What is Digg?144 Comments
- Braxo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+36I may just pick up smoking cigars if they lift the trade embargo.
- Bartboy919, on 10/12/2007, -3/+33If Castro dies, will things really change? If his brother will be in power, I think he may have the same idea on how to run a Government as his brother
- Muyoso, on 10/12/2007, -13/+36There is a little difference in rooting for a dictator that kills thousands of his political opponents,
"[There were] thousands of executions, forty, fifty thousand political prisoners. The treatment of political prisoners, with what we today know about human rights and the international norms governing human rights ... it is legitimate to raise questions about possible crimes against humanity in Cuba."
You might want to read up on a wiki or two. - TekeeTakShak, on 10/12/2007, -25/+42...You sound like those people rooting for the Congressman to die so that Republicans win the Senate back.
- zeiben, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19Exactly. Even the bitching about him will sound exactly the same: "Castro this, Castro that..." etc.
- raid517, on 10/12/2007, -11/+23"[There were] thousands of executions, forty, fifty thousand political prisoners. The treatment of political prisoners, with what we today know about human rights and the international norms governing human rights ... it is legitimate to raise questions about possible crimes against humanity in Cuba."
And you proof of this is - beyond the word of a group of ultra right wing neo fascistic ex patriot Cubans, who think they can claim Cuba back for themselves and make a fortune turning it back into the haven for gambling, organized crime, money laundering and prostitution that it was back in the 1950's under Batista?
I think it is you who needs to do some reading.
Look at the guy Castro replaced:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista
Oh and BTW Batista really was one of your own (American backed) son of a bitch.
Some more info about the revolution here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Revolution
Did people die? Sure they did - but that is what revolution is about. The 50,000 that allegedly died (again that depends on the source of your info) died in the normal course of a war between the political right and the political left.
If you look at it from Castro's perspective, what was he supposed to do? Let these people go on wrecking the country? Let the drugs and the crime and the Mafia dictate the agenda? Too right he saw these people as the enemy and did everything he could to turn things around for the poor and ordinary people of Cuba, who just wanted to live in a decent, civilized and safe society.
By most standards, despite the initial turmoil of the revolution, Castro is/was one of the most benevolent dictators who ever lived - and the things he has achieved for ordinarly people in that country ave been both miraculous and revolutionary.
I may not fully support his methods - but Castro is justifiably a hero and a beacon of hope for a great many of the poor and oppressed people of the world. - lj535i, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13@RobynG7
And what point if any are you trying to make? Are you saying that since our leader is a "bad man" that this excuses Castro for his thugish violations of human rights?
A son of a bitch is still a son of a bitch... regardless of whether he's ours or theirs. - foofightrs777, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15While greed and rampant consumerism aren't exactly desirable a dictator with little regard for human rights or liberty is much worse.
- rabiddogma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14What they had before Castro was greed, consumerism AND a brutal dictator with no regard for human rights. And thats what they'll have again if the Cuban Mafia in Florida takes over Cuba again.
- ShawnPeterson, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13As a Canadian who had the opportunity to work at a company in Cuba for a two month work term, I can report back that the people there are quite happy - considering what little they have.
When I arrived back home, it really made me wonder why we become so stressed over little things like 40" plasma TV's, PlayStation 3's, and car insurance! The people there are lucky to own a CD player, yet they are quite happy. - RobynG7, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15@010111
"they killed 40,000-50,000 people in Guantanamo? link please."
They killed 40-50,000 people in Cuba? Link please. I used to live in Cuba, and there were not bodies all over the road. There have been human rights violations in Cuba, but no worse than what has happened in Guantanamo in the past. - bugsy187, on 10/12/2007, -6/+14Like it or not, the Cuban revolution was a popular revolution. Castro has done an excellent job of fighting for better education and health care for every person in his country. In spite of economic strangulation by the USA, they've managed relatively well. I wish people were more able to look at history even-handed and not get caught up in the emotionally potent oversimplification and patriotic masterbation of mainstream media stories that demonize Castro. With a small group of guerillas, and popular support, he overthrew Batista. He was even able to thwart a US invasion in the Bay of Pigs. Documents came out that Kennedy nearly provoked a nuclear war in the imperial games with Cuba. The US government continues to have an arrogant, fanatic imperialistic strategy that could very likely get us nuked one day.
