Campaign Donations from Cuba?
Several of the freedom loving blogs posted this story concerning Cuba contributing $3 million to the campaign of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. I am sure a complete and thorough investigation will take place immediately and better yet, the N.Y. times, CNN(Lucia Newman), Univision, and 60 minutes will do a complete expose' of this clear cut breach of the law!(I know, no comas mier... Alfredo!)
Sunday, October 30, 2005
What's the real reason Hugo?
Hugo Chavez urging Venezuela not to indulge in the "gringa" Halloween custom? Could it be that they found pumpkins bearing anti-government messages? C'mon Hugo, you and Fidel both love Halloween since both of you dabble in santeria. The trick is on the Cuban and Venezuelan people and the treat is only for yourselves. Just can't have any type of opposition or resistance in the socialist utopia!
Hugo Chavez urging Venezuela not to indulge in the "gringa" Halloween custom? Could it be that they found pumpkins bearing anti-government messages? C'mon Hugo, you and Fidel both love Halloween since both of you dabble in santeria. The trick is on the Cuban and Venezuelan people and the treat is only for yourselves. Just can't have any type of opposition or resistance in the socialist utopia!
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Protesting Hugo Chavez
Tribes protest Chavez expulsion order
NATALIE OBIKO PEARSON
Associated Press
PUERTO AYACUCHO, Venezuela - Hundreds of indigenous Venezuelans marched Friday to protest President Hugo Chavez's threat to expel a group of U.S.-based evangelists, amid intensifying government scrutiny of foreign missionaries operating in the country.
The protesters - including some who traveled for days by boat from their homes in the dense Amazon jungle - showed their support for New Tribes Mission, which Chavez has accused of "imperialist infiltration" and exploiting indigenous communities.
Luis Rodriguez, a Piapoco Indian, said the missionaries helped indigenous tribes during hard times when aid from government authorities was scarce or nonexistent.
"The government didn't arrive here to do anything important for us," said Rodriguez, 41, as he marched with fellow demonstrators, some of whom sang hymns.
Two weeks ago, Chavez ordered the New Tribes missionaries to leave the country, accusing the Sanford, Fla.-based organization of links to the CIA and gathering "strategic information" in the country's Amazon rainforest.
Government officials and other critics of the evangelist group have since backed Chavez's decision, accusing the missionaries of destroying indigenous culture and using their presence in remote, mineral-rich tracts of Venezuela to conduct reconnaissance work for foreign mining and pharmaceutical interests.
New Tribes has denied the accusations and is seeking a meeting with Chavez to try to resolve the matter, said a New Tribes spokesman, Ronald Van Peursem. He said the group believes the president has been misinformed about its work in the country.
Supporters say the missionaries have brought much-needed medical, educational and other assistance to impoverished indigenous communities who have long been neglected by the authorities.
"There is no proof of the accusations," said Nereo Silva, a 45-year-old leader of the Piaroa tribe in southern Venezuela.
Liborio Guarulla, the governor of Amazonas state, defended Chavez's decision to expel New Tribes missionaries from the South American nation of 26 million, saying "it's a question of sovereignty."
Guarulla, a government ally, told the state-run Bolivarian News Agency that past administrations largely ignored indigenous groups and their cultures, but left-leaning Chavez has embraced them.
"Venezuela had a debt with the indigenous cultures ... it was this government that first truly took them into account," he said.
Leaders of seven indigenous groups submitted a statement to Gaurulla's office opposing Chavez's decision.
"We request justice and the right to decide our own future. ... We demand that we be consulted before any decision," it said. "This is not a fight against the government but a sign of our disagreement with the decision by the president."
The New Tribes Mission, which has about 160 missionaries in Venezuela, was founded in 1942, specializes in evangelism among indigenous groups and has 3,200 workers worldwide in 17 nations.
The controversy has overshadowed Chavez's efforts to grant collective property titles to indigenous communities. He made the threat two weeks ago while granting 10 land titles for more than 865,000 acres to indigenous communities in the southern Venezuelan state of Apure.
Chavez has said that defending the rights of Venezuelan's approximately 300,000 indigenous people is a priority. He oversaw the adoption of a new constitution in 1999 that recognizes their collective ownership of ancestral lands and allows them to participate in demarcating territory.
But poverty remains acute among many Indian communities, and many protesters said the missionaries were the only people who have tangibly improved their lives.
Chavez's action against the New Tribes missionaries has raised tensions between some church groups and Chavez's government, which is closely allied with communist-led Cuba and frequently critical of the United States.
More than 200 Mormon missionaries have left Venezuela in recent weeks after difficulties renewing visas or obtaining new ones.
The Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has had a presence in Venezuela since 1966, announced Wednesday that the last of its foreign missionaries would be pulling out of the country soon and be reassigned to other countries.
Read the story here.
Tribes protest Chavez expulsion order
NATALIE OBIKO PEARSON
Associated Press
PUERTO AYACUCHO, Venezuela - Hundreds of indigenous Venezuelans marched Friday to protest President Hugo Chavez's threat to expel a group of U.S.-based evangelists, amid intensifying government scrutiny of foreign missionaries operating in the country.
The protesters - including some who traveled for days by boat from their homes in the dense Amazon jungle - showed their support for New Tribes Mission, which Chavez has accused of "imperialist infiltration" and exploiting indigenous communities.
Luis Rodriguez, a Piapoco Indian, said the missionaries helped indigenous tribes during hard times when aid from government authorities was scarce or nonexistent.
"The government didn't arrive here to do anything important for us," said Rodriguez, 41, as he marched with fellow demonstrators, some of whom sang hymns.
Two weeks ago, Chavez ordered the New Tribes missionaries to leave the country, accusing the Sanford, Fla.-based organization of links to the CIA and gathering "strategic information" in the country's Amazon rainforest.
Government officials and other critics of the evangelist group have since backed Chavez's decision, accusing the missionaries of destroying indigenous culture and using their presence in remote, mineral-rich tracts of Venezuela to conduct reconnaissance work for foreign mining and pharmaceutical interests.
New Tribes has denied the accusations and is seeking a meeting with Chavez to try to resolve the matter, said a New Tribes spokesman, Ronald Van Peursem. He said the group believes the president has been misinformed about its work in the country.
Supporters say the missionaries have brought much-needed medical, educational and other assistance to impoverished indigenous communities who have long been neglected by the authorities.
"There is no proof of the accusations," said Nereo Silva, a 45-year-old leader of the Piaroa tribe in southern Venezuela.
Liborio Guarulla, the governor of Amazonas state, defended Chavez's decision to expel New Tribes missionaries from the South American nation of 26 million, saying "it's a question of sovereignty."
Guarulla, a government ally, told the state-run Bolivarian News Agency that past administrations largely ignored indigenous groups and their cultures, but left-leaning Chavez has embraced them.
"Venezuela had a debt with the indigenous cultures ... it was this government that first truly took them into account," he said.
Leaders of seven indigenous groups submitted a statement to Gaurulla's office opposing Chavez's decision.
"We request justice and the right to decide our own future. ... We demand that we be consulted before any decision," it said. "This is not a fight against the government but a sign of our disagreement with the decision by the president."
The New Tribes Mission, which has about 160 missionaries in Venezuela, was founded in 1942, specializes in evangelism among indigenous groups and has 3,200 workers worldwide in 17 nations.
The controversy has overshadowed Chavez's efforts to grant collective property titles to indigenous communities. He made the threat two weeks ago while granting 10 land titles for more than 865,000 acres to indigenous communities in the southern Venezuelan state of Apure.
Chavez has said that defending the rights of Venezuelan's approximately 300,000 indigenous people is a priority. He oversaw the adoption of a new constitution in 1999 that recognizes their collective ownership of ancestral lands and allows them to participate in demarcating territory.
But poverty remains acute among many Indian communities, and many protesters said the missionaries were the only people who have tangibly improved their lives.
Chavez's action against the New Tribes missionaries has raised tensions between some church groups and Chavez's government, which is closely allied with communist-led Cuba and frequently critical of the United States.
More than 200 Mormon missionaries have left Venezuela in recent weeks after difficulties renewing visas or obtaining new ones.
The Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which has had a presence in Venezuela since 1966, announced Wednesday that the last of its foreign missionaries would be pulling out of the country soon and be reassigned to other countries.
Read the story here.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Aid or not to aid that is the question?
Castro is now denying that he received U.S. aid? Well, what is it?(Lets have Lucia Newman check this out, NEVERMIND!!) The socialist utopia receiving aid from the evil imperialist Yankees. Well we can't have this type of propaganda.
Castro is now denying that he received U.S. aid? Well, what is it?(Lets have Lucia Newman check this out, NEVERMIND!!) The socialist utopia receiving aid from the evil imperialist Yankees. Well we can't have this type of propaganda.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Cuba Accepts U.S. Aid Offer For The First Time
Read the story here.
By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Cuba has unexpectedly agreed to a quiet U.S. offer of emergency aid following Hurricane Wilma, and three Americans will travel to Cuba to assess needs there, the State Department said Thursday.
Washington has routinely offered humanitarian relief for hurricanes and other disasters in Cuba, and Cuban leader Fidel Castro himself has routinely turned the offers down. After Hurricane Dennis pummeled the island in July, Castro expressed gratitude for Washington's offer of $50,000 in aid but rejected it.
"This was the first time they have accepted an offer of assistance," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, at least based on the "collective memory" of diplomats at the department.
The display of U.S.-Cuban cooperation was not expected to produce any easing in the long-standing hostility between the two countries.
Washington sent a diplomatic note to Cuban officials on Tuesday, a day after day the storm pounded the island nation, offering to send emergency supplies. Cuba accepted the offer Wednesday, McCormack said.
The State Department did not specify what supplies might be sent, but humanitarian assistance generally covers food, medicine, related supplies or emergency housing.
A three-person team from the U.S. Agency for International Development is making travel arrangements now, McCormack said. Additional aid offers would be based on what that team found, and all aid would go to Cuba indirectly, through aid groups, McCormack said.
Cuba and the United States do not have full diplomatic relations, a legacy of more than 40 years of Cold War acrimony. A U.S. trade embargo on Cuba has been in place since the Kennedy administration. More recently, the Bush administration has branded Cuba one of the world's few remaining "outposts of tyranny" in a league with Myanmar, Belarus and Zimbabwe.
Havana offered 1,600 doctors to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the United States on Aug. 29. The State Department said the Cuban help was not needed because enough American doctors had offered their services.
Floodwaters in Havana caused damage to historic buildings and the famed Malecon seawall. Dozens of city blocks were flooded by the storm, but no deaths were reported in Havana. Wilma has been blamed for at least 22 deaths, five in Florida, 12 in Haiti, at least 4 in Mexico and 1 in Jamaica.
Read the story here.
By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer 1 hour, 27 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Cuba has unexpectedly agreed to a quiet U.S. offer of emergency aid following Hurricane Wilma, and three Americans will travel to Cuba to assess needs there, the State Department said Thursday.
Washington has routinely offered humanitarian relief for hurricanes and other disasters in Cuba, and Cuban leader Fidel Castro himself has routinely turned the offers down. After Hurricane Dennis pummeled the island in July, Castro expressed gratitude for Washington's offer of $50,000 in aid but rejected it.
"This was the first time they have accepted an offer of assistance," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, at least based on the "collective memory" of diplomats at the department.
The display of U.S.-Cuban cooperation was not expected to produce any easing in the long-standing hostility between the two countries.
Washington sent a diplomatic note to Cuban officials on Tuesday, a day after day the storm pounded the island nation, offering to send emergency supplies. Cuba accepted the offer Wednesday, McCormack said.
The State Department did not specify what supplies might be sent, but humanitarian assistance generally covers food, medicine, related supplies or emergency housing.
A three-person team from the U.S. Agency for International Development is making travel arrangements now, McCormack said. Additional aid offers would be based on what that team found, and all aid would go to Cuba indirectly, through aid groups, McCormack said.
Cuba and the United States do not have full diplomatic relations, a legacy of more than 40 years of Cold War acrimony. A U.S. trade embargo on Cuba has been in place since the Kennedy administration. More recently, the Bush administration has branded Cuba one of the world's few remaining "outposts of tyranny" in a league with Myanmar, Belarus and Zimbabwe.
Havana offered 1,600 doctors to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the United States on Aug. 29. The State Department said the Cuban help was not needed because enough American doctors had offered their services.
Floodwaters in Havana caused damage to historic buildings and the famed Malecon seawall. Dozens of city blocks were flooded by the storm, but no deaths were reported in Havana. Wilma has been blamed for at least 22 deaths, five in Florida, 12 in Haiti, at least 4 in Mexico and 1 in Jamaica.
Speech by Lincoln Diaz-Balart
Here is a speech by Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart concerning political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo. As usual the killstro friendly press basically ignores this and the suffering of the Cuban people.
Here is a speech by Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart concerning political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo. As usual the killstro friendly press basically ignores this and the suffering of the Cuban people.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Congressman Dan Burton: "Don't Threaten Chavez "
Read this article concerning Dan Burton's comments on Hugo Chavez. I am confused on what he is advocating concerning relations with Venezuela? How about asking and opening up dialogue with Chavez like this: why are you stealing private property, removing personal freedoms, and what is the deal with your alliances to terrorist countries? Please no more "Fact Finding" trips to Cuba or Venezuela, just get to the truth and ask the hard questions!
Read this article concerning Dan Burton's comments on Hugo Chavez. I am confused on what he is advocating concerning relations with Venezuela? How about asking and opening up dialogue with Chavez like this: why are you stealing private property, removing personal freedoms, and what is the deal with your alliances to terrorist countries? Please no more "Fact Finding" trips to Cuba or Venezuela, just get to the truth and ask the hard questions!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Devastation in Cuba
Wilma breaches Havana's defences
Sea water has flooded half a dozen Havana neighbourhoodsHundreds of people have been rescued from homes in Cuba's capital, Havana, after sea defences succumbed to flooding brought by Hurricane Wilma.
Rescuers used boats and inflatable dinghies to reach people trapped as sea water swept hundreds of metres inland.
Some residents said the devastation was the worst since the "storm of the century" in 1993.
Hurricane Wilma has since moved on to Florida, striking the US state with winds of 125mph (200km/h).
Appeal for calm
But storm surges brought by Wilma struck all along the north-west coast of Cuba.
Waves burst over Havana's sea walls, flooding the coastal highway and inundating Havana's western neighbourhoods with waist-high water.
Resident Fernando Lores, 57, said: "I've never seen anything like this in my life. People have been left homeless and it's a real surprise to us."
Olga Salinas, 58, who became trapped on the second floor of her home in the Miramar district, said: "I'm terrified, this was apocalyptic and the worst is yet to come.
"The streets will be full of rubbish and people will be trying to salvage whatever they can."
Ms Salinas said the disaster was the worst since 1993 when a storm brought by the El Nino phenomenon caused damage of up to $1bn (£560m).
President Fidel Castro appeared on television late on Sunday to appeal for calm.
Electricity was then cut off for the capital and some western parts of Cuba as a precaution.
