On conspiracy theories about Elian's (partial) liberation was Re:Spell-checked (!) PURPOSE OF SHOW IN MIAMI

[Gary MacLennan <g.maclennan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jared,

My immediate response to this is that you have over analysed the
events.  The INS people were in all probability very frightened.  They
acted as all police officers would in that situation. They are all blunt
instruments.   The photo of the screaming boy was "bad" coverage.  But I
think it is far too conspiratorial to say it was planned.  It is crediting
Reno & Co with too much intelligence. The subsequent release of the photos
of a smiling Elian hurt the Miami gangsters and went a long way to erasing
the effect of the photo of the officer with a gun pointing at the boy.
Moreover it is hard to fit that release into a conspiracy scenario.


We need to remember that the Miami mafia are a creation of American
imperialism.  They are despised by the same people who use
them.  Periodically they have to be reminded who they are and what position
they occupy in the food chain.  Nestor is right here in his comparison with
the Argentinian Junta.

The Miami mafia may threaten to riot. They may protest etc, but they have
no where to go.  All they can do is to perform dirty deeds when the US
authorities give them the go ahead.  Otherwise they hide in cupboards and
whine about photos being faked.  The gutlessness of the Miami cabal
reminded me of the fake hunger strikes the Ulster Loyalists once threatened
to stage.  They lasted only a few days.

As to why the US moved to get the boy back to his father, I think Jose put
his finger on the heart of the matter.  Elian's kidnapping has been acting
as a powerful unifying force inside Cuba.   Whatever the propaganda the US
puts out they know the demos are not faked.  They have astonished the US
authorities by their intensity and spontaneity.  The kidnapping of Elian
has served to resurrect memories of the nature of US imperialism that the
US would like to keep buried.  If we add to that the ongoing spectacle of
Juan Miguel's incorruptibility then one can well see why the Administration
would like this Elian affair wrapped up.

warm regards

Gary

PS to Nestor.  You like Gloria's music.  I *used* to like Andy Garcia's
acting!! Note the past tense!  Irish purity.