We've all heard the news. Fidel's out, democracy's in blah blah blah. Any thought's on the chances/necessity of Cuba changing course under the command of Fidel's assembly-elected brother Raúl?
Thursday, February 28, 2008
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3 comments:
I'm sick and tired of people blindly praising this dictator and totally overlooking how far he has set back the Cuban people in their quest for true freedom and justice. An example? There is NO right to free speech there; political dissidents are constantly silenced and when they do speak out, are imprisoned for their beliefs. Not exactly the ideal state if you ask me.
I don't pretend to be the cuban expert I'd like to be. However, I do think that blaming Castro for all of Cuba's problems is a fairly short-sighted way of assessing the situation. I know, from experience, that, YES, there are many Cubans who feel their discontent would be punished if heard by the wrong ears. But there were also many many who did speak - some in the close hiding of there own living rooms with the curtains drawn, some openly in hallways of apartment buildings, on street corners, any where. And, as with any country, there were those who praised as well. Those who raved about the 76 year old man next door who was no longer capable of holding a job, but still able to have his major medical problems promptly addressed at an excellent medical facility.
I was also impressed at the sense of liveliness and community that existed on the streets of every town I visited when people were required to only work 4 days a week.
I have no desire for Castro to rule the world (I reserve that right only for "the Brain"), but I believe that he has done some incredible things against enormous odds.
As to the original question... I don't foresee any huge change rolling through Cuba. Raul certainly seems more open to the wiles of capitalism than his brother, but I don't think his slight differences will effect immediate change. Mostly, I hope that the rest of the world will see him (unlikely) as distant enough from his brother that a new realm of political relations might begin to open and slowly prompt change that IS needed. In the end, though, I'm still far from clear as to whether the biggest damage to life in Cuba has been dealt by an unreasonable self-righteous Fidel, or our own beloved country who's closed its doors, its seas, and done only the utmost of damage at every turn. Havana is old and wearing - barely painted since 1969. Dentists make $13 a month. But there's a Cuban doctor in every country in the world. Every one has decent medical care, and there's food for all (when there's enough anywhere)... maybe it's all about priorities.
right, not my blog... sorry.
cuba is cuba. they can all read. leave them be. end the embargo and the place will be booming... i am amazed they did so well with the embargo! imagine it hadn't been, prosperity for all
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