Other areas of Cuba have also been affected by the storm. Cuban television said sea water had penetrated up to a kilometre (half a mile) inland in some southern communities while tornadoes have destroyed homes in the west.
Wilma breaches Havana's defences
Sea water has flooded half a dozen Havana neighbourhoodsHundreds of people have been rescued from homes in Cuba's capital, Havana, after sea defences succumbed to flooding brought by Hurricane Wilma.
Rescuers used boats and inflatable dinghies to reach people trapped as sea water swept hundreds of metres inland.
Some residents said the devastation was the worst since the "storm of the century" in 1993.
Hurricane Wilma has since moved on to Florida, striking the US state with winds of 125mph (200km/h).
Appeal for calm
But storm surges brought by Wilma struck all along the north-west coast of Cuba.
Waves burst over Havana's sea walls, flooding the coastal highway and inundating Havana's western neighbourhoods with waist-high water.
Resident Fernando Lores, 57, said: "I've never seen anything like this in my life. People have been left homeless and it's a real surprise to us."
Olga Salinas, 58, who became trapped on the second floor of her home in the Miramar district, said: "I'm terrified, this was apocalyptic and the worst is yet to come.
"The streets will be full of rubbish and people will be trying to salvage whatever they can."
Ms Salinas said the disaster was the worst since 1993 when a storm brought by the El Nino phenomenon caused damage of up to $1bn (£560m).
President Fidel Castro appeared on television late on Sunday to appeal for calm.
Electricity was then cut off for the capital and some western parts of Cuba as a precaution.
Other areas of Cuba have also been affected by the storm. Cuban television said sea water had penetrated up to a kilometre (half a mile) inland in some southern communities while tornadoes have destroyed homes in the west.
Website and Book
Thanks Padrino for forwarding a link to "El Abuelito Cubano."
This bring me to another point, I have recieved several e-mails "why do you do this," "Is it worth it?" Let me tell you I do this for what I call the greatest generation is that of my parents. I have learned the value of freedom, hard work, family, love of country, and the unyielding spirit against one of the most brutal dictators in this hemisphere, from my parents, family, and our close friends with whom we grew up . Forget about sports heroes(I lovesports!)You Guys are my heroes, have set a great example and a very high standard,so when I see or hear people denigrading Cuban exiles or defending Castro it is a real slap in the face to what we all stand for. The greatest generation has achieved success in many areas such as education, financial , political, faster than any other ethnic group or immigrants that this great country has ever seen. My hope is that your generation will able to see the Castro regime fall and the real truth come out!!! So I say to you Mom, Dad, brother, and familia(Tio,Tia and cousins), Thank you for all that you and your generation have done
To my Grandparents who have passed away, all of your stories still live in me.
Mom and Dad, may you see a "Cuba Libre" and this is why I do it!!!!!
Thanks Padrino for forwarding a link to "El Abuelito Cubano."
This bring me to another point, I have recieved several e-mails "why do you do this," "Is it worth it?" Let me tell you I do this for what I call the greatest generation is that of my parents. I have learned the value of freedom, hard work, family, love of country, and the unyielding spirit against one of the most brutal dictators in this hemisphere, from my parents, family, and our close friends with whom we grew up . Forget about sports heroes(I lovesports!)You Guys are my heroes, have set a great example and a very high standard,so when I see or hear people denigrading Cuban exiles or defending Castro it is a real slap in the face to what we all stand for. The greatest generation has achieved success in many areas such as education, financial , political, faster than any other ethnic group or immigrants that this great country has ever seen. My hope is that your generation will able to see the Castro regime fall and the real truth come out!!! So I say to you Mom, Dad, brother, and familia(Tio,Tia and cousins), Thank you for all that you and your generation have done
To my Grandparents who have passed away, all of your stories still live in me.
Mom and Dad, may you see a "Cuba Libre" and this is why I do it!!!!!
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Rumors concerning Fidel
You notice how quiet Fidel has been even with Hurricane Wilma. You have Raul taking on the enemy(The Hurricane) not the dreaded Yankees this time? I personally do not believe these rumors, but the speculation is that Fidel is in the hospital for some type of operation or that he is on his last leg!
You notice how quiet Fidel has been even with Hurricane Wilma. You have Raul taking on the enemy(The Hurricane) not the dreaded Yankees this time? I personally do not believe these rumors, but the speculation is that Fidel is in the hospital for some type of operation or that he is on his last leg!
Code Commies
My freedom loving brethren, I try not to repeat what my other freedom loving blogs post, but Val at Babalu posted about a group called "Code Pink." They are basically another Castro front group .
I believe Code Pink deserves the come mier.. of the week award! Please let me know if you have any other nominations! As I have said before, do not worry Jimmy Carter will not be counting the votes!!
Thanks Val for listing all the contacts and for bringing to our attention this commie group. Now is the time for all of you to do something!
Here is a list that Babalu posted:
You can contact your State Representative here.
Senators - here.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart here.
US Customs here.
Also contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control and report them at:Email: ofac_feedback@do.treas.gov
Contacts Compliance Hotline (202) 622-2490 Licensing Division (202) 622-2480 Cuban Violation Hotline - OFAC Miami (305) 810-5170 OFAC Fax-on-Demand Service (202) 622-0077
And, I urge you all to contact CodePink and let them know this travesty will not go unanswered:
Dana (at) codepinkalert.org. You can also reach Dana by calling the CODEPINK office at (310) 827-4320.
BTW, the comments thread at LGF is excellent.
Senators - http://www.senate.gov/
For South Florida Residents
Senator Mel Martinez317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510(202) 224-3041martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm
Senator Bill Nelson716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510(202) 224-5274billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm#email
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen2160 Rayburn H.O.B.Washington, DC 20515-0918Telephone: 305-275-1800 or 202-225-3931Fax: 305-275-1801http://www.house.gov/ros-lehtinen/
Lincoln Diaz-Balart 2244 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4211 OR (305) 470-8555http://diaz-balart.house.gov
Mario Diaz-Balart313 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515Telephone: (202) 225-2778 OR (305) 225-6866 OR (239) 348-1620http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/
Kendrick Meek1039 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4506 OR 305-690-5905 OR 954-450-6767http://kendrickmeek.house.gov
Alcee Hastings
2353 Rayburn Office BuildingWashington D.C. 20515Tel: (202) 225-1313 or (954) 733-2800 or (561) 684-3613http://alceehastings.house.gov/IMA/issue.htm
My freedom loving brethren, I try not to repeat what my other freedom loving blogs post, but Val at Babalu posted about a group called "Code Pink." They are basically another Castro front group .
I believe Code Pink deserves the come mier.. of the week award! Please let me know if you have any other nominations! As I have said before, do not worry Jimmy Carter will not be counting the votes!!
Thanks Val for listing all the contacts and for bringing to our attention this commie group. Now is the time for all of you to do something!
Here is a list that Babalu posted:
You can contact your State Representative here.
Senators - here.
Lincoln Diaz-Balart here.
US Customs here.
Also contact the Office of Foreign Assets Control and report them at:Email: ofac_feedback@do.treas.gov
Contacts Compliance Hotline (202) 622-2490 Licensing Division (202) 622-2480 Cuban Violation Hotline - OFAC Miami (305) 810-5170 OFAC Fax-on-Demand Service (202) 622-0077
And, I urge you all to contact CodePink and let them know this travesty will not go unanswered:
Dana (at) codepinkalert.org. You can also reach Dana by calling the CODEPINK office at (310) 827-4320.
BTW, the comments thread at LGF is excellent.
Senators - http://www.senate.gov/
For South Florida Residents
Senator Mel Martinez317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510(202) 224-3041martinez.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.ContactForm
Senator Bill Nelson716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510(202) 224-5274billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm#email
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen2160 Rayburn H.O.B.Washington, DC 20515-0918Telephone: 305-275-1800 or 202-225-3931Fax: 305-275-1801http://www.house.gov/ros-lehtinen/
Lincoln Diaz-Balart 2244 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4211 OR (305) 470-8555http://diaz-balart.house.gov
Mario Diaz-Balart313 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515Telephone: (202) 225-2778 OR (305) 225-6866 OR (239) 348-1620http://www.house.gov/mariodiaz-balart/
Kendrick Meek1039 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4506 OR 305-690-5905 OR 954-450-6767http://kendrickmeek.house.gov
Alcee Hastings
2353 Rayburn Office BuildingWashington D.C. 20515Tel: (202) 225-1313 or (954) 733-2800 or (561) 684-3613http://alceehastings.house.gov/IMA/issue.htm
Friday, October 21, 2005
U.N. Praise for Cuba's Civil Defense Plan
Next thing you know the U.N. will hand out "Meteorologist of the Year" awards to Castro and Chavez. As posted by Babalublog.com CNN continues its endless praise for Castro. Check out this website to see what really goes on in Cuba and the so called evacuations.
Read the CNN propaganda here. Did anyone catch Lucia Newman last night concerning her "objective"reporting from Cuba?
Next thing you know the U.N. will hand out "Meteorologist of the Year" awards to Castro and Chavez. As posted by Babalublog.com CNN continues its endless praise for Castro. Check out this website to see what really goes on in Cuba and the so called evacuations.
Read the CNN propaganda here. Did anyone catch Lucia Newman last night concerning her "objective"reporting from Cuba?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Chavez and Iranian Connection
Mullah Chávez
A look at the blossoming of Iranian and Venezuelan "brotherhood." by Thomas Joscelyn 10/20/2005 12:00:00
ON SEPTEMBER 24 the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution that, in part, called on Iran "to observe fully its commitments and to return to the negotiating process that has made good progress in the last two years." The resolution is just the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute over Iran's nuclear programs, but a look at the votes cast by the IAEA's members reveals a great deal about the international landscape: Of the IAEA's 35 board members, 22 voted in favor of the resolution, 12 abstained (including Russia, which is heavily invested in Iran's nuclear programs), and one nation voted against the resolution.
That lone "no" vote was cast by Hugo Chávez's Venezuela, which has increasingly become Iran's willing and vocal ally in the western hemisphere.
While the secular neo-communist Chávez and the Islamist mullahs are certainly strange bedfellows, they have found much common ground. Explaining his country's "no" vote on the IAEA resolution, Venezuela's ambassador to Iran, Arturo Anibal Gallegos Ramirez, went as far as to say that "the principles and ideals that inspire the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela" are "inspired by values common to the Iranian Islamic Revolution."
The new Iranian president has expressed similar sentiments. According to an Iranian state-run news agency, more than a month before the IAEA resolution was passed, President Ahmadinejad called Chávez to thank him for his support in the international arena. Ahmadinejad told Chávez that his support was proof of their deep "brotherly and lasting relations."
The common
"principles and ideals" uniting these two pariahs in their "brotherly" relationship, of course, are predominately anti-American in nature. Leaders from both countries have openly discussed their alliance in terms of combating "American imperialism."
IN THE NUCLEAR REALM the alliance raises a host of new troubling issues. Should the international community ever find a way to convince Russia to stop facilitating the mullah's nuclear program, the Iranian-Venezuelan alliance would be of less consequence. Based on past failures, this seems unlikely. It is more likely that Iran will continue upon its present course largely unchecked, which raises the possibility that Venezuela, with Iranian assistance, will at some point enter the market for nuclear technologies.
In fact, Chávez has already promised as much. During a recent weekly radio address, Chávez rationalized Venezuela's burgeoning pursuit of "peaceful" nuclear energy thusly, "Brazil has advanced in its nuclear research, nuclear power, and that's valid. Argentina too, and we also are starting to do research and projects in the area of nuclear energy, with peaceful aims of course." Chávez also argued that it is the sovereign right of both nations to pursue nuclear energy. Chávez's ambassador to Iran further explained that a common interest in the nuclear realm has resulted in "close collaboration" between the two nations.
In reality, both nations are flush in petrodollars and neither has any real need for "peaceful" alternative energy sources. Iran's supposedly-civilian nuclear program has long served as an expedient cover for the mullah's more nefarious intentions. That Chávez openly lusts for an Iranian-style nuclear program suggests that he, too, may have similar designs.
CARACAS'S SUPPORT for Tehran's nuclear ambitions should come as no surprise. Over the last several years the two outcasts have entered into dozens of bilateral agreements, covering everything from tractors, to cement, to automobile plants. Chávez has visited Iran several times and on a November 2004 trip, Chávez and then-Iranian President Khatami negotiated more than two dozen agreements. Most of these agreements were signed when Khatami paid a reciprocal visit to Caracas in March of this year.
The agreements are said to be valued at more than $1 billion and according to the Iranian news agency, Mehr, Tehran will "establish small industrial towns in Venezuela." While explaining these agreements on his national radio show, Chávez said that Iran "is transferring technology to Venezuela" and that a group of "Iranian young professionals" had already entered the country. In September the two nations signed contracts worth an additional $200 million and covered cooperation in a variety of small-scale machining industries.
THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA of economic cooperation is in the oil industry. According to a Congressional Research Service report from earlier this year, "a team from Venezuela's state oil company (Petroleos de Venezuela) is reportedly going to London to receive training from Iranian experts on how to improve Venezuela's access to Asian oil markets. Iran, Venezuela's closest partner in OPEC, has long had a cooperative relationship with [China]."
The lynchpin of Chávez's economic strategy is to sell an increasing share of his nation's oil to customers other than the United
States, thereby decreasing his revolution's dependence on American cash. Here, Iranian assistance (as well as Chinese and Russian assistance) is vital. Chávez has openly explained the importance of this strategy. The Congressional Research Service report notes that in December 2004, Chávez reportedly "referred to Venezuela's long oil-producing history as '100 years of domination by the United States.'" He further added, "Now we are free, and place this oil at the disposal of the great Chinese fatherland."
While cooperation in the nuclear and economic spheres has been loudly trumpeted by the two nations, the greatest potential threat this alliance poses will most likely remain a less heralded one.
It is no secret that a large portion of the international terror network calls Tehran its master. Hezbollah and similar organizations are either controlled or receive assistance from Tehran. And let us not forget that the mullahs have been, at the very least, willing to shelter many of al Qaeda's most wanted.
Chávez, like his mentor Fidel Castro, is no stranger to terrorism. Venezuela has been a safe haven for Marxist narco-terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN). A growing body of evidence indicates that support for these groups is the official policy of Chávez's regime. According to the State Department's 2003 Global Patterns of Terrorism, "weapons and ammunition--some from official Venezuelan stocks and facilities--continued flowing from Venezuelan suppliers into the hands of" these organizations.
Both Iran and Venezuela know the value of terrorism as means for waging asymmetric warfare. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to ask: will these two become terror allies as well? Or, more worrisome, are they already?
