“Guardian angels”
I see police everywhere. I don’t know if they are stuck on my retina or if in recent months there has been an alarming growth in their numbers. They come in Mercedes Benz trucks, stand three at a time on the corners and even show up with their German shepherds at various places in the city. While hundreds of round modern cameras watch us from above, those in uniform control us on the broken sidewalks at street level. They come out of nowhere and disappear when we need them most. Astute in detecting a sack of cement transported without papers, they rarely emerge at night in the slums where the number of crimes grows and grows.
There are also those in plain clothes, those “guardian angels” with a permanent presence in any line, cultural center, or human gathering. They are no longer as easy to spot because they’ve changed their rayon pullovers, checked shirts and military haircuts for costumes ranging from braids with colored beads to letting their underwear show above the waist of their pants. They sport cell phones, sunglasses, and leather sandals, but still seem out of place with the expression of someone who does not blend into the situation they inform about. They go to the Film Festival but have never seen a Fellini film, they are in the art galleries but are incapable of saying whether a painting is figurative or abstract. In short, they have been taught to camouflage themselves but they can’t erase their sneer of contempt toward the “petit bourgeoisie weakness” that is art and its manifestations.
What I fear the most, however, is not this group with the metal badges on their chests, or those under cover who write reports, but the coercive police inside all of us. The one who blows the whistle of fear to warn us of what we do not dare, and who shakes the shackles of indifference each time we add to our critiques or opinions. The one who has attended the Academy of Self-Censorship and is a skilled soldier in showing us the roads that bring no trouble. The one with a Penal Code with at most a couple short articles: No. 1 “Don’t look for problems,” and No. 2 “What you do won’t change anything.” If we wake up one day wanting to silence the pounding of that one’s boots inside our head, then we remember the bars, the courts, the chill of a provincial prison. He doesn’t need to take a cudgel to our ribs, because he knows how to pluck the strings of fear, and with the phrase, “Stay calm, it’s better to wait,” he executes the karate kicks that leave our body immobilized, aching in anticipation.
Febrero 24th, 2010 at 12:19
Yo otra vez y esta para darle animos a Yoani, es una muchacha de a coj… cuidate mucho mi nina y ojala que el mundo te escuche y se haga algo, pero la verdadera solucion esta dentro de Cuba, se imaginan si se hace otra revolucion en Cuba pero para derrocar a la que esta vigente explotando al pueblo, contra un pueblo no hay ejercito que pueda porque es parte del propio pueblo.
Fe y justicia para el pueblo cubano.
Pepe el cojo.
Febrero 24th, 2010 at 12:15
Hola a todos: Yo soy Pepe y tengo 50 anos, vivo en USA desde los 12 anos y siempre he visto las restinciones para viajar a Cuba como un negocio entre ambos paises. Esto es un forma mas de ganar dinero a costa del sufrimiento y el trabajo duro de otros. Al igual que el envio de dinero y paquetes a la isla. Pero la realidad hermanos mios es que no todos los que estamos al lado aca lo estamos porque eramos perseguidos en la isla por el regimen de los Castro ni porque estabamos en contra del regimen, en mi caso me importa poco si es Fidel, Raul y periquito perez el que gobierna en la isla, o si es socialismo, comunismo, capitalismo; porque no estoy ni a favor ni en contra de ningun modo de direccion de un pais. Lo que jode en verdad es que ambos paises se consideran los mas defensores de los derechos humanos de la faz de la tierra y con todas las mier… que hacen pues se hechan mas tierra encima en contra de los derechos humanos porque lo que hacen cada dia es poner las cosas mas malas para con las familias y los seres humanos, y no solo de Cuba sino de muchos otros paises del mundo que se juegan la vida para llegar hasta aqui. Lo que hace falta es un poco mas de dignidad y respeto a la vida y dejarse ya de comer de la que pica el pollo que en un final todos salimos del mismo lugar y para el mismo lugar vamos. Los cubanos que estamos en el exilio sufrimos mucho pero los que aun estan alla estan sufriendo mas, de eso no le quepa la menor duda. Pienso que todo aquel que aun conserve familiares o amigos alla y pueda ir y de alguna manera ayudarlos pues que lo haga. Aquel que piense que el dinero y las cosas que se lleben al final van a manos del gobiernos pues tiene la razon pero solo que ya iria una vez disfrutado por esa familia y por esos amigos que a veces son para uno mas que la propia familia, tengo amigos que dan la vida por mi y estoy seguro que muchos de mis familiares pues quizas hasta me quieran joder. Pero asi es la vida. Lo que si no veo bien claro es el hecho de que alla en la isla con tan buenos que dicen que son no ponen las cartas sobre la mesa, no lazan las leyes a la luz del mundo. Todo aquel que ha llegado a pisar suelo americano esta en contra del gobierno en Cuba y eso no es asi. Los presos politicos, aquellos que se han casado con extranjeros y luego han brincado para aca, aquellos que se jugaron la vida en camaras de tractor, en balsas inventadas, en botes de remos, en lachas rapidas, en cruceros y barcos fantamas; como sea, pues han venido en contra de no seguir aguantando mas maric… y poder respirar un poco porque aquello es agobiante. Se que esto es muy posible que lea algun miembro de la seguridad de estado cubano o quizas del consejo de estado y quisiera que reflexionaran un poco sobre que realmente esta pasando en la isla con los ciudadanos de la isla, no los companeros sino los seres humanos que tienen el derecho de vivir como tal, como seres humanos. He conocido casos de personas que han venido para aca y al cabo de los anos han sacado o renovado pasaporte, todo bien pago y todo muy legal porque al final esas cosas las aprueban alla en Cuba y cuando llegan al aeropuerto los envian para atras en el mismo avion que fueron y a otros los dejan entrar y cuando llegan al municipio en que viven pues uno de los miembros de la seguridad que atiende el municipio lo visita y le pegan un cuno en el pasaporte senalando que no puede entrar mas a la isla. Que es eso ??? Que derechos humanos, lazos de hermandad, respeto a la familia y todo lo demas es eso ??? Porque se bien claro que en Cuba de lo que mas se habla es de la familia, hasta en las escuelas uno de los factores principales para todo es la familia, y lo que estan haciendo es destruyendo la gran familia de cubanos, porque eso es lo que creo que somos, una gran familia y no importa donde estemos ni porque estemos asi, lo que importa es el gran sentimiento de unidad que hay en cada uno de nosotros. Dejemos de politicas y de cosas sucias que al final solo traera mas problemas y mas muertes. Cuantos cubanos han muerto intentando venir para este pais ??? MILES !!! ……. HASTA CUANDO ??? Permitan salir legalmente a todo aquel que lo desee, permitan entrar libremente a todo aquel que lo desee O cambien el regimen que tienen y demuestrenle al mundo eso que tanto hablan en las cumbres de Ginebra sobre los derechos humanos. Hay muchas otras mas que me gustaria hablar pero creo que ahora no es el tiempo pero ya habra un espacio para eso. Por lo pronto todo aquel que quiera comentar sobre lo que aqui esta escrito que lo haga, luego respondo lo que sea porque si una no tengo es miedo ni pelos en la lengua y la verdad siempre saldra a flote por la via que sea.
