His situation is more extreme than what I heard about when I was there, but it is along the same general lines.

Viva la revolucion!

quote:

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Ramiro Garcia of Sonora waited 5 hours before voting in Mexico City. Garcia was one of the lucky ones, hundreds were turned away when the voting station next door to the Federal Electorial Institute ran out of ballots and according to a law, were not allowed to get more for the people still waiting to vote.

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[ 25 August 2006: Message edited by: Fidel ]

quote:

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The U.S. is still the largest gulag nation in the world incarcerating more black people than the most openly racist nation of the last century, South Africa. Let's have some perspective here at the same time.

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You want a reality check? Read this:

quote:

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In reality the most important aspects of the anti-Castro positions of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas is not what he says but what he does. One can appreciate his capacity for perverse cynicism in his use of political semantics when he expresses that Project Varela - a project designed basically to bring down Cuba's Socialist government and replace it with a capitalist government submissive to Washington - is compatible with the Cuban Constitution and the Socialist State.

Although he tries to hide his real thoughts and plans from time to time he slips up and his real intentions and thoughts are revealed.
…
Another of his questionable positions which often places him in an embarrassing position is his stance on the US financial and economic embargo against Cuba. The "defender of human rights" has abstained from openly condemning the embargo; he has said less in asking for the end of the embargo.

In an article, dated December 17, 2002, by the news agency AFP, Paya declared that the "solution to the Cuban problem is not the embargo". This statement came precisely in a time where the embargo was being questioned by the people and governments of the world. In making this statement Paya is doing two things: he is making the question of the embargo as one of not having importance and therefore making it as an acceptable thing. When he was asked, in article published by the Miami Herald, in January of 2003, on whether he had asked anything of the Secretary of State Colin Powell during their meeting in Washington, he declared, "we did not come to ask for any measures; we did not ask for anything". When asked by a Washington Times reporter on whether he had talked about the embargo, Paya confirmed what he had said before: "I did not come here to lobby or to petition the US in regards to US-Cuba relations." By his own words it was clear that Paya did not ask, in his 20 minute long conversation with Powell, for the end of the embargo. If he would have done so it would have been seen as a gesture of defense of the human rights of the Cuban people; as the Cuban people has had to endure a genocidal embargo for more than four decades. It is easy for Paya to take this position as he and other so called "dissidents" not only receive generous compensation from the US government but enjoy the benefits of the Cuban revolution in the form of free education, free health, among other things; without any discrimination the mercenaries are afforded the same benefits as the Cuban people. When asked in a news conference after his meeting with Powell, a direct question on his position with respect to the embargo, he responded, "We feel that the topic has polarized the Cuban issue and that it should be replaced by a more important topic: the need for democratic changes in Cuba". Later, as he seemed to be annoyed at having the issue of the embargo come up often, he declared, "some people are trying to sum up all the politics regarding Cuba with the embargo, the embargo is not a factor for change in Cuba".

A key statement that further demonstrate the cynical thinking and outlook of the "leader of the opposition" was a comment he made during a conference held at the University of Georgetown in Washington, when he asked the Cubans from Miami to show prudence and moderation in their claim for their property - houses, buildings, lands confiscated by the Cuban government in the 60's and now owned by the Cuban people. He showed how deceitful he is when he added that the clamor for their properties would be taken care of shortly after the fall of the Socialist government. It should be added that the Paya family would benefit from the claim of property.

Another topic discussed during the conference was the initiative by the Cuban people to write in the Constitution the Fundamental Law which declares that Cuba is a Socialist state. The action proclaiming the Socialist nature of the government was promoted by unions, social groups, students and the masses within Cuba. This was a direct response to the speeches made by George W. Bush, on May 20, 2002, when Washington and Miami were celebrating the centennial of the rebirth of a neo-colonial republic under the auspices of the US. As a response to the US press which classified the Fundamental Law as a reaction to project Varela - and its aim of making Cuba once more a neo-colony of the US - Paya spit out venom implying that the Cuban people had been forced to sign petitions and to march against the actions of Bush.

