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Pastimes : Rage Against the Machine
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To: Thomas M. who wrote (782)4/6/2003 10:51:09 PM
From: John SoileauRead Replies (2) of 1296
 
Hey Thomas,
The first of two questions: could you maintain an "Impeach Fidel Castro" thread (like the always freewheeling "Impeach George Bush" thread on SI) on a Havana message board? You post on the "Impeach George Bush" thread, and presumably value the right to do so.

The correct answer to my first question is....NO. Unless you enjoy incarceration in a damp cell.

It is indisputable that the Cubans have had taken from them this basic and fundamental freedom. Fidel's recent roundup and secret trials of those speaking out for political freedom (an event, oddly, not much mentioned by Fidelophiles) is continuing proof that the minds and tongues of the populace are kept bound and captive by the government in Cuba. Yes, they are free to eat organic squash and peppers, so long as they do so in silence.

Answer my second question: is thought and expression control by the Cuban state a necessary tradeoff for reduced infant mortality? It seems not; Canada squeaks by with equally good infant mortality and a perfectly free press. The Netherlands has wonderful health care delivery, and a fair amount of organic farming, yet maintains the luxury of a vibrant free press. Neither state uses secret trials and jail sentences to systematically annihilate political expression.

Could I trouble you to take a public stand? I'd like to know whether you consider Castro's throttling and punishment of domestic political discourse as: 1) a good thing, absolutely necessary to secure the benefits of organic farming and low infant mortality; or 2) an indefensible and obscene trampling of basic human rights.

Thanks in advance for an honest reply.
John
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