Nota: Mi historia no es del todo cierta, no siempre se debe decir todo y ustedes saben muy bien el por que ….. porque podria traerme grandes problemas debido a todo lo que sucede en la isla. Cuidense y hechen pa’ lante.
Febrero 10th, 2010 at 08:40
This is an extremely well-written article.
Keep writing - I will try to get the message out in the States, which is now pre-occupied with the jobless recovery for the Big Rich and the paralyzing snow storms in the Rust Belt.
BP
Febrero 8th, 2010 at 19:03
I listened to the July 2, 2008 Obama speech from about the 15 minute mark onward. Obama talks about a number of initiatives in which Americans of all ages could serve their country. He starts out talking about setting up an Energy Corps where young people could do energy efficiency retrofits, he talks about enlisting veterans to support military families, he talks about strengthening the foreign service and the Peace Corps. What Obama is talking about is the importance of the US projecting soft power - not only military power - in order to achieve national security objectives. These may or may not be sound (or affordable) proposals. That’s debatable. But to suggest they represent a threat of the civil liberties of Americans is ridiculous.
Febrero 8th, 2010 at 04:57
@#22
Humberto:
you are right, I was just trying to point out how one sided the idea is.
Without judging actions, this regime & the venezuelan goverment consideres carrilles a criminal yet … this “advisor” is considered an “important” officer.
The point is as well, some people forgets … there were many other carrilles, all considered criminals by this regime yet … in the name of the revolution countless atrocities have been comited, not just agains human rights, in the field of battle.
The most flagrante: guevara’s invation of Bolivia, w/attempts to overthrow a legitimate goverment.
All around we hear how that turd was “murdered” … he was executed …
Nevertheless, thank you for your spot on comment!
Febrero 7th, 2010 at 12:49
Statue,
You’re absolutely right — but the line that so upset John Bibb does not appear in the prepared text versions of the speech which differ in other smaller ways from what he said when he delivered it. Obviously he was speaking “off the cuff” when he delivered the “infamous” line… in fact I listened to the entire video you posted to make sure I was hearing the same speech. But I took my excerpts from the printed text.
Febrero 7th, 2010 at 12:34
Andy#59
I’m not the type of person that engages in rumors spreading I consider myself a factual and fear person. I read the speech you attached on #59 and there is no mention whatsoever to the topic we were discussing “The Civilian National Security Forces”.
So I did some digging and found a larger video of his speech in Colorado Springs. The YouTube speech is 26:44 minutes long and on 16:44 minutes, he says clearly “We can not continue to rely only on our Military in order to achieve The National Security objective that we have set, we got to have a Civilian National Security Force that is just as powerful, just as strong, just as well funded” So there you have it folks, for everyone to listen & read and made their own mind. Here is the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
Febrero 7th, 2010 at 02:35
John Two, John Bibb, Hank, Statue, Everyone — I find it particularly interesting — once again thinking of where this discussion is taking place — that in the comment section of a blog by a woman who lives every day of her life under a totalitarian “communist” dictatorship (I put “communist” in quotes because this dictatorship is not about an economic system, it is all about power and nothing else)… a blog by a woman who writes using metaphor as one of her mightiest weapons… that someone would try to take the metaphoric words of the American president so far out of context to imply that he is a communist and would-be dictator leading his country to hell. Thank you John for the text of the speech, I remember it well, now. It was one of Obama’s most powerful speeches. I think it is worth excerpting a fair amount of it here to illustrate just how much it is possible to distort people’s words when you take a single phrase, a metaphorical phrase, completely out of context.
This entire speech is about people serving their country through NON-GOVERNMENTAL organizations… exactly what is outlawed in Cuba… about people taking responsibility for their country into their own hands.
A New Era of Service, Senator Barack Obama
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, July 2, 2008
… Through service, I found a community that embraced me; citizenship that was meaningful; the direction I’d been seeking. Through service, I discovered how my own improbable story fit into the larger story of America.
There is a lesson to be learned from generations who have served - from soldiers and sailors; airmen and Marines; suffragists and freedom riders; teachers and doctors; cops and firefighters. It’s the lesson that in America, each of us is free to seek our own dreams, but we must also serve a common purpose, a higher purpose. When you choose to serve - whether it’s your nation, your community, or simply your neighbor - you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That is why this is a great nation. Because time and again, Americans have been willing to serve on stages both great and small; to draw on the same spirit that launched America’s improbable journey to meet the challenges of each defining moment in our history.
One of those moments came on September 11, 2001. Whether you lived in Manhattan or thousands of miles away in Colorado, you felt the pain and loss of that day …That’s why Americans lined up to give blood. That’s why we held vigils and flew flags. That’s why we rallied behind our President. We were ready to step into the strong current of history, and to answer a new call for our country. But the call never came.
Instead of a call to service, we were asked to go shopping…
We have lost precious time. …The burden of service has fallen on to the backs of our military - and their families - who have endured tour after tour of duty bravely and brilliantly, even though they haven’t always gotten the care and support they have earned.
…
I am running for President, right now, because of what Dr. King called the fierce urgency of now. This moment is too important to sit on the sidelines. …And that is why I won’t just ask for your vote as a candidate - I will ask for your service and your active citizenship when I am President of the United States.
…. We will ask Americans to serve. We will create new opportunities for Americans to serve. And we will direct that service to our most pressing national challenges.
There is no challenge greater than the defense of our nation and our values. The men and women of our military - from Fort Carson to Peterson Air Force base, from the Air Force Academy to the ROTC students here on campus - have signed up at a time when our troops face an ever-increasing load. Fighting a resurgent Taliban. Targeting al Qaeda. Persevering in the deserts and cities of Iraq. Training foreign militaries. Delivering humanitarian relief. In this young century, our military has answered when called, even as that call has come too often. Through their commitment, their capability, and their courage they have done us all proud.
…
Just as we must value and encourage military service across our society, we must honor and expand other opportunities to serve. Because the future of our nation depends on the soldier at Fort Carson, but it also depends on the teacher in East LA, the nurse in Appalachia, the after-school worker in New Orleans, the Peace Corps volunteer in Africa, and the Foreign Service officer in Indonesia. Americans have shown that they want to step up. But we’re not keeping pace with the demand of those who want to serve, or leveraging that commitment to meet national challenges. FDR not only enlisted Americans to create employment, he targeted that service to build our infrastructure and conserve our environment. JFK not only called on a new generation, he made their service a bridge to the developing world, and a bright light of American values in the darkest days of the Cold War.
…People of all ages, stations, and skills will be asked to serve. Because when it comes to the challenges we face, the American people are not the problem - they are the answer.
We’ll send more college graduates to teach and mentor our young people. We’ll call on Americans to join an Energy Corps to conduct renewable energy and environmental cleanup projects in their neighborhoods. We’ll enlist veterans to help other vets find jobs and support, and to be there for our military families. And we’ll also grow our Foreign Service, open consulates that have been shuttered, and double the size of the Peace Corps by 2011 to renew our diplomacy.
…Meanwhile, there are ideas across America - in our inner cities and small towns; from college graduates, to seniors getting ready to retire - that could benefit millions of Americans if they’re given the chance to grow.
