Celia, you left us too early

Castro on death watch, again!

It would be poetic justice if he dies of shit poisoning, he has been feeding it to the Cuban people for 47 years.

Babalu is keeping watch.

Following is from Reuters:

Cuba's Castro has operation, delegates power
Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:31 PM ET

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban President Fidel Castro underwent intestinal surgery on Monday and delegated government functions provisionally to his younger brother Raul Castro, the government said in a televised statement signed by the Cuban leader.

Castro, who turns 80 on August 13 and has led Cuba since a 1959 revolution, delegated his posts as first secretary of the ruling Communist Party, commander in chief of the armed forces and president of the executive council of state to his brother.

Comic asks fidel a question

Comic Gonzalo Rodriguez, asks fidel castro if he is advicing Argentina's Predident Kirshner on how to stay in power for more than 40 years.



H/T Castrianism

Cuba: Not with Mexico (UPDATE)

After posting about Cuba's embargo AGAINST Mexico, I was left wondering, why? Well it turns out, as expected that the owner of the largest hacienda in the world is just a plain deadbeat.

The Paris Club is comprised of foreign governments and banks that have extended credit to Mr. Castro, who hasn't made a payment on principal or interest since 1986 to many of them. Havana owes Mexico $380 million. In 2002, that debt was renegotiated. But last March, Mr. Castro stopped payments when he became angry with Mexican President Vicente Fox. BancoMex has since closed its offices in Havana.

Shouldn't it be Mexico the one suspending trade with Cuba? BEWARE OF THE DEADBEAT!

Read Killcastro Taco Hell interesting view on this issue and his (their) own distinctive writing style.

L'amour de terroriste

-Mahmoud, you are great gardener, just look at your flowers. Yet, your dainty hands are so soft.
-Oh, Hugo. May I call you Huguito? Huguito, you flatter me, and that blue suit makes you look at least 1 pound lighter. Makes me just want to go and wipe out the whole world, and especially those fucking Jews.

Ok, but I warn you, (f)idel is going to be very jealous.

Cuba: Not with Mexico

Cuba’s wealthiest and most depraved citizen, fidel castro always blames the US and the embargo for the pitiable conditions under which Cubans live. Those that know understand fully well that the only embargo suffered by Cubans is the one imposed by castro. (c)astro is free (he is the only one on the island that is truly free) to do business with any country in the world, including the US. It is castro who decides what country to do business with.

Cuba has just decreed an embargo (somewhat reverse) against Mexico. All Cuban (castro’s) businesses are prohibited from importing ANY Mexican goods, and that they should look to replace the Mexican goods with providers from OTHER COUNTRIES. The only time that a Mexican product may be imported is if cannot be procured from a country other than Mexico, and it will require a special permit from Cuba’s central bank, but even then, it will have to be obtained through a third country.

Con todos menos con México: Cuba

09:55 28/07/06
El Banco Central pide los inversionistas buscar alternativas de suministros y proveedores que no sean mexicanos

MEXICO, julio 28, 2006.- El Banco Central de Cuba llamó a los empresarios de la isla a evitar todo tipo de intercambio comercial con México y a no suministrar a ese país con productos mexicanos.

A través de una carta electrónica enviada a los sectores empresariales, el Banco local pide a los inversionistas buscar alternativas de suministros y proveedores, pero que la mercancía no llegue desde territorio mexicano, reveló el diario local Reforma.

"En relación con las nuevas importaciones con México se ha orientado: en todos los casos se deben buscar otras alternativas de suministros, proveedores que no sean de México y que la mercancía no venga de México” señala el documento firmado el 22 de mayo de 2006 bajo el titulo "Operaciones con México".

El correo llegó a los empresarios de la Unión de Textileros, Unión de Integración Poligráfica, Unión del Plástico, Unión del Mueble, Unión del Cuero y del Calzado y Cubartesanías, entre otros, con el mensaje: "Reenvío este correo por la importancia de que todos lo conozcan y lo tomen en cuenta para las importaciones".

"Sólo solicitarla para aquellas operaciones en que no existan otras alternativas de suministros, por lo que la compra sea imprescindible con México", añade la carta.

Para las operaciones que sean imprescindibles con México, los empresarios cubanos deberán presentar documentación específica, y justificar por qué se hacen las compras.

Se requiere una certificación del Organismo Superior (Ministerio) en donde se hagan constar condiciones de entrega y de pago recogidas en el contrato.

Lo que sí se sugiere es que se pueden hacer importaciones desde México a Cuba, pero utilizando terceros países.

La cobardía del máximo HP

Este artículo ha sido publicado en otras bitácoras en inglés. Por Andrés Oppenheimer aquí se lo presento en español, porque conozco a los que me visitan.

El Informe: ¿Fidel Castro valiente?

Si fuera tan valiente, hubiera permitido elecciones libres desde hace mucho tiempo

MADRID, España.- Leyendo sobre la visita del presidente cubano Fidel Castro a la Argentina mientras me encontraba de vacaciones en España la semana pasada, no pude evitar pensar en una de las mayores ironías políticas de nuestro tiempo: Castro todavía es visto por muchos como un modelo de valentía, cuando en realidad es el gobernante más cobarde de América Latina.

¿Castro un cobarde? ¡Seguro! Fíjense:

– A diferencia de todos los demás presidentes latinoamericanos, Castro no ha tenido el valor de someterse a una elección libre en 47 años.

– A diferencia del resto de los gobernantes latinoamericanos, Castro es el único que no tiene la valentía de permitir partidos políticos independientes. En su isla, solamente un partido —el suyo— es permitido, y quienes critican al mismo son tildados de “antisociales”. Según el último informe de Amnistia Internacional, hay unos 70 prisioneros de conciencia en la isla, y Human Rights Watch calcula el número de los mismos en 306.

– A diferencia de todos los demas líderes regionales, Castro no tiene suficiente confianza en su régimen para tolerar siquiera un periódico o un canal de televisión no oficiales. Las leyes cubanas prohíben específicamente a los cubanos publicar “noticias no autorizadas” en el exterior, y permiten enjuiciar a quienes lo hacen bajo cargos de “propaganda enemiga” que conllevan varios años de cárcel.

– A diferencia de todos los demas líderes en la región, Castro tiene miedo de permitir que la mayoría de su pueblo tenga acceso a Internet. Según el estudio Indicadores de Desarrollo Mundial 2006 del Banco Mundial, tan sólo 13 de cada mil cubanos en la isla tienen acceso a la Internet, contra 267 de cada mil personas en Chile, y 59 de cada mil personas en Haití. En cuanto al contenido de lo que se puede ver en la red, Periodistas sin Fronteras, la organización no gubernamental con sede en París, señaló recientemente que la censura de Internet en Cuba es aún peor que la de China.

– A diferencia del resto de los líderes latinoamericanos, Castro impide a sus ciudadanos salir del país sin un permiso oficial, que muchas veces es denegado. Los intentos no autorizados de irse del país son castigados con encarcelamiento.

–A diferencia de la mayoría de sus colegas en Latinoamerica, Castro tiene tanto miedo a preguntas incómodas de periodistas que generalmente sólo recibe a cronistas dóciles, y cuando viaja llena las salas de sus conferencias de prensa con sus acólitos.