ALARMINGLY, there are already ominous signs that the answer may be "yes." In May, the Foreign Broadcast Information Service published a collection of quotes from Iranian and Venezuelan media. The FBIS report noted that "Iranian media have reported meetings between Iranian Basij and revolutionary elements on the one hand and Venezuelan officials on the other, as well as plans for Iranian assistance to Venezuelan paramilitary forces." The FBIS report also notes that when he visited Iran last November, Chávez met with the "Imam Khomeyni Aid Committee" which is the "same as Imam Khomeyni Relief Organization, accused by the Iranian opposition sources of being a terrorist arm of the Iranian Regime." The Committee offered its "considerable international experience . . . to Venezuela" including the "training of Venezuelans in Iran." According to the FBIS report, Chávez discussed Venezuela's "Bolivarian paramilitary forces and their national prestige in that country."
Chávez's meeting with the Committee came on the heels of Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Jesus Arnoldo Perez, also paying them a visit. The FBIS report notes that Perez entered into a "signed joint agreement" with the Committee, which "pledged a variety of 'support' initiatives." Among these initiatives was the "training of deprived (downtrodden) and qualified individuals in Venezuela in a variety of areas." This, the report notes, is "common language used in Iran to indicate such activities as paramilitary training."
It would not be surprising, therefore, if Venezuelan forces trained in Tehran's terror tactics become a significant problem in the near future. It is also worth noting that Hezbollah is thought to already have a significant presence among the Lebanese communities on Venezuela's Margarita Island and elsewhere.
All of which raises concerns ranging from America's economic interests to matters of national security. In consolidating his hold on Venezuela and exporting his Bolivarian revolution throughout the region, Hugo Chávez has sought and received assistance from the world's great terror states.
Iran, in turn, now has a powerful ally in the western hemisphere that is willing to facilitate the expansion of its Islamist revolution.
Thomas Joscelyn is an economist and writer living in New York.
Mullah Chávez
A look at the blossoming of Iranian and Venezuelan "brotherhood." by Thomas Joscelyn 10/20/2005 12:00:00
ON SEPTEMBER 24 the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution that, in part, called on Iran "to observe fully its commitments and to return to the negotiating process that has made good progress in the last two years." The resolution is just the latest chapter in the ongoing dispute over Iran's nuclear programs, but a look at the votes cast by the IAEA's members reveals a great deal about the international landscape: Of the IAEA's 35 board members, 22 voted in favor of the resolution, 12 abstained (including Russia, which is heavily invested in Iran's nuclear programs), and one nation voted against the resolution.
That lone "no" vote was cast by Hugo Chávez's Venezuela, which has increasingly become Iran's willing and vocal ally in the western hemisphere.
While the secular neo-communist Chávez and the Islamist mullahs are certainly strange bedfellows, they have found much common ground. Explaining his country's "no" vote on the IAEA resolution, Venezuela's ambassador to Iran, Arturo Anibal Gallegos Ramirez, went as far as to say that "the principles and ideals that inspire the Bolivarian Revolution of Venezuela" are "inspired by values common to the Iranian Islamic Revolution."
The new Iranian president has expressed similar sentiments. According to an Iranian state-run news agency, more than a month before the IAEA resolution was passed, President Ahmadinejad called Chávez to thank him for his support in the international arena. Ahmadinejad told Chávez that his support was proof of their deep "brotherly and lasting relations."
The common
"principles and ideals" uniting these two pariahs in their "brotherly" relationship, of course, are predominately anti-American in nature. Leaders from both countries have openly discussed their alliance in terms of combating "American imperialism."
IN THE NUCLEAR REALM the alliance raises a host of new troubling issues. Should the international community ever find a way to convince Russia to stop facilitating the mullah's nuclear program, the Iranian-Venezuelan alliance would be of less consequence. Based on past failures, this seems unlikely. It is more likely that Iran will continue upon its present course largely unchecked, which raises the possibility that Venezuela, with Iranian assistance, will at some point enter the market for nuclear technologies.
In fact, Chávez has already promised as much. During a recent weekly radio address, Chávez rationalized Venezuela's burgeoning pursuit of "peaceful" nuclear energy thusly, "Brazil has advanced in its nuclear research, nuclear power, and that's valid. Argentina too, and we also are starting to do research and projects in the area of nuclear energy, with peaceful aims of course." Chávez also argued that it is the sovereign right of both nations to pursue nuclear energy. Chávez's ambassador to Iran further explained that a common interest in the nuclear realm has resulted in "close collaboration" between the two nations.
In reality, both nations are flush in petrodollars and neither has any real need for "peaceful" alternative energy sources. Iran's supposedly-civilian nuclear program has long served as an expedient cover for the mullah's more nefarious intentions. That Chávez openly lusts for an Iranian-style nuclear program suggests that he, too, may have similar designs.
CARACAS'S SUPPORT for Tehran's nuclear ambitions should come as no surprise. Over the last several years the two outcasts have entered into dozens of bilateral agreements, covering everything from tractors, to cement, to automobile plants. Chávez has visited Iran several times and on a November 2004 trip, Chávez and then-Iranian President Khatami negotiated more than two dozen agreements. Most of these agreements were signed when Khatami paid a reciprocal visit to Caracas in March of this year.
The agreements are said to be valued at more than $1 billion and according to the Iranian news agency, Mehr, Tehran will "establish small industrial towns in Venezuela." While explaining these agreements on his national radio show, Chávez said that Iran "is transferring technology to Venezuela" and that a group of "Iranian young professionals" had already entered the country. In September the two nations signed contracts worth an additional $200 million and covered cooperation in a variety of small-scale machining industries.
THE MOST IMPORTANT AREA of economic cooperation is in the oil industry. According to a Congressional Research Service report from earlier this year, "a team from Venezuela's state oil company (Petroleos de Venezuela) is reportedly going to London to receive training from Iranian experts on how to improve Venezuela's access to Asian oil markets. Iran, Venezuela's closest partner in OPEC, has long had a cooperative relationship with [China]."
The lynchpin of Chávez's economic strategy is to sell an increasing share of his nation's oil to customers other than the United
States, thereby decreasing his revolution's dependence on American cash. Here, Iranian assistance (as well as Chinese and Russian assistance) is vital. Chávez has openly explained the importance of this strategy. The Congressional Research Service report notes that in December 2004, Chávez reportedly "referred to Venezuela's long oil-producing history as '100 years of domination by the United States.'" He further added, "Now we are free, and place this oil at the disposal of the great Chinese fatherland."
While cooperation in the nuclear and economic spheres has been loudly trumpeted by the two nations, the greatest potential threat this alliance poses will most likely remain a less heralded one.
It is no secret that a large portion of the international terror network calls Tehran its master. Hezbollah and similar organizations are either controlled or receive assistance from Tehran. And let us not forget that the mullahs have been, at the very least, willing to shelter many of al Qaeda's most wanted.
Chávez, like his mentor Fidel Castro, is no stranger to terrorism. Venezuela has been a safe haven for Marxist narco-terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN). A growing body of evidence indicates that support for these groups is the official policy of Chávez's regime. According to the State Department's 2003 Global Patterns of Terrorism, "weapons and ammunition--some from official Venezuelan stocks and facilities--continued flowing from Venezuelan suppliers into the hands of" these organizations.
Both Iran and Venezuela know the value of terrorism as means for waging asymmetric warfare. It is, therefore, not unreasonable to ask: will these two become terror allies as well? Or, more worrisome, are they already?
ALARMINGLY, there are already ominous signs that the answer may be "yes." In May, the Foreign Broadcast Information Service published a collection of quotes from Iranian and Venezuelan media. The FBIS report noted that "Iranian media have reported meetings between Iranian Basij and revolutionary elements on the one hand and Venezuelan officials on the other, as well as plans for Iranian assistance to Venezuelan paramilitary forces." The FBIS report also notes that when he visited Iran last November, Chávez met with the "Imam Khomeyni Aid Committee" which is the "same as Imam Khomeyni Relief Organization, accused by the Iranian opposition sources of being a terrorist arm of the Iranian Regime." The Committee offered its "considerable international experience . . . to Venezuela" including the "training of Venezuelans in Iran." According to the FBIS report, Chávez discussed Venezuela's "Bolivarian paramilitary forces and their national prestige in that country."
Chávez's meeting with the Committee came on the heels of Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Jesus Arnoldo Perez, also paying them a visit. The FBIS report notes that Perez entered into a "signed joint agreement" with the Committee, which "pledged a variety of 'support' initiatives." Among these initiatives was the "training of deprived (downtrodden) and qualified individuals in Venezuela in a variety of areas." This, the report notes, is "common language used in Iran to indicate such activities as paramilitary training."
It would not be surprising, therefore, if Venezuelan forces trained in Tehran's terror tactics become a significant problem in the near future. It is also worth noting that Hezbollah is thought to already have a significant presence among the Lebanese communities on Venezuela's Margarita Island and elsewhere.
All of which raises concerns ranging from America's economic interests to matters of national security. In consolidating his hold on Venezuela and exporting his Bolivarian revolution throughout the region, Hugo Chávez has sought and received assistance from the world's great terror states.
Iran, in turn, now has a powerful ally in the western hemisphere that is willing to facilitate the expansion of its Islamist revolution.
Thomas Joscelyn is an economist and writer living in New York.
Chavez Paranoia Continues....
In a interview by the BBC(Bumbling Broadcasting of Communist News), Chavez continues his paranoia concerning a possible invasion by the United States. Hey Hugo, just like the possible invasion of Cuba for over 40 years? This commie tactic of instilling fear is still used and believed by the gullible pro-communist press.
In a interview by the BBC(Bumbling Broadcasting of Communist News), Chavez continues his paranoia concerning a possible invasion by the United States. Hey Hugo, just like the possible invasion of Cuba for over 40 years? This commie tactic of instilling fear is still used and believed by the gullible pro-communist press.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Hurricane Wilma
Check out the latest on Hurricane Wilma. Earlier today they were saying that this is most intense Atlantic storm ever recorded. Now to all those in Florida including my family and friends, please prepare and get ready! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Check out the latest on Hurricane Wilma. Earlier today they were saying that this is most intense Atlantic storm ever recorded. Now to all those in Florida including my family and friends, please prepare and get ready! Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Check out what Cuba calls "subversive and dangerous"
Its seems that the Gospel of John is a dangerous threat to the brutal communist regime. Yes, the commies are afraid for the truth about are Lord.
FAITH UNDER FIREBible printing press confiscated in Cuba'Ministry of Religion' calls publishing Scripture 'very dangerous'
Posted: October 18, 20051:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
Cuban police recently raided a home in the Cuban city of Colon and confiscated what officials later called "subversive and dangerous." But the contraband wasn't drugs, or pornography, or bomb-making instructions. What police confiscated were printed Gospels of John and a small printing press.
It was Sunday morning, Oct. 9, and five plainclothes secret police entered the house. After calling for reinforcements, a truck arrived with 12 armed, uniformed police who seized the gospels and the printing press. Cuban officials called the materials "subversive and dangerous."
Police then took Pastor Eliseo Rodriguez Matos, head of an Assembly of God church in the area, to the local police station for interrogation. Police then called Señora Caridad Diego, the minister of religion in Havana – an atheist who supports the Communist government in restricting Christian evangelism. The Ministry of Religion called the confiscated printing press "very dangerous."
"We agree with the government's assessment," responded Tom White, executive director of The Voice of the Martyrs, USA. "The Word of God is dangerous. It can produce eternal freedom in the midst of evil tyranny." White was a prisoner in Cuba 25 years ago after the plane from which he was dropping Christian leaflets crash-landed there.
Founded in 1967, Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted Christians worldwide.
Elsewhere in Cuba, threats of demolition of house churches have never been so high. Recently, the government outlawed them and plans to hunt them down and close them. Many house churches have had equipment such as pews, homemade benches, musical instruments, Christian literature and anything else confiscated by police.
Voice of the Martyrs urges American Christians to pray for Christians in Cuba.
Its seems that the Gospel of John is a dangerous threat to the brutal communist regime. Yes, the commies are afraid for the truth about are Lord.
FAITH UNDER FIREBible printing press confiscated in Cuba'Ministry of Religion' calls publishing Scripture 'very dangerous'
Posted: October 18, 20051:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com
Cuban police recently raided a home in the Cuban city of Colon and confiscated what officials later called "subversive and dangerous." But the contraband wasn't drugs, or pornography, or bomb-making instructions. What police confiscated were printed Gospels of John and a small printing press.
It was Sunday morning, Oct. 9, and five plainclothes secret police entered the house. After calling for reinforcements, a truck arrived with 12 armed, uniformed police who seized the gospels and the printing press. Cuban officials called the materials "subversive and dangerous."
Police then took Pastor Eliseo Rodriguez Matos, head of an Assembly of God church in the area, to the local police station for interrogation. Police then called Señora Caridad Diego, the minister of religion in Havana – an atheist who supports the Communist government in restricting Christian evangelism. The Ministry of Religion called the confiscated printing press "very dangerous."
"We agree with the government's assessment," responded Tom White, executive director of The Voice of the Martyrs, USA. "The Word of God is dangerous. It can produce eternal freedom in the midst of evil tyranny." White was a prisoner in Cuba 25 years ago after the plane from which he was dropping Christian leaflets crash-landed there.
Founded in 1967, Voice of the Martyrs supports persecuted Christians worldwide.
Elsewhere in Cuba, threats of demolition of house churches have never been so high. Recently, the government outlawed them and plans to hunt them down and close them. Many house churches have had equipment such as pews, homemade benches, musical instruments, Christian literature and anything else confiscated by police.
Voice of the Martyrs urges American Christians to pray for Christians in Cuba.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Stands up to Cuba and Venezuela
Now we know why Castro did not show up 15th Iberoamerican Summitt. Thanks to the courage of Alvaro Uribe calling it like it is: "Terrorist Groups"
Standing up to evil in Colombia
Terrorism is an unmitigated and absolute evil. It’s also perfectly definable. At the Ibero-American Summit in Salamanca, Spain this morning, mysteriously missed by Fidel Castro (see why here), President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia, stood up to a shady underhanded effort by the Marxist governments of Venezuela and Cuba to equivocate on terrorism, stunningly enough, to defend the dreaded FARC guerrillas of Colombia, who this week set off a car-bomb attack on the Colombian capital seen here, here and here.
President Uribe’s moral clarity can be seen here:
The Colombian president instructed his foreign minister, Carolina Barco, not to sign any declaration that is not clear in its definition of “terrorist groups.” “If they (alluding to the FARC) are not described as terrorists, we won’t sign that, period. You can’t call ‘irregulars’ those who set off car bombs,” Uribe told the foreign minister in a telephone conversation that EFE witnessed.
The good news is that every country in the region is coming to see the evil for what it is and support President Uribe in his struggle against Marxist terrorism. They are doing it as a group and rejecting Chavez and Castro.
This may be part of a broader trend. Daniel Duquenal also noted growing opposition to Chavez in the region, based on a recent trip to Panama (see also Daniel’s comments section on this post).
With Daniel’s observations and with what has just happened in Spain, Chavez and Castro appear to be on the path to being decisively rejected by the region. When the entire hemisphere comes together on these two communist thugs, they will be history. It’s beginning.
A.M. Mora y Leon 10 14 05
Read the whole story.