As President, I will launch a new Social Investment Fund Network. It’s time to get the grass roots, the foundations, the faith-based organizations, the private sector and the government at the table so that we can learn from our own success stories. We’ll invest in ideas that work; leverage private sector dollars to encourage innovation; and expand successful programs to scale. Take a program like the Harlem Children’s Zone, which helps thousands of kids in New York through after-school activities, mentoring, and family support. We need to make that model work in different cities across America. And just as we support small businesses, I’ll start a new Social Entrepreneur Agency to make sure that small non-profits have strong support from Washington.
…
And that’s how it should be. That’s the bet our Founding Fathers were making all of those years ago - that our individual destinies could be tied together in the common destiny of democracy; that government depends not just on the consent of the governed, but on the service of citizens. That’s what history calls us to do. Because loving your country shouldn’t just mean watching fireworks on the 4th of July. Loving your country must mean accepting your responsibility to do your part to change it. If you do, your life will be richer, and our country will be stronger.
We need your service, right now, at this moment - our moment - in history. I’m not going to tell you what your role should be; that’s for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part; ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history. I am asking you to change history’s course. And if I have the fortune to be your President, decades from now - when the memory of this or that policy has faded, and when the words that we will speak in the next few years are long forgotten - I hope you remember this as a moment when your own story and the American story came together, and - in the words of Dr. King - the arc of history bent once more towards justice.
Febrero 7th, 2010 at 01:47
Taken out of its context, it’s pretty easy to distort what Obama said in a highly selective You Tube clip.
But here is the full text of Obama’s speech on July 2, 2008 in Colorado Springs:
http://www.rockymountainnews.c.....as-speech/
The speech was about a new era of service for American youth.
Febrero 7th, 2010 at 00:25
John Two #45
First of all I don’t want to be taken to the firing squad for the video you are about to see, I saw your comments and immediately searched for the information you requested from John Bibb and here is what I found in YouTube about the subject, you guys be the judge, I’m impartial. Here is the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt2yGzHfy7s
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 21:30
Oh-My-God –
This is getting way out of hand. John Bibb, take a big step back and swallow a pill or something, get some counseling. Holy Moses - what planet do you come from? Yubano is right. You have lost all credibility. It is a sad thing to see.
Andy and John Two, Thank you. Jeez.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 20:28
***
HI AGAIN JOHN TWO–#45. Google OBAMA NATIONAL POLICE FORCE. President Obama made the statement in Colorado Springs on July 2, 2008. There is a lot of information and Youtube video on this–some also show chilling Hitler Youth rally film to remind how Hitler and other totalitarian regimes brainwash children–and to unfairly “tar” President Obama. Communist Pioneers and Islamic Jihadi madrassahs use similar techniques–but smart people think for themselves.
***
Like the old Mexican proverb says, “La boca cerrada no trampa moscas!”. (A closed mouth traps no flies!) And video recording is on 24/7/365. I bet he wishes he hadn’t made this statement.
***
John Bibb
***
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 18:44
Who would have though that the hyperinflation would happen in Cuba?
200 cuban pesos for a can of Mango pure. That is the full salary of a month of many people in Cuba!
Who is responsible for this?
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=19016
No one to blame but the regime.
Why if many of this products are produce in Cuba why do they have to have such hight price?
The worker are not pay high salaries they are paid salaries that range from 200 to 400 pesos. If this are the same workers producing this can of Mango. Then this is not exploitation this will be slavery!
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 18:26
The task ahead of the first democratically elected president of Cuba will be monumental. Cuba will need a lot of help.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 18:22
I was so sad when I visited to see how the Castro brothers exploit the Cuban people that I swear to myself not to visit again until Cuba was free. I could not stand to know the way they where asked to sacrifice and to see everything even worst than when I left.
That is what happen when a government is not accountable and the people are not able to vote them out if they do not fulfill the promises they had made.
Instead of everybody life improve everyone became really very poor. To the point that many will prostitute themselves in order to live.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 18:16
I left almost 21 years ago and visited in 1998 for 10 days.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 17:30
julio when was the last time you where in cuba??????
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 17:11
Humberto @#22
Dear friend, I meant that Carrilles is considered a criminal by the venezuela gov. & by castro inc.
I do not consider carrilles a criminal but a fighter!
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 16:09
The most important aspect of American democracy is that is a 3 way power split something very very wise.
Fortunately the president is only allow to replace Justices that retired or die so there is little possibility of one seating president changing all the supreme court justices to be on his side. The same goes for Congress. The president has little influence into what congress do and who gets elected.
And all this 3 branches like the holy trinity form one bigger entity the US government. This is an exemplary way to govern since between the 3 of them can keep taps on each other.
The American constitution and the bill of rights are extraordinary documents and something to be proud of.
One of the wises rules is for any person can only be president for two terms. That is more than enough time to do whatever you intent. Eight years is a long time.
To think that Fidel Castro have been in power for 50 years!
I can not believe that there could be persons that are so seduce by the honey of power. I guess it must be really sweet to be in that position.
It was clear from the very beginning that his intentions where to take over the country. Unfortunately Cuba never had a strong democratic tradition as it is the case of most of Latin America. We do get into supporting these dictators that destroy our countries. Once they are gone we are left with no country.
How wonderful Cuba will be if it was a democracy. If the government was really elected by the people and represented the will of the people of Cuba. It will happen. I think most Cubans have learn the lesson. This was a hard lesson we needed to learn. To develop a country there is no short cuts. You have to work hard.
Freedom have to be protected. We will need to create civil institutions like the ACLU the day Cuba is free. Because they are needed to keep any future government from doing the same that Castro did.
There needs to be a reconstruction of the civil society and national reconciliation.
Some will be forgiven for what they have done. Some should be punish for what they have done. Who and what punishment. That should be a decision that the people of Cuba will take.
I will be oppose to more blood spill. People who have blood on their hands should pay with long sentences. It will be more punishment for them to see an economically successful Cuba. The one they never have.
This will happen. Soon.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 15:44
***
HI YUBANO–#46–AND JOHN TWO–#45. I do have a lot of history and government background. I read a lot of military history also. From a practical standpoint the law in the U.S.A. means what the 9 Supreme Court justices say it means. This is the same court that decided that the Black slave Dred Scott could be owned by another person–like a cow! They had no problem denying Black people their rights then.
***
And our military is the last line of defense–when I was a soldier long ago I promised to DEFEND AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION AGAINST ALL ENEMIES–BOTH FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC. The American Civil War tested the loyalty of all military personnel then. The American People will provide the practical referendum on our democratic congress and on President Obama in the 2010 and 2012 elections.
***
As far as providing links and dates / times for President Obama’s many statements–he spoke more than 400 times in 2009! He is on T.V. almost daily–he gets more air time than Viagra ads do! His national police force comment came during the 2008 campaign on T.V. as I remember–and seemed quite bizarre.
***
Regards, John Bibb
***
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 14:32
John Bibb
It is not a question of whether Obama respects the constitution. Even if he wanted to do any of the things you suggest he could not do so unilaterally. You don’t need to trust the man, the system is our guarantee. You seem to think the president can rule by fiat, this is not Venezuela. Any president who would deliberately attempt such a thing would be impeached and thrown out of office. The president of the US is limited in his actions and is counterbalanced by the legislative and judicial branches of government. Go back and read your middle school civics books you seem to have missed those lessons.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 14:14
John Bibb, it would be helpful if you provide links or sources to back up your statements about Obama. I have no idea whether Obama wants a national police force since you didn’t provide a source. All I know is that many democratic countries including mine (Canada) have a national police force. The police exist to protect law abiding citizens and safeguard our civil liberties.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 14:01
Regarding #40, it’s been previously reported that Cuba wants to tie the release of the US AID contractor to the release of the so-called Cuban Five. That’s a tough one.