La semana pasada, cuando el periodista del Canal 41 de Miami, Juan Manuel Cao, le preguntó durante una improvisada conferencia de prensa en Argentina sobre Hilda Molina, la conocida médica cubana que está exigiendo poder salir de la isla para visitar a su hijo y nietos en Argentina, Castro estalló en cólera y le preguntó “¿Quién te está pagando?”, para luego calificarlo de “mercenario” del presidente Bush.

– A diferencia de los demás líderes latinoamericanos, Castro no permite que economistas internacionales midan los datos económicos cubanos bajo estándares internacionales. Prefiere crear sus propias metodologías, y sacar sus propias cifras alegres.

¿Entonces, por qué motivo Castro es tan popular en América Latina?, se preguntarán muchos. Dos respuestas me vienen a la mente:

Primero, la popularidad de Castro es relativa. Una nueva encuesta realizada en 17 países latinoamericanos y España por la firma Ibero-Barómetro muestra que mientras Castro es visto “con simpatía” por el 67 por ciento de los ecuatorianos, 46 por ciento de los argentinos y 45 por ciento de los brasileños, su popularidad es mucho menor en los demás países de la región.

Sólo el 33 por ciento de los venezolanos, 30 por ciento de los chilenos, 29 por ciento de los peruanos, 26 por ciento de los mexicanos, 19 por ciento de los españoles y 17 por ciento de los costarricenses lo ven con “simpatía”. Comparativamente, la misma encuesta muestra que los presidentes de Brasil, Chile y México gozan de niveles mucho mayores de aceptación en Latinoamérica.

Segundo, las torpezas de la política exterior de Estados Unidos le dan munición a Castro para alimentar el mito de que es un David peleando contra el Goliat del imperio.

Ejemplo: las recientes medidas preelectorales anunciadas por Bush para ganar votos cubanoamericanos, como el plan de 80 millones de dólares para acelerar el paso a la democracia en Cuba, o las recientes acciones de Florida para prohibir el uso de fondos del Estado para viajes académicos a la isla, le vienen de perilla a Castro para mantener vigente la fantasía política de que Cuba está a punto de ser invadida por Estados Unidos.

Mi conclusión Desde cualquier punto de vista, Castro es el presidente menos valiente de la región. Si fuera tan valiente, hubiera permitido elecciones libres desde hace mucho tiempo. Si no las permite es porque le faltan agallas, o porque sabe que las perdería, o por ambas cosas.

The priviledge?

They keep leaving, Cubans in rickety drafts made of anything that floats. They arrive in groups of 12, 15 or more, men, women and children. The lucky ones make it to shores of Florida or any US beach. The unlucky ones die or end up in Mexico or Honduras, countries willing to scoot them back into harms way even at gunpoint. Then there are the privileged ones, the artists, the scholars, the indentured servants that can travel freely to (not US) and from Cuba; as long as they understand and accept that their soul and their money is not theirs, but belong to the dictator master. Unfortunately, this is a double life for many, because it is the only way to work in a loved profession, and provide for family remaining on the island.

I've been away from Cuba for many years now, so I can appreciate the great things it has to offer - mainly the fact that everything is still wild. Cuba is a place to be in touch with nature, away from all the McDonald's and the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets. This past year I've been so busy I haven't been able to return to Cuba for six months, but usually I go four or five times a year. I most look forward to seeing my family and remembering how to be normal again, doing simple things like enjoying the sea. And I always visit the places where I grew up.

Carlos Acosta is privileged.

It was all there before

I have not read it; therefore, I do not endorse it…yet. However, I do like Olga Karman’s answer to the following question. Olga is the author of Scatter My Ashes Over Havana.

Some people here may ask you whether there are any virtues to the system that Cubans live under at the present time. Well, I tried to make my book not be a political manifesto or an ideological manifesto. I see we’re veering in that direction! When I went back, what were the virtues I saw? The ones that were there before. People obsessed about education. Weren’t we just like that? In Havana, starting in eighth grade, we had three hours of homework on an easy night. When I went to Connecticut College, it was easy. It was in a different language, but it was not hard. Even graduate school. I mean, it was a lot of work, but it was not as hard as high school in Havana! When I went back, I still saw a love for culture and art. But that I learned when I was cutting my teeth in Havana. We all saw Alicia Alonso dance when we were kids. And the music? Hello? Look at the great Cuban music that has been“discovered” now, the Buena Vista Social Club, for example. That was there before—those musicians were from before. That’s not today’s music. The virtues I found were the old ones. What’s miraculous is that they’re still alive.

Read the rest of the interview [here].

I want my ashes scattered on a sandy beach, anywhere in Cuba will do, but not until the BEAST is eternally cleaning Beelzebub's toilet.

26th of July - Celebrating Cuba's destruction

Hantofe has posted a link to a video Esto es Cuba, filmed in 1995 (during the special period), 37 years after hurricane castro began the slow destruction of the island. Forty seven years later and the destruction continues…no changes. Watch this while in Cuba castro leads the celebration of the 26th of July, the "triumph of the revolution" and all its failures.

Is the peyote, man!

A magical, fantastical ride with the new president; obviously a Democrat.

'I went to Cuba'
HERB FIELD

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Early in 2009, a few months after his/her inauguration, President Newperson ended a half century of the United States treating Cuba as a pariah state, flying into Havana International Airport on Air Force One to be greeted by a frail Fidel Castro.

As is his custom, the Cuban leader talked the ear off of his visitor for hours on end. Newperson patiently listened as Castro vigorously complained of a long list of real and perceived wrongs that had been done him and his country since his overthrow of the regime of dictator Fulgencio Battista in 1959.

"I can't do anything, nor can you, about what has gone before. I can only influence the future and that's why I'm here," Newperson told Castro when he finally managed to get in a word. "I don't agree with many things you are doing here, and you don't agree with many things about my country. But it is in the best interest of both Cubans and Americans that we at least try to bridge our differences, find those things we share in common," Newperson went on.

Then he told Castro he was eliminating the ban on travel to Cuba, lifting restrictions on trade and was prepared to restore full diplomatic relations. "All I ask in return," Newperson said, "is that you give strong consideration to releasing all political prisoners and beginning the process of allowing democracy to flourish here."

Newperson's trip was roundly criticized by many who saw it as kowtowing to a dictator, one who couldn't possibly be around too much longer, in any event. BUT THE PRESIDENT'S unprecedented trip to Cuba wasn't just about Cuba; far from it. "In a world in which too often the impulse is to settle matters through violence, isn't it time for peace to go on the offense?" he asked. "And the only way peace can work is by people who have very different, even conflicting, views of what's right, finding the means and will to sit down across from a table, without any preconceived demands or expectations, to look each other in the eye and discuss what bothers them, and what might be if they could learn to live with each other."

"I went to Cuba, not only because I wanted to end a policy that has failed in its purpose for five decades," Newperson said, "I did it because I wanted to show that if the United States and Cuba can put aside 50 years of loathing each other, the participants in other long-term conflicts around the world can do the same."

