Ailing Castro says 'I feel good'

[Forkboy]

Ailing Castro says 'I feel good'
Fidel Castro

Cuban President Fidel Castro has appeared in a live broadcast for the first time since falling ill last July.

He was heard speaking live on the daily radio programme of his ally, the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

The 80-year-old leader is believed to be suffering from diverticulitis, a weakening of the walls of the colon.

He said he was "gaining ground", adding he felt he had more "energy and more strength". He was last seen in a video recording released in early February.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6402901.stm

[mindfulNJ]

1. uh oh

That's what James Brown said.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

3. ya beat me to it.

;)

[wakeme2008]

2. The BBC pissed me off with the title.... Ailing...

How about RECOVERING ..... :grr:

[gorbal]

19. Me too...but they won me back...

...by providing the full text of their conversation-

What Castro and Chavez spoke about
The following is the transcript of the conversation between Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez and Cuban leader Fidel Castro. It has been edited for brevity.

Fidel Castro - file photo dated 28/10/2006
Mr Castro spoke with Hugo Chavez for almost 30 minutes
Chavez: Let's see who is calling from Havana. Bring me some coffee please.

Castro: Hello. Hello. Do you hear me?

Chavez: Who is calling?

Castro: Can you hear me?

Chavez: I hear you.

Castro: Distinguished and dear friend, how are you?

Chavez:

Castro: I am listening to you on Hello President. All the figures you have cited, I find your argument very good regarding the growth of the GDP, over the drop in unemployment. Many interesting things.

Chavez: How are you?

Castro: Go ahead, go ahead. Ask me.

Chavez: How are you?

Castro: Pretty well.

Chavez: You have no idea how happy it makes us to hear your voice and to know you are well.

Castro: Thank you.

Chavez: We are surprised. We are pleasantly surprised. We were, as almost always, talking about you a while ago. Now, you know that.

Castro: I always knew I would end up on Hello President.

Chavez: Now we broadcast daily.

Castro: No. I am studying a lot, above all.

Chavez: What are you studying?

Castro: I see that you do not let go of the books. When do you sleep?

Chavez: I sleep a little in the early morning. I sleep some. I study a lot. That is one of the responsibilities of every revolutionary. We follow your example. I am now reading -

Castro: Yes. You have been reading for a long while. You have great talent to keep it all in, to remember everything. The only thing you sometimes forget is figures.

Chavez: I forget numbers but not that much.

Castro: However, you have them all bookmarked and never miss one. It is not easy to keep up with you.

Chavez: Do you know how many hectares of corn are needed to produce one million barrels of ethanol?

MUCH More here-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6403683.stm

[Selteri]

29. That explains so much more ' I'm better, where am I mommy? NT

[Wilber_Stool]

4. What do you expect from a guy

that's already died at least twice.

[Hunky Dunky]

5. That's too bad

Hopefully, he'll die soon, and then the good Cuban people will be rid of that asshole.

[wuushew]

7. why is he an asshole?

Would any leader of Cuba not related to Castro also be an asshole owing to the structure of their political system?

I don't think Cuba has done poorly vis a vis its Carribean neighbors. The fact the world's sole super power has been economically and poltically oppressing it for almost five decades doesn't help either.

[Hunky Dunky]

9. Dictators fall under the category of asshole

And I have no warm fuzzies for dictators. I assume you don't either.

[wuushew]

21. Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius, numerous other examples from antiquity

you really shouldn't be making arbitrary judgments about societies when speaking to them in a anthropological sense.

[Hunky Dunky]

24. I shouldn't be making judgments??

But, in a democratic society you are allowed and encouraged to opine freely with thoughts and judgements. Then of course, there's Cuba... See the irony?

[wuushew]

30. Why not play devil's advocate to your own position?

All forms of government have their pluses and minuses.

I just think it is poor form to denounce leader X or leader Y as an asshole with such zealotry.

The betterment of Cuba is not a foregone conclusion with the death of Castro so why cheerlead for his expiration?

[Hunky Dunky]

31. Poor form to denounce leader X with zealotry?

Do you mean that I can't denounce * or Cheney zealously either??? I enjoy bashing them too, but according to you that's poor form?? Hmmm.

[fla nocount]

25. He's better than the asshat he replaced, Batista.

But then again, Batista was our asshat.

[Hunky Dunky]

26. Batista wasn't my asshat!

He's just as bad as Castro. In fact, they are merely opposite sides of the same coin. Both dictators, both assholes.

