American Indian activists award Castro with 'Eagle Feather'

[Osolomia]

Thu, Aug. 28, 2003

American Indian activists award Castro with 'Eagle Feather' for exceptional warriors
Associated Press

HAVANA - An American Indian activist group has selected Cuban President Fidel Castro for its highest honor for exceptional warriors - the first time the "Eagle Feather" has been bestowed on a non-native of the United States, a Cuban news agency reported Thursday.

Daniel Cheng Yang, leader of the American Indian Movement's youth group, traveled to Cuba to present the award to Castro along with a declaration honoring "the man who represents respect, success, honor and bravery," the official National Information Agency said.

During his visit, Cheng also condemned the U.S. economic blockade against the communist island and expressed the Indian organization's solidarity with five Cuban spies held in U.S. prisons.

More...
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/6643005.htm

[Say_What]

1. If there are people who know about US oppression, it's the American Indian

The murder and mayhem Uncle Sam committed around the globe started here first with the genocide of the Native Americans on their native lands. To exterminate them, the US government put a price on the buffalo--their source of food, shelter and clothing--and the Great Plains became a killing field, which nearly wiped out the Indians and the buffalo. After they killed as many as they could, they split those who were left and sent them to states completeley foreign to what they knew. Indians whose home was the plains were sent to Florida for example, and then there were the government schools where Indian children were taken away from their parents, forced to wear white mans clothes and forbidden to speak their own language. If anyone wants to know how free and democratic the US is, ask the residents of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

---

Some startling facts about the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation:

* 80% unemployment.
* Poorest county in the USA. Average family income is just $3,700 per year.
* High rates of alcoholism, heart disease, and cancer.
* Extremely high rate of diabetes. Almost half of the population over 40 on the Pine Ridge Reservation have diabetes.
* Life expectancy for men is 48 years. Life expectancy for women is 52.
* Highest infant mortality rate in the USA.

http://www.lakotamall.com/allies/pineridgefacts.htm

[makeanoise]

9. If You REALLY Want To KNOW

What is happening in Indian Country today,
it is only the biggest cover up in U.S. History.
it began about 150 years ago,
and Bush's former Sec. Of Interior, Whitman has been held in contempt of court.

The assault on the American Indian continues....


www.indiantrust.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Overview.Home




Post your thoughts, very few people know about this...

[Say_What]

67. makeanoise

If I'm not mistaken, this was posted some time back. But as far as I'm concerned this could be brought up again and again. Brainwashed 'muriKans with BLINKERS ON should know more about this, but as you say few know anything about this or Native American history.

Headed for the Southwest in a day or so and won't be back for about a month. Currently re-reading Ishi, the Last Wild Indian, if you're familiar with that.

BTW, makeanoise, welcome to DU. :hi:

[Judi Lynn]

19. Those stats, Say_What, tell all you need to know

about what happens to people who seem to get in the road of greedy, violent people, who won't take the time to do things in a human, respectful way.













As long as they have been beaten down, nearly extinguished altogether, and shoved off onto reservations, Americans never have to think about them, and they remain faceless, like all the other people who were unlucky enough to be in the road!

[Say_What]

68. Beautiful photos

I remember someone posting to the CNN Cuba board that there were indigenous people who still live in the Sierra Maestra and that the Cuban government never imposed their will on them and that they lived simply as they have for thousands of years. So unlike what happened here.

This one's my favorite

[molly]

70. There are 572 federally recognized tribes in the US

each tribe has their own criteria for determining membership. I met someone who was blonde - but his tribe criteria was 1/500 or something like that. If you can find a way to prove your heritage, you may be eligible for Indian Health Services - check it out

http://www.ihs.gov/AdminMngrResources/Budget/FY_2004_Budget_Justification.asp

(from the Executive Summary)

At the Budget Authority level, the Indian Health Service’s FY 2004 budget request of $2,889,662,000 is a net increase of $73.256 million (2.6%) and 60 FTE above the FY 2003 President’s Budget request of $2,816,406,000 and 14,961 FTE. At the Program Level it is a net increase of $130.221 million for a total of $3,607,282. At the Budget Authority level, this budget will provide pay cost increases for IHS, Tribal, and Urban program staff, staffing and operating needs of three newly replaced health care facilities, funds for health care facilities construction projects, and program increases for contract health services and sanitation facilities construction. At the Program Level, there is an increase of $50,000,000 under the reauthorized Special Diabetes program for a new total of $150 million a year as well as an increase of $6,965 million in estimated Medicare and Medicaid collections.

