Democrats and Castro Sympathizers

[jennyanydots]

not all Cuban-American agree -- many are objecting to the new restrictions. washington post article

Carlos F. Lazo, an American military medic on 15 days' leave from Iraq, wanted to see his teenage sons in Cuba. He flew to Miami, only to be told that new Bush administration rules designed to punish Cuba made it impossible.



"I just wanted to see my children for one day. In the next eight months in Iraq, who knows what could happen?" Lazo said yesterday. "I got very mad. I am not voting for George Bush this year."

Lazo's anger is at the heart of a charged debate over Cuba policy and Florida politics that could prove pivotal in the Nov. 2 election. In a gamble designed in part to capitalize, Democratic challenger John F. Kerry is taking a position different from that of hard-line Cuban exiles courted most often by both parties and considered the Cuban Americans most likely to vote.


the article goes on to discuss polls of Cuban-Americans. this stance is costing Bush votes. the hard liners (who came here in the 60's and 70's) tend to agree with Bush, the more recent immigrants -- with stronger ties to the island -- tend object to this policy, and the americans of Cuban descent who were born here tend to be in the category of "don't really care".

if he loses even 20% of this group of voters, it could change the outcome of the election.

economic sanctions have been in place for over 40 years. Castro isn't going anywhere.

 

[Saffron]

Ronald Reagan and that Commie guy meet! Look out Ronnie, we're just huntin' Dems now, but you never know when Reps are next!

Maybe we could turn this into a, "Post a picture of your favorite Commie" thread.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
. 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.

Is that how you would justify "admiration" for Ted Bundy??? "Gee he was a handsome, friendly guy, you just have to be able to look beyond what he believes or does".

 

[shortbun]

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!

" ...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!!!!!

i'm sitting here singing the rest of it. I think I'll get out the
whole album. I need a little Woodstock in my life today.
Thanks for the blast from the past-
can't believe we've gone back in time.
"Let's not stop to wonder why
Whoopee, we're all gonna die!"

 

[Saffron]

Holy Toledo! Who is that with Republican Vice President Richard Nixon!

 

[peachgirl]

Originally posted by Saffron
Holy Toledo! Who is that with Republican Vice President Richard Nixon!

The horror! To think, we had a commie for a president! Who knew!!! Nixon was really a flaming lib??? Well, the world as I knew it no longer exists!!

You know, I think we should have some senate hearings and "out"all these dangerous communist sympathizers...

Wait...it's already been done.

I know! Let's do it right here on the dis!

Question #1:

Are you, or have you ever been a member of the communist party?


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[Paradise]

Originally posted by peachgirl
The horror! To think, we had a commie for a president! Who knew!!! Nixon was really a flaming lib??? Well, the world as I knew it no longer exists!!

You know, I think we should have some senate hearings and "out"all these dangerous communist sympathizers...

Wait...it's already been done.

I know! Let's do it right here on the dis!

Question #1:

Are you, or have you ever been a member of the communist party?


<center><IMG width="150" SRC="http://homepage.mac.com/colonelpanic/DU_Photos/web-content/IwoBush.jpg"></center>

Looks like Kendra put her foot in it again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[charlie,nj]

'Fahrenheit 9/11' is a big hit in ..Cuba.

******

'Fahrenheit 9/11' Shown on Prime Time TV in Cuba

Thu Jul 29, 2004 06:53 PM ET

HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. director Michael Moore's anti-Bush documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" was shown on prime time Cuban state-run television on Thursday after playing to packed cinemas for a week.

In a country with a deep-seated distrust of U.S. governments, the film has generated widespread public interest and added to a recent barrage of official criticism of President Bush.

Cubans have stood in long lines to buy tickets to see rough DVD copies projected at 120 cinema theaters across the island to unfailing applause.

"We hope this film will lead Americans to see the reality of their government, and not only deny Bush reelection but put him on trial for the harm he has done to humanity," said retired worker Armando Rodriguez.

"The film is a work of love for humanity. It confirms what many of us believe, that George W. Bush is a real threat to the world," said University of Havana professor Arnaldo Coro Antich.

Hostility between Washington and Havana dates back four decades since President Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution, but relations have become very tense since Bush launched a plan to undermine Castro's communist-run government in May.

Restrictions put into effect by the White House on June 30 to cut back visits and cash remittances to Cuba by relatives living in the United States have annoyed Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits.

