This blog has had no shortage of discussion about the recent ballyhoo generated by the meager economic reforms introduced by Raul Castro earlier this year. I have argued that the upshot of these changes has been in line in line with the catch-phrase "what is new is old and what is old is new." The "list of shame" below - prepared by the Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies - serves as a stark reminder that not much has in fact changed in Cuba since Raul took power (*with the exception of one pre-Raul prohibition that has no substantive effect on the overwhelming part of Cuban population).
Cubans can not:
• Travel abroad without government permission.
• Change jobs without government permission.
• Change residence without government permission.
• Access the Internet without government permission (the Internet is closely monitored and controlled by the government. Only 1.67% of the population has access to the Internet).
• Send their children to a private or religious school (all schools are government run; there are no religious schools in Cuba).
• Watch independent or private radio or TV stations (all TV and radio stations are owned and run by the government). Cubans illegally watch/listen to foreign broadcasts.
• Read books, magazines or newspapers, unless approved/published by the government (all books, magazines and newspapers are published by the government).
• Receive publications from abroad or from visitors (punishable by jail terms under Law 88).
• Visit or stay in tourist hotels, restaurants, and resorts. (*exception)
• Seek employment with foreign companies on the island, unless approved by the government.
• Run for public office unless approved by Cuba’s Communist Party.
• Own businesses, unless they are very small and approved by the government and pay onerous taxes.
• Join an independent labor union (there is only one, government controlled labor union and no individual or collective bargaining is allowed; neither are strikes or protests).
• Retain a lawyer, unless approved by the government.
• Choose a physician or hospital. Both are assigned by the government.
• Refuse to participate in mass rallies and demonstrations organized by the Cuban Communist Party.
• Criticize the Castro regime or the Cuban Communist Party, the only party allowed in Cuba.
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12 comments:
This list, which is not entirely accurate, was prepared by the Cuba Transition Project in Miami, an institution funded by the federal government to create such lists, and other information which presents an entirely negative portrait of Cuban life and institutions.
Lincoln Manuel neglected to provide the source of his listing, it should be kept in mind that the Transition Project is funded by the Federal government to promote these views. Check its website:
http://ctp.iccas.miami.edu/ See the little icon on the upper right side of the page.
I do not see how a USA Government agency's sponsorship of this research center has tainted the specific points that Mr. Manuel listed. It's been several years since my family and I left Cuba, but that list is very accurate.
Maybe if you were raised or lived there, and not just visited the tourist hotels and areas for a short time, you too would not be so quick to dismiss the fact that Cuba is ruled by tyrants and is a complete mess because of them and their friends.
And to you, Mr. Manuel, can I propose a moratorium on the word "ballyhoo". It is just a word, and not some punctuation mark that you have to include in every sentence you write. Coño, acere, comprate un libro de sinonimos!
Several of these points are utterly, demonstrably false.
Joani Sanchez seems to have no difficulty posting her blog entries, though she cannot possibly have government support for doing so, based on their content.
Foreign newspapers are indeed brought into Cuba. I've done so several tims with such publications as the New York Times, Mexico's La Jornada and others, so that claim is false.
I've regularly brought foreign books, records, and DVDs into Cuba without difficulty whatsoever.
All books, newspapers and magazines are NOT published by the government. Many of the island's churches have their own newspapers and magazines, which are printed legally on their own presses, and which are distributed by the mails inside of Cuba. I have personally seen many of these.
Plenty of people choose not to participate in rallies. Havana has a population of two million and rarely has one million at rallies.
So many of these drammatic-sounding restrictions simply are not tru at all.
Some of the ones listed, such as freedome to travel abroad are limited. Anyone can quit their job, and it is possible to get hired for others. I have people that I know who have done that.
I have travelled to Cuba over fifteen times in the past nine years. How often have you travelled to Cuba. My most recent visit ended in January 2008.
For your information, I have spent about two YEARS in Cuba during this time, and spent less than two WEEKS of the entire TWO YEARS in tourist hotels. My typical visits to Cuba last three months and I stay with personal acquaintances.
If Jorgito is actually a Marielito, he left over 28 years ago. My experiences are more recent, and my memory is accurate.
Welcome back Walter and thank you for your post my good gent.