Here are some facts that the general public may not know:

1. Native Americans have access to free general health care

2. Catastrophic health care is provided free.

3. Regular dental services are free and things like braces and
false teeth are provided at actual lab costs.

4. Free eye exams and eye surgeries. Does not include cosmetic
surgeries like LASIK

5. Free eyeglasses for children through age 18.

6. HUD subsidized housing. Eligible for couples with children,
regardless of marraige or just living together. One couple
with one child eligible for 2 bedroom one bath house for as
low as $ 39.00/month rent. The higher their income the more
they pay in rent. The highest house payment I have ever heard
of was $ 440.00/month for a four bedroom two bath.

7. All renovations of houses are done through government grants.

8. When appliances go out i.e., refrigerator, stove, etc., they
are replaced through grant money. (guess where the grant
money comes from ? - our taxes)

9. Banks will not write mortgages on Indian housing because only
tribal members are allowed to own houses on the reservations.
Thus, if someone defaulted on a note, the bank cannot seize
the house. (That is why the Federal Govt. pays for remodeling
and repairs, etc.)

10. The local tribes have federal money set aside that was given
for property reimbursement years ago that is distributed to
each tribal member upon their 18th birthday. The current sum
is around $ 18,000 to each new adult.

11. Most tribes have Smoke Shops on their reservations where they
can sell cigarettes without federal taxation. Profits from
these are divided amongst the adult tribal members. Locally,
they get around $ 1,000 each December.

12. When a Native American dies, the Bureau of Indian Affairs
provides $ 2,500 for burial expenses. This is a little
better than the $ 255 that Social Security gives.

13. All Reservations have a mini-mart with gas pumps. Tribal
members pay the full price per gallon of say $ 1.59 for regular
They are given a receipt for their purchase. At the end of the
month they turn in their receipts and receive a $ .52 per
gallon federal tax rebate.

[piece sine]

84. very touching but....

surely there must be a few hundred million left over from the gambling, the gaming, the gas.....Indians are big-time casino owners. Start collecting taxes to help Indians in need. Can't? Sovereign nation? OK -- then Indians can pick-up the tab for their hurting brothers and sisters. What is the role of the billionaire tribes in this? Until we define it, pardon me if I pass on the guilt-trip.

[0007]

92. Alcohol was WMD

along with that and taking out the buffalo disabled t the Indian.

The Indian countered back with it's WMD. "Tobacco." Who won? The Indians still have their survival skills and the pale
face got the Fast Food Joints. LOL!!

[Judi Lynn]

2. Interesting to see A.I.M. connected with Cuba this way.

In 1959, representatives from the Miccosukee Seminole Nation arrived in Cuba, and got vilified in the Miami Herald immediately. Figures.

There's a photo of them arriving here:
http://www.fooshotkee.com/communication_with_cuba.htm

Thanks for the info!

[Mika]

10. Wow

This is interesting..

From the http://www.fooshotkee.com/communication_with_cuba.htm link

"...The government wanted to pay us money to shut up. We wanted land set aside for us and to be left alone. No one in Washington would listen to us. So when Castro took over , I went over there and smoked some cigars with him and Che Guevara and I asked them: 'Do you recognize the Miccosukee Tribe?' Castro said he did. He said that if the United States would not give us a place to live, we were welcome to go over there and he would make room for us. When we got back, there were all kinds of phone calls from Washington. The government started dealing with us seriously then.''

 -- Buffalo Tiger, of the Miccosukee Indian tribe, December 1997

Amazing. In 1959 the US BIA still would not recognize the Miccosukee Tribe.

[peacetalksforall]

86. This thrills me

The very same politicians who allow themselves to be held hostage for a nice chunk of payola had to hustle when this tribe got permission to move to Cuba. HOOORRRRAYYY! Sweet ironic justice.