[fla nocount]

27. No, one asshat came bearing gifts

Food, clothes, shoes, literacy, cradle to grave healthcare. The other gave the population casinos, graft, corruption and Ricki Richardo.

[Hunky Dunky]

28. And Mussolini kept them trains on time, too! n/t

[Judi Lynn]

66. Batista had death squads. Batista BOMBED his own people.

Batista had periods of complete news blackouts locally, while censoring all news coming into Cuba, and going out.

Batista had a torture center.

Batista's death squads tortured people to death, and threw them out on the street, even hung them from trees after torturing them, to terrorize Cubans and leave a message about dissent.

Batista's administration and his ruling class brought on the revolution through brutality and corruption and suppression. The scum who fled to Miami in the first wave were people fearing retribution from the population after the revolution.

[Hunky Dunky]

69. Yes, Batista was a total asshole!

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

[manic expression]

33. What dictatorial powers does he have?

Read up:

http://members.allstream.net/~dchris/CubaFAQ.html

[Judi Lynn]

67. Great information at that link. Thanks a lot. n/t

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Hunky Dunky]

11. I've been to Cuba

And my guess is that the majority of Cubans feel as I do. Nobody likes a dictator, especially those who are forced to live under their regime.

[harun]

64. Vast MAJORITY don't like the president here right now in the U.S.

either.

Some area's of the world require a different style of governance than exactly what we have in the United States. Especially those places where the economy is an "island" economy. Special protections are required to protect the peoples rights, like healthcare, literacy, resources. So while it isn't perfect there it isn't perfect here either.

Governance doesn't have anything to do with LIKING the person. It has to do with protecting the rights of those people in society who don't have the power to protect themselves.

[Hunky Dunky]

65. Absolutely Agree!

The vast majority don't like * and Buckshot Dick. Thankfully, we still live in a society where we have the right to express our outrage publically and peacefully, yet vociferously. Thankfully, we live in a society where the right to freedom of speech via a fantastic forum such as DU can exist!

BTW, is a "different style of government" that denies these speech rights acceptable to you?

[Judi Lynn]

68. We have learned all about suppression here, and this country has not been

under physical attack, horrendous oppression, and the target of crushing economic warfare for 45+ years. You undoubtedly are keenly aware of _Bush's filthy pressure on our own daily lives:

A married couple was removed from a Bush presidential campaign event in West Virginia in the summer of 2004 after revealing anti-Bush T-shirts. A Utah man was visited later in the year by the Secret Service for an anti-Bush bumper sticker on his car. Last spring, the Secret Service sent agents to investigate a college art gallery exhibit of mock postage stamps, one depicting Bush with a gun pointed at his head. The military is shutting down some soldiers' blogs it says reveal sensitive information about the Iraq War; others claim the military's real goal is censorship.

In the face of such perceived inconsistency, it seems fair to ask whether the Bush Administration puts party before country when considering first amendment rights.
(snip)

Yet, if you are right-wing, you are more than welcome to terrorize people endlessly:

Can you yell "fire" in a crowded theater and get away with it?

If the Bush Administration was deciding, it would likely depend on whether you were a liberal or a conservative.

Universal Press Syndicate columnist Ann Coulter "joked" during a Thursday speech that liberal Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens should be poisoned.

"We need somebody to put rat poisoning in Justice Stevens' creme brulee," Coulter said at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark. "That's just a joke, for you in the media."

And by all accounts, no action was taken against Coulter, save for a smattering of boos from the audience.

Christian conservative leader and former Republican presidential candidate Pat Robertson declared a fatwa on Aug. 22, calling for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
(snip/...)

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/01/29/004316.php

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Publishing Co. Attempt to Tie Up, then Destroy Anti-Bush Magazine Thwarted by Librarians
15-Oct-04
first amendment issues

PR WEB: "In an episode reminiscent of the attempted destruction of Michael Moore"s "Stupid White Men" by publisher HarperCollins, the VP of a midwest printing company recently notified the publisher of RAVEN Magazine, a controversial humor magazine for men, that he refused to print it due to content he alleged was "slanderous" and contained "reverse-racism"." But the publisher clearly tried to pull a scam that liberal writers are targeted with in the election run up: Tie up their work for weeks, even months, with the promise of publication and distribution, then pull out the rug so they can't get the material out in time to have an impact. But thanks to the nation's activist libratrians and an aggressive first amendment campaign, RAVEN was saved!




