Democrats and Castro Sympathizers

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by bsnyder
IMO, they are definitely on the fringes of the liberal side.

And conservatives have their own fringe element, as well.

And neither side goes out of their way to disavow their fringe elements, or antagonize them. From a political standpoint, why would they want to?

When James L. Hart won the 8th Congressional District of Tennessee's Republican nomination, there were many Republicans that commented very negatively regarding this. Many were anxious to ensure that the general public understood that most Republican Party members and supporters do NOT share the same extreme views that Hart holds.

I hear what you're saying. And, you certainly may be right. I think, though, it's obvious James Hart and Pat Robertson are extreme. The general public, imo, does not normally think of these vocal Democratic supporters as extreme, it seems to me.

http://www.opinionjournal.com/taste/?id=110003325

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by Kendra17
I hear what you're saying. And, you certainly may be right. I think, though, it's obvious James Hart and Pat Robertson are extreme. The general public, imo, does not normally think of these vocal Democratic supporters as extreme, it seems to me.

Call me slow, but after reading all the posts on this thread, I still cannot make the connection from vocal Democratic Party support to Castro sympathizer. From the article you posted, I saw words of respect and maybe even admiration for a country's leader. But I didn't see anyone, except as mentioned previously, Chevy Chase, who indicated anything reminiscent of support for Castro's policies, politics, or actions. It seems like most of these people are able to separate the man from the politics and can have a sense of respect and admiration for the individual, without necessarily indictating that they support what he believes or does.

 

[bsnyder]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
Call me slow, but after reading all the posts on this thread, I still cannot make the connection from vocal Democratic Party support to Castro sympathizer. From the article you posted, I saw words of respect and maybe even admiration for a country's leader. But I didn't see anyone, except as mentioned previously, Chevy Chase, who indicated anything reminiscent of support for Castro's policies, politics, or actions. It seems like most of these people are able to separate the man from the politics and can have a sense of respect and admiration for the individual, without necessarily indictating that they support what he believes or does.

HUH?????

So they just like him because he enjoys fine cigars? He has a great sense of humor? He's tall, dark and bushy-beared?

How could anyone respect and admire a dictatorial tyrant, unless they just refuse to see him in those terms?

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by Teejay32
Socialism is a religion for some people , I tell you. My cousins are like that. [I think they consider me a black sheep.]

I think the problem is a simple one - it's easy to stand up and tell thousands or millions of people how they should think, or believe, or live their lives, but it's another for the chief proponents to live it themselves. People entrenched in their beliefs don't see the contradictions that other, ordinary people can see a mile away, and that's why we have the Pat Robertsons of the world (and their supporters) on the right along with the Castros on the left.

Unfortunately thta goes for all believers, not only socialists or communists, but also for christians or muslims. The world would be a much better place, if people could just keep their beliefs to themselves.

 

[jennyanydots]

Originally posted by Paradise
Castro has outlived how many American Presidents now? We are perpetuating more than 40 years of failed policy. When nature runs it course and Castro dies, we did not win the battle. He simply died. Cuba is a small Caribbean island that is not a military or political threat to the World Power USA or any of the tiny nations in the region.

I have yet to find a politian or a layman to explain why tiny Cuba is such a big threat yet Communist China is such a great friend?

I'm going to have to try to find a link...

I was reading about Cuban-Americans who visit relatives on the island, and who bring them needed supplies. and how the current administration's policy is to impose much stricter travel limitations on Americans visiting Cuba than we had under Clinton.. and how that has no effect on Castro, but a very negative affect on the families who have relatives trying to visit from the US.

Like you, I can't understand how the 70+ year old dictator of a small island, albeit one close to the US mainland, is such a major threat, but China and North Korea are not as sugnificant threats despite their military capacity.

 

[Viking]

Originally posted by Paradise


I have yet to find a politian or a layman to explain why tiny Cuba is such a big threat yet Communist China is such a great friend?

Because a) Cuba is so close, and b) China is far away, but supplies you (And us) with an abundance of cheap products.
I actively try to avoid buying Chinese stuff, but it is near impossible nowadays to get along without it.

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by bsnyder
HUH?????

So they just like him because he enjoys fine cigars? He has a great sense of humor? He's tall, dark and bushy-beared?

How could anyone respect and admire a dictatorial tyrant, unless they just refuse to see him in those terms?