[Mika]

3. How dare the N A Indians embarrass America this way

Thinking like the American Indian's thinking on this issue (Cuba & Castro) must be eliminated from the dem party. Its downright unAmerican. No dem party candidate should ever endorse any part of this unAmerican activity perpetrated by the natives of this land.

Democratic party members MUST DEMAND that they continue to be travel banned by their own government.

We will bring freedom to Cubans by denying it from ourselves.


Must.. remind.. self.. over.. and over.. Castro bad.. Cuba bad.. America #1.

<end sarcasm>

[Muddleoftheroad]

4. Embarrass?

I don't think you could find many Americans who give a damn about how many feathers they tickle Castro with.

[Mika]

5. Americans who give a damn

"I don't think you could find many Americans who give a damn about how many feathers they tickle Castro with."

I don't think you could find many Americans who give a damn about Native American Indians, period. The US gov exterminated the Indians & ethnically cleansed & expropriated their land long ago. Who cares what a bunch of Indians think? Right?

[Muddleoftheroad]

6. Actually

This is such a damn insignificant story, THAT'S what I meant.

[graywarrior]

7. I give a damn

Very much so. It consumes my everyday thinking. We're doing to Iraq and every other country we invade what we did to the Native American Indian.
How they even tolerate us today amazes me. I guess being beaten into poverty and isolation for this long would hypnotize anyone into acceptance.

http://www.mediaprima.com/graywarrior/

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. Iraq

I care about Iraq, but I don't care how many feathers Castro or any other dictator gets.

[sujan]

12. yes

you were having recurring visions of the US stabilizing that country...good luck with your dreams.

[Muddleoftheroad]

13. Not likely

I don't know where you made THAT up. Go back to your feathers.

[sujan]

14. "not likely "

lol

yeah right....

[Muddleoftheroad]

15. In case you were in Cuba and missed this

I have opposed the invasion from the start. So sorry, but thanks for playing.

[sujan]

16. no

but you were encouraging the further involvement of the US which IMO is bullshit.

[Muddleoftheroad]

29. Not at all

The U.S. IS involved in Iraq now, whether any of us like it or not. Clearly, neither of us like it. But it is a fact. I suggest we don't run away and hide from it.

[sujan]

30. so

it's a matter of involvement now.....a matter of dignity/pride? what do you think of the soldiers being shot to death every day? And for what end?

Dont you think they deserve to live?

[Muddleoftheroad]

34. Chaos

Screw pride. But if we leave, the nation would disolve into chaos vastly worse. Like it or not, we made this situation, now we are stuck to sort it out.

[sujan]

48. leave or not

the state will delve into chaos. so are you willing to sacrifice lives for a futile quest?

[Muddleoftheroad]

50. It's not futile

You sound overly pessimistic. And yes, I would sacrifice lives trying to save a nation of people from chaos.

[Osolomia]

53. And woukd create similar chaos in Cuba I bet

to justify a US intervention and occupation based on similar lies and bullshit. Just watch!

[Muddleoftheroad]

55. Cuba

I have no idea what the heck you are saying. If the U.S. succeeds in creating a free (or mostly so) Iraq, that impacts Cuba how?

[Osolomia]

58. And You would support creating similar chaos in Cuba I bet

to justify a US intervention and occupation based on similar lies and bullshit. Just watch!

[Muddleoftheroad]

62. You continue to make no sense

As I said, I opposed military intervention in Iraq. I oppose it in the dictatorship that is Cuba. I would love to see a peaceful regime change there. It is my hope this will occur after the despot dies.

[Osolomia]

63. So you do support the Bush Doctrine of "regime change"

just as I thought. Just watch!

[Muddleoftheroad]

64. I root for regime changes

Which is a huge difference. I hope that all of the world's dictators including Castro lose their jobs.

[sujan]

59. obviously

the presence of the US is not helping. I am a realist.

[makeanoise]

11. Visit this site

Graywarrior,

www.indiantrust.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Overview.Home

[kwolf68]

21. Its called GENOCIDE

Before "we" had a chance to exterminate the entire native population, political pressures prevailed proving an impetus to "get along" with the Native (see, ORIGINAL) Americans.

The squalid conditions they live in, the virtual dependency on gambling and alcohol have pushed so many of the Natives so far into despair they are no longer able to fight.

