Comments on: Same Old Cuba – by Humberto Fontova http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/ Sat, 26 May 2012 22:25:16 +0000 hourly 1 By: Life http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-643053 Life Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:11:15 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-643053 I am really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the format for your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway stay up the excellent quality writing, it?s rare to see a great weblog like this one these days.. I am really impressed along with your writing talents and also with the format for your weblog. Is this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway stay up the excellent quality writing, it?s rare to see a great weblog like this one these days..

]]> By: Obama4Life http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-13356 Obama4Life Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:10:34 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-13356 Che is a hero Fontova is a douche. Che is a hero

Fontova is a douche.

]]> By: jcperez http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-13139 jcperez Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:50:11 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-13139 “Raul moving forward in Cuba, or is that just smoke and mirrors.”<br>1. Agricultural decision making power from National to municipal.<br> This move has allowed more produce to stay local, therefore more food in the bodegas. But complaints of high prices still abound. The problem still lies in the availability of funds for the necessities of production and the freedom to distribute it in a truly free market. Both still State controlled. Ah, yes, freedom to vend your own products and determine your own path, damn that freedom, it got in the way again.<br> On the other hand it has eliminated many, many unneeded governmental departments that produced all the red tape between the State and municipalities, thus assuring more revenue to be freed up for the Central Government. As to how this new found revenue will be used is yet to be determined, and how much will filter back to the municipalities is yet to be seen.<br> Cuba’s annual yield in produce and livestock is below all of the Caribbean and Central America. More than half of the countries produce comes from 20% of the tillable land and the State owns the other 80% of the land. The States inefficiency to manage the country’s economy and their agricultural sector in particular is well documented and has been on a down slide since the onset of Fidel’s revolution. <br> Raul Castro’s move to put more decision making power into the local hands is unprecedented in a communist State that a few short years ago simply asked it’s people to tighten up their belts and hang in there, their struggle was for the revolution. Viva la Patria, viva comunismo, viva Fidel, “Socialismo o Muerte”. It’s hard to believe that Fidel would let all those wonderful clichés that are plastered all over billboards and the sides of buildings throughout Cuba go to waste. If Capitalism wins out in Cuba, doesn’t that make his revolution(Fidel) a looser? The jury is still out on his agricultural reforms, and until the people can actually feel the economical restraints loosened and the peso begin to flow their way, well then everything remains status quo. Remember that the State owns 80% 0f the tillable land and controls all pricing. Like the old saying goes, “Easier said than done”. Now that the world economy is at a basic stand still, things will continue to get worse. We’ve seen no reform to speak of, the money never made back to the municipalities, and the only thing we’ve heard from Raul lately is the same old Revolutionary rhetoric. “Tighten your belts, and work harder.” Sounds like an echo.<br>On another subject:<br> Raul commutes death sentences.<br> The sentences of some death row inmates have been commuted to life and in some cases to thirty year terms, including a Guatemalan National and a Salvadorian National accused of being involved in a 1997 bombing.<br> This comes under the Human rights issues of which Cuba has been accused of relentlessly violating over the years by the world community. <br> As a Cuban American born in Cuba and a victim of the revolution having been forced from my homeland at a young age, my view is simple and to the point. By commuting a death sentence to thirty years in a Cuban jail just might be a worse sentence then death. After having spoken to many people over the years that had been in Cuban jails and many people who still to this day have members of their family in Cuban jails, they seem to feel the same way. Death would be more welcome. I’ve often heard them say that their loved ones anxiously await their deaths and it couldn’t come too soon as far as they’re concerned. The atrocities they are subjected to in their Cuban Gulags are beyond the boundaries of humanity. Raul needs to start with Human rights reformation then Cuba might not have to commute so many death sentences.<br>The Latest reports from independent and international wire services is that arrest are up, and Raul’s new government continues to crack down on dissidents, and anyone else who dares speak against the revolutionary policy. Same old same old, Raul learned well; Rhetoric about prosperity, without delivery, and if you make waves, speak your mind, or in any way are in disagreement with the central governments revolutionary policies, you are labeled a dissident, and tagged for harassment and arrest. When the Cuban Government speaks I feel like Charlie Brown when Lucy begins to rant and rave, all I hear is “Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah. A lot of talking and no visual sight of any changes in fifty years has given the Cuban people a Missourian Motto attitude. Don’t tell me, show me. “Raul moving forward in Cuba, or is that just smoke and mirrors.”
1. Agricultural decision making power from National to municipal.
This move has allowed more produce to stay local, therefore more food in the bodegas. But complaints of high prices still abound. The problem still lies in the availability of funds for the necessities of production and the freedom to distribute it in a truly free market. Both still State controlled. Ah, yes, freedom to vend your own products and determine your own path, damn that freedom, it got in the way again.
On the other hand it has eliminated many, many unneeded governmental departments that produced all the red tape between the State and municipalities, thus assuring more revenue to be freed up for the Central Government. As to how this new found revenue will be used is yet to be determined, and how much will filter back to the municipalities is yet to be seen.
Cuba’s annual yield in produce and livestock is below all of the Caribbean and Central America. More than half of the countries produce comes from 20% of the tillable land and the State owns the other 80% of the land. The States inefficiency to manage the country’s economy and their agricultural sector in particular is well documented and has been on a down slide since the onset of Fidel’s revolution.
Raul Castro’s move to put more decision making power into the local hands is unprecedented in a communist State that a few short years ago simply asked it’s people to tighten up their belts and hang in there, their struggle was for the revolution. Viva la Patria, viva comunismo, viva Fidel, “Socialismo o Muerte”. It’s hard to believe that Fidel would let all those wonderful clichés that are plastered all over billboards and the sides of buildings throughout Cuba go to waste. If Capitalism wins out in Cuba, doesn’t that make his revolution(Fidel) a looser? The jury is still out on his agricultural reforms, and until the people can actually feel the economical restraints loosened and the peso begin to flow their way, well then everything remains status quo. Remember that the State owns 80% 0f the tillable land and controls all pricing. Like the old saying goes, “Easier said than done”. Now that the world economy is at a basic stand still, things will continue to get worse. We’ve seen no reform to speak of, the money never made back to the municipalities, and the only thing we’ve heard from Raul lately is the same old Revolutionary rhetoric. “Tighten your belts, and work harder.” Sounds like an echo.
On another subject:
Raul commutes death sentences.
The sentences of some death row inmates have been commuted to life and in some cases to thirty year terms, including a Guatemalan National and a Salvadorian National accused of being involved in a 1997 bombing.
This comes under the Human rights issues of which Cuba has been accused of relentlessly violating over the years by the world community.
As a Cuban American born in Cuba and a victim of the revolution having been forced from my homeland at a young age, my view is simple and to the point. By commuting a death sentence to thirty years in a Cuban jail just might be a worse sentence then death. After having spoken to many people over the years that had been in Cuban jails and many people who still to this day have members of their family in Cuban jails, they seem to feel the same way. Death would be more welcome. I’ve often heard them say that their loved ones anxiously await their deaths and it couldn’t come too soon as far as they’re concerned. The atrocities they are subjected to in their Cuban Gulags are beyond the boundaries of humanity. Raul needs to start with Human rights reformation then Cuba might not have to commute so many death sentences.
The Latest reports from independent and international wire services is that arrest are up, and Raul’s new government continues to crack down on dissidents, and anyone else who dares speak against the revolutionary policy. Same old same old, Raul learned well; Rhetoric about prosperity, without delivery, and if you make waves, speak your mind, or in any way are in disagreement with the central governments revolutionary policies, you are labeled a dissident, and tagged for harassment and arrest. When the Cuban Government speaks I feel like Charlie Brown when Lucy begins to rant and rave, all I hear is “Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah. A lot of talking and no visual sight of any changes in fifty years has given the Cuban people a Missourian Motto attitude. Don’t tell me, show me.

