The words fade away
For several years I’ve been noticing that we’ve stopped using such conciliatory words as “excuse me,” “pardon me” and “I’m sorry.” When we put our foot in our mouth, we would rather blame clumsiness than admit our failure. Into that absurd “code of national male-chauvinism,” with laughable phrases such as “a real man doesn’t drink soup, doesn’t eat sweets, etc, etc.,” someone has added the phrase: “A real Cuban doesn’t have to apologize.”
I remember the hilarious anecdote of a friend of mine, whose toe was “crushed” by the narrow heel of a lady passing by. When he realized the lady was not going to apologize, he got closer to her and said, “Forgive me, Madam, for getting your heel dirty.” The woman didn’t like the irony at all, and she came very close to again crushing the toe of her “victim.” All this because she didn’t want to pronounce the magic words to express her regret for the mistake she made.
How many times have we been badly waited on, insulted or ignored by a waiter who is incapable of articulating words such as, “I’m very sorry, Sir.” A phrase like that does not fix the problem, but at least it leaves you with the sensation that there was no premeditation in such bad service. The record for undelivered apologies, however, goes to the bureaucrats and politicians.  They’ve been our teachers in this “intensive course of not regretting anything.”
We are exceptional students of a government that, in almost fifty years of “dancing alone” on the stage of our politics, has never given an apology for anything.  We’ve been waiting in vain for the necessary mea culpa for the revolutionary crackdown in 1968, for the atrocity of the repudiation meetings, for the dependence on the Soviet Union, and for the successive and disastrous economic plans that ended up in this productive strangulation. In short, the list is so long and so dramatic that, instead of an apology, it demands a prolonged act of “public self-flagellation.”
Oh, well. I already know politicians never apologize. Â That’s why we, their small copies who imitate them, repeating their slogans and poses, also emulate them in not apologizing. Â ”For what?” the lady who stepped on my friend’s foot would ask. Â We already have our toes crushed and up there they don’t want to recognize that they already have their soles “dirty.”
Graffiti on the barrel: Save. (in white: “that”) There isn’t much.
Noviembre 6th, 2008 at 16:18
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Mayo 15th, 2008 at 15:13
Here in Brazil, during the “mensalĂŁo” scandal, the president just said that he didn’t know anything. However, brazilian governors tend to use apologies as a way to appear more human, to win people’s admiration.
Not apologizing is inhuman (only gods don’t apologize. In the Bible, God just does what he means, without the need of explaining, and the humans just don’t want to know why.). The case of the dirty heel is emblematic. When a person treats another that way, he or she is saying that “some animals are more equal than others”.
Mayo 13th, 2008 at 04:07
Living in the United States for many years, I learned that government functionaries and leaders can do more than merely ‘not apologize’. Perhaps the single most important phrase that’s come out of the travesty of Iraq came when the Vice President said, not “We made a mistake”, but “Mistakes were made”. That simple bit of semantic change meant that no one was responsible.
‘I’ made a mistake, or ‘he’ made a mistake, or ‘we’ made a mistake… all these are admissions of responsibility. “Mistakes were made” is mere acknowledgement without responsibility.
It is, of course, a true statement– mistakes were made. But they were made by individuals… and that is what the politicians will never admit.
And, of course, there are the false apologies. In the case of the man whose foot was stepped on, had the woman said “I’m sorry that you didn’t like my stepping on your foot”, it would not have meant the same as “I’m sorry that I stepped on your foot”. The first acknowledges no guilt on her part– his feelings of pain or insult were his own responsibility.
Never believe anyone who says ‘Oh, that’s just semantics”. Semantics are all we have with which to communicate, and when we choose our words in ways to avoid responsibility… well, the Fidels and the Bushs of the world may be closer than they’d like to admit.
Mayo 12th, 2008 at 08:05
Every Generation says the same thing.
Welcome to being old.
youngsters have always been losing their manners.
Life is hard in Cuba -Welcome to Latin America.
This generation will no doubt continue the effort towards a better society.
Even if it is a dream…its one worth living for.
Peace.
Mayo 12th, 2008 at 01:49
Geetings from Los Angeles, CA USA. God bless you Geny. I am a proud American of Cuban decent (mi mama es de Palma Soriano y mi papa es de Guantanamo). We are very proud of you and pray that God keep you healthy, brave and safe. My father is writing an article about you in next week’s edition of 20 DE MAYO- a local newspaper of Cuban exiles who have fled the tyrannical regime. It can be accessed through 20demayo.com. YOU ARE A TRUE HEROINE!
Mayo 11th, 2008 at 16:25
You have a very special blog…i am an old-timer..born in 1955, but i think the internet is a very good thing. as well as all digital technology. i started my blog in aug 2005 and my youtube channel in jan of this year…we differ in style, you are very polite and im more of a in your face style….i admire and respect people who have courage, and you certainly do, as well as intelligence. my politics are a mix of left-libertarian and free market style economics.. keep up the great work and congratulations on your new international awards…peace, markus from tampabay , fl…
Mayo 11th, 2008 at 15:22
Jon…
The more you are willing to accept responsibility for your actions, the more credibility you will have….
Mayo 10th, 2008 at 12:09
Yoani, well said but one of those macho gringos who dont say “i’m sorry” or never say he makes mistakes is Bush, and look at the 100K plus civilian deaths including children and also animals in irak. It’s nice you have this blogo but you are there and not here and now in these latter years I have seen that your liberator Marti was right in the 1800s when he said ” I know the monster because I lived under its “entran~as”..and this is still true after centuries. You really don.t know you live good and happy there, the only ones that live happily in USA are the white skinned ones as racism and discrimination is rampant in USA, they get the best jobs and pay just for their race and justice is not equal also. I wish you can come and live here for 6 months or a year, just recently one of your countrymen surprised me, with less than a year here he found out what I found out in 2 decades. very clever man, he is now doing papers to move to spain. He noticed the prejudice quickly and disliked it. I hope someday someone tells you the same thing..that’s really evil to judge somebody for his/her skin color or national origin, this is hate and all haters are evil, period, and this grows with the years and I soon will get the hell outta here.
God bless you…
Mayo 9th, 2008 at 21:58
Eco on Yanesti’s first paragraph. In Holland, where I live, sorry, excuse me and thank you are extinct words. No matter where you are, live… is not about race or culture, is about moral.
Mayo 9th, 2008 at 19:36
Good luck for you!
Free cuba!