Then he announced that his secretary of state and other high-level foreign-affairs officials had been sent to urge governments around the world to seek ways to begin discussions with their worst adversaries.

"The untended and unresolved conflict is a powder keg waiting to explode," Newperson said in one of her/his weekly news conferences. "I've been accused of attempting to solve intractable issues from a position of weakness. But I ask you, since World War II what war has solved anything? Our strength lies in being engaged, in truly seeking to find reasonable solutions to long-standing problems wherever they are, whomever are the protagonists, through continuing, never-ending dialogue, that doesn't succumb to the few who cannot abide by peace." A REPORTER WHO suggested that the president was being naive, that America's superpower status rested on its military and economic might, was politely told: "I disagree. The greatest source of our power is our example as a free, tolerant, law-abiding and caring nation. If we live up to our own standards, if we treat others as we would be treated, and if we change the message from one that embraces war and violence as a solution to one that advances peace through peaceful means, the world will follow."

What Chuck wants us to know

Chuck’s memorial service was yesterday, actually it was more of a celebration of Chuck’s life. His wife, daughters, sons, friends, WWII buddies, and acquaintances were all there, eating, drinking, laughing, remembering and telling stories about Chuck. Chuck was 84 years-old and to his very last day, he was full of life and hope. It seems that Chuck was ever the optimist, no one remembers anything but; you have to be if your hobbies are panning for gold and own a metal detector. It seems that Chuck always understood Who was in control, and he understood that sometimes we feel helpless, and frustrated, and no matter how much we toil, the harvest is lean. Right before he died of cancer, Chuck gave instructions that the following was to be handed out at his memorial (celebration) service.

I am God. Today, I will be handling all your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. All situations will be resolved, but in MY time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, do not despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work: Think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad: Think of the person who has never known what it is like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend: Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down leaving you miles away from assistance: Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror: Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes he/she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who did not live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

How many Cubans does it take to turn a light bulb?

In his letter to the editor of the Jamaica-Gleaner, Robert is wondering about this very thing. However, let me explain, Robert, your grandson may be able to do the same, but where is his advanced degree? Can your grandson recite verbatim the 47-year-old mantra of the accomplishments of the revolución, while turning the light bulb? I think not. Just think about it Robert, your are going to have a highly “educated” communist, perhaps a PhD, or a journalist, turning your light bulbs while giving you a dosage of castroitism. Beware of the Greeks indeed!

Beware of the 'Greeks'
published: Monday | July 24, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

As the saying goes, one must be careful of the Greeks especially when they come bearing gifts.
I here refer to Castro the communist and his Cuban technicians coming to Jamaica to screw light bulbs into our household electrical sockets.

Why should it need 100 technicians to screw in light bulbs, when even my little grandson usually does the same? I do it, my wife does it.

CUTTING LIGHT BILLS

Why is Fidel Castro so interested in Jamaica? Why is Kern Spencer, the Junior Minister, so enthusiastic about this light bulbs distribution as if these electrical apparatuses will cut poor people's light bill in half, which it does not, as I have that experience?

Can Jamaicans not buy a few light bulbs? Why is our government so cheap and beggy, beggy, and our people so depraved? To hell with Castro and his bulbs.

I am, etc.,
ROBERT SOLOMON
HENRY
Lot 11 North
Monticello Crescent
Spanish Town, P.O.

The Czechs are we

SOLIDARITY: Waving a Cuban flag Czech Foreign Minister Cyril Svoboda, in a mock Cuban jail cell in Prague's Wenceslas Square, protested in March the arrest of dissidents in Cuba.






Take it from a people that have lived under the subjugation of the evil Soviet Empire, and now enjoy the freedom that democracy brings. The Czechs understand completely what it means to live under oppression and how to get from under it; they understand the Cuban plight. No other country in Central Europe or elsewhere in the world is trumpeting and expressing their solidarity with Cuban dissidents as loudly as the Czechs, they are quickly becoming a thorn in the Cuban regime’s side. Next time you plan a vacation, forget Mexico, forget the Bahamas, forget Canada, and instead go to the Czech Republic.

After this intro, I take you to the following article printed in the Miami Herald [here].

When dictators attack!

Watch castro become extremely agitated (foaming at the mouth) as he is questioned by reporter Juan Manuel Cao about Dr. Hilda Molina during his attendance to the MERCOSUR meeting in Argentina.



The story has been very nicely covered by The Real Cuba, which also provided the video. Ziva at Babalu covered it as well. Uncommon Sense has a complete round-up.

Thank you Kahoons

This is supposed to be a story about heroes, and it is. However, what caught my attention was the dark side of the story, the side that makes you scratch your head in disbelief, and wonder what makes human beings act so wrongly against their kind.

"I saw the desperation," he said of the people in the boat. "They were definitely thirsty."

This comes from being at sea for 10 days. The people had left Cuba in a leaky boat they had built themselves with hopes of landing near Miami. They were some 1,000 km off course. Needless to say the Honduran authorities were less than pleased. Within minutes police had guns drawn and had issued orders for them to get back on the vessel and get back sailing. Kahoon, who found himself positioned between the guns and the boat, would have none of it.

I hope the Kahoons are now in Canada, telling their story about how they helped 17 Cubans who arrived at a distant shore in search of freedom and opportunity. But will Canadians who vacation on the communist paradise ever get it? Or does a cheap vacation trumps the suffering of millions?

Read the rest from the Toronto Sun [here].

Interview with Andy Garcia

Just when I thought, I had things figured out

then this:

EVO MORALES becomes first Nican Tlaca (Indigenous) leader of Bolivia. Morales has as his mentor Chavez of Venezuela. Chavez has as his mentor Fidel Castro. Castro has JUSTICE as his mentor. Even the white man Fidel Castro can see that justice is necessary for the Nican Tlaca people, and the African people of Cuba. Perhaps other European descent people like Castro can help bring liberation to all Nican Tlaca. We still have hope that European descent people can help, but not dominate, in the liberation process.

I guess Che is too white, but fidel, well he is plain just. ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRG!

Read more of this basura [here].

Pack your bags you are going on a trip

"...learn how Cuba became a leader in organic and urban agriculture."

Oh, by the way to qualify you must be a "full time farmer." Because, US farmers are inefficient, use too much chemicals, and do not produce enough to supply the US, the world and Cuba. The world's greatest producer of crops needs to learn for the world's worst. Even if you just have a couple of tomato plants (or pot plants) growing on a clay pot on your window sill, you qualify, you are a farmer!

En sangre

Written in blood:

"The country belongs to all of us"

"For Cuba it is time"

"Lets open the door"

"Long live the APPSC" (The Assembly to Promote a Civil Society in Cuba)

"Long live a free and democratic Cuba".

Written by Santiago Valdeolla from his prision tumb in a country that holds a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

H/T
The Real Cuba
Blog for Cuba
Babalu

Chapter 9 got to me

Knowing that today, I was going to be traveling; I made sure that I had plenty of reading material to read on the airplane, besides contracts. Therefore, last night I printed all the Chapters of The Lost City, a Continuation, by Henry “Conductor” Gomez of Cuban-American Pundits.