If the Cubans are only asking for the end of the US AID “democracy program,” that might be worth considering. There’s no evidence that this program accomplishes much. What it does do is paint a big bulls eye on the backs of those Cuban dissidents who choose to collaborate with it. That’s why dissidents like Yoani want nothing to do with it. Much better to leave Cuban solidarity work to NGOs and private citizens.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 13:53
***
HI YUBANO–#36. I hope you are right in thinking that President Obama will respect our Constitution. I hope I am wrong about him being a “Manchurian Candidate”. But I keep seeing actions that do not make sense to me. And I hear him speak.
***
I see his actions in supporting Zayala in his work to violate the Honduras Constitution as communist. Fidel, Chavez, and Obama thought the same way. Honduras followed their laws and elected a new president–no Castro or Chavez “President for life” stuff.
***
President Obama spoke about forming a national police force “as strong as the U.S. Military!”. How will these police be used?– against the U.S. People? Will it be like Hitler’s SS, SA, or Gestapo? Will it be like the Soviet KGB? Will it be like the Cuban police who abuse Yoani and other Cubans wanting peaceful change in their government?
***
I have never seen such actions or heard such statements from an American president before–have you?
***
John Bibb
***
HOLA YUBANO–#36. Espero que estas correcto en pensar que President Obama va respetar nuestra Constitution. Espero que estoy en error en pensar que el es un “Candidato Manchuriano”. Pero sigo viendo acciones que no tienan razon a mi. Y le oigo hablar.
***
Veo sus acciones en soportar Zayala en sus esfuerzos a violar la Constitution de Honduras como acciones de un communista. Fidel, Chavez, y Obama piensaban el mismo. El pais de Honduras observaba sus leyes y eligibaba un presidente nuevo–no Castro o Chavez “Presidente por Vida” acciones.
***
Presidente Obama hablo de formar una fuerza de policia nacional “egualmente fuerte como los fuerzas militares de los Estados Unidos!”. Usara esta policia contra la gente aqui? Estara como los SS, SA, o Gestapo de Hitler? Estara como el KGB del gobierno Sovietica? Estara como la polica Cubano quien abusa Yoani Sanchez y los Cubanos quienes quieran cambios pacificos en su gobierno?
***
Nunca veia acciones asi o oia dichos asi de un presidente Americano antes–y usted?
***
John Bibb
***
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 13:28
Obama is no communist.
In my opinion he is a person that have try to stay in the right path. Make the US satisfy the rules that others must also follow. We are not special. We are a country between many. We are very fortunate to have the freedom we have. That freedom is responsible for all the good and beautiful things in this country. That was the great vision of the forefathers. America was and still is the beacon of freedom in the world. The place every one looks as example of what to do.
You can not ask everyone else to follow rules when you yourself or your country does not follow rules. If you notice that is the purpose of most of Obama’s actions.
It does give you a higher moral ground to stand on, and for others to follow on our example.
We as a country will not be able to tell others to follow rules like no torturing of prisoners when we ourself do it. We do not have the moral. Now with Obama the issue is getting rectified. Under no circumstance we should abandon our principles. Because that is exactly what our enemies want. What the enemies of Freedom want. We are weak when we have a dual face. When we conveniently apply principles and forget to apply them when is not convenient. Principles are principles. Never should be abandon.
About freedom. We always have to be on guard. Because any government is capable of taking it away for their own benefit. It does not even have to be a communist government to do that.
They start by taking a few little things and then few little things more and all of the sudden you realize you have nothing.
When we have the Bush government. Some of our values where eroded. With Obama we are settings now things back to what they should be.
Considering all the problems he inherited from all the previous administrations. He is doing an extraordinary job as a president. I voted for him and will most likely vote for him again.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 12:31
MORE ATTENTION TO CUBAN BLOGGERS!!!
SCOTTISH PAPER-CALEDONIAN MERCURY: Blogging from Cuba
February 6, 2010 by Andrew McLeod ·
“You may have heard of GeneraciĂłn Y, a blog written by a disgruntled Havana citizen, Yoani Sánchez. Sánchez, a philologist, won Columbia University’s Maria Moors Cabot award for journalism in 2009 and Spain’s Ortega y Gasset award for journalism in 2008, but the Cuban government denied her permission to attend either ceremony.
Yoanni’s blog has been translated into many languages, including English.
But there are other blogs that are not translated, and we will be returning to some of them from time to time. This one (my translation) is by 38-year-old Joisy GarcĂa, who is a technician in the Cuban pharmaceutical industry. His blog, called Criollo Liberal (Liberal Creole) is a quiet rant against the daily frustrations of life in Cuba:Criollo Liberal
Havana, Cuba January 2010
Unfortunately, private property is in short supply in my country, to the point where it doesn’t exist. If I wanted to sell my house, it would be against the law; if someone manages to buy a car, with great effort and after several harvests, he cannot sell it, because there is no documentation for a sale. If tomorrow I discover oil under my patio, no doubt I’d be sent the paperwork for a transfer to a micro-brigade* housing block in San AgustĂn; if I wanted to eat a cow, even if I had raised it since it was a calf, I wouldn’t be able to, because though mine, it too, would not be mine. This is unimaginable, but it sums up the saying, “what is yours, isn’t yours”.
For a practical example of what I am saying, just ask any private lathe operator: when the lathes break down, the damage isn’t lasting, they are almost always in use and most of these machines belonged to our grandparents. (But ask them with a certain amount of discretion, they might think you’re an inspector and throw a tool at you).
Another true example of how private property works is discernible on a daily basis: those ancient trucks from the Fifties, some of which are still privately owned and date from the so-called “savage capitalism” of yore, work perfectly well. The old chassis doesn’t let its owner down, because maintenance is always carried out with impeccable care.
Despite the famous blockade, how many buses of different makes have we seen in this country over the past 50 years? However, the old private trucks are still ready for battle, and the latest example of “that which belongs to all belongs to no one”, can already be seen in the doors of the latest buses bought from China and Russia – if they were in private hands, just think how long these modern buses would last.
The sad thing is, money which should be used for the progress of all, is being used to turn back the tide.
In order to write this little meditative note I did not have to look anything up in a magazine, or be a university lecturer, or have a degree in private property, much less be a scientist or a modern philosopher. I need only look around me to see what works in the world; reality is out there for all to see each and every day.
I respect other people’s point of view, but may I suggest that we waste no time, that we live and prosper economically. I’ve drawn my own conclusions: let’s present our precious country to Mrs Market Economy – I can assure you she works.
* Micro-brigade: Composed of future tenants, who were to build their own housing blocks. The scheme has stalled due to a lack of resources and many members have been waiting a decade or more for hou
http://world.caledonianmercury.....cuba/00187
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 12:17
WALL STREET JOURNAL: Castro’s Hostage Politics
A U.S. aid contractor is under arrest.
FEBRUARY 6, 2010
“For more than a half century the Castro dictatorship has put new American Presidents to the test. Those who fail invite trouble. Think of JFK and the Bay of Pigs, or Jimmy Carter and the election-year Mariel boatlift.
