Anemia of arguments
On December 10 a mob assaulted women who had only gladioli in their hands. Fists raised—urged on by plainclothes police—they surrounded these mothers, wives and daughters of those imprisoned since the Black Spring of 2003. Several of the attackers learned the script on the run and mixed current political slogans with those popular almost three decades ago. It was a shock troop with license to insult and beat, granted by precisely those whose job it is to maintain order and protect all citizens. On Friday’s news the announcer said that those who berated the Women in White represented an “enraged people”, but on the screen there was no hint of spontaneity or real conviction. It just looked like fanatics who were afraid, very afraid.
I’m ashamed to say it, but in my country the demons of intolerance were having a party on Human Rights Day. They were incited by those who have long since lost the capacity to convince us of their argument or to win us over with a new and just idea. They don’t even have an ideology any more, but only keep their hands on the reins of fear, calling for “exemplary” acts of repudiation to stem the growing discontent. In the faces of those summoned to a social lynching, however, one could see doubt alternating with rage and the exaltation with the trembling of knowing themselves observed and evaluated. As painful as it may be, it’s easy to foresee that perhaps one day a multitude just as unthinking and blind might direct their anger against those who, today, pit some Cubans against others.
With a lack of openings, of more food on the plate, of structural changes or long-awaited relaxations, Raul Castro’s government seems to have chosen punishment as the formula for self-preservation. It shows no tangible results from its management, rather there is the sound of the rusty instruments of control and the old techniques of punishment. In recent months it hasn’t even put forth promises of projects, or announced plans with imprecise dates. Rather, it has reached for its belt, not exactly to tighten it in a gesture of austerity and saving, but rather to use it as authoritarian parents do, on the hide of its children.
Enero 3rd, 2010 at 22:06
NO mas saber lidiar con la crapula comunista, con los cobardes, pusilanimes,lacayos lambebotas. Que actuan de forma colectiva como manadas de lobos despedasando como depredadores fratisidas a sus propios paisanos. Actuan como en las novelas de dante despiados e insensibles, sin escrupulos de ninguna naturaleza. Comunistas son malos e impostores, siempre con zadico sinismo y corruptos hasta la medula.
Enero 3rd, 2010 at 22:06
NO mas saber lidiar con la crapula comunista, con los cobardes, pusilanimes,lacayos lambebotas. Que actuan de forma colectiva como manadas de lobos despedasando como depredadores fratisidas a sus propios paisanos. Actuan como en las novelas de dante despiados e insensibles, sin escrupulos de ninguna naturaleza. Comunistas son malos e impostores, siempre con zadico sinismo y corruptos hasta la medula.
Diciembre 25th, 2009 at 07:29
Randomly got on new service dedicated.to, cool thing, it is possible to do great congratulatory pages, there’s even a page of Santa http://dedicated.to/santa, make attempt)
Diciembre 22nd, 2009 at 19:38
COMMUNISM REST IN PEACE
Please, cover your noses. Thank You.
http://www.worldviewr.com/2009.....st-in.html
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 19:25
So cubano y a mucha honra. Donde quiera que vay siempre estoy orgulloso de decir a todos que soy cubano. Somos geniales, inteligentes y muy bichos come dice el refran. Hemos logrados mucho exitos y sobresalimos en todas las gestiones a la cual nos proponemos, pero a la vez estoy aborchonado de ser cubano y dejarnos controlar y manipular como lo ha hecho el gobierno cubano por tanto tiempo.
Come es posible que sabios en la ciencia, las matematicas, los deportes se sigan el juego a la misma historia de combate y agresion de los Estados Unidos. Come es posible que un pueblo entero se trage el cuento de las deficiencias del gobierno son por culpas del embargo?
Hace ya un tiempo en americano amigo mio me pregunto porque los cubanos hemos soportado este castigo por tanto tiempo. Despues de reflexionar y ver en que forma podia yo explicar algo a lo cual yo mismo no entiendo, fue entonces que le explique que para poder compreder la inatitud y aceptamient de los cubanos tendriamos que comparar a Fidel Castro con Jim Jones de Guyana.
Si ustedes recuerdan, Jim Jones era un ministro de un iglesia al cual controlaba tanto que logro un suicidio masivo de todos los miembros. El control de Jones sobre sus feligreses era tanto que nunca dudaban de sus decisiones y el era el lider maximo.
Pues en Cuba Fidel es como un ministro de iglesia que controla todo por miedo y temor, y que seria capaz de llevar al su pueplo a un final doloroso antes de aceptar cualquier cambio.
Cubanos despierten y rompan con ese control y el lavado de cerebro. Ye es hora que pongamos nuestro futuro en nuestras manos.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:58
RE 137 and 138
OK–now I have to change my pants again! MCDLR (me c_ge de la risa)
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:21
Fidel receives Pepito at his home and says:
So you’re the famous Pepito,,, the one saying the stories!!
Pepito replied:
I am famous for the jokes, but, the one famous by the stories are you!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:17
A man was writing on the wall “Down Fi,,, and exactly at that time a policeman took him by surprised and says:
What are you writing?
The man replied:
The right way to put that name on it, is Flinton or Clinton?!!!!!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:08
MSCDR! (me sigo ca–ndo de la risa) Keep them coming–the humor helps to lessen the weightiness of the real reason we are all here. Hell, its helped them on the island for 50 years deal with all the craziness.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 14:44
Hefa:
This is the last one,,,this is really good!!!!!
Fidel, Obama and Putin are prisoners of a tribe of cannibals.
The cannibal chief tells them they will give them the opportunity to save their life by having a question to a panel of cannibals, if the answer is correct, then, it will be sent to “a machine to break their testicles” and then cook and eat it ” .
Obama asked:
What is a computer?
The panel of cannibals 5 minutes later, responded correctly and Obama was sent to the machine to break his testicles!!!.
Putin asked:
What is a satellite?
The panel responded 5 minutes later correctly, then Putin was sent to the machine to break his testicles!!!.
Fidel asked:
Do you know what a reunion of the Communist Party?
After 10 hours, the cannibals came back without the answer and asked Fidel for a correct answer.
Fidel, knowing he was safe replied:
A meeting of the Communist Party, is just what you did a few hours ago,,, is a group of sons of bitches, reunited together to break the testicles of an asshole ”
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 14:14
Heba:
This is the last one,,,read this one!!!!
Fidel wanted to know the condition of the people and wanted to go out and ask himself.
Raul replied that the people would not tell the truth and the solution was to wear a mask, so no one would recognize him.
Fidel agreed.
Raul sent to manufacture the mask.
Fidel got the mask and went out, then, he asked to the first person he met :
Tell about the situation of food?