Now we know why Castro did not show up 15th Iberoamerican Summitt. Thanks to the courage of Alvaro Uribe calling it like it is: "Terrorist Groups"
Standing up to evil in Colombia
Terrorism is an unmitigated and absolute evil. It’s also perfectly definable. At the Ibero-American Summit in Salamanca, Spain this morning, mysteriously missed by Fidel Castro (see why here), President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia, stood up to a shady underhanded effort by the Marxist governments of Venezuela and Cuba to equivocate on terrorism, stunningly enough, to defend the dreaded FARC guerrillas of Colombia, who this week set off a car-bomb attack on the Colombian capital seen here, here and here.
President Uribe’s moral clarity can be seen here:
The Colombian president instructed his foreign minister, Carolina Barco, not to sign any declaration that is not clear in its definition of “terrorist groups.” “If they (alluding to the FARC) are not described as terrorists, we won’t sign that, period. You can’t call ‘irregulars’ those who set off car bombs,” Uribe told the foreign minister in a telephone conversation that EFE witnessed.
The good news is that every country in the region is coming to see the evil for what it is and support President Uribe in his struggle against Marxist terrorism. They are doing it as a group and rejecting Chavez and Castro.
This may be part of a broader trend. Daniel Duquenal also noted growing opposition to Chavez in the region, based on a recent trip to Panama (see also Daniel’s comments section on this post).
With Daniel’s observations and with what has just happened in Spain, Chavez and Castro appear to be on the path to being decisively rejected by the region. When the entire hemisphere comes together on these two communist thugs, they will be history. It’s beginning.
A.M. Mora y Leon 10 14 05
Read the whole story.
Che Guevara Posters
Driving home last night, my daughter yells "Dad, look at the CD Warehouse window" I caught a glimpse, so I turned around for another look and wouldn't you believe it right there on the window a huge Che Guevara poster! I do not know if it's just this store or if it's corporate policy and all the stores proudly promote this. I have homework for all my freedom loving brethren, check out your local CD warehouse and see if they have the brutal terrorist displayed proudly, and if they do, contact the corporate office and do something for those who were butchered or killed in the name of communism.
Driving home last night, my daughter yells "Dad, look at the CD Warehouse window" I caught a glimpse, so I turned around for another look and wouldn't you believe it right there on the window a huge Che Guevara poster! I do not know if it's just this store or if it's corporate policy and all the stores proudly promote this. I have homework for all my freedom loving brethren, check out your local CD warehouse and see if they have the brutal terrorist displayed proudly, and if they do, contact the corporate office and do something for those who were butchered or killed in the name of communism.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Castro Not Going?
According to this article Uncle Fidel will not attend the 15th Iberoamerican Summitt. No reason was given, but I will beat mini-me to the punch, the reason: Capitalism.
The weather here today is cloudy and nasty, a direct result of the evils of Capitalism!
According to this article Uncle Fidel will not attend the 15th Iberoamerican Summitt. No reason was given, but I will beat mini-me to the punch, the reason: Capitalism.
The weather here today is cloudy and nasty, a direct result of the evils of Capitalism!
Chavez Kicking out U.S. Christian Missionaries
The other day he was quoting the bible, but his actions have always proved otherwise. The target now christians, right out of the communist playbook(Chavez received his copy from Castro):
BY IAN JAMES Associated Press
BARRANCO YOPAL, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez threatened to kick some Christian U.S. missionaries out of the country Wednesday, as he presented property titles to indigenous groups who he said had been robbed of their ancient homelands.
Hundreds of people from various indigenous groups gathered in this small village in southern Apure state for a ceremony recognizing their ownership of thousands of hectares of land.
''We are doing justice,'' said Chávez, dressed in military fatigues and a red beret. ``We can now start to say that there is a homeland for the Indians.''
Chávez said that he was also ordering the expulsion of a group of Christian missionaries working with indigenous groups, called the New Tribes Mission, accusing the Sanford, Florida-based religious organization of cultural imperialism.
''The New Tribes are leaving Venezuela. This is an irreversible decision that I have made,'' said Chávez. ``We don't want the New Tribes here. Enough colonialism!''
The New Tribes Mission specializes in evangelism among the 3,000 indigenous groups in the world's remotest tracts, places that remain isolated from the outside world.
It has assembled one of the largest missionary forces with 3,200 workers and operations in 17 nations across Latin America, Southeast Asia and West Africa.
Chávez accused the group of sharing ''sensitive, strategic'' information about Venezuela with the CIA, without elaborating. He also accused the missionaries of constructing luxurious camps next to impoverished Indian villages and circumventing Venezuelan customs authorities as they freely flew in and out on private planes.
''These violations of our national sovereignty has to stop,'' he said.
Chávez indicated the group would not be expelled immediately, but given time to leave.
Nita Zelenak, a New Tribes representative reached by telephone, declined to comment on Venezuela's decision or say how many missionaries were based here.
Chavez held the ceremony on the holiday known to many as Columbus Day, marking the arrival of European explorers in the present-day Bahamas on Oct. 12, 1492. Chávez's government renamed the holiday ''Day of Indigenous Resistance'' three years ago.
Chávez, a nationalist who says he is leading a ''revolution'' for the poor, often praises Indian chiefs who stood up to their Spanish conquerors in the centuries after Christopher Columbus reached Venezuela in 1498.
The other day he was quoting the bible, but his actions have always proved otherwise. The target now christians, right out of the communist playbook(Chavez received his copy from Castro):
BY IAN JAMES Associated Press
BARRANCO YOPAL, Venezuela - Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez threatened to kick some Christian U.S. missionaries out of the country Wednesday, as he presented property titles to indigenous groups who he said had been robbed of their ancient homelands.
Hundreds of people from various indigenous groups gathered in this small village in southern Apure state for a ceremony recognizing their ownership of thousands of hectares of land.
''We are doing justice,'' said Chávez, dressed in military fatigues and a red beret. ``We can now start to say that there is a homeland for the Indians.''
Chávez said that he was also ordering the expulsion of a group of Christian missionaries working with indigenous groups, called the New Tribes Mission, accusing the Sanford, Florida-based religious organization of cultural imperialism.
''The New Tribes are leaving Venezuela. This is an irreversible decision that I have made,'' said Chávez. ``We don't want the New Tribes here. Enough colonialism!''
The New Tribes Mission specializes in evangelism among the 3,000 indigenous groups in the world's remotest tracts, places that remain isolated from the outside world.
It has assembled one of the largest missionary forces with 3,200 workers and operations in 17 nations across Latin America, Southeast Asia and West Africa.
Chávez accused the group of sharing ''sensitive, strategic'' information about Venezuela with the CIA, without elaborating. He also accused the missionaries of constructing luxurious camps next to impoverished Indian villages and circumventing Venezuelan customs authorities as they freely flew in and out on private planes.
''These violations of our national sovereignty has to stop,'' he said.
Chávez indicated the group would not be expelled immediately, but given time to leave.
Nita Zelenak, a New Tribes representative reached by telephone, declined to comment on Venezuela's decision or say how many missionaries were based here.
Chavez held the ceremony on the holiday known to many as Columbus Day, marking the arrival of European explorers in the present-day Bahamas on Oct. 12, 1492. Chávez's government renamed the holiday ''Day of Indigenous Resistance'' three years ago.
Chávez, a nationalist who says he is leading a ''revolution'' for the poor, often praises Indian chiefs who stood up to their Spanish conquerors in the centuries after Christopher Columbus reached Venezuela in 1498.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
15th Iberoamerican Summitt
Partners in crime Castro and mini-me are to attend this summitt to spread the absurd ideology of communism:
"Castro highlights summit's guest listSpain expects Cuban leader Fidel Castro to attend a meeting of leaders of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations from Europe and Latin America. By CIARAN GILESAssociated Press
SALAMANCA, Spain - The Spanish government is bracing itself for a rare appearance by Cuban leader Fidel Castro at a summit due to take place here later this week.
Castro, 79, who rarely travels any great distances, has been invited to the 15th Iberoamerican Summit due to take place in the western city of Salamanca on Friday and Saturday, along with leaders and heads of state of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations from Europe and Latin America.
''As far as we know, everybody is coming,'' said Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernández de la Vega.
It was not clear whether Guatemala and El Salvador would send high-level delegates in the wake of the effects of Hurricane Stan.
The hotel reservation requirement for the Cuban delegation is nearly twice the normal number of rooms when the Cuban leader travels with it, and so far the booking is for the full amount, the spokesman said, indicating it was likely Castro would attend.
The prospect of a meeting between Castro and close ally Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez at the summit has caused Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's government some concern.
''Zapatero fears the effect of Castro and Chávez at the Salamanca summit,'' said newspaper El País.
''We've held 14 summits so far and want this, the 15th, to tackle serious issues,'' the spokesman said.
El País said that Castro and Chávez could use the summit to seek support for their stance on the Luis Posada Carriles case. Posada, a vehement anti-Castro Cuban militant, is wanted by Cuban and Venezuelan courts. Posada, a naturalized Venezuelan and one-time CIA operative, is accused of masterminding from Caracas a bombing in which a Cubana Airlines plane traveling from Barbados to Havana exploded in the air on Oct. 6, 1976. He has denied involvement.
A Venezuelan military court tried and acquitted Posada of the bombing, but the decision was later overturned and a civilian court case convened.
Posada then escaped from a Venezuelan jail in 1985 before the civilian trial was completed, reportedly paying a $28,600 bribe to secure escape.
Tackling Cuba's human rights position is another diplomatically difficult area for Zapatero's government if the Cuban leader arrives. ''Human rights will definitely be discussed and will be included in the final declaration,'' said Fernández de la Vega.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was scheduled to visit the summit as a special guest. Around 100 business leaders were expected to attend meetings on the fringe of the summit to discuss how to improve trading conditions and prosperity in the areas represented."
Partners in crime Castro and mini-me are to attend this summitt to spread the absurd ideology of communism:
"Castro highlights summit's guest listSpain expects Cuban leader Fidel Castro to attend a meeting of leaders of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations from Europe and Latin America. By CIARAN GILESAssociated Press
SALAMANCA, Spain - The Spanish government is bracing itself for a rare appearance by Cuban leader Fidel Castro at a summit due to take place here later this week.
Castro, 79, who rarely travels any great distances, has been invited to the 15th Iberoamerican Summit due to take place in the western city of Salamanca on Friday and Saturday, along with leaders and heads of state of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking nations from Europe and Latin America.
''As far as we know, everybody is coming,'' said Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernández de la Vega.
It was not clear whether Guatemala and El Salvador would send high-level delegates in the wake of the effects of Hurricane Stan.
The hotel reservation requirement for the Cuban delegation is nearly twice the normal number of rooms when the Cuban leader travels with it, and so far the booking is for the full amount, the spokesman said, indicating it was likely Castro would attend.
The prospect of a meeting between Castro and close ally Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez at the summit has caused Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's government some concern.
''Zapatero fears the effect of Castro and Chávez at the Salamanca summit,'' said newspaper El País.
''We've held 14 summits so far and want this, the 15th, to tackle serious issues,'' the spokesman said.
El País said that Castro and Chávez could use the summit to seek support for their stance on the Luis Posada Carriles case. Posada, a vehement anti-Castro Cuban militant, is wanted by Cuban and Venezuelan courts. Posada, a naturalized Venezuelan and one-time CIA operative, is accused of masterminding from Caracas a bombing in which a Cubana Airlines plane traveling from Barbados to Havana exploded in the air on Oct. 6, 1976. He has denied involvement.
A Venezuelan military court tried and acquitted Posada of the bombing, but the decision was later overturned and a civilian court case convened.
Posada then escaped from a Venezuelan jail in 1985 before the civilian trial was completed, reportedly paying a $28,600 bribe to secure escape.
Tackling Cuba's human rights position is another diplomatically difficult area for Zapatero's government if the Cuban leader arrives. ''Human rights will definitely be discussed and will be included in the final declaration,'' said Fernández de la Vega.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was scheduled to visit the summit as a special guest. Around 100 business leaders were expected to attend meetings on the fringe of the summit to discuss how to improve trading conditions and prosperity in the areas represented."
Capitalism Caused the Quake?
Not only is Fidel an expert in everything, now mini-me is an expert on what caused the recent earthquake: Capitalism(What a come mier...):
Chavez: Capitalism Caused Quakes
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez believes natural disasters around the globe are rooted in capitalism.
As reported by Agence France-Presse, Chavez, in a radio and TV interview, said the recent earthquakes in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, and the mudslides in Mexico and Guatemala were nature’s answer to a "world global capitalist model” that has left the world "dangerously off balance.”
Chavez antagonist, American TV evangelist Pat Robertson, takes a dissenting view. He said the natural disasters were forecast in the Book of Revelation, and point to "the end times" and Christ’s return.
Not only is Fidel an expert in everything, now mini-me is an expert on what caused the recent earthquake: Capitalism(What a come mier...):
Chavez: Capitalism Caused Quakes
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez believes natural disasters around the globe are rooted in capitalism.
As reported by Agence France-Presse, Chavez, in a radio and TV interview, said the recent earthquakes in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, and the mudslides in Mexico and Guatemala were nature’s answer to a "world global capitalist model” that has left the world "dangerously off balance.”
Chavez antagonist, American TV evangelist Pat Robertson, takes a dissenting view. He said the natural disasters were forecast in the Book of Revelation, and point to "the end times" and Christ’s return.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Castro and Chavez Swiss Bank Accounts
Chavez transferring money from U.S. to a Swiss Bank account, while USB is being investigated concerning $3.9 billion deposited in accounts by the Castro regime. Gee, I wonder if their is a connection or maybe they have the same checking and savings accounts benefits?
Chavez transferring money from U.S. to a Swiss Bank account, while USB is being investigated concerning $3.9 billion deposited in accounts by the Castro regime. Gee, I wonder if their is a connection or maybe they have the same checking and savings accounts benefits?
Monday, October 10, 2005
Socialist Reference
Here we have a review for "Hispanic Heritage Month" concerning Don Quixote.
Now notice how she weaves in Hugo Chavez(socialist maverick?) and the socialist agenda:
"Don Quixote de la Mancha' is 400 years old, and the world is throwing it a birthday party all year
By Maria RecioStar-Telegram Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - He is a madman with a noble cause, a dreamer with determination, and amazingly relevant for a character created four centuries ago.
Don Quixote de la Mancha, the master work by Miguel de Cervantes about a would-be nobleman's search for beauty and truth, is celebrating its 400th anniversary.
The book, published in Spain in 1605, has touched centuries of writers, painters, singers, dancers and even politicians in ways that make it as relevant and modern as ever.
A yearlong, worldwide celebration of Don Quixote began in January and has included marathon readings of the novel, which was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615; art exhibitions, including an exhibit of 18th-century tapestries now at Southern Methodist University's Meadows Museum; operas; concerts; and ballets.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a socialist maverick, had his government give away 1 million copies of the book in April.
"We are all going to read Quixote to feed our spirit with this fighter who came out to get rid of injustice and fix the world," Chavez said in Caracas. "To some degree, we are followers of Quixote."
Realistic characters
Why is there such an outpouring?
