Fidel Castro

[EjercitoFidelista]

Yes all People in Florida hate Fidel castro .. but why .. alot of reasons.. Fidel was a real revolutionary.. he kicked out Batista.. out.. of cuba.. but in the same time.. Cuban pople hate and want to kill Fidel.. hey.. thats nromal .. ,Mexico wants to find and kill ex president salinas.. just the same wya iraq peopel hate huseim .. FIdel .. at least tryss to give the peopel food.. Fidel castro .. is not getting no help .. at all .. The Russians just used Cuba for they can plan nukes in Cuba.. for they can have bombs pointing at The u.s after that Russia was liek what ever.. they just left Cuba as a dead island.. But fidel never gaved up .. Its like Fidel Castro said.. I bet you if i go to the United States ill find People that fought in wars liek vietnam and the gulf war in the streets with no homes and no life.. just stuck in the drugs .. you coem to Cuba . and you wont see nothing like that here.. everybody works hard! and together!.. with little food.. pero UNIDOS!.. Fidel lost its reputation of that fact.. peopel thought he betrayed the revolution.. but he when agaisnt the United states in the bay of pigs.. but .. hahaha.. The united states.. was afraid of sending ther eown men.. THE UNITED STATES. ITS CURROPTED.. THEY HIDE.. THINGS.. AND.. THEY TAKE OUR MONEY.. TO BUILT THERE LITTLE TOYS.. IN THE END.. THIS BIG MONSTER OF THE DEMOCRACY SYSTEM .. IS GOIGN TO GO DOWN.. one way or another.. -FIDEL CASTRO..

[man in the red suit]

and you have still failed to explain why the people hate Fidel. Are you leaving out the fact that he kills people maybe?

[Che Entifada]

" why the people hate Fidel " .. simply , yes he did things wrongly + usa Propaganda ..

[EjercitoFidelista]

Look.. IF Fidel did kill people.. that was in the days of the Revolution.. HE DID kill people. the people that didint Support the revolution. But he doesent just kill people just for the fuck of it..

[Nateddi]

I support fidel 100%

[man in the red suit]

I never said that Fidel kills people for the fuck of it. I said that Fidel kills people when they don't agree with his ideas or speak out against him publicly. Either that or he throws them in jail.

[yourfriend]

I honestly cant believe that anyone would support Fidel. He has done nothing to advance the world in todays society and he sure as hell hasn't brought peace to the Earth. Or at least he isnt trying to.

[PunkRawker677]

Not all people in Florida hate Fidel. I am in florida, and i certainly don't hate fidel.

yourfriend - what has Bush done to "advance the world in todays society" and what has he done to bring peace to the world? Fidel Castro has given thousands of doctors to various countries in Latin America and Africa.

[EjercitoFidelista]

Thank you fellow Hermanos,brothers.. for supporting.. Fidel Castro. punk rawker,.man in the red suit ,nateddi,Fidel .. supports other countrys.. yes he does.. he sends doctors.. try to stop the HIV disease in Africa.. But yes what about BUSH . he wants to go to war with husseim.. he wants to blow everybody away..Fidel Castro .. was helping the united states for the anti terroist.. association.. so please.. dont diss Fidel Castro.. if you really dont have nothign to say bad about him.. and i ment about Florida.. the Cubans.. but im pretty sure.. other people dislike Castro .. with out even knowing the Icon...HASTA LA VISTORIA SIEMPRE -Fidel!

[IHP]

yourfriend,

"he's done nothing to advance" WTF, why would you say something like that, so very false.

for example, the literacy rate in Cuba, is now at 96%, because of his education programs. how many "poor" countries have a literacy rate as impressive as that?

does anyone know what the current U$ literacy rate is?

--IHP

[PunkRawker677]

"and i ment about Florida.. the Cubans.. "

I'm Cuban too. =)

[Iepilei]

alot of the cuban families that now reside in Florida are decendants of exiles.

[trebboR]

The literacy rate in the USA is 100% minus one man, Bush himself.

