Posted on 12/19/2004 12:51:08 AM PST by billorites
JAMES CASON, head of the U.S. Interest Section in Cuba (the United States has no embassy there) has ignited a marvelous little propaganda war between the United States and Cuba, and Cuba is losing.
Decrepit old dictator Fidel Castro has imprisoned 75 Cubans this year for political disobedience. Cason decided to use Christmas to remind the world of this crime. His office set up an outdoor Christmas display complete with white lights, candy canes, a Santa Claus and a large, red 75.
As soon as the display was up, Fidel demanded the Americans take it down. Cason refused, and he made sure to talk about Castro’s repression whenever reporters called to inquire about the dispute. In taking this stance, Cason exposed Castro’s dictatorship in a way that no Cuban could. Castro would simply arrest any Cuban who dared, but he cannot arrest Cason — and they both know it.
So Castro, the old nut, decided to fight fire with fire. Overnight he erected a billboard with pictures of Abu Ghraib prisoners, a swastika, and the words “Made in the U.S.A.” The old propagandist hasn’t lost his chops, that’s for sure.
Of course, if comparing human rights violations is the standard by which the Cuban government wants to compare itself to the United States, we ought to take that challenge.
What a tickle to see that Castro, who once hid nuclear missiles pointed at the United States, is reduced to fighting the Cold War by stealing propaganda ideas from moveon.org and dispatching his henchmen to erect billboards in the middle of the night, as if this were some fraternity rivalry.
If Castro wants a propaganda war, Cason should give it to him. Not only would we win, but it would bring world attention to the shoddy little tyranny that still operates on what once was — and can again be — an island paradise.
Cason is playing Fidel like a drum. Bring it on, Fido!
BUMP
Down with Fidel! Viva Cuba Libre!.....and I'll have a chilled Cubalibre at dinner tommorrow in honor of the Havana 75. God bless them wherever they are.
This guy is awesome.
I hope this guy makes Jimmy Carter embarrased. Carter goes over there and kisses up to Castro, while people are suffering at his hands all around. And Carter is supposed to be so grea for the poor and oppressed.
As a State Department Foreign Service Officer, I'm proud to see a fellow diplomat doing what the Foreign Service does every day: stand up for America.
Cuba-Libre Bump
I agree wholeheartedly. An anomaly being corrected and discussed openly in a Free Society, is fundamentally different than ongoing intrinsic evil not allowed to be discussed in a Fear Society.
The concepts of Free Societies, Fear Societies, and Moral Clarity to tell the difference, are key themes in Sharansky's new book, The Case for Democracy. Bringing this discussion to the fore is absolutely the right way to topple Castro's fear society. Expose the lack of moral clarity by those who would defend Castro.
Isn't Jimmy still working for "Habitat for Dictators?"
Ping
Castro put up posters of the Abu Ghraib torture, which included the famous "make them wear women's underwear on their head" technique.
As I stated on an earlier thread, I believe that this would constitute the closest contact Cuban women have had with good quality undergarments since 1960.
Have any of you been following what happened in the Bahamas last week?
Hey, wait a second. My little white chihuahua is named Fidel.
ROFLMAO!
Well Said!
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