Politicians rarely speak to their issues, because there isn't "enough votes" except in a select few states and the plight of these people seems to be ignored.

It is more than a coincidence that the powerful white interests flooding Indian reservations and black communities with alchohol and drugs to render said people omnipotent. There is a fine line between what Hitler did to the Jews and what we have done to Indians throughout history....a fine line.

[ozone_man]

69. I give a damn also. It makes me damn mad what this country

did to the Indians and it makes me mad what they did and continue to do to Cuba also. This Cuban embargo is a result of the U.S. not able to install their political puppet (Batista) and not being allowed to reap their corporate profits. A bunch of sour grapes IMO.

[GreenArrow]

26. Insignificant in and of itself

but tellingly important symbolically.

[molly]

74. I just wish the black people of this country got what the

Native Americans receive - you know for the "R" situation - see my post # 70

[Say_What]

71. After the GENOCIDE of the American Indians

Uncle Sam bloodied the entire globe. How many thousands of dead can be attributed to the US government will never be known, and it continues to the this day in the name of *freedom and democracy*. and they have the audacity of pointing the finger at Castro. F*ck'n hypocrites.

[Forkboy]

82. If Muddle doesn't like it

I'm all for it!!!!!

[Muddleoftheroad]

83. Intelligent analysis

Good job!

And, honestly, I just said this was a nothing news event. Just more lionization of Castro.

[Character Assassin]

17. They get the empty, meaningless gesture of the year award.

Yup, all that 'honor' they maintained in Angola and the honor in suppression of political dissent is just about equal to a fistfull of feathers.

[Osolomia]

18. It's Dems who are full of empty, meaningless gestures

by being ignorant and hypocritical and bigoted and apathetic and spineless when it comes to Bush's plans for regime change in Cuba based on a load of Cold War propaganda that travel banned Americans still swallow hook, line and sinker, no questions asked.

[Judi Lynn]

20. Ah, Angola!

First, it's stupid to try to demean something which obviously has some degree of meaning to the Native Americans involved in the opening article in this thread. STOOPID, and obnoxious.

Next, a lot of Americans have become aware of the lies concerning Angola, also. It's going to get harder and harder to push the original lies since they declassified material from Kissinger's possession on the subject.

Here's a quick grab from google:

(snip) U.S. lied about Cuban role in Angola - historian
By Anthony Boadle


WASHINGTON, April 1, 2002 (Reuters) - The United States and South Africa intervened in Angola months before Cuban troops arrived in 1975, and not afterward as Washington claimed, according to a historian who recently wrote a book on the subject.

Piero Gleijeses, a professor at Johns Hopkins' School of International Studies, said that President Gerald Ford's administration lied about Cuban military presence to justify its covert operations against Marxist guerrillas. Angola was a Portuguese colony until 1975.

Secretary of State Henry Kissinger denied then and in his memoirs later that the U.S. government knew that South African troops invaded Angola posing as mercenaries in 1975, he said. He also required the Central Intelligence Agency to rewrite a document on Angola to show an earlier Cuban presence than was accurate, Gleijeses said in an interview. "Kissinger had the CIA rewrite its report to serve the political aim of the administration, and so the poor CIA ended up lying," he said, speaking tongue-in-cheek. Declassified CIA papers for August through October of 1975 talk of the presence of only a few Cubans in Angola trying to pass themselves off as tourists, the historian said. (snip/...)

http://members.attcanada.ca/~dchris/CubaFAQ120.html

[Character Assassin]

22. Riiiiiiight

First, it's stupid to try to demean something which obviously has some degree of meaning to the Native Americans involved in the opening article in this thread. STOOPID, and obnoxious.

I don't care if they're polka-dot tripdeds from Mars; anyone who gives some sort of award to Castro for his 'honor' is a dipshit.

Next, a lot of Americans have become aware of the lies concerning Angola, also. It's going to get harder and harder to push the original lies since they declassified material from Kissinger's possession on the subject.

Oh, please. So you're telling me that the CIA somehow, magically, perhaps with mirrors, faked the UN supervised withdrawal of 50,000 Cuban troops?

Maybe they used holographs, hmmm?

[Judi Lynn]

23. So what should we believe?

Your conservative postings, or the evidence of our own eyes?

(snip)

Old files contradict U.S. account of war
Howard W. French The New York Times Tuesday, April 2, 2002
(snip) Now, coinciding with the death in February of Washington's longtime rebel ally in Angola, Jonas Savimbi, a trove of recently declassified U.S. documents seems to overturn conventional explanations of the war's origins.
.
Historians and former diplomats who have studied the documents say they show conclusively that the United States intervened in Angola weeks before the arrival of any Cubans, not afterward, as Washington claimed. Moreover, though a connection between Washington and South Africa, which was then ruled by a white government under the apartheid policy, was strongly denied at the time, the documents appear to demonstrate their broad collaboration.
.
"When the United States decided to launch the covert intervention, in June and July, not only were there no Cubans in Angola, but the U.S. government and the CIA were not even thinking about any Cuban presence in Angola," said Piero Gleijeses, a history professor at Johns Hopkins University, who used the Freedom of Information Act to uncover the documents. Similarly, cables of the time have now been published by the National Security Archive, a private research group.
.
"If you look at the CIA reports which were done at the time, the Cubans were totally out of the picture," Gleijeses said. But in reports presented to the Senate in December 1975, "what you find is really nothing less than the rewriting of history." Cuba eventually poured 50,000 troops into Angola in support of a Marxist independence group, the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola. The group held the capital in the months just before independence from Portugal, declared in August 1975.
.
But Gleijeses' research shows that the Cuban intervention came in response to a CIA-financed covert invasion via neighboring Zaire, now known as Congo, and South Africa's simultaneous drive on the capital, using troops who posed as Western mercenaries.
(snip/...)

http://www.iht.com/articles/53174.html

[Character Assassin]

24. Well, you could start with the UN itself

http://www.un.org/Depts/DPKO/Missions/unavem1/UnavemIB.htm

Gee, perhaps they were tripping on 500 mics of really good acid when they supervised actual troops leaving the country. Maybe they sent only blind UN workers. Maybe the UN is just a branch of the CIA.

Yeah, that's it. The UN is just a front for US intelligence agencies.

Your conservative postings, or the evidence of our own eyes?

So you were there? Why shouldn't 'we' think you're CIA as well?

[Judi Lynn]

25. Your UN article was written before we got the declassified material

which indicated we had been LIED to, in spades, concerning Angola.

Please take time to read the article written in April, 2001. It's very direct.

On edit:
Your article would have been written from the perspective of someone who was operating without the correct information.

I can find more articles concerning the declassified information, or you might want to look, yourself.

[Character Assassin]

27. Were the Cubans there or not? That is the issue

And your article clearly supports the contention that they were.

When they got there is immaterial.

[Osolomia]

28. Mandela honored Castro for his role in Angola

But Repukes in Dem clothing are ideologically incapable of grasping such facts to this day preferring to bank on bigoted ignorance to steal elections.

Speech by President Nelson Mandela at the Banquet in Honour of President Castro of Cuba
Paarl, 4 September 1998

http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/history/mandela/1998/nm0904.htm

[Character Assassin]

31. Here's an idea: try and have a point when posting

It'll make you so much more interesting.

Mandela honored Castro for his role in Angola

No one accused him of being intelligent.

But Repukes in Dem clothing are ideologically incapable of grasping such facts to this day preferring to bank on bigoted ignorance to steal elections.

If you've got something to say, Ace, come on out and say it.

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dhalgren]

35. If you are saying that Nelson Mandela is not intelligent,

then you have lost all credability with any discerning person (not that you had much anyway).

[Character Assassin]

36. Not particularly

then you have lost all credability with any discerning person (not that you had much anyway).

Wow, coming from you, that means so much to me.

Just as I would think less of someone giving almost any head of state, or former head of state, cosmetic awards they don't deserve, it wasn't a particularly intelligent thing to do.

[Say_What]

66. Exceptional speech and they've been friends for a very long time

Brainwashed 'muriKans with BLINKERS ON however, aren't able to fathom that.

<clips from the speech>

If today all South Africans enjoy the rights of democracy; if they are able at last to address the grinding poverty of a system that denied them even the most basic amenities of life, it is also because of Cuba's selfless support for the struggle to free all of South Africa's people and the countries of our region from the inhumane and destructive system of apartheid.

