We were so few
Like the sneeze of a desired flu, the alternative Cuban blogosphere continues to propagate itself. It is no longer like the bleak wasteland that displayed鈥攊f anything鈥攁 few pseudonymous pages in April 2007, when I started Generation Y. I鈥檝e lost count of how many we are now, because every week I learn that at least two new virtual spaces have been born. The blockade of various blogger platforms and the constant attacks have served only to make the virus of free opinion mutate into forms more complicated to shut up. The DNA of citizen expression will not concede in the face of vaccines based on intimidation and defamation; eventually everyone will be infected.
The plurality of approaches is the sign that the public squares of discussion have found, in cyberspace, a scenario more tolerant than reality. I know sites of catharsis for accumulated frustrations, while others specialize in news or protest. They range from pleasant blogs such as Cuba Fake News, to magazines filled with indispensable articles in the style of Convivencia. Their authors range from former counterintelligence agents from the Interior Ministry to exiled writers from the official publishing houses. They are all joined by the need to express themselves, the tense desire to be done with the cycle of silence that has lasted too long.
Such a bundle of free electrons, this blogosphere doesn鈥檛 respond to any hierarchy or leading figures. Its strength is that it is not possible to cut off its head, or to catch it, a slippery and playful being with no need to reach agreement or carry credentials. During the time they spend developing a strategy to fight it, for which they meet on high, preparing a law under the direction of the possible executors of censorship, the number of sites on the Island has already doubled. When they begin to understand what it鈥檚 about and how to administer an antidote, the blogger fever will have made the temples of thousands of Cubans throb.
Enero 7th, 2010 at 10:26
La 煤nica soluci贸n al problema del comunismo en Cuba es la depuraci贸n ideol贸gica y la creaci贸n de campos de concentraci贸n para comunistas virulentos. El embargo econ贸mico debe continuar ya que as铆 estrangularemos financieramente a todos aquellos que protegen y abogan por el totalitarismo. PATRIA SI, COMUNISMO NO!!!!!!
Pedro Luis Boitel
Enero 7th, 2010 at 10:25
La 煤nica soluci贸n al problema del comunismo en Cuba en la depuraci贸n ideol贸gica y la creaci贸n de campos de concentraci贸n para comunistas virulentos. El embargo econ贸mico debe continuar ya que as铆 estrangularemos financieramente a todos aquellos que protegen y abogan por el totalitarismo.
Pedro Luis Boitel
Diciembre 22nd, 2009 at 19:36
COMMUNISM REST IN PEACE
Please, cover your noses. Thank You.
http://www.worldviewr.com/2009.....st-in.html
Diciembre 19th, 2009 at 11:04
CUBA is preparing for a large american tourism invasion if the blockade is lifted,how log will the castros last if this happens.
Diciembre 19th, 2009 at 10:59
THERE IS NOT going to be any american tourism in cuba until the delinquents leave cuba this means raul and fidel.
Diciembre 17th, 2009 at 08:27
important-please -calls your goverments,copenhagen ending this friday,we need desperately actions,save the future of your kids and my to-.is not agrements up to this moments,please calls,we needing. phone(+45) 33 92 00 92 or info@unfcc.int.
thanks-
Diciembre 17th, 2009 at 04:54
Yes, there is always an easy path … to what we want.
The choice still ours to make and yet again the choice to see it thru.
I admit at times forget my responsibilities … no excuses but it takes a partner/s to remind me of it.
I guess what I am saying is it will take all of us, a combine effort & sacrifice to make the change happen.
This should not only be for Cuba, it should be for where ever the situation warrants it …
thanks Julio!
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 19:34
What happened to Exile????
Was sent to a training center to learn how identified terrified mobsters?????
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 17:47
Re #56
Candido–never has the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” been more true than in the case of the painting you very effectively described! One more point for Cuban ingenuity! These types of expressions really hit home universally. I remember hearing, for example, that during the Mariel exodus/flush, someone went up to the statute of Jose Marti in Havana’s Central Park, the one where he is standing with one arm stretched out before him, and hung from the arm a sign that said “Yo Tambien Me Voy” I’ve never been able to authenticate this, but what a picture it makes!
