Fidel Castro Has Died.
- Thread starter Gameface
- Start date
RIP seems like a weird sentiment in this case. Evidence that even the worst people do not retain power forever.
Edit : It occurs to me that I should research him. All I've ever heard was what a bad guy he is, but I don't actually know that much about him.
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Edit : It occurs to me that I should research him. All I've ever heard was what a bad guy he is, but I don't actually know that much about him.
Sent from my HTC6535LVW using JazzFanz mobile app
RandyForRubio
Well-Known Member
I take it you've never been to Cuba. But yeah, cares about the people so much that if you disagreed with him publicly, time to go to the firing squad. Real lover of people that Castro guy.
Apparently one of Trump's campaign promises was to reverse Obama's progress in the Cuban/American relationship. I hope this is another one that he backs off.
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I have never been. (Have you?)
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Because that Fulgencio Batista dictator guy that the US supported prior to Castro's takeover was so much better? Batista sucked so much that he essentially paved the way for a communist takeover.
I take it that you haven't studied much Cuban history.
Castro was loved by some hated by many. But it wasn't like the American supported guy prior was any better. You'd think that Americans after the Iraqi war debacle would realize that often in foreign affairs you're not choosing between black or white; white bad or good.
RandyForRubio
Well-Known Member
Yes.
RandyForRubio
Well-Known Member
One would think that maybe you could read as you're a teacher, but I guess not. I never mentioned Batista. He's irrelevant to whether Castro was good or not. Believe it or not, it's possible for both of them to be bad. And I've seen the poverty of Cuba, I've seen them try to covet it up, silence the dissenters, we know they execute those who do t agree with policy. Improvement or not, he was still bad.
Where did you visit? I'd love to wander around Trinidad sometime.
NAOS
Well-Known Member
It's pretty funny/interesting that you have said this much about your exposure Cuba, but have yet to be transparent about the nature and duration of your travels there.
It's starting to remind me of the way my family has spoken about LA. They came here once on a church mission project. They spent 99% of their time on Skid Row. They spent 3 days in the area (hotel accommodations were, of course, in a "much safer area"). Blowhards like my step dad left thinking they had the scoop on LA as a whole. Great stories for the congregation and political allies.
In other words, come clean Hants. This objectivity pose is tiresome/hilarious.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Ok let's go back to your original post, about how mean and had Castro was for killing those who disagreed with him. Sure, it's not nice. But it's completely understandable given who those who disagreed with him were. Those who disagreed with him were mostly those of the old guard. Those who had no problem persecuting others. Who had no problem keeping large landowners in power. Who had no problem keeping decent health care away from the common man. Had the United States not employed the embargo, things could've been far different. We look at Castro and Cuba as this impoverished country. We act as if that is on Castro. His design. In reality, it has been mostly due to the trade embargo. Which hasn't deposed of the Castro family but has lowered the income and opportunity for your avg Cuban.
Had the United States supported Castro as they did Batista, things would've been far different. And before we claim, "well well well... Cuba is communist!" Let's reflect upon how much business we have with communist countries. I mean hell, what is china or Vietnam?
The difference is, under Castro there's no chance in hell he'd allow American companies to exploit cuba's farmers and farmland the way we have with Haiti or Mexico.
Most academics look at Castro as a product of the greedy Batista regime that merely served as a puppet for American corporate interests. At least Castro cared about people. But his country became impoverished due to those corporate interests buying off American politicians to impose an embargo under the guise of "Communism." While we have no problem doing business with other communist countries... as long as they allow our corporations to exploit their natural resources and people. Something that Castro absolutely wouldn't stand for.
b_line
Well-Known Member
China is not communist. They are socialist with Chinese characteristics. They have a communist party in name, but they have long considered themselves different from that.
♪alt13
Well-Known Member
Could you elaborate?
b_line
Well-Known Member
China has not really promoted their communism in a long time. They do a lot to promote their economic system which they have called "socialism with Chinese characteristics" but that is hard to define. A lot of the Chinese characteristics are pretty much the same as anywhere else that fancies itself a productive economy, like hard work, productivity, collaboration, etc.
But the other issue is that even China's economy is far more capitalistic than it is communist or socialist, especially within 80 miles of the coast. The Chinese "special economic zones" are basically outposts of capitalism.
The Thriller
Well-Known Member
China began to relax their communist ways when Nixon and Mao met. Regardless, they're still commmunist just a different variation. Just like there are different variations of capitalism.
The point isn't to argue about the specifics of China's communism. It's to show how ridiculous its been to shun Cuba over its "communism." Cuba's impoverished state is on us and to a lesser extent, Batista (the dictator we supported) who resented pushes to land reform and allowed corporations to exploit land and labor. Cuba's poverty is not on Castro.
Had the United States engaged with Cuba instead of shun it for 50 years, things would've been completely different. But corporations are people and money is a form of free speech. We have no problem doing business with other communist and oppressive regimes. But they allow corporations to exploit their land and labor. Castro doesn't.
So yeah, Castro is sooooo mean cuz he like killed those who attempted to restore a pro corporate dictator into power. But god bless those in China and Vietnam who for a few bucks will sell out millions of their own people to work 16 hrs per day for a few pennies. Those guys are real saints...
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Yeah, people need to understand that communism is an economic system, not a political system. China is not even close to being communist. They are probably less socialistic than many European countries.