For that, we thank the Cuban people from the bottom of our heart.

Because your support has also come through teachers, builders and doctors whom you sent to our continent and through the training of many South Africans in your schools and universities, we are still reaping the harvest as we rebuild our country.

[Dhalgren]

33. Of course they were,

but in response to the US and racist SA having already invaded! Stop trying to "strawman" the "fact" that Cuba sent troops - they did and it was a good thing, too. They came in and backed the PEOPLE of Angola - you know, the ones we were against!

And by the way - no bady gives a shit whether you think the honor bestowed on Castro was warrented or not. This was given by a group that does not value your opinion - and rightfully so.

[Character Assassin]

37. You really assume too much.

but in response to the US and racist SA having already invaded!

The US never invaded Angola, professor, it supported UNITA and SA at varying levels, and never should have in the first place, just as Cuba never should have been there. This isn't rocket science, do try and keep up, hmmmm?

Stop trying to "strawman" the "fact" that Cuba sent troops - they did and it was a good thing, too. They came in and backed the PEOPLE of Angola - you know, the ones we were against!

What a simpleminded assesment of the situation. Some of the people supported the MPLA. Some UNITA. Some the FNLA. But perhaps your truncated understanding of who the 'people' are is limited only to those whose politics you favor.

And by the way - no bady gives a shit whether you think the honor bestowed on Castro was warrented or not. This was given by a group that does not value your opinion - and rightfully so.

Golly, such stinging rhetoric from someone who doesn't even understand the background of what he's bumblingly attempting to speak about.

[Dhalgren]

38. As I said before

you have zero creds. If you think that South Africa did not "invade" Angola - see the first sentence. If you think that an influx of CIA operatives, money, weapons and other support is not an "invasion", then when a mobster hires thugs to come to your house, don't blame the mobster - he wasn't there.

[Character Assassin]

41. Yes, you do tend to repeat yourself

you have zero creds.

Yawn. Having zero cred with you is about the same as a tree not having a pilot's license: meaningless.

If you think that South Africa did not "invade" Angola - see the first sentence.

Do you have trouble reading English? I stated the US didn't invade; I never disagreed with the fact that the SA's actually did.

If you think that an influx of CIA operatives, money, weapons and other support is not an "invasion", then when a mobster hires thugs to come to your house, don't blame the mobster - he wasn't there.

Yes, I see you do have trouble with English. I clearly stated that the US was involved and who they supported.

[Osolomia]

44. Certainly a lot more intelligent than clinging to your state of denial

about why Castro is honored in so many countries around the world!

[Character Assassin]

49. Get real

I don't respect those who honor thugs. They're called chumps, chump.

YMMV.

[bpilgrim]

77. thugs are everywhere

:hi:

peace

[Judi Lynn]

39. "No entry found for bumblingly. "

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bumblingly

[Osolomia]

40. Look who's talking!

Whether you like it or not, here's the facts from Mandela's speech to Castro. It begins:

You will not need my words, Mr. President, to sense the special place that the Cuban people occupy in the hearts of millions of South Africans. That you will know from the warmth of their welcome when you joined us four years ago for the inauguration of our democracy, and from today's rousing reception in our Parliament.

If today all South Africans enjoy the rights of democracy; if they are able at last to address the grinding poverty of a system that denied them even the most basic amenities of life, it is also because of Cuba's selfless support for the struggle to free all of South Africa's people and the countries of our region from the inhumane and destructive system of apartheid.

For that, we thank the Cuban people from the bottom of our heart.

[userdave2061]

42. solidarity with five Cuban spies held in U.S. prisons

Did they mention any solidarity with political prisoners held in cuban jails? What are they? Chopped liver?

[Judi Lynn]

45. It seems you may have missed the many articles

concerning the round up of "dissidents" paid by U.S. sources for years and years.

There's a lot to read on the subject. Here's the first thing I saw in google:

(snip) Cuban Spy Taunts Opposition

HAVANA, April 22, 2003

(AP) An undercover agent credited with providing some of the most damaging evidence used during the recent trials of scores of dissidents declared this week that Cuba's opposition movement has been permanently disabled.

