Fidel Castro

[Mathematician]

He exchanged a system of corruption for just something worse. Not much difference in my mind's eye. As has already been said, there was no freedom of speech, jail and executions for dissenters, no freedom to leave the country, to either join family in other countries to just to travel and see the wonders of the world. Imagine, doomed to spend your entire life on a tiny island because of the whims of a dictator! What I don't understand is why, during interviews, Castro wasn't asked exactly why he believed his system for Cuba, his people's lack of basic freedoms, etc. was right for Cuba. Come right out and ask him these questions. I'll bet the ground rules for interviews forbade these type of questions, but why? If Castro believed his "system" was right, then he should be proud of it and tell us why people in Cuba shouldn't have freedoms. But he wouldn't do that, probably because he knows it's wrong and he can't justify it.

I also can't figure out why his Cuban army supported him. After all, they are also stuck on that damn island their entire life too!

Cuba under Castro is not worse than it was under Batista. This is pure media sensationalism. Cuba is one of the strongest economies in Latin America, and possibly the strongest Caribbean island. Its social services are stupendous, receiving praise from the UN each year.

Freedom of speech exists in Cuba, albeit the restrictions in place limit assembly. The Cuban government fears American infilitration into its political process, for obvious reasons. We've acted quite literally as a terroristic threat to Cubans, specifically with our backing of Flight 455 (which only killed innocent civilians).

Criticism of the revolution and Fidel Castro are allowed in speech, film, and print. La muerte de un burocrata (1966) mocks Cuba's bureaucracy. Memories of Underdevelopment (1968) is both a movie and book that revolves around a bourgeoisie narrator's conflicting thoughts over the revolution and his own aspirations. Lista de Espera (2000) shows how an ideal communist society would work; some Cuban movie critics have said it is a critique on the current Cuban government. Habana Blues addresses poverty, filth, and electrical shortages in Cuba.

In addition to the wonderful culture, Cubans also enjoy a very open political process. Cuba has one of the highest turn outs in the world for a country that doesn't enforce voting (Australia). 14-year olds are encouraged to be a part of election counting; at 16 everyone can vote. Voters are allowed to deface their ballots or write down their personal objections if they want the current government to end, but that act has not been found in more than 7-9%. Cuba will soon surpass the United States by allowing gay civil unions thanks to a conjoined effort by the GLBTQSA community, including Raul Castro's own daughter.

Cuba is the only country in the world that enforces a policy of the "right to eat." Per capita it has spent more on economic aid than any other country; offering contributions to even the United States. Before America and Britain even thought of getting involved, Fidel denounced the apartheid in South Africa and sent troops to help uproot the social system.

Cubans can't leave the island because no country will take them. In the 80s Fidel specifically addressed the exiles; saying he would allow foreign boats to dock at Cuba's ports if other countries wanted to take away people who had a problem with the government. No ships came.

No, it would just be naive to say Cuba is worse off now than it was under America's brute. Is it perfect? No. Does the system need change? Yes, and Raul Castro (the original communist) is doing a wonderful job of it.

 

[Mathematician]

Castro may have done some good things, but unfortunately they don't redeem him of his restrictions of freedom and violation of human rights.

I would say our presidents committed more human rights violations than Castro could have ever imagined.

 

[Willamena]

I saw on the news today that Cubans are getting electronic devices, including computer and Internet, widely made available to them this year. I couldn't help thinking that such a well-educated literate peoples could only be damaged by having to talk to 'leet'-speakers.

 

[kai]

you may find this article interesting!


Fidel Castro: The Teflon Tyrant Resigns

Fidel Castro: The Teflon Tyrant Resigns

 

[Mathematician]

Immediately after the revolution most conspirators were either imprisoned or re-educated; only people in leadership positions were executed. We did the same thing in the American Revolution.

 

[Father Heathen]

I would say our presidents committed more human rights violations than Castro could have ever imagined.

Well, of course.

 

[waikru]

Go to Cuba My friend, then you won't think to highly of castro.

 

[Mathematician]

Go to Cuba My friend, then you won't think to highly of castro.

Why do you assume I haven't? Have you?

 

[Joe_Stocks]

I have never seen so many people risk their life fleeing from such a paradise.

 

[Mathematician]

I have never seen so many people risk their life fleeing from such a paradise.

Cuba was originally 2nd in terms of the number of people who fled illegally to the United States. Since the revolution, it's fallen down to 7th. It's spectacular considering Fidel Castro allows people to leave the island (has done since the 80s - indeed he allowed other countries to take them away if they wanted to, but no foreign ships came after Carter left office).

Most Cubans who leave their homeland do so 1.) in protest or 2.) to seek a better life in America (much like Mexicans, Costa Ricans, and other ethnicities).

Corporate news =/= automatic credibility.

 

[Joe_Stocks]

Hi Gene,

So you are arguing that the media has duped the poor Cubans into leaving such a great in place in Castro's paradise?

Is this your actual argument?

 

[Mathematician]

Hi Gene,

So you are arguing that the media has duped the poor Cubans into leaving such a great in place in Castro's paradise?

No. The media has duped American citizens. Politicians are reaching out for the Miami vote each year without reservation.

 

[Joe_Stocks]

Hi Gene,

No. The media has duped American citizens. Politicians are reaching out for the Miami vote each year without reservation.

But that doesn't explain the fact that Cubans risk life and limb to leave Castro's paradise. What is wrong with these people? And why is that a common occurance in Communist countries?

 

[Mathematician]

Hi Gene,



But that doesn't explain the fact that Cubans risk life and limb to leave Castro's paradise. What is wrong with these people? And why is that a common occurance in Communist countries?

You need to first answer why, despite Cuba's government allowing its citizens to illegally emigrate, and despite Cuba being so close to the United States, more people from six other capitalist countries risk life and limb to leave the bourgeoisie paradise.

The United States is a developed country. It's that simple. In Europe many Turkish people move to Germany, and many Africans move to Spain (illegally). Most of the Cubans who left for Miami in the immediate aftermath of the revolution participated in the Batista directorship, or gained their fortunes through the imposed tourist industry.

Why does the United States insist on using terrorist actions against Fidel Castro and the Cuban people? Is a CIA-backed terrorist attack, which resulted in the deaths of 73 innocent people, a sign of American moral supremacy? Is terrorism only unacceptable when targeted at the current administration's lunch buddies? Can you tell me why Cuba is constantly picked on, despite being democratic, one of the strongest economies in Latin America, non-involved in terrorist activities, and one of the biggest donators of monetary aid in the world? China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other remarkable parties with which we toast to everyday are much, much, (emphasis) much worse - only they don't proclaim to be socialist. We prefer right-wing dictators to popularly elected Leftists like Chavez and Ortega.

 

[Yerda]

You need to first answer why, despite Cuba's government allowing its citizens to illegally emigrate, and despite Cuba being so close to the United States, more people from six other capitalist countries risk life and limb to leave the bourgeoisie paradise.

That's a fair question.

Can you tell me why Cuba is constantly picked on, despite being democratic...

Cuba's level of democracy is one I wouldn't wish on my enemy. From Human Rights Watch:

Cuba remains the one country in Latin America that represses nearly all forms of political dissent...

...The government also frequently bars citizens engaged in authorized travel from taking their children with them overseas, essentially holding the children hostage to guarantee the parents’ return. Given the widespread fear of forced family separation, these travel restrictions provide the Cuban government with a powerful tool for punishing defectors and silencing critics...

...The Cuban government maintains a media monopoly on the island, ensuring that freedom of expression is virtually nonexistent...

Source:World Report 2008

These are not features of democratic process. This is social, political, and cultural tyranny. WorldAudit, it may interest you, has Cuba ranked lower than China in it's democracy tables.

 

[Joe_Stocks]

Hi Gene,

You need to first answer why, despite Cuba's government allowing its citizens to illegally emigrate, and despite Cuba being so close to the United States, more people from six other capitalist countries risk life and limb to leave the bourgeoisie paradise.

Why do I need to answer that question first? People are free to leave the capitalist countries. People are not allowed to leave Cuba, why is that?

Why does the United States insist on using terrorist actions against Fidel Castro and the Cuban people? Is a CIA-backed terrorist attack, which resulted in the deaths of 73 innocent people, a sign of American moral supremacy? Is terrorism only unacceptable when targeted at the current administration's lunch buddies?

