y Senator Bob Graham, Democrat-Florida, that would grant permanent residency status in the United States to Elian, his father, step-mother, brother, grandmothers, and grandfather. However, on April 7 when Gore campaigned in Fort Lauderdale, he remained silent on the Elian dispute and made no references at all as to his position on the matter. Instead, Gore talked about insurance coverage for contraceptives and other health care issues with the invitation only gathering. He also avoided discussing the case by canceling a fund-raiser in Miami.With so many factors involved in the Elian Gonzalez custody dispute, it's hard not to have an opinion. Every side has their own view of what's right and can back up their claims with legitamate and truthful reasons. Each has supporters that feel the emotions of the families just as much as the families themselves. But with all the attention over the United States courts, government officials, and Fidel Castro as to who's doing what, when and why, are we losing sight over who is really important and what is truly at stake? Elian's life was greatly impacted by the Miami relatives after tragically losing his mother. Now he is at risk of losing the only stability he has known for the past five months, but is that enough to keep a boy from his father? Either way, Elian will lose since the chances of both sides of the family ever coming together agian to make some kind agreement are practically zero. Maybe Elian would have a better life and more opportunities in the United States, but he would not have a better life being separated from his father. Whatever the outcome, the peoples of both the United States of America and Cuba will be greatly impacted for years to come because of a boy named Elian....