]]> By: YourNewBestFriend http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12962 YourNewBestFriend Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:52:44 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12962 Depending on who would replace these people, here's my "shopping list" for those I would approve for political assassination: Kim Jong-il, Hugo Chavez, los hermanos Castro, Lula da Silva, Ahmedinejad, Barack Obama (although I thnk the media martyrdom of all these spacetakers would be completely nauseating). Depending on who would replace these people, here's my “shopping list” for those I would approve for political assassination: Kim Jong-il, Hugo Chavez, los hermanos Castro, Lula da Silva, Ahmedinejad, Barack Obama (although I thnk the media martyrdom of all these spacetakers would be completely nauseating).

]]> By: johncarens http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12907 johncarens Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:43:22 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12907 Good Lord. We can rest assured that, if this little vignette about the "Cuban Program" seeped out of the swamps of Vietnam to our safe, little ears back home, then there was likely much worse actually going on. And I hope our Loving God has built some special rooms in His House for these indescribably brave young heroes. (-And that the Devil has some treats reserved for their tormentors.) <br><br>Mother Theresa is without peer in her assertion that America is under judgment. Our willful disinterest in Cuba is one of the reasons why, in my estimation. How on earth can a supposed Christian nation, for fifty years, sit beside the festering, oozing boil of thugocracy like Cuba without liberating it is beyond my ken. The suffering, the injustice, the murder, the privation, the terror of the Castro cabal is partly the fault of America for not have the cultural confidence to enforce not only the Monroe Doctrine (the USSR was funding Castro in his nascent, jungle form and we suspected as much even then) but to stand up to Franklin Roosevelt's ash-canning of the Platt Amendment in favor of his own self-styled "Good Neighbor Policy". Which was neither a real policy, nor did it involve being a "Good Neighbor". <br><br>If Richard Nixon was ever right about anything (and I don't know that he ever was), he felt that we could have prevailed in an outright action against Cuba during the Missile Crisis, that he would have found "appropriate legal cover and gone in". (What was not known at the time, though, was that there were tactical nuclear weapons on the Cuban beaches, with Russian commanders holding the launch buttons, so who knows.) But, we DO know Kennedy should never have given the pledge to "never invade" Cuba to Khrushchev. This severely truncated our later-date options. We had (and still have, now that the USSR no longer exists) the "proper legal cover" (-the Platt Amendment, with Cuban signatories), and we should have reserved the right to invade at any time we had a President with enough stones to reverse Roosevelt's stupid policy (which was never done as a formal treaty, but only an executive action). <br><br>The grandfather of a good friend of mine was once Mayor of Cienfeugos (Cuba), and he often reminded his grandson that Batista may have had his faults (not the least of which was being overly impressed with American mobsters), but he at least allowed genuine anti-government protest and stood for two national elections against real opposition. The Cuban people made the mistake of boycotting these elections, which I bet they would give anything to have the chance to re-do today.<br><br>Speaking of today: Things have never looked darker for the poor, ravage and enslaved people of Cuba. America is now governed by a man that not only looks beyond their suffering to his hallucinations of socialistic cherubim, but that smiles and shakes hands with Fidel's brother-in-murder Hugo Chavez. God, I hope they can hold on for another three years. Good Lord. We can rest assured that, if this little vignette about the “Cuban Program” seeped out of the swamps of Vietnam to our safe, little ears back home, then there was likely much worse actually going on. And I hope our Loving God has built some special rooms in His House for these indescribably brave young heroes. (-And that the Devil has some treats reserved for their tormentors.)

Mother Theresa is without peer in her assertion that America is under judgment. Our willful disinterest in Cuba is one of the reasons why, in my estimation. How on earth can a supposed Christian nation, for fifty years, sit beside the festering, oozing boil of thugocracy like Cuba without liberating it is beyond my ken. The suffering, the injustice, the murder, the privation, the terror of the Castro cabal is partly the fault of America for not have the cultural confidence to enforce not only the Monroe Doctrine (the USSR was funding Castro in his nascent, jungle form and we suspected as much even then) but to stand up to Franklin Roosevelt's ash-canning of the Platt Amendment in favor of his own self-styled “Good Neighbor Policy”. Which was neither a real policy, nor did it involve being a “Good Neighbor”.