Now Fidel is testing President Obama by playing hostage politics with an American aid worker.
Alan P. Gross of Potomac, Maryland was working as a contractor on the island for the U.S. Agency for International Development when he was arrested by state security on December 4. Two months later he still hasn’t been formally charged with a crime, but Cuba claims he is a U.S. intelligence agent and won’t release him. Last week Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno RodrĂguez announced that Mr. Gross had committed “serious crimes” and is “under investigation.”
Mr. Gross’s real offense seems to have been trying to help Cubans communicate with the outside world. In particular, he had been aiding the island’s small Jewish community in using the Internet to contact Jews abroad.
The staying power of Castro is in part explained by the dangerous, shark-infested sea that has kept the population physically isolated. But the dawn of cyberspace has let Cubans learn more about the outside world—for example, that 90 miles away milk for children is not a luxury. Yoani Sánchez, a 32-year-old Cuban mother who chronicles her daily struggles on her “Generation Y” blog, has achieved international notice.
The State Department says Mr. Gross hasn’t signed a privacy waiver so it cannot speak publicly about his case. But it is no secret that Castro wants USAID’s Cuba “democracy program,” which Mr. Gross was part of, closed down. Sources in Washington say Fidel and brother RaĂşl want this as a quid-pro-quo for Mr. Gross’s release.
If Castro gets his way on this one, history suggests he’ll sense Presidential weakness and only demand more. A better response would be to suspend the U.S. visa program, which lets the regime charge roughly $850 per Cuban who emigrates and then becomes a source of remittances to the island. Mr. Obama could also send an emissary to instruct Castro that any attempt to unleash a refugee crisis will be considered a hostile act.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....theadlines
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 12:14
Obama is not a communist. Perhaps he could be called a ‘Niebuhrist.’ Interesting article about Obama’s favorite philosopher on the CNN website:
“Gustav Niebuhr says he’s gratified but not surprised that Obama would gravitate to his great-uncle.
“Obama is a very deep-thinking person, from what I can tell,” Niebuhr said. “He is very attuned to nuance. I think he’s found a philosopher that suits his temperament.”
Crouter says he can see Niebuhr’s pragmatism and moral complexity in Obama’s governing style.
Some Americans became disenchanted by the apparent backstage tradeoffs Obama was accused of making in health care negotiations.
Niebuhr thought, however, that well-meaning people often couldn’t get anything done because they preferred to appeal to people’s altruism, not their self-interest, Crouter says.
He said there was a difference between being a ‘fool for Christ’ and a plain damn fool.
“He thought that sometimes getting your hands dirty with self-interested folks is the only way to make progress,” Crouter says. “If you don’t believe the Kingdom of God is just around the corner, the best you can sometimes do is take baby steps toward justice.”
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITI.....index.html
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 11:52
Cuban back into Cuba,
I hope you are legitimate. If you do live in Havana and all that you say is true, this is a much welcome sign. You have the support of many. Please keep us informed. Your English is very good.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 11:01
We will persevere. We are a vast majority that wants and needs our freedom back from these criminals that have taken it away from us. I live in Havana, the capital, but we have many many friends throughout Cuba that are willing to stand firm against the worst dictatorship that has ever come to be in this hemisphere. The dictatorship is afraid of us, they don’t know what to do with us now, it is impossible for them to fill all their numerous jails with us, they cannot take us all to the firing squad. Let the Butcher from Artemisa (ramiro valdez, castro’s himmler) go to Venezuela and try to crush chavez’ opposition, the freedom loving Venezuelan society. Meanwhile we will have Cuba ignite more the freedom movement that started with a crack in castro’s wall, and that now is becoming a bigger and bigger crack that will eventually become the destruction of the criminal wall that the dictatorshipo has built around the Cuban People!!!
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 10:28
John Bibb
You have squandered whatever credibilty you may have had with your anti-Obama rant. Obama is the President of the US, not a self-appointed tinpot dictator of a banana republic. In the US it isn’t about the President it’s about the institutions, the respect for law,the checks and balances and term limits. The system does not allow for the creation of authoritarian rule. We are a centist nation, radical political swings to the left or right are simply not possible. If Obama’s political program strays and goes beyond the mandate of the citizenery he will be tossed out in four years. There are many people in the US opposed to Obama’s agenda, myself included, but to equate him with a totalitarian thug is not only rediculous but smacks of the same kind of lazy,convenient sloganeering that we hear from the lunatics on the other side of the cuba issue.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 10:19
El Yuma,
Excellent observations — I agree, this is one of Yoani’s finest. I have read and re-read it and find it revealing on many levels. I think Yoani is writing about fear and how utterly paralyzing it can be. Overcoming fear takes an act of strength and bravery because it means going against the basic instinct of self preservation that we all have. Pero ella no se mantiene callada.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 08:47
Andy GarcĂa’s video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ1SZ80ptNs
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 08:35
More on Orlando Zapata Tamayo, posted on Uncommon Sense:
Cuban police crack down on activists showing support for prisoner Zapata
Cuban freedom activists are rallying around political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who has been on hunger strike since Dec. 3 to demand his human rights be respected.
And so the dictatorship is responding in kind:
HAVANA — Cuban police harassed and briefly jailed some 35 political dissidents this week in the eastern city of Camaguey, a Cuban human rights group said Friday.
Twenty-three dissidents were “brutally beaten and detained” after marching Wednesday in a demonstration in Camaguey, 530 kilometers (330 miles) east of the capital Havana, the underground Committee for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (CCDHRN) said in a statement.
The demonstrators were protesting “the cruel and inhuman treatment” of Orlando Zapata, a jailed political dissident on a hunger strike since December, according to CCDHRN president Elizardo Sanchez.
The protesters were briefly jailed, then released.
Another 12 dissidents, as well as two detained Wednesday, were arrested Thursday at a Camaguey home where they were planning “acts of solidarity” in support of Zapata, whom Amnesty International has declared a prisoner of conscience.
Cuban Democratic Directorate has the names of those arrested. Among them are several former political prisoners whose stories you can read on the right sidebar.
http://www.marcmasferrer.typepad.com/
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 08:23
viva fidel viva raoul viva cuba…
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 02:08
I just have to repeat one thing:
“his uncle was a communist influence”….
I mean REALLY?!?!?!??!?!?!??!?!??!?!?!?
This is the proof you have that Obama is Hugo Chavez in disguise… democratically taking us down the road to hell?
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 02:06
John Bibb — You’ve been a good and solid commenter on this blog, but i feel now you’re refusing to engage.
Please explain precisely what it is that Obama does that is duck-like.
“He was influenced by his uncle… a “communist influence”. Hell, I hung around with lots of neighborhood “communists” in my youth… I am not a communist.
Van Jones resigned.
Obama quit that church.
At their request, he went along with actions cooked up by a lot of people to try to rescue GM and Chrysler — which those two corporations welcomed. I’m not sure I agree with the actions, but I don’t see them as communist takeovers.
The banks are going belly up due to their own greed and mismanagement — and the government has no intention of becoming the permanent owner of these banks… it is trying to minimize the impacts on ordinary citizens.
He is not proposing to “take over” health care — he is trying to develop a plan to guarantee all Americans access to healthcare. Over 15% of the population in currently uninsured and if you remove seniors covered by Medicare… a BELOVED government insurance program… the percentage is much higher.