The guy replied: Very good, very good!
Fidel asked:
Tell me about the situation of clothing?
The guy replied: Okay,,,everything is very well.
Fidel asked again:
What do you think about this system, about the Revolution?
The guy replied: It is best that man has invented, nothing compares to this!!!!.
Fidel, completely satisfied and excited, takes off his mask and says, you are a true revolutionary!!!!, you now know who I’m and who was talking with you!!!! I’m Fidel Castro!!!!
Then, the man replied:
Yes commandant, I knew who was talking with me, I am the man who makes the masks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:50
OK–one more–and then back to serious business.
Va un borracho caminando por una calle de La Habana gritando “hijo e puta fidel”, camina y sigue gritando “hijo e puta fidel”, en eso lo ve un coronel lo esposa y se lo lleva preso, al dia siguiente despierta el borracho en la carcel con una resaca terrible y llama al coronel y le pregunta: pero porque estoy yo preso? responde el coronel: porque andabas por la calle gitando que fidel era un hijo e puta, y dice el borracho: si, pero fidel es un simple nombre, hay muchos fidel en cuba, y responde el coronel: si, pero hijo e puta solo hay uno.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:47
Here’s one more and I hope it does not offend anyone due to its religious content–but again, it really illustrates how quick Cubans are…then I am off to read the new posting…see you all later…
En la Plaza de la Revolucion antes que Fidel Castro diera uno de sus famosos disursos, el agitador oficial para motivar la multitud se atreviĂł a ser una comparaciĂłn: JesĂşs y Fidel.
Preguntaba ÂżQuiĂ©n tiene la barba de JesĂş? la turba respondĂa Fideeel,
QuiĂ©n tiene los ojos que tuvo JesĂş, los escucha respondĂan… Fiedeeeel y asĂ continuĂł haciendo las masacras comparaciones.
Cuando pregunto ÂżquĂ© pide el pueblo para Fidel? respondieron crusifĂcale, crusifĂcale
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:37
and Candido … keep them comming, there is nothing like cuban humor now or then …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:36
God … thank you for humor … HEFA I hope you are using genuine imported che toilet paper …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:34
… I knew it! is true … there IS a baboso brigade …
And to top it off fidel formed the Destesiculados brigade (blue chaps no underware? oh no is the worn out uniform pants made from paper after che’s idea)) … is about time.
Hefa you made my day … I am going to sit down & wait for comanero Santa Claus.
I hope el chino made it to flo-lila …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:34
Candido #124–I have to go change my pants…!!!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:33
This is an old one, but still one of my favorite because it captures the Cuban capacity to laugh at misery so well…it dates back to the early 1990s, when Cubans had little to eat–wait, who am I kidding, when have Cubans had enough to eat since 1959?–anyhow, I digress–the movie “Silence of the Lambs” had been released in Cuba with the Spanish title “Silencio de los corderos” Cubans promptly co-opted the title to express a more disturbing reality than the movie portrayed, but in the Cuban version, the title was “Silencio de los carderos”
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:25
Well–if you really want to be like Che, you have to have someone, preferably a member of MININT, chop you into several pieces and then place you into several tiny little boxes and taken to Santa Clara. There you in all your little boxes will be placed in a magnificent mausoleum built by the volunteer brigade “Los Hombres Destesticulados” from the CDR #666 and the “Brigada de los Baboso Como el Che” will come pay devolutionary homage to you every year on the anniversary of the pronouncements of your most famous words…no me maten…all the while thinking, damned, it does not do much good for anyone to be like Che or Camilo–they have all ended up muertecitos!
And speaking of Camilo–as you know on the anniversary of his questionable disappearance from the face of the earth without leaving a trace while flying a plane over land from one end of Cuba to the other–people go to the harbor in La Habana and row out a short distance in small row-boats to throw into the water white flowers while saying “Flor Blanca para Camilo.” No joke, this really does happen.
However, this one chino, on the appointed day of remembrance begins to row his little boat, filled with white flowers, farther and farther away from the coast line–as he passes the other boaters on their way back from their making their floral libations, he is heard saying as he rows faster and faster, furiously towards the horizon: flol blanca pa Camilo, Flo-lila pa mi…flol blanca pa Camilo, Flo-lila pa mi…
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:24
Hefa:
Read this one!!!
Fidel went to Switzerland for a meeting with the President of that country.
At the beginning of the meeting, Fidel told the Swiss President:
“This is my Justice Minister, my Minister of Economy and my Minister of Education.
Then, the Swiss President says:
This is my Minister of Economy, my Minister of Education I and my Minister of Marine and Ports.
Suddenly Fidel began laughing, then, the Swiss President asked why Fidel was laughing.
Fidel says: Why do you need a Minister of Marine and Ports if Switzerland is not landlocked.
Then the Swiss president answered him:
I did not laugh when you told me that you had Minister for Justice, Minister for Education, Minister of Economy, etc, etc,!!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:02
Hefa:
I like that CDLR!!!!!!,,,,jaaaaaaaaaa,,it is your personal seal!!!! CDLR!!!!!,,,jaaaa
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 13:02
Andres @# 119
Thank you for the cumpliment!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:57
Candido @118
CDLR!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:54
Excellent–Andy–and you and I now the island is filled from one end to the other with people who think the same thing. In order to live in multiple realities, Cubans on the island have mastered everyone of Freud’s Ego Defense Mechanisms–those that haven’t have resorted to homemade gut-rut or have killed themselves. Muy triste.
On the same ocassion I had in Varadero, this other incident occurred–I was with three colleagues from Spain, in Cuba for the same reasons as me, for now let’s say these were professional reasons–we were having a drink on the terrace of the old Dupont mansion, overlooking a breath-taking view of the ocean–such a wonderful experience in a communist paradise–when the very courteous, respectful, and professional man (I’m not being sarcastic ) who was our waiter said to the Spanish ladies I was with who asked him about the setting we were in (BTW, the Dupont mansion is used as a very exclusive, small, and expensive hotel): “Oh, this was Mr. Dupont’s home–he was a great sympathizer of the revolution, so when the revolution triumphed, he donated this house to Castro to support it.”
At this point, I started laughing and spit out all over the terrace what was left of my last gulp of the mojito I was drinking. They all looked at me for an explanation, I suppose, so I offered one. I said to the poor man, in Spanish…”
Señor, eso no lo cree ni usted mismo. Yo se que usted tiene que decir semejantes inventos a quien le pregunte sobre el uso de esta casa, pero usted y yo sabemos que esta casa se la robo la revolución igual que le robo todas la industria que tenia DuPont en Cuba e igual que se robo tantas otras casas por toda la isla—especialmente las de Miramar. Usted y yo lo sabemos porque los dos somos Cubanos y sabemos lo que pasó realmente—ellas no lo saben porque son de España y no vivieron la revolución directamente como nosotros, pero yo entiendo que usted tiene su papel que jugar.”