If Richard Nixon was ever right about anything (and I don't know that he ever was), he felt that we could have prevailed in an outright action against Cuba during the Missile Crisis, that he would have found “appropriate legal cover and gone in”. (What was not known at the time, though, was that there were tactical nuclear weapons on the Cuban beaches, with Russian commanders holding the launch buttons, so who knows.) But, we DO know Kennedy should never have given the pledge to “never invade” Cuba to Khrushchev. This severely truncated our later-date options. We had (and still have, now that the USSR no longer exists) the “proper legal cover” (-the Platt Amendment, with Cuban signatories), and we should have reserved the right to invade at any time we had a President with enough stones to reverse Roosevelt's stupid policy (which was never done as a formal treaty, but only an executive action).

The grandfather of a good friend of mine was once Mayor of Cienfeugos (Cuba), and he often reminded his grandson that Batista may have had his faults (not the least of which was being overly impressed with American mobsters), but he at least allowed genuine anti-government protest and stood for two national elections against real opposition. The Cuban people made the mistake of boycotting these elections, which I bet they would give anything to have the chance to re-do today.

Speaking of today: Things have never looked darker for the poor, ravage and enslaved people of Cuba. America is now governed by a man that not only looks beyond their suffering to his hallucinations of socialistic cherubim, but that smiles and shakes hands with Fidel's brother-in-murder Hugo Chavez. God, I hope they can hold on for another three years.

]]> By: jcperez http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12860 jcperez Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:36:26 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12860 I can see that as a person who takes the time to give thought to his fellow man and the struggles that they suffer, and finds it important enough to convey his thoughts of the atrocities that exist to others, I neither think you are from the left, new left, nor are you blind to what you have experienced or seen. I think you are a humanitarian who detest the horrors that man allows to happen to his fellow man.<br>It's in the conveyance of thoughts that someimes things get a mixed review, we will never be able to satisfy everyone with our thoughts of what Utopia should be.<br>I know very well of all the ills being laid at the feet of the poor and down trodden throughout South America and the Caribbean, and how it only represents a place to extract wealth from, or go have a wonderful vacation at, it's been that way for a few hundred years. By the way, it's not only the US taking advantage, it's the European Nations, and the leaders of the countries themselves who wish to fill their pockets instead of helping the people.<br>In comparing Cuba and the Cuban situation to any other in the world presents a problem, and discussing the issues that would arrise in a discussion as such would take way to long. But putting it simply, everyone in Panama and other like places, has the right to leave if they can gather the means and the gumption, Cubans cant', they're in a like it or lump situation. We have all heard the statement being used hundreds of times in the US by patriotic souls, "If you don't like it leave". Cuban's can only wish that their Government cared about them enough to allow freedom of choice. For the simple lack of "Freedom of choice" let alone all the other lacks, the Cuban situation can not be compared to any other. I am not in any way turning a blind eye to the situation in the region, and I think in a lot of cases it is deplorable, but it's economical, not political. Who's to blame, that's another debate for another day. Cubans are bound hand and foot, economicaly and politicaly, and when they are told, "If you don't like it leave", They take to the ocean by the hundreds of thousands, most to their deaths in the treacherous waters of the Gulf stream. I don't see anyone from anywhere else jumping into shark infested waters to get away from their homeland, in an inner tube.<br>At this time I will take the liberty to speak for most Cubans and let you know that if I had a family member living poverty, and deplorable conditions in a third world country, or anywhere else for that matter, I would put them on the first plane out of "Dodge", and immediately better their situation. Once again we as Cubans do not have that option. <br>Comparisons are touchy, discussing politics can sometimes create deaf ears, therefore proper conveyance is crucial.<br><br>JCP I can see that as a person who takes the time to give thought to his fellow man and the struggles that they suffer, and finds it important enough to convey his thoughts of the atrocities that exist to others, I neither think you are from the left, new left, nor are you blind to what you have experienced or seen. I think you are a humanitarian who detest the horrors that man allows to happen to his fellow man.
It's in the conveyance of thoughts that someimes things get a mixed review, we will never be able to satisfy everyone with our thoughts of what Utopia should be.
I know very well of all the ills being laid at the feet of the poor and down trodden throughout South America and the Caribbean, and how it only represents a place to extract wealth from, or go have a wonderful vacation at, it's been that way for a few hundred years. By the way, it's not only the US taking advantage, it's the European Nations, and the leaders of the countries themselves who wish to fill their pockets instead of helping the people.
In comparing Cuba and the Cuban situation to any other in the world presents a problem, and discussing the issues that would arrise in a discussion as such would take way to long. But putting it simply, everyone in Panama and other like places, has the right to leave if they can gather the means and the gumption, Cubans cant', they're in a like it or lump situation. We have all heard the statement being used hundreds of times in the US by patriotic souls, “If you don't like it leave”. Cuban's can only wish that their Government cared about them enough to allow freedom of choice. For the simple lack of “Freedom of choice” let alone all the other lacks, the Cuban situation can not be compared to any other. I am not in any way turning a blind eye to the situation in the region, and I think in a lot of cases it is deplorable, but it's economical, not political. Who's to blame, that's another debate for another day. Cubans are bound hand and foot, economicaly and politicaly, and when they are told, “If you don't like it leave”, They take to the ocean by the hundreds of thousands, most to their deaths in the treacherous waters of the Gulf stream. I don't see anyone from anywhere else jumping into shark infested waters to get away from their homeland, in an inner tube.
At this time I will take the liberty to speak for most Cubans and let you know that if I had a family member living poverty, and deplorable conditions in a third world country, or anywhere else for that matter, I would put them on the first plane out of “Dodge”, and immediately better their situation. Once again we as Cubans do not have that option.
Comparisons are touchy, discussing politics can sometimes create deaf ears, therefore proper conveyance is crucial.