"I think Don Quixote is the greatest novel ever written," said Michael McGaha, a Cervantes scholar at Pomona College in California. "It was the first modern novel.
"The characters [Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho Panza] develop in a realistic way, and they influence each other."
McGaha, a Texas native, holds a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin and has devoted his life to the study of the novel.
He is not alone in his admiration for the work. In 2002, the Nobel Institute of Sweden polled 100 of the world's greatest authors and asked them to name the best work of fiction ever written. The hands-down winner: Don Quixote.
American novelist and Nobel prize winner William Faulkner read it every year until his death, and Mexican author Carlos Fuentes reads it annually.
The challenging tale of hope, love, life and ambition has intrigued, amused and confounded readers since Cervantes wrote it. The characters and their actions have become terms that are universally understood, such as "quixotic" and "tilting at windmills."
In Spain, the book's opening line, referring to a village in La Mancha "whose name I don't wish to recall," or "de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme," is a common expression.
The image of the thin knight on his horse with his squire alongside on a donkey has been immortalized by many artists, including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
"People who have never read the book who see the silhouette of the figure immediately recognize him," said Eduardo Urbina, professor of Hispanic studies at Texas A&M University. "He is an icon for Hispanic culture."
Urbina is director of the Cervantes Project, a joint effort of A&M, the Spanish National Library and Spain's Center for Cervantes Studies to put Don Quixote and other Cervantes writings online in a virtual library at www.csdl.tamu.edu/ cervantes.
"Don Quixote had an extraordinary influence on all modern literature," said Allen Josephs, a professor who teaches Cervantes at the University of West Florida. "Every age finds a new way to interpret Don Quixote."
Originally, the novel was viewed as comic, but in the 18th century it was taken more seriously as a work that valued the individual in a society. Later, in the 20th century, it was recognized as the first novel because of its complexity and structure.
Many Americans know the outline of the story from the movie and the musical Man of La Mancha, but the novel is more complicated and has many stories within stories.
In the book, a low-ranking nobleman, Alonso Quijano, is so crazed by the stories of knights-errant that he loves to read that he assumes the title of Don Quixote de la Mancha and vows to lead a life of derring-do, devoting himself to Dulcinea, his ideal woman who is, unfortunately, imaginary.
Sancho Panza is loyal and tolerates all of Don Quixote's eccentric ways, but their relationship changes and develops throughout the two-part novel.
"Don Quixote is mad and he is sane at the same time," said Michael Gerli, a Cervantes scholar at the University of Virginia. "Can madmen see the truth?" is one of the compelling themes of the book.
"People love the story because of the absurdity, combined with the nobility of Don Quixote, and the characters, especially Don Quixote and Sancho Panza," said Howard Mancing, professor of Spanish at Purdue University. "Many people can relate to their realism and idealism. Plus, the idea that life should be better than it is has perennial appeal."
Difficult life
Cervantes was born Sept. 29, 1547, in Alcala de Henares, a small town near Madrid. The fourth of seven children, he had a difficult childhood as his father, an itinerant surgeon, traveled throughout Spain.
Cervantes received some education in Madrid but as a young man went to Italy as an aide to a nobleman. He later became a soldier, until his left hand was injured permanently in a battle against the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
After recuperating in Italy, he left for Spain in 1575, when he was captured by Barbary pirates and held as a slave in North Africa for five years. He was freed after a ransom was paid, but his harsh imprisonment stayed with him the rest of his life and influenced his writings. He had more hard luck upon his return, struggling to make a living as a tax collector while trying to have a writing career.
Finally, in his 50s, he had success with Don Quixote.
Cervantes was a contemporary of English playwright William Shakespeare's, and Mancing and other scholars say Shakespeare read Don Quixote.
The Spanish author and playwright died April 23, 1616, the same date that Shakespeare is recorded as dying, although Spain was on the Gregorian calendar and England on the Julian calendar. In reality, Cervantes died 10 days earlier.
In Spain, April 23 is known as the "Dia del libro," or Day of the Book, and is often celebrated with a marathon reading of the 126-chapter book. The Dallas Public Library held its first marathon reading of the book starting Oct. 3.
"It's like the Bible," McGaha said. "Everyone finds their own interpretation."
Maria Recio, (202) 383-6103 mrecio@krwashington.com
Here we have a review for "Hispanic Heritage Month" concerning Don Quixote.
Now notice how she weaves in Hugo Chavez(socialist maverick?) and the socialist agenda:
"Don Quixote de la Mancha' is 400 years old, and the world is throwing it a birthday party all year
By Maria RecioStar-Telegram Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON - He is a madman with a noble cause, a dreamer with determination, and amazingly relevant for a character created four centuries ago.
Don Quixote de la Mancha, the master work by Miguel de Cervantes about a would-be nobleman's search for beauty and truth, is celebrating its 400th anniversary.
The book, published in Spain in 1605, has touched centuries of writers, painters, singers, dancers and even politicians in ways that make it as relevant and modern as ever.
A yearlong, worldwide celebration of Don Quixote began in January and has included marathon readings of the novel, which was published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615; art exhibitions, including an exhibit of 18th-century tapestries now at Southern Methodist University's Meadows Museum; operas; concerts; and ballets.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a socialist maverick, had his government give away 1 million copies of the book in April.
"We are all going to read Quixote to feed our spirit with this fighter who came out to get rid of injustice and fix the world," Chavez said in Caracas. "To some degree, we are followers of Quixote."
Realistic characters
Why is there such an outpouring?
"I think Don Quixote is the greatest novel ever written," said Michael McGaha, a Cervantes scholar at Pomona College in California. "It was the first modern novel.
"The characters [Don Quixote and his squire, Sancho Panza] develop in a realistic way, and they influence each other."
McGaha, a Texas native, holds a doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin and has devoted his life to the study of the novel.
He is not alone in his admiration for the work. In 2002, the Nobel Institute of Sweden polled 100 of the world's greatest authors and asked them to name the best work of fiction ever written. The hands-down winner: Don Quixote.
American novelist and Nobel prize winner William Faulkner read it every year until his death, and Mexican author Carlos Fuentes reads it annually.
The challenging tale of hope, love, life and ambition has intrigued, amused and confounded readers since Cervantes wrote it. The characters and their actions have become terms that are universally understood, such as "quixotic" and "tilting at windmills."
In Spain, the book's opening line, referring to a village in La Mancha "whose name I don't wish to recall," or "de cuyo nombre no quiero acordarme," is a common expression.
The image of the thin knight on his horse with his squire alongside on a donkey has been immortalized by many artists, including Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
"People who have never read the book who see the silhouette of the figure immediately recognize him," said Eduardo Urbina, professor of Hispanic studies at Texas A&M University. "He is an icon for Hispanic culture."
Urbina is director of the Cervantes Project, a joint effort of A&M, the Spanish National Library and Spain's Center for Cervantes Studies to put Don Quixote and other Cervantes writings online in a virtual library at www.csdl.tamu.edu/ cervantes.
"Don Quixote had an extraordinary influence on all modern literature," said Allen Josephs, a professor who teaches Cervantes at the University of West Florida. "Every age finds a new way to interpret Don Quixote."
Originally, the novel was viewed as comic, but in the 18th century it was taken more seriously as a work that valued the individual in a society. Later, in the 20th century, it was recognized as the first novel because of its complexity and structure.
Many Americans know the outline of the story from the movie and the musical Man of La Mancha, but the novel is more complicated and has many stories within stories.
In the book, a low-ranking nobleman, Alonso Quijano, is so crazed by the stories of knights-errant that he loves to read that he assumes the title of Don Quixote de la Mancha and vows to lead a life of derring-do, devoting himself to Dulcinea, his ideal woman who is, unfortunately, imaginary.
Sancho Panza is loyal and tolerates all of Don Quixote's eccentric ways, but their relationship changes and develops throughout the two-part novel.
"Don Quixote is mad and he is sane at the same time," said Michael Gerli, a Cervantes scholar at the University of Virginia. "Can madmen see the truth?" is one of the compelling themes of the book.
"People love the story because of the absurdity, combined with the nobility of Don Quixote, and the characters, especially Don Quixote and Sancho Panza," said Howard Mancing, professor of Spanish at Purdue University. "Many people can relate to their realism and idealism. Plus, the idea that life should be better than it is has perennial appeal."
Difficult life
Cervantes was born Sept. 29, 1547, in Alcala de Henares, a small town near Madrid. The fourth of seven children, he had a difficult childhood as his father, an itinerant surgeon, traveled throughout Spain.
Cervantes received some education in Madrid but as a young man went to Italy as an aide to a nobleman. He later became a soldier, until his left hand was injured permanently in a battle against the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
After recuperating in Italy, he left for Spain in 1575, when he was captured by Barbary pirates and held as a slave in North Africa for five years. He was freed after a ransom was paid, but his harsh imprisonment stayed with him the rest of his life and influenced his writings. He had more hard luck upon his return, struggling to make a living as a tax collector while trying to have a writing career.
Finally, in his 50s, he had success with Don Quixote.
Cervantes was a contemporary of English playwright William Shakespeare's, and Mancing and other scholars say Shakespeare read Don Quixote.
The Spanish author and playwright died April 23, 1616, the same date that Shakespeare is recorded as dying, although Spain was on the Gregorian calendar and England on the Julian calendar. In reality, Cervantes died 10 days earlier.
In Spain, April 23 is known as the "Dia del libro," or Day of the Book, and is often celebrated with a marathon reading of the 126-chapter book. The Dallas Public Library held its first marathon reading of the book starting Oct. 3.
"It's like the Bible," McGaha said. "Everyone finds their own interpretation."
Maria Recio, (202) 383-6103 mrecio@krwashington.com
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Response to Nicaragua in Trouble
Great response to comments made by a reader:
The concept of Democracy as we know it in the United States has not materialized in Nicaragua and in most countries of Latin America. One needs to have a personal insight into the very complicated political scenario of Central America (beyond textbooks and the popular literature) in order to appreciate that democracy (as we know it) has not yet arrived in Central America. When countries like Nicaragua have political parties like the Sandinistas who often manipulate the transportation mechanisms during electoral periods to carry (bribe if necessary) people to electoral booths, then we begin to understand that people don't truly have choices or free will. They are simply slaves to the oppression of Marxism. Frankly, it is not even Marxism for this ideology dictates some degree of equality (in its pure form); the Sandinistas are capitalists with a Marxist ideology. They own houses confiscated from wealthy Somoza supporters and still enjoy fruits of their "revolution" against the Somoza administration. They threaten others and have been cited as being responsible for the death of innocent people including reporters, religious, and even lay citizens who simply get on their way of total control/chaos.The comment made that the US should stay out of Nicaraguan politics shows a certain degree of naivete of Nicaraguan politics. Currently, Nicaragua owns SAM (Surface to Air Missiles) inherited from the former USSR. If these missiles fall in the hands of potential terrorists, we may be witnessing yet another threat to our homeland. With ties to the Libyan government and other extremist nations, the Sandinistas, if they manipulated their way into power again, could potentially allow Nicaragua to serve as a bridge for Terrorists interested in infiltrating into the U.S. Restated, the U.S. has a direct responsibility, as it protects its citizens, in offering a voice of criticism to currently manipulative tactics from the Sandinista to derail the current government. It is in OUR NATIONAL INTEREST to have a Nicaragua that is stable with no ties to terrorist groups.Further, the United States has an ethical obligation to guide the world in its path to democracy.None of us would dare say that the U.S. democracy is perfect; however, it is clear that we have one of the best forms of government in the world. If you don't believe this, travel to other countries like Nicaragua and you will be convinced. Thus, it is our duty to provide a compass to nations experiencing crisis. It is the American way and it reflects the generosity and good will that the American people are famous for throughout the world. This does not suggest we should interfere in other countries' businesses; it simply means that we should provide leadership when asked. Nicaragua has asked the US to help and assist in bringing calmness to a very unstable situation.I know this to be true since I am from Nicaragua. I have never been involved with a political party from my native land but I experienced the brutal war of the 1970s and the traumas associated with being a refugee in a foreign land. Now, a proud American by choice (and not birth), I feel the right to call it as it is. Let's not be confused with the rhetoric of individuals who often oppose US leadership and call it (wrongly) intervention. Thank God for the U.S. and for its proactiveness; the absence of this would be catastrophic!
A.D.C.
Great response to comments made by a reader:
The concept of Democracy as we know it in the United States has not materialized in Nicaragua and in most countries of Latin America. One needs to have a personal insight into the very complicated political scenario of Central America (beyond textbooks and the popular literature) in order to appreciate that democracy (as we know it) has not yet arrived in Central America. When countries like Nicaragua have political parties like the Sandinistas who often manipulate the transportation mechanisms during electoral periods to carry (bribe if necessary) people to electoral booths, then we begin to understand that people don't truly have choices or free will. They are simply slaves to the oppression of Marxism. Frankly, it is not even Marxism for this ideology dictates some degree of equality (in its pure form); the Sandinistas are capitalists with a Marxist ideology. They own houses confiscated from wealthy Somoza supporters and still enjoy fruits of their "revolution" against the Somoza administration. They threaten others and have been cited as being responsible for the death of innocent people including reporters, religious, and even lay citizens who simply get on their way of total control/chaos.The comment made that the US should stay out of Nicaraguan politics shows a certain degree of naivete of Nicaraguan politics. Currently, Nicaragua owns SAM (Surface to Air Missiles) inherited from the former USSR. If these missiles fall in the hands of potential terrorists, we may be witnessing yet another threat to our homeland. With ties to the Libyan government and other extremist nations, the Sandinistas, if they manipulated their way into power again, could potentially allow Nicaragua to serve as a bridge for Terrorists interested in infiltrating into the U.S. Restated, the U.S. has a direct responsibility, as it protects its citizens, in offering a voice of criticism to currently manipulative tactics from the Sandinista to derail the current government. It is in OUR NATIONAL INTEREST to have a Nicaragua that is stable with no ties to terrorist groups.Further, the United States has an ethical obligation to guide the world in its path to democracy.None of us would dare say that the U.S. democracy is perfect; however, it is clear that we have one of the best forms of government in the world. If you don't believe this, travel to other countries like Nicaragua and you will be convinced. Thus, it is our duty to provide a compass to nations experiencing crisis. It is the American way and it reflects the generosity and good will that the American people are famous for throughout the world. This does not suggest we should interfere in other countries' businesses; it simply means that we should provide leadership when asked. Nicaragua has asked the US to help and assist in bringing calmness to a very unstable situation.I know this to be true since I am from Nicaragua. I have never been involved with a political party from my native land but I experienced the brutal war of the 1970s and the traumas associated with being a refugee in a foreign land. Now, a proud American by choice (and not birth), I feel the right to call it as it is. Let's not be confused with the rhetoric of individuals who often oppose US leadership and call it (wrongly) intervention. Thank God for the U.S. and for its proactiveness; the absence of this would be catastrophic!
A.D.C.