They walk between reality and fantasy so easily, I think it will be quite hard for them to live authentically in one reality once the failed devolution ends.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:51
Albert — Hang it up. I know you want to BE LIKE CHE… but it ain’t gonna happen. You’re just not the man he was.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:41
Napoleon rose and said:
Obama, if in my day I had any weapons you have, nobody would have defeated me at Waterloo.
Putin, if in my day I had had the soldiers you have, nobody would have defeated me at Waterloo.
Fidel, if in my time I have had the newspaper Granma “Nobody had heard of my defeat at Waterloo”!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:35
@#112 & #111
Andres:
you ar right … specially the last sentence … but I can help wondering … since che is in hell already the place must be must communist by now.
When fidel makes it there … he may organize a revolution against the devil …
HEFA:
you are right as well .. my simpleton ways get the best of me …
I’ll drive myself to tears … from the guilt I feel; che’s sacrifices were so many, the perfect man, father, husband companero …
Today we rememeber him w/kindness: el chancho, bigot, homophobic, chouvinist, bullshiter, coward, arrogant, self deluted, abuser, mucher … feel free to add.
Again thanks for the laughs …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:32
Hefa:
Ok,,jaaaaaaaaaaa,,,the joke is incredible!!!,,is just a sample about how the humor can be!!!
It is dramatic also!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:30
HEFA
Love your Varadero story. After a couple days in Cuba I didn’t call the country “Cuba” any more but rather “The-All-Che-All-The-Time-Place”. Which I must admit, English speaking Cubans found pretty hilarious. Alas, my Spanish didn’t stretch to putting the phrase in that language.
I do remember, though, an encounter somewhat the opposite of yours. Browsing the outdoor bookstalls one day, a young salesman approached in a respectful bookseller kind of way, with the usual, “Can I help you find anything? I have some books here about Che you might like.” I turned to him and said, “Now why would I want to buy books about a totalitarian murderer who helped to enslave a whole island?”
Unlike your Che-Trinket-Sales-Clerk, he broke into the broadest grin, and for the next hour or so, sotto voice, clued me in to a great deal of Cuban history which I knew nothing about, my acquaintance with the country at that time being limited pretty much to Castro (I hadn’t learned to call him “Fidel” yet), Che, and sugar cane.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:28
Andy #112
There’s a small, but delicious irony in Cuba’s racially perfect world–a white man overthrew a mulatto with the support almost entirely of whites–said white man now becomes the savior of little brown people all over the world–who said God does not have a sense of humor?
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:23
RE #109 Candido estoy CDLR! (Cag–dome de la risa)
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:22
HEFA #100
No worries. I simply couldn’t resist the irony of one of the defenders of the tyranny juxtaposing the “middle class” Ladies in White (”ladies” of course being the operative term, versus “women”… if they are effete and middle class they’ll have to suffer the additional term “ladies”), with the “working class” WOMEN attacking them.
Now tell me, if after 50 years a ‘revolution’ intent on removing all social classes from day one has not succeeded in doing so… well all I can say is, “How long? How much longer, how many more generations, must we wait for the triumph?”
Looks to me like it might be a while.
And while I’m willing to sacrifice for my children, my grandchildren, even my greatgrandchildren… I gotta tell you… my descendants 20 generations from now are pretty much an abstraction and if the only way they can live a good life is for the 19 generations before them to be slaves sunk in poverty and misery — well I’d rather do something to save those 19 generations starting right now, versus continue to believe in some illusion that is still 300 years out.
Even Fidel, God bless him but the Devil take him, ain’t gonna live that long.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:19
@106
Albert, you fail to have a deep and heartfelt appreciation for the proleteriat life-style Che led while in La Habana—his chauffer-driven limousine and the penthouses he used at the Havana Hilton gratuit—power to the people!
Of course, where would Che-loving revolutionaries all over the world be without the insight, wisdom, and power of his last known words…
Soy el Che, no me maten que valgo mas vivo que muerto
I don’t know about you, but those words fill me with illusion and hope, making me feel warm and fuzzy all over and excitement about the proletariat paradise that is at hand keeps me up at night with anticipation!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:19
Every once in a while is good to read & laugh with friends …
I think at times I take myself seriously for to long …
Thank you HEFA & Candido … I realy needed to laugh
Oh thank you for the warning, I promise I’ll go to the restroom first.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:17
Albert:
Do you know the following joke?
A drunk walked past a school at the time the pioneering children they said:
“Pioneers for communism, we shall be like Che “!!!!
Then, the drunk asked amazed ”
What,,,,Asthmatic?
I can’t believe it!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:13
Albert:
They can use this one also:
hp//:cederistachivaton@G@.gov !!!!
Do not be afraid if you see a picture of Castro’s head snapping a slave who calls himself “Exile”,,,,,, is normal!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:10
babosos of the world … UNITE! or at least gather up in one place …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:07
but seriously …
The thought of that self agrandizing coward, “kissing” his way into power under leash makes my heart boil in fury.
He was the sickest one in the boat … “if dead … trhow him overboard.
When shot superficially the doctor … he thought he was dying …
When shot at … complained about the lack of respect for arrangements made …
Acomplishments:
butcher of La Cabana
responsible for the death of most of his follower/believers
earned Sartre’s adulation (big deal)
spoke at the UN
bathed maybe … maybe
hair cut … maybe
Failures:
In Mexico goes to jail
In Mexico returns to the habit of living off women …
As an economist … failure, bankrupted the country …
As a leader … failure got everyone that followed him killed … (but not him)
As a comander in Congo … failure with the realization that Congo is not Cuba …
As a commander in Bolivia … failure all killed but three … (even as “valuable” as he was) he was executed …
So … where were we?
Ah yes … about the pseudo revolutionaries, the ones that in the safety and confortof their home “think about the betterment of others” under their wise guidance.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:00
Thanks, Albert–laughing right with ya!
Everyone, please make your donation on-line to save Exile at the following:
Institute for the Cure of Political Idiocy
ATT: Program for the Disaffected and Angry
http://www.comedeloquepicaelpollo@babosos.org
I want to assure you that all donations are tax-deductible, so please get your donations in before December 31st!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 11:53
@#103
wicked HEFA … my … my …
The “granola munching pseudo liberals” that one is good …
Thank you I needed a laugh …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 11:44
LastDoor,
I always laugh hardest when I hear anyone, but Americans in particular, lauding the greatness of Che–they love “the idea” of Che, if they had any idea about “the ideas” of Che, their love might fade. My favorites are what I call “granola-munching pseudo liberals” in their Birkenstock sandals and Che t-shirts at peace and anti-death penalty rallies. Don’t you wish they could have just a few minutes with Che? Los pobrecitos–he would eat them for breakfast before they could say “anti-nuke.”