Please give me a direct quote where Obama says he wants to “steal from the many” to “give their money to others” and who are these others?
I listen and watch and I see absolutely not one single shred of evidence that Obama is on his secretive underhanded nefarious evil way to being Castro II.
I stand by my original statement. It is an incredible insult to people who actually have to live under communist totalitarian dictatorships to equate their situation with the current U.S. administration.
Febrero 6th, 2010 at 01:02
***
HI JOHN TWO #27 AND ANDY #26. I remember when Fidel was seen as a person who would reform Cuba. His real plans were hidden until he got control of the Cuban police and military. President Obama’s uncle was a communist influence in his life. He places self confessed communists (Van Jones) in high government positions. His church has a marxist pastor who hates our country. His actions in taking over GM and Chrysler, banks, and proposing to take over health care show his real plans. He speaks of stealing from many to give their money to others–he calls this INCOME REDISTRIBUTION. Karl Marx gave this idea to the communists. Don’t listen to him–watch his actions.
***
I do not have any proof–and nobody had proof that Castro would change Cuba into a communist hell hole. But–IF IT LOOKS LIKE A DUCK, WALKS LIKE A DUCK, QUACKS LIKE A DUCK, POOPS LIKE A DUCK–IT’S A DUCK! Or maybe Castro II.
***
HOLA JOHN TWO #27 AND ANDY #26. Recuerdo cuando Castro fue visto como un persona quien iba reformar Cuba. Sus planes verdaderos estaban escondido hasta que tomo control de la polica y fuerzas militares Cubanos. El tio de Presidente Obama fue una influencia communista en su vida. El pone communistas confessados (Van Jones) en positiones de influencia en el gobierno. Su iglesia tiene un pastor marxista quien odia nuestra pais. Sus acciones en tomando control de GM y Chrysler, bancos, y en proponiendo un sistema de “salud nacional” muestran sus planes. Habla de robar mucho gente para dar su dinero a otros–se llama REDISTRIBUTION DE INGRESOS. Karl Marx dio esta idea a los communistas. No haga caso a sus palabras–mira sus acciones.
***
No tengo pruebas–y nadie tuvo prebas que Castro iba cambiar Cuba a un “hoyo del infierno” communista. Pero–SI PARECE SER UN PATO, CAMINA COMO UN PATO, HAGA RUIDO COMO UN PATO, CAGA COMO UN PATO–ES UN PATO! Ou es possible que es Castro II.
***
John Bibb
***
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 21:35
John Bibb, and what evidence do you have that Obama wants a communist America?
I’m glad that Yoani and the Cuban bloggers have a lot more respect for Obama than you obviously do.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 21:34
To John Bibb re comment #17
What disturbs me about your comment that Obama wants to turn the U.S. into a communist state is not the complete and total absurdity of the charge… it is that you would make it here, in the comment section of a blog dedicated to human freedom and democracy in the face of a true, brutal, totalitarian dictatorship.
You imply there is a direct link between the governance of a nation that has presidential elections every four years, and term limits meaning no president can serve more than 8 years, to a country that has not had multi-party, multi-candidate elections in over 50 years.
Further I can only imagine you are upset by proposals such as universal health care — feel free to correct me if I’m wrong — which is enjoyed by citizens in other countries across the globe. Is France a communist country? Is Canada? How about Australia? Or Great Britain? Is Queen Elizabeth a totalitarian dictator?
Do you truly imagine that Obama wants to do away with private enterprise entirely, destroy capitalism, establish a dictatorship or oligarchy that will rule the country continuously without free elections? Do you think he is a twin to Hugo Chavez?
I am really really curious to know on what you base this charge that he is a communist and wants the US to be a communist country.
I find it tremendously insulting — not to Obama, not at all. As he is a free man in a free country these kinds of charges are like water off a duck’s back. Who cares. No, I find it tremendously insulting to Yoani, to Aung San Suu Kyi, to the incarcerated citizens to North Korea, to those who died in the Cambodian killing fields, and to all the people in the world who are truly enslaved by their governments.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 21:19
One of our greatest presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, said these words: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Our task, my friends, is to continue to expose the dictator and his facilitators for who and what they are and what they have done. They are murderers, no less. Evil incarnate. We all know it. The whole world knows it.
But we also know that they are human beings like the rest of us — and are therefore not beyond the reach of common law. They must be prosecuted under the law and afforded the rights they denied others during their reign of terror.
Now that the curtain is slowly being pulled back and the horror show is finally coming to its inevitible end, it will be up to us to show the restraint they did not. I hope we can.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 20:08
From the 3 types of policemen mentioned by Yoani the most dangerous the most terrible is the last one. That inner policemen that stops us with fear and make us keep silent when we should speak up and raise our voices to make the wrongs right.
Fear is the tool of the inner policemen. The tool that keeps your mouth shut when you should speak, and with your lips sealed your mind is in a storm of thoughts that can not find exit from your being.
Fear is something difficult to control. But you get over it. The most difficult part is the initial jump. The realization that you can also do it.
We need to exorcise that last policemen inside each of us. Maybe one person can not make a difference but we all can. One day on that same plaza where people used to chant Viva Fidel maybe one day soon it will be,
Viva Cuba libre.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 19:32
I GUESS CHAVEZ IS TAKING NEWSWEEK’S 2010 PREDICTIONS SERIOUSLY!
NEWSWEEK 2010 PREDICTION #4 Chávez Faces Another Coup
“The bullish global economy and skyrocketing demand for crude oil until late this decade played into the hands of Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chávez. But the recession took the wind out of Hurricane Hugo, and now Chávez’s quest to convert Latin America to “21st-century socialism” is falling apart. A carnival of government spending and a disastrous price freeze promise to stoke inflation. Prices, up 30 percent in 2009, will head even higher in 2010; inflation falls hardest on wage earners and the poor, Chávez’s choice constituency, and decimates public investment in roads and electricity. As rolling blackouts, mounting government debt, and the Cold War with Colombia—Venezuela’s biggest trade partner after the U.S.—grow worse, the problems will paralyze the economy, hobbling factories and emptying supermarkets. Fresh milk, beef, and floor fans become luxury items. Chávez declares war on the daily bath, “a bourgeois indulgence.” Even with oil prices rebounding, Venezuelan GDP tumbles for the second year running, shrinking 2 percent in 2010 as the rest of the world pulls out of recession. Privation stokes despair and crime; the murder rate in Caracas, already the hemisphere’s most violent city, goes off the charts. The Bolivarian leader’s vaunted popularity tumbles. The mood among the humblest Venezuelans, who put Comandante Hugo in power in the first place, and the disgruntled middle class, accustomed to Western-style consumerism, turns mean. The military steps in to depose Chávez and restore order, as 21st-century socialism spins toward the familiar 20th-century tableau of scarcity, poverty, and chaos.”
http://2010.newsweek.com/top-1.....-coup.html
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 19:28
La flaca no para. I almost never comment on Yoani’s posts but always read them. This is one of her best. She starts with a great description of something we all know about, and then adds a twist and turns the criticism toward each and everyone who has learned to callarse pa vivir otro dia. Sharp and provocative as always!
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 19:15
To Albert,
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 13:53
“Ramiro Valdez is an “advisor”… but Posada Carrilles is a criminaL”
NO ALBERT! THE CRIMINALS ARE THE CASTRO BROTHERS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS!