It is important to note that in a strictly voluntary manner, various Cuban organizations were able to gather 8,198,237 signatures, a number which signifies 99.37% of the electorate in Cuba. The mentors of the "opposition" should learn from the impressive numbers the profound significance of the meaning of democracy and the popular support for the Socialist principles consecrated in the Cuban Constitution.

In response to the important topic in modern times, namely terrorism, Paya said nothing. His call for support from all the "exiles" shows that he fully cooperates with even those that have perpetrated hideous crimes against the Cuban people; those who have caused the deaths and permanent injuries to thousands of Cubans.

On the contrary Osvaldo Paya has allied himself with some of the most known Cuban-American terrorists, has allied himself with their sponsors and protectors. He has met with them not to ask that they stop their terrorist actions against the island, but rather to convince them to support his project - a project which will see most of these criminals in power. Source

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quote:

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Originally posted by Pearson:

Cuba aside, are you suggesting that the US is racist because they are incarcerating so many black people?

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The U.S. incarcerates black people at six times the rate for South Africa's apartheid regime. So yes, I am.

And besides being the largest jailer of its own citizens, the U.S.A's military gulags imprison more people at Guantanamo Bay than anywhere else on the island of Cuba.

[ 25 August 2006: Message edited by: Fidel ]

Our government has deprived poor people of all races of effective legal council by cutting funds for public defenders offices to nearly nothing, which leads to African Americans and other people of color ending up with long prison terms for minor offences that would get a white defendant a misdemeanor conviction and a few months of probation at most.

Our "war on drugs"(which is going almost as well as our "war on terror") contributes heavily to the above situation.

Our government, in its obssesive use of the death penalty, is also in the process of actively seeking the deaths of African Americans all across the land.

Yes, racism does seem to be the word that applies.
And if all of this creates an electoral imbalance in favor of our ruling party, so much more the racism.

What would YOU call it, Pearson?

[ 25 August 2006: Message edited by: Ken Burch ]

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I think Cuba receives too much attention sometimes.

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And judging by how the bulk of the Cuban bashers never posts on any other Latin American country: the US colonies receive too little attention.

These Cuba threads seem to have developed a pattern:

- "Cuba Sucks and here's an American article to prove it."

- "That source is wrong and here's why."

- "Well Cuba still sucks because the LA Times says so."

- "That source is also wrong and here's why. BTW, what Latin American country do you think is doing a better job at putting the interests of their people ahead of greed?"

- "Listen, I'm a progressive (I really hate Bush). All I'm saying is that Cuba still sucks (maybe not as bad as America) and this Miami Herald article proves it."

Listen JR I'm sorry to crap on you but like every other Cuban spammer you never answer the following question: which Latin American country has been allowed to peacefully build an alternate economy for almost 50 years using democracy? What's YOUR example of the path that should be followed?

BTW, thanks for the "reality check" (we hear about it nearly every thread).

Here's a "reality check" that I bet you never heard about:

quote:

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The long-running case of Canadian businessman James Sabzali, charged with violating the U.S. embargo against Cuba, came to a quiet close Friday as he received a year's probation in exchange for pleading guilty to a single charge of "smuggling" several thousand dollars worth of supplies destined for the island (to hospitals actually).

He was also fined $10,000 US.

Sabzali had been charged with 75 counts of violating the 1917 U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act and a single count of conspiracy for sales of nearly $3 million worth of water-purification supplies to Cuba. He faced a possible life sentence and a fine of over $19 million.

Sabzali's conviction via his guilty plea demonstrates "you're not allowed to violate the laws of this country just because you live outside it," said assistant U.S. attorney Joseph Poluka in an interview.

"You need to educate your Canadian audience," he told the Canadian Press.

While finding prosecutorial misconduct required she set aside Sabzali's convictions on one count of conspiracy and 20 counts of violating the Trading with the Enemy Act, the judge rejected a defence motion for acquittal, leaving the Hamilton native under indictment for 76 embargo violations and conspiracy.