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 17:42
RE #51
Julio–Your point is well-taken. I will try to retrain myself. Well, sort of…
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:54
Concubino #7
Let me share with you a little bit of history. I don’t want to brag about it but we Cubans have certain traits that make us different from many. Back in the late 40th, when the world was not aware of satellites, we used to watch the World Series, to catch the signal we had a small airplane circling around in the Florida strait and transmitting the signal back to our TV station in Cuba and from there to the regular audience throughout the island.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:51
Albert
I agree with you but you have to remember where are they coming from the repressive system what they are doing and what they are saying is totally revolutionary!
A while back I posted the story my grandma used to tell me about the little girl that falls and is praying to god to be raise.
It seems to me that we Cubans have a lot in common with the little girl.
We want others to do what should really be ours to do!
Freedom is not going to come from Americans, British or Germans
Freedom for Cuba will come from Cubans
When Cubans decide its enough and it is time to be free.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:51
Humberto:
Anyway, Omara becomes the image of Cuban artists, which “As faithful sheep” support this regime, then, the outside world, imagine a distorted Cuba situation, where everyone, including artists, are part of the pluralism and the heavenly elixir that supposedly,,,, the Robolucion conveys.
Here is fulfilled that phrase which says: “is as guilty who kills the cow, as who holds her leg”!!!!!
In top of that, can you image a Cuban living in Miami, with freedom and a comfortable life, saying that stupidity?,,,It could be a provoker? ,,,It could be a person who does not care about the Cuba’s situation?,,,then, that guy should no be called “Cuban”!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:29
#55
Julio I agree a little … there is a time where the mind is able to find the truth, perhaps not the whole truth but sufficient to start the doubt & the questioning.
It adds to the frustration & the pain to have been well educated and see the contradictions.
What I can yet get my heart around is the “si me dieran …” part.
Without showing your “true colours” one can take the oportunities as they come.
Unfortunally (I understand) if one is not connected well …
Other than that, Julio you have my respect & thanks for your learned opinions.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:21
Candido,
I met Omara several times when she was here at UCLA and I respect her talent but not her overture towards Fidel and all those tyrants at the ALBA meeting. I must say though, that everyone has a story, and beign black (her father was a famous black baseball star and her mother a white wealthy woman) must have been hard in her time before the revolution. It is better to show respect for these artists allied to the goverment than to become like them. We all know the hypocracy of having them in the US while other Cuban artist like Willie Chirino and Gloria Estefan cannot perform in the island.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:10
Hefa:
Do you know what was the picture that best represented Cuban hunger in World’s Fair painting?
An ass covered with spider web!!!!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:07
I mentioned this before
“To be educated without freedom is to be doubly oppress”
Is the same pattern I see from Yoani and Laritza.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 14:06
Hefa:
Anyone who wants to do a very good ridiculous, simply borrow the Exile’s mask and his pen , does not matter if it is for writing or displaying his face either he will do a good papelazon!!!!!!!!!!!!
Candido
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:59
Her first paragraphs reminds me also of Yoani’s dissatisfaction with her philology.
But in Laritza’s case her dissatisfaction is with been an attorney.
“Un diploma colgado en la pared, y un puesto de trabajo que no me satisface, es todo lo que tengo. Pero lo prefiero, antes de ser un t铆tere en el sistema de judicial cubano. Licenciada en Derecho, es el t铆tulo que ostento como profesional en mi pa铆s. 隆Qu茅 tristeza y frustraci贸n siento al decirlo! Creo que si me dieran otra oportunidad, eligir铆a otra profesi贸n.”
“A degree frame and place on the wall, and a work that does not satisfy me, is all I have. But I prefer that, than to be a puppet of the Cuban judicial system.
Attorney at Law. Is the title I have as a professional in my Country.
How sad and how frustrating to tell!
I believe that If the give me another opportunity,
I will choose another career.”
Wonderful post by Laritza, it will hopefully get translated!
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:47
I was reading this wonderful post by Laritza that has not been translated yet
http://vocescubanas.com/desdel.....-el-juego/
What a wonderful way to write and illuminate people about their rights!
I wish people in radio Marti would have a program where they can read the content of some of this blogs to the people of Cuba that do not have access to the Internet.
So they can hear what other Cubans like them are writing.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:40
Hefa, may I suggest we do not use the same tactics they use. If we do the same they do then we are no different. Let us show respect for them even if they do not show it for us and our opinions.