As I said, maybe they are able to separate the man from the politics. These people have had the opportunity to meet and talk with the individual face-to-face and come away with a different impression than others hold. I may not agree with them, but I respect their right to form, hold and express that opinion just as freely as I form, hold and express my opinion(s).

And that's a major distinctive between us and Castro... one I doubt he will understand in this lifetime and one that I doubt many of us fully appreciate.

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by bsnyder
HUH?????

So they just like him because he enjoys fine cigars? He has a great sense of humor? He's tall, dark and bushy-beared?

How could anyone respect and admire a dictatorial tyrant, unless they just refuse to see him in those terms?

Sometimes on these boards, it seems one wants a quote such as "Harry Belafonte states he approves of Castro's policies, politics, etc." . Isn't this good enough?:

Another film currently showing in the U.S. is called Fidel. The 2002 movie is being billed as a biographical documentary of Castro, featuring the Cuban dictator as well as Harry Belafonte and Ted Turner.
The movie presents such a favorable view of Castro that New York Times movie critic A.O. Scott said of the film: "This is an exercise not in biography but in hero worship."
Last week, one of the stars of Fidel, Belafonte, was back in Cuba for a film festival and told reporters that "every day, more and more Americans are opposed to the war machine being driven by George W. Bush," according to a report from Cuba's state-run Radio Havana.

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
As I said, maybe they are able to separate the man from the politics. These people have had the opportunity to meet and talk with the individual face-to-face and come away with a different impression than others hold. I may not agree with them, but I respect their right to form, hold and express that opinion just as freely as I form, hold and express my opinion(s).

And that's a major distinctive between us and Castro... one I doubt he will understand in this lifetime and one that I doubt many of us fully appreciate.

You are completely on target. This is exactly what I mean! One CAN form whatever opinions they like. You are correct.

How on earth, though, can his admirers, separate his deeds when meeting him? When discussing what a genius he is, are his deeds ignored? His policies?

When one is a dictator that brutally treats his citizens, does not permit them to leave at will, imprisons or tortures those who want reform, how do you justify separating the politics from the man?

Also, how can they profess to hold admiration for Castro (so, he's charming?) while actively claiming our present administration is attempting to curtail our civil rights? Why do they admire what they see in Cuba while disparaging our present Administration with that (again, imo, false) claim?

 

[Abracadabra]

For me, a direct quote from someone saying something to the effect, "I support, approve and agree with Castro's politics, policies and activities" would be sufficient to convince me that the person was indeed a Castro sympathizer. Saying that they respect or admire him simply does not equate to being a sympathizer. To me that's too big a canyon to leap with the evidence provided on this thread so far. JMO.

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
For me, a direct quote from someone saying something to the effect, "I support, approve and agree with Castro's politics, policies and activities" would be sufficient to convince me that the person was indeed a Castro sympathizer. Saying that they respect or admire him simply does not equate to being a sympathizer. To me that's too big a canyon to leap with the evidence provided on this thread so far. JMO.

I love your signature.

 

[RitaZ.]

Originally posted by jennyanydots

I was reading about Cuban-Americans who visit relatives on the island, and who bring them needed supplies. and how the current administration's policy is to impose much stricter travel limitations on Americans visiting Cuba than we had under Clinton.. and how that has no effect on Castro, but a very negative affect on the families who have relatives trying to visit from the US.

Like you, I can't understand how the 70+ year old dictator of a small island, albeit one close to the US mainland, is such a major threat, but China and North Korea are not as sugnificant threats despite their military capacity. [/B]

The new travel restrictions went into effect a few months ago. Before the travel restrictions, Cubans in the U.S. could travel to the island once a year, they can now do so every 3 years. There are also restrictions on the length of stay as well as the amount of dollars they can spend per day. There are other ways (read illegal, via a third country) to travel to Cuba from here, but there are no guarantees to those that take the chance.

Of course that these restrictions affect Castro and the Cuban economy! Cuban-Americans were taking American dollars to give to their families, who are able to buy and get a lot more than the Cuban peso affords. A clever plan that Castro came up with, let the exiles visit "their loved ones" and in exchange they "subsidize" my dictatorship. With these restrictions in place, Castro is losing valuable tourism dollars which eventually puts the heat on Castro and his regime and hopefully get the heck out of there, once and for all.

BTW, most of my family still lives in Cuba. We went through hell to leave that forsaken island many years ago, especially my father. There is NO WAY that I would send one single American dollar to anyone in Cuba. I support the restrictions that are in place, but would definitely support much stricter rules, as in no travel to Cuba at all.