No just kidding don't know what the literacy rate is in the USA but I do know that Fidel isn't a bad man. Offcourse he ain't perfect, but was Ché perfect, or Marx or Lenin or Bush? No offcourse not, everyone makes misstakes, but because of Fidel's high position his mistakes are noticed easyer. But that is with ervery high politicus, right or left wing, Bush or Fidel. They all make mistakes and bad decissions. But people like Fidel are trying to make the live for his people good, but Bush probably doesn't even know that there live people in the USA.

[Che Entifada]

(i hate pinochet is right) .. Fidel did good things and in the other hand he did things wrongly. But that dont lead us to say that hes a bad person ..
Another thing , if some cubans hate him , that doesnt mean that all cubans realy hate him .. and i said the american propaganda has it`s effects in deforming fidel and the revolution .

[Reuben]

Is is ridiculous to say that Fidel has done nothing to advance the world. Mandela himslelf has said that if it was not for Cuba he would still be in prison. The reason for this dates back to the CIA backed south african invsion of the newly independent Angola. They seeked to bring about a friendly regime in south africa which would have inevitably perpetuated apartheid. The only counhtry that sent troops to defend the capital was Cuba.
life expectancy in Cuba is 76. Infant mortality is around 8 compared to 28 in Haiti.
2) lets get something straight, the great mass of the Cuban-american community are emigres not exiles. They left because they did not like the way the economy was being organised (IE in the interests of the great mass of cubans) and left seeking to overthrow the regime. I recognize though that there ae number of political exiles and people who emigrated because of the poverty caused by the blockade.

[Mazdak]

Fidel is one of the best leaders around. How many can claim to have gone through 9 US presidents under embargo? He is on the tenth. He has done so much, and those worms aren't worth the lace on his shoes. He got rid of drugs, brothels, and the mafia prescence. He is a true hero of the people!

[Conghaileach]

from trebboR:
The literacy rate in the USA is 100% minus one man, Bush himself.

No just kidding don't know what the literacy rate is in the USA but I do know that Fidel isn't a bad man.

The US has the lowest adult literacy rate for a first world country. I believe that it's somewhere around 95%. This translates to roughly 13 million illerate adults in the US, more people than the entire population of Cuba.

(Edited by CiaranB at 5:48 pm on Oct. 14, 2002)

[trebboR]

13 million people who can't read in the USA? Damn that's alot, didn't thought it was that bad. That's almost the same amount of people who live in my country.

[Guardia Bolivariano]

The only ones that hate Fidel are the people that hate socialism and revolution.In other words the big mayoraty are cappie pigs.

[Conghaileach]

from trebboR:
13 million people who can't read in the USA? Damn that's alot, didn't thought it was that bad.

Shit, you're right. I worked it out wrong. There are actually about 7 million illerate adults in the US.

[Lefty]

thats the population of Iowa...times 3. Jesus... There was an article in News about how Fidel made like 200 new schools and a new school for the blind/disabled in like 4 months. After reading that, can you honestly say he has done nothing?

[IHP]

ciaranB--"The US has the lowest adult literacy rate for a first world country. I believe that it's somewhere around 95%."

lmao!! you have to be joking?! thats so funny. so when one compares their relative literacy rates

Cuba: 96%
U$A: 95%

one must see how goddamn funny that looks. thats unbelievable.

--IHP

[EjercitoFidelista]

Fellow brothers.. Fellow Fidel castro Followers!.. Thank you for keeping this Topic alive and im been seeing these comments fromt hese negative people.. that think Fidel is shit.. dont pay attention.. People that hate him.. Dont know the real truth of FIDEL.. making the revolution for the people.. He wouldnt risk his life.. just for nothing.. and hes not spycho.. he hwas int he U.S CIA.. and the CIA send FIdel to revolt Cuba.. but Fidel turned on The U.S.. he saw how it was working.. when Jfk was president.. he saw that the U.s was controlling everything.. and more with JFK president.. cuz he was linked wi the mob.. they controleld the casinos .. sugar.. coffe everything.. that cUBA had.. they took controleld.. and batista didint care as longest he was in power and had money fromt he US. he was good.. but fidel said this is enough.. he shut down the casinos and all operations.. of being send to THE U.S were shut down as well.. Fidel Castro.. is trying his best to do Cuba better.. at elast one leader is that has been ruling over 30 years.. !.. He wants whats best for the people.. and he didint get no help from the mafia.. liek JFK had to get hlep to be president..