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Canadian accused of trading with Cuba given fine, probation for 'smuggling'

Now imagine if this was the Cuban government doing this to an American businessman? There would be a war already and everyone would know his name.
Funny how it never works in reverse (can you name any other examples?).

Before you quote the next holy grail of Cuba spam, I will quote Amnesty international's current report on Cuba in your response to Human Rights concerns:

quote:

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The US embargo continued to have a negative effect on the enjoyment of the full range of human rights in Cuba.

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Here's what the embargo is doing to Cuba:

quote:

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Here is a short list of some of its affects since Bush’s escalations:

--US’s Abbot company must not sell Ritonavir and Lopinavir to Cuba’s AIDS patients. Cuba must pay six times Abbot’s price elsewhere.

--Medicine helpful to cancer can no longer be bought from Harbison Walker Refractories and some Cuban children must be sent abroad for treatment. The medicine previously bought in Mexico prevented many children from have their limbs amputated.

--US controls firms selling tourist travel over Internet and so it freezes (steals) moneys from such firms as Hola Sun Holidays Limited de Canadá.

--Firms are being fined for trading with Cuba. If a company wishes to continue dealing with the US companies, it must pay the fines and cease trade. The unheard of fine of $100 million is what a Swiss bank must pay (May 2004) for having traded in US dollars with Cuba.

--Individuals and solidarity groups are also fined. Canadian James Sabzali was sentenced to one year in jail and fined $10,000 for selling Cuba a product used to clean drinking water. Members of veteran solidarity groups Venceremos Brigade and Pastors for Peace were fined $1.5 million for acts of “civil disobedience”, that is, visiting Cuba. The constitutional right to travel is invalid, says Bush.

It can’t be totally coincidental that when tourist firms are fined they have their offices fire-bombed, as was the case with eight Miami travel bureaus. Cuban hotels were bombed, in 1997, and Spanish and Mexican joint-venture hotel owners were physically threatened.

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The Blockade Squeeze

Of course our press will never print this side of the story. But, there's almost a story a day for the Cuba's crap side. Have you ever wondered why there's always so much space on the Cuban "poets"?

quote:

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Bush instructed his former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, to draw a plan to overthrow the Cuban government and its economy. The May 2004 report led to appropriations for $59 million to “assist a future transition government” complete with its own office and personnel in Washington. Their current plan is to “build solidarity with Cuba’s human rights activists”; “give voice to Cuba’s independent journalists”; $18 million to keep a C130 in the air sending radio and television signals; $5 million for an advertising campaign against Cuba.

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Now you don't think part of that $59 milion attempt to build "solidarity with Cuban human rights activists" and "give voice to Cuba's independantr journalists" involves regurgitating the same shit day after day? Maybe it part of the $5 milion "advertising campaign against Cuba"? It's funny how the only time the US imperialists give a rat's about "solidarity" and "human rights" is for countries they don't like. (In their colonies human rights activists always seem to mysteriously disappear and never receive any funding).

It's sad how people on the left always fall for the same pattern of forever dumping on the only countries Washington ever allows leftists to openly criticise (e.g. strikes in Venezuela and Chile). Yet many of these same "progressives" never spend even a quarter of the same energy fighting for the genocides occuring in the neighbouring capitalist colonies.

You might be different but clearly there are many here who aren't. End of rant.

P.S. Read the links.

[ 25 August 2006: Message edited by: a lonely worker ]

quote:

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These Cuba threads seem to have developed a pattern:

- "Cuba Sucks and here's an American article to prove it."

- "Listen, I'm a progressive (I really hate Bush). All I'm saying is that Cuba still sucks (maybe not as bad as America) and this Miami Herald article proves it."

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Really Lonely Worker?! Do you consider me a "spammer?" Or do you consider anyone who raises a concern about the Castro government a spammer or US apologist/brown-noser or CIA stooge?

If it's the latter, get ready for more fun.

My concerns about the Cuban government come from personal experience and research, independent media and progressive working class sources that have no ties or reliance on the corporate media, especially in the US. I only even bother mentioning the US corporate media in discussions like these when it's something highly unusual, like the Forbes story on Castro. But I rarely put much stock in it. Period. And I think you know that.

quote:

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which Latin American country has been allowed to peacefully build an alternate economy for almost 50 years using democracy?