On a side note, as you know, in Cuba, the idea of Che is a most valuable commodity–his likeness, writings, etc are aggressively pandered to tourist who leave the island wearing the beret and t-shirt of their idol. There is no irony lost in the fact that the government who had him killed now profits in a capitalistic way by selling for profit everything and anything with his picture on it–I don’t know if they have Che toilet paper yet, though–a most appropriate use for his likeness, don’t you think?
So picture this–I am in a hotel in Varadero during the time when Cuba accepted only dollars from foreigners and visitors, and I walk into a gift shop filled with Che-morabilia and I ask the sales lady behind the counter, within ear-shot of the guardia standing at the door of the small shop the following question: “What do you think Che would say if he had any idea the government he gave his life for is selling his likeness in dollars to foreigners for a profit in a hotel that Cubans are not allowed to go into?” Of course, I did not expect an answer, at least not an honest one–but the look of horror on her face was priceless–she literally was mute.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 11:26
@#100
HEFA
Love your style!!!
I’ll give to that, then again … a chance give twice …
exile:
you still have not answered … only insults come from you.
I you are inable to respond in an intelligent respectful manner shows who & how you are.
Proud of you … you have a blogg … tag you win … little boy.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 11:20
It amazes me that some people still follow the ideas of Che Guevara. There is a good post about it at http://www.lastdoorontheright.com/?p=146. Don’t these people realize that all the ideas and regimes that Che fought for have gone bankrupt or crumpled? What planet are they living on that they cannot see what is right there in front of their eyes?
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 09:56
Andy Re #82
No problem–While I missed the sarcasm at first, not being familiar with your writing, I appreciated the opportunity to share some facts with those who suffer with a delusional psychotic illness that is very common among Paris Communists, Granula Munching American Pseudo Liberals, Deluded Natives of the Third World, and yes, sadly, Cubans of weak intellect. All of these groups are extremely vulnerable to having delusions–scientific research has yet to identify the mechanism by which these particular people are vulnerable to believe absurdities, but there are a number of dedicated prominent scientists at the Centers on the Study of Political and Social Stupidity working night and day to shed some light on this interesting, yet baffling phenomenom.
Rather than attacking Exile and others afflicted with this mental deficiency, I say we start a collection to get them the help they need–after all it is not nice to take advantage of the mentally infirm. Or, perhaps we can have arrangements made to have them all sent to Mazorra–oh, wait, we would not want to send them or Exile there, that is where Castro tortures dissidents with shock therapy–the poor dear, Exile seems to have suffered enough already. Pobrecito.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 09:36
Don’t you love the irony of someone like Exile spending so much time posting comments about something and someone he believes is insignificant and worthless? I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t usually waste my time arguing against things or people I don’t take seriously. I just ignore them–like the street preacher this morning on the way to work–he was standing on the corner telling people as they went by that God was angry with feminists and gays and was going to send them all to hell–do you think I take a person like this serious enough to engage him in a debate? No, I don’t. I just keep walking.
Why doesn’t Exile keep walking if he really believes all the things he has said here about the Sanchez blog, the Ladies in White, and the Gusanera (a label I proudly own)? If I were him, I would just keep walking–but he does not. He stops and listens and puts in his 2-cents worth–well, we all know 2-cents are worth what they used to be.
That fact that he engages in this discussion, albeit with logic and observations of monumental littleness indicate something other than what he professes about the happenings in Cuba.
I also don’t waste my time arguing with idiots, persons with serious mental illnesses who are in the middle of an acute episode of their illness, and small children in the midst of a temper tantrum–and I believe Exile fits into at least one of these categories.
He might think he is clever enough to say “arse” instead of “ass”, but call it what you may, we all know a true asshole when we see one.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 08:48
Albert,
Rule one of debate is to know something about the person you are crossing swords with. Who the hell monitors my computer, and who are my superiors? Only in the febrile mind of a sad-arsed loser could such ideas bubble forth.
Here’s a hint: try clicking on my monicker and that will take you to my blog. There you will find out my nationality and where I live.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 06:19
exile
I like your way of expression, the terms you use, so colourful …
I guess it feel safe to hide behind all that bluster or under the desk of your minder.
I guess as well it comes easy to “pay back” your chance of being outside the country, maybe hiding behind a diplomatic pouch?
Either way, you are being used even if you don’t believe it.
Maybe you think you have power.
Maybe you presume to know what is “good” for the people
Maybe you think you have influence
Maybe you are getting what you think is fair for “yourself”.
Maybe you think this is the way to contribute to “the cause”
Maybe you feel this is what is good for the “many”
Maybe you think you are a part of the “few” in power.
While you are in “exile” (wherever that happens to be) there is doublt in you … I can hear it …
Your strident comments are loud (I wonder why?) … they are welcome in a tolerant society, heard and even respected unconditionally as it IS in a free society.
Your position is clear and if not agreeeable to all you must aknowledge that you are free to say what you choose to say any time you wish … when you are allowed or scheduled to use the computer which of course is monitored; remember: say what you are expected to say as scripted by your superiors of course.
I want you to be safe & careful, don’t slip up don’t “look at other sites …
Your superiors own you, the priviledge of been given this “mission” is not because of your qualifications, its because of you are so easy to manipulate by others.
You are right … is not funny …
I love your witt & if you feel depressed like when when you want to know who you are or why “do things happen to me?” it is because of how cheaply you sold yourself … for some creature conforts for some “power & status” like a little man.
Don’t worry …take courage, soon it will be different but I suggest (if I may) for you to start worring about where will (if you do) fit in the new reality.
And how are you going to as for forgivness … from your patria and her people.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 05:26
@#82
Andy:
I got it, forgive me for being just a simple man, learning as I go.
I enjoy your postings and learned much from them as I do from other bloggers in this site.
My statements in #43 stays, addressed as it was intended to the ones hiding behind insults & name calling, to the ones who’s intolerance has become a way of life.
As hard as I try I am unable to stop myself from judging them … I feel no pity for them, I know they exist & they are out there … can’t help & wonder for what if not for someone else’s orders as subjects in servitude for table scraps …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 04:44
Yoani the Cubiche
From “Lady I Love You” posted 16 January 2009 on this blog.