Mayo 9th, 2008 at 06:30
i saw your news in Malaysia newspaper, i really impress by your spirit
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 23:20
congratulation on time 100! you are a secret no more. i live in mobile alabama the sister city of havana. we are polite here. you should come visit. i have been to havana. very beautiful. keep writing. i will put you on my web site coastal alabama.tv! adios robin delaneY
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 22:25
I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU CAN EQUATE A LAW ABOUT SEAT BELTS TO BEING BAKED ALIVE IN A TIN CELL AS IS DR. OSCAR ELIAS BISSET! IT WILL SOON BE OVER FOR THE CASTRO BROTHERS. FIDEL IS DEAD AND RAUL IS HOLDING ON UNTIL THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELCTIONS. HE HAS HIS FINGERS CROSSED OBAMA WINS AND LETS HIM AND HIS CROONIES LIVE OUT WHATEVER YEARS THEY HAVE LEFT ( AVERAGE AGE OF THE “NEW” RULING CLASS ID 79! ) IN CUBA LIVING THE GOOD LIFE AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR 50 YEARS!
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 22:24
I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU CAN EQUATE A LAW ABOUT SEAT BELTS TO BEING BAKED ALIVE IN A TIN CELL AS IS DR. OSCAR ELIAS BISSET! IT WILL SOON BE OVER FOR THE CASTRO BROTHERS. FIDEL IS DEAD AND RAUL IS HOLDING ON UNTIL THE US PRESIDENTIAL ELCTIONS. HE HAS HIS FINGERS CROSSED OBAMA WINS AND LETS HIM AND HIS CROONIES LIVE OUT WHATEVER YEARS THEY HAVE LEFT ( AVERAGE AGE OF THE “NEW” RULING CLASS ID 79! ) IN CUBA LIVING THE GOOD LIFE AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR 50 YEARS!
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 22:23
Nobody Important,
Donations may indeed be too socialistic, but please keep in mind that any receipts, whether acquired through donations or click through ads, would constitute a private for-profit enterprise, and that would be illegal in Cuba. So too bad, she will just have to do it because she is passionate about what she is doing. You on the other hand are too simple to realize that, perhaps you may want to start a competing blog and request donations. I also suggest you keep your day job, more likely, don’t give up the food stamp allotment.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 22:07
Jorge,
You are the best, I especially like the Viva Fidel response, with which I agree 100%.
By the way, you do realize rubbish blog is just a “patria o muerte” monitoring the blog, right? ektor is another.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 22:00
Scottish socialist,
You crack me up, so you visited Cuba, as a tourist I suppose, now you feel for the Cuban people, so much so that you justify the lack of freedom by pointing out how much harm the CIA “would have done” if this freedom existed! Let me ask you something, is there freedom of speech in Scotland? Does the CIA meddle in Scotland’s affairs? Do you think the Cuban people so hapless and simple as to not have learned from the mistakes of the past? Aaah!!! But just in case they may be, then let’s make sure that the government controls every aspect of everyday life, after all, what better system than socialism to ensure equality and well being. If you doubt that, go live in Cuba is a perfect living example of just how well socialism works. Please not I suggested that you go live in Cuba, not visit it as a tourist, oh that’s right, you can’t do that, I guess you’ll just have to take my word for it.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 20:02
Bien dicho. Tienes un talento enorme. Sigue escribiendo.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 18:40
Saudações do Brasil!!!
Continue a luta contra este governo!!! Aqui tambem estamos querendo que o nosso mude…. triste ver que ideias de liberdade passaram a ser desculpa para a tirania e o prazer de poucos.
Um abraço.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 15:53
To British:
So there is freedom in Cuba according to you?
You said that regularly visit Cuba: do you ask permission to the British government to travel? How would you feel if you have to ask permission? Probably to a prime minister that is not even the one who shares your political views? How about if that British government allows Cubans to have more rights in your country than yourself, a British national? How would feel about us Cubans if then we support the right of the British government to impose that to you?
Do you think that you are a superior human being compared to Cubans without the privileges that you enjoy in Cuba?
Who are you to believe that you have more rights over Cuba than the Cubans in Miami? They are Cubans, you are not.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 15:53
One of our members wrote a brief story about you (http://www.nowpublic.com/world/yoanni-sanchez-prohibited-leaving-cuba), so I checked out your blog- great work.
(I guess I’m appearing below all the spam!)
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 15:40
Rubbish blog Let me answer some of your questions:
7 de Mayo, 2008 - 22:10
“This blog is not written by an ordinary Cuban. It’s written by a right wing white middle class pro-USA traitor.”
Answer: Who are ordinary Cubans for you? The communist elite with all the privileges? Any Cuban who does not belong to that class is an ordinary Cuban and like any society Cuba is a diverse and amorphous group. That theory that anyone who does not agree with the government is a traitor and not a Cuban is anti-Cuban and full of hatred. Yoani is more an ordinary Cuban than yourself or anyone feeding left wing propaganda to you.
Additionally, there is no middle class in Cuba: it got exterminated by the extremists after 1959. What do you have against the middle class that in most countries is conform by hard working professionals? When totalitarian regimes eliminate this class their places in the society are then occupied by idiots who can offer only ideological stements to technical problems.
What do you have against whites? This is racial statement against the Cuban people where more than 50% are European Whites: Jose Marti was white, Varela was white, even the Castros are white.
“Ordinary Cubans do not sell out their country to Uncle Sam!”
So, I can assume ordinary Cubans for you are the communists: didn’t they sell Cuba to the Russians for 4 decades? I do not see Yoani or anyone in this blog begging the Americans to go back to do business in Cuba, but I read everyday in the news how the Cuban regime is desperate to have American investors and companies back in the island, what do they complain against the embargo? The embargo keeps Uncle Sam out of Cuba: isn’t that what people like you want?
“This “democracy lady” is very stupid if she thinks that Cubans don’t know about the murderous US government, which has destroyed the lives the hopes and the dreams of millions and millions of Latin Americans. Pick up a book lady, AND LEARN.”
The US government has not destroyed any Cuban’s life it has been the Castro regime all along. The Americans were kicked out of Cuba 50 years ago. The inefficient communist economy has impoverished Cuba. The US government murderous? Are you telling us Cubans that: The US government has opened its arms wide open for us for 50 years, while the Cuban government has cold blooded murdered many Cubans trying to escape from that “paradise” that you worship. Remember the “March 13th” Tugboat sinking?, the Rio Canimar massacre?
You are the one who needs to pick up a book and LEARN, start with these ones:
- “The Yenan Way” by Eudocio Ravines
- Guide to the Perfect Latin American Idiot by Plinio Apuleyo Mendoza, Carlos Alberto Montaner, Alvaro Vargas Llosa
I can come up with a long list, just read these two and arrive to your own conclusions
“You could start with asking some old Cubans (the ones you denigrate so arrogantly) why Cuba had a revolution in the first place.”