Friday, October 07, 2005
"It’s all covered at Ché, join the revolution"
Here in my own backyard in the D/FW area, a restuarant named "Che" with its "culturally revolutionary blend of music" What? The hip, nuevo latino inspired chic restuarant is either ignorant of the atrocities of Che and the suffering of the Cuban people, or does not care?
Suggestions for new trendy restaurants:
Adolph Hitler Beer House
Sandinista Surprise Nicaraguan Food
Castro's Buffet(Ration cards required)
Red China's Diner(Sorry, couples with more than 2 kids not allowed-children must be boys)
Ted Turner's Southern Cooking (Sorry, No Cuban-Americans allowed, only commies, Castro-VIP)
21st Century Socialism Venezuelan Food(Park your car in back and leave your car and house keys for the "Land Reform" operative)
Here in my own backyard in the D/FW area, a restuarant named "Che" with its "culturally revolutionary blend of music" What? The hip, nuevo latino inspired chic restuarant is either ignorant of the atrocities of Che and the suffering of the Cuban people, or does not care?
Suggestions for new trendy restaurants:
Adolph Hitler Beer House
Sandinista Surprise Nicaraguan Food
Castro's Buffet(Ration cards required)
Red China's Diner(Sorry, couples with more than 2 kids not allowed-children must be boys)
Ted Turner's Southern Cooking (Sorry, No Cuban-Americans allowed, only commies, Castro-VIP)
21st Century Socialism Venezuelan Food(Park your car in back and leave your car and house keys for the "Land Reform" operative)
Hispanic Heroes(Whatever you want to call it) Continued
Here is another person who is basically ignored by the media and left out of the so called "Hispanic Heritage Month."
Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet González :
Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet González was born of humble origin in Havana, Cuba on July 20, 1961. Dr. Biscet is the founder and president of the Lawton Foundation, an organization considered illegal by the Cuban government. The Lawton Foundation peacefully promotes the defense of all human rights through nonviolent civil disobedience. Dr. Biscet, is a follower of the Dalai Lama, Thoreau, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. and wants to bring democracy and justice to Cuba.
Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, is a 39 year-old Afro-Cuban physician, a spiritual man and a follower of the philosophies of Thoreau, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. This human rights activist was unjustly sentenced to three years in prison on February 26 of this year for the crime of flying the Cuban flag upside down (an internationally recognized symbol of distress) as a way of protesting the human rights abuses in Cuba. As head of the Lawton Foundation, a human rights group considered an illegal organization in Cuba, he was charged with "insulting symbols of the fatherland", "public disorder" and "instigation to commit crime". He is currently serving his sentence at the notorious "Cuba Si'' prison in Cuba’s Holguin province, on the eastern side of island, making it extremely difficult for his family to visit him from Havana. Dr. Biscet has been beaten, repeatedly threatened, humiliated, blackmailed, subjected to brutal interrogations and thrown into cells with insane convicts and common criminals.As a non-violent activist struggling to bring about democracy, justice and freedom to Cuba, Dr. Biscet embodies all the dreams, hopes and frustrations of 11 million Cubans in the island. As its victim, he represents everything that is horribly wrong with the 41 year old tyrannical regime of the dictator Fidel Castro.By using non-violent means to expose the crimes of the government of Cuba, and by being a young, charismatic black man he threatens to demystify all the lies of the revolution of 1959. For this he has been singled out; and when dictator Fidel Castro personally condemned Biscet as a counter-revolutionary "ringleader'' before his trial, his fate was sealed.Why is Castro threatened by Dr. Biscet? Because Castro's revolution was supposed to make a "New Man". It was supposed to free the blacks of Cuba from discrimination and oppression. It was supposed to create a new generation of Cubans who would espouse the communistic ideals for a better world. Afro-Cubans are supposed to be grateful to the "man" for bringing aboutequality. Dr. Biscet proves that the revolution failed. The revolution has created a generation of disaffected young people who are clamoring for freedom and the right to choose their destinies. It has created a generation who is willing to risk their lives by fleeing the oppressive state of Cuba in makeshift rafts. And it has created a generation of men and women who are willing to risk going to jail in their efforts to bring about changes in Cuba.Before his sentence Dr. Biscet had been arbitrarily detained 26 times in 18 months. On February 1998 he was expelled from the Cuban National Health System and he and his family were evicted from his home. On several occasions, Cuba's State Security tried to subject Dr. Biscet to psychiatric examinations and pressured him to leave Cuba, to which he has reiterated thathe will never abandon his country. He knows that the struggle is in Cuba and that in order to bring about change, one has to stay and fight from the inside.Dr. Biscet has continued his fight for justice from prison. He has staged protests against Cuba’s violation of human rights at the prison with acts of civil disobedience, such as fasting and holding prayer services. Consequently, he was punished by being locked up in solitary confinement for42 days in an unlit cell. He has lost 20 pounds and suffered from a serious gum infection that went untreated and caused three of his molars to fall out.Dr. Biscet has told his family he fears for his life and highly distrusts the medical personnel at the prison facility. In addition, all his mail sent from prison has been intercepted and his Bible has been confiscated.So who is Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet? He is a man declared prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. He is Castro's worst nightmare. He is a man wrongly imprisoned for believing in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Dr. Biscet is Cuba's New Man. He is Cuba's hope for the future.
Here is another person who is basically ignored by the media and left out of the so called "Hispanic Heritage Month."
Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet González :
Dr. Oscar Elías Biscet González was born of humble origin in Havana, Cuba on July 20, 1961. Dr. Biscet is the founder and president of the Lawton Foundation, an organization considered illegal by the Cuban government. The Lawton Foundation peacefully promotes the defense of all human rights through nonviolent civil disobedience. Dr. Biscet, is a follower of the Dalai Lama, Thoreau, Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. and wants to bring democracy and justice to Cuba.
Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, is a 39 year-old Afro-Cuban physician, a spiritual man and a follower of the philosophies of Thoreau, Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr. This human rights activist was unjustly sentenced to three years in prison on February 26 of this year for the crime of flying the Cuban flag upside down (an internationally recognized symbol of distress) as a way of protesting the human rights abuses in Cuba. As head of the Lawton Foundation, a human rights group considered an illegal organization in Cuba, he was charged with "insulting symbols of the fatherland", "public disorder" and "instigation to commit crime". He is currently serving his sentence at the notorious "Cuba Si'' prison in Cuba’s Holguin province, on the eastern side of island, making it extremely difficult for his family to visit him from Havana. Dr. Biscet has been beaten, repeatedly threatened, humiliated, blackmailed, subjected to brutal interrogations and thrown into cells with insane convicts and common criminals.As a non-violent activist struggling to bring about democracy, justice and freedom to Cuba, Dr. Biscet embodies all the dreams, hopes and frustrations of 11 million Cubans in the island. As its victim, he represents everything that is horribly wrong with the 41 year old tyrannical regime of the dictator Fidel Castro.By using non-violent means to expose the crimes of the government of Cuba, and by being a young, charismatic black man he threatens to demystify all the lies of the revolution of 1959. For this he has been singled out; and when dictator Fidel Castro personally condemned Biscet as a counter-revolutionary "ringleader'' before his trial, his fate was sealed.Why is Castro threatened by Dr. Biscet? Because Castro's revolution was supposed to make a "New Man". It was supposed to free the blacks of Cuba from discrimination and oppression. It was supposed to create a new generation of Cubans who would espouse the communistic ideals for a better world. Afro-Cubans are supposed to be grateful to the "man" for bringing aboutequality. Dr. Biscet proves that the revolution failed. The revolution has created a generation of disaffected young people who are clamoring for freedom and the right to choose their destinies. It has created a generation who is willing to risk their lives by fleeing the oppressive state of Cuba in makeshift rafts. And it has created a generation of men and women who are willing to risk going to jail in their efforts to bring about changes in Cuba.Before his sentence Dr. Biscet had been arbitrarily detained 26 times in 18 months. On February 1998 he was expelled from the Cuban National Health System and he and his family were evicted from his home. On several occasions, Cuba's State Security tried to subject Dr. Biscet to psychiatric examinations and pressured him to leave Cuba, to which he has reiterated thathe will never abandon his country. He knows that the struggle is in Cuba and that in order to bring about change, one has to stay and fight from the inside.Dr. Biscet has continued his fight for justice from prison. He has staged protests against Cuba’s violation of human rights at the prison with acts of civil disobedience, such as fasting and holding prayer services. Consequently, he was punished by being locked up in solitary confinement for42 days in an unlit cell. He has lost 20 pounds and suffered from a serious gum infection that went untreated and caused three of his molars to fall out.Dr. Biscet has told his family he fears for his life and highly distrusts the medical personnel at the prison facility. In addition, all his mail sent from prison has been intercepted and his Bible has been confiscated.So who is Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet? He is a man declared prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International. He is Castro's worst nightmare. He is a man wrongly imprisoned for believing in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Dr. Biscet is Cuba's New Man. He is Cuba's hope for the future.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Nicaragua in Trouble
Many thought with the collaspe of the Soviet Union communism would die, but instead it has come back with a vengeance. It looks like Nicaragua will fall again to the brutality of communism:
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - The U.S. government bluntly threatened Nicaraguan leaders to abandon a pact between two opposition chieftains or cost their country international aid and trade while losing their own ability to travel freely around the world.
The declaration at a news conference here by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick was the strongest support yet for President Enrique Bolanos, whose anti-corruption campaign drove his own party's lawmakers to oppose him.
Bolanos' cleanup crusade led to a 20-year sentence for his predecessor, Arnoldo Aleman, and outraged the majority of legislators from his own Constitutionalist Liberal Party, which is dominated by Aleman.
The Liberals, pressing for Aleman's release, have aligned themselves with their historic enemies, the Sandinista Front, to pass laws stripping Bolanos of power while splitting control of appointments to the courts, electoral agencies and comptroller's offices.
U.S. officials have long denounced Sandinista Front leader Daniel Ortega, the target of a U.S.-backed guerrilla war in the 1980s. But Zoellick's words were clearly aimed at backers of Aleman, a former U.S. ally.
Nicaragua "is threatened by a creeping coup," Zoellick said. "It is threatened by corruption. It is threatened by a clique of caudillos," using the Spanish word for political bosses in a reference to Aleman and Ortega.
"There's going to be no deal here with Aleman on the part of the United States," Zoellick said, branding the former president as "a convicted criminal."
Zoellick said a US$175 million (euro147 million) American grant and other funds would be blocked if Nicaraguan leaders continued to support Aleman and Ortega and said the United States would work to halt aid from other sources.
"If you have a corrupt process where you remove a democratically elected president from power," he said, "well, then you're not going to get the US$175 million."
Zoellick noted that the United States already has removed the visas of Aleman and several of his relatives and allies and threatened that others, too, could face international travel bans.
"The United States will not welcome corrupt people to our country," Zoellick said. "We will take actions to block them. You can expect more such actions.
"And we will not stop with the United States," he added, promising to use "no-safe-haven" agreements with other leading industrial and Latin American nations to keep such people from traveling.
Zoellick singled out Aleman personally, saying "his family is not welcome in the United States. He is not welcome in the United States," and adding "we're going to everything we can to make sure he's not welcome anywhere else either."
He said leaders of the governing party need to decide "if they want to go down that path" of following Aleman "and frankly cut off their relations with the United States."
Many of the Liberal Party leaders had been exiled to the United States during the Sandinista era of the 1980s and others have close business and family ties there.
Zoellick said Aleman was "a criminal" who had been convicted because "he stole tens of millions if not more from his country." Ortega, he said, "has never accepted democracy."
Under a pact reached in the late 1990s, Aleman and Ortega agreed to have their parties split control over the courts, electoral organs and other agencies - effectively freezing out small parties.
While many polls show that Aleman and Ortega are deeply unpopular with the general public, they have managed to maintain hold of their parties and laws they encouraged have kept most rivals off the ballots.
On Monday, the U.S. Embassy confirmed that chief prosecutor Julio Centeno, a close friend of Aleman, and two of Aleman's daughters had been stripped of their visas.
Many thought with the collaspe of the Soviet Union communism would die, but instead it has come back with a vengeance. It looks like Nicaragua will fall again to the brutality of communism:
MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) - The U.S. government bluntly threatened Nicaraguan leaders to abandon a pact between two opposition chieftains or cost their country international aid and trade while losing their own ability to travel freely around the world.
The declaration at a news conference here by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick was the strongest support yet for President Enrique Bolanos, whose anti-corruption campaign drove his own party's lawmakers to oppose him.
Bolanos' cleanup crusade led to a 20-year sentence for his predecessor, Arnoldo Aleman, and outraged the majority of legislators from his own Constitutionalist Liberal Party, which is dominated by Aleman.
The Liberals, pressing for Aleman's release, have aligned themselves with their historic enemies, the Sandinista Front, to pass laws stripping Bolanos of power while splitting control of appointments to the courts, electoral agencies and comptroller's offices.
U.S. officials have long denounced Sandinista Front leader Daniel Ortega, the target of a U.S.-backed guerrilla war in the 1980s. But Zoellick's words were clearly aimed at backers of Aleman, a former U.S. ally.
Nicaragua "is threatened by a creeping coup," Zoellick said. "It is threatened by corruption. It is threatened by a clique of caudillos," using the Spanish word for political bosses in a reference to Aleman and Ortega.
"There's going to be no deal here with Aleman on the part of the United States," Zoellick said, branding the former president as "a convicted criminal."
Zoellick said a US$175 million (euro147 million) American grant and other funds would be blocked if Nicaraguan leaders continued to support Aleman and Ortega and said the United States would work to halt aid from other sources.
"If you have a corrupt process where you remove a democratically elected president from power," he said, "well, then you're not going to get the US$175 million."
Zoellick noted that the United States already has removed the visas of Aleman and several of his relatives and allies and threatened that others, too, could face international travel bans.
"The United States will not welcome corrupt people to our country," Zoellick said. "We will take actions to block them. You can expect more such actions.
"And we will not stop with the United States," he added, promising to use "no-safe-haven" agreements with other leading industrial and Latin American nations to keep such people from traveling.
Zoellick singled out Aleman personally, saying "his family is not welcome in the United States. He is not welcome in the United States," and adding "we're going to everything we can to make sure he's not welcome anywhere else either."
He said leaders of the governing party need to decide "if they want to go down that path" of following Aleman "and frankly cut off their relations with the United States."
Many of the Liberal Party leaders had been exiled to the United States during the Sandinista era of the 1980s and others have close business and family ties there.
Zoellick said Aleman was "a criminal" who had been convicted because "he stole tens of millions if not more from his country." Ortega, he said, "has never accepted democracy."
Under a pact reached in the late 1990s, Aleman and Ortega agreed to have their parties split control over the courts, electoral organs and other agencies - effectively freezing out small parties.
While many polls show that Aleman and Ortega are deeply unpopular with the general public, they have managed to maintain hold of their parties and laws they encouraged have kept most rivals off the ballots.
On Monday, the U.S. Embassy confirmed that chief prosecutor Julio Centeno, a close friend of Aleman, and two of Aleman's daughters had been stripped of their visas.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Urgent!