- EtherGnat, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Why do we have such a stick up our ass when it comes to Cuba? I understood during the Cold War when Cuba was in bed with the Soviets, but it doesn't seem to make any sense anymore. I don't like Castro or their government, but we have no trouble having a relatively normal relationship with far worse governments.
I suspect it's lingering embarrassment over our inability to overthrow Castro and their government. Any other ideas? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I need him to die by Dec 31st 11:59 PM in order for me to win my Dead Pool
- CiXeL, on 10/12/2007, -6/+13many of the cuban people down here in miami are as corrupted as castro is
theyre just envious they dont have the power over the island
digg me down all you want cubans but until you respect "Americans" with the same respect you have for other cubans I am your mortal enemy.
the only thing that keeps miami going is the fact most people and businesses dont realize its a hell hole. i am trying to do everything i can to show whats wrong with this place so people avoid it.
the only reason miami beach (what most people think is miami) is still competant is because it has an aging jewish population and a healthy supply of people who move here for a year and then leave when they see what its like. when the jewish population dies of old age in miami beach it will become just like mainland miami. a dirty racist third world country. - chriskzoo, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11happy population? LOL I guess you're referring to the non-dissidents who haven't yet been pulled off the street and incarcerated.
- ryodoan, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11I dont mean to be rude, but what rights do you have to the land that someone else has probably already bought and paid for? (Honest question, I want to know)
- PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10@Jeffh
Since the US's current track record on forcing democracies is impeccable. - rabiddogma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10I suspect it's the large voting block of Cuban ex-pats in the southern swing state of Florida.
Seriously, if we don't support the right of return of the Palestinians, then why do we support the return of Cubans (who claim to be Americans) to Cuba? Don't make no sense. I say ***** em. - JrGhoull, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8cuba is an interesting place, it'll be interesting to watch how this all unforlds.
fun fact: cuba stopped trading with when fidell castro came into power...but before that they were still trading with us...were getting things like cars n such. well since they stopped trading with us, they still have some of the original stuff (e.g. cars) that was traded. my point? lol they have some beautiful old cars over there that through their own ingenuity have kept in perfect conditions...literally classics. - ozid, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon told reporters that the Bush administration will deal with Cuba's Communist government only when it shows a commitment to democracy."
This is stupid. The brother reached out to the United States and we are going to do nothing until they pledge to become a democracy? I believe democracies are the best type of government, but this is ridiculous. - LowRentDiggs, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Kinda funny considering Castro only gained power because of American support of Batista, who was as brutal and autocratic as Castro. It's really sickening to think about what the US has done to Cuba, whatever your opinion of Castro is.
- ShawnPeterson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Although many Cubans live in near poverty, life for the average person under Castro is much better then the tyrant he replaced - Batista.
If the Americans were to open trade and allow tourists to visit, they would speed up the process of spreading a democratic process tenfold! Threats and intimidation only give the Castro more opportunity to blame America for all their trouble. - NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6"Stop watching FOX. "
Oh, what a brilliant application of the standard pinko put-down!
Something you need to realize sunshine, is that Fox news is not the source of all anti-communist sentiment in the world. It kind of started with Lenin's body count.
-jcr - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4And now blocking kuzotz for being a racist bastard who will not have anything useful to say in any thread... ever.
- SundayTrain, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7So pretty much no Cuban Cigar's anytime soon..
Damn!/s - Geekbeard, on 10/12/2007, -6/+10Personally, I am of the opinion that those who most of those who left Cuba who are the formerly rich, are simply waiting in bay to rape the Cuban country again and that they probably had a good reason to lose what they did in the first place.
