It would be naive to believe that once federal agents came through the doors of the temporary home of Elian Gonzalez, the saga would be over. Right now, it seems it will never end.

And the end of this case, which has been mercilessly dragging on since Thanksgiving, will be nowhere in sight as long as ridiculous notions such as Elian’s applying for asylum are talked about as if they are reasonable suggestions.

The legality of whether Elian can actually apply for asylum is one thing. Whether that’s a reasonable idea is another.

Elian, as the world knows, is a 6-year-old boy. He lost his mother during their journey to America, and he has spent the past five months living with strangers who cared just enough about him to make him their political cause and parade him out in front of hundreds of cameras every day.

He’s just been reunited with his father, the only real salvation he’s found since being in the Land of the Free.

Now probably isn’t the best time for Elian to try to start differentiating between Cuba and America, capitalism and democracy.

In fact, since Elian’s just 6, chances are pretty darn good he doesn’t know what those words mean.

The people who want Elian to stay can’t have it both ways.

First he’s a helpless little imp who can’t be sent back to the Land of Evil Communist Oppression, even though law dictates he needs to be with his surviving parent.

And now he’s ready to testify intellectually about what’s best for his future as if he were an adult? He’s simply not capable.

Perhaps the only thing more laughable than talk of Elian possibly petitioning for asylum is how Republicans have reacted to this whole situation.

Can anyone else remember a time when Republicans were so enthusiastic about keeping an illegal immigrant in this country?

It becomes absolutely nauseating to hear Majority Whip Tom DeLay prattle on about the injustice of this situation and how Attorney General Janet Reno and President Clinton have a lot of explaining to do. DeLay has never cared about the children of welfare mothers; why now is he acting like Elian’s surrogate father?

The biggest problem is that everyone — the Miami relatives, Republicans, Cuban-Americans, are all trying to act like Elian’s surrogate father, when he has a real one he’s finally been reunited with. That was the first step.

The next step is for Juan Miguel Gonzalez to take his son back to Cuba, where he wants to raise him.

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Sara Ziegler, Greg Jerrett, Kate Kompas, Carrie Tett and David Roepke.