Support for Cody is overwhelming!

Following the on air segment today on the detention of Cody LeCompte in Cuba (if you're not aware of the story, read the previous blog posting), reaction  by phone on air and in emails to roy@roygreenshow.com was instant and massive.

There is a determination among the vast majority of listeners to persuade our government and particularly Cody's MP, federal cabinet minister Diane Finley to take a more proactive position in helping Cody leave Cuba.

When it was revealed on air today by Cody's mother Danette that their meeting with their Cuban government imposed lawyer resulted in the lawyer stating Cody would likely be convicted and perhaps be sentenced to as much as 1-3 years in prison, the determination of people across Canada to help Cody LeCompte only grew.

Dr. Richard Guscott, prominent Ontario physician and president of Medaca in Hamilton and Bill Wilkerson, CEO of the Economic Roundtable on Addiction and Mental Health spoke to the issue and to their determination to help Cody.

It was through Dr. Guscott that I became aware of Cody's predicament.

So far Danette LeCompte has been required to pay about $20,000 (her estimate) to pay for Cody's enforced detention at a Cuban vacation hotel while her son remains uncharged with any crime.  Difficult to charge Cody when the car he was driving was hit broadside (by all accounts) by a dump truck driven by a Cuban national.

Surely common sense will prevail.  Either with our federal officials taking a position (they argue they can't interfere with another nation's judicial process.  A vacuous argument largely, since Cody hasn't been charged with any offence).

I wonder if they'd make the same argument if it was a child of a member of parliament who was being so detained in Cuba.

Perhaps the Cuban government will assess the situation for what it is and see the pointless nature of detaining Cody LeCompte any longer.  As it is, I'm reading numbers of emails from listeners vowing either never to visit Cuba again, or in fact cancel their plans to vacation there this winter.

No one loses face is Cody is allowed to return home.  In fact, whoever makes this happen will receive the thanks of Canadians across this nation.

Cody and his Mom Danette will be back on air with me tomorrow.  I want them to hear what Canadians have been writing about them.

Post your comments by scrolling to the bottom of this page.  Click on "comments."  That will take you to the next page at the bottom of which you will see a box where  you may enter your thoughts).

roy

Comments

[Laurie]

I will write the MP and my MP immediately and will NEVER go to CUBA.

This child (really...he is 19) deserves proper medical treatment and government support on humanitarian/medical grounds alone, never mind the injustice of being detained without a charge and having to PAY for your own detention.

I do understand that governments cannot interfere in legal proceedings...BUT THERE ARE NONE at present.

As a social worker, a mother and a child protection worker, I urge my government to do the right thing and save the life of this boy.

[Nikki Lazar]

In my opinion the Cuban government has essentially kidnapped a canadian citizen and this is an abomination. Our government seems to take better care of criminals and terrorists than it does the "simple canadian citizen". Cody MUST be brought home and All canadian citizens should boycot travelling to cuba.

[Mandy P.]

I am absolutely disgusted by Deepak's address to Cody's mother. Am I the only one who thinks be seemed aggressive? He spent his time yelling and airing himself. There was no genuine concern or assurance and he should be ashamed of himself.

My family will never travel to Cuba again. And I am going to write to my MP and urge her to stand up for Cody.

[Christie Verbakel]

So glad you have taken up Cody's cause. I met Cody when he went to the same elementary school as my sons and I volunteered at the school. Cody is a wonderful young man who does not deserve to be in this position. A dream trip with his Mom to Cuba was destroyed because of a traffic accident in a country with no rules of the road like we have here. He is presumed guilty until proven otherwise. He is being held because a dump truck barrelled through an intersection and hit them - My son has worked as a summer student for Cody's Mom at the Norfolk County Courthouse for 3 years and has helped in fundraising for Cody and the community has been wonderful but our local MP Diane Finlay continues to disappoint her constituents by claiming the consulate is helping Cody(which has not been the case) and by essentially ignoring the situation - a young man being barred from leaving a foreign country because of something over which he had no control. Get this young man home now!!!

