Ricardo Alarcón coming to Ft. Lauderdale (UPDATE)

UPDATE: Babalú has done the homework, and here is the list he has compiled of NAHJ members. You can send them your questions.

Media Contacts: Joseph Torres, (202) 662-7143;
jtorres@nahj.org

nahj@nahj.org for general NAHJ information

Daniela Montalvo, (202) 662-7152
dmontalvo@nahj.org

Executive Director
Ivan Roman
iroman@nahj.org

Deputy Director, Communications and Media Policy
Joseph Torres
jtorres@nahj.org

Parity Project Director
Kevin Olivas
kolivas@nahj.org

Development Director
Azuree Salazar
asalazar@nahj.org

Finance Director
Jerry Crute
jcrute@nahj.org

Parity Project Associate Director (West Coast)
Rosa Maria Santana
rsantana@nahj.org

Parity Project Associate Director (Texas)
Michele Gonzalez
mgonzalez@nahj.org

Professional Development Manager
Marissa Silvera
msilvera@nahj.org

Educational Programs Manager
Christie Gomez
cgomez@nahj.org

Communications and Research Coordinator
Daniela Montalvo
dmontalvo@nahj.org

Membership Coordinator
Claudia Araujo
caraujo@nahj.org

Executive Assistant
Yaneth Guillen
yguillen@nahj.org

Parity Project Researcher/Administrative Assistant
Leticia Salazar
lsalazar@nahj.org

Program Assistant
Virginia Galindo
vgalindo@nahj.org

_____________________________June 1, 2006

Via satellite el cabezón de la Revolución, Ricardo Alarcón will attend the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ convention this month in Fort Lauderdale.

Cuban activist Ninoska Pérez Castellón said she hopes journalists challenge Alarcón when he gives untruthful answers.

"I hope the journalists there have the integrity to ask him the questions that need to be asked," she said. "Every time we see Alarcón interviewed ... he gives a ridiculous answer and they just sit there and take it."

The Sun-Sentinel has the rest of the story.

Cuba defends its medical "miracle."

It seems that the recent story in the Jamaima Gleaner expressing concerns that Cuba's "free" eye operations, which pose a threat to Jamaicans has touched a nerve with the Cuban regime.

ARMED WITH statistics and testimonies from satisfied patients, Gisela Garcia Rivera, Cuban Ambassador to Jamaica, has hit back at critics of the 'Miracle Operation' eye surgery programme.

The doctors have pointed to patients who, having undergone surgery in Cuba, have developed complications since being back in Jamaica.

"We do understand, however, that for the persons with the problems, these statistics will provide no comfort. That is why the Government and people of Cuba are committed to them until the end. Even if they have to go back to Cuba for further treatment. We will do whatever is necessary. Even if they need a transplant. We will not let the patients down," said Mrs. Garcia Rivera.

Wow, a transplant! Which is a medical impossibility. There are 1.1 million little nerves that would require reattachment, and the technology simply does not exist nor the expertise, much less in Cuba. Perhaps a cornea transplant is what the ambassador is talking about, but that will require donors and with all their fu*k ups will mean many donors. Moreover, all this is provided by the benevolent Cuban regime “at no cost.” At no cost to whom? The Cuban people have paying the price and continue to pay a very high price.