FBI Seizes Indymedia Servers
08-Oct-04
first amendment issues
"The FBI has issued an order to hosting provider Rackspace in the US, ordering it to turn over two of the servers hosting the Independent Media Centre's websites in the UK, a statement from the group says. Rackspace has offices in the US and the UK. Independent Media Center, which is better known as Indymedia, was set up in 1999 to provide grassroots coverage of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) protests in Seattle. Rackspace complied with the FBI order, without first notifying Indymedia, and turned over Indymedia's server in the UK. This affects over 20 Indymedia sites worldwide, the group said. Indymedia said it did not know why the order had been issued as it was issued to Rackspace. Rackspace told some of the group's volunteers 'they cannot provide Indymedia with any information regarding the order.' ISPs have received gag orders in similar situations which prevent them from updating the parties involved on what is happening." Stay tuned for more details...




Warner Bros Censors David Russell's Anti-War Films
05-Sep-04
first amendment issues
"A clash between David O. Russell and Warner Bros. over the DVD re-release of his Gulf War film 'Three Kings' intensified Thursday as studio executives informed the filmmaker the video could not be released before the November election. The news came days after the movie studio's decision to drop his 35-minute antiwar documentary, 'Soldiers Pay,' as a DVD bonus feature because of its POLITICAL CONTENT. In the documentary, the director revisits some of the Iraqi extras and advisors from the 1999 film 'Three Kings' and the result is not favorable to the current administration. 'I am contemplating having a press conference with a 1st Amendment lawyer -- to say that this is censorship and an infringement of the 1st Amendment based on political opinions.' Russell has been outspoken about having his film and the documentary influence the political debate in the manner of Michael Moore's 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' He is looking for alternative distribution for 'Soldiers Pay,' which cost $180,000."




Lani Frank Slapped with $230 Fine for Handing Out Voter Registration Forms Outside F-911 Theater
05-Sep-04
first amendment issues
"Some of the audience in District Justice Rita Arnold's courtroom on Wednesday looked like they had gotten lost on their way to protest the Republican National Convention. But they were in the right place. The had come to support Easttown resident Lani Frank, the woman arrested on June 28 for disorderly conduct outside an East Caln movie theater after watching the film 'Fahrenheit 9/11.' To their dismay and Frank's, the judge found the defendant guilty of the charge. Frank, who did not testify on her own behalf, vowed to file an appeal. 'I'm in shock,' Frank said. 'It seems like (Arnold) totally disregarded all the information she received.' Nor was she apparently swayed by a middle-aged man in the audience who had a pink strip of paper with 'America?' written on it taped over his mouth and about eight other Frank supporters. Arnold declared Frank guilty, levied a $230 fine against her, and immediately left the bench without further comment." Add YOUR comments about this outrage!!!
(snip/...)

http://archive.democrats.com/preview.cfm?term=first%20amendment%20issues

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2001, August 07: White House censures magazine for lack of censorship

GeeDubya's administration has served notice that they will not cooperate with any journalist writing for Talk magazine.
Dan Bartlett, the White House communications director, said the use of models to satirise the Bush teenagers was disrespectful. He was quoted as saying: Talk "has openly opposed and even mocked the first family's desire to keep the lives of their daughters private and have decided not only to report on it but go to great lengths to distort it."



Return to Chronology 07 Aug 2001
2001, November 04: Report of suppression of dissenting opinion

By citizens of Sacramento. During a recent visit to Sacramento by Geedubya, some thirty anti-war protesters were kept away from the street the presidential motorcade was using, while non-protesters were allowed unrestricted access. The protesters were stopped by local mounted and foot patrol officers; ostentibly due to a request made by Secret Service agents during planning meetings for the event. Both agencies are ducking responsibility for the suppression and blaming the other.
Return to Chronology 04 Nov 2001
2002, September 28: Observing a protest

By Eleanor Eisenberg, executive director of the Arizona Civil Liberties Union. She was arrested while taking photographs of protesters at the Phoenix Civic Plaza during a presidential visit. Despite having taken part in numerous demonstrations, starting back during the Viet Nam war, this is her first arrest. Ms. Eisenberg is rather angered by this incident, contending that she did nothing to provoke an arrest. The police, however, state that she had been asked several time to clear an area the Secret Service had asked be closed for security, and that she had resisted arrest.
Return to Chronology 28 Sep 2002
2002, October 31: Free speech

By Bill Neel. This Butler, Pennsylvania resident was arrested in Neville Island on Labour Day during a visit there by President Bush. Mr. Neel had refused to obey police directives to step into a free speech zone which had been allocated for dissenters. District Justice Shirley Rowe Trkula dismissed the disorderly conduct charge and returned Mr. Neel's protest sign; which read, "The Bush family must surely love the poor - they've made so many of them." Judge Trkula also chastised the Allegheny County police for having gone too far in curbing protests.

