It must be true because GMA said so. Well if that is the case, why the hell are we still talking about lifting embargos? Are the Cubans in this country just a bunch of dumbassess that didn’t realize how good they had it? Andy Garcia must really be an idiot for these statements, I mean hell, he lived it but GMA saw it on TV:
Most people I ask, ‘Do you know who you have on your T-Shirt?’ They will answer, ‘Yeah, it’s Che Guevara, he was a revolutionary guy.’ That’s as much as they know about him. When you confront them and say ‘Do you know he executed over 2,000 people in Cuba?’ They’d tell you they didn’t. This is historical fact, but people have limited knowledge about him. He talked about the necessity to execute, and about revolutionary justice being ultimate justice so you don’t need a trial to convict someone. This figure has been romanticized over the years and unfortunately people don’t take the time to read and learn about it.
H: Do you believe there is also a skewed, romantic vision of Cuba that is predominant outside the island?
AG: Yes, people think of Cuba as a social paradise. They argue that it has free education. Well, yes, only if you call indoctrination free education. If you believe that education is reading only the books they provide you. You can’t read Cabrera Infante or Faulkner because its illegal and you can go to jail. People believe the propaganda that the [Cuban] government has spread. People say: ‘They have free medicine.’ Well, they have free diagnosis but no medicine for the people. There’s a lot of [misconceptions] that people in the Americas and around the world believe based on the propaganda that comes out of Cuba. As an exile you know the lack of civil liberties that Cubans have, but people in America don’t know that. The majority of people here know very little about American history, let alone Cuban history.
H: It seems like foreign policy towards Cuba has become a waiting game for Castro’s death. Do you think there is more the world should be doing right now to remedy the conditions in which the Cuban people live?
AG: The entire world trades with Castro. I think America is the only country that enforces an embargo against Cuba. And it seems to me –this is just personal opinion- like every time there is talk of lifting the embargo something happens over there that makes the U.S. reconsider lifting it. I don’t believe he wants the embargo lifted, because once he has no embargo, then he has no enemy. That’s just my personal political theory. Also, the problem with an embargo-free Cuba is that it doesn’t solve the problem of Fidel’s embargo over the Cuban people that prevents them from participating in a market economy. The lifting of the embargo wouldn’t directly help the Cuban people. If they can only do business with the government, then how do the Cuban people benefit from that? Why don’t they benefit from the business that Cuba does with European nations? Those countries do business with the Cuban government, but Cuban citizens don’t have access to those business opportunities:And the benefits go to the government who can decide how much they trickle down to the people, which as you know, is nothing. The only way lifting the embargo could help stimulate the economy is if people are allowed to freely participate in a free market society so they can deal directly with investors coming in from the outside, or get hired by those investors. So there are two embargos that need to be lifted, the first is the embargo Fidel has over his own people, and obviously the American embargo. Until then nothing will happen. I don’t think Fidel wants the embargo lifted because it’d put pressure on him to open up the process. He blames the American embargo, but he also keeps it in place. Without an enemy, who’s going to like me?
Andy must not know what he is talking about because GMA said it is freedom from the US that would make the Cubans happy!
WAYNE SMITH: I think the Cubans are more nationalist than they are socialist. They wanted to free Cuba of US domination.
Michelle graded the MSM coverage of of the 50 year anniversary of the Cuban Revolution
Fidel Castro gives the American media two thumbs up for clueless coverage and wimpy whitewashing of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban revolution.
Henry Louis Gomez at the indispensable Babalu blog (which was recently honored by the White House) provides a handy score card to help you grade the MSM’s Cuban revolution pieces.
The AP aces the propaganda test.
The NYTimes passes, too.
Dictators heart fishwrap.
AFP Says Cubans Fleeing Island for US, Merely ‘Depart’ Not Defect
More over at Babalu Blog:
Some sad but telling quotes from locals worth reading (emphasis mine).
SANTIAGO DE CUBA — A quiet calm hung over the host city for the main celebrations of triumph of the Cuban revolution Thursday, perhaps because shortly after the New Year began, authorities banned Cubans from one of the city’s busiest squares.Parque Cespedes, where Fidel Castro first declared victory, is normally a bustling hot spot. Townspeople gathered for the ceremonial raising of the flag at the stroke of midnight. And about 100 people gathered to watch an enormous poster of Castro draped over the Casa Granda Hotel.