JCP

]]> By: suprkufrb http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12856 suprkufrb Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:25:06 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12856 jcperez:<br> Thank you for your most thought provoking reply. I'm sorry that my comments have conveyed to you the impression that I am a new left, uncritical idealisor of Cuba and its government. Nothing could be further from the truth. I, like you, am fully aware of the privations which daily confront rank and file Cubans. As I said, our family does not travel the country as tourists, but rather as do ordinary Cubans. We have seen first hand the distressing line-ups for eggs, cereal grains and meat. We have always chosen to sink or swim using Cuban currency instead of the convertible. Some, but not all of Cuba's ills have been brought about by the inflexible marxist dogma of its rulers; others, however, by the equally culpable policies of the US government. There is no single exclusive villain here.<br><br> As I related, my wife and I are obliged to live in Panamá for extended periods; we have spent two and one half years there out of the last four. I can tell you categorically that the Panamanian campesinos are much more deprived than are their Cuban counterparts. On countless occasions I have lined up at 3:30 am for my mother-in-law at either a local<br><br>policlinica or the caja de seguro social, only to be told @ 3:00 pm that she could not be seen. Campesinos who have travelled all night from the interior are summarily told to return at some future date. Most prescribed medications are unavailable. Panamá is a staunch ally of the US, and is presently in the process, in my view foolishly, of ratifying a free trade agreement with the US.<br><br> As stated, I am not attempting to glorify the Cuban regime - what I am trying to show is that Cuba has as many good points as bad points, and is in reality no worse than any of its Caribbean and Central American neighbors.<br><br> My central argument, however, is that we are squandering valuable time and resources<br><br>on a complete non-issue while the islamic world continues to saw away at the branch upon which we are sitting. And that's exactly what they want.<br><br> Please, panameños y cubanos - drive these dreadful traitors from your countries, and get on with the job of persuading the bears back up into the high country where they belong. jcperez:
Thank you for your most thought provoking reply. I'm sorry that my comments have conveyed to you the impression that I am a new left, uncritical idealisor of Cuba and its government. Nothing could be further from the truth. I, like you, am fully aware of the privations which daily confront rank and file Cubans. As I said, our family does not travel the country as tourists, but rather as do ordinary Cubans. We have seen first hand the distressing line-ups for eggs, cereal grains and meat. We have always chosen to sink or swim using Cuban currency instead of the convertible. Some, but not all of Cuba's ills have been brought about by the inflexible marxist dogma of its rulers; others, however, by the equally culpable policies of the US government. There is no single exclusive villain here.

As I related, my wife and I are obliged to live in Panamá for extended periods; we have spent two and one half years there out of the last four. I can tell you categorically that the Panamanian campesinos are much more deprived than are their Cuban counterparts. On countless occasions I have lined up at 3:30 am for my mother-in-law at either a local

policlinica or the caja de seguro social, only to be told @ 3:00 pm that she could not be seen. Campesinos who have travelled all night from the interior are summarily told to return at some future date. Most prescribed medications are unavailable. Panamá is a staunch ally of the US, and is presently in the process, in my view foolishly, of ratifying a free trade agreement with the US.

As stated, I am not attempting to glorify the Cuban regime – what I am trying to show is that Cuba has as many good points as bad points, and is in reality no worse than any of its Caribbean and Central American neighbors.

My central argument, however, is that we are squandering valuable time and resources

on a complete non-issue while the islamic world continues to saw away at the branch upon which we are sitting. And that's exactly what they want.

Please, panameños y cubanos – drive these dreadful traitors from your countries, and get on with the job of persuading the bears back up into the high country where they belong.

]]> By: jackbelias http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12844 jackbelias Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:52:47 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12844 Same old youth revolutionary rhetoric. Cuba is as fascist as fascist gets. We get alot of desperate immigrants from your utopia. They come here telling tales of being arrested for disagreeing with govt, having no access to healthcare because only tourists are allowed in the good hospital, and a general failure of the state to provide them with basic needs such as refrigerators to keep their food from spoiling. They arent allowed to work for personal profit and fix these problems on their own, but they arent allowed to complain when the state fails them either.<br><br>What would you call us if we solved our homeless problem by arresting and imprisoning all of them? Same old youth revolutionary rhetoric. Cuba is as fascist as fascist gets. We get alot of desperate immigrants from your utopia. They come here telling tales of being arrested for disagreeing with govt, having no access to healthcare because only tourists are allowed in the good hospital, and a general failure of the state to provide them with basic needs such as refrigerators to keep their food from spoiling. They arent allowed to work for personal profit and fix these problems on their own, but they arent allowed to complain when the state fails them either.

What would you call us if we solved our homeless problem by arresting and imprisoning all of them?

]]> By: jackbelias http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12843 jackbelias Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:38:56 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12843 Medical care may as well not exist for the average Cuban. Tourists get the good hospital with full services while the Cubans get a run down clinic with hardly any services.<br><br>Cuba solved its homeless problem with arrest and imprisonment. I suspect you think we could solve the problem in the same way.<br><br>Cuba isnt under a crippling blockade. Many nations do business with Cuba, its just us that refuses to do so. Since you blame the US for the economic problems of every nation we do do business with maybe its a good thing we dont? You cant have it both ways little democrat. We are either good for business or bad for business.<br><br>Blaming us for every last problem in Liberia is a joke. So is blaming us for Haiti. Those people want to rule themselves and they have been doing a piss poor job of it. Things will continue to suck in those hell holes until they figure out how to govern themselves. They arent our responsibility and wouldnt want us governing them anyway.<br><br>As a typical democrat you hate everything about the US. Mexico has a crime problem, you blame us. How absurd. We have nothing to do with corrupt Mexican police or military officials. The heart of the issue there has forever been corruption. Try going on vacation in Mexico sometime. I know a couple who was pulled over simply because the cops thought the wife looked good. They beat the husband and molested the wife, they then said the couple could choose arrest or pay a fine with all of their cash, wristwatches, jewelery, etc... They chose to pay a fine to the Mexican police personal enrichment fund for being harrassed. The locals are treated the same way on a daily basis.<br><br>Mexico even blamed us for their gun crimes, claiming we were importing them. They refused to share serial #s with our BATFE however which led to law enforcement questions our current president failed to investigate. AK 47s were among the most common firearms found (we dont manufacture those), several BATFE officials including an old Marine Corps friend of mine suspected that several in a pile were of Norinco manufacture. A closer look led them to beleve that most of the other types were clones, something China is well known to produce. He and others were asked to stay out of the investigation after voicing this theory. Mexico may be buying weapons for military and police from Norinco ( a violation of the current arms embargo), given their corruption it doesnt come as a surprise to learn that gangs are getting govt weapons shipments. Medical care may as well not exist for the average Cuban. Tourists get the good hospital with full services while the Cubans get a run down clinic with hardly any services.