Cuba had a revolution in first place because Cubans hate dictatorships, the same way we hate Castro’s dictatorship today, we hated Batista’s dictatorship then.
“VIVA FIDEL!” Answer: he is half dead already defecating in a hospital bed through an artificial ass.
“VIVA CHE!” Answer: He was captured and terminated like a rat 40 years ago. The same way that he treated his prisoners –many of them innocent people- all his life.
“VENCEREMOS!” Answer:I can not say it better: We will prevail against the darkness brought down over the Cuban nation by a little group of “gansters” led by Fidel Castro who has oppressed its owns citizens for 50 years with the complicity of ignorant screamy left wingers.
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 15:04
Keep on writing, denouncing, entertaining with humour, wit, irony, intelligence… and giving hope to your people. You wonderfully epitomize the freedom of speech on the Net… ;-)
Good luck and kindest regards from Paris, France!
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 14:12
Yoani,
Te felicito por el galardon que has recibido, y espero que sigas escribiendo sobre las cosas que te interesan y compartes con nosostros.
Un abrazo,
Maria
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 07:48
You’re wise beyond your year’s young lady. It is true that people are affected by their culture and circumstances. This observation raises several questions in my mind.
1.How did we arrive at this place in time?
2.Can this condition of lack of etiquette and kindness be corrected or improved?
3.How does this issue of discourteousness and ruddiness figure in regards to human nature?
4.What steps can we as individual take within our society to improve things?
Incredibly almost all of these questions can be somewhat adequately addressed with a short poem by Rabinadath Tagore:
“Men are cruel, man is kind”
If we visit a large urban city (like New York or Miami), were the people are competing for scarce resources (say a parking space for your car) rudeness and aggressiveness increases, this is no less true of Havana or any other place where resources are scares. Looking someone in the eye, face to face, one on one and under more normal circumstances and being out right rude is not in human nature but when you have a mob mentality then everything changes and everyone is competing for limited resources everything changes.
When you see how powerful a thought and idea can be you sometimes are amazed. The ancient Roman/Greeks thinkers (stoic philosophers) saw how their society was changing and deteriorating and failing to have success in changing and improving their condition from the top down they simply went in the other direction from the bottom up.
Society is made up of individuals and if one individual make a change an improvement and ask others to pass it on then eventually all or most individuals together can make a difference. One act of kindness and courtesy plus the concept of don’t pay me back but “pay it forward” can change the world. The Chinese have a saying that when making a handle for a hatchet and you need a sample or model you look to the hatchet in your hand that you are using to shape the piece of wood. When we need a guide to our actions simply look to within yourself, if you would not like that action or words addressed to you then don’t do it to another. This is the Chinese golden rule, “do not do on to other what you would not have then do on to you”.
So please forgive my long words, but I think your right on target, best wishes, good luck and “salud, amor I dinero”. :=)
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 04:26
Greetings from Malaysia.
I read about your blog today in our national Newspaper all the way in Malaysia. Its unbelievable that democracy is still a distant dream in Cuba.. No freedom of speech, opinion and all the little things that we take for granted means so much when we read about countries that are fighting for rights of democracy.
Your blog has inspired my life in more ways than you can imagine… Keep it going and don’t let the Cuban dictatorship get you down. I will follow your blog with much interest and support.. I do hope someday that Cuban people will live in democratic Cuba.
aLSO congratulations for the Ortega y Gasset prize that you received from El Pais. Despite having denied Visa for Spain, your accomplishment will be remembered by many people. Oppressions like these will cause Cubans to fight for thier rights even more.
Cheers,
Ranvr
Mayo 8th, 2008 at 00:42
Hello from Michigan, USA.
Congratulations on your Ortega y Gasset award. I saw the story on cnn.com. In my Latin America class, we were following the recent changes the Cuban government, and I see that Raul is making many positive changes, with many more to come in the future. I pray for you people everyday, because with the little problems I have here in America, I don’t think it’s anything like what the people of Cuba have suffered from for the last 49 years and 49 days. I’m rooting for you guys, stay strong. Smile*
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 22:10
This blog is not written by an ordinary Cuban. It’s written by a right wing white middle class pro-USA traitor. Ordinary Cubans do not sell out their country to Uncle Sam!
This “democracy lady” is very stupid if she thinks that Cubans don’t know about the murderous US government, which has destroyed the lives the hopes and the dreams of millions and millions of Latin Americans. Pick up a book lady, AND LEARN.
You could start with asking some old Cubans (the ones you denigrate so arrogantly) why Cuba had a revolution in the first place.
VIVA FIDEL!
VIVA CHE!
VENCEREMOS!
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 21:27
Hola Mrs. SanchĂ©z, congratulations on being awarded by Spain for creating the Generation Y blog. It is interesting to view the perspective of an ordinary Cuban who doesn’t post information of what the government wants the world to believe of their country. One day the Castro brothers will die and rot in hell for the trouble they have caused Cuba and Cuba will become free again. May God bless you! ¡Viva Cuba Libre!
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 21:23
everyone is praising your website ! i think you are not to be praised i dont see any thing but a 2 ND grade writing ability all you have going for you is a blog on your life there in cuba big deal !!!!!! why show you get a award for that –you are not special or the voice of cuba you are some girl that has a blog and is writing her thoughts that is it ! would you have made in here in the united states ????? NO ! The fact is i do think you have a right to vioce what you belive and write what you belive and i feel the the cuban gov feels that you should have that write or you would not have had this website up at all !!!!!!!!!!!! so stop crying and do some real work use your head -try and met with leaders there and try and help the people with change by doing
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 20:51
Dear Mrs. SanchĂ©z, thank you for posting this, thank you for posting about Cuba in 21th century. It’s very interesting to know how our ex-system of government works now, thank you. Keep your thinking. God be with you.
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 14:00
I am really wonderıng…
How mach money do you take from the us government?
It is really interestigg that when jurnalist are writıng about the cons of US or EU they are going out of the busıness but when someone is against Cuba…
is entering in the favor lists…
Even if you are not geting paid you should think again who is using you and why…
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 12:42
Hello beautiful cuban girl.We lived just 20 year ago very simillar live you describe.Commis won’t change their unwilling attitude to apologize for anything ”wrong”.We get rid of them nearly 20 years ago and I can personaly tell you it’s realy much better then before.Now here in heart of Europe you can be everything you want.You can travell all around the world.Freedom of mind an occasion is the best on time when comunist cannot grasp the power.Don’t believe anything what they’re saying about our conutry in your TV or radio.We believe that once in near future we’ll have chance to come and see Cuba in much better situation than now.Only you can change government.Hope and talk with others that’s enough for the time.Beautifull WEB and BLOG ;-)
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 12:17
BRAVO FOR YOUR BLOG.KEEP ON ..WRITING
AKIS
http://www.artoftraveller.blogspot.com/
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 10:50
Never give up and congratulations for your blog, window of freedom in your beautiful country.