But once the crowd petered out to revel at home, heavy security did not permit Cubans to enter the plaza in anticipation of the evening ceremonies to celebrate the anniversary.
Raúl Castro, who formally took over the leadership in February, is scheduled to speak before a crowd of 3,000 invited guests. He is expected to announce some cost-cutting measures, which he has hinted at in recent Cuban television interviews and a speech to the legislature.
Locals will have to hear what he has to say on Cuban television.
”Nobody is out today because nobody wants to talk,” said Orlando, a gypsy cab driver. “There’s a fog over the whole city. They [government officials] are celebrating while the people are screwed.”
”Maybe Fidel Castro will come, too. They haven’t said that officially, but that’s what everyone is saying,” said Daly, a mother of two who was turned back by police as she tried to cut through the square on her way home. “They are celebrating this anniversary themselves, just like they chose a president for this country among themselves. They also know that if they opened this event up to the public, it would draw very few people, and even them [officials] only under obligation.”
There was no indication that Fidel Castro, who has not been seen in public since he fell ill in July 2006, would be making an appearance. A one-sentence salutation from him was published Thursday in Granma, the Communist Party newspaper.
”Upon marking within a few hours the 50th anniversary of the triumph, I congratulate our heroic people,” said the statement signed by Castro and dated at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Thursday’s event marks a bittersweet anniversary here.
It was 50 years ago that rebels came down from the mountains to oust a dictator, only to institute one themselves. The revolution was welcomed with enthusiastic praise, particularly in the countryside here, where deeply entrenched poverty left many in squalor. Even Cuba’s middle class welcomed that Jan. 1 day when Fidel Castro took to the town hall balcony on Parque Cespedes and promised to restore order to a war-torn nation.
But the decades of economic ruin and restricted freedoms have taken their toll.
Most people here in Santiago respond with a polite smile when asked by foreigners about Thursday’s celebration. Some tout the important accomplishments such as healthcare and education for all, but many others point their heads at the cop on every corner, an indication of a conversation that will not take place.
”They set up those chairs in the plaza for who? — the high command,” said Eduardo, a teacher. “Because they know no one will be out celebrating 50 years of the same, 50 years of going backward instead of forward. This has been the reverse revolution.”
Eduardo acknowledged that Santiago, an eastern city that served as the nation’s first capital, has traditionally backed the Cuban government. Many Afro-Cuban residents, particularly the elderly who suffered discrimination, applaud the Castro brothers for opening up educational and professional opportunities to people of all races and socioeconomic classes.
”I am sure that even now there are more Santiagueros who support the revolution than in any other part of the country,” Eduardo said. “But even the older people and the black people know . . . they know what this has been and they have suffered because of it.”
Cubans deeply resent strict controls, which prevent them from legally supplementing woeful salaries that average $20 a month. They say the government has cracked down harder on black market business that they need to survive.
Life got even harder this summer after a series of devastating storms ruined many people’s homes and livelihoods.
”They are organizing this big celebration for those who can celebrate,” said Yolys, a teacher. “I bought a new dress for New Year’s Eve but that means not having money to buy rum.”
“For most of us, it’s like that. We’d rather be celebrating a different system, one where I could speak freely and buy the clothes I like, not just the ones I can afford.”
As Yolys looked at herself in the mirror at a nightclub bathroom and adjusted her tight jeans and tank top, she stared at the image for a few moments.”Look older than 32, don’t I? I look at least 40,” she said. “It is the life here. That’s why I go out to places like this hoping to find a foreigner to fall in love with me. Don’t get me wrong, I would not marry a fat disgusting guy. I want a nice one, one who can offer me a better life.”
A better life free from the US domination or Fidel domination?
It is an interesting fact of human nature that small details about people can reveal their general knowledge and experience.
Like the Che Guevara image pointed out in this topic. When you see that you know you are looking at an idiot. If they are young, up into their thirties, you know they think they are being trendy and cool but as with Global Warming, have no understanding of the subject and instead are displaying to the world their ignorance.