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Prior to a few years ago, I would have said none. I know you would say Cuba. Democracy? Not on the national level, where its president (Castro) and senior levels of government aren’t subject to election. If you call that democracy, how can you say the US isn’t one—fraudulent and highly restricted elections, corporate rule, autocratic government and all.

I am well aware of numerous very positive and innovative socialistic developments in Cuba, having seen some myself, (also been some other Latin American countries, especially now), mostly at the local and regional level, and I am very disgustingly familiar with the absolute horror that the US government has tried to inflict on that country (and just about everywhere else, in various ways and degrees). You post lots of good information on this in other threads. But most of it is either sad old news or infuriating but not surprising to me.

But your rosy pictures of the Cuban national state and corporate structures just don't match the facts I refer to, like the reports by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions on the state of labour rights in Cuba:

http://www.cubaverdad.net/independent_trade_unions.htm

That's pretty telling that things aren't so peachy as pro-Castro types around here claim.

Now I know what's going to come next: the usual fascistic accusations that the IFCTU is just a stooge for US imperialism.

So, just for fun, let's see the glowing admiration the ICFTU has for the US and its corporate capitalist tyrannies:

http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991223961&Language=EN

If you can get through this report on labour rights in the US without getting sick, you might worry that if an American source had published this report, it would be up for registration and investigation by the Homeland Security Office, under the provisions of the Patriot Act.

Luckily, the ICFTU offices aren't in the US, so tough shit for the US government. Then again, according to their report, if they were in Cuba they wouldn't be faring very well either.

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What's YOUR example of the path that should be followed?

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Well, I do have my own ideas and examples of things I work on. But in the interests of practicality and relevance, let’s skip across the Caribbean pond, away from the US, to Venezuela.

There is a freely elected socialistic coalition that has initiated some bold and far reaching economic democratization restructuring, along with a vast legislative reform to expand personal liberties and political democracy.

The Chavez government is truly inspirational in this regard. It is also at the forefront of somewhat of a political revolution across South America that has seen various left or center left coalitions elected into office in most of the countries, on agendas that reflect to one degree or another similar goals or values as the Bolivarian government in Venezuela (albeit more moderately).

But, despite being a strong supporter of all this, I would be both naive and dishonest to say there are no problems, screw-ups or bad things going on.

The ICFTU report on Venezuela is much better than the US or Cuba. But it does report violations there as well:

http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991219514&Language=EN

Although it mostly blames the repression and violence on the continued effect of old pre-Bolivarian laws and unaccountable bosses, it still claims there is some bad behaviour on the part of the Chavez government.

Remember, while the government enjoys wide-spread majority support, many people, even many who voted for Chavez, don’t feel ready, for whatever reasons, to get on with some of the government’s initiatives. These initiatives, while popular as ideas, are relatively new and largely untried, especially on such a large scale. There’s bound to be resistance, cynicism, suspicion and fear and a whole lot of confusion and uncertainty—and mistakes—by many people. Many people, as we all know, have even protested and struck against some of the government’s measures.

And of course, as you reported, the US government is trying to weasel in with all its tried and true rotten tactics and use this to destabilize, derail and destroy and then take over the way it usually does (like pus in an open wound).

But has this caused the Bolivarian government to crack down on democracy and civil rights and run rough shod over people’s concerns? Of course not. Chavez is on record admitting that some of the ways his government responded to some of the protests and strikes was heavy-handed and against the spirit of its electoral mandate and program.

The government then took measures to consult with people and modify its methods to address, at least to some degree, their concerns, as is also mentioned in the ICFTU report. Since then, the government has announced new measures also applauded in the report.

Now my question to all you Castro romantics is if his government is so popular and still committed to the principles of the 1959 revolution, why can’t it have its decisions subject to democratic vote? Why does there have to be such restriction on what workers say and do? Why?