I suggest you of translated the blog into French, you would be consulted a lot.
Thank you.
Go to see my site and my house in France, it resists to hurricanes !!
I hope you’ll go very soon in Europe.
Good luck.
Sincerely.
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 10:47
Bonjour,
Juste un message de soutien depuis Paris de la part d’un administrateur de site censurĂ© (et aujourdhui hackĂ©) sur la Tunisie. Le combat pour la libertĂ© d’expression est un des plus beaux qu’il nous soit de donner.
“Je ne partage pas tes opinions mais je me battrais pour que tu puisses les exprimer” !
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 10:36
Nice site..
I know your blog from (sindo) an newspaper in my country..
good luck..
Mayo 7th, 2008 at 05:45
Yoani,
Keep up the good work!!!
The very first step in the way for democracy is communication with the rest of the world. When peoples mind borders open, nothing can stop the collapse. It may be the matter of years, but it’s unstoppable.
I live in Poland, and still remember how in 80’s/90’s communism ends in central Europe. I know that’s not the same, but people like You and thoughts like Yours are those little stones that starts avalanche.
Think positive!!!!
Best regards,
Paweł
Mayo 6th, 2008 at 19:42
If this horrible selfish lady is the future of Cuba, I despair. But I guess she has a little team in Miami writing her bullshit for her.
Incidentally, she wasn’t censored. Her blog can be accessed from Cuba. She just invented that to elicit sympathy. Just like the lies in one of the newspaper articles which said that she has to dress up and pretend to be a tourist in order to use the hotel internet. Rubbish! Utter rubbish. MOST people using hotel internet are Cubans. I know, I visit Cuba regularly.
For example, the computers in the Saville in Centro Havana, the computers in the Golden Tulip in Old Havana, the computers in teh Hotel Nacional… shall I go on?
So Miss “Y”, WHY ARE YOU LYING?
Pray tell.
Mayo 6th, 2008 at 17:24
Hello there,
I just wanted to say that I REALLY hope you get a “democratic” Cuba. Media controlling what you should know — but without letting it clear –, high crime rates, social inequality, too much money on the hands of the greedy rich ones… Really, I really wish you a total US-like right-winged President for you. You will see how your Cuba will change — for worse.
The same way I can just have a notion of how it is to live there, you don’t know how it to live in capitalistic goverments. So we can’t say anything — and that’s why I don’t have a blog. I prefer to live in a country without advanced technology, knowing that I’m being controlled by the media (and not having to revolt myself each time I read the newspaper or watch the TV), with low crime rate and SAME disponibility of health care to everyone — not only for those who can pay the expensiest hospitals.
Stop and think about it. Even if you don’t, I still hope you get a Bush, a Kennedy, whatever. You’ll se how it is good. But, it will be too late. The media will be controling the society, so, EVEN if you regret all that you wrote about socialism, you will NEVER EVER receive the same attention from the media.
Truly,
Lucas Deschamps.
Mayo 6th, 2008 at 00:55
Felicidades por tu seleccion en la revista Time. Todos los cubanos nos sentimos orgullosos de tus triunfos y de tu lucha por una Cuba democratica y libre de censura y opresion.
Ojala que pronto en Cuba los cubanos puedan vivir sin miedo y puedan expresar libremente sus opiniones. Que los derechos humanos se respeten y que no hayan mas presos politicos ni gente que se quiera marchar del pais.
Mayo 5th, 2008 at 23:03
make that Bullshit, not Bullsghit…..
Mayo 5th, 2008 at 23:01
It would be nice if this Jackass Dijo would stop posting their bullsghit here that’s taking up space. How about it jerkoff?
Mayo 5th, 2008 at 20:13
Yoani,
I am a Canadian living in the US with a man from Cuba (he came over as part of the Mariel boat-lift). My Cubano turned me on to your blog (I am going to start printing your blog in Spanish and try my hand at translating it into English) and we were so excited to see you as one of Time magazine’s 100: The Most Influential People in the World. We are also waiting with a great deal of interest to see if you will be allowed to leave Cuba to accept the Spanish literary award that you were recently awarded. Please keep on doing what you are doing - you bring a “voice” to millions without a voice.
With sincerest regards,
Lori
Mayo 5th, 2008 at 14:34
Having visited Cuba many times…I’ve always wondered how the people would respond to hard work and being competive economically with their exports in a free market with the rest of the world. It’s tuff game. With it comes dual incomes, HUGE social issues and family breakdowns. But I’ve always thought Havana and Cuba could be the Paris, France of North America again. Fine arts and creativity is something Cubans do very well. Cuba could sell us the concept of “real humanity and family” in the world of dance, music, arts and food. Just a thought.
Mayo 4th, 2008 at 12:03
I visited Guadalavaca Cuba two years ago and the wonderful Cuban people changed my life. The sense of community, family and just down right friendliness is what we had here in Maine when I was growing up. Brought some of that back with me and is one reason for heading for church early this morning to cook bacon and eggs for those coming early can visit with each other. Am so glad to have a place to go and read about what is going on there. My intention is to come visit again within the coming year.
Mayo 4th, 2008 at 07:36
I just found your side and your name in Time magazine as 100 the most influential people in the world. I guess the idea of blog, and the need for free speach and courage to stay in touch with your values got me interested to check your site. I am coming from the country that was for years under russian ocupation - Poland, and I do remember comunism a little bit. I think that in my country people also do forget the magic word - I am sorry. The politics language “erase this word from the dictionary” during the communism era, and people become powerless, and less sensitive to others….. propably not only becouse the word didnt “exsist in dictionary” but becouse living would be so stressful and so difficult that it is hard to smile to another person when you feel opression from all possible ways… but still it is good to remember values and smile to each other, say I am sorry , take the responsibility for our actions… polititian too.
Mayo 3rd, 2008 at 19:48
You are the voice that we cannot see in the rest of the world. There are nothing but lies told about your country’s situation and nothing will ever change until the truth is told. You don’t realize your importance to history, but your perserverance will secure your place in it. Don’t ever let them stop you…
Mayo 3rd, 2008 at 01:01
I am a half Gen Y person. Name starts with “Y” born in the 70. I was however born a little further east in India. As you know there are lots of people in my country. We have the habit on stepping on each others toes and not even turning back to look at the person. But Life goes on. That is the culture. If you get used to it growing up, it does not affect you.