If they are an aging Hippy, it’s possible they understand more, and in that case can be assumed to be a willing douchebag.
Happy New Year Robert! One of my professors whom I worked with loved Che Guevara so much he had a t-shirt, sweat shirt and baseball cap – all of which he wore one of every day. When I found out who CG was I lost so much respect for my professor I couldn’t even begin to express. Of course you are right on when you used the term ‘aging hippy’. Mr. Bob was certainly that – he always had alot of things to say about ‘the establishment’ – none of it very nice.
Hi BonBon, and Happy New Year to you as well! I have seen so many college age kids wearing Che Guevara stuff over the years, and they always thought they were so cool. I wonder how many would feel that way wearing the image of Hitler.
Professor Bob does indeed sound like an old Hippie. The wisdom that usually comes with age seems to have eluded him.
I remember in the 1960s, at the height of the Hippie phenomenon, the media created a subgroup of the Hippies; they named them the Yippies. Now I don’t know if this terminology ever made it off the West Coast but as I understood it, the Yippies were the activist Hippies. The Hippies were mellow, stoned, laid back, too lazy to do much to advance their cause. The Yippies would resort to violence and anti-social behavior of various kinds to grab media attention they felt would further their cause.
I have disliked the Hippies, and hated the Yippies, since I was 11 years old in the late 1960s. That summer, my family was traveling through Southern California. Although we lived in Northern CA, we seldom had time or money for vacations, and although I had dreamed about it ever since I knew of it, never went to Disneyland. But on that trip we got one day at Disneyland. We got there in the early afternoon and had a blast. It was everything I had imagined. But I did notice some strange things; I kept seeing Hippies inside the park. Back then they had dress codes and would not have let them in. Something wasn’t quite right. As the afternoon progressed, I saw more and more of them. And they were behaving badly. Some were being taken away by security. Something was certainly wrong.
As day turned to dusk, an announcement came over the loudspeaker system: Frontierland was clsing. All visitors please exit immediately. That was strange. Then about 20 minutes later, Tomorrowland was closed. Then one by one all areas were closed and we were told to exit the park. How can that be, I thought? It wasn’t even completely dark and we were being told to leave! This wasn’t fair! All my life I wanted to go there and now I was being told to leave early? Why?
As we made our way down Main St. to the exit, a solid mass of fifty thousand people all leaving at once, it was obvious that something was very wrong. Along both sides of Main St., standing shoulder to shoulder facing the crowd, were Police attired in full riot gear. Why are they here? I wondered as we moved along. As we reached the exit, the answer was apparent. Bands of scraggly degenerates were everywhere, screaming insults at the Police. We paused for a moment outside the inner gates, contenmplating the scene. The Hippies were picking flowers from the beds of flowers shaped like Mickey Mouse and throwing them at people, while shouting obscenities. We went out into the parking lot and saw the first skirmish line of Police pushing the Hippies away and out into the lot, dispersing them. By then I had figured it out. The Hippies came to Disneyland to start trouble. It was because of them the park had to close early, runing the day I had dreamed of for years. The park issued passes that were good for admission the next day, but that didn’t help me. We were leaving the next morning.
Back at our hotel room, we turned on the news to see the lead story was what happened at Disneyland. The reporter called them Yippies; the activist Hippies. They had targeted Disneyland that day. They started out in the early afternoon jumping fences to get into the park. The management felt that if they ignored them instead of confronting them, the Yippies would get tired of playing and leave. They didn’t know there were at least a hundred Yippies and the Yippies intended to start trouble. By the time it was apparent things were getting out of control and the Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. riot squad was called in.
Ever since that day I have despised the Hippies, and absolutely hated the Yippies. Those filthy degenerate vermin! Years later as I worked in law enforcement and became a member of the riot squad, I always remembered that day. I knew if I ever got the chance to smack down some old Yippie degenerate I’d just have to lean over and tell him “That’s for Disneyland, scumbag!”