Workers’ freedom, economic and political democracy and a sustainable egalitarian and prosperous society are all ideals of the Cuban revolution. So, why are the highest levels of government apparently not interested in practicing what they preach?

Chavez is certainly an admirer of many of Castro’s ideals and assistance to other countries in need (as you also reported). But he certainly doesn’t use Castro’s methods. You don’t see him running around saying there can’t be democracy in Venezuela because of the US brutality and threats. On the contrary, he’s argued that real expansion of democracy in Venezuela and elsewhere is exactly what the US elite fears the most—so that’s exactly what his government is trying to do, and give the US the finger in the process.

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The April 11, 2002 military coup in Venezuela was supported by the United States government. As early as last June, American military attaches had been in touch with members of the Venezuelan military to examine the possibility of a coup. During the coup, U.S military were stationed at the Colombia-Venezuela border to provide support, and to evacuate U.S. citizens if there were problems. According to intelligence analyst, Wayne Madsen, the CIA actively organized the coup. "The CIA provided Special Operations Group personnel, headed by a lieutenant colonel on loan from the U.S. Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to help organize the coup against Chavez,” he said.

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Look at the date on that article. It's not September 11, 1973. They are dealing from the same dirty bag of tricks they were 30 years ago and further back than that for long time, Steppenwolf Allende. Democracy is a CIA code word for colonialism around the world.

Viva la revolucion!

[ 26 August 2006: Message edited by: Fidel ]

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Or do you consider anyone who raises a concern about the Castro government a spammer or US apologist/brown-noser or CIA stooge?

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Really Lonely Worker?! Do you consider me a "spammer?" Or do you consider anyone who raises a concern about the Castro government a spammer or US apologist/brown-noser or CIA stooge?

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In another thread I fully responded to your posts, you said you'd get back to me but never did. In case you didn't read them, I'll answer this again:

quote:

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I can tell by your posts that you are not one of the usual posters who claim to be "progressive" or even "socialist" and then post nothing but anti-Cuban crap from American sources.

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If you noticed I directed the "rant" at jrootham (JR) who started this thread. To put it mildly, I was a little pissed that the same stories about the "paid poets society" from US sources is all many posters want to discuss.

I'm glad that you believe Chavez is on the right path. So do I. I feel that he has far more leverage than Castro has ever had due to his nation's oil that at least forces the US to think twice before doing even a quarter of the crap they've thrown at Castro.

If there's any silver lining in Fidel's (Cuba's not rabble's) illness, it is that I believe there are serious moves afoot to further consolidate the governments of Cuba and Venezuela along Bolivarian principles.

This friendship has been mutually beneficial to both nations.

I believe the bigest benefit to Cuba has been that for the first time since the USSR fell apart, they have found a friend that can provide them with the security they need from Amerika's terrorism.

Increasingly the Cuban revolution is taking on Bolivarian characteristics including democratic socialist principles like agricutural co-ops and a more participatory senior leadership. If Fidel is "Stalinist" as you claim, it would be the other way round.

Obviously it's a two way street. As I said, in one of the other posts, both Chavez and increasingly Morales would be nowhere near their aims without Cuba's unwavering assistance. No other country was there for them when they came to power(just like with Allende, Ortega, Bishop and others before).

Change is afoot. When Chavez wins the next election, I am hopeful that we will see a further consolidation between these two great nations:

- One that would be strong enough to resist Washington's agression (my main concern over Cuba's ability to withstand a Washington funded attempt to taint any different democratic processes).

- Due to this strength, one that would use the democratic model of Venezuela (your main concern).

I think this solution would be the best of both worlds. Many of us are actively doing what we can to see this dream come to pass.

Today at Nathan Phillip's Square (City Hall) in Toronto the Cuban flag was raised as a symbol of Toronto's solidarity with the people and nation of Cuba. Local politicians, Cuban government officials, bands from Cuba, activists and Canadians from all walks of life were there eating, drinking, listening to some incredible music, discussing and doing whatever we can in support of this incredible little island that continues to think outside the box. It was a great day!

As I said at the beginning and in other posts, I can tell you're not one of the "Cuba bans the saxophone" types we always seem to attract. (Jeff House is another exception).