(snip/...)

http://www.angelfire.com/scifi/dreamweaver/bannedbks/censorbushbashers.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Then there's the censorship which is built into _Bush vs. journalists relations, in which it was spelled out for them long ago that if they write articles which displease the White House they will not be invited to White House briefings, and their newspapers lose a vital resource. Intimidation of the press has been a constant undercurrent from the very first, and later we all learned they were creating the news they wanted to sell the public and hiring "journalists" to write articles for them.

What a filthy bunch of violent hypocrites.

[Hunky Dunky]

70. Excellent Points!

You have pinpointed serious abuse of power in the * administration. Thankfully, because of your right to freedom of speech in our society, you have also been able to eloquently demonstrate that right by your post here! And, our freedoms, although shaken, will still survive the abysmal reign of *. Thank you for reinforcing my point.

As you are aware, if you had been a citizen of Cuba and, had you tried to do a similar condemnation of Unca Fidel, we would never hear from you again.

[Judi Lynn]

71. Would you list some credible source for more information on how

Cubans who disappear after revealing unwanted political views?

I'm sure the world would like to hear about this. Remember, it takes more than mendacious gibberish from Miami to sell a story.

There's a whole flock of DU'ers who've been to Cuba, many of them multiple times. They don't seem to agree with you.

[Hunky Dunky]

76. Where did I say disappear?

Please read more carefully and take the time to comprehend what I wrote.

I said you would never be heard from again. And you wouldn't. The government would stifle your right to express any negative talk or condemnation of the regime. They might pay you a visit to remind you of your transgression, or they might put you in jail for a while. You just aren't allowed freedom of speech when it comes to criticism of Castro. Deal with the truth. I would advise that you put your effort into support for the Cuban people, not support of Castro.

Of course you can prove me wrong and show me evidence such as pictures at public rallies or demonstrations where people hold up signs that read "Castro Sucks", or "Down With Castro" or "Impeach Castro",etc. Go ahead and dig me out a couple. I'll wait.

[Judi Lynn]

77. No, you are the one who needs to provide proof of your claim that

people are thrown into the slammer for merely voicing dissent. That responsibility is YOURS.

[Hunky Dunky]

78. Before I provide sources

Give me a list of the publications and/or authors that you would accept. Why should I waste my time? I've read some of your posts and it seems that you never accept sources that disagree with your opinion, no matter how meticulously they are written or documented.

In, the meantime, dig me out a couple pictures of anti-Castro rally sign-holders. I'm not particular. I'll accept any source! Thanks!

[BestCenter]

79. He has a point, you know.

Just why aren't there ever any public opposition events against Castro in Cuba?

[Mika]

81. Not really.

The poster has been refusing to provide ANY links to back up his/her accusations. Just keeps piling on more accusations and demanding that others provide links to refute his/her unsupported claims.


My experience IN Cuba..

Cubans don't hold rallies against Castro because Cubans in Cuba know the structure of their own government (unlike the Cubaphobes here). Castro doesn't rule Cuba. They have a fully formed representative parliamentary system. They hold their representatives accountable.

There's no point to protest Castro, because, aside from his seat in the parliament representing Santiago, District #7, he is nothing more than the Head of State, which is a figurehead position. In Santiago, Mr Castro is overwhelmingly beloved, as it is his family home town.



Anyone interested in Cuba's system of government could learn a lot from this book..

Democracy in Cuba and the 1997-98 Elections
Arnold August
1999
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0968508405/qid=1053879619/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-8821757-1670550?v=glance&s=books

[BestCenter]

82. "There's no point to protest Castro"

Whether there's a point or not, it's a common thing in liberal democracies, just look at the ones in Europe for an example, to have a lot of irreverency directed at their leaders. It doesn't even have to be serious or politically motivated. Think of all the tabloid lampooning the British Royal Family faces. How come there's nothing like that in Cuba? How come there are no Cuban comics mocking their leader in any capacity? Why is there no Cuban version of the Colbert Report?

[Mika]

72. Proof please.

You continue to bleat things like "As you are aware, if you had been a citizen of Cuba and, had you tried to do a similar condemnation of Unca Fidel, we would never hear from you again." as if it is established fact.

No. I, for one, am not aware of what you say of free speech in Cuba. I've been there and I've seen plenty of opposition political parties and their publications denouncing actions of the government that they disagree with. Cuban TV has a talk show called 'The Round Table' that Cubans call-in and complain about this and that - from minutia to systematic complaints. I've spoken to hundreds of Cubans who all have their own ideas about how their government should be run, and they talk about it openly and loudly. Quite a few of them run for political office in their municipal, provincial or national assembly.