[Comrade Marcel]

I love Fidel Castro, and I hope he lives a long time.

As for Cuba's literacy rate, last I heard it was actually 99%, not 96% but I could be wrong.

The HIV/AIDS rate in Cuba is 0.03% as of 1999 - less then 3,000 people. that's amazing when compared with Jamaica (0.71%), Haiti (5.17%), Guyana (3.01%), Trinidad & Tobago (1.05%) & the U.S. (0.61%, 850,000 people; 20,000 deaths). The only country with such a low rate (that I know of) is mine, Canada (0.03%, 49,000 people; 400 deaths).

And for people who do end up with HIV/AIDS in Cuba, chronic care facilities are available to them. A poor person in the U.S. would not be so fortunate if they got HIV/AIDS and couldn't afford treatment they would have to suffer.

I am working on going to Cuba for about a year or so but I don't want to stay in a resort like most fools do, I want to live and work like a real Cuban. I have to learn Spanish first though, even though a lot of people down there speak very good English I want to learn how to speak Spanish with them.

The biggest thing that worries me is the U.S. might try something when Fidel dies... If they do I would seriously consider helping Cuba fight against this!

[Conghaileach]

from i hate pinochet:
Cuba: 96%
U$A: 95%

one must see how goddamn funny that looks. thats unbelievable.

It's the truth.

Compare the populations:
Cuba - 11 million
US - 270 million

Since the revolution was successful, Castro has spent the last 40 years making education and healthcare his top priorities. Before 1959, I doubt that 40% could read in Cuba.

You think that's bad, you should see the difference between the election turn-outs. The US usually gets less than 50% turn-out, whereas in Cuba elections can draw up to 98% of the population out to vote. Apathy has set in the US - they realise the pointlessness of elections in the US.

[redstar2000]

Many years ago I spent a couple of months in Cuba. What I remember most, aside from how incredibly friendly the Cuban people are, was the feeling of walking around Havana wherever and whenever I wanted...and not being afraid of the police! Try THAT in the USA!

[Jaha]

if you fear the cops in the USA, you are pathetic. i see like, i cop a month. you think im going to get arrested? you think anybody will?

also, cuba worries me. what happens to dissedents? they are not welcome. dissedents are necessary to the existance of a free state. and castro wields the power. what kind of government gives one man such power? not a perfect government. not communism.

[PunkRawker677]

"if you fear the cops in the USA, you are pathetic. i see like, i cop a month. you think im going to get arrested? you think anybody will?"

Well, thats fine and dandy but you obviously live in a very crime-free area. living in miami - i see anywhere from 50 - 150 cops on a daily basis. I will get stopped by one at least once a week. I've been arrested, and i'm sure i will be arressted more times in the future. Step outside, my brother, and see the real world.

"cuba worries me."
Peanut Butter worries me. Doesn't mean its a threat.

"dissedents are necessary to the existance of a free state"

Define free state and then explain to me why dissidents are necessary to the existance of this so-called free state.

"what kind of government gives one man such power?"
A goverment that has been under constant fear of attack by the world's only super power. a goverment that is under a 40 year trade embargo by the world's only super power. A country that knows as soon as Castro is out of power, the U.S. will jump on and hijack the country once again.

[Jaha]

umm.... first... i am in the real world. obviously in a better part then you are though. lucky me.

second, peanut butter doesnt worry me. im not much of a worrier.

third, a free state would be a state where people are not restricted unecessarily or forced to do unnecessary work. maybe im crazy, but my belief of an ultimate government would be that where all are equal as in a commune, but all are free like a democracy. the Iroquois did it, but the US killed them for it. and the necessity would be so that human rights can be protected. if you rely on the government to be perfect, remember, the officials are human, and humans are idiots.

fourthly, (is that a word?) like i said, a commune where people are more or less equal, they would not invest so much power into one man. monarchies do that. i think we can all agree that monarchy is a foolish system.

[IHP]

Quote: from CiaranB on 6:32 pm on Oct. 15,
one must see how goddamn funny that looks. thats unbelievable.

It's the truth.

Compare the populations:
Cuba - 11 million
US - 270 million

Since the revolution was successful, Castro has spent the last 40 years making education and healthcare his top priorities. Before 1959, I doubt that 40% could read in Cuba.