I know you, like any other social activist, would have had a great time today. Find out if there's something similar in your city. If so; get involved. If not; start one. You can contact me anytime for assistance as we need all the people we can get to work against the American / capitalists destruction of our hemisphere.

As another great Latin American said: Hasta la victoria siempre!

[ 26 August 2006: Message edited by: a lonely worker ]

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To gain some perspective on the extent of human suffering, avarice, and depravity associated with the gross imbalance in wealth and power, weigh these facts:

1. More than half of the 6.5 billion human souls populating Earth subsist on less than $2 per day. 790 million of the deeply impoverished suffer from chronic malnutrition (while 65% of US Americans are overweight).

2. 20% of the human race does not have access to clean water and 31% of the world’s population has no electricity.

3. Combining the gross domestic products of the 48 poorest nations (representing 25% of global population) yields a figure that is less than the wealth of the three richest people in the world.

4. “Developed nations” account for 80% of the world’s consumption and 20% of the world’s population.

5. The wealth gap between the richest and poorest countries went from 3 to 1 in 1820 to 72 to 1 in 1992.

6. Corporations account for over half of the 100 wealthiest entities in the world.

7. And most tragically:
“According to UNICEF, 30,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world. Being meek and weak in life makes these dying multitudes even more invisible in death.”
That is about 210,000 children each week, or just under 11 million children under five years of age, each year.”
...
Earth’s ruling oligarchs and plutocrats have created and perpetuated a socioeconomic dynamic in which the destitute have little or no access to education, basic healthcare, decent employment, or even basic necessities. From the United States to sub-Saharan Africa to Southeast Asia, those isolated in despairing communities with crumbling or non-existent infrastructures find themselves mired in impoverished breeding grounds for crime, high birth rates, substance abuse, and AIDS.

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Let's consider the Land of the Free itself, the USA, as an example:

quote:

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In terms of types of financial wealth, the top 1 percent of households have 44.1% of all privately held stock, 58.0% of financial securities, and 57.3% of business equity. The top 10% have 85% to 90% of stock, bonds, trust funds, and business equity, and over 75% of non-home real estate. Since financial wealth is what counts as far as the control of income-producing assets, we can say that just 10% of the people own the United States of America.
....
The predator class pacifies its subservient underclass with the myth that in the United States and the satellite “free market economies” it has established (at gun-point or through the subversive activities of the CIA), everyone can become a successful entrepreneur by starting their own business. Yet like the lie that all impoverished individuals except widows, orphans, and the infirm are responsible for their own circumstances, this malicious fairy tale ignores several realities. Like the fiction about the impoverished, it assumes that all people are on a level playing field. However, that notion is far removed from reality. Some people have a higher quality education than others. Individuals receiving a high degree of support from friends and family are much more likely to succeed than those who have little or no support. While some starting a business have financial resources behind them, others have virtually nothing but their drive and ideas. Market forces, weather patterns, competition, health, and many other variables can serve to make or break a “budding capitalist”. And no two people are alike or face the same conditions.

Approximately 150 million of those young and healthy enough to work in the United States earn a wage or salary. (Versus a relatively paltry figure of 20 million who are self-employed). 85% of small businesses fail within 5 years. Corporate leviathans like Wal-Mart and Microsoft have defied anti-trust laws to crush myriad competitors, including many small entrepreneurs. Horatio Alger success stories are none too plentiful in the “land of opportunity”. And the grim reality is that the Goliath corporate giants usually prevail against the David small businesses.

In 2003, the average worker in the United States was netting $517.00 per week. How much were CEO’s taking home at that time? A mere $155,000. 52 times per year. That is a staggering 301 to 1 differential. In 1982 the ratio of CEO to average worker pay was “a mere” 42 to 1. From 1990 to 2003 US corporate profits rose 128%.

To further appreciate the obscene avarice of the world’s plutocracy, consider that the average garment worker in Bangladesh earned 13 cents per hour in 2004. The “10% of the people who own the United States” and their counter-parts in nations around the globe are doing very well thanks to the blood, sweat, and tears of the remaining 6 billion or so human beings on the planet.