Cuba has an active political system that embraces dialog on all issues, mainly because it is run by the people themselves. Cubans have proven, historically, time and again, that they are quite willing and able to overthrow/change their government if needed. The problem with the Cubaphobes understanding of Cuba NOW is that the overwhelming majority of Cubans support their system of government, and they have little desire to dump their system because it has worked out quite well for them post '59 revolution.

No one can say with any credibility that universal education and universal health care needs to be forced on any population. Castro didn't give it to them! Together, nearly all Cubans worked hard to create the infrastructure and systems that they felt were essential for any progressive system.

There was discontent over their medical system. Citizens were speaking out and complaining. The Cuban people wanted universal health care for all Cubans, and they have achieved it. They pushed for government that represented their ideals, and organized and formed infrastructure that enabled Cubans to create a fair and complete h-c system. That is what they have done WITH their government, not at odds with their government.

There was discontent over their school system. Parents & teachers were speaking out and complaining about it. The people of Cuba wanted universal education for all Cubans. Now they have it. Achieved not just by complaining, but, they took action. They pushed for government that represented their ideals, organized and formed infrastructure that enabled Cubans to create a complete and world class ed system, and they have it. That is what they have done WITH their government, not at odds with their government.


Can Americans make this claim about their own country? I'm afraid not.



Now, if you have some kind of proof that one would never be heard from again if one simply spoke out with complaints over the government in Cuba, then please provide it.

[Hunky Dunky]

12. If I lived in Cuba, I would be forced to shut my mouth

on my opinions. That's due to Castro. Do you understand how that works?

[Mika]

13. No you wouldn't (unless you were on the US payroll, aiding and abetting Cuba's enemies.)

I have family in Cuba, and what you say is nonsense. Cubans can and do speak up on any and all topics. (Do you really think that you can shut an agitated Cuban up? ;) )

[Hunky Dunky]

14. Well, let's hear it from them!

Have them join DU! I'd like to ask them some questions!

[Mika]

15. Why would they waste their time and money to post on DU?

Internet access is limited and very expensive, due to the US extra territorial sanctions that prevent Cuba from connecting to the Cisco owned fiber optic Caribbean trunk. Why Cubans would post here, only to get harassed by ignorant DUer Cubaphobes, is beyond me.

[Hunky Dunky]

16. That's not accurate

But that's what I expected you to say. The truth is, they are not allowed. Were they to post here, they would be in jail tomorrow. Spin it anyway you want, but we all know the truth. Sorry.

[Mika]

17. Link please.

Please post a link that backs up your accusation. So far, all you've posted is guesses and assumptions.


Here's one on Cuba's limited access to the internet because of the US Helms-Burton law..

Cuba’s Internet access cramped by U.S. blockade

Valdes pointed out that the 1996 Helms-Burton law bars Cuban use of a high-capacity, fiber-optic underwater cable running close to the island. Cuba is confined to low-capacity satellite linkages that limit Internet exchanges to a mere 124 megabytes per second for incoming communications and 65 megabytes per second for outgoing messages.

Cuba must prioritize Internet access, he said, based on considerations of social use. Health care, education, cultural and scientific institutions, plus businesses, embassies, media centers and government offices all have free rein.

[Hunky Dunky]

20. You want a link

to prove that people have their freedoms rescinded under a dictatorial regime? If you can't understand that, no link I provide would ever be accepted by you anyway.

11 million Cubans and not one has ever posted on DU or a similar progressive-oriented board! Yet, DU has posters from all over the world. But not Cuba. Gee, you would think that at least ONE person from the Cuban academic intelligensia at the University level would be eager to join a progressive site such as this.

Open your eyes! Educate yourself on the plight of your fellow Cubans under that monster.

[Mika]

22. So, no links to back up your accusations.

Just what I expected.

[Hunky Dunky]

23. Post me a link that shows that Cubans

have the freedom to post their opinions on the internet.

Or,

Post me a link to an internet site where Cuban citizens post and we'll ask them some of their opinions.

Yeah, I know how you will respond to this. Just as I expect you will.

Don't you find it ironic that you can post here, but your family in Cuba cannot? I feel sorry for the Cuban people. But, the monster is 80 year old. Tick, tock, tick, tock...

[manic expression]

34. You're clueless

Cubans have little access to the internet because there is not a single fiber-optic cable connecting the island to the rest of the world, thanks to Uncle Sam.