I am waiting on a bench in Parque Central for some friends who are already half an hour late. It’s been a hard day and I have little desire to speak with anyone. A boy, he can’t be more than 20, sits down next to me. He speaks English badly but uses it to ask me where I’m from and if I understand Spanish. My first impulse is to tell him to beat it, I’m not looking for jineteros hunting for tourists, but I let him advance his failed strategy of seduction.
I don’t know if it’s my pale skin that I inherited from two Spanish grandparents, but my passport is just as blue and Cuban as the one he has. If not for his false impression that I’m a foreigner, he’d never come close to me. I am not a good match—obviously he can see that—but he calculates that even if I look like a poor stranger, at least I could get him a visa to emigrate. Encouraged by my silence, he says in English, “Lady I love you,” and after such a declaration of love I can’t contain my laughter. I tell him in my worst Central Havana slang, “Don’t waste your bullets on me, I’m cubiche.” He jumps up like he’s been stung by red ants and starts insulting me. I can hear him shouting, “This skinny thing looks like a foreigner but she’s from here and worth less than the national money.” My day has suddenly changed and I begin to laugh, alone on the bench, a few meters from the marble Martà that adorns the park.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 00:19
John Two,
Several years ago some Bolivian family members via my cousin Marta went to Cuba. They were very pro-Castro, but when they started to hand out candy to the kids and filming it with a video camera, they got stop and sent to interrogation. I dont think Santa Claus and Los Tres Reyes Magos want to make a pit stop in Cuba if they can help it.
Humberto Capiro
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 00:09
I got another woman who is shown twice in these “spontaneous” demonstrations. I got it from Joel Garcia’s blog where it was tagged by Alberto Maceo Galvez.
http://www.facebook.com/group......amp;ref=mf
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 23:55
Phil Peters at the Cuban Triangle has a story on the USAID contractor who is being detained by Cuban authorities for apparently distributing laptops and cellphones. A written statement from USAID confirms the person was working as a contractor.
In my opinion, this is counter-productive. People to people assistance makes sense. But anything with Uncle Sam’s fingerprints on it plays into the hands of the regime.
http://www.cubantriangle.blogspot.com/
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 23:30
Julio and Concubino,
Thanks for posting this revealing link.
There are, what, a little over 2 MILLION people living in Havana - and the same woman shows up at two different “spontaneous” demonstrations? And gets interviewed at both? Are you kidding me? What are the chances? What are the odds?
Ok, I will suspend my disbelief for a moment. So she just happened to be walking along the street, on her way to work, or to pick up her kids from school, or on her way to get a flu shot — and felt the uncontrollable urge to — yell and scream? into a microphone? On two separate occasions? Really!?
This is another great example of what the so-called ‘repudiations’ really are - staged, fake and phony. We all see through it.
Try again, Raul. It is not working. You’re going to have to do better than this.
Here is the link once again…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 22:45
86
Exile
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:58
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Haha….. this mental limited is spinning around the same sick idea “Yoani lied bla bla bla she said the mob is afraid blu blu blu”……. hahaha…… he did not get that he is only recognizing the existence of mobs that repress and limits the free expression….. just the fact of having these mob in the street is something very reproachable in any country….. only totalitarian tyrannies uses such “tactics”. Is the same picture in Nazi Germany, Mussolini Italy, Feudal North Korea, Fascist China, Retrograde Iran…… and fascist castro regimen.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 21:34
Wow! Concubino that is a good video !!!
of how spontaneous and how thin is the support for the regime that they have to keep parading the same person on cameras! :-)
Please see video from Concubino
It displays the same person on the two places!! :-) they are really running short on
people supporting the regime!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 21:20
Can anyone provide us with a list of pro-Cuban government blogs so they may be perused?
The Miami Herald article that Humberto posted way back in #23 was very interesting. Interesting indeed.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 21:10
Exile,
I commend you for the use of the english language!!
“The fact that you wriggle like a maggot on a hook to try and avoid that point only serves to emphasise it further.”
“OK, losers, I’ll be back the next time the scrawny little scab tells another porkie.”
Humberto Capiro- El Maggote
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:58
No answer<’ Thought not - lemme see if I have this straight. This is the second lie that we have caught Sanchez out on. The first was the supposed kicking, now this claim that people were afraid.
OK, losers, I’ll be back the next time the scrawny little scab tells another porkie.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:42
HEFA,
I wasn’t sure if you had gotten the sarcasm and false syllogism - or were simply playing along in your post citing actual facts. Facts can be so inconvenient! In any case, isn’t it amusing how easy it is to deal with posts such as Exile’s? Almost like flicking gnats off your arm on a summer day. Child’s play.
Sigmund,
You hit the proverbial nail on the head. The Fear is manifestly evident in the simple act of harassing and repressing these ladies in white. It is so obvious, but it bears repeating.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:40
Exile,
DISCO RAYAO!! BROKEN RECORD!
Humberto Capiro
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:35
Hi, everybody. I’ve got lots of quotes (English & Spanish) from Fidel on my site.
Example: “I don’t agree with communism. We are democracy. We are against all kinds of dictators… That is why we oppose communism.”
http://www.reflexionesdefidel.info
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:31
HEFA y ALBERT –
MY BAD! I forget there are new commenters here (and you are very very welcome here — we need new voices!)… all the people who already “know” me know that I was just responding to some insane comments on this blog implying the “revolution” (aka “the totalitarian dictatorship”) is a “success”. So I let myself be sarcastic without thinking about all the possible readers.
HEFA — your response was exactly perfect… the laughing so hard you were sick response… because of course what I wrote was complete and utter… let me think of a non-obscene word to show a little respect to Yoani’s blog here… anyway.. complete and utter GARBAGE.
Anyway… I will be more careful in the future. God forbid my name should be associated with such absurdities!
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:30
It is the whole point of Sanchez’s posting - that the hundreds of people who turned out to cheer on the government were afraid. The fact that you wriggle like a maggot on a hook to try and avoid that point only serves to emphasise it further.
Come on - you have the video - point out the fear on the faces.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:26
Exile,
Your point is pointless! Give it up “gusano” (that is a good thing!)
Humberto Capiro
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:20
Is funny they have claim such small opposition alway while the Mariel boat lift there where an unstoppable flow of people trying to scape the regime and if such thing will be allow more than half the Cuban population will go.
After 50 years one thing is for sure they have convince even the “revolutionaries” that they are inept to manage the country!
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:18
I don’t need to bother - I’m not the one wriggling, am I?
Now then, where is the fear on the faces of the crowd who gave the scabs a leathering? Come on, Sanchez said they were afraid and she used a TV report as her evidence. I posted that report - show me the fear.
Come on…
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:17
DESPERATE TIMES CALL FOR THE SAME OLD SAME OLD WITH THE CUBAN GOVERMENT!
HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE: “Castro says US on offensive in LatAm despite Obama
HAVANA — Fidel Castro says President Barack Obama’s “friendly smile and African-American face” are hiding Washington’s sinister intentions for Latin America — more evidence of a cooling in relations between Cuba and the U.S. after a thaw had seemed possible just months ago.
In a letter to Hugo Chavez that the Venezuelan president read at the close of a summit of leftist Latin American nations Monday, Castro said the U.S. “empire is on the offensive again” in the region.
He blamed Washington for a military coup that toppled leftist President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras in June and criticized a U.S. agreement with Colombia that allows U.S. troops greater access to seven of that country’s military bases.
“They are obviously the real intentions of the empire, this time under the friendly smile and African-American face of Barack Obama,” Castro said.
“In November, the State Department denounced an assault — allegedly by plainclothes Cuban state security agents — on the island’s top dissident blogger, Yoani Sanchez. Obama later sent a lengthy message praising Sanchez and answering a series of questions from her.
Prominent American blacks recently denounced racism in Cuba, which is a touchy subject for this nation, and the Cuban military conducted war games against a U.S. invasion, which authorities here still insist is a real possibility.”
http://www.chron.com/disp/stor.....70154.html
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:16
See HEFA this is the same lie they have been repeating for 50 years.
If the opposition to the tyranny is so tiny. Let us assume it is just only about 1000 people in the whole of Cuba and let us not count anyone outside of Cuba as opposition.
if those were the numbers compare to the 11 million in Cuba then it will be 0.009 percent of the population of Cuba. Now looking at that small number it is disproportionately hight all the resources and campaigns the Cuba regime does against this so called groupies “grupusculos”.
After all the resources they dedicate to it is as If the know for fact that this “groupies” are not as small as the like them to be!
What we seen so far in the news is the very top of the tip of an iceberg that may capsize at any minute with explosive force and that is why the Cuban regime is trying to have things under control with its puppets.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:07
Exile,
IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO? LAME!!!!!
El Gusanote! Cubiche etc!
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 20:02
Well, I could call her Cubiche, but that might cause offence. On second thoughts….
Now I did not see a mob that was set loose, still less one that consisted of “paramilitary scum”. What I saw was a bunch of fit young talent, several of whom would give any man a serious blue veiner, dancing and singing. They did not look afraid, I think that you must concede that point.
And concede that a certain Cubiche is a telling porkies…
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 19:46
You know what is funny about puppets like Exile, they can’t get their story straight–oh, wait they’re puppets–they can’t think–good response, Julio (#67).
Exile, why don’t you read Palma’s #40–you have actually inspired a very good instrospection–I bet you did not know you were that clever!
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 19:43
66
Exile
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 19:10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If the bloody tyranny is not afraid …… why then they have to set on a angry mob on 40 old ladies that only wants the freedom of theirs 40 husbands and 35 friends more?????…… are those 40 old ladies so dangerous that they deserves being beaten and harassed by the paramilitary scum????…… no dear cyberthug the tyranny is terrified because they know a little spark can cause the people lose wild and get down the tyranny…. that’s why they can’t allow no a single grandma out in the streets without control.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 19:36
Exile,
Just to let you know that for many of us “gusanito/gusanita” is a badge of honor so dont think that term will insult Yoani and most of us who have gone beyond those lame and dated terms of insult. The idea of discrediting Yoani by picking at the only thing that not might now be clear on the videos is your attempt at sabotaging her writings and the important of the events that occurred during “Human Rights Day” in Cuba. Those DISPICABLE ACTS only shows how DESPERATE the Cuban goverment is that they have to send 300 people to beat and insult helpless women.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! The videos I posted SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!
Humberto Capiro
p.s. I might be known as the “gusanote” but for more flattering reasons.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 19:28
Exile
If it is only 30 while is the Cuban government so scared that has to resort to this tactics again?
No.
The Cuban government knows it is at the end. Let us see hopefully 2010 will hopefully be the year that will end the Cuban calamity.
Let us keep pushing the wall, one day people will realize that if we all push together it will fall.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 19:10
Actually it does John Two because what our little gusanita wrote was based directly on the Cuban TV report that I linked to. Now there may be other clips kicking around, but that’s the report that Sanchez was yacking about. So again I have to ask the question: Sanchez said that the people looked afraid, but the report shows quite clearly that they were not, so why did she claim that they were?
Stop The Bullshit, hello and yes, I think that you are right. All these arsewipes can turn out is 30 birds - so much for the power of the Miami Mafia in Cuba.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 18:49
Julio, I agree with #62. In some ways a measure of economic prosperity has allowed the Chinese regime to use more sophisticated means to tighten its system of control through censorship and monitoring the private lives of its citizens.
The leaders of the Chinese Charter08 movement (which patterned itself on the Czech Charter77 movement) were arrested some time ago and some have now been charged with subversion against the state.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 18:45
Name doesn’t hyperlink here on English comments- http://www.reflexionesdefidel.info
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 18:42
Hi, everybody. I’ve got lots of quotes (English & Spanish) from Fidel on my site.
Example: “I don’t agree with communism. We are democracy. We are against all kinds of dictators… That is why we oppose communism.”
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 17:41
Re #49,Hank.
Touche! Although my response in #45 is based on actual data, I missed Andy’s clever sarcasm–in a syllogism, though, the major premise has to be a fact. The minor premise is stated as a conclusion, so it does not follow–the sarcasm, however, is sweet!
Try this one,
There is plenty of hunger in Cuba.
Fidel is in Cuba.
Fidel is hungry.
Well, we know even Aristotle wouldn’t swallow that, even if the logic is perfect.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 17:34
It is a bad combination to communism with a capitalism economy because it brings the worst on humans.
The end result is a total disregard for humans beings.
They just become disposable slaves to be used. Without rights and without liberty to even complain.
That is what Chine is about. A totalitarian regime, that represses individual freedoms at the expense of it on people.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 17:11
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 17:11
One of the worlds most polluted places
in china
http://www.time.com/time/speci.....28,00.html
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 16:41
Albert #47,
Andy was being sarcastic in #37 by using a syllogism to arrive at the absurd conclusion that “in Cuba, everyone is equal and everyone is dignified.”
