tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15792370.post112852446298383184..comments2024-02-28T02:15:05.389-08:00Comments on El Cafe Cubano: Alfredohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13583527620672413940noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15792370.post-1128736447352164332005-10-07T18:54:00.000-07:002005-10-07T18:54:00.000-07:00Here is a response from someone who is from Nicara...Here is a response from someone who is from Nicaragua:<BR/><BR/>The concept of Democracy as we know it in the United States has not <BR/>materialized in Nicaragua and in most countries of Latin America. One needs <BR/>to have a personal insight into the very complicated political scenario of <BR/>Central America (beyond textbooks and the popular literature) in order to <BR/>appreciate that democracy (as we know it) has not yet arrived in Central <BR/>America. When countries like Nicaragua have political parties like the <BR/>Sandinistas who often manipulate the transportation mechanisms during <BR/>electoral periods to carry (bribe if necessary) people to electoral booths, <BR/>then we begin to understand that people don't truly have choices or free <BR/>will. They are simply slaves to the oppression of Marxism. Frankly, it is <BR/>not even Marxism for this ideology dictates some degree of equality (in its <BR/>pure form); the Sandinistas are capitalists with a Marxist ideology. They <BR/>own houses confiscated from wealthy Somoza supporters and still enjoy <BR/>fruits of their "revolution" against the Somoza administration. They <BR/>threaten others and have been cited as being responsible for the death of <BR/>innocent people including reporters, religious, and even lay citizens who <BR/>simply get on their way of total control/chaos.<BR/><BR/>The comment made that the US should stay out of Nicaraguan politics shows a <BR/>certain degree of naivete of Nicaraguan politics. Currently, Nicaragua <BR/>owns SAM (Surface to Air Missiles) inherited from the former USSR. If <BR/>these missiles fall in the hands of potential terrorists, we may be <BR/>witnessing yet another threat to our homeland. With ties to the Libyan <BR/>government and other extremist nations, the Sandinistas, if they <BR/>manipulated their way into power again, could potentially allow Nicaragua <BR/>to serve as a bridge for Terrorists interested in infiltrating into the <BR/>U.S. Restated, the U.S. has a direct responsibility, as it protects its <BR/>citizens, in offering a voice of criticism to currently manipulative <BR/>tactics from the Sandinista to derail the current government. It is in OUR <BR/>NATIONAL INTEREST to have a Nicaragua that is stable with no ties to <BR/>terrorist groups.<BR/><BR/>Further, the United States has an ethical obligation to guide the world in <BR/>its path to democracy.None of us would dare say that the U.S. democracy is <BR/>perfect; however, it is clear that we have one of the best forms of <BR/>government in the world. If you don't believe this, travel to other <BR/>countries like Nicaragua and you will be convinced. Thus, it is our duty <BR/>to provide a compass to nations experiencing crisis. It is the American way <BR/>and it reflects the generosity and good will that the American people are <BR/>famous for throughout the world. This does not suggest we should interfere <BR/>in other countries' businesses; it simply means that we should provide <BR/>leadership when asked. Nicaragua has asked the US to help and assist in <BR/>bringing calmness to a very unstable situation.<BR/><BR/>I know this to be true since I am from Nicaragua. I have never been <BR/>involved with a political party from my native land but I experienced the <BR/>brutal war of the 1970s and the traumas associated with being a refugee in <BR/>a foreign land. Now, a proud American by choice (and not birth), I feel <BR/>the right to call it as it is. Let's not be confused with the rhetoric of <BR/>individuals who often oppose US leadership and call it (wrongly) <BR/>intervention. Thank God for the U.S. and for its proactiveness; the <BR/>absence of this would be catastrophic!<BR/><BR/><BR/>A.D.C.Alfredohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13583527620672413940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15792370.post-1128735822870985752005-10-07T18:43:00.000-07:002005-10-07T18:43:00.000-07:00We both agree that democracy is the answer in Lati...We both agree that democracy is the answer in Latin America. Now the Somoza and Batista regime were considered brutal dictatorships by many(Always by the media, but never Castro or any leftist)).Are you saying that castro and the sandinistas are no were near as brutal? Jimmy Carter basically paved the road for the Sandinistas and led to the demise of Somoza.(No intervention here?)Mentioning intervention you have to mention castro. He was behind the sandinistas, he is behind Chavez in Cubazuela, he is behind the FARC in Colombia, and all the political unrest in latin america we also can go on and on here...<BR/>Now many are still debating the Bush elections, no one dares to object to the elections in Venezuela? Was it clean? How do we know, carter left in such a hurry not bothering to address all the irregularities? Yes, Democracy is the answer and the elections have to clean both ways!!<BR/><BR/>AlfredoAlfredohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13583527620672413940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15792370.post-1128716645712288362005-10-07T13:24:00.000-07:002005-10-07T13:24:00.000-07:00When Nicaragua fell to the brutality of the Somoza...When Nicaragua fell to the brutality of the Somoza regime did the US come to its aid? When Cuba fell to the brutality of the Baptista regime did the US come to its aid? When Guatemala fell to the brutality of Rios Montt, did the US come to its aid? No, No, No, and as you are aware I could go on for quite some time in this vein.<BR/><BR/>Communism has indeed spawned some brutal regimes, but the answer is democracy - not threats of interference from an outside power. Nicaragua has a democratic process (through which its legislators were chosen) and they should be encouraged to continue that democracy, not be threatened with economic sanctions if they choose one leader vs. another. <BR/><BR/> I fervently hope that all the people of Latin America will be able to freely and democratically elect their own governments without interference from any foreign power, and choose economic policies that reflect the interests of the majority of their people - even if those policies are unpopular with the US or the IMF. <BR/><BR/>I also hope we in the US can wake up to the hypocrisy of our own government and stop interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. We cannot truly stand for democracy and freedom while infringing on the rights of others to make free democratic choices.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.com