Moreover, before anyone starts with the ***** about how Cuba is so bad they have to leave in rafts, etc. etc. The ONLY reason they don't leave by plane is because the US of A doesn't give out that many visas to Cubans, so those who want to leave are pretty *****. I personally know several people who left Cuba and came to Canada by plane. - deivys, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6
Dude are you high? Cuba right now its bouncing back strong. Around 94 till 96 were some of the worse years for the Cuban people. Right at this moment the government is giving everyone brand new appliance like rice cookers, pots, pans ,fan, AC units, fridges. Its sort of a layaway. They give you the appliances and you pay each month a certain amount out of the paycheck. For a third world country, they are not doing too bad right now. Also Europe and Canada are investing heavily in Cuba. Canada with oil and Europe with Hotels and land. Check on the net for pics of Varadero if you want to see many 5 stars hotels one after the other. Google it and you see. - JeffH, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9You're right. Oppression, censorship and poverty are much better for the Cuban people.
- BigCalhoun, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5It looks like their are some signs of at least a willingness to change (Cuba). We're sending the largest congressional representation over there we ever have to discuss these things so you'd have to assume, whether for the better or for the worst, some form of change is going to come.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4hold your horses. they'd go first with venezuela than go in line with usa.
- hiscity, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4http://www.cfr.org/publication/9359/
=quote=
Does Cuba support terrorism?
The U.S. government says yes, but many experts are skeptical. The State Department placed Cuba on its list of states that sponsor terrorism in 1982, citing Fidel Castro’s training and arming of communist rebels in Africa and Latin America. But intelligence experts have been hard pressed to find evidence that Cuba currently provides weapons or military training to terrorist groups. In 1998, a comprehensive review by the U.S. intelligence community concluded that Cuba does not pose a threat to U.S. national security, which implies that Cuba no longer sponsors terrorism.
Why does the United States list Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism?
U.S. government sources offer these reasons:
Throughout 2004, Cuba continued to actively oppose the U.S.-led war on terrorism by taking a stance that “acts by legitimate national liberation movements cannot be defined as terrorism.”
Cuba is providing safe haven to eight Americans who face criminal charges in the United States. The United States and Cuba have let their pre-1959 extradition treaty lapse, and recent U.S. ideas about updating the treaty have been scuttled by pressure from anti-Castro Cuban-American members of Congress.
Cuba has provided “limited support” to designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, as well as safe haven for terrorists, such as members of the Basque terrorist group ETA—despite a November 2003 public request from the Spanish government to deny them sanctuary. The State Department also says that Colombia's two leftist rebel groups—the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), both of which regularly carry out acts of terrorism—maintain a “permanent presence” in Cuba. But experts agree that the Castro government ceased arming or training the former group in 1991 and never gave military support to the latter. The Colombian government, the United Nations, and the European Union all say that Cubahas played a useful role in advancing peace talks with the rebels. Moreover, both rebel groups also have offices in many other Latin American capitals and in many European capitals.
Does Cuba have weapons of mass destruction?
In May 2002, Undersecretary of State John Bolton accused Cuba of having a limited biological weapons program and selling dual-use biotechnology to rogue states. Bolton did not name the states in question but noted that Castro visited Iran, Libya, and Syria last year. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell later clarified Bolton’s statement by saying he did not believe Cuba had bio-weapons, merely the capability to conduct biological research for offensive purposes. But some experts doubt that Cuba’s sophisticated pharmaceutical industry has been turned to biowarfare.
Does Cuba have ties to states that sponsor terrorism?
Yes, but we don’t know how closely they cooperate. In 2001, Castro visited Iran, Libya, and Syria, but other than a commitment to ongoing trade and plans for some public health exchanges, which were announced during Castro’s visits, we know very little about these countries’ dealings with Cuban intelligence or other ties. Cuba also has diplomatic ties with North Korea. During his visit to Iran, Castro reportedly said, “Iran and Cuba, in cooperation with each other, can bring America to its knees.”