[Danette]

It makes me sick to my stomach the lack of support that the Canadian Government has offered thus far. As Canadians, we are supposed to be proud of our country - we are free. I am not proud of our country right now. I am disgusted at our government. (Cody is my cousin, so this story is dear to my heart.) Only when someone makes an uproar will they hear your story and help. Well now they have heard our story, but with little help. The government has the power ... they are chosing not to use it. If this were to happen to one of thier children or family member, everything possible would be done to get them home on Canadian grounds. Right now I have nothing but unkind words in regards to the Canadian Government and CUBA. Everyone needs to ban Cuba as a vacation destination. Cuba has made a very profitable income from our family - multiply that by the countless number of other people that are or have been in the same scenario. Cuba is robing thier vacationers with more than money - thier physical/emotional health and taking years away from thier lives. If I had one thing to say to Cuba or to the Canadian government ... (it would not be able to be shown).

[Alex Kosztinka]

Roy ,thank you for doing the wonderful job trying to get Cody back.I've never trusted the corrupt Cuban gov't.enough to go there. It's time to boycott them tourism wise,and our lame duck useless politicians vote wise. Am glad to hear that some media outlets are starting to show some balls and getting in on the action.Cody and family NEED to be compensated generously for this needless harassment and embezzlement 101.
Thank you

[steve majszki]

my wife and i will never go back to cuba for holidays ever again.will never buy cuban rum(bacardi)from the l.c.b.o.everyone should boycott evry product fro cuba.

[Kelly Kliewer]

I have written the honourable member Ms. Finley expressing my deep outrage for the lack of support herself and her government has given to Cody. Please everyone write Ms. Finley, express your concern and maybe when her inbox is overloaded will she realize that she is looking very badly.

[Hoarfrost]

I am seething that the civil service is not keeping our ministers up to date on these incidents. This just makes fodder for the muckraking media. (Torstar take notice". I am getting the feeling that our vaunted civil service is not so civil. Having stated that, the governing party better take up this challenge forthwith.

A further thought: Why wasn't Diane Finley advised succinctly in the first place. The focus should be on our civil service accuity here.

[Craig Kernaghan]

Hang tough Cody.
I will NEVER travel to Cuba after seeing what happens to an innocent Canadian citizen who was involved in a simple car accident.
Shame on our Canadian government for not resolving this immediately, but then what do they ever do in a timely fashion besides introducing Harmonizing taxes etc.
Craig

[Deborah Guthrie]

I feel so bad for this family. What a nightmare!! I've been to Cuba,it is a beautiful country and I can't believe they are treating a Canadian in this manner. Cody should not have to stand trial and certainly shouldn't have to go to a Cuban jail. This was a fender-bender from which everyone seems to have recovered, except for Cody. This is a young man who deserves to come home and get on with the rest of his life. If our government doesn't start to work together with the Cuban goverment to end this nightmare and bring Cody home, Canadians nation-wide need to stand up and express their anger by boycotting Cuba. Canadian Tourists are a big part of the Cuban economy and we have a big voice. We need to use it.

[Gail Carson]

It is absolutely irresponisble of our Canadian Governement not to step in.
People wonder why we dont step up to help people in Darfur,now you know, they cant even do a simple and decent act by helping this mother and her son.

[Heather Bourbeau]

Makes us not want to travel to Cuba

[doug]

just a side note to alex's comment...bacardi is from peurto rico...they left cuba after castro took over

[concerned but practical]

What is needed now is a way for the Cubans to save face. I think Foreign Affairs needs to check with the Cuban government about how to accomplish same. Of course it's wrong, but it's expedient.

[Laurie]

Cody and Danette,hang in there.

Roy, I'm so happy you took up this cause. It saddens me to think that our government would abandon an honest kid who hasn't done anything. I guess if there is no financial gain there is no point in a government stand for this issue. I would encourage everyone to write to Ms D. Finlay and maybe she will do something.

[Mark M.]

I am absolutely appalled at the horrific and obviously unfair situation that Cody finds himself in, but even more appalled that the government of a civilized nation could so obviously turn its back on one of it's own. There is no rhetoric that makes it OK to abandon an innocent Canadian citizen like this. Perhaps the Americans know what they're doing, maintaining a decades old embargo against Cuba. Perhaps its time for our government to be less concerned about political protocol, and more concerned about doing the right thing. For the first time in my life, I'm ashamed to be a Canadian. Isn't it strange that our governemnt can move so quickly to introduce 'creative' taxation, but turn such a blind eye towards helping a citizen in need? Shame on you all!

[Gail M.]