I must confess that when Chapter 1 was first published, I did not even bother to read it. I did not believe that it was going be the type of fiction that keeps my attention. I was wrong, soon after that Henry posted Chapter 2, then Chapter 3 and he is now up to Chapter 12. I read all 12 chapters today. Right now I am anticipating Chapter 13, looking forward on how the life of Cuban-American Fico Fellove evolves in the story.

Chapter 9 is so far my favorite. It reminded me so much of all the helping hands that showed up at our apartment in New Jersey right after we arrived here from Cuba. To this day we still use the cafeteras, espresso coffee pots, that were given to us soon after our arrival, that was 36 years ago. We will never get rid of them!

Henry, hurry up! What’s next?

Again, check it out at Cuban-American Pundits.

Who's visiting El Confeti?

Former USSR colony need not pay debt

Having trouble collecting $22 billion, that is billion with a “B”, owed by Cuba to the defunct USSR, Russia has given up. It is ready to forgive; it seems that collecting the money from deadbeat Cuba is futile. In fact, it looks like it going to cost Russia more money. Here is some advise for anyone doing business with Cuba, get your money upfront, count it carefully, and run a counterfeit pen over the bills.

Russia to Pay to Cuba for Debt Settlement

After nearly a decade of urging Cuba to pay off $22-billion debt to the former Soviet Union, Russia shelves the issue for indefinite time, Deputy Finance Minister Sergey Storchak made clear. Instead, PM Mikhail Fradkov will offer a new loan of $350 million during his visit to Cuba.

In time of September tour to Cuba, Russia’s PM Mikhail Fradkov will suggest restructuring Cuba’s debt to Russia and to the former Soviet Union, fix the settlement schedule for the debt to Russia and offer a new loan worth $350 million, according to Storchak.

Cuba’s debt to the USSR is around $22 billion, the deputy finance minister said, other estimate vary from from $16 billion to $25 billion. In Cuba, however, they don’t think they owe anything to the USSR. To the contrary, Fidel Castro vowed some time ago Cuba may claim damages of $30 billion due to the abrupt break of relations.

But the debt of Cuba to Russia is of no dispute. It amounted to $161.123 million as of late 2005 (with regard to arrears) and amassed when Russia was funding completing construction of Huragua nuclear plant there. Cuba services neither this debt nor the debt to the former USSR.

The issue of Soviet debt settlement won’t be raised at all during Fradkov’s tour, according to Storchak. “Russia has no desire to abandon the assets but may wait till the time when the debt is being discussed without continuous references to Soviet-Cuban friendship,” explained representatives of Finance Ministry.

Moreover, in an effort to revive the mutual trade, Fradkov will offer to Cuba a new tied loan of up to $350 million, which the latter should spend to pay for deliveries of Russian machinery and power equipment.

Chavez caca

Salsa Queen’s ghost visits Cuba

The great Reina de la Salsa must be turning in her grave (no disrespect).

From the Washington Post, July 17, 2003

On New Year's Eve 1958, Batista stole away in the middle of the night and the next morning Castro gave his first speech from a balcony as Cuba's new leader. Eighteen months later, La Sonora Matancera -- including [Celia] Cruz -- took advantage of what was supposed to be a routine trip to perform abroad, and defected. They landed first in Mexico but inevitably made their way north, settling for a time in Los Angeles. Cruz married the band's first trumpeter, Pedro Knight, who also became her longtime manager and musical director.

To the end of her days, Celia was a bitter foe of fidel, and with good reason. Celia stood alongside with her fellow compatriots and denounced the Cuban regime. The world also loved Celia, even those that politically were at odds with her.

Very little of this [her] music was ever heard in Cuba. "Castro never forgave me," she once said, and she was right: The Cuban government denied her permission to come home for her father's funeral. Books about Cuban music published on the island after the revolution didn't even mention her name.

But neither did she ever forgive Castro, whom she denounced as she stood shoulder to shoulder with other anti-Castro Cuban exiles. These two larger-than-life Cubans of the late 20th century considered each other nonpersons.

OK, so where am I headed with this story? It seems that all is forgiven, and the Cuban regime is now permitting Celia to visit, at least her ghost. A new stage production Delirio habanero by Cuban writer Alberto Pedro now plays in Havana. The ghosts of Celia and Benny Moré appear to entertain postmortem. It easier to manipulate ghosts, and they have no opinion.

Recuerdan a Celia Cruz en la obra Delirio habanero
Notimex
El Universal
Ciudad de México
Sábado 15 de julio de 2006

Homenajea el dramaturgo cubano Alberto Pedro a la artista en su obra, la cual protagoniza Laura de la Uz y en la que se revive el glamour de las noches cubanas de antaño

A tres años de su fallecimiento, la cantante cubana Celia Cruz sigue vigente en los escenarios y se reencuentra con el fantasma de otra gloria de la música de la isla del Caribe, Benny Moré, a través de la nueva versión de “ Delirio habanero ” , obra del dramaturgo cubano Alberto Pedro (1954-2005) .

En este montaje es posible ver a Celia Cruz (Laura de la Uz, protagonista de la cinta "Hello Hemingway") cantando ataviada con un ceñido vestido que simboliza la bandera cubana, disfrutar de un baile imaginario entre la “ Reina ” y el “ Bárbaro ” (Mario Guerra) o imaginar el glamour de las noches cubanas de antaño a través de los relatos de Varilla (Amarilis Núñez) .

La voz, carisma y talento de Celia Cruz, la “ Reina de la Salsa ” , nacida el 21 de octubre de 1929 en La Habana, Cuba, dieron lugar a una de las trayectorias más impresionantes en el mundo de la música, al decir de los críticos.

Sus más de 70 álbumes generaron una cosecha interminable de “ Discos de Platino ” y “ Oro ” , y recibió más de un centenar de premios de prestigiadas instituciones de diversas partes del mundo.

En 1989 recibió el primero de sus cinco premios Grammy, a los que se sumaron dos más del Grammy Latino.

Photo of Celia's ghost as played by Laura de la Uz (who?) lifted from Cuban blogger Jesus (not the deity) on line.

The sighted that will never see

The following is an example of today’s posting at Killcastro. It is in Spanish, but it talks about people like Manuel Marquez-Sterling, the writer of the article below that did not let the opportunity go by without responding to a misguided collegiate and let her get away with espousing her blinded romantic view of communist paradise. We are not many, but we are centainly loud.

My Turn
Writer blind to sad truth about Cuba
By MANUEL MARQUEZ-STERLING
For the Monitor

Much is wrong with student Elizabeth Morrow's article "Why not Cuba?"(Sunday Monitor, July 2). Her comments about what she saw and heard while in Cuba - the generosity of the Cuban common people, their beautiful music, etc. -must be attributed to the reactions of a young scholar with some credit hours beyond an undergraduate degree. During my years of teaching history, I read hundreds of essays that, like hers, let enthusiasm blur the real picture.

Ms. Morrow wants the United States government to allow all Americans, without restrictions, to travel freely to Cuba based on the point that we permit it with China, a grand violator of human rights. In other words, Ms. Morrow proposes that two wrongs would make a right. Human rights violations are universal, and if we erred in China, as we certainly did, we should not compound it with Cuba.