HUMAN RIGHTS WORLD REPORT:World Report: Abusers Target Human Rights Messengers -Rights-Respecting Governments Should Speak Up to Protect Defenders
January 20, 2010
“In Cuba, Human Rights Watch documented how RaĂşl Castro’s government, instead of dismantling the repressive machinery of the Fidel Castro years, has kept it firmly in place, keeping scores of political prisoners in detention and arresting dozens more dissidents.”
http://www.hrw.org/en/world-re.....ws-release
CUBA REPORT:
“Raul Castro has kept firmly in place and fully active Cuba’s repressive legal and institutional structures. While Cuban law includes broad statements affirming fundamental rights, it also grants officials extraordinary authority to penalize individuals who attempt to exercise them. Article 62 of the constitution explicitly prohibits Cubans from exercising their basic rights contrary to the “ends of the socialist state.”"
Human Rights Defenders
“Refusing to recognize human rights monitoring as a legitimate activity, the Cuban government denies legal status to local human rights groups. The government also employs harassment, beatings, and imprisonment to punish human rights defenders who attempt to document abuses. In May 2009, after authorities warned him several times that he would be imprisoned if he did not abandon his work, human rights activist Juan LuĂs RodrĂguez DesdĂn was sentenced in a closed, summary trial to two years for “public disorder.”"
http://www.hrw.org/en/node/87516
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 19:03
MIAMI HERALD:Republicans ask Obama to cancel Cuba migration talks
BY JUAN O. TAMAYO jtamayo@ElNuevoHerald.com
“Eight congressional Republicans on Friday alleged the Obama administration is trying to “appease” the Cuban government after the arrest in Havana of a Washington subcontractor, and called for the cancellation of bilateral migration talks now set for Feb. 19.”
“The letter to Clinton noted that after Gross’ arrest, USAID strongly discouraged recipients of U.S. pro-democracy funds from traveling to Cuba, and that nongovernmental organizations “have been informed that the administration is considering taking democracy assistance funding in a `new direction.”’
“The Cuban government is greatly threatened by the evident progress of the pro-democracy movement and is utilizing the arrest of Mr. Gross to force the United States to cease providing aid to Cuba’s independent society,” the Congress members wrote.
“It appears that the administration has opted to handle Mr. Gross’s arrest by trying to appease the Cuban dictatorship,” they added.”
“A State Department spokesman said U.S. consular officials in Havana were allowed to visit Gross this week — the second such visit since his arrest two months ago. But no further details could be released because of privacy laws, the spokesman added.
U.S. government concern over Gross’ detention “is a matter that we’ve raised with [the Cuban government] on multiple occasion and that we will continue to raise with them,” the spokesman said, asking for anonymity because of department policies.
The 60-year-old Gross, of Potomac, Md., is a veteran development specialist who has been involved with several programs to provide Internet access to civil society groups around the world.”
http://www.miamiherald.com/new.....65285.html
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the United States federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid: the development assistance programs created and funded by the U.S. Congress through the Foreign Assistance Act, annual funds appropriation acts, and other legislation.[3] An independent federal agency, it receives overall foreign policy guidance from the United States Secretary of State and seeks to “extend a helping hand to those people overseas struggling to make a better life, recover from a disaster or striving to live in a free and democratic country…”[4]
USAID supports economic growth, agriculture and trade; health; democracy, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance. It provides assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa; Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Eurasia.
http://www.usaid.gov/
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 15:56
ramiro valdez is an “electrical advisor” like Adolf Eichman was an accountant and bookeeper. It is laughable that valdez, one of the architects of the destruction of cuban infrastructure is advising anyone. He was sent to Venezuela to impart his expertise in dealing with dissenters. Sending him there was an act of desperation by fidel and his cronies. fidel is throwing a rope to his sugar daddy Chavez. The castro cabal is terrified of the possibility of Chavez getting overthrown and ending the Venezuelan subsidy. castro/chavez will resort to any means to supress/repress the students and anyone else who opposes chavez, including using the human attack dog valdez. With the arrival of valdez expect to see increasingly repressive measures taken against the opposition. The apagones will continue.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 15:30
Albert,
Reading about Orlando Zapata Tamayo fills me with rage and fury. It is truly disgusting what has been done to him. There will be justice one day, I intend to see to it.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 13:53
Ramiro Valdez is an “advisor”… but Posada Carrilles is a criminal …
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 13:29
***
HI HUMBERTO CAPIRO–#14. Good comment–Hugo Chavez wants a communist Venezuela. And I think my president–COMRADE OBAMA–wants the same for the U.S.A. We will fight in the streets it he tries to steal our liberty. It will be war if this happens here.
***
HOLA HUMBERTO CAPIRO–#14. Buen commentario–Hugo Chavez quiere una Venezuela communista. Y creo que mi presidente–COMRADE OBAMA–quiere el mismo por los Estados Unidos. Vamos pelear en los calles si haga la lucha a robar nuestra libertad. Va ser guerra si esta pasa aqui.
***
Yoani Sanchez sees the police as her enemy–after her kidnapping and beating by them. They serve Castro–not the Cuban people.
***
Yoani Sanchez ve la policia como su enemigo–despues de su secuestro y golpiza por ellos. Ellos sirven al Castro–no a la gente Cubano.
***
John Bibb
***
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 13:25
Ramiro Valdez was also the head of the G2 or the equivalent to the east german stasi or the Russian KGB.
Maybe the reason for him to go to Venezuela is to place the final nail on democracy so that Chavez can solidified his absolute power.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 13:16
Ramiro ValdĂ©z was sent to Venezuela to aid Chávez in his expertise which is “Energy”. He holds an engineer degree from “Castro’s University” and a master in “Information”, ask Yoani, she can tell you.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 12:45
LATIN AMERICAN HERALD TRIBUNE:It looks as though Hugo Chávez is putting his men into position to mount a frontal assault and set up a despotic communist regime in Venezuela once and for all.
“This Tuesday, February 2, during a ceremony to commemorate the 11 years Hugo Chávez has been in power, he announced that Cuba’s minister of computer services and communications and president of its State Council and Council of Ministers, Ramiro ValdĂ©s, had arrived in the country. Allegedly, ValdĂ©s is here as the head of a Cuban technical commission that has come to cope with Venezuela’s current electricity crisis.”
“Many analysts are astounded at the audacity and cynicism of this presidential announcement, given the grave consequences that bringing Cuba’s third strong man to Venezuela will have.”
Some analysts maintain that this Castro-Chávez combination cranks up repression and political persecution in Venezuela to unthinkable levels for Venezuelan democrats.
Why is Chávez revving up the repression apparatus precisely at this time? There are two hypotheses.
One says it is because he feels threatened and weak now that he is faced with hunger, unemployment, rampant inflation, crime, widespread corruption, and the serious electricity crisis for which he himself is largely responsible and that threatens to scuttle the revolutionary process. His strategy would seem to be to crush protests by sowing terror in the population. There is the possibility that this weapon will be used against dissidents as never before in Venezuela, not even in the times of the dictatorships of Juan Vicente Gómez and Pérez Jiménez.
