Look, you're taking this personally and I wouldn't expect you to take it any other way. You have a perceived connection to Cuba because your ancestors stopped there for awhile. That's no different than my perceived connection to Pennsylvania because MY ancestors stopped there for awhile. But at the end of the day that's it; a perceived connection. Hell I'd understand you getting offended if at least your father was one of the tire-floaters, but if I remember your story correctly he came through Mexico, right? And I don't believe he did so illegally, but I could be wrong, if so I applogize, for being wrong anyway, nothing else.
The fact remains that it's not just about Cuba. The bigger picture is ALL of the illegals that come into this country every year. I acknoledge that we need them. If we didn't have them I would lose half the manual labor types on my jobsite. My superintendent has worked jobs where immigration would show up every day and shut the job down when everyone hauled ass. I acknowledge that we need them so that grapes don't have to cost $200/lb. But I don't have to like it. Again, this is about ALL illegal immigrants. You choose to focus on the Cubans because of your perceived connection to them, and I really don't know what to say to that. If you can't see the bigger picture then I guess it's a moot point.
The one problem I do have that is Cuba-specific is the preferential treatment that they receive in the eyes of our govt. I don't think any illegals should be treated differently than any others. In this case, I CAN see why your perceived connection would cause you to be insulted, but oh well. You can rationalize it all you want by saying they're more productive than other people (which they might be), or that they're fleeing a monster (which again, I don't care), but at the end of the day in my eyes you're just rationalizing a bullshit policy because it happens to benefit people that you have a perceived connection with. On this we will simply have to agree to disagree and move on. For right now at least you can have the satisfattion of knowing that your point of view is the one that is currently legally right. But wait and see. As the hispanic poplulation moves further into this state and this country you will start to enounter people who ARE anti-latino, and who will call you spic, and that policy may just change. Personally I think Castro will be dead by then, and all those people that put those little Cuban flags on their cars can go right back there and make the country great again. That's what so many of them say right? I will believe it when I see it.
One other thing, I don't expect people to NOT speak Spanish. At home, to each other, in church, whatever. But I do expect them to be able to communicate in English. On this I thin we agree, but again I could be wrong. My best friend is Puerto Rican and even he will yell at people that don't speak English. Keep in mind also that when you choose to speak Spanish in front of people that don't understand it, especially in a business setting and when you're both perfectly capable of speaking English, you encourage the kind of racism you are accusing me of.
BTW, when are you coming to IDPA? Am I going to have to come to your house and kidnap you next month? It's July the 12th at Trailglades. Mark it on your calendar. I know you haven't been shooting in awhile so you gotta go. If I can loan you anything, gun, mags, pouches, gear, holster, ammo, let me know.