Besides getting her facts wrong about Cuba before the revolution, (the old tired story of gambling and prostitution), Ms. Morrow calls attention to the generosity, kindness and beautiful music of the Cuban people.

This is not a product of the present regime. Cubans from all walks of life, since time immemorial and under all kinds of political situations, have been like that and also made "beautiful music."

It seems that Ms. Morrow was not able, not allowed or did not care - lest her fanciful picture of Cuba be shattered - to see what is under the surface in that country. I bet that she was not able to talk to some of the hundreds of political prisoners, or to those who today oppose a regime that has executed 25,000 of its citizens and exiled more than 2 million.

I wonder if she talked to Martha Beatriz Roque, who a month ago was again brutally beaten for demanding the freedoms that Ms. Morrow enjoys here in New Hampshire. Should not Ms. Morrow also mention the thousands of would-be millionaires drowned in the Florida Straits while escaping that revolutionary Eden with its "beautiful music"?

I love young scholars, and I want them to do the best. In fact, if Ms. Morrow would not be afraid to face the truths about Cuba, I would extend her an invitation to chat about the topic over coffee or tea.

I am sure that she would learn a thing or two about Cuban history before Castro, which, by the way, the kindest of taxi drivers and other citizens there are not allowed to know.

Read poor misguided Elizabeth’s article [here].

It is still ONE WAY, out of Cuba

Cuban-American Pundits directs us to an article about Hondura’s efforts to curb the migration of Cubans landing in Honduran shores. Mexico is not too far behind, their goal is to reduce or eliminate the “illegal” influx of Cubans, read article (in Spanish) [here].

El año pasado, añadió, llegaron a México alrededor de 12,500 cubanos, de los cuales 2,500 fueron turistas, y hubo un número similar de indocumentados, de los cuales 500 eran balseros y 2,000 ingresaron por Centroamérica.

Translation:
Last year…approximately 12,500 Cubans arrived in Mexico, of which 2,500 were tourists, and about an equal number of undocumented, of which 500 were rafters and 2,000 entered by way of Central America.

Is this a coincidence, or a concerted effort, and who is directing it? One thing is for sure the Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy that that allows Cubans to stay in the US when their first step onto solid sand is archaic and genocidal, the rug is always in a state of being lifted from under them. Cubans will continue to leave and risk their lives as long as the warden fidel castro (or any castro) remains on the island.

Castro dead: Chavez successor?

Rumors, innuendos and speculations are a plenty that the bearded dictator is either dead, or is applying for a permanent resident visa to Hades. The named successor is fidel’s younger (75 years old), duller, effeminate brother Raúl. However, just imagine for a second, that there may be a plan underway to have Chavez ascend to the post of Máximo Hijo de Puta, in a united Venecuba. I will tell you that not even the most loco Cuban communist will go for this idea, but Elephants in Academia proposes this as an interesting scenario.

No special sauce

And speaking of...more on the previous post

Orlando escribió:
Agustin,

¿Qué te pasa que no actualizas, te quitaron el ordenador?

--
Posted by Orlando to Imagen.cu at 7/09/2006 12:22:25 AM

From: agustin rey borrego
To: Orlando
Sent: Friday, July 14, 2006 9:59 AM
Subject: RE: [Imagen.cu] 7/09/2006 12:22:25 AM

No, amigo nada de eso, el problema es que estuve por la provincia de Granma y quede maravillado con todos los logros del pueblo por esa zona.
A pesar de las afectaciones del desbastador huracán el año pasado, el pueblo se ha crecido y levantado como muchos otros, pero este se gano por sus merito la digna sede del acto central por el 26 de Julio.
Estoy preparando algunos trabajo para publicarlos para que puedas apreciar cuantas cosas linda hace tu pueblo a pesar del Bloqueo.
Estoy seguro que si sigues visitando mi pagina algún día tenga el privilegio de conoserte y tener la grata noticia que eres uno de los muchos cubano que por su patria lucha.
Saludos afectuoso:
Agustín.

Cuban commies write me

From time to time, I visit the Cuban (from Cuba) blogs, and sometimes I leave a little comment or two. Either these are ignored or they set off like a bomb no matter how miniscule. Here is one example:

Orlando escribió:
Interesante que fidel se ha molestado tanto por este asunto de Forbes. Sin embargo, no le ha molestado que lo hayan puesto bajo la correcta categoría de "Dictador." Tal vez, y más a profundo es que hayán bajo estimado su fortuna.

From: agustin rey borrego
To: Orlando
Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 11:35 AM
Subject: RE: [Imagen.cu] 6/05/2006 06:12:50 PM

Considero lo de dictador como algo para no molestar, pues dictador es sinomimo de mandatario,jefe de estado de presidente y para el caso es lo mismo.
Lo que si no es lo mismo, es que cuantas leyes se promulgan, cuantas situaciones se presentan nuestro mandatario las consulta con su pueblo. Es sabido por todo que en sus intervenciones hasta tiene fama de ser muy extensas y es por que le gusta explicar y convenser, es por eso que tantos cubanos lo seguimos y muchos quisirean tener el honor de morir junto a el.
No.

Sabes una cosa? me maravilla que vivas en un País tan altamete democratico, tienes un presidente maravilloso, sobre todo con un sentido de humanidad tremendisimo, ataca paises como Irak,
Afganistan, los niños que allí mueren no es por su culpa sino porque ellos están en ese momento que explotan las bombas en el lugar equivocado, dicen que es por el petroleo, pero no, no creo que sea por eso si él es muy bueno, el sale por la Tele con sus perritos que están de lo más lindos ah, pobrecito W Bus, es un santito.

Y tú querido Orlandito que haces para impedir esas cosas lindas del presidente más humilde que tiene éste planeta, nada más te dedicas a estas cositas de enviar correitos? eres un pobre diablillo, mira aprende a decir las cosas como los hombres, de frente, ven tu solito y dimelo a mi nada más donde nadie intevenga entre tú y yo, estoy seguro que no tienes lo que tienen que tener los hombres para eso, tu debes haber sido un niñito mimado de los que le quitaban la merienda los otros muchachos en la escuela y después iban a darle las quejas a su mamita, tu lo que eres una putica y un politiquero de mala muerte.

sín más Orlandito querido, en espera de tu presencia fisica.

My response:

El Confeti escribió:
Me ha causado mucha risa tu correo-e, y gracias por tomarte el tiempo para responder a mi comentario. ¿Tuviste que pedirle permiso a tu amo? Que bueno que te lo dió, pero por favor no tome tanto riesgo. A mi también me honraría mucho ver al viejo cagalitroso muerto y a su seguidores, sería un día de mucho júbilo.

Y si, apoyo a mi presidente en la cuestión de Irak, y en otras cosas, y también puedo criticarlo cuantas veces me den las ganas. Sin embargo, de tu amo no puede decir ni pío.

Y gracias por invitarme en persona, por que otro remedio no te queda. Yo puedo viajar a cualquier parte del mundo cuanta veces que quiera, y tu sin embargo no puedes ni entrar a los hoteles turísticos en la isla. Eres un ciudadano de segunda clase, los turistas tienen más derecho que tu.

