VIVA CUBA!!! (pronounced COOba :)

Whatever opinion you may have politically or economically, Cuba is amazing. The culture is so rich. I loved the music, dancing, and art. In general, the Cubans also made us feel very welcome on their island. The educational and health systems are very impressive. People are encouraged to constructively criticize their government and have the right to vote. One comment that really impacted me was by our translator, Alberto who said, "I criticize my country not because I hate my country, but because I love my country and want to see it improve."

That is how I feel about America. I love my country, but there are things that my government and my military have done in "third world countries" that I am not proud of. There are things that I do such as my spending habits that contribute to the success of monopolized corporations that use sweat shops which I am also not proud of. These things need to change and I'm in the process of figuring out how I need to be a part of that change.

It's sad that my country is celebrating someone's death today. No matter how wicked someone may be, my faith in Christ tells me it shouldn't be that way. ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. -Ezekiel 33:11

I don't know what all to think right now but I do like very much this quote by Martin Luther King, Jr, a man I think we all respect.

“I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."