Cuba solved its homeless problem with arrest and imprisonment. I suspect you think we could solve the problem in the same way.

Cuba isnt under a crippling blockade. Many nations do business with Cuba, its just us that refuses to do so. Since you blame the US for the economic problems of every nation we do do business with maybe its a good thing we dont? You cant have it both ways little democrat. We are either good for business or bad for business.

Blaming us for every last problem in Liberia is a joke. So is blaming us for Haiti. Those people want to rule themselves and they have been doing a piss poor job of it. Things will continue to suck in those hell holes until they figure out how to govern themselves. They arent our responsibility and wouldnt want us governing them anyway.

As a typical democrat you hate everything about the US. Mexico has a crime problem, you blame us. How absurd. We have nothing to do with corrupt Mexican police or military officials. The heart of the issue there has forever been corruption. Try going on vacation in Mexico sometime. I know a couple who was pulled over simply because the cops thought the wife looked good. They beat the husband and molested the wife, they then said the couple could choose arrest or pay a fine with all of their cash, wristwatches, jewelery, etc… They chose to pay a fine to the Mexican police personal enrichment fund for being harrassed. The locals are treated the same way on a daily basis.

Mexico even blamed us for their gun crimes, claiming we were importing them. They refused to share serial #s with our BATFE however which led to law enforcement questions our current president failed to investigate. AK 47s were among the most common firearms found (we dont manufacture those), several BATFE officials including an old Marine Corps friend of mine suspected that several in a pile were of Norinco manufacture. A closer look led them to beleve that most of the other types were clones, something China is well known to produce. He and others were asked to stay out of the investigation after voicing this theory. Mexico may be buying weapons for military and police from Norinco ( a violation of the current arms embargo), given their corruption it doesnt come as a surprise to learn that gangs are getting govt weapons shipments.

]]> By: david black http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12833 david black Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:15:54 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12833 It seems that when a country gets into a bad place it is nearly impossible to drag them back out. In fact many times it gets worse for them. <br><br>Same old cuba indeed, going from bad to worse. It seems that when a country gets into a bad place it is nearly impossible to drag them back out. In fact many times it gets worse for them.

Same old cuba indeed, going from bad to worse.

]]> By: 2maxpower http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12824 2maxpower Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:09:20 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12824 I will not waste any more of my time on some one with such a f@%ked up world<br>view. I wish I could say it in a way that wasn't harsh but that<br>would diminish my intent. you are way out there with your thinking and I am<br>well aware that you are not going to be critical in your analysis nor would<br>you be capable of accepting that you are incorrect.<br><br>you missed the point of my comments and that tells me enough about your<br>position.<br><br>good luck with everything. I will not waste any more of my time on some one with such a f@%ked up world
view. I wish I could say it in a way that wasn't harsh but that
would diminish my intent. you are way out there with your thinking and I am
well aware that you are not going to be critical in your analysis nor would
you be capable of accepting that you are incorrect.

you missed the point of my comments and that tells me enough about your
position.

good luck with everything.

]]> By: andyFree http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12812 andyFree Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:03:59 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12812 I'm sure defenders of the British Empire claim something similar to what you said "When the xxx was involved they were improving. When the xxx left they declined." - but the British Empire still has 54 members, and only Zimbabwe and Burma (and possibly Nigeria) have gone seriously wrong since.<br><br>Bit different from Haiti and Vietnam and Cuba, hey? Even the Philippines and Mexico are racked by really serious crime/terrorism problems that US influence only makes worse.<br><br>And don't complain when Wikipedia figures show you up, since it's under total US/Israeli domination, spreading ridiculous lies about everyone else in the world, such as "Israel was attacked in 1948 and 1967". When we read that Cuban life expectancy and infant mortality is better than it is in the US we must still be a little bit cautious - but for a third-world nation under attack from the US, it does superbly well. I'm sure defenders of the British Empire claim something similar to what you said “When the xxx was involved they were improving. When the xxx left they declined.” – but the British Empire still has 54 members, and only Zimbabwe and Burma (and possibly Nigeria) have gone seriously wrong since.

Bit different from Haiti and Vietnam and Cuba, hey? Even the Philippines and Mexico are racked by really serious crime/terrorism problems that US influence only makes worse.

And don't complain when Wikipedia figures show you up, since it's under total US/Israeli domination, spreading ridiculous lies about everyone else in the world, such as “Israel was attacked in 1948 and 1967″. When we read that Cuban life expectancy and infant mortality is better than it is in the US we must still be a little bit cautious – but for a third-world nation under attack from the US, it does superbly well.

]]> By: 2maxpower http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12807 2maxpower Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:46:58 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12807 good post good post