Hey you so called "Hispanic groups" where are you? Oh! I forgot that if it's a Anti-Castro Cuban don't bother:
NEWS
Arroyo 23 days in hunger strike, 18 days for Navarro: Arroyo replies to Cuban Cardinal's remarks on his hunger strike. (GUANTÁNAMO/CUBA/October 3/Puenteinfocubamiami.org) -"Please don't bother with medical attention unless it is accompanied with a reply to our demands" - reads the improvised poster Víctor Rolando Arroyo and Félix Navarro posted in the cubicle they both share since October 2nd, at the penal ward of the Guantánamo hospital.According to Elsa González, wife of Arroyo, who maintains a constant phone communication with the human rights activist in Miami Mayra Enríquez, on Sunday both women were notified that they would be allowed to see their husbands.A chair was placed next to where Elsa was sitting, they brought Arroyo walking and when he tried to sit down the chair broke in pieces and Arroyo landed on the floor. He stood up by himself, refusing any help from officers present. Arroyo seemed very yellow, was very thin and appeared to weigh about 55 Kilos. They were allowed to talk for about 10 minutes. In an faint voice but showing an incredible strength of spirit, Arroyo inquired about everyone, he sends and embrace to all of his family, friends and people who have shown their solidarity and who worry about him, as well as for those who are praying on his behalf. He understands the messages people are sending him, but reiterated that "his belief is to take this to the maximum consequences, there is no going back". "I am very concerned about Felix, I see him to thin"- Arroyo pointed out to his wife Elsa, who stared at him in astonishment and he then said to her- he said to his wife Elsa who looked at him in astonishment and he said to her- "Well, I can't see myself. How do I look? Tell me how do you see me?"- You look like who's been many days in hunger strike- she replied. He further asked:" Felix family, are they allowed to see him?", "I've been very worried about you, here alone. Now that Nayrelis (his daughter) is here I feel better"- stated the prisoner of conscience. Elsa conveyed to him statements regarding his hunger strike made by the Cuban Cardinal Jaime Alamino in Havana, Arroyo pondered, then replied: " The first thing I did when I began the hunger strike on September 10th was to entrust myself to Jesus. Let everyone know that this was the only thing I could do. I am not playing with my life, I am defending my life and the life of everyone that is going through the same tortures as me".Elsa is terrified, she is doesn't know whether to admire him or simply start crying. All correspondence written by Elsa which authorities confiscated were given to Arroyo. He told Elsa he spends his time reading them.He sends the following message: "To the priests in Pinar del Río, Ciro, Caraballo and Vicente, I have no words to express my gratitude for all they worry about us, as well as the support they give the "Ladies in White", to the parishioners in Pinar del Río, and his friends in Exile...he embraces all".Elsa pointed out that a single word from the proper authorities would solve the transfer. And further stated- "We are not requesting a specific region, even though the law recognizes that it is time for them to be transferred to a facility near their relatives. It is in the hands of the authorities to change everything, but it has to be now. Authorities have shown no will to stop this situation where the physical integrity of the individuals is at risk. This government presumes to be humanitarian, now is the time to show it. A dictator like Batista was capable forgiving the present ruler and also other men, then, why not treat these prisoners of conscience in a humane fashion. Tomorrow, the doctor in charge of the prison will provide Elsa with the latest news on Arroyo's situation and she plans to ask him if said officer has advised his superiors of the life threatening situation concerning her husband, so that nobody can say that they have not been properly informed.Sonia, Félix Navarro's wife, told Elsa that they tried to prevent Saili (Navarro's daughter), from seeing her father but she protested and was finally able to see her father. Felix is very thin, but is morally strongand reiterated that he shares Arroyo's firm position ... "There is no going back".Puente Informativo Cuba Miami/Information Bridge Cuba Miami calls on every citizen of goodwill to please call the maximum security prison Combinado de Guantánamo at: 011-21-38-31-02, and inquire as to the status of both prisoners of conscience and at the same time hold Lt. Colonel Reynaldo Fernández (director of the prison)- responsible for the physical integrity of both prisoners of conscience.Information given from Guantánamo by Elsa González Padrón, wife of the prisoner of conscience Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, to Mayra Enriquez on the 29th day of September of 2005. Given to the Information Bridge Cuba Miami for dissemination on the 29th day of September of 2005.For more information favor of calling to Mayra Enríquez at the 786-457-1995 or to Daisy Gil Ortiz at the 786-255-3356 This information was received by the Information Bridge Cuba Miami for diffusion on the 2nd day of October of 2005.
Hey you so called "Hispanic groups" where are you? Oh! I forgot that if it's a Anti-Castro Cuban don't bother:
NEWS
Arroyo 23 days in hunger strike, 18 days for Navarro: Arroyo replies to Cuban Cardinal's remarks on his hunger strike. (GUANTÁNAMO/CUBA/October 3/Puenteinfocubamiami.org) -"Please don't bother with medical attention unless it is accompanied with a reply to our demands" - reads the improvised poster Víctor Rolando Arroyo and Félix Navarro posted in the cubicle they both share since October 2nd, at the penal ward of the Guantánamo hospital.According to Elsa González, wife of Arroyo, who maintains a constant phone communication with the human rights activist in Miami Mayra Enríquez, on Sunday both women were notified that they would be allowed to see their husbands.A chair was placed next to where Elsa was sitting, they brought Arroyo walking and when he tried to sit down the chair broke in pieces and Arroyo landed on the floor. He stood up by himself, refusing any help from officers present. Arroyo seemed very yellow, was very thin and appeared to weigh about 55 Kilos. They were allowed to talk for about 10 minutes. In an faint voice but showing an incredible strength of spirit, Arroyo inquired about everyone, he sends and embrace to all of his family, friends and people who have shown their solidarity and who worry about him, as well as for those who are praying on his behalf. He understands the messages people are sending him, but reiterated that "his belief is to take this to the maximum consequences, there is no going back". "I am very concerned about Felix, I see him to thin"- Arroyo pointed out to his wife Elsa, who stared at him in astonishment and he then said to her- he said to his wife Elsa who looked at him in astonishment and he said to her- "Well, I can't see myself. How do I look? Tell me how do you see me?"- You look like who's been many days in hunger strike- she replied. He further asked:" Felix family, are they allowed to see him?", "I've been very worried about you, here alone. Now that Nayrelis (his daughter) is here I feel better"- stated the prisoner of conscience. Elsa conveyed to him statements regarding his hunger strike made by the Cuban Cardinal Jaime Alamino in Havana, Arroyo pondered, then replied: " The first thing I did when I began the hunger strike on September 10th was to entrust myself to Jesus. Let everyone know that this was the only thing I could do. I am not playing with my life, I am defending my life and the life of everyone that is going through the same tortures as me".Elsa is terrified, she is doesn't know whether to admire him or simply start crying. All correspondence written by Elsa which authorities confiscated were given to Arroyo. He told Elsa he spends his time reading them.He sends the following message: "To the priests in Pinar del Río, Ciro, Caraballo and Vicente, I have no words to express my gratitude for all they worry about us, as well as the support they give the "Ladies in White", to the parishioners in Pinar del Río, and his friends in Exile...he embraces all".Elsa pointed out that a single word from the proper authorities would solve the transfer. And further stated- "We are not requesting a specific region, even though the law recognizes that it is time for them to be transferred to a facility near their relatives. It is in the hands of the authorities to change everything, but it has to be now. Authorities have shown no will to stop this situation where the physical integrity of the individuals is at risk. This government presumes to be humanitarian, now is the time to show it. A dictator like Batista was capable forgiving the present ruler and also other men, then, why not treat these prisoners of conscience in a humane fashion. Tomorrow, the doctor in charge of the prison will provide Elsa with the latest news on Arroyo's situation and she plans to ask him if said officer has advised his superiors of the life threatening situation concerning her husband, so that nobody can say that they have not been properly informed.Sonia, Félix Navarro's wife, told Elsa that they tried to prevent Saili (Navarro's daughter), from seeing her father but she protested and was finally able to see her father. Felix is very thin, but is morally strongand reiterated that he shares Arroyo's firm position ... "There is no going back".Puente Informativo Cuba Miami/Information Bridge Cuba Miami calls on every citizen of goodwill to please call the maximum security prison Combinado de Guantánamo at: 011-21-38-31-02, and inquire as to the status of both prisoners of conscience and at the same time hold Lt. Colonel Reynaldo Fernández (director of the prison)- responsible for the physical integrity of both prisoners of conscience.Information given from Guantánamo by Elsa González Padrón, wife of the prisoner of conscience Victor Rolando Arroyo Carmona, to Mayra Enriquez on the 29th day of September of 2005. Given to the Information Bridge Cuba Miami for dissemination on the 29th day of September of 2005.For more information favor of calling to Mayra Enríquez at the 786-457-1995 or to Daisy Gil Ortiz at the 786-255-3356 This information was received by the Information Bridge Cuba Miami for diffusion on the 2nd day of October of 2005.
Venezuelans Trade Junk for Food
I am sure the commies and lefties love this idea. "Chavez is for the poor," the never ending propoganda that he uses and he predicts he will eradicate poverty! As we can see from history, socialist revolutions bring only more poverty(Everyone) while the government elite have everything. Read this public relations propaganda story.
I am sure the commies and lefties love this idea. "Chavez is for the poor," the never ending propoganda that he uses and he predicts he will eradicate poverty! As we can see from history, socialist revolutions bring only more poverty(Everyone) while the government elite have everything. Read this public relations propaganda story.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Nicaragua
Here we go again with the Sandinistas . Why hasn't Daniel Ortega ever been prosecuted? We always hear from the left concerning Pinochet, but what about Castro, Ortega, and all the commie cronies. Ortega still lives in the mansion that he stole from the original owner, what about all the atrocities that they comitted?
Read this interesting article concerning Jimmy Carter and Nicaragua.
Here we go again with the Sandinistas . Why hasn't Daniel Ortega ever been prosecuted? We always hear from the left concerning Pinochet, but what about Castro, Ortega, and all the commie cronies. Ortega still lives in the mansion that he stole from the original owner, what about all the atrocities that they comitted?
Read this interesting article concerning Jimmy Carter and Nicaragua.
Hispanic Heroes(Whatever you want to call it)
This is hispanic heritage month and I am not a fan of using the word "Hispanic" or other terms, but that is another topic another day. I am going to honor those whom the media and many others have never heard or ignore them
because they were not lefties. You know we always get the standard latino heroes as: Fidel Castro, Che Guevera, Rigoberta Mencha, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and others.
Someone who you will never see posted anywhere, but brought out by the talented Humberto Fontova in his book: "Fidel, Hollywood's Favorite Tryrant"
Tony Chao Flores:
"In 1961 (the year of the paredon) a 20-year-old boy named Tony Chao Flores took his place at the execution stake, but he hobbled to it on crutches. Tony was a photogenic lad, a cover-boy in fact. In January of 1959 his smiling face was featured on the very cover of Cuba's Bohemia magazine, a combination Time-Newsweek-People, let's call it. In the photo, Tony's long blond hair dangled over his tanned face, almost to his green gallego eyes. His trademark smirk showed below. The senoritas all swooned over Tony. He always had his pick. Tony was actually a rebel at the time, wearing the uniform of Castro's own 26th of July Movement.
He'd taken them at their word. Let's face it, we're all idealists and a bit gullible at 18. (much harder to fathom are the thousands in their 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's, both in Cuba and the U.S., who swallowed Castro's BS by the shovelful, rolling their eyes and rubbing their tummies deliriously - then asked for seconds!)
Within days of marching into Havana, Castro's deeds began to manifest: mass-jailings, mass-robbery, firing squads. The reds grabbed all newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations. They banned elections, strikes, private-property, free-speech. Each dawn, from one end of the island to the other, Castro and Che's firing squads piled up the corpses of any who resisted. None of that "engagement," none of that "dialogue," none of that "re-conciliation" Castro's agents (on his payroll and off) constantly whimper about nowadays - none of that lovey-dovey stuff was mentioned when Castro held the hammer. Now that he's stone broke, without a Russian sugar-daddy and out of sap creditors to stiff - well, now his U.S press agents can't shut up about "re-conciliation" and "dialogue."
Well, try your "dialogue" with the 15,000 heroes who vanished into mass graves yelling "VIVA CUBA LIBRE!" As for the rest of us, we'll quote (just this once) Theresa Heinz Kerry - "SHOVE IT!"
Tony Chao wasn't one to whimper. Soon he became a rebel against Castro, and a formidable one, employing the same M-1 carbine he used against Batista. Sadly, the Reds had infiltrated Tony's group and captured some of his compadres in arms.
Employing interrogation techniques lovingly imparted by their East German STASI and Russian KGB mentors, the security forces of George McGovern's bosom pal finally pinpointed Tony's hideout. As always the Russian-trained Castroites came in overwhelming force and heavily armed with Soviet weapons. As always their foe was suicidally valiant, horribly outnumbered and devoid of allies. Invariably, this characterized the armed exploits of a regime still revered as a "valiant underdog" by millions of imbeciles worldwide.
Castro and Che's goons were closing in and Tony sensed it.. "Those sons-of- b**tches ain't' NEVER taking me alive!" Tony vowed to his freedom fighters brothers.
One dawn (always at dawn, like Reno's raid) Tony saw the Reds approaching his hide-out and ran upstairs, the high ground, as it were. He grabbed his carbine, a pistol, piled up some ammo, and barricaded himself.
The shooting started and turned into a furious firefight. Tony blasted away, casings piling around him, his gun barrel sizzling. He bagged two of Che's scumbags in the deafening fusillade. But he'd taken 17 bullets from their Czech machine guns himself, mostly in his legs.
Reds have always been big on formalities and ceremony - those show trials of theirs, the better to terrorize and cow their subjects. So they wanted Tony alive. They wanted to display him as a trophy, to humiliate him before the nation, as an example of what happens to the enemies of George McGovern's charming chum.
And alive they dragged him off. Tony was bleeding badly and contorted with pain - but he wouldn't shut up. Curses shot from his mouth like bullets from those machine guns. "Cowards!" he snarled at his communist captors. "Fools!" he taunted. "Idiots! Traitors! Slaves! Eunuchs! Faggots! Sell-Outs!"
The Reds took Tony to a hospital and doctors patched him up - not completely now, just enough to keep him alive until his trial. Shortly he was dumped in La Cabana's dungeons and fed just enough to keep him alive. A month later they went through the farce of a trial and the verdict - naturally - was death by firing squad.
On the way to the stake at the old Spanish fort turned to a prison and execution ground by George Mc Govern's charming chum, Tony was forced to hobble down some cobblestone stairs. Again Tony pelted his captors with dreadful curses and stinging abuse, ''Russian lackeys!" Tony yelled again as they dragged him off. "Maricones!" (Faggots!') Finally a furious guard lost it. "CABRON!" (you B**tard!)
Tony's insults stung him, you see. He yanked Tony's crutch away while another gallant commie - WHUMP! - kicked the crippled freedom-fighter powerfully from behind. Tony tumbled down the long row of steps and finally lay on the cobblestones at the bottom, writhing and grimacing. One of Tony's bullet-riddled legs had been amputated at the hospital, the other was gangrened and covered in pus. The Castroite guards cackled as they moved in to gag Tony with their tape, as mandated by George McGovern's frequent dinner host and oft-declared friend.
