Un Homenaje (and critique of) to Senator Dodd Upon his Retirement - Larry Birns and Eloy Fisher

pullquotes:

In his speech, Senator Dodd blithely attacked the Cuban regime, in a way that did little to advance the debate the island’s political and economic future Disappointingly he failed to address the transformative changes now affecting the island and nor emphasized the necessity of creating new attitudes and more creative policy in U.S. policy toward La Havana. Indeed, it seems that the reforms now being pursued by Raúl Castro on the island are specifically meant to pave the way to revolutionize Cuba’s daily political and economic daily realities. The U.S. needs to reciprocate by moving towards greater engagement with Cuba, which will ultimately bring on for true reforms. Ideological sabre-rattling by both sides will never produce a serious solution to the U.S.-Cuba stand-off. Although the current Cuban leadership has demonstrated a surprising predilection for pragmatism when it comes to the new round of harsh economic challenges Cuba faces.




Latin America’s Future is Already Here:
Un Homenaje to Senator Dodd Upon his Retirement
/ Council on Hemispheric Affairs

http://www.coha.org/latin-americas-future-is-already-here-un-homenage-to-senator-christopher-dodds-recent-upon-his-retirement/

December 21, 2010

By COHA Director Larry Birns and COHA Research Fellow Eloy Fisher

Within days, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) will be leaving the Senate for the last time after decades of distinguished service on the Hill. His departure will leave a vacancy of immense proportions that will be difficult to fill. This was because he was the most bona fide Latin American expert to have frequented Congress this century. Senators Edward Kennedy and Claiborne Pell were also worthy contestants for this title, while Senators Patrick Leahy and Richard Lugar also remain genuinely credible as Latin Americanists. A few weeks ago, Senator Dodd delivered a compelling lecture regarding the future of the region to a college audience in his home state of Connecticut.

In his talk, which also was featured in The Huffington Post, Dodd focused on the brilliant Latin American future, listing its positive growth rate, its democratic advancement in recent months, and its solid economic development. Especially exhilarating were his optimistic comments on the region’s remarkable resiliency in the face of foreboding challenges brought on by the global economic downturn, the specters of political instability, and the multitude of natural disasters, like Haiti’s earthquake last January, its current cholera epidemic, and the hydra-headed presence of drugs and crime.

When referencing copyrighted work, post a short excerpt (not exceeding 4 paragraphs) with a link back to the original.

thanks in advance.
:hi: