Bush Steps Up Effort to Destabilize Castro’s Regime” (Oct. 11), on the Bush administration’s plans for further restricting visits by U.S. citizens to Cuba, quotes President Bush as saying tourists support an “illicit sex trade” encouraged by the Cuban government that exploits “innocent women and children.” This is a falsehood. As visitors to the island for research and educational instruction over the last 30 years, and specifically once a year for the last four years, we can testify that this organized “trade” simply does not exist.I mean, really - if Cuba is such a thriving and vibrant country and such a role model to the world, why do people jump into leaky boats every single day to run away to the fascist Republic of America? Mmm…I guess these professors give a new meaning to the words, “those who can, do and those who can’t, teach!”. Posted by shanti at October 15, 2003 11:46 AMThe vast majority of the Cuban people remain supportive of the present system. Cubans value their sovereignty, and most resent the increasingly overt way in which U.S. officials based in Cuba, including the head of the U.S. Interests Section, are instructing and materially supporting dissidents.
Even U.S. opponents of the current policy often claim that Cubans need to be able to enjoy the “benefits of capitalism.” The results of U.S.-dominated capitalism in most of the countries of the Third World have not proved beneficial for the majority of their citizens. Fidel Castro is a figure paid attention to and admired in nations whose peoples are seeking alternative models for progress. In the U.S., changing Cuba is the objective of most of the leaders of both our ruling political parties; the disagreement is on how to do it. Why is this? They do not recognize that Cuba is a still-vibrant and credible challenge to an unjust and destructive world order.
Donald W. Bray
Marjorie W. Bray
Professor Emeritus Political Science
Professor, Latin American Studies, Cal State L.A.
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The reason most of the developing world does not enjoy the benefits of capitalism because their political and economic systems are still based on socialist lines, where power is centralized. This leads to corruption because the levers of power is in the hands of few.
It is no mistake that most corrupt countries are also the most socialistic.
That they see Cuba as some sort of model is typical of the myopia that affects these countries.
On the other hand, much as I detest Fidel Castro, we should either lift our sanctions, or invade the island. And i doubt the latter is the prudent thing to do.
It is ironic, that Castro supporters are keen to blame united states sanctions on cuba’s plight, when in reality it is really cuba’s fault. The United States is just a convenient scapegoat. Yet these sanctions does not stop Cuba from trading with the rest of the world, yet still they complain about not able to trade with capitalist, fascist America.
Go figure.
Posted by: Niraj at October 15, 2003 12:10 PM
Well said, Niraj - I couldn’t have put it better.
Posted by: Shanti at October 15, 2003 3:30 PM
Yet, very many of the extremely corrupt and brutal regimes in the developing world were installed by capitalist countries in the frist place.
Its a contradiction, innit?!
I am no fan of communism, but that generalization is more than a bit misleading…
>The reason most of the developing world
>does not enjoy the benefits of capitalism
>because their political and economic
>systems are still based on socialist
>lines, where power is centralized.
—Ashok
Posted by: Ashok at October 16, 2003 1:53 AM
Scarface “I would kill a communist for fun, for a GREEN CARD:….” gangsta movie says it all.
what about China… we have a billion ppl supposedly blissfull, and accepting communist propoganda. I bought this SW radio, i returned it after not being able to putup with Chinese propoganda.
Posted by: sammy at October 16, 2003 4:14 PM
What about China? I am in China right now. For such an Ancient culture they certainly behave like little school girls, and I mean all of them, not just the little girls. And their propaganda machine is a hoot. They single handedly won the Korean war, or so they say. I am leaving here ASAP because these people are morons.
Posted by: ShinyGoon at June 5, 2004 9:46 PM
What about China? I am in China right now. For such an Ancient culture they certainly behave like little school girls, and I mean all of them, not just the little girls. And their propaganda machine is a hoot. They single handedly won the Korean war, or so they say. I am leaving here ASAP because these people are morons.
Posted by: ShinyGoon at June 5, 2004 9:46 PM
Interesting perspective, ShinyGoon!
Posted by: Shanti at June 7, 2004 11:10 AM