Editorial. Chicago Tribune. January 11, 2000
Though everyone claims to be acting in his best interests, the publicity and political circus that has engulfed 6-year-old Elian Gonzalez since he was rescued on Thanksgiving Day is turning into a peculiarly perverse form of child abuse.
He was plucked from the sea off the Florida coast after clinging to an inner tube for two days and probably witnessing his mother drown. That trauma alone certainly would scar anyone for life, but in addition, Elian has since been subjected to the shameful, venal spectacle of grown-ups
manipulating his tragedy for political advantage.
If the leeches sucking on Elian's misfortune have any decency left, they will back off and allow him to return to his father and home in Cuba, to enjoy what is left of his childhood. Any more pandering of this case by anyone, here or in Cuba, is unconscionable.
Throughout this melodrama no one has questioned the love or attentiveness of Elian's father. Though he and the mother had divorced, both actively participated in rearing their child, along with the four grandparents.
Were this a child custody dispute in the U.S., no one would seriously argue for granting custody to some distant relatives the child had not even met.
So the Immigration and Naturalization Service ruled correctly that Elian should be reunited with his father no later than Jan. 14.
Then entered a parade of Republican politicians--wasn't the GOP supposed to be the champion of "family values"?--each clamoring for their 15 minutes of television.
The two Cuban-American representatives from Florida have mugged shamelessly for the cameras, showering Elian with gifts and treating him like a political prop. Then Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) subpoenaed Elian to testify before Congress, in a transparent effort to forestall his return to Cuba.
Without question, Elian would be better off economically in the U.S. But a custody case isn't an auction, and a father's right to his child is not dependent on who can offer the biggest house or the most toys.
And it is ridiculous to say--as did Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.)--that Elian, who is barely 6 years old, expressed a "desire" to remain in the U.S. that ought to be respected.
Respect for parental rights, and a sense of compassion for all this child has suffered, demand an end to this political charade and Elian's return to his father in Cuba without any further delay. |