In a speech on Monday, Castro portrayed Bush as a "sinister" religious fundamentalist bent on destroying Cuban socialism and lengthily discussed the U.S. president's past drinking problems as the root of his "bellicosity."

Castro drew laughter from his audience quoting Moore's book "Stupid White Men" which questions Bush's reading abilities.

Cuban dissidents who saw "Fahrenheit 9/11" praised the United States for its freedom of expression and lamented that such criticism of a president was not allowed in Cuba where the one-party state controls the media.

******

I think the above piece proves that if you saw "Fahrenheit 9/11" you are a card carrying member of the commie party. (I have not and will not see it) How dare that bearded, cigar smoking bum Castro call our President stupid. (he's probably still pissed off that he is named after a collapsible bed)

 

[WillyJ]

Here's Nixon being very friendly with Leonid Brezhniv. . who was the head of a communist country!!

 

[we3luvdisney]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
Does any one of you, regardless of your politcal party, REALLY CARE what an extremly wealthy, spoiled rotten and probably way out of touch with the real world celebrity thinks about politics anyway???

I certainly don't. They are entitled to their opinions, but I honestly don't care what their opinions are and I don't know many people who do.

I guess it's the same as ....

Does any one of you, regardless of your political party, REALLY CARE what an extremly wealthy, spoiled rotten and probably way out of touch with the real world politician thinks or believes what the "common man" wants/needs.

 

[Kendra17]

Heads of state and government officials that deal diplomatically with China, the former Soviet Union, even Cuba, etc., is absolutely not the same thing as many current vocal democrats/Kerry supporters praising Castro. You can say it is, but it's not. You can joke about whatever you'd like, but addressing foreign concerns with foreign leaders that differ politically as a representative of this country is clearly different than visiting a murdering tyrannical dictator, socializing with him, and then praising him and his policies on return.

Castro denies many liberties to the citizens of Cuba that we hold dear here in the United States. Those that sympathize or praise Castro while deriding Bush and accusing our president of trying to curtail OUR civil liberties (although this is truly a false assertion), are complete hypocrites.

Kerry's picture is also very important, although maybe you'd prefer it not to be. He's being HONORED by the government we were at war with for AIDING and ASSISTING THEM DURING the war. This is not a handshake photo-op. He came to accept thanks from this government for the honor they bestowed upon him. He has a prominent place in their museum that is dedicated to the war. The exhibit that he's a part of is an honor for foreigners elsewhere that acted heroically. So, now he's a war hero for both our country AND Vietnam. I see this as a bit troublesome. You may disagree.

 

[peachgirl]

You can say it is, but it's not.

Is too....

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[Paradise]

Originally posted by peachgirl
Is too....

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You go GIRL !!!!!

 

[Tiziminchac]

When I was a teenager I was very interested in Cuba. I read all the books I could find. All the biographies of Castro. The Cuban revolution was fascinating to me. I actually admired Castro for what he did during the revolution. I thought he was a man with integrity and ideals who fought for the common man. But he betrayed his people. Once he took power he became a despot.

I would like to meet Castro. But I don't think he would like what I would have to say. Who knows, maybe in his presence I would become meek and not say a thing. The guy is known for his marathon speeches, I probably wouldn't get a word in! I definitely believe there is a cult of personality that exists in Cuba for him. "The rebel commander still fighting off the Yankee aggressors!" Entire generations know nothing but Castro. Yeah, Cubans get great medical assistance and they all go to school. But look at the poverty and the human rights abuse.

As for celebrities, they only see the best Cuba has to offer. I'm sure they don't hang out in the slums. They probably see a tropical paradise. I wonder if any of them ever get a chance to talk to someone like my friend in Key Largo. A man who was brought into a field along with about twenty other people and lined up and shot. My friend was rounded up because he dared to voice an opposition to Castro's policies. He told me that once the soldiers began to fire he passed out, only to awaken shortly later to discover that he wasn't shot but assumed dead by the soldiers. He crawled off into the woods and escaped the island to start a new life in America.

 

[susy]

Okay, I did gag (not actually vomit) when I saw the HIS photo on this thread. " In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". John 16:33

Isn't it WONDERFUL that we have the freedom to actually express ourselves in this way?? And a computer? And A/C (I'm in FL)?

Nice to meet you, Rita!!! My mom came from Cuba as a teenager in 1961. Most of her family stayed behind. They didn't think it would last. They though it would all be "over" soon. Yikes-they are still paying for that lapse in judgment, as are their children and now grandchildren. In contrast, my mom's grandchildren (my son included) are enjoying freedom and prosperity.