Nunca le he quitado nada a nadie. Por cierto soy yo el que dos y tres veces al año se preocupa en enviar medicinas a mi familiares en Cuba, porque tu amo de 47 años ni eso puede proveer, mientras su fortuna crece cada año.

Y hablando de putas, es tu amo el que se vende y vende a Cuba por un barril de aceite.

Agustincito, no te deseo mal alguno. Sólo que despierte.

From: agustin rey borrego
To: El Confeti
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2006 9:13 AM
Subject: Re: [Imagen.cu] 6/05/2006 06:12:50 PM

No, amigo el asunto no es para ofenderse ni para di gustarse,Vive feliz con tu presidente que aquí todos vivimos felices con el nuestro, a pesar que algunos poco prefirion el confor y cuambiaron de bandera.
Yo soy y fui un ciudadano no de segunda sino de tercera que nunca soné con tener un trabajo decoroso, las cosa mínimas como los mios para vivir, todos juntos y felices.
Ando a pie como cualquier cubano, y las criticas que puedan no destruir sino construir una vida mejor las canalisamos en nuestros consejos populares.
Me siento agradesido por lo que hace mi comandante y sin fanatismo ni chovinismo estoy con Cuba y con Fidel.

My last comuniqué

Algún día podrás expresar tu propio pensamiento libremente. Mi comentario inicial fue dirigido a tu comandante, sin embargo lo tomaste muy a pecho. El único feliz en Cuba es el viejo latifundista (que pronto morirá), lo demás siguen "resolviendo" después de 47 años. La Revolución Cubana...la mierda y mentira más grande en la historia.

Dime si hace falta algo. Un aspirina, una cuchilla de afeitar, tal vez un jaboncito.

The site has not been updated since May 26, and I will bet the farm, if I had one, that this interchange will never appear on his blog.

You can see it from the space shuttle

Courtesy of China, castro's new limo.

Photo lifted from the Real Cuba.

Fidel castro murderer maximo

Today marks the 12 anniversary of one of the most abominable crimes commited by the Cuban regime against its own citizens. Forty-one Cubans many of these children were brutally murdered in altamar (sic) by fidel castro's henchmen while seeking freedom aboard a tug-boat called 13 de marzo. Here is a short video of family and friends of those who were killed during last year's commemoration of the event. Watch what happens when Cuban citizens ask their government to give them answers and to hold itself accountable. Repudiation brigades clickly decended, to defend the Cuban revolution and its murderous ways.




Babalú has a complete account.
Abajo Fidel and ¡Ya No Más! have more.

Chillin' it

Should the moment arise for a sponteneous celebration, a celebration that has been 50 years in the making, then you need to be prepared. Since it will be a historical occassion, have the champagne ready. You can quickly chill a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket, but that will take 20 minutes out of your celebration, or you can place a botle in the lowest shelf of your refrigerator where it will take 3 to 4 hours hours to chill, but once chilled, it will be ready when needed.

What type of champagne or cidra? Find the most expensive best champagne that you can afford. Forget the budget, this is not the time to be cheap! It has been paid with blood, sweat and tears. You will be celebrating for thousands of sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, aunts and uncles that never lost hope, but did not live to see the DAY!

Cuba issues new anti-gusano software

Cuba´s Segurmatica computer consulting and security company issued its first anti-virus software for corporate network safety. (...more)

If I didn't know better I would take it very personally. It seems that for the most part they are trying to keep the "gusanos" from entering their system. Here one of my favorite gusanos taken from the Segurmatica (Novedades Section) website:

Virus: W32/Red.Y (variant) - Esta computadora ha sido infectada con el virus LIBERTAD como protesta por la violación de la libertad de expresión en Cuba.

Translation: This computer has been infected with the virus LIBERTY to protest Cuba's freedom of expression violation.

When will this end? Mr. Bush thank you for the toilet paper in the form of CAFC II

Emotional plea
During a news conference in Miami, Rebeca Creos makes an emotional plea for her twin sister Morelia Creos, shown with her in an undated photo, to be allowed to stay in the United States. One person died and four others were injured Saturday when their boat, which held 31 migrants including Morelia Creos, ignored orders to stop and attempted to ram a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, authorities said. Coast Guard crew then fired two shots into the vessel's engine to disable it.

Is castro kaputs?

Rumors circulated around the blogosphere that cagastro had assumed room temperature. At some level, many of us, actually millions of us, wished it were true. However, I fear that this is the same happy rumor that rears its promissory head every 6 months. Here is prayer for the dictator that I lifted from Dr. Sanity, fitting the occasion.

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord your soul to keep;
And if He keeps it very well,
It's sure to find its way to hell.

I pray you'll get what you deserve;
I pray you'll get what I desire;
Do you think you'll keep your nerve,
As you approach eternal fire?

And if you don't, it's no surprise--
A tyrant never lives his lies.
May all the souls that you oppressed,
Make sure you lack eternal rest.

As I close my eyes tonight,
To contemplate eternal night;
I'd pray for you, I really would,
If only I could see some good.

May God have mercy on your soul;
And may all who suffered at your hand
Be waiting there to greet you
When you reach the Promised Land

May they show you justice,
Of the type that you have shown;
And with your caring and compassion,
May you reap exactly what you've sown.

Now I face the setting sun,
And dry-eyed, lay me down to sleep;
I know that when you're dead and gone
Freedom will cheer-- and Hugo will weep.

Cuba: Bourgeois taste

Living near a wine region here in California, I am spoiled and have come enjoy a glass of wine (grape juice plus) sometimes two with dinner and in most festive occasions. I am partial to reds, Merlot, Cabernet and some to the Meritage blends suit me fine. Very rarely do I stray away from California wines; only if someelse is paying for it will I partake of an Italian or worse French. Occasionally I would break my own rule and try out Australian and maybe even a Chilean since these tend to be better priced. However, after reading the following article on a castroit publication, Chilean wine is off my list, at least I will never pay for it.

Chilean Wine Celebrates Success in Cuba

Havana, Jul 10 (Prensa Latina) Chilean wine label Concha and Toro can boast a very successful relation with the Cuban market, despite this being a country preferring rum and beer over wine.

Consumption in Cuba of Concha and Toro wines, located in the mid-price range, stands at about 60 thousand bottles or 5 thousand cases per year.

The Pucara Investments enterprise, representing the Chilean wine in Cuba, together with the Chilean ambassador to Havana, Jaime Toha Gonzalez, recently organized a tasting for wine lovers to celebrate that Cuba´s wine imports are slowly but steadily growing, basically due to the growing demand of the hotel sector.

Ernesto del Pino, general manager of Pucara Investments in Cuba, told Granma International weekly he is in charge of a foreign branch of the company funded by European and Cuban capital with more than eight years experience in this market.

During the tasting event, the Chilean ambassador was distinguished with honorary membership to the Cuba Sommeliers Club by its president Yamir Pelegrino.

The tasting ceremony consisted of four table wines, highlighting the Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay and a recent blend of wines known as Trio. Chilean wines are famous for their quality-price relationship, said organizers.