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 15:34
@57
Candido, I believe the disaster began much earlier than 1 enero 1959. On that day, however, the “result” of the disaster was unleashed on the island. The actual disaster or “cause” goes much further back beginning with our colonial history and to the political legacy the criollos created in response to Spain’s rigid adherence to the rule of law–the political norms and values that developed after we became a republic in 1902 and which eventually resulted in Moncada, and 1 enero 1959, are the natural consequences. We were simply unprepared to handle the independence and democracy we had won from Spain, despite the U.S. meddling in our war of independence–from 400+ years of Spanish rule, we did not learn or acquire an understanding of a civil society that respected and understood the importance of the rule of law and more significantly, the rights of man, the individual–as I stated in a another posting for another blog, Spain was free of the effects the Magna Carta had on the English and later on English colonists and what would become the U.S. Spain was not affected by the Reformation or the Renaissance, and the 18th century Enlightenment all but escaped the Iberian peninsula. These were all influences that formed the basis of what most Americans understand as human rights and freedoms. We CUbans, on the other hand, were quite familiar with Caudillismo–a strong and paternalistic father figure telling us what was in our best interest. We had a few Caudillo prior to Fidel–Machado and Batista to name but two. Sadly, our republic was based on shaky grounds–nothing like the Federalist Papers existed for Cubans seeking independence from Spain in the 19th century; a document based on sound secular logic that formed the framework for what American colonist understood democracy to mean. We have not managed yet to agree to something like this–and forgive me for this autocriticism, but all we have managed to do is scream about democracy and freedom–yet we have not sat down to think through what we actually mean by those concepts. Cuban dissidents have begun to do this and I firmly believe they must lead the rest us in that direction.
By the time Batista gets on a plane at midnight on December 31st 1958, Cuba had seen its share of despots who promised one thing and did something else—we were satisfied that like the others, Fidel would come and go and so long as we were left to enjoy the modern, prosperous country we had created–a standard of living on par with American standards and in some cases, better, a peso that was equally strong with the dollar, and many freedoms including a free press and other media and the ability to come and go as we pleased, we did not feel the urgency to hold any one accountable, least of all, ourselves.
Long before 1959 we had also seen people, political groups, and agents of whatever government was in power take to the streets to commit acts of violence that today would be easily recognized as terrorism–of course, Fidel perfected the violence in the name of the revolution and the principle of “revolutionary justice,” but again, by then it was too late. Please read about the bombing campaigns during the Machadato and the countless people who were killed, sometimes using unspeakably brutal means by all sides and you will begin to understand the mobs in Havana today, as well as the bombs in Miami in the 1960s and 1979s. Let’s face it, we are a violent people. During the Machadato there were public demonstrations by mothers who had lost their sons to the rampant bombings taking place all over the island, and like the Women in White, took to the streets to demand an end to the madness. We seem to stop only long enough to get our breath!
We have got to come to terms with this past and our willingness to oppress and repress when others disagree with us–I think the last 50 years have been a perfectly clear lesson–will we learn from it?
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 15:17
MULTIPLES VIDEOS ON THE ATTACKS ON “LAS DAMAS DE BLANCO” AND OTHERS DURING “HUMAN RIGHTS DAY” AND THE HYPOCRITICAL STATEMENTS ON CUBAN TV USING YOUNG PEOPLE.
Mitin repudio contra las Damas de Blanco 09/12/2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Fanáticos Castristas confrontan a disidentes y diplomático en las calles de La Habana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....ure=relate
nuevo mitin de repudio en cuba contra damas de blanco dia de los drechos humanos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Mitines de Repudio en Cuba, en el DĂa de los Derechos Humanos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
THIS IS CUBA’S TV VERSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DAY! SO SAD TO SEE THESE YOUNG PEOPLE BE MANIPULATED BY THE CUBAN GOVERMENT, THE OPPOSITE OF THE I S A STUDENTS!
La TV Cubana refleja, a su manera, el DĂa de los Derechos Humanos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:51
Albert and HEFA:
It’s very simple, “I lived in that monster and know its entrails “!!!!.
My generation was the generation “test tube”!!!! with her, Castro drew on all his tests, my generation lost the moment that I used to pointed the phrase used by Wallace, using it as a metaphor for our case.
Today, I look back and I realize how beautiful is freedom, how easy it is to display and enjoy it, but I also recognize how easy you can lose it and how difficult is get it back.
The disaster began on 1 January 1959,,, I believe that not even Castro knew where we could go,,,, but little by little, made every effort and succeeded in weaving a web of intrigue, repression, terror, etc. , etc,,,, which very cleverly manipulate and created two Cubas, that of inside, the suffering, the slave, and the one for outside, who presents challenging,,, arrogant and willing to challenge the enemy ,,,, pretending to get social justice and equality.
It took almost 50 years for many people around the world to know what the real face of the island is, and all that time for people to resign himself to escape or simply to wait,,,, and will be until that opprobrious regime is terminated,,,, which will be sooner or later!
Regards
Candido
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:40
@#53
The principle of accountability … in wisdom the sign of growing up, maturity.
The learned ability of tolernace colored with the passion of love for freedom, our right, our desire … our life.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:36
Albert @52
right on!
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:34
#53–the basic sentiment of her argument is right on and what I am trying to communicate, as well. None of us are exempt from liability and unless we assume what is duly ours and change what must be changed, we are back to square one.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:16
I took the liberty to translate using google translate this post of Miriam Celaya of Sin Evasion.For the Spanish readers I strongly recommend the original post.
For English readers only and specially “Exile” and “Stop the BullShit”, this post is for you
Civic Responsibility
December 11, 2009 at 17:47 · Sorted in Sin Evasion
Just read carefully the comments of my readers to the most recent post. I consider it a real privilege to receive so many disparate criteria and intelligent-and sometimes even conflicting-that force me to go over and over again on my own judgments and sometimes even the right track. And among the many trials that find echo in those who approach me with issues on which I have poured myself more than once in this, our virtual plaza, such as those relating directly or indirectly responsible for their own Cubans with respect to the current situation of the Island Civic Responsibility that demand-as indicated by several readers, for shame, critical sense and mature enough to not feel attacked every time someone points us or question us.
I fully agree with those who argue that we are responsible also for what happens in Cuba, what all of us: those before and now, those who left and those who stayed, those who did evil and those who allow it, the beautiful and the meek, those silent, those who tolerated those who betrayed, who looked the other way, the sycophants, opportunists, cowards, the mediocre, the envious, the intolerant and condescending,those who at one point applauded and those still cheering even when they do not even believe in the work. There are dictatorships because there are irresponsible people who, consciously or unconsciously, nurture and support them. We have deprived us of what we take away, either for convenience, complicity, by ingenuity, by cowardice or meekness.
