Candidates to Cuba: Release prisoners

[Freddie Stubbs]

WASHIGNTON - Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain called for the release of political prisoners in Cuba following Fidel Castro's resignation Tuesday.

Castro's resignation "should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. ... Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba," Democratic Sen. Barack Obama said in a statement.

"Cuba's future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime," Obama said. "The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released."

Obama also urged that the United State be prepared to take steps to normalize relations with Cuba and to ease the trade embargo of the last five decades if the Cuban leadership "begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change."

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_el_pr/candidates_cuba

[kentuck]

1. And send us another Mariel boat lift?

Remember that? Be careful what you ask for.

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. How many countries send native-born people overseas after they are released from jail?

:shrug:

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Hey now.

Our country was founded thanks to the English sending their native born felons over here.

:P

[High Plains]

2. 2.2 million prisoners in the US. More than 1 million non-violent.

Yes, let's release the prisoners.