However, this will soon change, as Chavez and the people of Venezuela are helping Cuba get more access to the internet.

[Hunky Dunky]

36. Nope, your wrong.

Cubans are not allowed that freedom of speech. I guess freedom of speech worries Castro's government. In free society, I can use the internet to peacefully protest, comment or criticize my government. I can use the press to protest, I can gather peacefully to protest.

Go ahead and link me to any examples of a citizen of Cuba using free speech to protest or say anything negative about Castro.

[manic expression]

37. Cite an example

Cubans are not afraid to speak their minds, I've had this verified to me by multiple people who have been there.

The internet is not widespread, so OF COURSE nobody uses it as a medium for protest. It's unfortunate that you couldn't figure that out yourself.

Here are two examples:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4569981.stm

[Hunky Dunky]

38. Sorry, those are real shitty examples. Try again.

You had to go all the way back to 2005 to find an example! And a shitty one at that! :rofl:

I can go back a couple mouse clicks and find you 1000 criticisms of my government....on this site alone!

The article that you cite says that it was the first protest of dissenting opinion in 46 fucking years! Held in the backyard of someone's house. :rofl: Stop it man, yer killin' me! And the other one is the Ladies in White....who are protesting the fact that their relatives were arrested for protesting!!! :rofl:

[manic expression]

39. That's a shitty response

I picked up 2 random examples and posted them. Obviously they're recent, because I got whatever came up.

Why are you still talking about the internet? It has no relevence here.

a.) It was the "first open opposition meeting" in that period, not protest, there's a difference. You ignored that difference, which is to be expected.

b.) The Ladies in White were not arrested, that much is a fact. Support your baseless claims.

As I said, your response is, in a word, shitty.

[Hunky Dunky]

40. Ok, pick me two more random ones! LOL!

Preferably something from this century too! :rofl:

[manic expression]

41. Why?

I provided two examples, you have failed to provide one. You have no argument.

[Hunky Dunky]

42. OK, you win, sport!

:rofl:

[manic expression]

43. I knew that

and so did anyone who read your piss poor points. Good job on making no argument whatsoever.

[Hunky Dunky]

45. Yep, you sure showed me about freedom of speech in Cuba!

Thanks for educating me! :rofl:

[manic expression]

46. You sure showed me

how little you know.

Oh, and don't worry about it.

[Hunky Dunky]

47. Vive Che!! Vive Fidel!! LOL!

[manic expression]

48. Great responses

:rofl:

[Hunky Dunky]

49. At least I made you laugh!

There are usually very few things worth laughing about in Communist dictatorships.

[manic expression]

50. You did

because you don't know what "communist" OR "dictatorship" means.

Please define both and compare them to Cuba.

[Hunky Dunky]

51. Sure I know what a communist and a dictator is.

I'll give you two examples: Communist --Che Dictator--Unca Fidel.

But it's really not my job to educate you, and you may or may not have the necessary capacity for comprehension anyway.

[manic expression]

52. You missed the point

"communist dictatorship" refers to a country.

I asked you to tell me what a "communism" is like, not an example of a "communist" (notice the "t" at the end). I already know who communists are.

How is Fidel a dictator? What dictatorial powers does he have? Don't just make baseless statements without any support, only someone who's clueless would do that (and you're not clueless, are you?).

[Hunky Dunky]

53. No, I'm not clueless

But now I am rather bored. Let's recap my assumptions: You probably like Fidel. I don't. You probably worship Che. I don't. You probably love communism. I don't. You probably like one party authoritarian states. I don't.

I won't change my mind. Hopefully you will. Bye!

[manic expression]

54. Really?

perhaps you could be so kind as to support your claim.

You probably love exploitation; I don't. You probably hate equity and people's control; I don't. You probably have no idea what communism or socialism is; I do have quite a good idea, and what I do know shows that it is the way forward.

[Alexander]

62. "The rally...was the first open opposition meeting in 46 years of Communist rule."

And for how long have we been allowed to have opposition meetings here in the US, Mika?

:eyes:

[Mika]

55. Where are the links that disagree with my point that i-net access is very limited in Cuba?

You say that my point (made with a link to some factual information on this) is not accurate.

I ask you for a link to a source that might disprove my point or shed some light on the subject.

I waited all day.. still.. nothing.

Not surprised.