Before I address the heart of your post however, I would like to respecfully indulge in a brief digression to the world of American film to illustrate the value of your voice to this blog and our continuing discussions.
You may be familiar with the very successful Indian-American film director M. Night Shyamalan -- who at a young age catapulted onto the scene with the classic "The Sixth Sense." I must confess that I'm a big fan of his movies (and this notwithstanding what many critics have assailed as his "sophomore" recent slump with movies like "The Happening," "Lady in the Walter," and "The Village" et al.)
Well, one of my favorites is "Unbreakable." In it, Bruce Willis (yes, he of "Moonlighting" and the "Die Hard" movies fame) stars as a security guard who discovers he has super hero powers, and opposite him Samuel Jackson stars as "Mr. Glass" a swarthy figure who is raised in the tough streets of West Philadelphia and who suffers from a rare congenital bone disease where his bones break easily. It is only through Bruce Willis character's continuing engagement with "Mr. Glass" (unbeknownst to the former) that he discovers his super hero powers and ultimately this leads to his great discovery that the latter is in fact his arch nemesis. If you haven't seen the movie, I won't be rude and give away the ending other than to say that Mr. Glass does in fact ultimately prove to be breakable.
And so, I would liken our own cyber engagement to that of the security guard and "Mr. Glass" and I think you well know where I'm heading with this one, I'm not "Mr. Glass." And oh yes, as unpalpatable as it may be to you, that analogy extends itself best to the regime and its opposition both internally and extraterritorially.
With respect to your contention that I neglected to refer to the correct source of this information or worse any suggestion that having done so was intentional, I'm frankly befuddled, hoodwinked, bamboozoled all at once here and oh yes it is categorically incorrect, since I did cite the correct source of the information and your link to ICAAS' Cuban Transition Project website proves as much. And as succintly noted by Jorgito El Marielto (more on this below), why should that matter when what informs it is categorically accurate even if you actively choose to gloss over those realities when on your tourist jaunts in Cuba?
To your next contention that the list if not "entirely accurate," and having only afforded a cursory review to your response to my brethren "Jorgito El Marielto's post, I am not persuaded and I would respectfully ask that you provide substantive evidence to support the same and as you well know that is more than anecdotal "de minimus" window dressing evidence such as CNN's Lucia Newman is there, or that select liberal publications are available for purchase at select tourist havens.
To Jorgito el Marielito, thank you for your post and welcome to the blog mi hermano. First things first, let me just say that I appreciate the art of some good old fashioned well intentioned "guaperia." (lol) To your proposal for a moratorium on the world "ballyhoo," it is both well and not so well received. It is well received if it is meant to suggest that a moratorium is needed in this case like one is needed on the unrelenting coverage of the Brett Favre-Green Bay Packers odyssey/sojourn/journey (there are a couple of synonyms there) (lol). If so, I will be happy to honor your request so long as Brett Favre stays unretired which can change at any minute (lol). It is however not well received if it is meant to suggest that a moratorium is needed here like the ones (and worse) that are arbitrarily imposed on Cubans for engaging in the very things on the "shame list." And since I know that could not possibly mean the latter, I will govern myself accordinly and proceed as set forth above.
Lucia Newman left Havana YEARS ago to work in Chile. Regret I haven't seen the movies you mention. Will take myself out to a light romantic comedy this afternoon. Too much politics make Jack or Walter, a dull boy.
I make no claims that life is easy in Cuba for Cubans because it isn't, but even Joani Sanchez manages to get her reports posted on the net, though they are obviously not in a voice which the Cuban government would like as they are so downbeat.
Chao,
Walter
Best wishes,
Walter
Thanks for the clarification on Lucia Newman's whereabouts.
You'll get no objection from me about life in Cuba being harsh.
I am not familiar with Joani Sanchez and her blog. I do appreciate the recommendation and will endeavor to check it out at some point. I'll be interested to know whether the "downbeat" tenor of her blog rises to the level of true dissent as opposed to something else.
I hear you on your point about too much politics making for a dull boy, not to mention getting one "geeked" (as in uber hyper) as the kids say these days. I hope that you enjoy your light romantic comedy.
