10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

[LadyFish]

MIAMI (AP) - Ten Cubans trying to reach Florida likely drowned when their homemade boat was destroyed by rough seas, the U.S. Coast Guard said Friday.<br /><br />A Coast Guard cutter on Monday picked up a 24-year-old man who is believed to be the boat's sole survivor. He was clinging to two inner tubes in the Atlantic about 9 miles east of Miami. On Wednesday, a boater found the body of a person believed to be among the victims.<br /><br />The survivor, whose name was not released, told the Coast Guard that he and 10 other people had left Matanzas, Cuba, on Nov. 27 in a 14-foot vessel that was later destroyed in bad weather. Weather in the Florida Straits during that time was unusually cold, with 17-30 mph winds and 3- to 7-foot seas, officials said.<br /><br />Coast Guard and immigration service planes, helicopters and boats have searched unsuccessfully for the boat and the other people. Marine broadcasts also told vessels to be on the lookout, but officials had little hope for any other survivors.<br /><br />Since January 2000, 200 migrants have died in the Caribbean Sea and Florida Straits attempting to reach the United States, officials said.<br /><br />It really saddens me everytime I read another one these stories. We are so lucky to live in a country where we aren't dying to get out.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Yes, but how many Libs, out there, extol the virtues of Fidel's utopia?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Sorry, but I don't care... It's ten less cubans that I have to put up with....<br /><br />If you don't think I have a legitimate gripe about cubans, I'd invite anyone to come live in my neighborhood for a while...

 

[boatingfool]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Here we go........

 

[Homerr]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

I have to agree... it's sad to see the loss of life, but they need to get here LEGALLY.<br /><br />They took the chance, and didn't make it.<br /><br />H.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

hello<br /> yep ladyfish its always sad when someone dies and all they are trying to do is provide a better life for themselves their kids and their families. I know some boat people that are incredibly hard working. I think the people that attepmt it are not only desperate but are incredibly resorceful and brave. conditions in that part of the world are terrible unless your among the luckey few.I know some cubans get here and mess up some but I have some white trash neighbors that if they come by for a visit I have to lock things up for the next week. me and my other neighbors say they are sightseeing and that family has been here since the 1800's. mine has been on this sandbar since the late 1700's. its to bad our immigration system is so slow and outdated but I would not live any where else. unless of course I win the power ball and buy my own island/country

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

The day after Elian was sent back to Cuba I was standing on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale when a plane with a banner went by, it read, "One down and 200,000 to go, thank you Janet Reno". Picture of a life time and the camera was in the car. The plane turned and headed south and it never returned, probably shot down over Miami.

 

[Toad2001]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

classy post snapperbait. give your head a violent shake.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

I think it is ironic that we have spent billions on removing the dictator in Iraq, when we have a dictator that is our neighbor. Only difference between the two, Castro doesn't do mass murder where Sadam did.<br /><br />You must know that what what you hear and learn is from our media. You don't hear the news from Cuba of refugees being killed for leaving their country to seek freedom in the USA. It does happen all the time. The ones you hear about such as in Ladyfish's main post/topic are the ones that made it past Castro's security.<br /><br />When I did a tour of duty in Guantanamo Bay in the mid 70's, I built up friendly relationship with some of the natives. These natives were employeed at the base prior to the gates being closed in the 60's. Those that were employeed before the gates closed were still allowed to work on the base until they either quit, or died. No replacements were allowed under Castro's rule.<br /><br />If your an American and never have lived in a foriegn country for a period of time. You really can't get a grasp of what freedom really is until you have spent time somewhere else where freedom does not exist.<br /><br />My tour in Cuba was an experience I'll never forget. Every minuet that goes by is an uneasy one. Castro has lots of artillery pointed at the base. It took awhile to learn how to sleep knowing that you are a target that is surrounded by the worlds largest mine field.<br /><br />Those Cubans that do make it to the USA illegally makes us mad, but you must look at what they have left behind. Once they are here, they do what they must do to survive. I think any of us here that had to wear their shoes would do their best to do what they have done and do.<br /><br />Our younger generations cannot possibly understand what freedom is. They take it for granted and will never know what freedom is until they have walked in the shoes of those that don't have it. Just my thoughts on this subject.<br /><br />What is going to happen when Castro dies? Will Cuba still be a dictatorship, or what?<br /><br />SS

 

[streadway]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />I think it is ironic that we have spent billions on removing the dictator in Iraq, when we have a dictator that is our neighbor. Only difference between the two, Castro doesn't do mass murder where Sadam did<br /><br />cuba has mine fields<br />iraq has oil fields