The average monthly salary for a Cuban “professional” is approximately $15 per month. Why would anyone want to spend a whole month’s or even a half-month’s salary on a bottle of Chilean wine? They would not. The average Cuban is not the one buying, it is the castroit upperclass, castro the millionaire and his cadre of business associates, it is the tourist with euros and convertible pesos, it is the foreigner with access to the stores and the hotels where tourists are the only ones allowed. The average Cuban is "protected" from these imperialist influences.

I was even more surprise to see that they have tasting events, very bourgeois! I wonder which Chilean is served on fidel's private airplane. Probabaly a Concha de Toro, which goes well with the finest Spanish hams.

Bono bueno

Could it be that Bono knows that capitalism is sustainable? Lets face it, most of the people that Bono is trying to help got into their current dismal situations by the being victims of oppressive Chavez and castroit type dictatorships.

BONO UNDER FIRE FOR GAME SUPPORT

Irish rock star BONO has come under fire from left wing political activists after investing in a video game which depicts Venezuela in a negative light. The U2 frontman has invested $300 million (GBP166 million) in California manufacturers Pandemic Studios, whose game Mercenary 2: World in Flames allows players to play a mercenary sent to Venezuela, which has been taken over by an oil-hungry dictator. The player is told, "If you can see it, you can buy it, steal it, or blow the living crap out of it." The actual leader of the South American nation at present is HUGO CHAVEZ, who is well-known for his anti-imperialism views and his dislike of the United States foreign policy. JEFF COHEN, author of CABLE NEWS CONFIDENTIAL: MY MISADVENTURES IN CORPORATE MEDIA, has recently visited Venezuela and is baffled by Bono's endorsement of the game. Cohen tells gossip site PageSix, "It's hard to fathom why an artist who claims to be about new paths to justice for developing countries would be mixed up in a computer game that glorifies stale, old mercenary approaches."
10/07/2006 12:21

I am point of light number 987

You Are Most Like George H. W. Bush

You're considered boring by people that don't know you well. But like Bush senior, you do crazy things. Maybe you'll end up banning broccoli in your house, or puking on the Prime Minster of Japan!

What Modern US President Are You Most Like?

H/T Cardinal Martini

Cuba = No human rights = United Nations HRC

From the Washington Times, excellent commentary on the price paid by Armando Valladares in the castro gulag, for simply believing that communism as an ideology was a dead end. The commentary questions the absurdity of Cuba's position in the new United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Viva Valladares
By Arnold Beichman
Published July 9, 2006

For a reason I will explain toward the end of this article, I will tell you the story of Armando Valladares, who spent 22 years as a political prisoner in Fidel Castro's Cuban jails. He was, of course, one of many such prisoners. Mr. Valladares was guilty of opposing the adoption of communist ideology after the anti-Batista Cuban revolution.

Because he would not compromise his opposition to communism, Mr. Valladares was not only jailed but tortured as well. He was subjected to brutal beatings, isolation and guinea pig biological and psychological experiments that only a sadist could dream up.

Mr. Valladares was locked away in so-called tiger cages. The steel mesh ceiling was easily punctured by the guards who prodded and poked him with their clubs so he could not sleep. He was regularly doused from above by the guards with buckets of excrement and urine collected from the other prisoners.

Steel plates were welded on the cell windows and door so no light could enter his cell. According to his memoir, he lived mired in his own waste and went for years without a bath. In his 22 years as a prisoner of conscience, he was allowed 13 visits. Mr. Valladares survived years of solitary confinement.

In 1963, he was given a blue uniform to wear, which would distinguish common criminals from political prisoners, he refused to wear it and went naked. Since Mr. Valladares refused to participate in any political rehab programs, the Fidelistas tried to starve him into submission: No food for 46 days. That didn't work.

By now his plight had become known worldwide: Mr. Valladares had become a symbol of resistance to the Castro dictatorship. An international campaign for his release was led by then French President Francois Mitterrand who made a personal appeal to Mr. Castro to release Mr. Valladares. Upon his release, Mr. Valladares published a memoir, "Against All Hope," which became an international best-seller.

Why this long story? Because the last Human Rights Commission had such a disgraceful collection of violators of human rights that Kofi Annan created a new commission. And guess what? Cuba is a member of the new commission.

Has the United Nations no shame?

No there is no shame. The honor of having the highest number of political prisioners in the Western Hemisphere goes to (drum roll please) CUBA!

Che and Osama: bin mierda

The following couple of paragraphs is just to set up the source where singer Aki Nawaz glorifies suicide bombers, et. al., with his music (is rap, music?)

Muslim musician in Britain faces album controversy

By Mike Collett-WhiteWed Jun 28, 10:45 AM ET

A Muslim musician living in Britain said on Wednesday that two directors at his record label had threatened to resign if he released a new album describing suicide bombers and the West's immorality.

The threat means Aki Nawaz, who was born in Pakistan but moved to Britain aged three, would have to distribute "All is War (The Benefits of G-Had)" independently, causing delays of around two weeks.

A big disappointment for the backpack-bomb-toting fans. But here is is the paragraph that really caught my attention!

In "Che Bin" he compares al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden to Ernesto "Che" Guevara, the Cuban revolutionary leader.

Yep, I can see the similarities, both terrorists and murderers. Che ended up with a bullet hole in this head, Osama will end up with Sidewinder up his ass. Oh, the joys and the disappointments of a free society, and Aki should find out what it is like to not have it, freedom! I hope MI5 is keeping a eye on this idiot.

The play you won't see in Miami

But New Yorkers will. The play "School of the Americas" by Puerto Rican Jose Rivera, the same man that brought you that feces of a movie the Motorcycle Diaries. This time Rivera want you to know what his murderer hero Che "Still Dead" Guevarra would have to say about the Iraq war.

The play is the story of Guevara's last night before his death in Bolivia, where he spent the final year of his life trying to foment a communist uprising. The Argentine guerrilla, a key figure in Cuba's revolution, was captured by government troops and held in a village schoolhouse while the Bolivian and U.S. governments decided his fate.

So you ask yourself the question, how does Rivera know what happened during Che's final hour? A school teacher named Julia Cortes, propably back in the day an idealistic young bimbette that was allowed to "spend some time" with the soon to have a whole in the head hero, is the primary source. But wait, how much does she remember...?

"No one knows but her really what happened in that room," Rivera added.

So, since no one really knows what really happened, lets make some things up that would help boost the sale of t-shirts. Because one thing is for sure, as succesful a murderer as Che was, he is even better at selling t-shirts.

A Realist for President

Here is an article by Michael Moriarty that I found refreshing. It is the kind of article that needs to be read twice, jut because you don't see it coming from a Hollywood actor. You will never see the likes of Sean Penn or Woody Harrelson risk their future careers by going against the Hollywood leftist tide. Besides, I don't believe they know how to write. Oh, did I forget to mention that Mr. Moriarty is running for President 2008, The Realist Party (WTF?). I looked to see if there was a website for the Realists, but all I found was this blog

What'll we do with Winnie the Pooh?

