Thursday, March 24, 2016

Obama and human rights in Argentina & Cuba


President Obama was in Cuba and Argentina this week.
We understand that Argentina suffered through a period of human rights abuses.   We get it and the people of that country have every right and reason to go back and investigate it.
President Obama mentioned it in a press conference.   He offered to declassify some documents about the role that the US may have played in that period.
Don’t you wish that he had been that vocal in Cuba?   Or discuss publicly the island’s human rights record and the numbers of Cubans missing or who died crossing The Florida Straits to freedom?
President Obama walked with President Macri by a monument to remember the 20,000 victims, of which 10,000 are still considered missing.
Argentina is a nation of 41 million people, or four times bigger than Cuba.   They claim 20,000 victims!
How many victims in Cuba?    executions?  political prisons?  drowning leaving in a raft?
Over the years, I’ve consistently criticized human rights abuses, whether they came from the right or the left.
For example, I applauded Mr Pinochet’s economic reforms in Chile but was critical of some of the human rights violations that came with it.
It’s a shame that President Obama did it in Argentina and not Cuba.    It makes you wonder why he went to Cuba in the first place!
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Tags: Human rights in Cuba and Argentina  To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!

Trump’s electability problem could drive delegates to nominate a Kasich‐Rubio ticket


Before I get a million messages from Trump’s supporters saying that I’m part of the establishment or trying to steal his nomination, let me say this:  Trump will be the nominee if he gets 1,237 delegates on the first or any other ballot.   
Beyond that, let me assure his very passionate supporters that I will support him in November.
Also, I am not part of any conspiracy nor did Governor Romney suggest that I write this.
My mission is simple.   I am just a voter who wants to defeat Hillary Clinton and keep a GOP Senate.  I want to support a candidate who will do both.
As of today, Mr. Trump is not that candidate:
1) He loses to Clinton in the RCP average.   She is up 9 points against Trump.  Cruz is in a dead heat but Kasich is up 5!
I hear from Trump’s supporters that these polls don’t mean anything or that Presidnet Carter beat Governor Reagan at this point in 1980.   
I was there in 1980 and remember that poll quite well.   
However, three things happened in that campaign after that poll: The Anderson independent candidacy that took votes from President Carter, the challenge by Senator Kennedy that picked up speed in the spring and early summer and the failed rescue of the Iran hostages in late April.       
It was 47-39 by October ’80 but President Carter was stuck under 50% and inspiring nobody but there were still doubts about Governor Reagan. Then Reagan closed the sale in the one on one debate, the famous “there you go again” moment.
2) More than polls, Mr. Trump has a Latino and woman problem.   The Trump supporters counter this by saying that he will bring all of these new voters.  They point to the GOP primary turnout.  However, it’s not clear that this turnout is to support Trump.  My guess is that GOP voters are highly motivated with or without Trump.  I didn’t show up to vote because of Trump!
Again, all of this could be moot if Mr. Trump reaches Cleveland with 1,237 delegates.    
If he doesn’t, then the delegates will act to nominate someone who can win the election.  
Don’t be surprised if that means Kasich-Rubio, a ticket with a very good chance of winning the general election and has more appeal to the women and Latinos that we will need.
P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Tags: Trump vs Clinton polls  To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!

Arizona, Utah and other thoughts with Barry Casselman, The Prairie Editor.





Tags: Utah 2016, Arizona 2016, Trump vs Cruz, Clinton vs Sanders  To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!

Search This Blog