Let us not attack the individual but their ideas.
We should not lower ourselves to their level they should get up to ours.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:39
Did you see Omara Portuondo yesterday singing in front of all the jackals who were gathered in Cuba to hold a meeting of ALBA?
During her recital, the Cuban singer, walked in front of Raul, Chavez, Lazo, etc, etc,,, all of them kissed her hand as if she was the Queen Elizabeth,,, Chavez hugged and kissed her cheek,,, In other words, “All the demons gathered “!!! and the black sheep was with them!!!!(by the way, she was wearing a white turban made her look like a Taliban)
Now someone said that the Portuondo is coming to Miami for the month of March to perform several concerts.Just a few days ago she collected a Gramis award in Las Vegas.
A Cuban man “living in Miami” was in TV, saying that she was doing her job and that was nothing wrong!!!!!.can you believe it!!!!
So if Yoanis writes on his blog that Fidel is a tyrant, it means that because she (Yoanis) is telling the truth, then she is not doing anything wrong?
Which is the right point of view? (not for me,,I know which one is the right one!!!)
We must receive the singer or repudiate her?
Candido
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:30
@#48
I tell you HEFA … this organizations are being created faster that what they can be used …
I think Idiocy does not have a cure as of yet … in spite of the many, many subjects available.
Perhaps you could find an address for the idiotically challanged to volunteer their peculiar affliction for tests …
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:22
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 16th, 2009 at 13:19
Answer: The load ends up in Mexico.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:18
Question: What happens when you flush a toilet in Manchester, England?
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:16
@ #44
Siggu … Siggy …
I think exile was not breast feed when a baby … it may be the reason for he’s misplaced aggression.
Perhaps it afflicted him causing a napoleonic complex to develop … couple with with obsesive masturbation which as a consecuence affected his eye sight.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 13:00
18
Exile
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 19:19
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hey exile…… you said the mob were not afraid while repressing????….. take a look…. “the pissed mobster”……. hahahahahahahahaha…..
http://zoevaldes.net/2009/12/1.....ment-14667
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 12:51
You can place the picture into
http://www.flickr.com/ and then post the link to the picture here.
You can not directly post a picture here.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 12:47
Can anyone tell me how to upload a picture on this blog?
Humberto Capiro
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 12:33
The worst part for the Cuban Regime is that they can never stop us! :-)
We are the wild card!
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 12:08
@#39
Well said Julio.
There is where the threat to this regime is, in the imposibility of restraining the flow of information; the web can be “policed” but it can’t be controlled.
Since the flow of information is a two way street: this regime’s image as well as its behaviour towards its citizens (the regime’s “true colors”) are now known all over the world.
They can stop a few … but not all & we know … if nothing else, it only takes one …
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 11:21
People you have to remember that for most of us computers and computer technology are ubiquitous. This is not so for the majority of Cubans.
They may not have seen a computer at all so they may not even know how to use a mouse. So yes some people will need very basic training.
The blogger Academy is needed to supply this people with the basic knowledge needed.
Many of them will not be able to even post directly on a blog. Some may post via email or even phone. Remember internet access in Cuba is extraordinarily expensive.
The government does not want ordinary Cubans access to information.
Why?
Why the government takes this position ?
It is easier to lie to uninformed people.
So is not enough to be educated or well educated.
Information is key and that’s the part the internet provides in abundance.
The free interchange of information.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 11:00
I too wonder about the bloggers academy in terms of what is taught etc. To me it seems quite simple: 1) write comment 2) hit send. However, having said that. I do recall what it was like 10 years ago when I received my first computer. The things that I didn’t know then about computing are now second nature to me. The way technology evolves so quickly it is easy to forget your own first steps. I couldn’t even imagine the problems involved trying to communicate in ciberspace in an electronically closed country like Cuba. I wish the bloggers the best and hope they are carefull.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 10:56
Concubi,,take it easy man!!!! I know that this situation is very sad ,,,but at least, is not new,,,has been like that already for over -almost- 51 years,,,and (once again) at least, we were able to learn “how to be patient”!!!.
One more thing,,,remember that the main motto of this blog is “is forbidden to forbid”!!!!,,then, you can express yourself anything you want,,,and the way you want it.
