"If you harbor a terrorist, you are a terrorist."

Roseanne Nenninger, sister of victim Raymond Persaud who died in a 1976 terrorist airliner bombing

We had an interesting few hours today. Started off like every weekday morning with Amy Goodman's Democracy Now!. She spent some time discussing the Luis Posada Carriles hearing that was to begin in El Paso today.

Carriles is what would be one of those embarrassing situations for our president Bush were he or any of his administration capable of appreciating good irony. Sadly, they are not. But since 9/11, the president has said too many times to count, "If you harbor a terrorist, you are a terrorist."

Carriles is seeking asylum here in the United States. See, the difficulty comes from the fact that Luis Posada Carriles has a history of terrorism against Cuba. He takes credit for bombing hotels there and is the alleged mastermind of the first terrorist attack against a commercial airliner in the western hemisphere. This puts Bush in a tight spot if he is to adhere to his own definition of what constitutes a terrorist. Permitting Carriles to stay in the U.S. could put Bush among the very group he's warring against--the terrorists.

1976 Cuban National Women's Fencing Team

During her segment on the impending Carriles case before the Immigration officials, Amy Goodman spoke with Gloria La Riva, lead organizer of today's protest in El Paso against Carriles. She also spoke with one of the sister's of Raymond Persaud, a victim aboard that Cuban airliner bombed out of the sky over the Caribbean in 1976. It was his first time to fly. And his last. He was on his way to medical school in Cuba. Seventy-two other innocent lives were lost that day, including 6 members each from the women's and men's Cuban National Fencing Teams.

1976 Cuban Men's National Fencing Team

So my wife and I decided to drive over to join the nicely attended delegation of demonstrators outside the Immigration offices where the Carriles hearing was to be held. It was a nice day. Warm, but very nice. There was a microphone set up just outside the government compound for people to voice their opinions. Some had travelled down to El Paso from Las Cruces and Albuquerque.

Shortly after we arrived, a helicopter swooped in low over the crowd, making a number of circular passes above the demonstrators. "Five," my wife informed me. (I was glad our vehicle had one of those retractable radio antennas that lowers when you shut off the engine!) My wife told me to smile. That they were taking our pictures. I looked across the street at her flipping 'em a big ol' peace sign.

What was remarkable was getting to meet a lot of concerned and conscientious people. But what was really *special* was our chance to meet and visit with some of the folks we'd seen earlier this morning on Democracy Now! We spoke with Gloria La Riva, organizer of the protest. And we also spoke with the sisters, Sharon Persaud and Roseanne Nenninger, of Raymond who had been on that ill-fated flight. They had travelled cross country to advocate for Carriles' deportation to Venezuela to stand trial for his role in the death of the 73 people killed on that Cubana airliner.

From them we learned of the excitement for Raymond the night before his departure for medical school. Friends had gathered in celebration. The following day at the airport, family bid Raymond farewell and goodluck. He was wearing a new suit made especially for the occasion. Not long afterwards, the family was to learn of the crash of his plane after a brief stop over in Barbados.

As the time for the hearing approached, we sadly learned that Sharon and Roseanne would not be allowed inside the hearing room. Never mind that I can walk into the courtroom trial of any murderer any day down at City Hall with no particular interest. But the hearing of a man who killed your brother, you have no right to attend! Even to "simply observe and sit quietly" as one of the sisters said.

Sharon Persaud holding a picture of her brother Raymond killed in the '76 bombing of a Cubana airliner flight shortly after departing Barbados.

I got the impression that many of us there today thought a decision would be rendered by day's end. Not so. Testimony by witnesses in defense of Carriles will begin tomorrow. Let us hope sisters Sharon and Roseanne will be allowed to witness tomorrow's hearing. While not optimistic, I'm always hopeful.

Dada listening to officer's request to stay on the sidewalk.
(NOTE: Dada had not gone into the street. Dada's wife had gone into the street. The officer didn't address his request to Mrs. Dada, he told Dada instead. Not sure whether truly concerned for our safety or the fact he'd never gotten to use his Taser weapon on anyone yet, Dada courteously obeyed.)