A way to criticize sanctions against Cuba

Andres Oppenheimer’s Jan. 17 piece, Latin America’s new leader, on the upcoming swearing in of Cuba’s dictator Raul Castro as chairman of the 33-country Community of Latin American and Caribbean States whose object is to promote democracy and human rights was almost excellent.

What he left out is that this is a way to criticize the U.S. for years of sanctions as well as the unique wet-foot, dry-foot policy to encourage desertions from Cuba and appease the anti-Castro Cuban community. It also hopes to replace the Organization of American States which Hugo Chávez described as a U.S. puppet. Note, the U.N. General Assembly annually has voted to condemn the U.S. sanctions as interfering in internal affairs of another country.

Stanley Blumenthal, Sunrise

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‘First 48’ exploits victims of crime

Thank you for your recent coverage of the city of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa’s decision not to renew a contract with the reality show The First 48. For years the show’s film crew has roamed the streets of Miami’s urban communities searching for victims of homicide to feature on their show. 1369259411
Spiritual or religious?

Martin Slater’s May 17 letter, Changing beliefs, responding to Myriam Marquez’s May 12 column makes the common mistake of equating religion and spirituality. While religions encourage the development of our spiritual sense, religious dogmas are unnecessary to cultivate one’s own sense of spirituality. Many nonreligious individuals are highly spiritual, keenly in tune with their inner-self and the concept of a creative universal force. 1369259411
DCF is disgraceful

Re the May 21 article DCF deemed boy safe before he was left in vehicle: It’s unbelievable that the Department of Children & Families would do absolutely nothing about a woman who reportedly was drunk and driving, hitting walls and passing out while her young son was in the car untethered. 1369259411

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