Sometimes I remember -when you read the biography of some important poet or writer-, etc, etc,,,,that their best work was done exactly when they were depressed or sad,,,,because frequently that feeling allows you to spit out your real sentiments,,,the reality that is “a prisoner of your brain”!!!..
Don’t change,,,don’t forget that human beings are capable of adapting to almost everything!!!!!
My best regards
Candido
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 10:20
Actually concubino there are things we can do for them.
We can help translating their words into English for example.
Giving them more audience gives them more protection!
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 09:36
Candido.
My socio.. .I’m sorry if my posts are caustic sometimes. There is a time where I ask myself if I should be doing this..Sometimes I find myself in pity fights with other members of this blog which share the same ideas about Cuba that I have.
Sometimes I made reckless comments towards the administrators of this blog, which I regret when I reread them.Sometimes I’m being extremely rude.For instance in this post I don’t feel good when I reread comment 21. It’s an stupid comment.
Men,.. I really don’t know what to tell you.Perhaps is the anger of seeing Cuba deteriorating a bit more every day. Every day is something new. Now the Regime is building a wall around Dagoberto Valdes’s house.I feel impotent seeing all the abuse yet I’m doing nothing but bitching in these blogs.
Still there is some consolation when I read the latest post of 8vo Cerco.I’m mesmerize seeing the pictures of all these kids. You can see in their face their despair, sadness and hope all at the same time, but most importantly they refused to be defeated. They say No to the repudiation acts, they refused chivateria…I know that the end they will prevail.
Any way Bro Feliz Navidad !and Prospero Anno Nuevo!
PD:MVED cuando leo tus chistes..
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 09:06
26
Exile
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 23:04
…..anyone with a level of intelligence slightly above that of the proverbial village idiot can do it……
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is other of your bigger problems as blogger …….. I did not wanted to mention it for a urbanity question but thanks God you brought it…… hahahahahahaha
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 09:02
18
Exile
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 19:19
A blogger academy - what is this nonsense? ………….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That’s why you are nothing as blogger and your blog is “solitary”….. you do not know how to do and even worst… you picked up the stupidest theme a blogger can develop…. the apology of assassins, repression and tyrants.
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 06:10
Concubi!!!,,my friend!!!!,,,I’m ok,,,te he visto muchas veces (tus post!!!) e imagino que estas bien,,,anyways,, “I wish you a Merry Christmas,,,,and a Happy New Year”!!!!jaaaaaaaa.
Hefa:
Dejame adivinar,,,,si la H de t煤 nombre en espa帽ol es silente,,,,entonces, cuando lo lees en Ingl茅s, suena como si fuera “If谩”,,,,,mi pregunta es :eso tiene que ver con las “religiones Africanas, sabes, me refiero a la Santeria, etc, etc, etc?.
Para ti tambien te deseo una Fel铆z Navidad y un buen A帽o Nuevo!!!!,,,y aunque Cuba est茅 sumida en ese terrible drama,,,creo que debemos mantener nuestra “cuban铆a” y de vez en cuando podemos seguir CDLR!!!!!!,,jaaaaaaaaaaa
My best regards for both of you!!!
Candido
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 05:39
@ #18
exile:
“me thinks thou protests to much”
You remind me of Duffy Duck … “mine … mine … all mine …”
I am sure you are so proud of YOUR blogg.
Please don’t respond, don’t allow yourself to be distracted, your handlers may not like it …
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 05:32
Humor:
I am sure everyone enjoyed the moment of humor & banter, but let no one confuse this enjoyment with weakness or anything else.
Our resolve is to see this thing about Cuba to the end of its rightful resolution.
It is to support the freedom, dignity and life of all people, in Cuba & everywhere.
To all totalitarian regimes, to all dictators, the web is a tool of freedom.
The silence has been broken, the impunity of the dictators is no more.
Lets keep on working at it, there is a long way to go yet …
Diciembre 16th, 2009 at 05:20
exile:
I am proud of you … when did you get promoted to “village idiot”?
Comparing your access to technology and the freedom of expression you exercise to that of the Cuban situation seems to me more than an error in your part …
“Third rule of engagement: be consistent in your statements”
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 23:38
TO BE OR NOT TO BE A “GUSANO BLOGGER”! THAT IS THE QUESTION! (that’s Shakespear!)
I think Exile, that in this blog you will get a big YES or SI!!
