NationStates Jolt Archive

Hi Everyone!

One thing that needs to be discussed here is the Communist Country Cuba. Often in the left-dominated media you get the occasional program dovoted to or references made to Cuba.
The discovery Channel occasional plays Documentaries about Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.
They portray Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and his Communist Revolutionaries in a very simpathetic light and make it out that they were great savious of Cuba and installed a Harmonious and Benevolent Leadership over the Cuban People in which they now enjoy great Social Equality etc...

There has never been any doubt that Batista needed to go. He and his group were thugs and ruled by a system of a harsh dictatorship. The poorer people of Cuba were right to want a change.

My question to the pro-Cuba people here is-
1) If Cuba is so wonderful and the leadership of Fidel Castro so great then how come so many people have left-and continue to leave Cuba every year? 2) If Che Guevara was such a great Revolutionary why did he go after and kill innocent Christians just because they were Christians?
3) Was it right for Communist Guerillas to carry out terrorist attacks on rich people just because they were rich?
4) Do you seriously believe that all Cuba's current economic problems are down to the American Embargo? Now Castro can get oil from Chavez why is their still an oil shortage in Cuba? Also can you blame the US on economic problems when Cuba can continue to trade with Mexico, Japan, Spain, Venezuala to get all the materials they need?
5) When are the people going to get a decent infratructure?
6) Do you really believe this 'Free healthcare' crap? Do you know that the best quality healthcare goes to foreigners who pay with hard cash? The average Cuban has the most atrocious facilities to use. If you dont believe me check here- http://www.therealcuba.com/page3.htm

I have to admit there was a time when I believed the 'hype' and 'free Healthcare Crap' but I have the facts now.

This should be a good thread!

Let's talk about Cuba
Which Cuba? The Cuba that actually injures/kills its dissidents and is virtually ignored by Amnesty or the US Naval base/prison that "tortures" their "3 Hots & a Cot" ununiformed/irregular, illegal combatants? :rolleyes:

I'll just say: A one-party system is worse than a two-party system, and a two-party system is shit.

I don't know much about Cuba, but I can address a few things.
1. the rich left. It was, after all, a communist takeover. The doctors and lawyers and people who were well off were getting bumped down to the common level, and they got the hell out of there. However, for the average Cuban, their life did improve. It was a small change, but still a noticable one. We only hear from people who left and were harmed by Castro. That was where the Bay of Pigs went wrong, we assumed all Cubans hated him that much. The majority were living in slum conditions then, and to those that weren't rich he is very liked. Castro's no teddy bear, but there are some good things that can be said for him.

3. No. Not everyone gets rich by exploiting the masses, and that's where Communism got it wrong.

4. Yes, communism desecrates the economy, nobody's arguing about that (but certain pieces of the system can be taken and effectively used, moderation is the key, just like with everything).

Cuba's government is pretty bad... but much better than lots of America's allies. And probably better than the previous Cuban regieme which America supported.

Thinking America's policy towards Cuba is unjust is not the same as saying Cuba's government is "so wonderful".

Quite frankly, they were great saviors of the Cuban people...until they got into power themselves. When they were fighting they were all rampant idealism and the like, talking a great game about equality for a nation that had no equality for hundreds of years. When someone hears some of that old rhetoric; they still tend to think that the Cuban revolutionaries were a force for good.

Then they took power, and within 24 hours of them taking the capital the first serious abuses of power were seen. Pathetic really; barely a moment had passed before the peoples' dreams died. Within days dissenters, political opponents both within and without; all rounded up. Typical authoritarian power plays.

My question to the pro-Cuba people here is-
1) If Cuba is so wonderful and the leadership of Fidel Castro so great then how come so many people have left-and continue to leave Cuba every year?


Few people think he is so fucking great, howver few think that he is the fucking anti-christ as official Washington treats him. Name one other communist country that pissed off the US in the 60s that still has that level of sanctions against it? None? The question is why is it still being punished in ways that China isn't?

2) If Che Guevara was such a great Revolutionary why did he go after and kill innocent Christians just because they were Christians?


Good fucking question, and one that has sweet fuck-all to do with current foreign relation policies vis-a-vis Cuba.

3) Was it right for Communist Guerillas to carry out terrorist attacks on rich people just because they were rich?

No. Just as it wan't right for US sponsored guerrilas to do what they did in some other parts of Central America that we could discuss. Nor is this an ongoing fucking problem in Cuba, so again you are discussing irrelevancies. Hell, relations with Cambodia are far more normalized and for a while they killed anyone who simply had higher education.