The other hypothesis is that he perceives the opposition as being weak and divided and, on top of that, he feels he is in such a strong position that he considers that the time is now or never if he is to set up his communist dictatorship once and for all. Those who support this hypothesis argue that the feeble reaction in rejecting ValdĂ©s’s presence in Venezuela by groups and individuals who speak out on behalf of the general public is proving that Chávez is right.”
http://www.laht.com/article.as.....ryId=13303
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 12:11
Those of us who live in relative freedom soon become aware of the inner cop, since we have no external excuse for inaction. I admire that you can recognize “the coercive police inside all of us” while living in a state with so many coercive police all around you. May God grant you the strength to live in freedom, despite those who persecute you.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 11:58
Orlando Zapata Tamayo …
does anyone need to know why is he doing what he choose to do?
A life … so little worth to some … so valuable to give away …
No matter what … there always be somebody to stand up …
No matter what … there always be somebody to take his/her place …
No matter what … human dignity prevails …
No matter what … we will not stop …
You are: ORLANDO ZAPATA TAMAYO … CUBANO, they cannot take that away from you !!!
castros: be afraid, the settlemet of your deeds is comming ….!
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 11:43
Cubans on the island are stating to speak up and be heard. The fear of getting thrown in a dirty jail for many years is ending. Everyone needs to keep the pressure on the facts of what happens in Cuba and bring it to the limelight so that Changes come about. I love Yoani, Gorki , Ciro Celia Cruz true CUBAN HEROS. You will be recorded in Cubas written history even though the Regime would like to see them vanish. I would love for some day that all cubans could have the right to choose their leaders and speak their minds. Cubans need a new revolution to pick up their Spirits.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 11:36
Marc Masferrer posted this last night on his blog, Uncommon sense.
http://marcmasferrer.typepad.com/uncommon_sense/
Cuba prisoner’s hunger strike is a test of faith
Orlando Zapata Tamayo
Faith that Cuba will one day be free requires a belief that the fortitude and spirit of the Cuban people will triumph over the cruelty of the Castro dictatorship, that good will defeat evil.
Some days, however, the prospects for that seem especially grim.
Consider what is happening at the Amalia Simoni hospital in CamagĂĽey.
Outside, about two dozen anti-government activists are standing in vigil and in solidarity with political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo, who inside is dying of the effects of a hunger strike he started Dec. 3 to demand that his human rights be respected by his captors.
They also are showing their support for Zapata’s mother, Reina Tamayo Danger, who this week, again, witnessed the regime’s abhorrent cruelty.
Tamayo on Thursday said a government official told her that if her son dies, “It will be your problem.”
To expect from a representative of the dictatorship anything resembling compassion, is to expect the sun to rise in the west. But the exchange is an especially startling reminder of the profound evil faced by those Cubans, like Zapata, willing to take on the Castro regime. The official’s willingness to expose himself like would make the most devout shake with fear.
Protest by suicide is never acceptable. The faith that right will prevail one day on the island won’t allow it.
But consider the desperation felt by Zapata. He has been sentenced to a long prison term, and his jailers have made it worse with their abuse and torture. He is fighting back with the only thing he has left — his life.
The official is wrong. If Zapata dies as a prisoner, his blood will be on the hands of the Castro brothers and those who serve them. There should be no doubt about that.
I would not be surprised, however, if that doesn’t provide Reina Tamayo any comfort.
For the desperation felt by Zapata is perhaps matched only by her desperation to save her son.
Hopefully, those standing with her on the streets of Camagüey and around the world — each one of us reminding mother and son, and those who oppress them that they are not forgotten — will give her and everyone fighting for a free Cuba, the strength to keep the faith.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 09:19
Yubano @#7
Yours is a response I’ll take to the bank !!!
I think you are much to generous in stating that by engaging, credibility is imparted the again perhaps you are right … a turd is a turd & there is no credibility for a turd, only a certainty … it exists.
By now what they call “propaganda” against the regime has taken hold thru the world.
Proven to be tru time & time again.
One or more of this “instigators” do not make a difference even to a “fence rider” (I believe).
The abuses of the regime are known & documented, particularly now when the “silent voices” are as loud as ever.
So they exercise the same rights they stifle … they allow themselves to be used … and they prostitute themselves cheaply.
They are unable or choose no to see themselves as what they are cheap & easy.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 09:10
cubano
yinetero…
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 08:52
Hank
I understand and respect your need to constructively engage, that is your choice. I do not choose to do so, it is mostly a waist of time and energy. Most importantly I believe that when you engage these people with their absurd, cynical and obsolete arguments you impart credibility. You are saying I believe your argument is valid and a response is merited. Is it responsible to give intellectual or moral equivilancy to these arguments/comments? Is it responsible to give the uninformed fence sitters the impression that these are credible ideas? Or is it more appropriate to point these arguments out for what they are? Some in here are operating under the premise that we are still fighting a battle of ideas. That battle has been fought and lost by the other side. Communism, totalitarianism ,fidelismo are bankrupt, defeated ideas. I have no patience or tolerance for those that wish to expouse cynical lies, misinformation or who defend the killers and abusers. I gladly yield to your sense of fair play even though I believe is it misplaced when dealing with the cubano and 291rcr’s of the world.
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 08:06
cubano … my friend … you forgot: “abayo todos los yankees cubanos …”
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 07:57
abayo a todos los cubanos yankees
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 07:56
viva cuba viva los castro viva el pueblo abayo a todos los yankees……….
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 07:20
One more thing
go to Yoani’s twitts
“La intolerancia que noto a mi alrededor me desanima. Cuando el argumento sustituira al grito?
3:41 PM Jan 24th from txt”
“The intolerance I see around me disappoints me. When will the argument replace the scream?”
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 05:50
dear friendly instigator/s …
when doing what you do, using different incarnations or identities if you like: remember to change your form of expression, the commun use of certain terms, the choice of topics.
Otherwise it get boring … “talking” to the same person using different names.
Using the same “little catch phrases” following the same script, come on! make it interesting, paste pictures, document the revolution’s acomplishments, sing a song … tap dance?
But if you are “instigating” as a sport, for a cheap thrill, remember (to wear gloves) while you are patting yourself in the back, its sooo cleaver; what you do is a two way street … just keep it mind.
Somewhere somehow someone will do it to you, for sport of course (I hope he/she wears gloves to).
Then … you’ll feel something, perhpas you’ll even wonder “why me?”
Febrero 5th, 2010 at 05:31
The more you see or better yet the more you “feel” around you … the more certain that the repression is escalating.
Does not matter who’s orders, is the result of (to borrow Julio’s phrase) cracks begining to show in the wall.
Now is when courage means nothing, there are no heroes, only patriots.
Now is when as physical outsiders we must stand in support, united.
Now is when we may begin to notice more & more “instigators” attempting to distract & manipulate our conversations with minor details & vague points of view.
To borrow (again) from “statue” now is when ignoring this instigators is a choice.
Lets make it interesting … like the tree in the forest … does it make noise if there is no one to hear it?
Oh … I am rather distressed, in the verge of tears … I thought the moon was made of cheese …
Then again, as a true revolutionary … I should not put my personal beliefs & interests (I like cheese … I love cheese) ahead of my fellow revolutionaries.
Besides I can’t remember the last time cheese was available …
Hey cubano! … che cubano …!
Viva Cuba abayo fidel …
If it offends you ask him to write me a comment!