Sir, if you are here to insult people you are waisting your time, the level of class and tolerance here is higher than your IQ!
Humberto Capiro- El Gusanote, El Maggote and Cubiche!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 23:34
THANKS TO JOEL GARCIA’S “UN CUBANO EN CANARIAS” BLOG
http://uncubanoencanarias.blog.....e-los.html
Lo que no se vi贸 de la protesta de estudiantes en el ISA Habana 22/10/09
What you did not see on the student protest in the ISA art school in Havana 10/22/09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 23:04
Moved? As Oscar Wilde said of the death of Little Nell, you would need a heart of stone not to laugh, John Two. Seriously, you don’t need to be taught how to blog - anyone with a level of intelligence slightly above that of the proverbial village idiot can do it, especially with Blogspot.
This “academy” looks more like a chance for gusanos to meet and get instructions.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 22:01
Julio,
Michael Moore runs a website where he promotes his ideas. Here’s a link:
http://www.MichaelMoore.com
Here is an email address for him also:
MMFlint@aol.com
It would be interesting to hear his reaction to the video you posted of the Cuban hospital. I wonder if Michael would check himself into, or allow any of his loved ones or friends to be admitted into such a place.
So why don’t we ask him…
Hey, Michael, ever heard of a nosocomial infection? Even the most strident of revolutionaries can’t fight bacteria without a little help from disinfectants, basic sanitation and plumbing.
Would you allow yourself to be admitted into the hospital shown in the video for even a toothache? How about something more serious, like surgery? Where would you draw the line? Or do you prefer the exclusive, “members only” hospital you showcased in “Sicko?”
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 22:01
There is an informative article on ‘Guerilla Blogging in Cuba’ that was published in a left-wing US magazine called ‘In These Times.’ The article was contributed by Orlando Pardo Lazo whose personal blog ‘Boring Home Utopics’ is part of the larger desdecuba.com blogging community. Its encouraging that left-wing publications In These Times are featuring the work of independent bloggers that the Castro regime considers counter-revolutionaries.
Here’s a couple of paragraphs and a link to Lazo’s article:
“But for a Cuban blogger to get to the mythical Ithaca that is the Internet, they must first navigate an odyssey of obstacles. First, there is the scandalous cost of connecting, which in just a couple of hours can swallow an average monthly salary ($15 to $20 U.S.). Then there are the Paleolithic browsing speeds (usually less than 50 Kbps). And finally, of course, there is the ministry-level apartheid that prohibits Cuban nationals from opening a web account with ETECSA, the national telephone company鈥攚hereas any foreign resident can do so with a simple bureaucratic application accompanied by hard currency.
Nonetheless, whether through tricks or under-the-table payments, information in Cuba today travels with unprecedented speed. Some people use online computers at diplomatic compounds, like the U.S. Special Interest Section, and thus are attacked as 鈥渄issidents鈥 by official spokespersons. Many occasionally log on from hotels to upload and download all their material for the week鈥攐r the month. (Sometimes Cuban nationals are allowed to do this openly, other times they鈥檙e banned from the cyber cafes at hotels that cater to foreigners; it鈥檚 always a mystery what will happen at any given hotel on any given day.) Others don鈥檛 upload or download their texts and images themselves, but send them instead, as e-mail attachments, to a collaborator who will do them the favor from abroad. This is also how many blogs publish in different languages.”
http://www.inthesetimes.com/ar....._blogging/
Thanks to Ted Hencken of the El Yuma blog for altering me to this edition of ‘In These Times.’ There are several other interesting articles on Cuba as well.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 21:58
John Two,
We “gusanos” and “cubiches” are entrepeneurs by nature, all cubans are in some way. For Exile to put down this inate desire by cubans is another attempt by him and his “handlers” to sabotage this blogger movement and a desperate move to put himself in the same “league” of all you great writers here. He has a LONG WAY TO GO to reach this level of decency and talent.
Humberto Capiro- El Gusanote, El Maggote and El Cubiche!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 21:21
Exile’s post below kinda got me mad.
To help me get over it I am reposting a December 3 Claudia Cadelo (who writes the Octavo Cerco blog) entry about Regina who had attended the blogger academy and is now writing the ‘bad handwriting blog,’ which is also being translated into English due to the efforts of a couple of loyal readers.
