Our pathetic conflict with Cuba -

[shadowsource]

It's been revealed that the Pentagon's top intelligence analyst on Cuba has for the past decade betrayed all of our knowledge, and lost of our agents, to Castro's government. The spy, Ana Belen Montes, of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), was very tight with Jesse Helms' staff, and traveled to Cuba with two of Helms' senior aides. How long is this idiocy going to continue?

 

[DriveSouth]

For God's sake

We maintain a US Naval Base on the island of Cuba.

How much of a conflict can this really be?

 

[KillerMuffin]

Has either side actually shot anyone from the other side since the 60s anyway? Our conflict with Cuba is all about sanctions right now. Since McCarthyism died along with the red scare, we need to open a new dialog with Cuba. After what, 40 years, isn't obvious the man isn't going to bend before he kicks the bucket? Rather than make Cuba such a hell hole to live in, let them enter into free trade with us. That might actually stop the refugee problem as well as the problem of having someone literally on our doorstep who might want to use Cuba as a staging area for the war on Florida.

 

[shadowsource]

Thanks, Killer -

You remain the most unpredictable and entertaining poster on this site. I never know what you're gonna say, but it usually makes a lot of sense, and it's always both driven and considered.

 

[Harbinger]

None of our leaders want to take the political heat for patching things up with Castro. Just wait until he finally dies, they'll be falling over each other to raise the curtain on a "new day" with Cuba. It's about time, the people there could really use a little trade with the US.

 

[shadowsource]

Yes, it's sad -

to see a Socialist Paradise turning into a low-rent teen bordello for American and West European trash. Castro should start holding elections to help preserve the good things he's achieved, mainly in medicine and education (when tbey can afford meds and books), and we should trade openly and fearlessly with them.

Oh, and plenty of terrorists have attacked Cuba from our shores, and the same terrorists (including the infamous Omega 7) have murdered Americans who were sympathetic to Castro. They even fired a bazooka at the UN once.

 

[miles]

Am I hearing that Cuba is a shithole because of the US boycott?

Please clarify.

 

[p_p_man]

America didn't like her nose tweeked is all...

When Castro kicked out Batista in the late 50s he also kicked out the American criminal element. Poltics being politics America immediately saw Castro as threat to the West (ie America) and refused to have anything to do with her.

Castro was driven into the Soviet camp in order to sell his sugar crop and began his campaign for a Latin American Marxist revolution.

America in a fit of peek began sanctions and have been too stubborn to withdraw them ever since. That big potential Cuban vote in Florida did a lot to help them decide to keep sanctions in place.

For what he's achieved and the fact he's still surving without the Soviet Empire I think Castro deserves a round of applause...

 

[miles]

p_p_man

He may be a survivor, but I can't applaud him. The place is a sewer.

 

[p_p_man]

Miles...

I don't know about a sewer but think what might have been achieved if America had accepted Castro's first overtures at forming a partnership in 1959.

 

[WriterDom]

If we spread world peace and take from each according to their ability, to give to each according to their need then finally America will reach her greatness.

 

[Cheyenne]

Am I hearing that Cuba is a shithole because of the US boycott?

Didn't you read? It would be a "Socialist Paradise."

Oxymoron.

 

[KillerMuffin]

It would be horribly nice if our pols would understand a single, basic concept. Latin America does not equal statehood in the United States of America.

I think McCarthy would skin me.

 

[p_p_man]

Didn't you read? It would be a "Socialist Paradise."

Oxymoron.

And what's wrong with Socialism?

 

[Azwed]

Just a spoon full of Socialism helps the populace all around.


Not a lot mind you but I think a little socialism is a good thing. Just as long as we don't go over board like some countries.

*cough* *cough* frenchies *cough

 

[p_p_man]

Copied from Azwed's Post:

"Just a spoon full of Socialism helps the populace all around."


LOL...I like it...I like it!