Ridiculous. If you haven’t figured out that you are a tool of the media which is a tool of the power structures and that it controls you and has for some time, then you’re part of these issues. T-shirts, logos, oh my. What do you wear? This country breeds consumerism straight down the line including old hippie yippies, teens, college students, and Disneyland goers. The only person I can think of that doesn’t smack of consumerism in their approach to daily life and dress is my 90 year old grandmother. I just wonder what kind of person says that they would like to smack down an old person or thing? These are the people that are part of our law enforcement? These same types tell us what to do, eat, say, worship, be, play, think, obey, and elect. The ones watching violence and filth? Disneyland is not the only thing you’ve missed out on, Robert, but I’m sure it did well to distract you from war and death. Wake up from your slumbers, americans! For that matter, wake up first world! Turn off the big syndicates; kill your television as it is the arm of the controller. Ask yourselves about the hippies–about it all. See McGowan’s Strange But Mostly True Story of Laurel Canyon…connect the dots, la la la la. I’ll be moving on to brighter sites now… this stuff is for the old, ridiculous, fear-mongering byrds.
Well ‘um’ don’t let the door hit you on the way out. K?
Great story Robert. I could never really figure out why hippies/yippies or anyone for that matter felt the need for violent protest. We have a government that is subject to change through petition and election. It may take a bit longer but violence gets no one anywhere.
As for ‘um’ – you should know it’s all about values. Comsumerism is what has made this country great but it has also been the catalyst for forgetting basic values. Values like respect for others and their opinions. Values that would include getting off your back side and helping your fellow man. If you don’t see how foolish your post looks then I truly feel sorry for you.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
To me, the goal of commenting on a blog is not how one appears or may appear (at least not for me), but to create and open up dialogue. Now I realize that this is a venue that you may only ‘talk’ to people who are much like you and would rarely disagree.
Consumerism (among many other things) has torn this country and the world to bits. That is plainly clear.
Basic values are dependent on the individual. They vary. Respect for others’ opinions does not mean to tell them that you feel sorry for them. To say that you don’t agree with someone is one thing, but to only agree with those that agree with you closes you off, narrows your vision, and prevents you from truly understanding your fellow men. Each day I take care of my grandmother and I am a teacher. I help people every day of my life.
Assumptions do not get anyone anywhere, including the assumption that you believe I am on my back side. If that is the case, where do I find the time to take care of dying family members or help a woman each night of my life who is scared to be alone because the television told her that she should live in fear of everything? Where do I find the time to plan lessons for students, to grow food for others, or to volunteer? I assume that while you were writing your post here, you were standing up.
You, sir, have called out the wrong soul. For God’s sake, talk to people in terms that make them want to talk to you. Be real. Be tolerant.
You state that violence gets ‘no one anywhere’ and you frame that in terms of some hippies throwing flowers at Disneyland. I agree. I don’t think violence gets anyone anywhere either. I urge you to read about the connection of famous hippies and musicians and how many are from military backgrounds and the probability of their successes vs. where they came from and what/who they were connected to.
Do you think that your government is or has ever engaged in violence or genocide currently or previously? Do you think that saying you want to smack an old person – hippie or otherwise – is violent?
Take care. Good luck and peace.
“Um” you missed the simple point of my story. I was simply relating a story through the eyes of a child how the yippies and their degeneracy affected me personally on that day long ago.
By the way, about your screenname (“Um”). Are you by any chance a speechwriter for Obama? I think he had three of them: Um, Uh, and You Know.
UM
We can tell how open you are to dialogue, based on your assumption that we only speak to those that agree with us!
How many castro bootlickers lead by that bumbling incompetent numbskull JIMMY CARTER were in CUBA help celbrate the 50 aniversity of oppression and tyranny in cuba?
Way to go Robert…I wasn’t so quick to see that but yup, uh huh, um, uh and so it goes with the NObama man. Thanks for the laugh.
To ‘um’…stick around. I think you will see that people on RV do listen to others and actually debate. We all have people close to us in our personal lives who have different opinions and our own opinions reflect that.
Hi again. I didn’t vote for Obama or McCain and coincidentally didn’t write any speeches. But since we are talking about names–
Bonbon:
A Christmas cracker, a wrapped tube with a toy and joke inside, can also be called a bon-bon.