[Marine Inspector]

Oh sure ----don't you remember the Russian boy who asked for asylum and Reagan gave it to him? His parents were going back to the Soviet Union, the boy wanted freedom and he got to stay.

Totally different scenario. The Russian boy was brought to the US when he was very young and grew up in the US. His father, was transferred back to Russia and the son, now 12, who had lived most of his life in the US, and did not remember Russia, decided to apply for asylum.

The 12 year old decided to apply for asylum.

That is the key.

Elian, a 6 year old child, grew up in Cuba, was brought to the US. At 6, can you logically decide which country you wish to live in, with out the input of others.

No you can't. That is why Elian's case is different then the 12 year old Russian.

[FITZ]

Either way they were both minor children who would be split from biological parents if given asylum and Reagan gave it to the 12 year old. Elian didn't decide on his own to move to the US, his mother did that. I don't think giving a 6 year old asylum is exactly the issue anyhow --I was just pointing out that a Republican president did that.

I think this was a child custody issue, it should have been handled much differently ---without the feds and especially Reno with her record on child custody disputes (Waco). Elian was released to his Miami relatives from the hospital. The father should have gone to court ---like everyone else must ---to gain custody. He may have gained it ---but it would have enabled him the freedom to talk face to face with his own relatives and they could have sat down together to discuss pros and cons of whatever arrangement. The father should have had some freedom while here in the US to really say what he preferred ---and we know that wasn't the case at all with Clinton's and Castro's goons surrounding him at all times.