Mayo 2nd, 2008 at 13:33
bonjour je suis de france juste pour vous souhaitez Ă tous bon courage.
maurad (envoyerunmail@yahoo.fr)
Mayo 2nd, 2008 at 07:11
hello
i m french
i m listening my radio today and i listen your name and your space
i m very happy for you because you can go to internet
normally it s not possible with castro…
your space is fabulous
have a good day !
Abril 30th, 2008 at 23:30
Articles about your weblog are also being published here in Seattle, Washington, USA! I want to encourage you to keep on persevering in your writing, it’s making a huge difference, and setting Cuba on an international stage! I will continue to read your blog and support freedom in Cuba.
Abril 29th, 2008 at 01:34
you are so right. It is a phenomenon shared by people here in the States, particularly the younger generation, which feel that apologizing is akin to humiliating oneself. They learn this from their parents, who are themselves very young.
I admire you and the courage you are exerting in writing this blog. This medium precipitated my resignation from my previous job. Unfortunately for you, you cannot quit where you live. Good luck to you!
Abril 28th, 2008 at 23:26
Sorry forgot, email is sparky1104@hotmail.com
Abril 28th, 2008 at 23:25
I greatly admire anyone who has the strength and courage to express their opinon and my hope is one day that all may do it freely.
I am of Cuban descent born in the U.S.A. I will state that I feel deeply for the people left in Cuba to suffer under Castro. I am embarresed by the policies of my government. No government is perfect, but it is true some are better than others, and I would say that I was lucky to be born here in the U.S.A. I would greatly enjoy communicating with anyone in Cuba anytime. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.
Abril 28th, 2008 at 18:28
I would like to apologize on behalf of my country for the economic embargo against Cuba, which contributes to the hardships the people of Cuba endure. Also for the tragic wet-foot-dry-foot policy that tempts Cubans to flee the Island and empowers gangsters who profit from the desperation of Cuban citizens who try for a better life in the US. These policies are a result of a Facist element in the United States and the politics of certain Cuban exiles in Miami who work the system for their own ends. Don’t get me wrong, I abhore the Castro regime, and dearly love the USA and Miami with the Latin excitement brought by the Cubans and others. But these policies are plain wrong. I would like to know what can be done by ordinary US citizens to help reverse these evil and hateful policies.
Abril 28th, 2008 at 15:08
politicians do apologize. our president in the philippines apologized after cheating in the elections. and she is still the president. she opened our countries to be eploited by impereialist countries such as america, she makes broadband deals in china and gets huge kickbacks. and makes our country the human rescource capital of the world being explorted. we have become slaves of the capitalist machineries. when wll this nightmare ever end? and i believe even if they do apologize. nothing happens. the secret is making the masses ignorant.
Abril 28th, 2008 at 07:22
Hermana, Bienvenida al internet !
Abril 28th, 2008 at 07:07
Common courtesy is learned in the home and schools. Communism has been a bad teacher.
Abril 28th, 2008 at 04:56
No doubt that oppression holds no room for apologies, for it would be self-defeating for the oppressor. Fifty years of castrista heels stepping on, and crushing the lives, dreams, and ideals of a people is beyond comprehension. But the system has always found a way to clean its sole on the imperialist grass, through its network of false propaganda. A world bursting with progressive ideals, should not accept the repressive enslavement of a nation; Cubans are a people desperate to share their intellectual wealth with the global community, and the people of the world should support your struggle. The word of the righteous is the sword which will behead the monster. Do not be silenced.
Abril 28th, 2008 at 01:29
Aloha from Hawaii Yoani,
I found your site in an article on msn.com. I think it’s wonderful and I wish you and your countrymen the best of luck in bringing about postive change and improving your lives. I will keep reading and learning from your blog.
Abril 27th, 2008 at 21:54
Keep on fighting the good fight…Hopefully in 50 years, these dark years of tyranny will be just an unpleasant memory.
Abril 27th, 2008 at 20:24
I love your blog. I especially liked what your hopes are for the qualities of a president. I would like to know what some of the Spanish words are on photos in your blog. Unfortunately some of us are challenged in that area. :)
God Bless!
Rudy
Abril 27th, 2008 at 18:21
You should put pay-per-click ads on your website. It’s easy to register with Google for example.
I’m sure with all your visitors, lots of people will visit your sponsor ads.
You do have a donations button. But that is probably far to socialistic for your readers.
Abril 26th, 2008 at 22:36
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Abril 25th, 2008 at 23:20
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Abril 25th, 2008 at 22:12
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Abril 25th, 2008 at 09:34
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Abril 24th, 2008 at 12:17
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Abril 24th, 2008 at 06:43
Hi Yoani,
My name is Frank Xie. I am a reporter with The Beijing News, a quality daily newspaper in Beijing, China.
Recently we are working on a feature report about Cuba’s recent reform. And we think it is necessary to hear stories from Cuban people.
I came across your blog and I think it shows the picture from a unique perspective. It is just more vivid than any news we read in newspaper or website. I just wonder if I can have a phone interview with you?
I tried to send you an email but it failed. Could you please email me so I can arrange an interview with you? My email is xielai@hotmail.com My deadline is before April 26. Thank you very much.
Abril 23rd, 2008 at 22:47
Eva dijo
Most ordinary Cubans are proud of their country and support its independence and its fantastic health and eduction services. Some (mainly white middle class Habaneros) are looking out for themselves. Sure, they would do well under capitalism, just as they did well in the 1950’s when the Yanquis and the mafia ran Cuba.
The point isn’t that some countries are worse than Cuba. The point is that if Cuba became capitalist, it would resemble the rest of the Latin America - a tiny super-rich elite, a middle class, and a majority without basic human rights like access to a doctor or proper eduction for their children. Hmm… sounds just like Cuba before the revolution, no?
That, my dear, is the unglamorous truth that lurks behind every keystoke on this blog. Care to disagree?
Abril 22nd, 2008 at 20:36
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Abril 22nd, 2008 at 14:24
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Abril 21st, 2008 at 20:22
Disgusted…
it is disgusted the way you want to take Yoani Sanchez´s, her and a lot of cubans´right away to complain or to express her ideas, just because in other places life is certainly worse.
According to your opinion then, in every country of the world we should laugh, because of the fact that in Africa life is worse.
What a disgusting comparison !
Abril 21st, 2008 at 20:13
Core
It is very easy to talk about inner world when your belly is full. Where do you live man?
