I'M SO MOVED BY OUR PROTESTS – AT 11:56 A.M. ET:   Some in Washington describe President Obama as one of the worst negotiators ever to sit in the Oval Office.  I think that's too kind.  His "negotiation" with Cuba, leading to a resumption of diplomatic relations, was basically a cave-in by our side, reflecting Obama's socialist leanings.  Now we pay the price.  Cuba hasn't relented on human rights issues at all.  From Weekly Standard:

Coming on the heels of President Obama's Cuba announcement, the State Department is condemning the "Detentions of Activists in Cuba."

"We are deeply concerned about the latest reports of detentions and arrests by Cuban authorities of peaceful civil society members and activists, including Luis Quintana Rodriguez, Antonio Rodiles, Danilo Maldonado, Reinaldo Escobar, Marcelino Abreu Bonora and Eliecer Avila. We strongly condemn the Cuban government’s continued harassment and repeated use of arbitrary detention, at times with violence, to silence critics, disrupt peaceful assembly and freedom expression, and intimidate citizens," reads the State Department's press release from spokesman Jeff Rathke.

"Freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are internationally recognized human rights, and the Cuban government’s lack of respect for these rights, as demonstrated by today’s detentions, is inconsistent with Hemispheric norms and commitments. We urge the Government of Cuba to end its practice of repressing these and other internationally protected freedoms and to respect the universal human rights of Cuban citizens.

COMMENT:  I'm sure the Castro brothers, one of the great show-business acts of all time, are worried silly over our "deep concern."  Probably laughing their heads off.

No one respects Obama, or his "concerns."

January 2, 2015