From Gene’s Notebook

I’d written a check to Pastors For Peace, a Cuban solidarity group, to be donated to relief for the two hurricanes that hit Cuba within barely a month.

But I’d written a memo to myself on the check, “Cuban relief,” and an Pastors For Peace official said that I might be reported by my bank to the federal government for aiding the enemy, if the bank saw “Cuba” on the check! I rewrote the check, leaving off the name of the US’s long, long enemy ….

What with the Bush administration’s assault on women’s reproductive rights and services, it might just be a matter of time that a check to one of the women’s health groups I give to, including Planned Parenthood, may get reported.

Come on, government! Stop hurting! Start helping.

Cuba—not perfect, but what country is—deserves to be treated as a good neighbor by the United States. Open relations would benefit BOTH countries.

And, women, should NEVER be denied the right to decide what they wish to do with and to their bodies.

Eugene “Gene” Novogrodsky
October 4, 2008