“Everyone knows the world one lives in is greatly a result of one’s inner world.” Who is everyone?
Who is really 100 % happy with an inner world while the outside world does´nt aloud you not even to express? Come one…If you are so happy with your inner world why then don´t you allow in your country such a government to rule?
Are you suggesting to live our inner life and forget about the rest?
Excuse me, but that is nonsense!
Abril 20th, 2008 at 22:23
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Abril 20th, 2008 at 19:26
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Abril 20th, 2008 at 15:50
What an unpleasant whining little lady you are, Yoani Sánchez, but so typical of the white middle class Habaneros. Have you ever considered, in between your moans and complaints, that your country has done reasonably well considering the pressure it’s been under from the USA? No, I guess not.
Have you any idea, I mean any idea at all, how ordinary citizens in the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America live? Do you even know what a shanty town is? Have you ever seen thousands upon thousands of little half starved children begging in the streets - the streets which also their homes and bedrooms? No, you haven’t. Because you live in Cuba.
I have visited Cuba about 15 times, and I don’t stay in hotels or hang out with tourists in touristy places. For sure, there are serious problems in Cuba. No es facil. But please, please, try to have some balance - or you’ll end up becoming nothing but a selfish self-centred middle class lady, who sees what she want to see and disregards the rest. If you have your way, Cuba will have a wealthy upper and middle class, mainly white, and a majority who get screwed. And then you’ll say: “Why are you blaming me?”
Abril 19th, 2008 at 13:31
As an advocate of Freedom, I work as an On Air Personality and Producer for Radio in Mid Missouri USA. Not only on commercial stations, but volunteering as well on KOPN FM, Community Radio in Columbia Missouri.
KOPN has shows from many countries, and in the true spirit of Freedom, Love and Understanding.
Freedom is priceless and vital for our Souls and Lives, and most of all our Children of All Countries.
My music is about Miracles, of people working together to find Peace, as long as each word is spoken and meant with Peace we as this Earth’s Society will become what we wish to be. Free.
My Prayers are for happiness in every Country. We are all One Family.
Sincerely,
Sheryl Clapton
“On Air Radio Personality” and Singer/Songwriter, President New Wave Corporation KOPN FM. Mother, teacher, student, wife
Abril 18th, 2008 at 02:42
Greeting from a Canadian. I have grown to look forward to your stories about your life in Cuba. To realize that your government has shutdown your voice to us creates great sadness in me. I only hope that you are well and with your family and not sitting in a cell somewhere.
Abril 16th, 2008 at 16:53
I just loved your thoughts on apologies and your blog.
It is wonderful to be able to read your views on Cuba and life.
I am a great believer in the power of the net to bring about more understanding among people and your blog is proof that there is hope.
Please keep it alive.
Abril 15th, 2008 at 10:23
Greetings from Romania!
It has been a while since you last published something. I hope life for you hasn’t taken any drastic turns. Do keep on blogging!
Andreea
Abril 12th, 2008 at 21:19
Yoani Sanchez Generation Y Cuba blog shut down by Cuban government
Published: Mon March 24, 2008
By: Publisher in Cuba Politics > Castro’s Cuba
Tools: Tell-a-Friend | Email this author | Printer Friendly | Del.icio.us This
Reuters
The Cuban authorities have blocked access from Cuba to the country’s most-read blogger, Yoani Sanchez, she said on Monday.
Sanchez, whose critical ”Generacion Y” blog received 1.2 million hits in February, said Cubans can no longer visit her Web page and two other home-grown bloggers on the Web site on a server in Germany.
All they can see is a “error downloading” message.
“So the anonymous censors of our famished cyberspace have tried to shut me in a room, turn off the light and not let my friends in,” she wrote in her blog on Monday.
Sanchez said she cannot directly access her Web site from Cuba to update postings anymore, but has found a way to beat her Communist censors through an indirect route.
The 32-year-old philology graduate has attracted a considerable readership by writing about her daily life in Cuba and describing economic hardships and political constraints.
She has criticized Cuba’s new leader, Raul Castro, who formally took over from his ailing brother Fidel Castro last month, for his vague promises of change and minimal steps to improve the standard of living of Cubans.
“Who is the last in line for a toaster?” was the title of a recent blog that satirized the lifting of a ban on sales of computers, DVD players and other appliances Cubans long for, though toasters will not be freely sold until 2010.
In a country where the press is controlled by the state and there is no independent media, Sanchez and other bloggers based in Cuba have found in the Internet an unregulated vehicle of expression.
“This breath of fresh air has dishevelled the hair of bureaucrats and censors,” she said in a telephone interview, vowing to continue her blog. “Anyone with a bit of computer skills knows how to get around them,” she said.
The aim of government censors is to block readership in Cuba, where people have limited access to Internet, she said.
“They are admitting that no alternative way of thinking can exist in Cuba, but people will continue reading us somehow,” she said. “There is no censorship that can stop people who are determined to access the Internet,” she said.
(Editing by Sandra Maler)
Abril 12th, 2008 at 16:50
It’s obvious that Yoani Sánchez has been silenced by the oppresive dictator Raul because she hasn’t posted since March 5, 2008. So musch for Cuba opening up. Yeah, right….Cuba will never be open to free speech as long as the oppresive dictator is in charge, because it hurts the dictator’s ears. Cubans should rise up, drag Raul and Fidel into the street and beat them with sticks until they are dead.
Abril 10th, 2008 at 13:51
This is a call to those who visit Generacion Y and support the rights of cubans to use the internet and have freedom of speech to support the nomination of Generation Y for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.
Please, contact The Nobel Prize Organization at Nobelprize.org and support this effort
Abril 9th, 2008 at 17:50
Hola, I have to see a reportage to LCI french TV for your blog. Very good. I hope you can continue your work ! Good luck !
Abril 9th, 2008 at 15:36
Hola Yoani. Primero que nada, felicidades por su reconocimiento reciente. Sepa usted que en EE. UU. tambiĂ©n nos enfrentamos a una administraciĂłn que no reconoce error alguno al lanzar polĂticas fallidas ni se disculpa por falta de competencia cuando bien debiera hacerlo. No he sabido que este presidente (Jorgito Matojo) en momento alguno halla indicado congoja por su incompetencia o falta de dedicaciĂłn al oficio de la presidencia. Me pregunto si esto es un problema de naturaleza endĂ©mica al oficio de la labor polĂtica.
Gracias por sus comentarios.