4) Do you seriously believe that all Cuba's current economic problems are down to the American Embargo? Now Castro can get oil from Chavez why is their still an oil shortage in Cuba? Also can you blame the US on economic problems when Cuba can continue to trade with Mexico, Japan, Spain, Venezuala to get all the materials they need?


Try reading the statues. The Helms Burton legislation made it law that any ship that goes and does business with Cuba cannot then enter US waters for a long period, so if you are a shipper you charge Cuba a fucking premuim to deliver because your ship is then excluded from the richest market in the hemisphere for a period. Further, the legislation penalizes companies that do business in Cuba under certain circumstances who also want to do business in the US. Needless to say, this also makes companies less willing to get involved. So, yes they are free to trade with Mexico, Japan, etc, but the legislation ensures that doing so causes hardship on those that they trade with, so they pay through the fucking nose for everything.

5) When are the people going to get a decent infratructure?


Right after they get a decent economy.

6) Do you really believe this 'Free healthcare' crap? Do you know that the best quality healthcare goes to foreigners who pay with hard cash? The average Cuban has the most atrocious facilities to use. If you dont believe me check here- http://www.therealcuba.com/page3.htm

Biased site, and WHO statistics on infant mortality and longevity do not include foreigners. IS Cuban medical standards up to US standards? No, of course not. but they do some pretty amazing things ona tight budget when compared to the rest of their neighbours in the Carribean and Central America.


I have to admit there was a time when I believed the 'hype' and 'free Healthcare Crap' but I have the facts now.


you sure? Or have you just decided that this one site is right because it reinforces what you want to believe in the face of all the evidence from international bodies to the contrary?

plus the US embargo makes life more difficult than it needs to be

plus, like all other "communist" countries, they have restrictions on emmigration

plus, the only way to get right into the US is by walking up onto the beach, then you get to stay, no visa necessary.

if cuba were left to its own devices like china is, it might turn into a different type of economy. or it might not. no way to know.

Cuba's government is pretty bad... but much better than lots of America's allies. And probably better than the previous Cuban regieme which America supported.

Thinking America's policy towards Cuba is unjust is not the same as saying Cuba's government is "so wonderful".


America's allies? Let me see, The UK, Spainish, Canadian, Portuguese and Australian governments are all vastly superior to Cuba's piece of shit that likes to control every aspect of people's lives. I believe you are suggesting China and Russia are big US allies, because their governments are worse than Cuba's, although I wouldn't call them strong allies of the US. Don't be nieve.

I don't know much about Cuba, but I can address a few things.
1. the rich left. It was, after all, a communist takeover. The doctors and lawyers and people who were well off were getting bumped down to the common level, and they got the hell out of there. However, for the average Cuban, their life did improve. It was a small change, but still a noticable one. We only hear from people who left and were harmed by Castro. That was where the Bay of Pigs went wrong, we assumed all Cubans hated him that much. The majority were living in slum conditions then, and to those that weren't rich he is very liked. Castro's no teddy bear, but there are some good things that can be said for him. Some of the rich left. But the rich who lived there were attacked frequently by communist mobs. The fact that so many left and continue to leave each year risking their lives to cross over to the united states proves that their wasnt any real change at all. The reason Castro got popular is beacuse the Cuban people needed and wanted a change from their Batista rule. There's not much you can say about Castro that is good.
The fact is that the Cubans swapped one dictator for another. No great Revolution no nothing.

The question is why is it still being punished in ways that China isn't?

Probably because it's right on the US' borders. Paranoia. And memory of being brought to the brink of World War Three by the dear old Cuban Missile Crisis.

1) If Cuba is so wonderful and the leadership of Fidel Castro so great then how come so many people have left-and continue to leave Cuba every year?


In my recent travels to the Netherlands I encountered many Americans who left the United States to live there. Most of them live there illegally because it is so difficult for a US citizen to obtain a work visa in that country. Im sure that many people from the US also move to Canada, to the UK, to Germany. I personally know people who have moved to Japan. Emigration and immigration happens in all nations.


2) If Che Guevara was such a great Revolutionary why did he go after and kill innocent Christians just because they were Christians?

Do you have a source for this?

4) Do you seriously believe that all Cuba's current economic problems are down to the American Embargo? Now Castro can get oil from Chavez why is their still an oil shortage in Cuba? Also can you blame the US on economic problems when Cuba can continue to trade with Mexico, Japan, Spain, Venezuala to get all the materials they need?