Claudia writes:
“Regina wanted to open a blog. With the Wordpress offline server she has learned in the academy how to hang a header, publish entries, and insert photos and links. La Mala Letra (Bad Writing), her blog, finally saw the light of cyberspace on November 11. Here is is a small paragraph from the blog of a woman who, without internet, without even a telephone, has found a way to express herself in Web 2.0.”
Regina writes:
鈥淪ome time ago the idea came to me to write, but the perception of being nobody, of having opinions that were irrelevant save to my family and friends, and above all, of having no power to influence events, kept me from doing it, again and again. But I decided to see signs in everything, and in that sense the article-essay 鈥淲hy I blog鈥 by Andrew Sullivan, has become a kind of enlightenment. As I live in Cuba it makes me smile to read that Sullivan updates his blog several times a day. With a great deal of optimism, I can do it twice a week. I have never visited a blog in person, I was introduced to the Internet live six months ago, and in such a fleeting way, that I run the risk of doing more of the same, but if I understand right, it doesn鈥檛 matter: if I help someone and someone helps me, I am making friends, or at least readers.鈥
How could any caring person be unmoved by Regina’s statement of never having visited a blog in person?
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 21:09
Julio#19
That video was posted here a couple of posts ago
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 20:22
National Public Radio PIECE:Cuba Jails American For Handing Out Cell Phones
(3 min 34 sec)
“MICHELE KELEMEN: State Department spokesman Ian Kelly says the U.S. has a number of programs to promote democracy in Cuba, which he said are open to scrutiny, but when it came to this case he had very little to say at his briefing yesterday. The trouble is, Kelly said, U.S. diplomats in Havana have not been able to see or talk to the individual who was arrested ten days ago.”
http://www.npr.org/templates/s.....=121452826
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 19:35
Another video of Hospital in Cuba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNhgym2bMtA
Is there any way to send this videos to Michael Moore and ask him if he can ask for permission of the regime to film this other hospitals? See if he can get it?
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 19:19
A blogger academy - what is this nonsense? I have been blogging since 2005 and I find the notion that you need to be taught how to run a blog frankly risible. Furthermore, the whole notion of blogging is solitary. We bloggers have something to say - that is why we set our platforms up in the first place - but the words are ours, and ours alone. Legitimate bloggers don’t need help to run their toys, for that is what our blogs are, we just set them up and start writing.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 19:19
Kent,
Believe it or not, they showed “The Lives of Others” in Havana. Yoani wrote about it.
http://www.desdecuba.com/generationy/?p=19
http://www.desdecuba.com/generationy/?p=17
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 18:46
HEFA#9
I have the same feeling every time I go to Habana, but unlike the strange you meet in old Habana, the faces I see are my own nephews.Shame.
Me Cago de la Risa(MCDLR)I got that one, so tomorrow I won’t be the “comemierda” who is gonna hit the streets …I hope..
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 18:02
Gracias, Julio.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 17:43
HEFA, it its possible to do on normal worpress blogs you do it with normal html tags for images but unfortunately Yoani’s blog got that disable. I have already try to do it and it did not work. I did tested on my own blog that is also word press type and it does work so. I think is disable.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 16:36
***
I know people in the U.S.A. who think Cuban People are all happy and living well in Castro’s communist Cuba. I always tell them to visit Yoani’s blog and read the truth. Or to read National Geographic Magazine to get honest reporting on Cuba.
***
Conozco gente en los Estados Unidos quine piensan que la gente Cubano son felices y viven bien en communista Cuba de Castro. Siempre les digo que visita el “blog” de Yoanni y leen la verdad. O leer la revista National Georgraphis a recibir reportaje honesto de Cuba.
***
John Bibb
***
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 16:16
Does anyone know how to paste a picture into a comment? Is that possible?
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:45
May God bless all Cuban bloggers and all those Cubans who bask in the free light from the bundles of free electrons that the bloggers send forth.
I recently watched the movie “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lives_of_Others” How I wish that I could send copies to all of you. The parallels between East Germany in the 1980’s and Cuba in the first decade of this millennium are striking.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:43
Concu # 8
No, no, no, HEFA is not JEFA–I am Cuban and in Spanish the H is silent. HEFA is simply the pseudonym I have chosen to use. It has nothing to do with gender or soccer leagues!