"The opposition is finished, it has ended, it will never lift its head again," Aleida de las Mercedes Godinez told The Associated Press Monday in the first of a series of interviews with the agents organized by the government for international media.

"The opposition will never flourish again — never!" said Godinez, who for nearly 10 years pretended to be a dissident and became closely involved with various opposition groups. (snip)

(snip) The opposition has acknowledged the severe damage caused to their movement by the undercover agents, particularly Godinez, who helped create the Assembly for the Promotion of Civil Society, an umbrella organization of dissident groups formed late last year.
(snip)

(snip) Godinez said that Roque was handling as much as $5,000 a month from various groups in the United States funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The USAID Cuba program since 1996 has given more than $20 million to U.S. groups working with the opposition on the communist-run island to generate a peaceful transition to democracy. (snip)

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/04/22/world/main550591.shtml

On edit:
By the way, how do you think these "dissidents," your "political prisoners" would last, living as they did, in this country?

Do you have any opinion on the 43 years of continual terrorism launched against Cubans and even diplomats of other countries deemed to be friendly to Cuba, involving bombing airliners, shooting ambassadors, bombing cars, hotels, restaurants, department stores, theaters? The perpetrators of these actions live right here, and have never been chastised.

[Osolomia]

47. OMG, yet another DUer brainwashed by Bush's propaganda

hook, line and sinker no questions asked! And you have the gall to call yourselves progressive* democrats*? Who on Earth do y'all think you're fooling in this day and internet age?

[userdave2061]

51. Pardon me?

Are you say that non-violent political prisoners deserve to stay locked up? Locking up political dissidents is not progressive in the least thank you. Who do you think you are fooling?

[oneighty]

43. Castro deserves

to be honored for kicking Batista and his American

criminal friends off the island. That success alone is worth a

whole hand full of feathers.

180

[Osolomia]

46. Now if Dems would stop pandering to Batista's exiles in Florida

you might regain an iota of honor on the world stage though after 10 years of waiting I won't hold my breath!

[userdave2061]

52. I doesn't give him rights to lock up peaceful political dissidents

If his communism can't stand on its own without force then it should be dismantled.

[Osolomia]

54. OMG, yet another DUer in a state of denial

about US government financing of the "peaceful political dissidents" in Cuba, courtesy of ignorant and hypocritical US taxpayers!

SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!

[userdave2061]

56. So educate me then

Why do these protesters deserve to be locked up?

[Judi Lynn]

57. I have to go, but I'd better post this

All of us who read news on Latin America knew this long ago. We can't provide your education for you, you've simply got to get busy and start reading yourself, don't you think?

Time is of the essense!

(snip) At an April 8 press conference in Havana, Cuban foreign
minister Felipe Perez Roque presented vouchers, bank receipts and photos demonstrating the truth behind the charges against 75 dissidents found guilty of conspiring with the US Interests Section (USIS) at the Swiss embassy in Havana.

Perez exhibited vouchers of monies received last year from the US by several illegal organisations in Cuba. The Centre for a Free Cuba received US$2.3 million. The Task Force for the Internal Dissidency received US$250,000. The Program for Transition in Cuba, headed by Frank Calzon, received $325,000. Support Group for the Dissidency received $1.2 million from the International Republican Institute. Cubanet, an internet magazine, received $98,000 and the American Centre for International Labor Solidarity, whose mission is to persuade foreign investors not to invest in Cuba, received $168,575.

At a series of trials of Cuban dissidents in early April it was revealed that James Cason, the current head of the USIS, had conspired with them to provide information that Washington can use in its economic, political and propaganda war against the Cuban workers' and peasants' government.

On March 18, Cuban police began charging those involved in the US-funded dissident network. They were charged under a number of different articles in the Cuban penal code and subsequently sentenced to between 15 and 27 years imprisonment.

Article 5.1 of the penal code, under which many of those arrested were charged, states that any Cuban citizen “who seeks out information to be used in the application of the Helms-Burton Act, the blockade and the economic war against our people aimed at disrupting internal order, destabilising the country and liquidating the socialist state and the independence of Cuba, shall incur a sanction of deprivation of liberty”.

Article 6.1 states that any Cuban citizen “who gathers, reproduces, disseminates subversive material from the government of the United States of America, its agencies, representative bodies, officials or any foreign entity to support the objectives of the Helms-Burton Act, the blockade and the war, shall incur a sanction of deprivation of liberty”.