A large amount of their economic problems are based on the US embargo. Even if we pretended that they werent, this doesnt mean anything other than that they have economic problems. Many countries have economic problems. There are factors like inflation, lack of resources, tough competition from nearby nations, etc.

5) When are the people going to get a decent infratructure?

Cuba does not have a significant infrastructure problem.

6) Do you really believe this 'Free healthcare' crap? Do you know that the best quality healthcare goes to foreigners who pay with hard cash? The average Cuban has the most atrocious facilities to use. If you dont believe me check here- http://www.therealcuba.com/page3.htm
Thats not what Ive heard from Cubans who do not belong to the Miami Cuban mafia. A friend who came from Cuba to study at my university found it shocking that you have to spend so much money to study. When he began telling me everything he got for free I had to ask the question, well....what did you use money for then? his response was to shrug his shoulders and say 'well....I buy books to read when Im bored'.

I have to admit there was a time when I believed the 'hype' and 'free Healthcare Crap' but I have the facts now.


youve been bamboozled.

Maybe we should let the GTMO detainees escape down there and see what they do? :p

America's allies? Let me see, The UK, Spainish, Canadian, Portuguese and Australian governments are all vastly superior to Cuba's piece of shit that likes to control every aspect of people's lives. I believe you are suggesting China and Russia are big US allies, because their governments are worse than Cuba's, although I wouldn't call them strong allies of the US. Don't be nieve.

i can't read minds, but i would assume (s)he was talking about the various US-backed dictators throughout latin america that are suppressing communist revolutions each and every day.

Probably because it's right on the US' borders. Paranoia. And memory of being brought to the brink of World War Three by the dear old Cuban Missile Crisis.

I think the Cuban Missile Crisis is vastly covered up by America. In studying the event, it wasnt the threat of the USSR that it is made out to be as such, or maybe not just that. The missiles from the USSR were requested by Fidel Castro because they figured the US would attempt to invade again. The USSR then removed them in exchange for the removal of US missiles pointing straight at Russia from Turkey. It was perhaps a great threat from the US but it hardly said that it was nuclear war at the time. It just meant that if the US start invading Communist soil the USSR will blow the crap out of them. And they didnt do it again did they! Hit a dog when it does something wrong it will fall into line. Someone needs to hit that same dog again about now as it happens!

Probably because it's right on the US' borders. Paranoia. And memory of being brought to the brink of World War Three by the dear old Cuban Missile Crisis.


Well I must say that that is the most assinine reason of them all that comes up given that it was a RUSSIAN missile base. Did Cuba allow their ally to use some of their soil for a base? Fucking right.

But it would be like Moscow still bitching at Berlin for letting the US base missiles on THEIR soil. Was Kennedy talking to Castro about missiles in '62? Fuck no. It wasn't Fidel's finger on the button.

And besides, that was over 40 years ago, and the cold war has been over for nearly 20. Fuck, the Vietnam war didn;t end until a decade AFTER the missile crisis, and that actually DID cost lives. And relations with them have been normalized for a while now.

i can't read minds, but i would assume (s)he was talking about the various US-backed dictators throughout latin america that are suppressing communist revolutions each and every day.


Good, communism is evil. It controls people in such a way they were never meant to. The dictatorships may be crap but it's better than the evil that is communism.

In my recent travels to the Netherlands I encountered many Americans who left the United States to live there. Most of them live there illegally because it is so difficult for a US citizen to obtain a work visa in that country. Im sure that many people from the US also move to Canada, to the UK, to Germany. I personally know people who have moved to Japan. Emigration and immigration happens in all nations.


Do you have a source for this?


A large amount of their economic problems are based on the US embargo. Even if we pretended that they werent, this doesnt mean anything other than that they have economic problems. Many countries have economic problems. There are factors like inflation, lack of resources, tough competition from nearby nations, etc.

Cuba does not have a significant infrastructure problem.

Thats not what Ive heard from Cubans who do not belong to the Miami Cuban mafia. A friend who came from Cuba to study at my university found it shocking that you have to spend so much money to study. When he began telling me everything he got for free I had to ask the question, well....what did you use money for then? his response was to shrug his shoulders and say 'well....I buy books to read when Im bored'.


youve been bamboozled.


Said it for me.

I hate commies, Cuba, and Castro. I was happy when he fell down thoughs stairs.

Cuba does not have a significant infrastructure problem.

Best quote ever, it's going in the sig.