[Hunky Dunky]

56. I don't disagree that Cubans have access as easy as we do

in the U.S. I disagree with your conclusion that claims that as the reason for Cubans not posting free and unvarnished opinions in progressive forums such as this. Access is not the issue. That, of course is a bullshit excuse. 11 million people in Cuba and you claim that not one of them can get access to post their true feeling and opinions. It's all due to access. Yeah, right! The reason they don't post here or places like here is that they will go to jail if caught. Show me or link me to any form of media where they routinely have the freedom to criticize their government and Castro. Show me editorials in the Cuban newspapers that strongly criticize Castro. Go ahead. I'll wait. Thanks!

[Mika]

57. I guess that I should send them by snail mail, UPS, or FEDEX?

As noted, there isn't much access to the internet in Cuba.

The primary use of the little bandwidth that the island can muster, under the draconian conditions of the Helms-Burton law, is for their health care and education systems. Regarding Cuba's limited access to the internet, social infrastructure and the welfare of the citizens comes before commerce. Imagine that.

[Hunky Dunky]

63. Yep, 11 Million Cubans....

and not one has access. Gee, what are the odds of that? Shit, I get emails and electronic communication from third world 419 scam artists and these people are poorer than dirt, yet they manage to communicate electronically over the net or via email. Yet, NOT ONE out of 11 million in Cuba has that ability? Very believable and convincing! So, I guess you hinge your argument on that bullshit excuse. Pobrecito!

OK, give me a bullshit excuse for the second part of my question: Educate me on any form of print media where they routinely have the freedom to criticize their government and Castro. Show me editorials in the Cuban newspapers that strongly criticize Castro. Shoe me where I can find newsfootage showing freedom of speech in action where the people routinely air their greivances on the government. Go ahead. I'll wait. Entertain me with another unbelievably convoluted answer. Thanks!

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[nick303]

61. There was an article posted about two weeks ago

I'm wasting my fingers typing this, as the faithful here will ignore anything that doesn't fit their world view, or they will denounce it as being propaganda, but anyway here goes:

A senior Cuban official has defended the country's Internet restrictions as a response to U.S. aggression and called for controlling "the wild colt of new technologies."

...

He defended Cuba's "rational and efficient" use of the Internet, which puts computers in schools and government computer clubs while prohibiting home connections for most citizens and blocking many sites with anti-government material.

"The wild colt of new technologies can and must be controlled," he said.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07046/761754-96.stm

When it comes down to it it's whether you believe the Cuban government or not. Sadly, most people make their minds up first based on some "revealed truth" or ideology, and then accept/filter out the facts accordingly.

Cuba has one of the region's lowest rates of internet usage. Officials say that is because the current bandwidth restrictions and U.S. threats against foreign suppliers of technology to Cuba force them to give priority to schools, researchers and essential businesses. Critics have accused the government of restricting internet access to limit Cubans' exposure to criticism or information from abroad.

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/business-71/117159718929500.xml&storylist=business

[Vidar]

44. Not a Cuban, but I agree.

[brazos121200]

6. I'm glad Castro is doing better. He is 80 years old, though,

and I wonder what will happen in Cuba when he does die, whenever that may be. I would hope it would not revert to what it was before Castro came to power under Batista. It would be good if Cuba could maintain a government independent of the United States, although once Castro dies I fear there will be much clamoring for 'free' elections based on the American model, which means the possibility of subversion by various right wing groups.

[theaudacity]

10. I don't remember the spec. onion headline "Castro leaves hopital 10 years younger, 2 inches shorter"

I think they just find someone who looks like him and carry on. Like Sadaam, or James Bond.

[The Anti-Neo Con]

18. Good, I want to see him outlive Bushco at least.

Also, I don't understand the hate for Castro, I mean, the guy is no saint, no leader is, but he did give the Cuban people the greatest gift a leader can give...socialism.

[Robbien]

32. Ailing Fidel Castro breaks public silence

In his first live broadcast since falling ill last July, Cuban leader Fidel Castro called Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's daily radio talk show to say he was feeling "more energetic,"

. . .

"Hello there, illustrious and dear friend, how are you?" Castro asked Chavez at the start of his 25-minute telephone call on the Venezuelan leader's "Hello President" show. "What joy hearing your voice, and knowing you are well," Chavez replied.

. . .

The Cuban leader encouraged those concerned about his recovery to be patient. "I urge everyone to be patient, calm, and to be happy, if everyone is calm, the country keeps moving forward, which is the important thing... I also ask for tranquility for myself to be able to get my new duties done," he said. But "I cannot be talking every day and get into the habit of making news every day."

Still, Castro made a point of saying he was "very informed about the dangers of wars, climate change, food supply troubles, because as you (Chavez) have noted, millions of people are going hungry." The two leaders discussed global warming and other news, including Venezuelan issues.

