1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. List the NJ lawmakers opposed to President Obama’s visit. For each, explain the reasons for their opposition. (What did each say?) Be specific.

3. Who joined NJ Rep. Sires and Senator Menendez in the press conference they held to publicly oppose President Obama’s trip to Cuba?

4. What is Representative Sires calling on President Obama to do?

5. Democratic state Assemblyman Reed Gusciora recently traveled to Cuba on an unauthorized legislative trip made by ten New Jersey Assemblypeople. According to Gusciora [who is not of Cuban descent], opposition to the president’s trip mainly comes due to a lack of firsthand experience with the situation on the ground there. He said:

“I would argue that Menendez should go down there. They state that they know what it is all about but they haven’t been there. At least I have sat across the table from Cuban officials. At least I have asked for the return of (cop killer) Joanne Chesimard. I think that it really benefits us to open the doors instead of pursue this failed policy. We are friends with China, we are friends with Vietnam, we are friends with Saudi Arabia. It just makes no sense to continue to shut out people that are 90 miles away.”

a) Do you think President Obama’s trip to Cuba will cause the Castro brothers’ Communist regime to give freedom to the Cuban people, to free all political prisoners, to extradite Joanne Chesimard? Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.