I'm starting this new thread because it appears that the Elian 2 thread has been taken over by people who consider the Elian Gonzalez problem to be a small part of a larger problem, and they are busy debating the "larger" problem, whatever that is. While this point of view certainly has merit, I think the "smaller" issues are plenty large enough to deserve their own thread, so I would like to ask the people interested in discussing FOREIGN POLICY, SOCIALISM vs. CAPITALISM, DEMOCRACY vs. DICTATORSHIP, etc. to PLEASE STAY OUT OF THIS THREAD.

More thoughts on the Elian Gonzalez case:

1. Did anyone notice my earlier posting about the door? When Marisleysis Gonzalez conducted a CNN video crew on a tour of her house a few hours after the raid, she tearfully pointed out 2 or 3 broken doors. Especially impressive was the door to the bedroom where Elian was found. The door was BROKEN IN HALF! Half still attached to the hinges, half lying on the floor. However the infamous pictures taken by the Associated Press photographer clearly show the same door was intact as the raiders were ON THEIR WAY OUT. So …
2. What happens next? There will be a hearing, I understand, where the main question to be decided is whether a 6-year-old is competent to file a request for political asylum in his own right. This issue is ridiculous for 3 reasons:
a) The very concept of a 6-year-old making such life-changing decisions is ridiculous.
b) Even if the application is considered a valid application, it is ridiculous to think Elian will be "persecuted" in Cuba - he is a hero there! And therefore he doesn't meet the legal criteria for asylum and it should be disapproved.
c) Even in the VERY unlikely event that political asylum is granted, asylum only means that he will be ALLOWED to stay in the US; it doesn't mean he can be FORCED to stay. All Elian will have to say is, "I changed my mind. I want to go home with Dad," and they will have to let him leave. Those who argued that he was competent when he wanted to stay will look pretty foolish arguing that he is incompetent when he wants to leave. Nevertheless, I hope the application is NOT accepted because I'm afraid it will set a dangerous precedent.