Looks and sounds like Darius Anderson is on his way to buy the rest of the city of Sonoma. I have no intention on “visiting” Cuba as stated “more than 400,000 Americans visit Cuba each year” I’ll leave that up to all of the other “followers” of Darius … Anderson. I will have to agree, yes Darius is a leader, he’s leading all of his sheep right where he wants them and I will not be one of them.

I haven’t even touched on the Government aspect of any of this. I just can’t believe this guy is and has been getting away with doing all of this. It’s as if Darius is thumbing his nose at America on the whole.

Remember, “For the people, by the people” never forget.

It is hard to call an organization “secret” that maintains a public web page, invites people to learn more about its program and offers anyone the opportunity to join its cultural exchange trips. Members of the legislature who pay their own way to Cuba should be applauded for their intellectual curiosity. Their personal money could have been luxuriously spent in Hawaii.

Of course the failure of communist ideology was the dominant international story of the last half century and Cuba is a living museum to the corrosive impact of military rule, a government controlled economy and lack of liberty. Sadly the Cuban people are still hobbled by their system of government, but recent economic and political changes provide hope that individual ownership, entrepreneurialism and personal freedoms are taking hold.

While there was much to learn about Cuban history and governance on the trip, one of my favorite moments was getting a fine shave and haircut from a Cuban barber who had recently been given the right to own his shop. My wife Laura also demonstrated her new I-Phone to amazed neighbors while she waited. It was a wonderful personal experience for both of us and I cannot imagine a more meaningful cultural exchange. I tipped well, in US dollars.

We also had the opportunity to meet with Carlos Varela, a Cuban musician who sang and played a wonderful acoustic guitar after dinner. His songs highlight the suffering of the Cuban people and their hopes for a better future. We bought his CDs and play them in our home.

The lightly attended Sunday Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Old Town Havana was expected, though the teen jazz band and the chance to receive communion from a Cardinal were quite a treat. We were also pleased to support the Church’s much needed charitable work in a hostile environment.

Darius Anderson is a strong California leader who includes a lifelong interest in Cuba as one of his many passions. Like all successful leaders, Darius identifies an important issue, develops a strategy to address it and dedicates resources to make sure it happens. Darius is not shy about trying to make a difference on a big stage.

Shortly after our trip, Darius helped organize a day-long symposium at UC Berkeley, where he also teaches a popular political science class, on the challenges and opportunities Cuba faces as political and economic reforms gain momentum. Of course Darius does not need to do any of this Cuba or academic work to earn a living, as his interests in real estate, hospitality, publishing, sports, government relations and breeding tortoises keep him plenty busy.

Perhaps CalWatchDog.com would have a more accurate perspective on Cuba and Darius Anderson if their reporters joined a well organized California Building Bridges cultural exchange trip. There is nothing “super-secret” about it. Indeed, more than 400,000 Americans visit Cuba each year. I would be happy to share my trip itinerary and the location of the Havana barber shop.

Note: Shred this email after you read it, like the politicians shredded their top-secret itinerary.