LINES OF THE DAY

". . . But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here. But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past." p. 15

". . . But we may want to keep in mind that deeds and words are not as distinguishable as often we presume. History does not belong only to its narrators, professional or amateur. While some of us debate what history is or was, others take it into their own hands." p. 153

Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History (1995) by Michel-Rolph Trouillot

Monday, May 26, 2008

Politics of Hypocrisy

Full text if you click on this link:
THE EMPIRE’S HYPOCRITICAL POLITICS by Fidel Castro

[ It would be dishonest of me to remain silent after hearing the speech Obama delivered on the afternoon of May 23 at the Cuban American National Foundation created by Ronald Reagan. I listened to his speech, as I did McCain’s and Bush’s. I feel no resentment towards him, for he is not responsible for the crimes perpetrated against Cuba and humanity. Were I to defend him, I would do his adversaries an enormous favor. I have therefore no reservations about criticizing him and about expressing my points of view on his words frankly.

What were Obama’s statements?

“Throughout my entire life, there has been injustice and repression in Cuba. Never, in my lifetime, have the people of Cuba known freedom. Never, in the lives of two generations of Cubans, have the people of Cuba known democracy. (…) This is the terrible and tragic status quo that we have known for half a century – of elections that are anything but free or fair (…) I won't stand for this injustice, you won't stand for this injustice, and together we will stand up for freedom in Cuba,” he told annexationists, adding: “It's time to let Cuban American money make their families less dependent upon the Castro regime. (…) I will maintain the embargo.”

The content of these declarations by this strong candidate to the U.S. presidency spares me the work of having to explain the reason for this reflection.

José Hernandez, one of the Cuban American National Foundation directives who Obama praises in his speech, was none other than the owner of the 50-calibre automatic rifle, equipped with telescopic and infrared sights, which was confiscated, by chance, along with other deadly weapons while being transported by sea to Venezuela, where the Foundation had planned to assassinate the writer of these lines at an international meeting held in Margarita, in the Venezuelan state of Nueva Esparta.

Pepe Hernández’ group wanted to renegotiate a former pact with Clinton, betrayed by Mas Canosa’s clan, who secured Bush’s electoral victory in 2000 through fraud, because the latter had promised to assassinate Castro, something they all happily embraced. These are the kinds of political tricks inherent to the United States’ decadent and contradictory system.

Presidential candidate Obama’s speech may be formulated as follows: hunger for the nation, remittances as charitable hand-outs and visits to Cuba as propaganda for consumerism and the unsustainable way of life behind it. ]

5 comments:

Graeme said...

Castro is still sharp as ever

Foxessa said...

Additionally, suddenly certain Cuban 'dissident groups' are standing up for Obama.

When Fidel specifically states he does not endorse or abjure any candidate because whatever he says will be used by the Rightnutz.

So he analyzes Obama's speech, pretty much as I saw it.

The thing that was remarkable from over here is that Obama basically stated he'd allow someone like me to travel again to Cuba without penalty.

That matters enormously in our household.

Love, C.

Frank Partisan said...

I think the Cuban gusano community is not a monolith. Obama is smart enough to try to split them.

Raul is dreaming if he thinks the Cuban gusano terrorists, will allow him to build a China in Cuba.

Foxessa said...

Ren -- wtf? Raul doing China?

Cuba is Cuba, and the Revolution has proven that.

The latest Cuban Revolution was never anything but about Cuban Independence from el norte.

Now, however f-uped a whole lota stuffs was has been is now, Cuba is a working culture with working institutions of all kinds. While up here we keep assuming that Cuba isn't working. Right down to Cuban parents don't love their children like 'we' do.

I testify, first hand, eyewitness, blahblahblah, familie, etc, that none of that agitprop is so.


Love, C

Frank Partisan said...

Cuba is having a discussion at this time, about its future. Some want to go in the direction of China. See this.