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

hello<br /> the only reason castro was left in relative peace is because he gave us a window to the USSR. we needed a place to eavesdrop on what the technology was in the USSR. but now we really no longer care as they have nothing we want other than cheap labor. now castro is turning his eye towards venezuela and if the present administartion keep scewing up the venezuelans will turn against us as well and they have lots of oil and uranium as well as rubber bauxite and copper.<br /> the current VE president is courting castro as well as the iranians. VE is only a 2 hour plane ride from miami and 31/2 from atlanta. so why we are playing in the middle east we should be looking in our backyard.<br /> good luck and keep posting in the meantime I still say prayrs for the poor cubans. I was at gitmo once or twice and rosy roads as well. all I can say is thank god I was born here not there.<br /> American by birth. Southern by the grace of God

 

[pjc]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

yea rodbolt, sothern by grace of god--only NC aint very fer south--i gots relations from up here livin in the duram area-- perhaps yous born way down under to claim you grace of god--where ya from to claim suthca thang!!--<br /><br />btw--I am a Northern Gent--Born in Wisconsin--Family line from Nebraska--Scotsman--fine and true--<br /><br />Maybe some kinda liniage thread here is in order????

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

hahahah wisconsin aint north its polar . family here came about 1650 or so from england and marternals came from the swansea wales area about 1890. yep a lineage thread would be cool but it takes a bunch of work

 

[JB]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Every immigration to America, beginning with the Spanish, then, a couple of hundred years later the English, etc. etc, has been objected to by the previous residents.<br /><br />Immigrants from other countries and cultures, seeking freedom and liberty and refuge from oppression are what we all are, or are descended from. Natives and slaves excepted.<br /><br />Our population, our culture and our country are what immigrants have built.<br /><br />This is not a place where bashing of individuals or groups is welcome. Please restrain yourselves.

 

[pjc]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

good point JB. when Irish/Scots came they were heavily discriminated against--"Help Wanted..Irish Need Not Apply"--in a fashion similar to US Gov. turning Cubans around and sending back lest they hit the shore running.<br /><br />btw, my brother is tracing my fathers family liniage back. Furthest he got was my Grandfathers SS application form that lists his Father--"Vergil Redman Campbell"-- bro can't find any info on Vergil-there is a story that indicates there is Native American blood in my family. Maybee it starts with Vergil??????<br />(edit)ya rodbolt, polar is right--about a decade ago I was in Bahamas talking with a couple from Georgia I believe. There mental image of Wisconsin, for real now, was that of endless wilderness and snow-

 

[oddjob]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Cubans are good people in my book. I've been down here in S.Fla for 13 years. I work in Haileah..and I love it down here...The people are hard working and family orintated. The politics is very complex and I'd rather not elaborate..

 

[LadyFish]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Same here Oddjob.<br /><br />When I read the story I was just amazed that they fit 10 people in a 14-foot vessel (not even sure it was a boat) and attempted to get through the Florida Straits during a time it was unusually cold, 17-30 mph winds and 3- to 7-foot seas. The sheer determination to get to a better life shows us how desparate they are for a new beginning.<br /><br />I apologize to those who thought this was a troll to entice racial or ethnic comments, it was not intended that way.<br /><br />Snapper, at least we agree on cars.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Ladyfish and all... I apologize but that is the way I feel....<br /><br />Also, I must agree with Oddjob about the politics of the situation being very complicated... I just wish more of the people in the U.S. would take an interest about what really goes on here and the politics and economics involved, not just what they see and hear in the media...

 

[plywoody]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

I wish we would figure out some other way to deal with countries we don't particularly like than with the economic embargo. It hasn't worked for 50 years, and with that record, you would think someone would come up with the idea of trying something different.<br /><br />The way to stabilize the world is with economic expansion, and the opportunity for a better life. Economic embargoes are the exact opposite of what should be happening in Cuba if we are looking for a different effect, at least.

 

[Toad2001]

Re: 10 more Cubans believed drowned off Fla.

Thanks JB,<br />That's the kind of leadership this forum needs in order for it to maintain any sort of order. Personal prejudices and racial discrimination exist, but it shouldn't on a public board like this one. Freedom of speech is one thing, but forget about political correctness, when it comes to racial slurs etc., there comes a time when people are preaching hatred. I've seen it a lot of late, spoke out about it, and feel I'm in the minority. I'm sure those offending posters can find bashing boards elsewhere on the web where they can fit in among themselves a bit better.<br />Its 2003 people!