fidel Castro. But, conveniently, it will also help Bush win the support of Cuban exiles, crucial for Florida’s electoral votes, and his re-election in 2004. About 200,000 Americans visit Cuba each year, about one-third illegally. Bush is using the terrorism threat to push through policies that are highly questionable and fundamentally wrong. “Welcome to America!” The judge should have said, “And watch your freedoms fade!” Alison van Diggelen is editor of siliconmom.com. This commentary was recorded for NPR affiliate KQED. © siliconmom.com
back
