It’s been ages since I posted something truly off-topic, and this story is just too cool to leave alone.

Last year, there was the sad but marvelous story of a group of desperate Cubans trying to make it to America in a floating truck. Unfortunately, the Coast Guard had to return them to Cuba, and the truck was sunk. Now the exact same guys are trying again in a floating car

I know some people are rolling their eyes because this is a political story…at least, in that it involves political issues. For instance, border security, immigration (legal and illegal) and relations with the repressive little dictatorship 90 miles from Florida.

But regardless of where I (and you) stand on all of those larger issues in general, I have to say: let these freedom-yearning geniuses stay! Their inventiveness reminds me of the old Silver Age tales where Lex Luthor would turn a flashlight and part of a pen into a Phantom Zone projector. (Hey, I found a way to make this on-topic!)

As others have pointed out, we need talented mechanics here. Plus, with all this media attention, they’re reality show celebrities. These guys could compete on BattleBots or that show where you have to convert a car into a saber saw while still being driveable. They’re like any other reality show contestants except that they’re actually talented.

UPDATE: Once again, they’ve been intercepted and returned to Cuba. My heart goes out to them, especially considering these same people have had to endure the loss of two antique vehicles that have to be the equivalent of a Rolls Royce here in the states.