=unquote=
And of course, Fidel has been in bed with Hugo Chavez who's in bed with everyone from China to the Arab Oil Cartel -- and has a thing for pseudo-communistic socialism. Chavez's megalomania would have been reason enough to embargo Cuba since he's arming Venezuela and threatens the overthrow of Bush, though he's only got about 2 years to try.
And then there's the question of where did all those old soviet hardliners end up after the implosion of the USSR ... but in the last bastion of soviet communism?
Since the early '90s, I pushed hard for the end of the US embargo of Cuba. Castro's actions with Chavez -- giving verbal support to terrorists and other state sponsors of terrorism against the US -- changed my stance. Now, I'd put up a military blockade and try to lock down all their funds transfers. The bad thing about living on an island is that so much of what you need has to be shipped in.
But once Fidel is gone ... embargo or no embargo, I really don't care. I do, however intend to retire in Cuba, no matter what synthesis of capitalism and communism they adopt.
Raul is probably a lot more like Quadafi than Fidel. Nor is there that "he's our George Washington" teflon to protect him. The reason Fidel was never assassinated was because "the devil that you know is better than the devil that you don't." Raul may enjoy a bit of that, but then again he's an old alcoholic, ¿verdad? Raul will be nothing more than a figure-head.
Which leaves the question: Who's really running Cuba now?? - 010111, on 10/12/2007, -11/+14"And I guess the US has never condoned Human Rights violations. Ever heard of Guantanamo? You might want to read up on a wiki or two yourself."
they killed 40,000-50,000 people in Guantanamo? link please. - JeffH, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7Exactly. Unless there is some sort of forced democracy, Cuba WILL fall into the hands of his brother and it will be the same story over again.
- strangerzero, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I give Castro credit for trying to create a better life for the people of Cuba against overwhelming odds and the constant harassment of the United States government. Castro will be remembered as a hero to the downtrodden and poor, a Robin Hood who took it all away from the rich and gave it to the poor. He and his comrades stood up to the United States and survived. They created an economic system that more evenly distributed wealth to the people of Cuba, feed the poor, stamped out illiteracy, and provided health care for the people of Cuba.
BUT Castro is not a saint. He is a pragmatic man and the ends often justified the means during his rule. Yes, he is a cold blooded killer and a despot. Yes, he is anti-democratic, but he recognized early on that democracy is a tool that the rich use to maintain power at this point in history. This is something that the people in the United States need to consider as their armies march around the world wreaking havoc on countries under the banner of bringing them democracy. - NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3"How the ***** did Castro 'betray the revolution'? "
By becoming a dictator, just like Lenin did.
-jcr - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2you got to admit che's photo owns
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara_%28photo%29 - rlh1, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Went to Granada on vacation once, met some of the locals. The talked about finding their friends bodies down by the beach. They had dared to oppose the Cubans when they came down to take over. They were really glad that the Americans came in and kicked the Cubans out.
Castro has been trying to export their (Soviet) revolution in Latin America and Africa from 1960 till the Soviets fell, about 35 years of being a pain in the ass. That's the reason why there has been an embargo, not because they are a socialist country or because of some votes in Florida. If it was fear of socialism like some have stated then the US would invade Sweden. - joe90210, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6umm ya I've been to cuba too, guess you stuck to the tour guide huh? if you ventured a bit, you'd see the massive poverty of areas they hide from tourists, children with no clothes on picking food of the ground
- CiXeL, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3but we already have open trade and allow tourists to visit miami
- SecondGuesser, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2*** "As for autocratic governments at the start of the 20th century - well my friend I'm British - and I don't recall us ever being enslaved by anyone." ***
You will note that I said "all but one" - with your country being the exception. Your people overcame monarchy rule only after America rose up against your King. I guess I'm also to forget about your country's reign over a global empire -- called "the British Empire" nonetheless -- oftentimes enslaving others and lording over their trade, industry, and economy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire No wonder you don't mind dictators as much as Americans.