America's allies? Let me see, The UK, Spainish, Canadian, Portuguese and Australian governments are all vastly superior to Cuba's piece of shit that likes to control every aspect of people's lives. I believe you are suggesting China and Russia are big US allies, because their governments are worse than Cuba's, although I wouldn't call them strong allies of the US. Don't be nieve.
How about..Uzbekistan!
We all love Uzbekistan!

Ever since the Berlin Wall came down, Cuban cigars haven't been what they used to be.

So, either the embargo has to be lifted in order to get some capital in there, or the wall has to go back up!

Castro is pretty crappy as a leader. The current communist regime in Cuba is also very crappy and doesn't do nearly all it could do for the Cuban people.

Even so, Castro is light-years better than Batista and the communist regime is much much better than the US-supported dictatorship ever was.

Even so, Castro is light-years better than Batista and the communist regime is much much better than the US-supported dictatorship ever was.

Of course, the best would be getting rid of Castro and communism and replacing it with a democracy free to choose its economic policies. The blockade should be lifted as a preliminary step to help repair the decades of damage from it and communist mismangement.

No one's interested in investing in Cuba because Castro has a nasty habit of taxing, or expropriating, any profitable enterprise into extinction.

Try reading the statues. The Helms Burton legislation made it law that any ship that goes and does business with Cuba cannot then enter US waters for a long period, so if you are a shipper you charge Cuba a fucking premuim to deliver because your ship is then excluded from the richest market in the hemisphere for a period. Further, the legislation penalizes companies that do business in Cuba under certain circumstances who also want to do business in the US. Needless to say, this also makes companies less willing to get involved. So, yes they are free to trade with Mexico, Japan, etc, but the legislation ensures that doing so causes hardship on those that they trade with, so they pay through the fucking nose for everything.

Have you any proof that the Cubans are being given these charges?

The theory that is the most believable is that they've no hard currency to spend. The embargo hasn't stopped Cuba offering a paradise to foreigners, a paradise with the latest medical technology.

Thats not what Ive heard from Cubans who do not belong to the Miami Cuban mafia.

Slander is not evidence.

Biased site

Show us why its wrong. It makes an impressive case, far more impressive that calling Cuban refugees "Miami Cuban Mafia" (a racist statement if ever I heard one, I suppose all Italians emigrants are in La Cosa Nostra?).

Of course, the best would be getting rid of Castro and communism and replacing it with a democracy free to choose its economic policies. The blockade should be lifted as a preliminary step to help repair the decades of damage from it and communist mismangement.
Agreed. Isolation only strengthens Castro and the blockade gives the regime a raison d'étre. Cut those and you effectively pull Casto's rug from under him.

Agreed. Isolation only strengthens Castro and the blockade gives the regime a rai

Isolating a system that thrives on control of dissent and free thought only makes it worse for the people. Opening up Cuba will break down their repressive communism much like it is doing (albeit slowly) in China.

In my recent travels to the Netherlands I encountered many Americans who left the United States to live there. Most of them live there illegally because it is so difficult for a US citizen to obtain a work visa in that country. Im sure that many people from the US also move to Canada, to the UK, to Germany. I personally know people who have moved to Japan. Emigration and immigration happens in all nations.

*nods*

When I was in Australia, I met several Americans who had moved there. One told me that the greatest number of illegal immigrants in Australia are actually Americans (far ahead of illegal immigrants from Asian countries).



Thats not what Ive heard from Cubans who do not belong to the Miami Cuban mafia. A friend who came from Cuba to study at my university found it shocking that you have to spend so much money to study. When he began telling me everything he got for free I had to ask the question, well....what did you use money for then? his response was to shrug his shoulders and say 'well....I buy books to read when Im bored'.


Bravo. Cuba-haters just want to paint it all black, and will never admit that there's a lot other nations could learn from Cuba.

And no, I'm not painting it all white, either. There are bad sides to the Cuban government as well as good ones.

Bravo. Cuba-haters just want to paint it all black, and will never admit that there's a lot other nations could learn from Cuba.

There's a nice little non sequitor.

NEWSFLASH

People who oppose Castro don't hate Cuba, in fact, considering what Castro has done to Cuba, the people who support Castro must hate Cuba.

There's a nice little non sequitor.

NEWSFLASH

People who oppose Castro don't hate Cuba, in fact, considering what Castro has done to Cuba, the people who support Castro must hate Cuba.

I fail to see any relevance of your statement to the current situation other than sarcasm.

Do Americans realise that the Cubans rose up in a revolution mainly because they were not satisfied with how they were quasi-ruled by Washington? People don't just rise up in revolution if life is good. The revolution was Communist because of the international Cold War situation - it could have been something else. If the British Empire was the United States' strongest enemy at the time, Cuba could well have become a British colony.