You think that's bad, you should see the difference between the election turn-outs. The US usually gets less than 50% turn-out, whereas in Cuba elections can draw up to 98% of the population out to vote. Apathy has set in the US - they realise the pointlessness of elections in the US.


now who was it that said that Catro has done nothing to advance? to you i say:

puesto eso en su pipa y fumela

--IHP

[PunkRawker677]

"third, a free state would be a state where people are not restricted unecessarily or forced to do unnecessary work"

People aren't "forced" or "restricted" to do unnecessary work. Please give me an example of this.

"maybe im crazy"
maybe.

"but my belief of an ultimate government would be that where all are equal as in a commune, but all are free like a democracy."

Thats your belief, and i respect it. IDEALLY i agree with you. But extreme circumstances call for extreme measures. Castro is trying to secure socialism in Cuba, to let down power would be to open Cuba up for the U.S. I don't agree with dictatorships. Castro has done plenty of good. Not only bad.

"and the necessity would be so that human rights can be protected."

Define "Human Rights". Is it a human right for everyone to have medical treatment? Is it a human right for everyone to be educated? to be fed? to be housed?

"monarchies do that. "

Monarchies and Dictatorships are very different. While dictatorships in itself are not good, not all dictators are bad. Yes, there are similarities between monarchy and dictatorships, but there are also similarities between dictatorships and democracy. In democracy (as we see in america) one person hold power for a certain period of time. In a dictatorship, one person holds power for a certain period of time. If a dictator was to die 4 years after power, it would be even more comparable.

[Comrade Marcel]

Just to make things clear here, everyone in power in Cuba is elected by the people, including Fidel Castro. Universal Suffrage from age 16, contested seats, secret ballots. If the people want to they can recall their elected official within a years time, in North America you get a 4-5 year dictator. They even vote on things there that we don't get to, like community leaders, women's groups & other issues. In fact, the Cuban electoral system is the most complex in the world. So complex that from the time they announce an election to the time it actually takes place is longer then anywhere else in the world because of how long it takes to prepare everything.

Don't believe me? Ask a Cuban, or there is a number of good books on the subject you can read if interested.

LONG LIVE FIDEL CASTRO!

http://www.griffith-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/castro.jpghttp://www.thewarstore.net/Extras/fidel.jpg
http://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900388/images/castro_rebel01.jpghttp://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900388/images/cuba_rev03.jpg
http://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900388/images/fidel_mayo.jpghttp://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900388/images/fidel.jpg
http://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900388/images/fidelspeech.jpg
http://w1.1559.telia.com/~u155900388/images/fidel_flag_langt.jpg



(Edited by Comrade Marcel at 4:06 am on Oct. 16, 2002)

[PunkRawker677]

Yes, marcel you are right. The first time i went to Cuba, in 92 i was suprised to find out that cuba WAS democratic. More democratic then the united states. They elected numerous leaders. Community, provincial, and more. Your advice to "ask a cuban" is bad advice as most cuban-americans will deny it even though they know it is true. In Cuba, people will tell you the truth and if lucky, you will be able to witness it for yourself.

[Comrade Marcel]

Quote: from PunkRawker677 on 4:04 am on Oct. 16, 2002
Yes, marcel you are right. The first time i went to Cuba, in 92 i was suprised to find out that cuba WAS democratic. More democratic then the united states. They elected numerous leaders. Community, provincial, and more. Your advice to "ask a cuban" is bad advice as most cuban-americans will deny it even though they know it is true. In Cuba, people will tell you the truth and if lucky, you will be able to witness it for yourself.


Your right, I should have said ask someone who lives in Cuba.

You can find lots of people on ICQ, look here (http://web.icq.com/whitepages/search_results/1,,,00.html?FirstName=&LastName=&NickName=&Email=&Gender=0&AgeRange=&Lang=0&Phone=&City=&State=&Country=53&Occupation=0&Dept=&Company=&PastInfo=0&PastInfoText=&Interest=0&InterestText=&SubInterest=&Group=0&GroupText=&Photo=on&x=26&y=8).

