Bush Beats the Castro Drum

At arguably the weakest point in his presidency, George W. Bush decided to beat the drums on Cuba and Fidel Castro—again.

The president may have pleased the dissidents in South Florida, many of whom thought we should have invaded Havana long ago. But the speech this week accomplished little else.

As if the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and making menacing noises almost daily at Iran weren't enough, this administration leans on Cuba.

The Cuba issue is on the distant back burner and has been for many years. Castro has maintained power since John F. Kennedy occupied the Oval Office. That was nine long administrations ago.

There is no indication of any uprising in Cuba when the aging Communist dies and his brother Raul assumes power. So why is Bush speaking out now? Only he knows why it was necessary to please the hotheads in Miami and environs.

The anti-Castro Cubans in Florida have been itching to go after Fidel since the Bay of Pigs invasion failed so miserably. It is not going to happen, period.

In the real world, Castro is no threat. He may deliver long and bombastic speeches when he's healthy, but that's about it. He or his brother would be crazed to make any overt move against the United States.

Our military is already stretched too thin. With active conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and significant troop presence in Korea and Western Europe, there is really no margin for error.

The situation in Cuba is insignificant by comparison, despite the president's rousing news for the dissidents who hate Fidel. Get over it, Mr. President.