1) If Cuba is so wonderful and the leadership of Fidel Castro so great then how come so many people have left-and continue to leave Cuba every year?


Cuba isnt wonderful. But it is very very far from being an hellhole. And the Leadership of Fidel Castro.. well, he is not competent, but is a sort of an enlightened despot. He indeed loves is countrymen, though he is a dictator. The people understand this, and are complacent towards him, even if he is, again, incompetent.

Oh and..more people leave Mexico to the US then from Cuba to the US.



2) If Che Guevara was such a great Revolutionary why did he go after and kill innocent Christians just because they were Christians?


I have no information on this; When did Ernesto Guevara target Christians for being just Christians? Links, sources.


3) Was it right for Communist Guerillas to carry out terrorist attacks on rich people just because they were rich?

Most likely, because those rich people supported the enemies of the communist guerrilas.


4) Do you seriously believe that all Cuba's current economic problems are down to the American Embargo? Now Castro can get oil from Chavez why is their still an oil shortage in Cuba? Also can you blame the US on economic problems when Cuba can continue to trade with Mexico, Japan, Spain, Venezuala to get all the materials they need?

Cuba's economic problems derive from, well, Cuba and their economical organization (communism sucks when you talk about wealth). No one else.




5) When are the people going to get a decent infratructure?


Well, they do have very decent hotels.. :rolleyes:

OH! You mean houses that aren't falling apart? Oh well, see your question number 4.


6) Do you really believe this 'Free healthcare' crap? Do you know that the best quality healthcare goes to foreigners who pay with hard cash? The average Cuban has the most atrocious facilities to use. If you dont believe me check here- http://www.therealcuba.com/page3.htm

I have to admit there was a time when I believed the 'hype' and 'free Healthcare Crap' but I have the facts now.

This should be a good thread!


Well, i'm sorry, but that link must come from someone that really dislikes Cuba, because if they have anything bad, its their health system. It is free, and very efficient: When we took holidays on Cuba, my father was poisoned by this freak sea creature (dont know how to tranlate the name of the thing), and he had better treatment than in any other place we have been: It was quick, free, efficient, by good educated, nice doctors, in humble, but adequaly equiped hospital. So i'm sorry, but the link that you provided has absolutly no contact with Cuban reality.

And note: In the hotels of cuba, cubans can't get in (That's right). But in the hospitals, they can, so that treatment was available not just for my father, a tourist, but also to any other cuban.

Cuba's government is pretty bad... but much better than lots of America's allies. And probably better than the previous Cuban regieme which America supported.

Thinking America's policy towards Cuba is unjust is not the same as saying Cuba's government is "so wonderful".

At least Batista didn't intervene in other countries' affairs like Cuba did. Under Batista, Cuba didn't even have a death penalty. If it wasn't for the U.S., Castro would never have come to power. Read The Fourth Floor by ambassador Earl E.T. Smith. Smith wanted Batista to leave, and then for Cuba to hold free elections. The State Department said in effect: We don't want elections. We want Fidel Castro.

Do Americans realise that the Cubans rose up in a revolution mainly because they were not satisfied with how they were quasi-ruled by Washington? People don't just rise up in revolution if life is good. The revolution was Communist because of the international Cold War situation - it could have been something else. If the British Empire was the United States' strongest enemy at the time, Cuba could well have become a British colony.

Most Cubans did not participate in the revolution. While no one will argue that the vast majority of Cubans hated Batista, few of them supported Castro, as the Cuban people were anticommunist. And as I said, Castro would never have succeeded without help from the State Department.

Well, i'm sorry, but that link must come from someone that really dislikes Cuba, because if they have anything bad, its their health system. It is free, and very efficient: When we took holidays on Cuba, my father was poisoned by this freak sea creature (dont know how to tranlate the name of the thing), and he had better treatment than in any other place we have been: It was quick, free, efficient, by good educated, nice doctors, in humble, but adequaly equiped hospital. So i'm sorry, but the link that you provided has absolutly no contact with Cuban reality.

And note: In the hotels of cuba, cubans can't get in (That's right). But in the hospitals, they can, so that treatment was available not just for my father, a tourist, but also to any other cuban.


Yes, one would think that one would consult a fucking body with no vested interest if one wanted an unbiased opinion on their health care.

Take, for example, the World Health Organization....

