Usually I refrain from commenting on these threads, but the salient points of discussion need clarification:

a) Elian belongs with his father, Juan Gonzales. There is no credible evidence or objective reasoning for any other person to have custody if both Elian and his father agree with that arrangement.

b) Juan Gonzales is a Cuban national, and may choose to live there with his family. No other person or group has the legal right to obstruct such a decision, and further argument from moral or philosophical bases is irrelevant.

c) The US government has successfully returned Elian to Juan despite the maneuverings of various political fanatics and information profiteers. Whether the government's methodology was appropriate does seem open to minor debate. Actions taken by INS beaurocrats in Miami when Elain first arrived deserve far more scrutiny than the prolonged negotiation and media frenzy.

As Aine pointed out above, there are far more important issue that need discussion and effective action. The time has long past for the media to leave Elian and Juan alone, and hopefully to find something a little more productive to boost their ratings.

~S~