For a nice counterbalance to today's movie, and if you haven't already seen a sneak preview, I recommend that you check out the independently produced documentary "Shooting Michael Moore." I recently saw a sneak preview and recommend it -- especially the last 10-15 minutes of the film which provide disturbing present day images of the deplorable conditions that exist in certain local Cuban hospitals which care only for Cubans. I think that it will be widely released later this month. If you've seen it, or after you see it, I would be curious to get your perspective.
I am so frustrated at hearing you in the exile community of south Florida and Washington sit in your air conditioned offices and make lists for government agencies and newspapers to show an uninformed public how horrible those leading a revolution are. Maybe if you would have stayed on the island and actually made a difference to those who are effected by the denial of what we call basic rights, then your complaining would be worth something. But I am sorry that in the 50's while some in Cuba were experiencing extreme amounts of wealth due to the american gangster and of course the government, who was actually aiding one of the most ruthless, greedy hustlers in your history (Batista), the majority of the island was suffering. The government that is in place now decided they werent going to take the greed of american business, that same greed has infected you in south Florida, and actually did something about it. And you better believe that if the United States wouldnt have been a constant threat to Fidel he wouldnt have acted in ways he was forced to. So if you want to help your brothers then take the advice of Marti and leave United States business interests out of Cuba. When will you understand that Cuba is and has been trying something new, a life free form imperialism that supports nationalism and ultimately a more sustainable way of life. So continue to call for a stricter blockade, continue attempting to assassinate Cubas greatest revolutionary, make more attempts to fund dissident groups who desire to see american tanks rolling down el malecon, but all this is doing is creating a larger divide between you and them.
A BLOG FROM A MIAMI’S CUBAN EXILE
ANOUGH WAR AGAINST AMERICAN IMPERIALISM; THESE FIFTY YEARS OF INSURED RIGHTS AND GOODS IN UNITED STATES, ALLOWED THE NATIONAL PROCESS, TO RID THEMSELVES OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EVIL EMPIRE. THE EMPIRE’S NEW PRESIDENT IS BLACK; IT IS THE NEXT SYNTHESIS, IN UNITED STATES, OF FREE THINKING AND GREEDY AND RACIST.
IN CUBA NOBODY THINKS, IF IS NOT THE 26 OF JULY. OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS AND INTO WAR WITH THE AMERICAN EMPIRE’S WINDMILLS, FOR 50 YEARS; NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR OWN LACK OF PERSONAL/NATIONAL FREEDOM TO THINK AND ACT. BUT TODAY, THERE IS THINKING OUT OF CUBA, AND IT IS NOT FROM THE 26; THEY ARE THE CUBAN BLOGGERS, SHOWING US BACK TO THE BASIC OBJECTIVE OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION, WICH IS FREEDOM OF INDIVIDUAL/NATIONAL THOUGHT AND ACTION.
IN UNITED STATES, THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY INSURING ALL RIGHTS AND GOODS, FOR MONEY, BEFORE THE LAW, BY PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SUPERVISED BY GOVERNMENT.
THE ROAD OF WAR IS NOT THE ROAD TO FREEDOM; LET THE 26 OF JULY GENERALS OFFER SOMETHING OTHER, THAN DOWN WITH THE IMPERIALISM; AND LET US LISTEN TO THE CUBAN BLOGGERS, WHO ARE TEACHING THE BASIC DIALOG OF THOUGHT, CONDUCTIVE TO OUR NEXT FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND ACTION SYNTHESIS IN CUBA.
HECTOR CORNILLOT
PLEASE, PRAY A FEW SECONDS TO YOUR GOD, FOR EDUARDO AROCENA FAMILY. AROCENA IS A CUBAN WARRIOR IN A UNITED STATES PRISON.
A BLOG FROM A MIAMI’S CUBAN EXILE
ANOUGH WAR AGAINST AMERICAN IMPERIALISM; THESE FIFTY YEARS OF INSURED RIGHTS AND GOODS IN UNITED STATES, ALLOWED THE NATIONAL PROCESS, TO RID THEMSELVES OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EVIL EMPIRE. THE EMPIRE’S NEW PRESIDENT IS BLACK; IT IS THE NEXT SYNTHESIS, IN UNITED STATES, OF FREE THINKING AND GREEDY AND RACIST.