We have been able to send money and things over to them over the years. My mom's cousin is a pastor in Miami and people frequently go to bring stuff. My cousin had EVERYTHING taken away from her on her last trip. Once I saw a "wedding picture" of a girl in my family. She was wearing an old dress that I'd thrown away and wouldn't be seen dead in. She looked so happy and her family was so grateful for the dress! I almost died!



A few memebers of my family have made it over here (like 2). My mom's cousin's daughter and her husband were in their twenties. He's an engineer and he and his wife spent the first 8 years of their marriage sleeping on someone's kitchen floor. So much for being an engineer! Well, they won the lottery to come here!!!!! AND they did not know that she was pregnant at the time!!! Their daughter, who is now 5 years old is an American citizen! Thank you, God!

I can't get passed why anyone would WANT to meet him... If you listen to his speeches, he doesn't make any sense....and they MAKE these poor people stand there and listen to it for hours.

 

[susy]

I just wanted to add...doesn't my son look HAPPY at his 15th character meal at Disney?

 

[Abracadabra]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
Is that how you would justify "admiration" for Ted Bundy??? "Gee he was a handsome, friendly guy, you just have to be able to look beyond what he believes or does".

This is a rather odd seque and a rather illogical conclusion to draw. A more reasonable comparison would be someone who disagreed with former Pres. Clinton's politics and policies, but managed to maintain a sense of respect out of deference for the office of the President.

My point is that one can have respect for, maybe even admiration of, a world leader without necessarily supporting/endorsing that individual's policies or politics. I've had engaging, enlightening dinners & conversations with people with whom I disagree, but still found a sense of respect and even admiration for them. It's possible to do if you are able to manage an open mind.

 

[DawnCt1]

Originally posted by Abracadabra
This is a rather odd seque and a rather illogical conclusion to draw. A more reasonable comparison would be someone who disagreed with former Pres. Clinton's politics and policies, but managed to maintain a sense of respect out of deference for the office of the President.

It absolutely isn't. Castro has been responsible for the oppression, imprisonment and murder of an innumerable number of those "who disagree" with him since he came to power. I wonder if the same people would sit down and have a drink with Uday and Qusay and come to the conclusion that they just "disagree" on women's rights?

 

[WillyJ]

For the record, I abhor Castro's policies and condom the repression he has imposed on the people of Cuba.

I also think that after 40 years the isolattionist policy we've had in place against Cuba has kept him in check but adding further restictions will only hurt those who will be further isolated from family members there. ..

Why does it seem Castro is admired by celebrities? Hard to say, but perhaps they see him as the ultimate underdog who has been a target by the most powerful nation on earth and yet has survived and defiantly not allowed the US government to turn Cuba into a "Banana Republic" where the people become wage-slaves for conglomerates like United Fruit.

The lofty praise of Castro by some definitely shows a disturbing lack of compassion for those living under Castro's rule, but his story is a fascinating one and to say everything he's done is totally evil and bad isn't realistic either.


And there is a modern lesson here as well. .

Castro overthrew a guy named Batista- Batista had allowed Cuba to be overran my the Mafia and he exploited the people every bit as much as Castro has. . .and in fact American leaders at first embraced Castro and endorsed his revolution until he embraced communism. .

Something we might remember before stating things like "How can anyone say the Iraqi's aren't better off with Saddam gone?"

No matter how bad some dictator/leader is, someone worse can always wind up in control.



As for the Kerry picture; he was over there trying to find ways to get our POW's released. Vietnam is a communist country still, and just because they used his image for propaganda purposes doesn't make what they say the truth.

If you want to believe a communist regime over an American who risked his life for his country and then stood up for what he believed when he returned home, that's you're right. . but I choose to believe the American soldier.

 

[susy]

Right. American leaders AT FIRST embraced him because he LIED. I've seen the speech many times-he says over and over, "I am not a socialist. I am not a socialist". No...you're just a communist. He is not an elected presidnet. He's a dictator. Cuban citizens have NO rights. No freedoms at all. No chance to have a "better" life by working hard and having goals, dreams, and desires. Doctors and children all work in the fields just like everyone else-except Castro. I don't consider him a "world leader". He is a self-appointed tryant who has taken a country and run a steam-roller over it. It's like having respect adn admiration for the playground bully. As long as he doesn't touch my kid....