posted on June 1, 2002 11:43:59 AM new
The way Bush keeps insisting Cuba is involved with weapons of mass destruction and must have elections that may not include the current government makes me worry he sees a lull in his campaign and needs t task to fill the void until he can move on Iraq.
I really hate to see him start a war 90 miles from home. It would be a lot easier for Castro to say he might as well have the game if he is going to get the blame.
posted on June 1, 2002 12:16:55 PM new
It's probably to dilute the "peace, love, and understanding" trip Carter made. Castro needs somebody to help feed them now that the Russkies are gone.
After all, why would we distrust Cuba or think about their aquiring nasty things they have no need for. Maybe it was the attempt to subvert half of SA and LA, and there was that pesky missle thing in the 60's.
I think we could be buds again. But I'm worried that Castro might just figure out that "La Revolucion" is over when he crokes and do something nutty.
posted on June 1, 2002 12:28:25 PM new
I think Castro might have become civilized if he wasn't rejected by the US BigWigs when he came to visit not long after he obtained power. Russia threw a party I think.
Anyway, just yesterday I was looking at one of these big old maps that decorate my office and noted the size of Cuba relative to the U.S. I thought, "Wow, all we have to do is cock Florida 1/2", release, and kick this pebble into outer-space."
posted on June 1, 2002 12:33:13 PM new
I could look it up, but could one of you explain to me why Carter went to Cuba in the first place? Was Castro asking for sanctions to be lifted? Did Bush ask him to go?
posted on June 1, 2002 02:51:20 PM new
I would be perfectly willing to help the Cubans if they will just rent me a nice beach
house with a cook gardener maid and so forth for about $1k a month.
posted on June 1, 2002 10:40:29 PM new
It was a real surprise to me too when Carter suddenly was in the news and was giving a conciliatory speech in Cuba. As far as I can figure it, there have been ex-Cuban exiles who have seats in Congress and have been screaming loudly for some time about Castro. You see, after Elian Gonzales was returned to Cuba, the Republicans made a Big Deal of blaming Democrats for their anger in order to get their vote. But now, the GOP has to pay the piper if they want to keep on getting those votes - especially since the USA is turning Hard Left due to the Bush Administration. I think that to appease the exiles, Carter was sent in with an olive branch and then Bush sat back and "Got Tough" on Castro afterwards. What a media circus that was! Carter was set up and I'll bet that Carter will never fall for that sort of abuse ever again.
edited to correct the spelling the word "Big"
[ edited by Borillar on Jun 1, 2002 11:35 PM ]
I'm really starting to think you're becoming delusional.
"USA is turning Hard Left due to the Bush Administration"
That was a joke right???? Every day the population becomes more right of center.
"I think that to appease the exiles, Carter was sent in with an olive branch"
The VAST majority of exiles are VEHEMENTLY anti-Castro. That's why they're exiles. To appease them, Carter would have had to have a bomb in his briefcase
posted on June 1, 2002 11:34:07 PM new
You see, DeSquirrel, you still don't get it. The Bush administration asked Carter to go deliver an olive branch to Castro. That once this was done, Bush & the GOP blasted Cater's speeches and efforts and took a hard-line stance against Castro. What does this tell you?
posted on June 2, 2002 06:54:12 AM new
THIS IS WHAT IT TOLD CASTRO.
Castro assails Bush at rally
Cuban president attacks message of democracy
By Associated Press, 6/2/2002
OLGUIN, Cuba - In a blistering speech before hundreds of thousands of people in a drenching rain yesterday, President Fidel Castro said the democracy President Bush wants to see in Cuba would be a corrupt and unfair system that ignores the poor.
''For Mr. W, democracy only exists where money solves everything and where those who can afford a $25,000-a-plate dinner - an insult to the billions of people living in the poor, hungry, and underdeveloped world - are the ones called to solve the problems of society and the world,'' Castro said in his continuing attack on Bush's hard-line policies toward the island.
''Don't be a fool, Mr. W,'' Castro said. ''Show some respect for the minds of people who are capable of thinking. ... Show some respect for others and for yourself.''
Castro's early-morning address is part of Cuba's answer to Bush's May 20 speeches in Washington and Miami, promising trade sanctions against Cuba would not be lifted until all political prisoners are freed, independently monitored elections are allowed, and a series of other conditions are accepted for a ''new government that is fully democratic.''
A week ago, Castro made a similar speech answering Bush's declarations, telling the American people that they should never fear an attack by Cuba and can always count on this communist country's support in the war against terrorism.
Yesterday's speech in this provincial capital 500 miles east of Havana was aimed directly at Bush.
''None of our leaders is a millionaire like the president of the United States, whose monthly wage is almost twice that of all the members of the [Cuban] Council of State and the Council of Ministers in a year,'' Castro said.
''None can be included in the long list of Mr. W's neoliberal friends in Latin America who are Olympic champions of misappropriation and theft since the few who do not steal from the public coffers and state taxes steal from the poor and the hungry,'' he said.
''The criminal blockade he has promised to tighten will only multiply the honor and glory of our people,'' Castro declared of Bush's stated intention to not only maintain but tighten US restrictions on trade and travel with Cuba.
Castro contrasted Bush with the late Franklin D. Roosevelt.
''It was a long time ago when a man spoke from his wheelchair with a soft voice and a persuasive accent. He spoke as a president of the United States of America and he inspired respect. ... He did not speak like a showoff or a thug,'' Castro said.
posted on June 2, 2002 08:36:20 AM new
Castro is right on the money with that little speech. We are currently in the grip of said theives and thugs and most of America is too shocked to realize it. America is pretending that it isn't happening and so, they attack the critics who would try to pull the wool off of their eyes.
posted on June 7, 2002 10:14:48 PM new
I seriously doubt that we'll invade Cuba. It's just chest-thumping as Hepburn suggests, IMO. It's an appeasement to the reactionary Cuban forces at work in our house of representatives; said representative having been born in Cuba and are anti-Castro. Of course, since the Cuban's life style has vastly improved with Castro in power, I can't see us invading a nation willing to defend itself tooth and nail against corruption, however cloaked in millitary uniforms.
