What we can learn from the ‘Bay of Pigs’ Disaster
The Bay of Pigs Invasion (Spanish: Invasión de la Bahía de los Cochinos, sometimes called Invasión de Playa Girón or Batalla de Playa Girón after the Playa Girón) was a failed military landing operation on the southwestern coast of Cuba in April 1961 by the United States of America and the Cuban Democratic Revolutionary Front (DRF), consisting of Cuban exiles who opposed Fidel Castro‘s Cuban Revolution, clandestinely and directly financed by the U.S. government. The operation took place at the height of the Cold War, and its failure influenced relations between Cuba, the United States, and the Soviet Union.
Someone once asked me what my thoughts were concerning a solution to the ‘Homeless Crisis’. Talking about a question that could not be answered all in ‘one fell swoop’, or so I thought at the time. Upon careful consideration over the months I have decided that if there was such a thing as a succinct answer, it would be ‘Lack of Support’ from those that have the capability and the resources to provide such a thing. Instead of ‘Pulling out all the stops’ and paying the full attention to the problem, there seems to be apathy and sluggishness on the part of the government which is a sad indication of where their priorities truly lie.
It would seem that there is a lack of awareness as to just how bad the situation is ‘Out on the Street’. Man, what’s it going to take for someone to take the initiative and realize that things are only getting worse, not better. Maybe someone in a position to ‘Do something about it’ should take a walk down ‘St. Paul Street’ in the city of St. Catharines and get a ‘Bird’s Eye View’ of what is actually happening on a day to day basis. I have come face to face with so many people who are suffering the ravages of drug addiction, alcoholism, and mental illness to the point that all I can do is scratch my head and wonder just when some of the supposed ‘Heavy Hitters’ are finally going to step up to the plate and actually try to do something about it.
I guess one of the big concerns on my mind is what is going to happen when winter ‘hits’ and those without adequate shelter are going to have to ‘Brave the Elements’ with only filthy rags and cobwebs to shield them from the cold. Perhaps I am mistaken, but from what I gather, there really isn’t sufficient shelter for many of those who are living ‘under the stars’ to duck into when the weather gets ugly. If that be the case, then perhaps some sort of location could be designated to erect a form of structure which at bare minimum, could provide a shield from the wind. Hell, even dogs have ‘Dog houses’ to hide in when the cold North Wind starts whipping about. Perhaps something along the line of what is known as a ‘Yurt’ can be utilized to provide at least temporary dwellings for those that so desperately need a place to ‘Hang their Hats’ on a cold winter’s night.
Something else that those in a ‘position of power’ may also wish to consider providing to their ’unsheltered’ constituents, and that is one piece, insulated ‘Coveralls’ to all those that are willing to wear them. I have over the years owned numerous pairs of these ‘toasty warm’ protective outfits which enabled me to work under very cold conditions. The trick is that it needs to be a ‘Onezy’ style suit, similar to a good old fashioned ‘Snowsuit’ like we wore as kids while we played in the snow. One added advantage about these suits is that if you wish to give yourself a ‘Dutch Oven’, you most certainly can. After all, doesn’t everyone ‘Like their own brand’ from time to time? All joking aside, why can’t the Canadian Government ‘cough up’ some tax payers money and provide some ‘real’ winter clothing like ‘Onezies’ to those in need?
I realize that what I’m saying is probably going to be dismissed as the ramblings of a fool. I of course, beg to differ. Unless we truly begin to realize that we can no longer just ‘stick our heads in the sand’ and hope the problem will go away on it’s own, we will one day be accountable as to why when our brothers and sisters living in appalling conditions cried out for help, we simply ignored them and failed to provide the support they so desperately needed. Let’s realize that even though we often ‘Don’t learn from History’, we should not feel as though we are ‘Locked In’ to that scenario each and every time. Let us learn from ‘The Bay of Pigs’ disaster!
Glory be to God in the highest, and to his Son Jesus Christ, Amen!
James Ch 2 vs 15 – 16
Sunday September 14th, 2025
Written by the fictitious Publisher and Editor of ‘Pianné’ magazine, Mr. Lou Pianné.