Julio Huato wrote: > I don't see the extravagant praise of Gaddafi that you found. >
Let's see. * Castro presents the matter as a counterrevolutionary movement in the interests of European imperialism against a revolutionary soldier of the highest ideals. * He presents Gaddafi as part of a tradition of Libyan warrior greatness that stretches back to ancient Libyan soldiers who took part in Hannibal's campaign against the Roman Empire. * Castro stresses that "As for me, I cannot imagine that the Libyan leader would abandon his country; escaping the responsibilities he is charged with". * Meanwhile Castro says nothing whatsoever about what's happening to the Libyan working masses, and just has no idea whatsoever why anyone would be discontented with the regime. > Wrong or right, the fact is that the Cuban government, through its > chancellor, has now repeated that it is up to the people of Libya to > resolve this dispute internally, preferably in a peaceful manner, > without the interference of foreign powers. I think I can agree with > that. The Cuban government has thus described the slaughter of protesters as the people of Libya trying to solve their problems peacefully. This makes Castro into an apologist for this slaughter. It's notable that Castro sees an uprising against an oppressive government, and identifies with the government. He says not a word about how the Libyan government is actually seeking to "resolve this dispute"; he doesn't see, in the masses rising, anything to inspire him; but he does worry about the bad press which the Libyan government is getting. > But the issues on the ground appear murkier to me. Compared to > Tunisia, Egypt, or Bahrein, there's a very clear double standard in > the reaction of NATO governments. I am not confident enough in my own Of course the EU and US imperialism are despicable. But so is the Libyan government, as revealed by its reaction to the uprising. > understanding of the local situation to dare a definitive political > judgment. But that does not matter. What is at stake is my own peace Castro was making a definitive political judgement. \> of mind, with negligible effect on what actually happens there. But, > that applies to you and others here as well. > -- Joseph Green _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