*** "In the two world wars you mention the US came in late when all of the hardest fighting was over and we had the deal all but licked." ***
In the case of World War II, I'd hardly say you had the Nazis "licked" when the US became involved in 1941 (against an enemy that DID NOT ATTACK America, nonetheless). Maybe you forgot about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Normandy, which required over a million troops against the Germany's 300,000-strong Atlantic wall. Britain did not have the Nazi's "licked". Did you learn that in your movies?
*** "A wealthy and successful socialist country? Ohh the horror.. " ***
According the the CIA factbook, Cuba's per-capita GDP is about $3500 per person - about 1/3 of the world average and about one-tenth of US, UK, and even Canada and France, with their highly-socialised systems. Cuba is frankly so poor that nearly 1 million Cubans have fled the nation under Castro. 10% of their population is so hardup that they've been willing to float to America with nothing but the wet clothes on their backs.
You need a serious reality check on so many fronts, my British friend. - controlguy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4It's fairly clear that they are referring to the period following Castro's rise to power.
- NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4You do realize that if you were Cuban, and you didn't parrot the party line that Cuba is *already* a democracy, then Castro's thugs would have you tossed in a cell that was too small for you to lie down or even stand up straight in, right?
Yeah, Castro took power at the head of a popular uprising. Trouble is, he then betrayed the revolution, just as Lenin did in Russia.
-jcr - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2ALL medical treatment takes "Patients"
My guess is that he's been dead for awhile now. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yet they trade with the rest of the world... and can't afford even a broken Pugeot.
I don't see how this is America's fault. - LowRentDiggs, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Exactly. Isolating the people of a nation gives them nobody to turn to but their leaders who then turn it into an "us -vs- them" and it solidifies power. We've seen this time after time but the general populace doesn't seem to be able to put 2 and 2 together and the "leaders" on each side get what they want at the expense of both countries.
- Blandyman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@CiXeL
I live in Miami, too. It's not the best place, but it's not the ultimate horrible place to live.
I live in the trailer park. We used to have TNS here (Take No *****, it was a gang.) They've done a lot of bad *****. They tried to rob my diabetic grandmother (across the street) who lives with my paralyzed uncle (paralyzed neck-down) not just once... TWICE in the same night!
Hialeah is pretty disgusting, too. Not much of Miami is really very pretty, save for the beaches and downtown by the shore. Even regular downtown is a *****. It's all drug dealers and penitentiaries.
The coolest thing we have is the 7-mile bridge, and the club scene.
Don't move to Miami, unless you have the money for a condo, or one of the larger homes. Even then, don't expect to have much to do... this is a partying/beach-going city, nothing more... plenty less. - PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Dude, and you think you haven't grown accustomed to the problems intrinsic to capitalism?
In pretty much the same manner, you have been taught to accept the things you don't like about our economic system. Like no free health care, higher education, or pretty much anything else. In every political or economic system you take the bad with the good. As we do.
Also, most immigrants coming from Cuba these days, leave, not because of political persecution, but because of the same reason people leave Mexico, for the US, or the Dominican Republic for Puerto Rico, because there is a perceived higher level of opportunity for people like themselves. Of course whenever they're found out they scream political persecution, that way they don't get thrown back to Cuba. - NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Pablo,
There's no such thing as "free health care" anywhere in the world. In some countries, health care is paid for from tax monies, but that doesn't make it "free", by any stretch of the imagination.
-jcr - PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Dude? Seriously, cause one of my best friends moved here from Cuba after her mom married a Puerto Rican businessman (now her step dad) and we've had lengthy conversations about Cuba and the situation there and it's not nearly as bad as you describe it. As a matter of fact I know 4 other people who moved from Cuba to Puerto Rico through legal channels within the last 5 years, and pretty much all their stories contradict yours and make your description sound more like a bad 80s movie compendium of oppressed third world country, where Rambo comes in, kills the evil commies and saves the day, than actual anecdotal experience.
I could be wrong though.
Then again probably not. -
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