Abril 8th, 2008 at 15:28
I come from Croatia ex Yugoslavia and I only emphasize that because I’ve been living in communist regime and I deeply understand what You are talking about. But, there is always but. The Cubans still don’t know what is coming “after” and we know it. The brutal capitalism, all national sources sold to foreigners and our country is becoming the game of masters and slaves. NATO, EU, economic globalozation, democracy all that bullshit is becoming our great victories! Victories for rulling politicians who speak of free world and free people. But normal people are less and less free living in fear and dependency.
Abril 7th, 2008 at 13:16
Dear Jason Mandez,
you should go back to school and get a better understanding of South American history before saying that u dont know what a golpe is..just to give u a small hint why dont u have a closer look at the US aids to Machado dictator, via the US ambassador Crowder in Havana and then later to Batista.. or if u prefer u can look at Chile with Pinochet..the imperialistic US foregin policy has always brought dictatorship around the globe and especially in America latina y Cuba.. Unfortunately for them and thanks for the humanity men like Fidel has been fighting against the US oppression and for a free cuba..I am wondering what kind of history do they teach u in ur amazing private school in Miami, for sure not Marti’ thoughs (VivĂ en el monstruo (US) y le conozco las entrañas)…
Abril 7th, 2008 at 05:00
giansoko:
Alside from simply parroting a number of bumper stickers of Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky quotes, I wonder how much thought is given to the concept of criticizing the Cuban government (or any repressive regime for that matter). Your sentence here sums it up
“My dear friend, before judging Cuba, reflect abouts the 300.000 civil and innocent people killed in Hirosima and Nagasaky by your “model “country and all the other milions people died in their wars in the Middle East,in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,or the Indians or people died in south-american golpes of 70/85 years, consider the aphartheid inside and outside(S,Africa)”
First of all, any repressive regime can be criticized and judged, regardless of what other countries have done (even your home country). No one needs to consider what people (especially people dead and burried) did that just HAPPENED to eminate from their home country. Anything can be measured against objective moral criteria and judged accordingly. No one needs permission.
Secondly, your moral relativism here is evident. “reflect about the 300000 civilian and innocent people killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki”. No, we shouldn’t. They should have surrendered. Once evil is confronted through arms, you either win or lose. More of the enemy has to die than your own country to win a war.
Thirdly, the “millions” who died in the Middle East, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia….where do I begin:
- Middle East - Do you mean the 2 wars we fought there? Again, both times the leader of Iraq had an opportunity to spare his people war. Both times he refused. You’re angry at the wrong side. You may feel no cause is worth fighting for, but typical liberal European elitist views have no currency in the real world…especially as you’re being outbred by immigrants who hate you
- Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia: Again, as a likely Communist sypmathizer (who already admits that no one can judge communists unless they look inward first) you’re judging the outcome of “millions” killed as a cause that makes the “model” country look bad and the war unjust. If a backwards dictatorship sends millions of people to battle for COmmunist expansionism and they die, its the governments fault for sending them. So the government is at fault, AND their cause was unjust. Not our fault! :)
- Indians - Everyone’s favorite good guys. But lets consider the following: A - a number of “Indians” were cannibals and into human sacrifice…or “only” scalping. This 1960’s notion of the Indian as a hunter/gatherer at peace with “mother earth” is a fantasy. They were a great many tribes quite barbaric. And again, its not like they weren’t fighting eachother in addition to the US. But if you’re mad and want to dig up my grandpa and kick his butt, go right ahead (he’s cuban though…)
- South_American golpes…not sure what a golpe is.
- Apartheid in South Africa…..Apartheid is a very bad thing. Interestingly enough, the Communist terrorist organization that took over from the evil whites turned South Africa into a crime infested cespool.
You know giansoko, Americans who aren’t leftists like yourself (and therefore genetically predisposed to hating their own country) laugh when we hear “facts” from Michael Moores “documentry” on 9-11 that were disproven and laughed out of consideration years ago still repeated as if they were true.
Abril 6th, 2008 at 22:42
Thank you for your answer, dear close friend of Yoani, what a pity that I still don’t know a name of yours that I can use for you. Anyway, I understand well your words and thoughts and I feel what you want to transmit and say. Grazie.
I understand your message and I really believe you when you say that in your country this social manner is deeply increased for the worst. I trust you much.
What can I write you and to the other readers of this blog to add something positive and encouraging? Maybe this small thought: in all situation in life here on earth it seems that the new and the good had to face big ostacles before to manage the changements. In this case it seems that it will be almost necessary to reach the lowest lowest lowest level of “living together” among humans before to “clic” this big changement.
Sometimes, maybe often, it is necessary to reach the real bottom level before to raise again to the sky and to the stars. One true philosophycal thought is that obstacles and “dark side of things” are really necessary and important to the light and to the bright side of things. Light cannot be appreciated and felt if not also the night and the darkness. Isn’t it true?
A big good luck to you all, to us all. Ciao.
Marco cuore_vivo
Usando un traductor de la lengua en lĂnea:
Gracias por su respuesta, amigo cercano querido de Yoani, una quĂ© compasiĂłn que todavĂa no sĂ© un nombre el tuyo que pueda utilizar para usted. De todas formas, entiendo que bien sus palabras y pensamientos y yo nos sentimos lo que usted desea transmitir y decir. Grazie.
Entiendo que su mensaje y yo realmente le creo cuando usted dice que de su paĂs esta manera social está aumentada profundamente para el peor. Le confĂo en mucho. ÂżQuĂ© puedo escribirle y a los otros lectores de este blog para agregar algo positivo y que anima? Quizá este pensamiento pequeño: en toda la situaciĂłn en vida aquĂ en la tierra se parece que el nuevo y el bueno tuvieron que hacer frente a ostacles grandes antes para manejar los changements. En este caso se parece que será casi necesario alcanzar el nivel más bajo más bajo más bajo de “vivir junto” entre seres humanos antes a “clic” este changement grande. A veces, quizá a menudo, es necesario alcanzar el nivel inferior verdadero antes al aumento otra vez al cielo y a las estrellas. Un pensamiento philosophycal verdadero es que los obstáculos y el “lado oscuro de cosas” son realmente necesarios e importantes para la luz y para el lado brillante de cosas. La luz no se puede apreciar y sentir si no tambiĂ©n la noche y la oscuridad. ÂżNo es verdad? Una buena suerte grande a usted toda, a nosotros todos.
Ciao. Hola.
Cuore_vivo de Marco
Abril 6th, 2008 at 18:57
Marco,
As I am from Yoani’s generation and I am Cuban and I have lived there almost all my life, except for the last years, and I agree with everything she says so far, I will answer you.
In cuba there are a lot of people who know who Bob Dylan is and know his songs, we know a lot of music from other countries although is not something easy there.