I know what you will say the most benevolent: that totalitarian regimes have all the power, all resources and all the strength, that penalize and impose by terror, and that’s true, but, how did everything it and how they have retained? Probably the most indulgent going to say now that the dictators imposed achieved by manipulating the truth, deceiving their people, but for how long a bunch of crooks can deceive millions of people? Has not the regime itself also experienced the work or the silence of the disappointed? Who forced the Cubans to participate in rallies of repudiation, to march, to do volunteer work, to be members of the CDR, to participate in so-called “elections”, expect to pay a union that does not exist until some invisible territorial troop militia tenacious imaginary war?
The incivility of many Cubans is not a blemish generated in the last 50 years. Without doubt, has worsened in recent decades, but the germ was present from the very genesis of the nation. Just look out the history of Cuba to repeatedly find the same circus: a hedonistic people that are only based on immediacy, eager to find a “strong man” to deal (or simulating address) of state affairs for them to continue happy and carefree with their lives. Millions of people who have lived with their backs to the milestones of our common destiny and when they are consumed in the plots have either escaped or were willing to applaud childishly to the flowery speech, or just been submitted. The most infamous to imitate the poses of patriotic display. Passions are acted out there where there should have reasons. We have proceeded with vengeance when he should have justice, and-as if this were not enough, the constant and immediate forgetting the past is the greatest obstacle to understanding our present and project the future.
Almost none of us is exempt from liability, only that many have not realized that the time has come to assume them. As for me, I want and I think there is hope. No claim of others that I myself will not be able to make and barricades do not call because I’m not willing to attend them. Do not believe in violence as a means because often become an end in itself. Almost every day of my life I sit at the keyboard and write my own impressions and experiences to share, to meet and think together. I feel I have found a path and this has made me free, but also more accountable. I still have faith. I know that, each in its own way, everyone can do something, the point is how many are willing to do so and imposed on the fatigue of the effort. Do not get distracted more blaming each other, think the best we can each do what they should do and not others. Only change ourselves we will be able to drive change for Cuba.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:12
HEFA @ #49
Yes, but the exercise of their freedom of speach in an enviroment of respect for the opinion of others may … I say may make adifference, may start someone thinking.
If it happens think about it … it only takes a seed …
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:09
@# 44
Candido:
you are an honorable man … perhaps to much to bear the burden you impose on yourself.
The hint of regret in your statements … please accept a word of counsel … we did what we did because that was the only recourse … time does not change for the past but offers a virgin future …
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:07
Albert–thank you–I am learning a lot here from everyone, as well. Open discussion about the future we want is what is necessary–the absurdities of what others are saying here or on the Island in defense of the devolution will all die a natural death.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:01
Albert and Candido,
I agree with most of what you both are arguing–the historical facts are on your side–I want to introduce to the discussion an observation that perhaps is not accurate, but the sentiment of what I am reading tells me it is…we (Cubans who fled early on)tend to tell the story of what happened in Cuba from a victim’s perspective–all the things that were done to us by the devolution, as Palma calls the revolution in #40. In fact, all Cubans were victims of the devolution, those still there and those who lost what they had and left. We, all Cubans, however, have to adopt some ownership of the events leading up to January 1, 1959. The 7/26 movement and the resulting government and everything that has happened since and is happening now did not develop in a vacuum, independent of what most people were willing to go along with–this all happened within a sociocultural environment with norms and values that allowed it to develop and flourish. Once we realized what had actually been created, it was too late–If we don’t get that lesson right, I am afraid we will be destined to repeat it all over again and that scares me a great deal.
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 14:01
HEFA:
I wish I had a 1/16th of your talent to express your thoughts so eloquently.
A discussion with facts as a widow to an fertile mind but poison to a intransigent one.
What I know buy gut & experience you posted with facts & figures …
My thanks for a point well made !!!
#37 Andres:
I hope we are still in “speaking” terms :-)
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 13:50
StopTheBullshit:
I’m sure I know you,,,, I saw you in the crowd, dressed in your blue hat, your gun in your waist and big ears notables for your military hair cut!!!.
But the most interesting thing was to see you trying to pick up the few personal items of those that you were beating !!!!! besides henchman,,,, and miserable,,, you are poor guy!!
Candido
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 13:48
Re Stop the Bullshit #41:
These ladies must have learned about the US payroll system of raising funds from the ultimate teacher himself–Fidel–since he did the same thing–except he did not only do it through his CIA contacts directly, he did it person as well in different cities throughout the US. Can’t blame someone for learning from the master, can you?
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 13:43
RE #37 (Andy)
“…There are no social classes in Cuba. No racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia…
So… in Cuba, everyone is equal and everyone is dignified…”
I was laughing so hard after reading your posting, I had tears running down my cheeks–I had to wait until the convulsive laughter subsided before I could respond.
Please explain, in a country that is totally egalitarian and free from all the isms you list, why the following statistics and observations tell a different story:
Of the 33 members of the Council of Ministers, 32 (95%)are white. Of the same number (n = 33), only 7 are women and all of them are white as well. Surely in a country with a population that is 63% black, mulatto, or Chinese, there would be more people of color as members of the the Council–wouldn’t you think? And, what with all the empowerment of the Federation of Cuban Women, you think they could do a little better than only 7 out of 33? It gets better at the provincial level…
All 15 presidents of the provincial assemblies are white men–not a single woman of any color and no men of color. Very representative of Cuban demographics, right?
And, oh, the one black member of the Council of Ministers is stereotypically the President of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (Julio Christian JimĂ©nez Molina)–it is as if the government is saying Cuban blacks are only good for sports…by the way, look at the Cuban national sports team rosters and you will find nothing but black faces…look at the roster of the National Ballet–almost all white…hmmm..
Among members of the Central Committee there is only one black man and no women.
Needless to say there is not a single known homosexual man or woman in any of these groups.
Call me an idealist, but I think the revolution can do better, don’t you?
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 13:42
Albert:
You are right, that is why I was emphasizing with: “for one chance, just one chance, to come back there and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!”.
If the Cuba people had that opportunity, then, the history will be different!!!!, but now,,,now,,, is too late,,,now we have to wait,,,be patient,,,and just let know to the future generations that they should not allow that anymore!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 14th, 2009 at 13:26
Candido:
you are right, the emotion that such a statement brings …
The ignominious deeds were done drastically in that time, I guess with the passage of time and the lessons learned, el caballo did it very slowly … gradually, by the time he had everything in place … nobody was able to shake him out.
Remember he used a foreigner for his “clean up” & secure a point of deniability.
He used the same (perhaps raul was included)individual for the consolidation of his powers.
He finally used the same individual for the last and best propaganda coup of the century.
I like to believe their weapons were not ther rifles but the thrust people put in fidel at the start.
Trust is the last thing taken away even in a abusive relationship.
So yes I sadly agree with you, perhaps taking the chance … who knows? … I did & now there is nothing left … of what once was, family friends of old …