By Michael Moriarty
web posted July 3, 2006

The Chairman of Latin American Communism Dr. Fidel Castro is still wallowing in the great Red Miracle: decades ago, he single-handedly made fools of U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Canada's Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. During Black October 1970, two Friends of Fidel assassinated a Quebec Cabinet Minister right under Trudeau's nose. Castro gave the assassins sanctuary after they fled Canada. Even so, Trudeau always sucked up to Castro. Today, six years after Trudeau's death, his legacy is being reassessed as profoundly damaging to Canada by a new generation of leaders, historians and journalists. If Canada has become an ideal staging ground for a full-bore terrorist assault on the United States, it is in large part due to the extremely lax immigration and refugee policies introduced by Trudeau 25 years ago.

Fidel CastroCastro lied to Kennedy about the Revolution. Castro received Kennedy's "I'll stay out of the way" approval and then abolished all forms of private property in Cuba, confiscating American industries and other holdings. Then Fidel puts the whole world at risk by importing Russian atomic weapons during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This debacle won the Stalinists a piece of real estate in Turkey, previously occupied by the U.S. military. Whether the indigenous Russians living there wanted America to leave, we'll never know, because no one ever heard from them again.

So, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Dr. Castro perforce transferred his allegiance from Moscow to Beijing. Forty-seven years after the Cuban Revolution, the old dictator still runs his Island Psychiatric Hospital with an iron hand. His lengthy rule is made possible by the steady stream of Canadian tourists who parade their anti-Americanism by flying down from the Great White North and bringing planeloads of money to his asylum.

"One must keep the patients happy!," Dr. Castro observes. And they are quite sedated, according to the reports I hear from Cuban-loving Canadians, most of whom look as equally stoned as the Cubans are now. Many Canadian visitors tell me how the whole Cuban population is spaced out on marijuana... so Canadians arriving with money and B.C. Skunk (marijuana) are on the mark. One female Canadian tourist told of how peacefully stoned the Cubans were but... well, it was pathetic to the eyes of this North American.

The other Canadian, a male driver on a movie set who visits Cuba four times a year, was stoned all the ding-dong day. Naturally, he's quite happy with the island paradise.

Winnie the Pooh. Yes, that title slips out of a very hip fringe film – very in, very Red and very smug. When Communist comedians (Comicon?) start referring to the Latin Bear Fidel as Winnie the Pooh, it's a bit like David Letterman and Jay Leno doing John Kerry jokes. It humanizes the Castro man, who is demonic and beyond any redemptive humanization!

Castro would look great in the same cell as Saddam Hussein. What a set of Bobsey Twins they'd make: "haircuts and a shave, all around, Italian style." The memories of French-speaking Quebecers are certainly as long as those of Spanish-speaking Americans; and the most vibrant Hispanic memories live in the Free Cubans of Miami. They have much to serve up to Winnie and, God willing, they'll have a President like me to back them up with more than a Bay of Pigs.

I pledge that if Red China invades Taiwan, we'll invade Cuba! It's chess. Taiwan and Cuba are not pawns; they are Knights of Freedom! If America tried to defend Taiwan, we'd destroy it. We learned that lesson in Vietnam! The South Vietnamese were so corrupted by French occupation, they didn't care about anything, let alone freedom, whereas Taiwan is like the Philippines back in WW2, when the great General Douglas MacArthur was forced to make a strategic retreat, but with the words "I shall return!" reassuring those left behind. We shall indeed return to free Taiwan, which will rejoice in its freedom as we liberate the mainland from the yoke of Maoism!

So what shall we do with Winnie the Pooh?

First, we hunt down his minions in North America and then we arrange for Fidel Castro to occupy the same Death Row prison cell as Saddam Hussein.

I disagree with the last sentence of the article, I prefer a biological solution for castro, whether it is externally or naturally induced. A castro at room temperature is best.

Elian: Living talisman

Ever since the the little boy Elian Gonzalez was abruptly returned to fidel, the old dictator has treated him as a sort of magical being. Actually, as the pawn, a mascot that is supposed to represent and bring along a whole generation of future revolutionaries and thus preserve its future. But the future does not look that clear.

Next month, Cuba will celebrate Castro's 80th birthday, with thousands attending the party for the world's longest-serving leader. Next to him on the podium in Havana will be the 12-year-old who embodies his hopes for saving the revolution.

So Elian's life is not so different than the normal Cuban citizen, he is guarded, and watch by castro lackeys. As a symbol of the future of Cuba it about time that fidel goes ahead and trademarks Elian, just to avoid embarassing fights later on as to who owns the rights to Elianworld.

He (Elian) is a heavily guarded boy, always shadowed by state security officers. He is also a privileged child, the only boy in Cuba whose birthday party is attended by President Fidel Castro. He is also a symbol of the island's resistance to the power of the US, a symbol that Cuba will stand up for itself, its children and its revolution.

His future is not his own.

The battle for Elian has now been won in every sense. 'He is a very good humble boy and very responsible, very disciplined,' one of his schoolmates told The Observer. 'Well, he has to be, as he is friends with our Commander-in-Chief [Castro].' He has become one of the town's five leaders of the pioneros [pioneers], an organisation that, according to the President, is the 'school where children prepare themselves for life' by 'ratifying the irrevocability of the socialist character of our revolution'.

Elian is becoming a model of what the next generation of Cuban revolutionaries should be. But the battle for Elian's contemporaries is still being fought.A few blocks away from the school, some of them recount a joke that ends with the naughtiest boy in one class being sent home as punishment for saying that Fidel has to be buried in Jerusalem. 'Oh boy, not in Jerusalem!' exclaims his grandmother. 'Don't you know that people there rise again after three days?'

Read more of the story written by Andres Schipani-Aduriz in Cardenas, and published on the British publication The Observer.

Oswaldo Payá: Remains hopeful

Read the op-ed piece in the Washington Post by Owaldo Payá of the Varela Project.

The Unstoppable Cuban Spring

By Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas
Saturday, July 1, 2006; Page A25

HAVANA -- In March 2003 dozens of leaders of Cuba's Varela Project and other human rights defenders were detained, subjected to summary trials, condemned to many years in prison, and confined in the most inhumane and cruel conditions. They were treated like -- and held in cells with -- dangerous common criminals. In this way the regime attempted to suppress the rebirth of the Cuban Spring initiated by thousands of Cubans who overcame a debilitating culture of fear by including their names, addresses and identification numbers in the text of the Varela Project, a document later presented to the National Assembly asking for a referendum on its human rights principles. Despite inhuman treatment and illegal detention, the regime could not stop the rebirth of the Cuban Spring: Many Cubans continue to support the Varela Project even amid repression that includes death threats and physical assault.

Later in 2003 we announced that we had developed a working document of about 50 pages that would serve as a guide for a National Dialogue (a discussion in which all Cubans could freely express their thoughts, desires and goals for Cuba). At the same time, state security forces persecuted us throughout the country. Moreover, individuals inside and outside Cuba used whatever means were at their disposal to attack and discourage us from bringing this dialogue to fruition. Once again Cubans persevered, and thousands of them, in Cuba and in exile, participated in the National Dialogue. [Read more]