In Cuba, this situation that she describes in this post is even worst than in most of the countries. because our people, until 10, 15 years ago were completely different, and they have suffered a social transformation that is very sad. Cubans used to be so polite, minding what others did and, although there are vulgar people everywhere, in general we were not like that. today in Cuba men push women to get a taxi first, they don’t open the doors for women to pass, they say horrible obscenities all the time when a beautiful woman passes by, those nice “piropos” of other times have long disappeared, and this is only talking about small things, I don’t want to talk about more serious things. in other countries this could be normal, I don’t know, but it has never been like that in ours. ours was a friendly and polite people, and the “system” has turned them into vulgar little people. of course, I am not talking about everybody, I am Cuban and I have friends and family, and they are not like that. But the percentage is increasing day by day.
I agree with what you say and I also hope that yes, times they are a changing…
Abril 6th, 2008 at 08:15
Hi Yoani,
like also many other hundreds thousands of italian people I saw you and heard your words on TV, “Le Iene” italian tv program. It was great to realize about your enthusiasm for life, your strong will and smile. I found your blog online and I want to write you few lines of solidarity and of compliments for your blog.
It is true that more and more people will know about your story and will visit your thoughts, not only in your country but in whole world: it is the power that cannot be stopped of Internet web connections.
It is true that in today worlds people are hardly looking into the eyes of other people in a friendly way. Also for this reason it is so hard to find the right words to say “oh, I am sorry, I beg for your pardon”. The only occasions that are still existing when using the magical words “I am sorry” is when the other person is looking at you with angry eyes, using angry voice, looking a terrible giant and with a weapon in hands.
It is the same in the international situation between the nations: it is true and clear to eyes that the more powerful the nation is, the more strong violent voice and action it will have, the more “I am sorry” or silence and “no comments” when a voice is required they will get.
The power of violence and of threat, in the singular or global situation.
When all of this will change? Times they are a changing, a famous ancient song of Bob Dylan says. Do you know about this song also there in Cuba? The singer was singing against the power of any and each bad political power and guidance. His words are evergreen, isn’t it true?
Ciao! Good luck for all things, I will follow you and your blog with joy.
Marco cuore_vivo
Abril 5th, 2008 at 14:44
never give up!
ciao from Italy
Abril 5th, 2008 at 10:35
Really admire your determination to tell the world what is happening in my country. I am a girl is 17 years old and I come from … And just yesterday I saw on television the Cuban boys who said they wanted at least once in their lives to travel and see the tomb of mentation, because it is in bolivia ..
You are truly a great woman and I admire you ..
Abril 5th, 2008 at 09:38
@ giansoko. what did you really say when you wrote “don’t forget where is the mafia’s head”? i hope you didn’t use the common stereotype “italy = mafia”.
sorry… but I (and all italians who wrote here recently) criticised our Western politicians, I think they’re responsible and seriously involved in the bad situation of Cuba and other countries, like Tibet, Darfur etc. We are against mafia, against corruption (and unfortunately in Italy we have corruption at each socio - political level), against hunger, and for freedom of expression.
Abril 5th, 2008 at 08:01
We saw your interview on an Italian private TV.
It is the first time we see a Cuban dissent!
Our politicians, starting from top representatives, like the comunist President of the Chamber mr Bertinotti, praise Cuban regime to be a paradise on earth. I am confident we will soon be able to vote him out and wish you will be able to do the same in Cuba.
Good luck for your freedom of expression.
Abril 5th, 2008 at 02:27
Every criticism is important if it’s true, but before doing against cuban government and society,that has a lot of limits, everybody must look inside home(Florida,Usa,at first).
1) only 200 hundreds people in the world, controlling monopolist or oligopolist Arms,Media-Telephone-Computers,Oil,Drugs.. Groups, have about the same richness has half of the world’s population (I mean more than 3 billion people);
these few ones have only one “political tool” to keep power and get more and more income: “divide et impera” and so they, expecially using their monopolist or oligopolist Media, divided, are dividing and will divide all us,
that have the same basic needs (as work,enough income,food,health, love,family,free-time and pleasures) by “inventing” religious,races,etnical and countries wars and keeping us withouth a real culture and sometimes completly dependent to real and virtual drugs.
John lennon told you to “imagine” a different and united society but was soon politically killed as John and Bob Kennedy as Martin L. King as Bhutto
and I really fear for Obama,a real democratic and so too dangerous for their(200 people) dirty interest (they will say”it’s been Al-qaeda” finding new false “reason” to keep on wars for oil)
2) I think everybody(but the 200 hundreds) would appreciate a global society with a global real free market and global constitution where small private firms with dependent workers well and mixed( wage and production prize) payed, are in competion,about quality/price, to produce and supply all the customers about their real needs we spoke above; all this inside a social system of securities(for school, health,pensions,works requalification and so on)
This political social and economic global system( u can call it as u like:democracy or socialdemocracy or socialism-the name is not important) would need very low taxation and few hours of work by everyone because:
A) it would employ everyone in the global project(today at least one billion people are unemployed for different reasons).
B) it would not exist one of the most expensive voice of the State balance: the life moral and economic cost of the arms that nobody needs but some big powerful private groups,expecially in Usa,produce and sell only if the President,before elected by the money-help of these groups, suddenly “discovers” some new enemy,some new Pearl Harbour, in a word some new threat, as the terroristic one of a man, as B. Laden, who was already working for C.I.A. in Kabul against Soviet Union, and whose very rich family and Pr.Bush are the two main Karlyle(that, even ,produces arms) group’s sharehoders; a threat that had the top peack just on the day(09/11/2001) that Nato Alliance was doing practice on how to avoid enemy planes to be hijacked(but which flied for two hours in Usa sky because vicepresident Cheney permitted it, as the Transport Minister told the House of Parlament.
C) the prices of the main products would even cost less because withouth the charge of pubblicity(if someone wants to use it,no tax benefits) and because of normal profits (not as the big ones in the case of monopolist groups)
I conclude telling u that this system not only is nearly impossible to be built in Usa,whose governm. usally invades(es.”Pigs bay”) and tries to provoke failure of every economical(by blocus or sanctions) and political (by “human rights” speculations and amplifications)different experience as in Cuba.
My dear friend, before judging Cuba, reflect abouts the 300.000 civil and innocent people killed in Hirosima and Nagasaky by your “model “country and all the other milions people died in their wars in the Middle East,in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,or the Indians or people died in south-american golpes of 70/85 years, consider the aphartheid inside and outside(S,Africa)
and don’t forget where is the mafia’s head.
giansoko