 

[Azwed]

heheh

thought you would. My old saying was that a little bit of socialism is a good thing. My roommate hates that saying. He is hard core libertarian, but because he is so competitive and won't associate himself with a loser he always votes republican. It really pisses me off he is such a freak. On some social issues he is kind of liberal and he hates the religious right. He just does not want anyone else to get a dime of his money but him.

My roommate is gonna hate my knew saying.

 

[Calamity Jane]

And what's wrong with Socialism?

that's what i'd like to know too... and WHY do people think Socialism and Communism are the same thing?

 

[Azwed]

Because many people are uneducated in political/idelogical affairs.

 

[p_p_man]

that's what i'd like to know too... and WHY do people think Socialism and Communism are the same thing?

In Socialist countries like the UK and most of Europe we know the difference instictively but I can only assume that in the US the right wing used various emotive phrases like "pinko commie bastards" or "Socialism is letting Communism in through the back door" to corner the whole of the electorate for itself.

Said often enough and loud enough people will begin to believe anything!

 

[Azwed]

There is still a little bit of Mcarthyism (sp) around in the states thats for sure. Another thing that many right wing leaders did here was the religious angle. Since communism tried to outlaw religon and many people are still very religous here that really hit home. Evil athiest commie bastards was a good phrase i have heard.

 

[Calamity Jane]

In Socialist countries like the UK and most of Europe we know the difference instictively but I can only assume that in the US the right wing used various emotive phrases like "pinko commie bastards" or "Socialism is letting Communism in through the back door" to corner the whole of the electorate for itself.

I'd believe that if it weren't for the fact that i live in Missouri of all places... i've NEVER thought they were the same thing... is it because i'm too young to have ever even heard the term 'pinko-commie bastard' used seriously?

Said often enough and loud enough people will begin to believe anything!



I know... I heard today that people actually believe Shrub is doing a good job!

 

[Azwed]

I think you about got it right. I am 7 years younger then you and I dont remember any of these terms really. I grew up in Texas so a conservative state for sure. I have only heard most of this second hand from older friends and relatives and from my political/historical education.

 

[p_p_man]

pagancowgirl and Azwed...

You two are really making me feel the weight of my years!

At least you've taught me something. I didn't know that the old terms like 'pinko commie bastard' are no longer in popular circulation.

There was a time though when Socialism was considered just a short step away from Communism. Or even that the two were one and the same thing.

I don't know, I don't live in your country, but I remember the feeling over here as we watched America's mounting hysteria over Comminism with something akin to amazement. It appeared to us that your Government was just as bad as the worst of dictatorships trying to brainwash its citizens into only one way of life. In fact during the McArthy years and the terrible punishments imposed on members of the artistic professions, who would say anything under threat of losing their livelihoods, people in Britain were disgusted at the whole American attitude.

Thank heavens that was a short period but it still ruined countless lives.

Anyway, I have felt that the old prejudices are still there, and sometimes they come to the fore on this Bulletin Board. Happily not too often and not too vociferous.

People like you two whom I would classify as free thinkers, able to make up your own minds about life, the universe and everything, seem to be more prevalent in America than in days gone by!

Perhaps it is a generation thing after all.

 

[Calamity Jane]

Re: pagancowgirl and Azwed...

You two are really making me feel the weight of my years!

Sorry p_p_man... i certainly didn't intend to make you feel old! I just don't get the 'popular wisdom' on this one. I was wrong on one little point though, my dad did refer to Clinton as a pinko commie bastard when he was running the first time. I tried to explain to him that Clinton was just barely a Socialist and not at all Communist... I got that "What the hell could you possibly know about it" look...

anyway, obviously some of the attitude is still there... wasn't there a post just a couple of days ago referring to clinton as a communist?

the thing about the american attitude that irritates me is that we're so smug... we've got this amazing homeless situation... tens of thousands of children with no health insurance... a welfare state like i can't even believe. but we think our way of governing is the ONLY way to go...

and before y'all post and tell me to get out if i don't like it... i DO happen to like america. and just like you criticize your friends in an effort to get them to pull their heads out of their asses, i can criticize my country.