The duality of February 24th

Diario Las Americas has an excellent article of why this date if one of celebration and profound sadness for Cubans.

In the late 1800's, 1895 to be exact, was el Grito de Baire, the beginning of the independence movement across Cuba. The start of a proud nation wanting to break free from Spanish rule.

But on 1997, el Grito de Baire, took a tragic turn; the downing of two planes of Brothers to the Rescue by the Castro regime. An open act of violence, of murder, and one that our government has chosen to ignore. Four people died that day. Four people whose death has found no justice. Four civilian men who were murdered by the Castro militia on purpose.

We can debate whether or not we agreed with Basulto's tactic; however no one can debate that the downing of two civilian and unarmed planes over international waters was a criminal act.

You can read my post from last year which includes the recording of the MIGs and the Cuban Air Force as they celebrate this assasination and also a link to the graphic representation of the downing.

Last year's post also includes various posts from other Cuban-American blogs.

Election 2008

Election 2008 looks like it's going to be very hard fought, very issue driven and so far anyone's game. Here at La Ventanita, I will be profiling all primary candidates as unbiased as possible - Yes BOTH sides. Picking at the issues and of course, taking a stance.

First we'll start with the webpages of the candidates. We've already covered what people believe to be the Top 4, now meet the newest member.

Meet Mitt Romney. What are the chances of a Mormon being elected?

Al-Qaeda Urges Attacks

In what seems to me the most stupid decision in Al-Qaeda's strategy, they have now decided target US suppliers of oil. Biting the hand that feeds you?Let's see how well Stooge Chavez responds to this, if any of his rigs are ever "blown up".

Election 2008

So who's your candidate?

Hillary, the would be first woman president? Or Obama, the would be first Black president?

Giuliani, "America's Mayor"? Or McCain, "The POW"?

On the Democrat side, I think Hillary might be in for a rude awakening as America yearns for a new, fresh, uncorrupted, untainted face - which is Obama's strongest offering. Hillary has to overcome being a Clinton, and the vote for the war.

The Republican is harder to call - Rudy has a lot of goodwill among the people, but might be a bit liberal for the Republican base. However, I don't see that base going for John McCain either.

How do you see it and why?

Dissidents

There are brave dissidents in many countries that courageously fight for their right of free speech; against a totalitarian government. It seems that today many of them are getting the press recognition they deserve.

In a recent pamphlet about the internal troubles of Iran, its author asks:

“Why, they ask, is the American Left so indifferent to the struggle taking place in Iran? Why can’t the Iranian movement get the attention of so-called progressives and solidarity activists here? Why is it mainly neoconservatives who express interest in the Iranian struggle?”

We can substitute Iran with North Korea, Vietnam and of course Cuba, and it would still remain a valid question. Why is the American left so indefferent?

Thank God Vietnam dissidents are not indifferent; in fact they just won an award. Nor are the Cubans dissidents who get MSM recognnition this week, indifferent. Yes it's published by WaPo, but it's a Reuters story. Two more were released from jail this week; that still leaves 280 jailed.

Yet it seems that when the totalitarian government is a right wing dictatorship (Pinochet, la Junta Argentina) then the American Left seems not to be so indifferent.

Cuban Government wants to dictate what Miamians see

According to this article, the Cuban government is criticizing that a local Miami TV station will broadcast TV Marti programming which last time I checked was generated in the U.S.

The reason? Why, that the local TV station can be picked up in Cuba, no less, and only by those with satellite dishes, which by the way are illegal in Cuba.

The way I see it that's Cuba's problem, not ours, and they have no right to even attempt to dictate what people in Miami can or cannot see on their local Miami TV channel.

Tourists Beware

In you are ever visiting Saudi Arabia, make sure you don't dance in public. Why? Well, partying can get you in a lot of trouble.

A Saudi Arabian judge sentenced 20 foreigners to receive lashes and spend several months in prison after convicting them of attending a party where alcohol was served and men and women danced

Excuse me? But they are foreigners! The news doesn't say if they were Muslim foreigners, which would then of course invalidate this post (if you are a Muslim, in a Muslim country, breaking Muslim rules then you are just plain stupid).

However, you'd think foreigners would enjoy certain rights. Apparently not.

The religious police, a force resented by many Saudis for interfering in personal lives, enjoys wide powers. Its officers roam malls, markets, universities and other public places looking for such infractions as unrelated men and women mingling, men skipping Islam's five daily prayers and women with strands of hair showing from under their veil.

I'll keep that tidbit handy the next time someone dares put the US, civil rights violations, and separation of church and state in the same sentence in a negative way.

I'll say what I've always said. Americans have NO CLUE as to HOW GOOD we have it here. Sure we are not perfect, but we are not that bad either.