In recent months as the Conservative gain popularity in polls, they appear less concerned with the average Canadian citizen. We should all pay attention to the manner they conduct business including leaving a 19 year old boy hanging in Cuba. I have been to Cuba in the past and will never go back because they obviously do not value their tourist industry fed by Canadians. A motor vehicle accident is just that, an accident with no malicious intent. To hold our young man hostage is inexcusable. Our Conservative government needs to get in there and get him home. They need to pull their heads out of the clouds or the other end, and get back to the business of Canadians.

[Dave in calgary]

I cant believe the attitude from Deepack`s office in Calgary. (my residence) Deepack is on vacation! Cant be bothered... however his secritary said he spoke with Cuban Officials in Africa. Was told that we cant become involved as Cody committed a crime. When I asked what crime ,I was rudely hung up on. I urge everyone to call Deepaks office as it does not appear that he is serious... Hes already got the pension. Deepaks Number(403) 207-3030 Stand up for Canada ring that phone!

[PO2 Rick Austin CD RCN(retd)]

Cody and Danette,
You are not alone, we regular Canadians will wake up our government and get Cody home.We will not stop emailing them and hounding them by keeping the fire to their lethargic posteriors.
I have already emailed the MP's and party leaders.We will take up your cause and continue it till you are home.

[MW]

To Danette and Cody,
You both are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sorry Danette that I missed you. I came home on the plane that brought you down to Cuba last week. I saw with my own eyes the condition that Cody is in. CANADIANS OPEN YOUR EYES TO THIS COUNTRY. IT IS NOT THE FANTASY ISLAND THAT A LOT OF YOU CUBA LOVERS THINK IT IS!!!!!! Let this be a lesson to us and do not be so naive to think that it could not happen to you! After many years of travelling there and many experiences any love I had for that country is gone. Danette and Cody...rest assured, you have Mr Roy Green on your side and your fellow Canadians are outraged! We will not be quiet until Cody is returned safely home to Canada.

[E wollmann]

I emailed Stephan Harper,concerning Coby in Cuba,That if his goverment does not put any serious affort into bringing Coby home they will certainly not get my vote next election,Ifeel strongly about that matter I am a father off four children,And expect tho Goverment of Canada to keep our children of Canada safe,And further, personaly will not go to Cuba for holidays,

[Dalia]

I heard about your call to action on AM 640 this morning so came to add some information and clarify certain misconceptions.

First of course I have compassion for young Cody LeCompte. It must be a frightening experience for the teenager. I hope this situation is clarified as soon as possible.

I've been to Cuba a few times, found it to be a gorgeous friendly island with extremely amicable helpful residents, it's of course not Canada. To those willing to castigate Cuba - while knowing next to nothing about the country/system I can say - yes, Cuba is by Canadian standards impoverished but Cuba has an almost 100% literacy rate, (higher than Canada's,) Cuba's education is free, even university if one qualifies, (unlike in Canada) and medicare is free as well. These just to name a few of Cuban's exemplary attributes.

About the LeCompte family traveling to Cuba - All of us traveling abroad need to take responsibilities when going to a foreign country. Information today is just a google click away. Why was that not done? Cody LeCompte is 19 while the legal driving age of rented cars in Cuba is 21.

With 3 adults in the rented car - the mother, uncle and Cuban girlfriend why was the selected driver a teen - who under the best of circumstances even in Canada - would due to his age not be an experienced driver? Why would the mother assign him to drive 3 adults in a foreign country? Is she not culpable here? Where is adult responsibility here? Not to say common sense. As well we say ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Lastly I do hope the situation is resolved as quickly as possible as it needs to be under Cuban law. A lesson for all of us - traveling anywhere - *research and get informed*. As for young Cody why not spend this time studying Spanish - he could certainly master it quickly and this unexpected Cuban experience could turn out to be very positive for his future. When life gives you a seeming lemon - be creative I say.

[Sheryl]

I am a friend of Cody and Dannett and my heart is breaking for them. This an like an act of terrorism that is being allow in a polite, passive manner to continue. Cody is a young man not a "file". I have contacted the Finely office and received a defensive, hostile response basically pointing a finger at Cody that he should have known better. ?? Unbelievable!!! Stop being so polite Canada! If Cuba depends so heavily on tourism, they need to weigh the odds on this one. This is not going to be worth it because anyone who has been touched by this story will surely never step foot in that tourist terror trap again. That is a certainty for me, my family and my circle of friends and community at large. Be warned Cuba, this is having an exponential effect on your country's tourism's' bottom line. The Finley office states there is no impact on tourism for Cuba based on this story. I beg to differ.