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quote:

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Here's some badly-needed perspective offered for those of the "left opposition" who think the biggest problem facing third world countries, both capitalist and post-capitalist, is the lack of bourgeois multi-party liberal democratic elections:

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No one said it was the biggest problem. But it is an important problem, because otherwise national surpluses may be seized by dictators and their organizations, while the people are kept on rations.

Who can argue against free trade, the biggest item on our governmental agenda nowadays?. I mean, the way they bandy the term about you'd think they invented the concept of trade. But we know it's about more than trade, don't we.!?. Globalization is about them and the rights of the rich to acquire unprecedented wealth without interference from democratically-elected governments.

Meanwhile, the real power brokers will continue holding ever smaller meetings behind closed doors in more remote locations away from public scrutiny and general awareness. We have cosmetic leaders and shadow governments not democracy.

quote:

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Originally posted by jeff house:

No one said it was the biggest problem. But it is an important problem, because otherwise national surpluses may be seized by dictators and their organizations, while the people are kept on rations.

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Let's look at the the record of multi-party democracies around the world. Yes, democratic capitalist India seems to be the biggest offender with millions dying of the economic long run. That's a holocaust happening each and every year like clockwork. Hunger and democracy are sharp thorns for millions of poor people subsisting side-by-side with great wealth around the democratic capitalist third world. Children need to be in school and see a doctor when needed in democratic capitalist third world nations: India, Haiti, Angola, Guatemala, El Salvador, Burkina Faso, Honduras, East Timor, Congo, Thailand etc Jeff. A child could tell us that much. But you say they need democracy first, or that Fidel Castro stands in the way of real democracy. We beg to differ from this point on. At least religion has the afterlife to offer poor people, whereas multi-party democracy has only the economic long run. I think the afterlife is surer thing. Eleven million children dying every year around the democratic capitalist third world. If we're measuring human suffering and counting bodies, then multi-party capitalism is a colossal failure since at least Black '47 when pork and corn left 13 Irish ports for "the market" while millions perished.

[ 27 August 2006: Message edited by: Fidel ]

But this curtailing was essential in order to promote any form of sustained common interests - such as full education and health care for everyone - and to respond to all the embargos [on things like medical supplies and equipment] imposed upon the tiny nation by the brutish u.s. of arrogance.

Given all the health problems common to Westerners due to fast food diets and self-indulgent lifestyles, the Cuban people may soon be found to be amongst the healthiest on the planet with all the organic foods they enjoy and the nations focus on health care rather then illness treatment.

Likewise, thanks to the revolutionary emphasis on literacy and education, there is no denying that Cubans are far more interesting to engage in either social, political or philosophical thought than the majority of North Americans.

quote:

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No one said it was the biggest problem. But it is an important problem, because otherwise national surpluses may be seized by dictators and their organizations, while the people are kept on rations.

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In fact, last time I looked, Cuba had evacuated 600,000 people (1/20 of its total population) and innumerable cattle in anticipation of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which dumped up to 25 cm of rain on the island on Monday. As a result nobody died, and today everyone is back safe at home. Contrast this emergency response with that of the "democratic" USA.

At least one person died in Haiti as a result of Ernesto.

quote:

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In Havana, residents were confident the government would run a tight ship nationwide to move those in danger, house and feed them in shelters and repair possible damage. State TV and radio have been broadcasting storm updates and advisories for days, detailing the projected path and reminding residents to evacuate if needed, stay inside during rains and avoid electric wires thereafter.

Havana residents were used to the drill, and none expected Ernesto to hit their northwestern city.

Communist-led Cuba takes pride in its hurricane preparation, with evacuations routinely ordered to reduce casualties.

Cubans moved cattle to higher ground, tourists were evacuated from hotels in the southeastern province of Granma and baseball games, including a pre-Olympic qualifier between the United States and Mexico, were rescheduled for earlier in the day. Train service across the country was also stopped.
Florida Sun-Sentinel

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