Chavez joked that Castro has turned him into "a sort of emissary or bridge -- whoever wants to know how Fidel is doing comes here, calls me, and I always tell them the truth," Chavez said.

© Agence France-Presse
more
http://www.spacedaily.com/2006/070228093051.e1wkl6vh.html

[manic expression]

35. Great to hear

Hopefully we'll hear more good news soon.

Hasta la victoria siempre! We'll keep the red flag flying here!

[piedmont]

59. "Not dead yet!"

"I'm feeling better!"

[Savannah_H]

60. he looks...

but he looks awful....

[Sapere aude]

73. That's James Brown's line isn't it? I feel good, I knew that I would now!

Of course James has left the theater.

[Judi Lynn]

74. Cuba`s cigar festival attracts tourists

Cuba`s cigar festival attracts tourists

Havana, Mar 01: Cuba's annual extravaganza celebrating its world-renowned cigars, which began Monday, could be devoid of star power this year.

No Hollywood personalities have said they will attend the 9th Habanos Festival and acting President Raul Castro, who doesn't care for cigars, is not expected to show. His far-more-famous brother, Fidel Castro, may not even be well enough to autograph humidors for charity auction during the five-day event. But the true stars of the festival — premium, hand-rolled cigars — are all that matter to the more than 1,000 aficionados from Spain, Canada, Russia and more than 40 other countries descending on the island, organizers say. "There's not enough space to accommodate all those who were interested," said Manuel Garcia, vice president of Habanos S.A., Cuba's cigar marketing firm. "But specific celebrities, we don't have any." Last year, British actor Joseph Fiennes of "Shakespeare in Love" fame attended, and Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons traveled to Havana for the festival in 2005. At a news conference Monday to kick off the five-day festival, Garcia said Raul Castro could make a surprise appearance. But Raul is "a man who doesn't appear much at these kinds of activities and also he doesn't smoke," Garcia said. The acting president, who shies away from limelight his brother embraces, took control of Cuba's government temporarily on July 31, when Fidel announced he had undergone intestinal surgery.
(snip/...)

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=357362&ssid=8&sid=LIF



The reader of the cigar factory

The galley is the clearest and amplest hall at the factory of cigars. There is character in this salon that has become famous, and is already essential when speaking of the making of Cuban cigar: the reader of cigar factory.

El first cigar factory where the reading was established was El Figaro, in Havana, by the end of 19th Century. All the three hundred cigarmakers who worked in the factory decided to choose one of them to read and entertain the others while rolling and cutting the leaves. In order to prevent the reader lose his daily wage, each worker contributed with his corresponding quota to compensate him for the time he spent at this work. The cigar factory’s reader had the important mission to read aloud the newspapers and the novels to the cigarmakers.

Readings at the factories were very appreciated by workers and got to be considered as a social and cultural right. The important role of the reader is showed in its prevalence, even after the appearance of the radio.

Even nowadays, the legendary figure of the cigar factory’s reader is maintained in the Cuban galleys.
(snip/)

http://www.cubancigarshistory.com/cigars_production/the_reader_of_the_cigar_factory/the_reader_of_the_cigar_factory.html

[Judi Lynn]

80. Tobacco fans celebrate Cuba's cigars at annual festival

Tobacco fans celebrate Cuba's cigars at annual festival
By Will Weissert
ASSOCIATED PRESS

12:41 p.m. March 1, 2007

HAVANA – Joey Betancourt's fingers dart over the long, light-brown tobacco leaf. They nudge loose tobacco inside and wrap and tug, smooth and straighten. A tightly rolled cigar takes shape.
“Looks easy,” said the 32-year-old roller at the Cohiba factory in Havana after using his teeth to tear excess wrapper leaf from the tip. “It's not.”

Cuba's ninth annual Habano Festival, which wraps up Friday, is a celebration of all things cigar – from tobacco seedlings to the smoothness of a freshly lit Churchill.

More than 1,000 fans from over 40 countries puffed on free cigars while visiting tobacco plantations, getting lessons on the history, taste and smell of tobacco and kicking off their shoes during a smoke-clouded late-night party at the beach during the five-day event.

“It's very exciting,” said Sato Yukio, 58, a university professor from Tokyo. “It is a long way to come, but it is worth it.”
(snip/...)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/business/20070301-1241-cuba-cigarfestival.html

[VegasWolf]

75. Good for Castro! Hell, the Bush administration killing 100,000's of Iraqis for oil is far worse! nt