Having been born in and spent much time in Miami, I've been exposed to many Cuban expatriates who lived under Fidel, and they are extremely pro-American, and anti-Fidel. They describe a life of poverty and oppression that in their experience, was caused not by '*El Bloqueo'*, but by the policies of Fidel's government. Dissent is punishable by death. The average citizen of Cuba is not allowed a cell phone, but governmental officials are. The average citizen of Cuba is not allowed internet access, but governmental officials are. Etc. Etc. Etc. Some of these things are beginning to change now that Raoul is taking over day to day management of the country, and I think you will find that *'El Bloqueo'* will be quick to go away with those changes.
There has been a healthy commerce market in Cuba for this entire time despite the blockade, if you were a member of power. German tourists had no problem at all bringing their money there to spend, savoring the local * jineteras*, and throwing currency around freely. I know a half dozen people who can provide me with "Dominican" cigars, picked up in Havana and routed through D.R. to be banded, avoiding the blockade. The Party lives in comfort, and allows its citizens to starve, and blames it on the US in order to stir up anti-American sentiment. It doesn't work. The citizens, for the most part, know better, and still come here in droves. It's a shame you didn't make it down to Florida in your trip here. *Havanita * would have provided you with an education from Cubans fresh off the tire. On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 9:46 AM, Ian Pollard <[email protected]> wrote: > > Chris, > > I don't know that I'm using hyperbole, but surely it's rather difficult to > talk about Cuba and not be anti-American? I'm not defending acts of murder, > but America is deeply culpable for the mess Cuba is in. > > Ian > > > 2009/8/20 Chris Jenkins <[email protected]> > > That, and the fact that the current government there will shoot their whole >> family for political dissent. >> Let's not make it SOLELY anti-american hyperbole in your post, eh, Ian? >> >> >> On Thu, Aug 20, 2009 at 3:04 AM, Ian Pollard <[email protected]>wrote: >> >>> >>> 2009/8/19 BB47 <[email protected]> >>> >>>> >>>> Differences between people often come down to core philosophical >>>> issues. Simple ideas with vast implications. These issues are often >>>> ignored or not seen. Let me take the example of Cuba, just as an >>>> illustration. They have free health care and free university >>>> education yet there are many of those people that decided to risk >>>> their very LIVES on a piece of wood through shark infested waters to >>>> get here, where there is no government health care. >>> >>> >>> You love your strawmen, BB. :) Just to be clear on a point of fact: >>> Cuban's are not risking their lives to escape free health care and education >>> because they reeeeally want to pay for these services. They risk their lives >>> to earn money for their families which is otherwise unattainable because of >>> the isolation caused by el bloqueo. >>> >>> Ian >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> > > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/minds-eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