My organization, young left had some people come from Cuba and explain all this stuff. It sounds like you live in the boonies or something (you only see one cop per day, I live in Canada and see atleast 10 cops a day and have been harassed for wearing the hammer and sickle by cops) but you might want to look in to finding Cuban solidarity groups as well.

BTW, what the hell would worry you about Cuba? Cuba has a lot more to worry about from the U.S. - the U.S. Imperialists are the aggressors - the U.S. would have blown Cuba off the globe if the Soviet Union had not armed them.

(Edited by Comrade Marcel at 4:14 am on Oct. 16, 2002)

[PunkRawker677]

I talk to my cousin on ICQ almost everyday. Hes in cuba, in the University. Hes studying computer programming and hes always telling me about it, but i don't have a clue what the hell hes talking about - lol.

[Comrade Marcel]

BTW, I think the link I posted puts to rest the myth that people in Cuba aren't allowed to have computers. I actually had a guy tell me this with a straight face, and he went to Cuba.

The problem is with most people who have been to Cuba is that they where too busy getting drunk to actually learn anything or have a cultural experience. Then they compare the conditions that they see there with the conditions here. You can't, Cuba is still a 3rd world country & to compare peoples houses/lifestyle there with that of a suburb in the 1st world is ridiculous.

And listening to an American talk about Cuba is laughable too since they can't even legaly go to Cuba! That's American "Freedom"!

[El Zapatista]

Well, I'm Mexican, but I really like the way Fidel castro is running Cuba. When Fidel stared the cuban revolution i think there were many facts that make him look bad. Yes maybe he killed people, but U.S killed people in their revolution, Mexico killed people in their revolution. I mean that's a revolution you have to fight for your beliefs and that's what he did. He defeated Fulgencio Batista, a fuckin' guy that had the Stalin's style of rulling a country. I think Stalin was cruel, I like comunism, but he was cruel. Well I think Fidel is the man that change Cubas, and Cuban's future making schools ,and being there for the people, also I know that Cuba is in a bad economical situation because Cuba lost the support of the Soviet Union went this Union had ended. Well that's the way I think, but if I'm wrong I'll read other comments.

[Jaha]

what really annoys me is this: what happens when castro dies?? who has proved himself worthy of dictatorship? if cuba is as you say, there wont be another revolution. therefore, there will not be any obvious successor. and by the way we all love castro, it would be hard to believe that elections would find another person like him. the cubans are screwed any way you turn it.

[PunkRawker677]

There is a good chance that when Castro dies the United States will come in an hijack Cuba once again, but Castro has taken some precautions to limit the chance of that happening. A recent, and popular one, was the law that stated that socialism is "unrevokable" in Cuba.

[Jaha]

but who is the next leader? who is worthy? as we have seen in the US elections do not guarantee that a good man gets office. castro got power by seizing it. if cuba decides that way, that implies a war of succession. i could never support that.

[PunkRawker677]

Raul Castro takes power after Fidel's death and hold democratic elections.

at least thats what is SUPPOSED to happen.

[Jaha]

well, castro has more power in cuba then g w bush has in the US, correct? what im getting at is that in the US, elected officials are supposed to answer to the public. as i understand it, it is not quite the same in cuba. are elections enoughto get the perfect dictator?

and how come nobody argues against castro being called a dictrator?? dictatorships are faulty, but you all seem to approve....

[PunkRawker677]

I'm not defending Castro being a dictator. i have, many times, critisized him for that. but, on the other hand, Castro has done TONS of good. and people are elected in Cuba, just not Castro. Castro is at the top of the ladder but there are many steps leading there, and many elected officials in between.

[EjercitoFidelista]

Look you swear that Fidel Castro .. is not preparing another man with the same beliefs and dictatorship as him.. Hes probrably got a man set ready to go .. after his death. and there is no way that Fidel is going to let the United Stes take over.. thats the last thing he would do .. Fidel might support the U.S in some situations.. but.. int he saemtime Fidel does not like THE U.S.. Thank you people for keeping this TOPIC ALIVE!..

[jon doe]

G'day

i really don't think we should be either critising or praising castro until we have visted cuba ourselves, so all the people who just accept the US propaganda do some research on cuba and find out the truth then travel to cuba and all the people who blindly swollow the trots propaganda wake up cuba ain't perfect you should visit it to.

cuba is neither an enlightened socialist utopia or a harsh undemocratic dictatorship. its got lots of good points but also some bad points (for example the huge budget speant by the govt on propaganda and beurocracy)

thanks
-r.

