You wrote:

"Do they still imprison thousands of gays, writers, teachers and opponents?

I mean in that magical marxist paradise, Cuba? Because if they do we could at least pretend to pressure them to let them out."

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You mean like we do with all the other countries the U.S. does business with that abuse civil rights? Really? I was under the impression that U.S. oil strategy allowed U.S. corporations to do business with the Sudanese government.

If you want to argue that we should use cane-based gasoline as leverage to improve conditions for Cubans, I'm there with you. If your aim is to simply affirm the hyposcrisy that runs through our government policies, you're on your own. There's nothing inherently better or worse about Cuba's Communist dictatorship than, say, any number of Asian dictatorships, like China. And yet we do business with the latter all the time.

McCain will do or say anything to slow Obama's momentum. Foreign policy is the one area where he seemsto have a clear lead, undeservedly so IMO. This on the heels of the "socialist" label is really over-the-top.

Thanks for that clarification. You're right. Milan trains people which is what any good dog training program does. Owners are often their own worst enemies which Cesar very kindly and patiently points out to those who come to him for advice.

I also think that Cesar Milan serves an invaluable purpose. Without understanding that there's help out there, many dogs would just be euthanized or dumped repeatedly as incorrigible. I just adopted a second dog a few months ago. He's a tiny shitzu/terrier mix who has been in at least 3 homes in as many years. When I got him, he barked excessively and growled at people and peed from fear on the floors. Regular long walks and positive training at the park have turned this anxious little dog into a great playmate for our large 75 lb. hound shepherd mix as well as my 3 yr old son.

Dogs are not gentle, sweet-natured beasts for the most part. If you pay attention to dogs at a dog park, the normal behavior is for many dogs to establish dominance. Cesar Millan, rather particularly, works with some of the more dominant breeds and dogs you will ever meet. Keep that in mind when you criticize.

Positive dogs training is great- I use it myself- but it is far from sufficient for dominant (or even territorial breeds and dogs). This is especially true for rescue dogs who need ingrained behavior changed in order for them to survive. Cesar Millan offers some advice for those of us who have more dominant dogs.

My older dog Teddy is a hound shepherd mix and has been territorial since I brought him home at 7 months old. I worked very hard to get him to know his place in the home and on the leash. If I didn't, I probably would not have been able to keep him after I had my son. He is highly trainable and intelligent but also dominant. I can't afford to have him bite my son, even a nip, simply because he is annoyed at a bone being taken from him. My dog looks up at me when my son does something annoying. Then he walks away unless I pick up my child. He has NEVER menaced, growled or barked at my child. That's what you need when you have children with dogs.

Dogs should be controlled, subjugated whatever word you want for it. They are not at the top of the pack, so to speak, but at the bottom in a household. They don't get a vote on what we do or when. I, as a responsible dog owner, know my dog's needs and meet them so that the dogs are happy. That's my job, not catering to them.

Training/teaching children OTOH is far harder, partly because they take so much longer to develop the cognitive skills needed to control their behavior consistently. Or are you suggesting that a 10-month old who crawls on the floor to grab the dog's toys should be disciplined? That really makes sense to you?

FYI, no dog can ever be totally trusted with your small child. The owner should always be in control of the situation. Do I trust my dogs now? Yes, but I still mediate their contact with my son. I never pretend that they don't have the capacity to snap. All dogs can snap.

I am a terrific dog owner (and parent...you?). I understand the fundamental role that I have as a dog owner. You do not.

Under controlled circumstances dogs are wonderful additions to families and communities. When they are not controlled, they become a nuisance. I have a deep suspicion that you are an owner of nuisance pets. Your justification is, however, "they musn't be subjugated, blah, blah, blah..." Although you appear to be a dog-lover, I question that. Your stance is ultimately what drives so many dogs to be dumped.

Dog owners need to control their dogs, period, becuase they are ultimately responsible for them. This is also the fundamental underpinning to Cesar Millan's work and why you most likely find it objectionable. It doesn't place the burden on dogs to change, but on dog owners. Lots of lazy people don't want to do the work of training a dog properly and controlling it so that it doesn't become a nuisance to others. Cesar Millan cuts through that crap and basically tells the owners to get their act together or they won't be able to keep the dog. However, it's work. I understand that many people don't want to meet the challenge, yourself included, but it's there.