NMHR (no me hagas reir) porque MCDLR–I think you can figure this last one out–I think it is the future perfect of CDRL.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:38
Concu #7
Doesn’t CDLR sound much better than LMAO? There is a je ne sais quoi cubain about it that just rolls off the tongue so much better. Gracias re my Spanish–not bad for a gusanito that wormed his way out of Cuba while in the 2nd grade, huh?
Thanks for sharing the information about the World Series–as small as these apparently trivial pieces of historical information might seem, it is important to tell them–many people believe that prior to 1959 EVERY Cuban was poor and hungry and lived in dirt-floored bohios and lacked health care. Was there poverty, hunger, racism, and other miseries in Cuba prior to 1959? Yes, of course! These same problems also existed all over the U.S. in 1959 and still exist today in certain parts of the country, especially in places like Appalachia, but I don’t hear anyone calling for the total destruction of the American economy and the suspension of civil liberties and the Constitution so we can bring health care to Appalachia. Why would such a “solution” be OK in Cuba, then? I am convinced that the progress Cuba needed to make in these areas, especially the social ones, were coming–the sad thing is, things not only did not get better–they have become much worse–what is the point of Cubans having a low infant mortality rate and a life expectancy on par with the U. S. when all a Cuban child can aspire to is misery, hunger, and exploitation from the devolution and from his fellow Cubans and his only escape is suicide, alcoholism, or he he does not drown trying, floating away on whatever piece of material can be found? Here’s a quote from a young man I met in La Habana, 20 years old, made, born, and raised in the devolution when I asked him, “what are your dreams and hopes?” He said he lived for the day when he would be able to escape the hell that was Cuba. This remote possibility is what gave him hope and the will to live one more day. I only met him on the streets on Old Havana and we talked for a while–he allowed me to take his picture as a remembrance and so I could put a face to the incredible statement he had made, if only for my close friends and family. It was only when I got home and had the pictures printed I realized he was wearing an American ” No Fear” t-shirt with the No Fear logo off to the left shoulder–he probably had no idea what that phrase meant, but I think about him every now and then and wonder if he is still there, if he got out, has he given up and killed himself–Cuba has one of the highest suicide rates in the WHOLE world–like in the top three–and the highest in all of Latin and North America. These young people don’t know there was once a different, imperfect but with great potential, Cuba, yet the desire for freedom is there vivito y coleando!
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:28
HEFA
Tambien ahora es que me doy cuenta de tu nick en espannol ..es.JEFA..,de momento pensaba que eras aficionada al soccer y que vivias en Europa y que tu nick tenia que ver con la Copa HUEFA.
Na’ si yo te te digo que todos los dias sale un comemierda a la calle.
The difference is I have been that comemierda for last few days
Candido
Que bolon?…
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:12
HEFA
Your Spanish is more than fine.BTW me cogiste tras del palo con eso de CDLR.For a moment a I thought of CDR and Fefa and I was terrified .. . Anyway I like CDLR a lot is better than LMAO.
Adding to your point my father told me that the 1948 Major League World Series was televised to Cuba. It was watched in Cuba by all who has accesses to a TV set.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 15:00
OK–here is my first attempt at using my limited Spanish skills to express my reaction to “We Were so Few” a timely and excellent posting by Sanchez. In the era of viruses, epidemics, and pandemics, the virus Sanchez writes about is one that none of the vaccination programs of the CDRs will be able to stop.
Hay que apreciar el miedo que la maquinaria represiva le tiene a un medio de comunicaci贸n que aun no han logrado clausurar. No que no lo est茅n intentando, pero por lo menos hasta ahora no lo han logrado鈥攜 aunque lo logren, lo que se esta hablando y discutiendo es mas grande que los que lo hablan y lo discuten y mas poderoso que los medios de comunicaci贸n que se est谩n utilizando鈥攕implemente es imposible silenciar al ser humano que busca libertad y que le respeten los derechos b谩sicos que todos tenemos como seres humanos.