Anti-Castro activities had a little something to do with the Cold War (we know what side you were rooting for).

Can you tell me why Cuba is constantly picked on, despite being democratic

Where are you getting this from? Jaiket has handled this very well.

 

[Mathematician]

Why do I need to answer that question first? People are free to leave the capitalist countries. People are not allowed to leave Cuba, why is that?

Actually, they are. Fidel Castro openly stated that people can leave Cuba if they so wish in 1980. The only exceptions I'm aware of are children, for obvious reasons.

Anti-Castro activities had a little something to do with the Cold War (we know what side you were rooting for).

Actually I believe the United States was the "lesser of two evils" by the 1970s. I wouldn't have necessarily supported the Soviet Union - although it would have definitely been a no contest if the "Khrushchev Thaw" continued (open political criticism) and Brezhnev's centralization process never occurred. During the 1960s Soviet growth was stupendous; its economy had reached about 65% of the US's own before slowing down (due to the state not relinquishing power to the workers).

During most of the Cold War the United States government acted as a negative force in domestic policy by installing right-wing dictators around the world (specifically Latin America and Africa), even going so far as to attack any possibility of a democratic Marxist country (Vietnam, Chile, El Salvador).

Where are you getting this from? Jaiket has handled this very well.

Reality.

American vs. Cuban Democracy
Elections in Cuba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cuba practices democratic centralism. I personally avoid all Leninist connotations with a communist party rule, but it is partly democratic. There isn't a true democratic state anywhere in the world, really. Our beloved republic does not permit popular decision-making. In Cuba there is actually some very progressive measures, like localization reform (90+% turn-out), snubbing money out of campaign cycles, and having children as young as 12 and 14 learn about democracy through hands-on processes.

At any time people can deface their ballot or refuse to vote, nullifying the current government. Never has more than 10% of the country done so. You can argue over the merits of why, but to deny the existence of Cuban democracy would be a big mistake.

...The Cuban government maintains a media monopoly on the island, ensuring that freedom of expression is virtually nonexistent...

Yes. Certainly Cuba is in need of worker reform, but the Cuban government does not snub out criticism. People are openly allowed to speak negatively about Fidel Castro and the revolution. I've also pointed to movies and books published legally inside of Cuba which criticize the government. As your own sources indicate, people are allowed to protest (the man who protested his email being shut down went on a hunger strike with no repercussions). However, the government is very stiff about working with American firms or organizations.

From Human Rights Watch:

What standards are being used? I recall Amnesty International ranking Cuba low on the list simply because the government blocked it from doing full investigations. Cuba openly embraces individual travelers (there aren't travel restrictions like there are in North Korea), but it's skeptical of Western organizations due to past incidents of espionage. I wonder if the same lessons apply. I know for a fact Western journalists go to Cuba and report that people can criticize the government.

Myths about Cuba only mislead Americans - Joey Kennedy Blog & Column - al.com
CubaSolidarity.com > Lies About Cuba
US, Cuba and Democracy

Interestingly enough, Cuban dissidents care so much about their countrymen that they're willing to spend government money on -- Gameboys?

These are not features of democratic process.

Ricardo Alarcon: "Let's Talk About Cuban Democracy" (Bohemia, March 2005)

The 1992 amendment also allows for direct election of representatives on the national level - as opposed to previous decades when people would vote on the layer above them. There are even non-communist members on the National Assembly.

Does Cuba need reform? Yes. I believe in either no-party or multi-party rule. This is the main problem with Cuba. Luckily Raul Castro has been instrumental in supplying for some proper change. Is Cuba a threat to the United States? No. Is Fidel Castro a backwards man? No more than most of our own presidents.

There's no demonstrable evidence of Fidel Castro holding ultimate power. The president of Cuba does not even have veto powers.

 

[waikru]

so should america have just sat back and allowed cuba to store russian nukes there at the height of the cold war. I dont think so.

 

[Joe_Stocks]

Hi Gene,

Just a simple question to get into this complex subject; was Castro elected leader of Cuba? And did he run for re-election? This is an honest question.

 

[kai]

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro has lashed out at the EU's decision to lift sanctions against his country, calling it "an enormous hypocrisy

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Castro condemns EU's 'hypocrisy'