Some Americans are upset that Barack Obama shook the hand of Cuban leader Raul Castro in South Africa yesterday. Both men were attending the memorial service for Nelson Mandela.

Castro, of course, the brother of Fidel -- both are killers and tyrants. For more than 50 years, the Castro brothers have terrorized Cuba causing millions to flee to the U.S.A. And believe me many of them are not happy about President Obama's engagement with Raul Castro. Also unhappy is Senator John McCain.

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SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: It just gives Raul some propaganda to continue to prop up his dictatorial, brutal regime. That's all.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should he not have done it?

MCCAIN: Of course not. Why should you shake hands with somebody who's keeping Americans in prison? I mean what's the point? Neville Chamberlain shook hands with Hitler.

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O'REILLY: "Talking Points" respectfully disagrees with the Senator of Arizona. A goal of any American President should be to alleviate the suffering of people, those in Cuba included.

President Obama has not lessened sanctions against Cuba and by treating Castro with a measure of respect, he leaves the door open for future negotiations. Maybe we will get the American out there.

In 1972, President Nixon flew to Beijing, developed a relationship with Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. Back then the Chinese were even more brutal than they are today especially in Southeast Asia where the China is responsible for millions of people being slaughtered. Nevertheless, Nixon did what was right for America and reduced tensions with China.

1985, President Reagan began developing a relationship with Soviet leader, Gorbachev and that ended very well for the USA. At the time Gorbachev was a tyrant but Reagan did what was best for his country.

Again, the President's primary responsibility is solving problems and there are many ways to do that. Spitting in the eye of dictators and tyrants is a good photo-op but doesn't get anywhere -- ok?

So that's why I'm not critical of the Iran situation. Yes, the nuke deal is flimsy. No question. But if Iran cheats or does not continue to downgrade its nuclear weapons program the United States will be in a much stronger position to confront them. As Yoko Ono once said, "Give peace a chance" but at the same time we do have to watch our backs. Right, Yoko?

Raul Castro is a thug. He has no influence outside of Cuba and this country is a disaster. When the Castro brothers die, Cuba will throw off communism I predict and return to sanity. In the meantime all any president can do is try to reason with the oppressors while keeping the pressure on.

And that's "The Memo."

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