Nadie mejor que Fidel Castro conoce el poder de los medio de comunicaciones鈥攎iren lo bien que manipulo al mundo desde la Sierra con la entrevista que le concedi贸 al periodista norteamericano Herbert Matthews del New York Times en febrero 1957. Fidel apreciaba perfectamente bien la amplia audiencia que iba a tener ese reportaje, que entre otras cosas desminti贸 el reporte oficial del gobierno de Batista que Fidel hab铆a muerto. Fidel sabia que los pocos pobres gatos que tenia de ejercito en la Sierra no iban a impresionar a Matthews鈥攕e puso de acuerdo con los pocos que tenia para que durante la entrevista lo interrumpieran constantemente con noticias del frente tal y del mas cual etc. Matthews se quedo impresionado no solamente de la aparente organizaci贸n militar que tenia 26 julio, sino tambi茅n del aparente tama帽o del ejercito con que contaba. Se fue ilusionado de la Sierra y con Fidel y el resto es historia. Ah铆 nace parte del gran mito que es Fidel Castro.
Tambi茅n hay que apreciar que ya por la d茅cada de los 1920 Cuba era el cuarto pa铆s del mundo con mas estaciones de radio鈥攄etr谩s de EEUU, URSS, y Canad谩. Mas que en toda Europa y ni mencionar a Latino America. Una peque帽a islita que sab铆a lo que era estar informado atrav茅s de los medios m谩s adelantados del momento. Desde antes al los 1920 ya Cuba tambi茅n contaba con una cantidad enorme de peri贸dicos, revistas, y publicaciones profesionales y de todos tipos. Agreguemos la televisi贸n y la realidad que al final de la d茅cada de los anos 1950 exist铆an en Cuba m谩s televisores por capita que en los EEUU y que un escaso mes despu茅s del inicio de la transmisi贸n de televisi贸n a colores en los EEUU, la misma tecnolog铆a se comenz贸 en la Habana. Los cubanos estaban al tanto de todo lo que pasaba en el mundo entero atrav茅s de la radio, televisi贸n, y revistas y peri贸dicos.
Fidel personalmente sabia el poder que todos estos medios ten铆an e iban a tener sobre sus intenciones pol铆ticas y no iba a permitir ning煤n obst谩culo a sus fines que ya bien los conocemos. De eso no es necesario hablar. 驴Pero d铆ganme, cuantas estaciones de radio y televisi贸n existen hoy en d铆a en Cuba? 驴Cuantos peri贸dicos y revistas del gobierno o independientes?
Podemos apreciar el miedo que tienen en este momento en no poder controlar absolutamente la divulgaci贸n de la realidad cubana con modos modernos de comunicaci贸n. Solo tenemos que ver lo r谩pido que salen de la China o de Ir谩n reportajes por personas con y sin preparaci贸n period铆stica y lo que se esta reportando desde Cuba para ver lo que tenemos a nuestra disposici贸n.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 14:19
From a little seed in fertile soil:
Not knowing if is going to grow … takes faith.
Once it takes hold … is hope.
When it flowers … is the future …
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 14:07
I love the thought of this flourishing.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:57
Alright a quick note in a more serious vein (as opposed to my recent comments on the last post).
Yoani’s blog has received well-deserved international acclaim — but in the long term, I believe her blog itself will be almost insignificant compared to this other work she is doing. Let a thousand bloggers bloom, a hundred thousand, a million.
Yoani knows and understands so well that one voice crying out in the wilderness might be heard, but it will not move the wall. But many voices…
And so she has taken her considerable energies and put them to enabling those thousands of other voices.
This, to me, is her real accomplishment.
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:40
THE LATEST ON THE SAGA OF THE AMERICAN CONTRACTOR DETAINED IN CUBA.
REUTERS ARTICLE: Contractor arrest may ruffle Obama’s Cuba overture
“The Internet, access to which is heavily controlled on the island, has become the latest frontline for Cuban dissidents, such as well-known blogger Yoani Sanchez, who are seeking to challenge government clamps on the media and political activity outside the one-party communist system.
Dan Erikson, a Cuba analyst with the Inter-American Dialogue in Washington, said the arrest could be a warning Obama’s administration not to pursue USAID-funded programs in support of human rights and “civil society.”
“It is clearly intended to send a shot across the bow to future U.S. grantees who seek to circumvent the Cuban government to work with the island’s civil society,” he said.”
http://www.reuters.com/article.....Q820091215
Diciembre 15th, 2009 at 12:01
Yoani, What you do is amazing, keep up the blog and all the best for the future.