Tony watched them approach while balling his good hand into a fist. Then as the first Red reached him - BASH!! - right across his eyes. "AYEEH!" the Castroite staggered back while rubbing his face. "You!...YOU!.....his gallant partner rushed towards Tony who was getting a good grip on his crutch with his other hand. BASH!! - Tony smashed the Red scumbag in the face with his wooden crutch. "CABRON!" The enraged Castroites yelped for help against their helpless (as always) enemy.
"I'll never understand how Tony survived that beating," says eye-witness Hiram Gonzalez who watched from his window on death-row, screaming in helpless rage at the guards and pounding his fists against the bars. The crippled Tony was almost killed in the kicking, punching, gun-bashing melee but finally his captors stood off, panting and rubbing their scrapes and bruises. They'd managed to tape the battered boy's mouth, but Tony pushed the guards away before they bound his hands. Their commander nodded, motioning for them to back off.
Now Tony started crawling towards the splintered and blood-spattered execution stake about fifty yards away, pushing and dragging himself with his hands as his stump of a leg left a trail of blood on the grass. As he neared the stake he'd stop and start pounding himself in the chest. His executioners seemed perplexed. The crippled boy was trying to say something. But his message was muzzled by the gag the gallant friend of George McGovern made obligatory for his thousands of execution victims.
Tony's blazing eyes and grimace said enough. But no one could understand the boy's mumblings. Tony kept pushing himself, shutting his eyes tightly from the agony of the effort. His executioners shuffled nervously, raised their rifles, lowered them. They looked towards their commander who shrugged. Finally Tony reached up to his face and ripped off the tape that George McGovern's sparkling dinner companion required for his condemned.
The 20 year-old freedom-fighter's voice boomed out. "Shoot me RIGHT HERE!" roared Tony at his gaping executioners. His voice thundered and his head bobbed with the effort. "Right in the CHEST!" Tony yelled. "Like a MAN!" Tony stopped and ripped open his shirt, pounding his chest and grimacing as his gallant executioners gaped and shuffled. "Right HERE!" he pounded.
On his last day alive, Tony had received a letter in jail from his mother. "My dear son," she counseled. "How often I'd warned you not to get involved in these things. But I knew my pleas were vain. You always demanded your freedom, Tony, even as a little boy. So I knew you'd never stand for communism. Well, Castro and Che finally caught you. Son, I love you with all my heart. My life is now shattered and will never be the same, but the only thing left now, Tony..... is to die like a man."
"FUEGO!!" Castro's lackey yelled the command and the bullets shattered Tony's crippled body, just as he'd reached the stake, lifted himself and stared resolutely at his murderers. But Castro's firing squads usually murder a hero who is standing. The legless Tony presented an awkward target. So some of the volley went wild and missed the youngster. Time for the coup de grace.
Normally it's one .45 slug that shatters the skull. Eye-witnesses say Tony required... POW!-POW!....POW! - three. Seems the executioner's hands were shaking pretty badly. But they finally managed. George McGovern's hearty amigo and the twentieth century's premier campus poster-boy had another notch in their gun. Another enemy dispatched -bound and gagged as usual.
Compare Tony's death to the arch-swine, arch-weasel and arch-coward Che Guevara's. "Don't shoot!" whimpered the arch-assassin to his captors. "I'm Che! I'm worth more to you alive than dead!"
Then ask yourselves: who's face belongs on T-shirts worn by youth who fancy themselves, rebellious, freedom-loving and brave?
Then fume and gag at the malignant stupidity of popular culture in our demented age.
Castro and Che were in their mid-thirties when they murdered Tony. Their firing squads riddled another 15,000 bound and gagged freedom-fighters. Many (perhaps most) were boys in their early twenties and late-teens. Some were even younger. Carlos Machado and his twin brother Ramon were fifteen when they spat in the face of their communist executioners and died singing their national anthem as lustily as they cursed Che Guevara's Internationale. Their dad collapsed from same volley, alongside them. All perished on the orders of George McGovern charming chum.
The details of Tony's execution come from the eye-witness testimony of his dungeon-mate, Hiram Gonzalez, who was finally released 20 years later. Enrique Encinosa's book, aptly named Unvanquished, gives a stirring roll-call of this heroic struggle, of this lonely and desperate fight - a fight on America's very doorstep against the bloodiest blight to ever afflict this hemisphere, and against the regime that presented America with the greatest threat in her history. Yet they fought alone.
"We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty!" - JFK Inaugural speech Jan 1961. "
Jose Serrano how about a nomination for Tony Chao Flores as a hispanic hero?
This is hispanic heritage month and I am not a fan of using the word "Hispanic" or other terms, but that is another topic another day. I am going to honor those whom the media and many others have never heard or ignore them
because they were not lefties. You know we always get the standard latino heroes as: Fidel Castro, Che Guevera, Rigoberta Mencha, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and others.
Someone who you will never see posted anywhere, but brought out by the talented Humberto Fontova in his book: "Fidel, Hollywood's Favorite Tryrant"
Tony Chao Flores:
"In 1961 (the year of the paredon) a 20-year-old boy named Tony Chao Flores took his place at the execution stake, but he hobbled to it on crutches. Tony was a photogenic lad, a cover-boy in fact. In January of 1959 his smiling face was featured on the very cover of Cuba's Bohemia magazine, a combination Time-Newsweek-People, let's call it. In the photo, Tony's long blond hair dangled over his tanned face, almost to his green gallego eyes. His trademark smirk showed below. The senoritas all swooned over Tony. He always had his pick. Tony was actually a rebel at the time, wearing the uniform of Castro's own 26th of July Movement.
He'd taken them at their word. Let's face it, we're all idealists and a bit gullible at 18. (much harder to fathom are the thousands in their 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's, both in Cuba and the U.S., who swallowed Castro's BS by the shovelful, rolling their eyes and rubbing their tummies deliriously - then asked for seconds!)
Within days of marching into Havana, Castro's deeds began to manifest: mass-jailings, mass-robbery, firing squads. The reds grabbed all newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations. They banned elections, strikes, private-property, free-speech. Each dawn, from one end of the island to the other, Castro and Che's firing squads piled up the corpses of any who resisted. None of that "engagement," none of that "dialogue," none of that "re-conciliation" Castro's agents (on his payroll and off) constantly whimper about nowadays - none of that lovey-dovey stuff was mentioned when Castro held the hammer. Now that he's stone broke, without a Russian sugar-daddy and out of sap creditors to stiff - well, now his U.S press agents can't shut up about "re-conciliation" and "dialogue."
Well, try your "dialogue" with the 15,000 heroes who vanished into mass graves yelling "VIVA CUBA LIBRE!" As for the rest of us, we'll quote (just this once) Theresa Heinz Kerry - "SHOVE IT!"
Tony Chao wasn't one to whimper. Soon he became a rebel against Castro, and a formidable one, employing the same M-1 carbine he used against Batista. Sadly, the Reds had infiltrated Tony's group and captured some of his compadres in arms.
Employing interrogation techniques lovingly imparted by their East German STASI and Russian KGB mentors, the security forces of George McGovern's bosom pal finally pinpointed Tony's hideout. As always the Russian-trained Castroites came in overwhelming force and heavily armed with Soviet weapons. As always their foe was suicidally valiant, horribly outnumbered and devoid of allies. Invariably, this characterized the armed exploits of a regime still revered as a "valiant underdog" by millions of imbeciles worldwide.
Castro and Che's goons were closing in and Tony sensed it.. "Those sons-of- b**tches ain't' NEVER taking me alive!" Tony vowed to his freedom fighters brothers.
One dawn (always at dawn, like Reno's raid) Tony saw the Reds approaching his hide-out and ran upstairs, the high ground, as it were. He grabbed his carbine, a pistol, piled up some ammo, and barricaded himself.
The shooting started and turned into a furious firefight. Tony blasted away, casings piling around him, his gun barrel sizzling. He bagged two of Che's scumbags in the deafening fusillade. But he'd taken 17 bullets from their Czech machine guns himself, mostly in his legs.
Reds have always been big on formalities and ceremony - those show trials of theirs, the better to terrorize and cow their subjects. So they wanted Tony alive. They wanted to display him as a trophy, to humiliate him before the nation, as an example of what happens to the enemies of George McGovern's charming chum.
And alive they dragged him off. Tony was bleeding badly and contorted with pain - but he wouldn't shut up. Curses shot from his mouth like bullets from those machine guns. "Cowards!" he snarled at his communist captors. "Fools!" he taunted. "Idiots! Traitors! Slaves! Eunuchs! Faggots! Sell-Outs!"
The Reds took Tony to a hospital and doctors patched him up - not completely now, just enough to keep him alive until his trial. Shortly he was dumped in La Cabana's dungeons and fed just enough to keep him alive. A month later they went through the farce of a trial and the verdict - naturally - was death by firing squad.
On the way to the stake at the old Spanish fort turned to a prison and execution ground by George Mc Govern's charming chum, Tony was forced to hobble down some cobblestone stairs. Again Tony pelted his captors with dreadful curses and stinging abuse, ''Russian lackeys!" Tony yelled again as they dragged him off. "Maricones!" (Faggots!') Finally a furious guard lost it. "CABRON!" (you B**tard!)
Tony's insults stung him, you see. He yanked Tony's crutch away while another gallant commie - WHUMP! - kicked the crippled freedom-fighter powerfully from behind. Tony tumbled down the long row of steps and finally lay on the cobblestones at the bottom, writhing and grimacing. One of Tony's bullet-riddled legs had been amputated at the hospital, the other was gangrened and covered in pus. The Castroite guards cackled as they moved in to gag Tony with their tape, as mandated by George McGovern's frequent dinner host and oft-declared friend.
Tony watched them approach while balling his good hand into a fist. Then as the first Red reached him - BASH!! - right across his eyes. "AYEEH!" the Castroite staggered back while rubbing his face. "You!...YOU!.....his gallant partner rushed towards Tony who was getting a good grip on his crutch with his other hand. BASH!! - Tony smashed the Red scumbag in the face with his wooden crutch. "CABRON!" The enraged Castroites yelped for help against their helpless (as always) enemy.
"I'll never understand how Tony survived that beating," says eye-witness Hiram Gonzalez who watched from his window on death-row, screaming in helpless rage at the guards and pounding his fists against the bars. The crippled Tony was almost killed in the kicking, punching, gun-bashing melee but finally his captors stood off, panting and rubbing their scrapes and bruises. They'd managed to tape the battered boy's mouth, but Tony pushed the guards away before they bound his hands. Their commander nodded, motioning for them to back off.
Now Tony started crawling towards the splintered and blood-spattered execution stake about fifty yards away, pushing and dragging himself with his hands as his stump of a leg left a trail of blood on the grass. As he neared the stake he'd stop and start pounding himself in the chest. His executioners seemed perplexed. The crippled boy was trying to say something. But his message was muzzled by the gag the gallant friend of George McGovern made obligatory for his thousands of execution victims.
Tony's blazing eyes and grimace said enough. But no one could understand the boy's mumblings. Tony kept pushing himself, shutting his eyes tightly from the agony of the effort. His executioners shuffled nervously, raised their rifles, lowered them. They looked towards their commander who shrugged. Finally Tony reached up to his face and ripped off the tape that George McGovern's sparkling dinner companion required for his condemned.
The 20 year-old freedom-fighter's voice boomed out. "Shoot me RIGHT HERE!" roared Tony at his gaping executioners. His voice thundered and his head bobbed with the effort. "Right in the CHEST!" Tony yelled. "Like a MAN!" Tony stopped and ripped open his shirt, pounding his chest and grimacing as his gallant executioners gaped and shuffled. "Right HERE!" he pounded.
On his last day alive, Tony had received a letter in jail from his mother. "My dear son," she counseled. "How often I'd warned you not to get involved in these things. But I knew my pleas were vain. You always demanded your freedom, Tony, even as a little boy. So I knew you'd never stand for communism. Well, Castro and Che finally caught you. Son, I love you with all my heart. My life is now shattered and will never be the same, but the only thing left now, Tony..... is to die like a man."
"FUEGO!!" Castro's lackey yelled the command and the bullets shattered Tony's crippled body, just as he'd reached the stake, lifted himself and stared resolutely at his murderers. But Castro's firing squads usually murder a hero who is standing. The legless Tony presented an awkward target. So some of the volley went wild and missed the youngster. Time for the coup de grace.
Normally it's one .45 slug that shatters the skull. Eye-witnesses say Tony required... POW!-POW!....POW! - three. Seems the executioner's hands were shaking pretty badly. But they finally managed. George McGovern's hearty amigo and the twentieth century's premier campus poster-boy had another notch in their gun. Another enemy dispatched -bound and gagged as usual.
Compare Tony's death to the arch-swine, arch-weasel and arch-coward Che Guevara's. "Don't shoot!" whimpered the arch-assassin to his captors. "I'm Che! I'm worth more to you alive than dead!"
Then ask yourselves: who's face belongs on T-shirts worn by youth who fancy themselves, rebellious, freedom-loving and brave?
Then fume and gag at the malignant stupidity of popular culture in our demented age.
Castro and Che were in their mid-thirties when they murdered Tony. Their firing squads riddled another 15,000 bound and gagged freedom-fighters. Many (perhaps most) were boys in their early twenties and late-teens. Some were even younger. Carlos Machado and his twin brother Ramon were fifteen when they spat in the face of their communist executioners and died singing their national anthem as lustily as they cursed Che Guevara's Internationale. Their dad collapsed from same volley, alongside them. All perished on the orders of George McGovern charming chum.
The details of Tony's execution come from the eye-witness testimony of his dungeon-mate, Hiram Gonzalez, who was finally released 20 years later. Enrique Encinosa's book, aptly named Unvanquished, gives a stirring roll-call of this heroic struggle, of this lonely and desperate fight - a fight on America's very doorstep against the bloodiest blight to ever afflict this hemisphere, and against the regime that presented America with the greatest threat in her history. Yet they fought alone.
"We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty!" - JFK Inaugural speech Jan 1961. "
Jose Serrano how about a nomination for Tony Chao Flores as a hispanic hero?
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Nobel Peace Prize 2005: Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez makes the final list?
What? A commie for a Nobel Peace Prize? This article and website are pro-Chavez. Notice all the revolutionary jargon : "Humanist, Sustainable and endogenous development, Bolivarian revolution, alleviating poverty medium to long term, and free primary healthcare." Yes, look what all these revolutionary nonsense did with Cuba. Do you Venezuela really want to be like Cuba?
What? A commie for a Nobel Peace Prize? This article and website are pro-Chavez. Notice all the revolutionary jargon : "Humanist, Sustainable and endogenous development, Bolivarian revolution, alleviating poverty medium to long term, and free primary healthcare." Yes, look what all these revolutionary nonsense did with Cuba. Do you Venezuela really want to be like Cuba?
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