IN CUBA NOBODY THINKS, IF IS NOT THE 26 OF JULY. OUT OF THE MOUNTAINS AND INTO WAR WITH THE AMERICAN EMPIRE’S WINDMILLS, FOR 50 YEARS; NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO OUR OWN LACK OF PERSONAL/NATIONAL FREEDOM TO THINK AND ACT. BUT TODAY, THERE IS THINKING OUT OF CUBA, AND IT IS NOT FROM THE 26; THEY ARE THE CUBAN BLOGGERS, SHOWING US BACK TO THE BASIC OBJECTIVE OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION, WICH IS FREEDOM OF INDIVIDUAL/NATIONAL THOUGHT AND ACTION.
IN UNITED STATES, THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY INSURING ALL RIGHTS AND GOODS, FOR MONEY, BEFORE THE LAW, BY PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SUPERVISED BY GOVERNMENT.
THE ROAD OF WAR IS NOT THE ROAD TO FREEDOM; LET THE 26 OF JULY GENERALS OFFER SOMETHING OTHER, THAN DOWN WITH THE IMPERIALISM; AND LET US LISTEN TO THE CUBAN BLOGGERS, WHO ARE TEACHING THE BASIC DIALOG OF THOUGHT, CONDUCTIVE TO OUR NEXT FREEDOM OF CHOICE AND ACTION SYNTHESIS IN CUBA.
HECTOR CORNILLOT
PLEASE, PRAY A FEW SECONDS TO YOUR GOD, FOR EDUARDO AROCENA FAMILY. AROCENA IS A CUBAN WARRIOR IN A UNITED STATES PRISON.
IT’S GETTING THERE
THIS NEW NORTHAMERICAN POLICY OF INCLUSIONISM, SEEMS TO BE MOTIVATING THE 26 OF JULY DICTATORSHIP TO LISTEN, AND ALLOW MORE EXCHANGE, AMONG THE ISLAND CUBANS AND EXILES.
THOSE OF US, WHO CANNOT TRAVEL TO THE ISLAND, ARE TAKEN THERE, VIRTUALLY, TODAY, BY THE CUBAN BLOGOSPHERE; WHERE WE READ AND SHARE IDEAS OF FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND ACTION FOR ALL IN THE ISLAND, AND THEY PICTUREWALK US THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR PATRIOTIC RESPONSIBILITIES TO STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM OF ACTION AND THOUGHT IN CUBA. IN MIAMI, THE VAN VAN AND OTHER UNCENSORED ARTISTS, ARE SO PRESENT, VIGILIA MAMBISA MUST BE STRAINED TO PROTEST THEM ALL; AND WITH THESE EXCHANGES, THE NEED TO HAVE INSURED RIGHTS AND GOODS IN CUBA, AS WE DO IN THESE UNITED STATES, BECOME MORE OBVIOUS.
HECTOR CORNILLOT
PLEASE, PRAY A FEW SECONDS TO YOUR GOD, FOR EDUARDO AROCENA FAMILY. AROCENA IS A CUBAN WARRIOR IN A UNITED STATES PRISON.
ORLANDO ZAPATA TAMAYO MARTYRDOOM CAN CHANGE THE WAY CUBANS AND EXILES SEEK FREEDOM OF THOUGHT AND ACTION IN CUBA, FOR ALL CUBANS: SELFLESSNESS, CANDID INTENTIONS AND ACTION, ARE THE WAY.
HAD CUBAN EXILES SUNK A 26 OF JULY DICTATORSHIP ARMED BOAT IN A CUBAN COAST, IT WOULD HAVE NOT SENT THE WORLD-WIDE-SHUDDER ORLANDO ZAPATA TAMAYO’S MARTYRDOOM HAS, BY CHOOSING DEATH BEFORE THE ARBITRARY ABUSE OF POWER, AND PERSEVERENCE BEFORE THE DICTATORS LIES, SHOWING THE GENERALS DICTATORS FOR THE AUTOCRATS THEY ARE, WITH NO OTHER PLAN FOR CUBA THAN WAR AND THEIR OWN IDOLATRY; AND EXILES, AS CELEBRANTS OF HEROISM FROM AFAR.