]]> By: jcperez http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12806 jcperez Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:32:46 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12806 Not that there isn't oppresive regimes all over the world, but I'm Cuban, thats why I have given a humble opinion on the Cuban situation. As far as 100% literacy, you need to pay more attention on your jaunts to the Gulag. I, like you, have visited and seem to see and hear a completely different Cuba. I guess the decrepidness and stravation I saw was a Cuban Comedy Club skit. For health care, you can bet your bottom peso that the world health organization visits the Beards special little places, and only them. Countless upon countless of Cuban don't get the proper primary care let alone anything serious.(Even if they wanted to they couldn't, they're broke). Stop watching Michael Moore over embelished situaions.<br>To run a long story short, I'll tell you that I am against the embargo as much as you are, there are many parties at fault for Cubas problems. But the reality is that the only ones who suffer are the Cubans on the Island. Castro has not gone without a meal, I go to MacDonalds whenever I want, and you and your family get to fly off after your wonderful little vacation. I appreciate that you love Cuba and the Cuban people and your whole family speaks spanish, but you come off a little patronizing.<br>You and every other tourist get to enjoy the wonders of Cuba while the Cubans are treated like endentured slaves.<br>How many little care packages have you taken to your Cuban friends, how many messages have you delivered for them which they couldn't get to their family abroad, how many favors have they asked for out of necessity. Is that a sense of a people doing good. Since they've been so gracious to you, why don't you return the hospitality and invite them to share a little time in your home in your country. I guess you know that won't happen. Another sign of the wonderful freedoms the Cuban people have which the rest of the world is so envious of.<br>In having an opinion on everything, ( Cuba, Panama, the whole of the Arab world, the USA) you do exactly what you blame the US for doing, your medling with everything, Ah, but isn't it nice to have freedom of speach, ask your Cuban friends if they can do that.<br><br>JCP Not that there isn't oppresive regimes all over the world, but I'm Cuban, thats why I have given a humble opinion on the Cuban situation. As far as 100% literacy, you need to pay more attention on your jaunts to the Gulag. I, like you, have visited and seem to see and hear a completely different Cuba. I guess the decrepidness and stravation I saw was a Cuban Comedy Club skit. For health care, you can bet your bottom peso that the world health organization visits the Beards special little places, and only them. Countless upon countless of Cuban don't get the proper primary care let alone anything serious.(Even if they wanted to they couldn't, they're broke). Stop watching Michael Moore over embelished situaions.
To run a long story short, I'll tell you that I am against the embargo as much as you are, there are many parties at fault for Cubas problems. But the reality is that the only ones who suffer are the Cubans on the Island. Castro has not gone without a meal, I go to MacDonalds whenever I want, and you and your family get to fly off after your wonderful little vacation. I appreciate that you love Cuba and the Cuban people and your whole family speaks spanish, but you come off a little patronizing.
You and every other tourist get to enjoy the wonders of Cuba while the Cubans are treated like endentured slaves.
How many little care packages have you taken to your Cuban friends, how many messages have you delivered for them which they couldn't get to their family abroad, how many favors have they asked for out of necessity. Is that a sense of a people doing good. Since they've been so gracious to you, why don't you return the hospitality and invite them to share a little time in your home in your country. I guess you know that won't happen. Another sign of the wonderful freedoms the Cuban people have which the rest of the world is so envious of.
In having an opinion on everything, ( Cuba, Panama, the whole of the Arab world, the USA) you do exactly what you blame the US for doing, your medling with everything, Ah, but isn't it nice to have freedom of speach, ask your Cuban friends if they can do that.

JCP

]]> By: 2maxpower http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12799 2maxpower Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:02:45 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12799 Raul was always the force and Fidel the face of the government. (funny isn't it ...that makes Fidel the nice one) Raul was always the force and Fidel the face of the government. (funny isn't it …that makes Fidel the nice one)

]]> By: 2maxpower http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12798 2maxpower Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:00:13 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12798 you obviously will not allow critical thinking to influence your world view.<br><br>Haiti had one brutal dictator after another. (it was a french protectorate) and Liberia was an attempt to help african americans who don't like to take responsibility for themselves. The american "meddling was an attempt to help, just that they try to be democratic and a despot always takes over.<br>The thing with Haiti and Liberia is that they have had little influnce from the USA in the times that they decended into the state they are in today. When the USA was involved they were improving. When the USA left they declined. Please learn to associate cause and effect and not just parrot socialist propaganda. If you think you can do better no one is stopping you.<br><br>the infant mortality numbers in Cuba are fixed, they are not under a crippling blockade ....you can buy Coke-a-Cola at the government stores. Cuba is not hated just the government. <br><br>do you actually comprehend what you wrote ? stop using wikipedia for your references as they are often just propaganda for one group or another. Please go there and find out for your self but don't just go to the beach and tourist hotels. you obviously will not allow critical thinking to influence your world view.

Haiti had one brutal dictator after another. (it was a french protectorate) and Liberia was an attempt to help african americans who don't like to take responsibility for themselves. The american “meddling was an attempt to help, just that they try to be democratic and a despot always takes over.
The thing with Haiti and Liberia is that they have had little influnce from the USA in the times that they decended into the state they are in today. When the USA was involved they were improving. When the USA left they declined. Please learn to associate cause and effect and not just parrot socialist propaganda. If you think you can do better no one is stopping you.

the infant mortality numbers in Cuba are fixed, they are not under a crippling blockade ….you can buy Coke-a-Cola at the government stores. Cuba is not hated just the government.

do you actually comprehend what you wrote ? stop using wikipedia for your references as they are often just propaganda for one group or another. Please go there and find out for your self but don't just go to the beach and tourist hotels.