[Jaha]

good thinking jon, but i see 1 problem. the people who see cuba as good will be more prone to visit and say it is great. while people who dislike cuba will be less prone to visit. and if they do they will say it is worse than they thought.

"we see things not as they are, but as we are." --nin

[PunkRawker677]

I lived in Cuba and have been to Cuba numerous times. All my family, except one member, currently resides in Cuba.

[Libertarius]

It would be a little more difficult to keep your country in line with an economic embargot on it. The people would blame you for society's shortcomings, when it's really the bully nation to the north.

[splendor solis]

i really really respect both cuba and fidel. I spent about 2 months in cuba traveling to the more urban cities, and the cuban's seriously loved fidel and they were all united it was such a nice atmosphere. Now you've got all the countries in the world and America the 'most poerful' country in the world is exportin essential elements to other countries, and heres cuba, a small country survivin without america and they r NOT impecunious, and they are not tryin to hang on to the edge of their lives. Fidel is doing a really good job of keepin the americans out stirring trouble in cuba. Hes tracked down many american plots and stopped them quickly. sure cuba may not be the wealthiest country but its proven it can stand on its own.

[andresG]

There are restrictions of freedoms in Cuba. This can not be denied. But these restrictions are necessary because the United States does not accept Cuba's right to exist and their right to choose their proper destiny. These restrictions are justified in order to protect the Revolution.

Speaking of freedom, let's take a look at the so called democratic countries of Latin America. What good is an election if no matter who you pick, they will do nothing to combat starvation, inequality and illiteracy? Democracy in Latin America is a big joke.


(Edited by andresG at 1:45 am on Oct. 19, 2002)

[Libertarius]

I heard Colin Powell say on CNN, "North Korea needs to make an important decision. They must stop their nuclear weapons program, and invest money in their social services." ROFL! The US = United States of Hypocracy. You must see the way democracy in the US is declining.

[EjercitoFidelista]

AS YOU people said. the United states.. does not excpet Cuba to chose there destiny.. thats the main reason why Fidel .. never liked to work with The united states.. not even in the Ecnomy cuz he knew if he did..The u.s would of taken over and give him the boot.. CUba might not be strong.. my not have a strong Military .. and maybe not a good Economy.. but.. hey look at the bright side.. He has been doing his best.. in anyhting he can to keep Cuba alive!! and United!He has not gone in a killing rampage like Stalin did..

[jon doe]

g'day

to any of the cubans/ex-cubans-
are you allowed free accsess to the net in cuba or are certain sites restricted?

thanks
-r.

[EjercitoFidelista]

Im not Cuban .. but ill guess a no..

[EjercitoFidelista]

And just to make sure about MARX.. liking anarchism.. no no .. all wrong.. Marx was against anarchy .. to put things right.. Karl MArx just wanted a society where everybody was equal .. no one bigger than someone else.. no Rich people taking advantage of the poor. thats all he needed...

[PunkRawker677]

Last time i went to Cuba the internet was practically unknown. But at that time, it wasn't that big here either. Now, i know for sure, my cousin who is a University student has access to the internet - unrestricted - and has told me it is the same in every university. This is just what i have heard tho, so i can't give you an exact truthful answer on this. Sorry!

[Jaha]

it is extremely difficult to block only part of the internet if i understand correctly. you would end up blocking off the whole net.

[LeonardoDaVinci]

Like I said many times before, Castro should be credited with the progressive transformation of Cuba fom a backward and corrupt totalitarian state to one of the most egalitarian states on this planet. And although I can't deny that in doing so he has oppressed various groups, I believe that considering the hostility of the United States and it's determination to overthrow the Cuban government and install puppet regimes as it did in most central and south american states justifies Castro's quasi-totalitarian control.

[EjercitoFidelista]

Yes Fidel castro should be credit of everythign he has done.. peopel might judge Fidel and those are the peopel that just listen what peopel tell them about him.. but if they really do research .. then theyll know whats going on.. but peopel now in days.. liek to be brain wash i guess.. by other people.. Thank you all you brothers ans sisters that support Fidel .