The right to remain silent

This guy has the right to remain silent, and he should have used it.

He was not happy with the judge’s revocation of his bond, and decided to call him a slang word for male genitalia. Then, after being sentenced to 60 days in jail for contempt, he did it again, receiving a second 60 day sentence.

A judge has the legal power to control his courtroom. That MUST be the case, in order for justice to function, otherwise there would be no way to hold court. This power is nearly absolute in the courtroom, especially when court is in session.

Not so much when outside of the courtroom.

It’s not discrimination

The Miami Herald is running with a story that accuses Carnival Cruise lines of discrimination, and compares the decision to banning blacks or Jews from going on cruises. Why? Carnival is refusing to book cruises from Cuban born US citizens for cruises leaving the US and cruising to Cuba.

“They’re imposing repressive Cuban laws on American citizens,” says Maria de los Angeles Torres, a respected expert on Cuba and a longtime pro-engagement and anti-embargo academic who directs Latin American and Latino studies at the University of Illinois in Chicago. “It’s like they’re bringing Cuban law here.”

Why is this?

Current Cuban law prohibits Cuban-born individuals from entering Cuba via ship or other sea vessel, regardless of U.S. citizenship status. For that reason, at the present time, Fathom cannot accommodate Cuban-born individuals.

Following the law is not discrimination. The US has a no fly list. Air carriers are required to follow the law if they want to fly here. This is exactly what is happening here. Does the Herald expect the world to continue the Cuban boycott? Or is it time to tear down the wall?

Another problem that I have with the article is this:

Forty-seven years in this country, 36 as a U.S. citizen, a voter — and I cannot sail on an American cruise ship because Cuba says so.

The Carnival ship in question is not an American ship: It is registered in Bermuda.

 Finally, there is this:

Something precious is lost when a foreign government dictates what kinds of U.S. citizens can sail out of the Port of Miami. 

That isn’t what is happening. Cuba is not dictating what kind of people can sail out of Miami, as Cubans are free to sail from that port any time they wish. What Cuba is doing is dictating who can enter THEIR country.