In this day and age, while the U.S. is currently occupied liberating victims of an oppressive regime in Iraq, yet another dictatorship, that of Cuban tyrant Fidel Castro, has quietly sentenced several of its independent poets, writers, and journalists to up to twenty years in prison for writing or expressing certain views that were seen as “un-revolutionary.” The prisons they will be shipped to aren’t lavish, polished, regulated, American jails. Oh no, no, no. These are Cuban prisons where, if one says, writes, or even thinks anything that lightly challenges what the honored Commander-in-Chief of the island says, that person is guaranteed to be promptly “put in his place.” Yet what worries logical thinkers everywhere is the reason for which these frustrated writers were jailed in the first place. They decided to voice their opinion. They followed by paying the price. Now, when there is reason to rally, “peace” demonstrators across the world are failing to protest against one of the most savage regimes of our lifetime, instead remaining stubbornly focused on their strict opposition to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Surprise, surprise.

The situation in Cuba is almost completely normal and expected from Castro. After all, we have always known about the terrifying, murdering and disgustingly unmoral law that allows him to remain in control of Cuba. We do not need that much evidence, anyway. Just take a look at the thousands of Cubans that have risked their lives on shark-infested waters in a life raft to have a taste of freedom in southern Florida.

Yet, where are the voices that condemn this evil regime? Besides angry Cuban-Americans in Miami, Union City, New Jersey, and the Bush administration in Washington D.C., the answer to that question is yet to be known.

All during the current war effort in Iraq, liberal America has whined about fair treatment towards those who disagree with the current administration’s ideas and policies. From day one, Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon and the rest of their Hollywood-junta have condemned the Bush administration and all those who, in turn, condemn them for standing opposed to its policy. They conveniently remind us that they have the right under our Constitution to voice their opinions, even if they collide head-on with the ideas of those in power. According to theme, anything less would be tyrannical.

Yet where is the vociferous Mr. Sheen, where is know-it-all Sarandon in this current crisis in Cuba? Where in the world could the millions of protesters who marched around the world several months ago protesting America’s attack on Saddam Hussein be hiding during such an explicit violation of basic human rights?

Isn’t it ridiculously ironic how, while fighting for social justice by starring in films such as Dead Man Walking, Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn have not even cared to protest – not the fact that these writers are being abused of their rights—but the lack of legal representation for the majority of these Cuban “traitors?”

Don’t worry, it’s o.k. to be alarmed. Don’t rub your eyes in disbelief, for what you have just read is true. The accused writers are being sentenced to twenty years of rotting food, cold cells, deprivation from family, and random physical abuse, and they didn’t even have a lawyer to represent them. Oops! Wait a second! This is Communist Cuba! How silly of me! Those who defend “traitors” are classified as traitors as well. Too bad Sarandon overlooked that. So much for social justice, eh?

What were the exact crimes committed by the prisoners, you ask? Besides respecting the rights of man to free speech by expressing their genuine opinions through their work, these gentlemen performed rather minor “illegal” acts. They were charged of surfing the internet (Obviously a highly dangerous thing to do. One might become corrupted by evil, imperialistic capitalist ideas), owning a fax machine, and owning books and other literature that is officially banned by the government (yes, certain books are banned by the government).

Oh, and by the way. That giant rumbling noise that you may have just heard – that was the collective sigh of millions of frustrated Cuban-Americans who find it more and more challenging to bring to light the brutality with which Castro has run their country forty-four years after he violently seized control of it.

If anything, the fickleness of the left has reached an all time low. Why are they giving Castro a free ride? Why do they choose to infest the streets to condemn America’s protection of human rights in Iraq before even considering demonstrating against the corruptness of other national dictators and villains who kill and imprison those they merely disagree with?

To those of you who have made the “mistake” of not denouncing Castro and his vile, bestial regime in any way shape or form by now, please consider this little article as a reminder to do so ASAP. And as far as the future of dictatorships in the world is concerned, please do humanity a favor and criticize those who truly deserve condemnation and praise those who deserve admiration. There are other evils in the world besides those you so flagrantly criticize in the U.S. So do not hold double standards with these matters. Some wacko out there might – just might—think that you’re anti-American.

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