 

[bsnyder]

Great post, Rita. I know you worry about your family there. God bless all of them.

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by RitaZ.
The new travel restrictions went into effect a few months ago. Before the travel restrictions, Cubans in the U.S. could travel to the island once a year, they can now do so every 3 years. There are also restrictions on the length of stay as well as the amount of dollars they can spend per day. There are other ways (read illegal, via a third country) to travel to Cuba from here, but there are no guarantees to those that take the chance.

Of course that these restrictions affect Castro and the Cuban economy! Cuban-Americans were taking American dollars to give to their families, who are able to buy and get a lot more than the Cuban peso affords. A clever plan that Castro came up with, let the exiles visit "their loved ones" and in exchange they "subsidize" my dictatorship. With these restrictions in place, Castro is losing valuable tourism dollars which eventually puts the heat on Castro and his regime and hopefully get the heck out of there, once and for all.

BTW, most of my family still lives in Cuba. We went through hell to leave that forsaken island many years ago, especially my father. There is NO WAY that I would send one single American dollar to anyone in Cuba. I support the restrictions that are in place, but would definitely support much stricter rules, as in no travel to Cuba at all.

Susy has shared similar concerns. This is an excellent post. Those that meet with Castro and praise him admirably, do (imo) ignore this.

 

[Teejay32]

Originally posted by Kendra17
However, does this mean--in your opinion--that the folks that are sympathetic to Castro--are in the extremist camp?

I dunno...Kate Moss? I never saw anything to admire or respect about Castro but I don't pay much attention either. Maybe he gives really good parties. If it turns out that she (for example) is an articulate and impassioned Socialist, then yes. Socialism is an extreme in this country. So IMO the shoe fits.

 

[Teejay32]

Originally posted by Viking
I actively try to avoid buying Chinese stuff, but it is near impossible nowadays to get along without it.

ITA.

 

[Saffron]

Bwhwhwhahahahaha! I have been watching this thread all day, trying to figure out what this thread is really about! I just saw somebody's signature and figured it out! Too darn funny!

Head for the hills all you Democrat commies! She's a fixin' to find you all!

Speakin' of fixin', here's a little ditti in the fight to get all them commies! Go get 'em!

" ...Come on generals, let's move fast
Your big chance has come at last
Now you can go out and get those Reds
'Cause the only good Commie is the one that's dead
And you know that peace
Can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come ..."

Yeee Haw!!!!!

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by Saffron
Bwhwhwhahahahaha! I have been watching this thread all day, trying to figure out what this thread is really about! I just saw somebody's signature and figured it out! Too darn funny!

Head for the hills all you Democrat commies! She's a fixin' to find you all!

Speakin' of fixin', here's a little ditti in the fight to get all them commies! Go get 'em!

"

Saffron, there is no secret to what I was asking.
Yes, I am wondering what appeal Communist or Socialist society holds to some avowed Democrats.

You can mock or dislike the picture in my signature (that I wound up removing due to size), but the truth is, I chose to phrase everything in this post very carefully--because I was hoping to glean some insight from the Left. Whether you like the picture of Kerry with the former Vietnamese leader or not, I do think sympathy for Castro and Communism in general is a real issue and, from what I've read and seen, I don't think it's exclusive to a few Hollywood celebrities.

I am posting it here, if I can, although I have to keep it out of my signature.

Photograph of John Kerry meeting with Comrade Do Muoi, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, in Vietnam. Photo displayed in the War Remnants Museum (formerly the "War Crimes Museum") in Saigon to honor those whose actions and deeds helped Vietnam win the war. English-language placard below photograph reads: "Mr. Do Muoi, Secretary General of the Vietnam Communist Party met with Congressmen and Veterans Delegation in Vietnam (July 15-18, 1993)"

 

[Sirius]

In 2001, George W. Bush praised Langston Hughes as one of the writers "that inspire us." ("That" should be "who" as he was talking about a person, but it's only grammar and not my point.)

In 2002, Laura Bush recited a poem by Langston Hughes during a celebration of the Harlem Renaissance at the White House.

Since every learned person knows that Langston Hughes was a member of the Communist party, does that make George and Laura communist sympathizers?


Pictures and Poems Do Not a Communist Make...rather Shakespearean. don't you think?

 

[Sirius]

Bush holds welcome ceremony for Communist Chinese premier

RUN FOR THE HILLS...They're all Commies!