AS IT HAPPENS, SINKING A DICTATORS ARMED BOAT IN CUBA BRINGS PERSECUTION, PROSECUTION, PRISON OR DEATH. . WHILE THE LOUD PROTEST OF THE DICTATOR FROM U.S. BRING COSIDERATION, AND A PRIVILEDGE IMMIGRATION STATUS. THEREFORE, ANTICASTRO PROTEST WILL CONTINUE IN EXILE, AS LONG AS THEY ARE A SOURCE OF BENEFITS AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR PROTESTERS, AND NO THREAT TO CASTRO’S DICTATORSHIP FROM MIAMI, FOR FEW WILL SEEK FREEDOM FOR CUBA, IF IT MEANS PERSECUTION AND RISK OF LIFE AND FREEDOM.
AS LONG AS THE ANTI CASTRO PROTEST ARE A SOURCE OF PERSECUTION, SOCIAL OSTRACISM, AND IMMPRISONMENT IN CUBA, AND A SOURCE OF CONGRATULATIONS AND PARTY LIKE, REWARDS, IN EXILE,CUBAN FREEDOM IS NOT TO BE.
HECTOR CORNILLOT
PLEASE, PRAY A FEW SECONDS TO YOUR GOD FOR EDUARDO AROCENA FAMILY; AROCENA IS A CUBAN WARRIOR IN A UNITED STATES PRISON.
ARIZONA’S LAW, EFFECT AND CAUSE
THE NEW “GESTAPO” LAW IN ARIZONA IS SO BIGOT AND BIAS THAT IT BRINGS OUT THE WORST IN MULTIGENERATIONAL U.S. CITIZENS, AROUND THE NATION; BY THE ILLEGAL ALIEN POPULATION FLOUTING THEIR ILLEGALITY, AND DEMANDING TO BE KEPT HERE ON THEIR OWN TERMS. HOPEFULLY, COOLER HEADS WILL PREVAIL IN WASHINGTON, AND JUST, NEW IMMIGRATION LAWS WILL BE ENFORCED TO PUT AND END TO; MACHINGUN CARRYING ICE POLICE; AND MASS DEPORTATIONS, WHILE NEW 21 CENTURY “GOTHS” MARCH THROUGH ALL U.S. BORDERS
MOST ALLIENS ARE ABSORVED BY THE AMERICAN’S LAND OF OPPORTUNITIES, OPPORTUNITIES, AND THEIR CHILDREN INTO THE MAINSTREAM, BUT IT IS NOT FAIR FOR THOSE WHO WAIT FOR LEGAL ENTRANCE. IF I WERE A MULTIGENERATIONAL AMERICAN CITIZEN, WOULD BE UPSET TO SEE HUNDRED OF THOUSANDS OF CUBANS RECEIVE PRIVILIGE IMMIGRATION TREATMENT CLAIMING TO HAVE COME HERE TEMPORARILY TO OVERTHROW THE CUBAN DICTATORS, ONLY TO QUIT TRYING WHEN THE EMPIRE’S GOVERMENTE QUIT MEDDLING IN THE 70’S, BUT KEPT ASKING AND RECEIVING THE PRIVILEGE OF THE ONES WHO SACRIFICED FOR THEM. AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OTHERS, FROM SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA, USING THE SAME LIE TO GAIN PREFERENCIAL TREATMENT, WHILE SAYING THAT EVERYTYHING IN THEIR COUNTRIES IS BETTER THAN HERE, AND SATISFIED WITH LIVING IN THE FRINGES OF SOCIETY RATHER THAN IMMERGE IN THE AMERICAN MAINSTREAM, BECAUSE “THEY ARE GOING HOME WITH THE DOLLARS”.
FORTUNATELY, JUANES BROKE THE HUMANISTIC ICE IN CUBA, ORLANDO TAMAYO ZAPATA, SHOWED THE WAY OF SELFLESSNESS, THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF THE EMPIRE WANT TO USE EMPATHY, AND CUBANS IN EXILE ARE REDISCOVERING HUMANISM. HURRY UP TIME!
HECTOR CORNILLOT
PLEASE, PRAY A FEW SECONDS TO YOUR GOD, FOR EDUARDO AROCENA FAMILY; AROCENA IS A CUBAN WARRIOR PRISONER IN UNITED STATES.
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