More Cubans finding the courage to speak out

MiamiHerald.Com ^ | 8 Dec 07 | MIAMI HERALD STAFF

[rrrod]

This is interesting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgE8WGWDcOw&eurl=http://www.babalublog.com/

[Caipirabob]

Thanks!

[Caipirabob]

That's way overstated. Russia is certainly a mess, but the current threat is cronyism, not communism.

I don't really believe they would reassert themselves as communists, at least initially, so much as a force to undermine the establishment of a functional republic. That in itself can lead to the emergence of yet another tyrannical regime.

[norwaypinesavage]

There is no such thing as a “little bit” of freedom. Once people find out that the dissidents outnumber the controllers, look out!

[ReignOfError]

I don't really believe they would reassert themselves as communists, at least initially, so much as a force to undermine the establishment of a functional republic. That in itself can lead to the emergence of yet another tyrannical regime.

I think they're driven by sheer manic greed, not by any ideology. Communism is just a red (ahem) herring. They'll claim whatever principle works for the moment. The Russians have gone from a rapist who beat them to a rapist who kisses them on the cheek and leaves money on the dresser on the way out.

[ReignOfError]

There is no such thing as a “little bit” of freedom.

I would love to believe that, but the evidence doesn't support it. The People's Republic of China has walked that tightrope for a long time now, and isn't looking like it's gonna topple any time soon.

I agree that the historical pattern is that trade is the thin end of the wedge, and that capitalism usually leads to democracy. China is the counter-case. I retain hope, but not quite faith, that more trade and more contact will bring the tyrants down.

[norwaypinesavage]

"Capitalism usually leads to democracy. China is the counter-case."

You certainly have a valid point. I believe, though, that China has been gradually loosening its totalitaristic control ever since the crack down in the late 80's, and they have gone much too far to ever turn back. The progress is certainly slower than I would prefer.

[ReignOfError]

You certainly have a valid point. I believe, though, that China has been gradually loosening its totalitaristic control ever since the crack down in the late 80's, and they have gone much too far to ever turn back. The progress is certainly slower than I would prefer.

I agree whole-heartedly. China has been the rare success story in allowing economic freedom without political freedom, but that cannot hold forever. Liberty is a virus. It is spread by casual contact. The more contact, the better. There is no vaccine.

[null and void]

“Since Cuba’s interim president, Raúl Castro, called for public meetings to debate the country’s innumerable problems, more and more people are speaking out”

Let a thousand flowers bloom...

[elhombrelibre]

That place could come unglued if they follow the old Chinese communist edict that Mao used to lure out his foes. Once Cuba’s begin to break away from the totalitarian grip, it’s all over for the Castroite regime.

[elhombrelibre]

It’s often said that the smartest, bravest, most daring, and most ambitious have left Cuba and only those too scared, too stupid, or too lazy have stayed. I’m sure that’s false, and I’m sure the Cuban people will be free.

[elhombrelibre]

I recommend you, and anyone else who hasn’t for that matter, read Armando Valladares’s book “Against All Hope.”

[elhombrelibre]

Isn’t it thoughtful of Castro to send some of his scarce medical minions to Venezuela to curry favor with an oil rich madman even at the expense of the health of the Cuban people. No wonder the narcissist in Hollyweird love this guy; he’s so much like them.

[elhombrelibre]

I think the way that Eastern Europe shook off communism and the way that black Americans gained civil rights is far better for all than the way the Afghans expelled the Soviets. Where a just cause and grievance can be remedied without violence it is to be preferred. I think Edmund Burke would have agreed and noted how badly France spun out of control with its revolution. We will know soon after Castro dies, I believe, if there is a way out for Castro’s victims who want freedom that is not violent. But if there isn’t, then I would pray the violence is swift and precise.

[444Flyer]

“yes but the bad guys are the ones with all the guns.”

No citizens, no slaves, no need for guns.

[The Great RJ]

"...Lisette, a nurse, tells a total stranger how the medical system has deteriorated since thousands of Cuban doctors were sent to Venezuela."

How can this be? Didn't Michael Moore tells us that Cuba's health care system made the Mayo Clinic look like some third world first aid station? (sarcasm)

[ReignOfError]

believe, though, that China has been gradually loosening its totalitaristic control ever since the crack down in the late 80's, and they have gone much too far to ever turn back. The progress is certainly slower than I would prefer.

I hope you're right. I'm not convinced, but I hope. If another Tiananmen broke out tomorrow, I would like to think that the Internet and satellites would let more people, and more Chinese, know about it in real time. and more folks throughout the country would take to the streets. Enough of an uprising to up-end the Mao regime. I have hope, but not faith.

In the last couple decades, China has become ever more connected with the world. It cannot practice big business without a constant flow of communication; Achilles, let me show you your heel.

I would love to see China become more democratic without violence. I would love to seem them as merely an economic rival rather than a military threat. I would love to have a billion and a half people see a greater hope for a better life. But I don't think it's likely, at least not soon. If events prove me wrong, you will never met anyone happier to be proven wrong.

[elhombrelibre]

Yes, and he’s as big of a fraud as Castro. But at least he only can fool people with his cinema.