]]> By: suprkufrb http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12794 suprkufrb Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:03:28 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12794 I'm a great admirer of Mr. Horowitz, and a dedicated follower of Frontpage. I believe that the greatest extant threat to civilization is the encroachment of islam (please note that I eschew the term"radical islam" - islam itself is inherently evil.) Still, I am troubled by the continuing irrelevent criticism and vilification of Cuba, and the absence thereof with respect to brutal right-wing dictatorships elsewhere in Latin America.<br>Cuba is far, far from perfect, that much is obvious. Still, let us consider what the current regime overthrew fifty years ago: Havana was completely owned and ruled by George Raft and his mafia cohorts, while the countryside was the fiefdom of the United Fruit Company. Prostitution was rampant. Fulgencio Batista was one of the most brutal dictators on the face of the earth. Today, Cuba enjoys a 100% literacy rate, and its medical care system has been declared the finest in the world by the WHO. I submit these facts not in an attempt to suggest that Cuba is in any way superior to other western states, but rather to show that neither is it among the most reprehensible.<br>My family (three generations) visits Cuba once or twice a year; we are all Spanish speaking, and travel the length and breadth of the country on public transportation. We visit friends in their homes, and frequently engage in raucous political debates late at night in restaurants and bars. Unlike Detroit or Philadelphia, it is perfectly safe for my attractive daughter to walk down the street at 2:00 am. Every Sunday we attend mass in one of the country's historic and overflowing churches or cathedrals.<br>Now, let's look at the repressive regimes the US has so shamelessly supported over the years: Batista, Trujillo, Strössner, Pinochet, Fujimora, Somoza father and son, Noriega... Then we come to the infamous School of the Americas, formerly in Panama, now banished to Fort Benning, GA. Virtually every atrocity and massacre perpetuated in Latin America during the last forty years can be laid at the doorstep of one or more of its illustrious graduates. (Yes, I can provide names, dates and locations ad infinitum.) My wife and I, owing to family circumstances, are obliged to spend extended periods in Panama. I can tell you that I have seen with my own eyes the mass graves, and the endless blocks of low-income housing systematically firebombed in El Chorrillo and San Felipe. <br>I know it may not seem so to you, but I am in fact quite far to the right of centre. I submit the preceding not in any spirit of criticism, but rather to stress the need to<br>recruit Latin America into our life and death struggle against islam. Contrary to their stereotypical portrayal as indolent welfare recipients and criminals, the great majority of Latinos are industrious, conservative and family-oriented Catholics. They come to America not to impose a world caliphate, but rather because they like what they see, and wish to become a part of it.<br>In closing, I submit a chilling statistic; the US birth rate is presently 2.11 children per couple, the rock-bottom figure to replace the parents. If one subtracts the Latino population, the rate plummets to 1.6, perilously close to irreversible. In the meantime, moslems are reproducing at the rate of 4-5 offspring per breeding polygamous pair. Do the math and weep. I'm a great admirer of Mr. Horowitz, and a dedicated follower of Frontpage. I believe that the greatest extant threat to civilization is the encroachment of islam (please note that I eschew the term”radical islam” – islam itself is inherently evil.) Still, I am troubled by the continuing irrelevent criticism and vilification of Cuba, and the absence thereof with respect to brutal right-wing dictatorships elsewhere in Latin America.
Cuba is far, far from perfect, that much is obvious. Still, let us consider what the current regime overthrew fifty years ago: Havana was completely owned and ruled by George Raft and his mafia cohorts, while the countryside was the fiefdom of the United Fruit Company. Prostitution was rampant. Fulgencio Batista was one of the most brutal dictators on the face of the earth. Today, Cuba enjoys a 100% literacy rate, and its medical care system has been declared the finest in the world by the WHO. I submit these facts not in an attempt to suggest that Cuba is in any way superior to other western states, but rather to show that neither is it among the most reprehensible.
My family (three generations) visits Cuba once or twice a year; we are all Spanish speaking, and travel the length and breadth of the country on public transportation. We visit friends in their homes, and frequently engage in raucous political debates late at night in restaurants and bars. Unlike Detroit or Philadelphia, it is perfectly safe for my attractive daughter to walk down the street at 2:00 am. Every Sunday we attend mass in one of the country's historic and overflowing churches or cathedrals.
Now, let's look at the repressive regimes the US has so shamelessly supported over the years: Batista, Trujillo, Strössner, Pinochet, Fujimora, Somoza father and son, Noriega… Then we come to the infamous School of the Americas, formerly in Panama, now banished to Fort Benning, GA. Virtually every atrocity and massacre perpetuated in Latin America during the last forty years can be laid at the doorstep of one or more of its illustrious graduates. (Yes, I can provide names, dates and locations ad infinitum.) My wife and I, owing to family circumstances, are obliged to spend extended periods in Panama. I can tell you that I have seen with my own eyes the mass graves, and the endless blocks of low-income housing systematically firebombed in El Chorrillo and San Felipe.
I know it may not seem so to you, but I am in fact quite far to the right of centre. I submit the preceding not in any spirit of criticism, but rather to stress the need to
recruit Latin America into our life and death struggle against islam. Contrary to their stereotypical portrayal as indolent welfare recipients and criminals, the great majority of Latinos are industrious, conservative and family-oriented Catholics. They come to America not to impose a world caliphate, but rather because they like what they see, and wish to become a part of it.
In closing, I submit a chilling statistic; the US birth rate is presently 2.11 children per couple, the rock-bottom figure to replace the parents. If one subtracts the Latino population, the rate plummets to 1.6, perilously close to irreversible. In the meantime, moslems are reproducing at the rate of 4-5 offspring per breeding polygamous pair. Do the math and weep.

]]> By: andyFree http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12790 andyFree Sat, 09 Jan 2010 12:12:45 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12790 Haiti is rather a good example of the shocking effect the US has had on the unter-mensch. Though you may prefer to consider the lesson of Liberia, which is wholly the US's responsibility.<br><br>Meanwhile, life-expectancy in Cuba is slightly better than the US, 78.3/78.2 (or so report the health authorities, quoted at Wikipedia, anyway). Infant mortality in Cuba is much better than that of the US, 6.0/7.2 from the results I can see! That's not bad for a third-world nation under crippling blockade. Maybe Cuba is hated because it's hated. Haiti is rather a good example of the shocking effect the US has had on the unter-mensch. Though you may prefer to consider the lesson of Liberia, which is wholly the US's responsibility.

Meanwhile, life-expectancy in Cuba is slightly better than the US, 78.3/78.2 (or so report the health authorities, quoted at Wikipedia, anyway). Infant mortality in Cuba is much better than that of the US, 6.0/7.2 from the results I can see! That's not bad for a third-world nation under crippling blockade. Maybe Cuba is hated because it's hated.

]]> By: eerie Steve http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12777 eerie Steve Sat, 09 Jan 2010 06:59:30 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12777 two words:<br><br>Death Cult two words:

Death Cult

]]> By: jcperez http://frontpagemag.com/2010/01/08/same-old-cuba-%e2%80%93-by-humberto-fontova/comment-page-1/#comment-12763 jcperez Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:58:16 +0000 http://frontpagemag.com/?p=45221#comment-12763 “Raul, Prince or Pawn?”<br><br>Cuba in the 21st Century <br>J. C. Perez.<br> Political Transition in Cuba. <br> Everything seems to be going as Fidel planned, transitioning his undisputed power to his brother Raul seems to be going without a hitch, and not that he would allow any hitch, or allow his subservient brother to make any changes that would challenge his 50 year grip and autonomous rule on his Island nation. We must remember what he has touted as Cuba’s objective, “Socialismo o Muerte”, “Patria o Muerte”. “Socialism or death”, “Patriotism or Death”. <br> With this in mind we must remember that little brothers transition into pseudo power did not occur overnight, but through 50 years of communist indoctrination at the hands of the world’s longest lasting dictator, big brother Fidel. The meek and mild look that we see strewn across Raul Castro’s face whenever we see photos of him is not one of kindness and compassion as the pictures might suggest, but that of a man who has been brow beaten and made to be subservient to his older brothers overpowering alpha male personality. The face is that more of a man who fears his older brother and the consequences that might be incurred if older brothers word is not followed to a tee. Change, I don’t think so. <br> Let’s not forget that at the onset of the revolution one of Fidel’s closest comrades “Camilo Cienfuegos” was assassinated upon the orders of Fidel simply because he did not agree with his political philosophy or the road he was paving for Cuba and its already unstable situation. Rumors also ran rampant that Fidel had something to do with “Che Guevara’s” untimely death in Bolivia. Che was getting to many headlines, becoming too famous, and Fidel was not happy with the Argentinean garnering a following. Are we to believe that Raul Castro was not aware of these atrocities, or what his arrogant, overbearing, dais slamming older brother was capable of? There are countless examples throughout history of brother killing brother over power issues. Change? I think not. <br> The look on Raul’s face is one of fear and retribution if big brother Fidel’s words and orders are not adhered to their entirety. You don’t have to go far to see those same expressions; just look to the faces of the Cuban people who have lived under that grip of fear for the last 50 years. I think little brother Raul is feeling the heat a little more than he’d like to and the realization of the consequences if he doesn’t do as told are all too real to him. He is a reluctant figure head at the behest of his older brother, he was not asked if he wanted the position, he was told to do it, and do it as told. <br> Examining some of Cuba’s so called political changes since the transfer of power to Raul Castro only adds to the ongoing comic relief that the Cuban people both in and out of Cuba have become accustomed to. As a nation and a people who have lived under the gun for those 50 years, Cubans have learned to take a bad situation and turn it into a joke so as not to be weighed down my more rhetoric and lies from the central Politburo. Laughing in the face of the odds that are stacked against them and not allowing their absurd living standards and ridiculous political system which has failed them for those almost 50 years, (Just take a look back in history; there’s something to the fact that the Cuban Peso has no value anywhere in the world except Cuba, and even there, the Dollar and the Euro are the preferred currency.) Amazing, can one really believe that if there is fiscal stagnation, social stagnation, and the complete inability to provide the basics of life to a people in need is any kind of progress, I think not. When a leadership fails to provide, and does not allow its people the freedom of choice, then it is an oppressive leadership. I’m sure I have not awakened anyone to this realization on the Cuban situation, but then again no one should think that under Raul Castro things will get better. Human rights are still nonexistent, freedom of speech is a jail able offense, and arrests are up.<br> Change in Cuba under Raul; see for yourself, I think not. Until the regime is gone, or better put, the Castro brothers are gone; the road to change in Cuba will be slow and arduous if not at all.<br>JCP “Raul, Prince or Pawn?”

Cuba in the 21st Century
J. C. Perez.
Political Transition in Cuba.
Everything seems to be going as Fidel planned, transitioning his undisputed power to his brother Raul seems to be going without a hitch, and not that he would allow any hitch, or allow his subservient brother to make any changes that would challenge his 50 year grip and autonomous rule on his Island nation. We must remember what he has touted as Cuba’s objective, “Socialismo o Muerte”, “Patria o Muerte”. “Socialism or death”, “Patriotism or Death”.
With this in mind we must remember that little brothers transition into pseudo power did not occur overnight, but through 50 years of communist indoctrination at the hands of the world’s longest lasting dictator, big brother Fidel. The meek and mild look that we see strewn across Raul Castro’s face whenever we see photos of him is not one of kindness and compassion as the pictures might suggest, but that of a man who has been brow beaten and made to be subservient to his older brothers overpowering alpha male personality. The face is that more of a man who fears his older brother and the consequences that might be incurred if older brothers word is not followed to a tee. Change, I don’t think so.
Let’s not forget that at the onset of the revolution one of Fidel’s closest comrades “Camilo Cienfuegos” was assassinated upon the orders of Fidel simply because he did not agree with his political philosophy or the road he was paving for Cuba and its already unstable situation. Rumors also ran rampant that Fidel had something to do with “Che Guevara’s” untimely death in Bolivia. Che was getting to many headlines, becoming too famous, and Fidel was not happy with the Argentinean garnering a following. Are we to believe that Raul Castro was not aware of these atrocities, or what his arrogant, overbearing, dais slamming older brother was capable of? There are countless examples throughout history of brother killing brother over power issues. Change? I think not.
The look on Raul’s face is one of fear and retribution if big brother Fidel’s words and orders are not adhered to their entirety. You don’t have to go far to see those same expressions; just look to the faces of the Cuban people who have lived under that grip of fear for the last 50 years. I think little brother Raul is feeling the heat a little more than he’d like to and the realization of the consequences if he doesn’t do as told are all too real to him. He is a reluctant figure head at the behest of his older brother, he was not asked if he wanted the position, he was told to do it, and do it as told.
Examining some of Cuba’s so called political changes since the transfer of power to Raul Castro only adds to the ongoing comic relief that the Cuban people both in and out of Cuba have become accustomed to. As a nation and a people who have lived under the gun for those 50 years, Cubans have learned to take a bad situation and turn it into a joke so as not to be weighed down my more rhetoric and lies from the central Politburo. Laughing in the face of the odds that are stacked against them and not allowing their absurd living standards and ridiculous political system which has failed them for those almost 50 years, (Just take a look back in history; there’s something to the fact that the Cuban Peso has no value anywhere in the world except Cuba, and even there, the Dollar and the Euro are the preferred currency.) Amazing, can one really believe that if there is fiscal stagnation, social stagnation, and the complete inability to provide the basics of life to a people in need is any kind of progress, I think not. When a leadership fails to provide, and does not allow its people the freedom of choice, then it is an oppressive leadership. I’m sure I have not awakened anyone to this realization on the Cuban situation, but then again no one should think that under Raul Castro things will get better. Human rights are still nonexistent, freedom of speech is a jail able offense, and arrests are up.
Change in Cuba under Raul; see for yourself, I think not. Until the regime is gone, or better put, the Castro brothers are gone; the road to change in Cuba will be slow and arduous if not at all.
JCP

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