Cuba: http://www.who.int/countries/cub/en/
The US: http://www.who.int/countries/usa/en/

Dang, the numbers for longevity etc. are almost exact matches.... except Cuba does it on about 5% the budget of the US.


Yeah, so we can look at the amount of expensive high-tech shit that WE expect in hospitals and can conculde that Cuba is back in the dark ages, but it's a pretty fucking healthy version of the dark ages indeed!

I mean, look at a wealthy Carribean country like the Bahamas: http://www.who.int/countries/bhs/en/

Cuba has better longevity and rates of infant mortality less than half of what the Bahamas has, and does it on one quarter the budget.

It's not a perfect system that they have, but you sure as hell can't fault the bang for the buck that they get out of it! In other words, it's efficient as hell and a model of how to be pretty damn effective delivering medical services on a limited budget.

the US Naval base/prison that "tortures" their "3 Hots & a Cot" ununiformed/irregular, illegal combatants?the POWs?, why do you call them "illegal"

Most Cubans did not participate in the revolution. While no one will argue that the vast majority of Cubans hated Batista, few of them supported Castro, as the Cuban people were anticommunist. And as I said, Castro would never have succeeded without help from the State Department.
I'm sorry??? The State Department?

I'm sorry??? The State Department?

Read The Fourth Floor.

Read The Fourth Floor.

Is it a non-fiction book?

Most Cubans did not participate in the revolution. While no one will argue that the vast majority of Cubans hated Batista, few of them supported Castro, as the Cuban people were anticommunist. And as I said, Castro would never have succeeded without help from the State Department.


YEah, well, most Americans did not actively participate in the Revolution either, and indeed even the notion that secession was desired by a majority of the populace has come under debate from time to time. MAny loyalists were butchered, their lands stolen, and/or were driven out of the country in the process of establishing the United States. And, for that matter, nor would the revolution have succeeded without France.


So, if you are going to require majority participation, total civic support, and a lack of outside help as the benchmark to decide on the legitimacy of a government, does that make the US an illegitimate country?

Is it a non-fiction book?

Of course it is. Did you know, for example:

1.The 'anticommunist' U.S. imposed an arms embargo on Cuba?
2.The U.S. refused to deliver armored vehicles to Cuba that had been bought and paid for by the Cuban government?
3.That many members of the State Department openly sympathized with Castro?
4.That the U.S. refused to support Batista's proposal to hold free elections and then leave the country?
5.That the U.S. refused the idea of supporting any democratic, pro-U.S., anticommunist candidates, and consistently supported Castro?

Of course it is. Did you know, for example:

1.The 'anticommunist' U.S. imposed an arms embargo on Cuba?
2.The U.S. refused to deliver armored vehicles to Cuba that had been bought and paid for by the Cuban government?
3.That many members of the State Department openly sympathized with Castro?
4.That the U.S. refused to support Batista's proposal to hold free elections and then leave the country?
5.That the U.S. refused the idea of supporting any democratic, pro-U.S., anticommunist candidates, and consistently supported Castro?

I didn't know that. Honest. If I get the time I'll sure read up about it. The Cuban Revolution is very interesting. Thanks! :D

I didn't know that. Honest. If I get the time I'll sure read up about it. The Cuban Revolution is very interesting. Thanks! :D

No problem. If you want a list of books detailing U.S. pro-communist foreign policy, TG me, and I'll give you a list (I can name at least 50 off the top of my head).

Well, they do have very decent hotels.. :rolleyes:

OH! You mean houses that aren't falling apart? Oh well, see your question number 4. The houses are falling apart because the Cuban government cant get it together anf get some decent fund to re-build the infrastructure. Either that or most likely that Castro doesnt care.



Well, i'm sorry, but that link must come from someone that really dislikes Cuba, because if they have anything bad, its their health system. It is free, and very efficient: When we took holidays on Cuba, my father was poisoned by this freak sea creature (dont know how to tranlate the name of the thing), and he had better treatment than in any other place we have been: It was quick, free, efficient, by good educated, nice doctors, in humble, but adequaly equiped hospital. So i'm sorry, but the link that you provided has absolutly no contact with Cuban reality.

And note: In the hotels of cuba, cubans can't get in (That's right). But in the hospitals, they can, so that treatment was available not just for my father, a tourist, but also to any other cuban. The link come from someone who is a Cuban-American and knows what they are talking about. Your father got the service he needed because he was a tourist and the doctor treatment was covered by the hotel bills you paid for. And the so-called Cubans you saw at the hospital-if you are telling the truth were most likely Spaniards or cuban-Americans visiting their families.