U.S. Moves Toward Cuba Worry Locals (Madison Communists in a Tizzy!)

Madison.com ^ | August 1, 2006 | Anita Weier

[dc27]

Castro's island prison is every liberal's wet dream. They will be in deep mourning when it collapses.

So will the Europeans who go on vacation there for the underage girls of the trade.

[GeronL]

One nice thing about being in Cuba is that it's easy to get a Cuban girl to stay with you for the duration. It makes for a very nice visit.

*sigh*

Just come out and say it... the darn prostitutes won't leave tourists alone! =o)

[finnigan2]

""It is not a dictatorship to the degree that our government would like to paint it."

- As someone who spent a week on vacation in Cuba a week ago I should say that the Cuban people are ready for freedom from the Castro regime. They are intelligent and a friendly people who know full well that they are oppressed and resent it greatly.
However, they are a proud people who will resist any kind of overtures that treat them like fools or objects of scorn or pity.
When Castro goes, they must be treated with respect and dignity.
If US policy is wise, it will welcome them back into the fold without censure or ridicule and the the Cuban people will respond with enthusiasm.
If you try to treat them with sneers and put downs, they will resent it and respond accordingly.

[GeronL]

They have 2 medical systems. One for the elites and tourists and the bad ones for their people. People have to buy their own medicines- even aspirins, pay for their bedsheets to be cleaned and for meals... from what I hear from exiles.

[gogeo]

They say the only Commies left are on US college campuses. I thought that was an exaggeration.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

First Packer Pre-Season game is August 12th! :)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"If the Cuban medical system is so great then why does a Physician in Wisconsin have to take them charity supplies."

Ding! Ding! Ding! We have a winner! Johnny, tell him what he's won.

What? He's won an all-expenses paid vacation a Re-Education Camp? Who provided that prize? Oh, of course...The DNC! ;)

[rod1]

You are so correct!! How foolish of me.

Well then the Madison commies should worry. I understand Karl might visit the Wisconsin Dells at some time in the future.

[Paul Ross]

I think its high time we actually started doing what the leftists accuse us of. Let's go ahead and annex Cuba. And while we're at it - let's seize all the oil in the Middle East.

BUMP!

[BenLurkin]

I am neither sneering nor putting them down.

I merely express my disgust for Castro.

[TASMANIANRED]

LOL....

[SJackson]

A truely amazing article. Had Madison been successful in sistering with Rafah, they'd be arguing against the eradication of terror. It's their culture after all.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

also Keywords 2006israelwar or WOT [War on Terror]

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Off topic, but worth reading.

[finnigan2]

"They say the only Commies left are on US college campuses. I thought that was an exaggeration."

- Cubans are just waiting for Castro to die so they can be free. However, when I asked who would succeed Castro, no one knew because he is the only govt. official who gets any local media attention. Now it appears that his even more hard line brother will get the job and I'm sure that this will take the population to the point of despair.
I'm certain that they will be unable to carry off a revolution because there are hard line communists controlling the armed forces and especially a feared internal security force which, believe it or not, are outfitted in Gestapo black uniforms and have their HQ right across from the Parliament buildings.
Everybody in the country, regardless of occupation, is paid about $35. per month to live on - which is not as bad as it sounds since rents are about $2 to $3 per month. People with jobs in the tourist sector are envied since with tips they can easily triple that salary limit. Everybody else in the country rely on a barter system to live, ie; if I work in a shoe factory, I steal shoes to give to my dentist who will move me to the top of his "to do" list. And so it goes throughout the economy. Even the police are in on it and no actions are taken unless you are stupid enough to draw attention to yourself by suddenly acquiring a Mercedes or some such.
On an excursion to Havana, our bus crossed a bridge over a deep gorge which had a guard posted. Apparently, the guards were put there to stop people from jumping since it had become a favorite suicide spot. Our guide told us that one of his best friends had killed himself there.
I visited a "shopping center" near our resort and the selection in the super market would make you weep. Almost no meat and the shelves stocked with a pitiful range of tinned and dry goods at prices that I'm sure most Cubans couldn't afford.
The only thing that seems to work well is the education system. Our young tour guide could speak four languages fluently - but even with that all he could find work was as a tour guide. He asked us more questions about us than we did of him and my impression was that he was planning an escape and was just doing a little background research on where best to head for after he got out.
The place is ready for change but I doubt they can get it without outside help or an armed forces revolt.

[Ready4Freddy]

I think this may be where the problems will be - the Cuban ex-pat community will want their land & property back, and will probably be the only folks w/ enough cash to rebuild.

When Castro goes, they must be treated with respect and dignity. If US policy is wise, it will welcome them back into the fold without censure or ridicule and the the Cuban people will respond with enthusiasm.