Others were charged under Article 91 of the penal code that states that any Cuban citizen “who executes an action in the interest of a foreign state with the purpose of harming the independence of the Cuban State or the integrity of its territory shall incur a sentence of 10 to 20 years of deprivation of liberty or death.”
(snip/...)

http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2003/535/535p21.htm

Use any of the information in this article, and start your own search, and you can get your information from many other sources.

I've got to leave, evening chores, can't hang here helping you out.
Please be our guest, and stir yourself long enough to search for these information bits, also, just the way anyone else must.

[Osolomia]

61. For the same reason the USA jails Al-Qaida suspects!!!

The US government, courtesy of US taxpayers, finances the "dissidents" in Cuba in an attempt to overthrow Castro and return Batista's fellow "exiles" in Florida to power. This has been going on for over 40 years now and Bush is stepping up support of the "dissidents" to please those in Florida who made him King.

Batista's fellow "exiles" in Miami-Dade are the very people credited with stealing the 2000 election and getting Bush into the White House. Even presidential Dem candidates are pandering to this mob despite their well known harboring of terrorists and every American is financing their attempt to steal elections in Cuba too!

[userdave2061]

72. That's news to me

I was not aware that the Cuban protesters we engage in gun fights and other acts of violence. Any chance we could get a URL detailing the violent acts commited by the protesters?

[Say_What]

78. *exiles* in Miami non-violent??? You gotta be joking.

Here's a entire list spanning 30+ years.

<clips>
...1976 Rolando Masferrer and Ramon Donestevez murdered in internecine exile power struggles.

1976 Car bomb blows off legs of WQBA-AM news director Emilio Milian after he publicly condemns exile violence.

1977 Juan José Peruyero murdered in internecine exile power struggles.

1979 Cuban film Memories of Underdevelopment interrupted by gunfire and physical violence instigated by two exile groups.

1979 Bomb discovered at Padron Cigars, whose owner helped negotiate release of 3600 Cuban political prisoners.

1979 Bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1980 Another bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1980 Powerful anti-personnel bomb discovered at American Airways Charter, which arranges flights to Cuba.

1981 Bomb explodes at Mexican Consulate on Brickell Avenue in protest of relations with Cuba.

1981 Replica's office again damaged by a bomb.

1982 Two outlets of Hispania Interamericana, which ships medicine to Cuba, attacked by gunfire.

1982 Bomb explodes at Venezuelan Consulate in downtown Miami in protest of relations with Cuba.

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2000-04-20/mullin.html

and here's another excellent site by a Cuban-American NOT of the fanatical Miami type.

http://www.historyofcuba.com/cuba.htm

[userdave2061]

80. I'm looking for something related to the recent jailing of protesters

1982 is a bit dated and useless in this case. Thanks!

[Say_What]

75. Here you go, enlighten yourself...

<clips>

...Cason organized two other such meetings at his residence in March even after receiving a formal complaint from the Foreign Ministry.

In a recent television interview in Miami, Cason said the help he gave dissidents was "moral and spiritual" in nature. But, according to the testimony of several Cuban security agents who infiltrated the organizations that received U.S. support, the Interests Section became a general headquarters and office space for dissidents. Some of them, including Marta Beatriz Roque, had passes signed by Cason that allowed them free access to the Interests Section where they could use computers, telephones, and office machines.

The State Department calls these activities "outreach." However, under the United States Code, similar "outreach" by a foreign diplomat in the United States could result in criminal prosecution and a 10-year prison sentence for anyone "who agrees to operate within the United States subject to the direction or control of a foreign government or official (Title 18, section 951 of the United States Code).

On March 4, Castro warned that Cuba might close the Interests Section. "Cuba can easily do without this office, an incubator for counterrevolutionaries and a command post for the most offensive subversive actions against our country," he said. In April, the Foreign Ministry sent the United States government a note saying the government was forced to act against the dissidents due to the "declared purpose" of the United States to overthrow the government of Cuba.

http://www.counterpunch.org/sandels04262003.html

[userdave2061]

79. Still looking for the violent protesters

Thanks!

[Mika]

60. userdave2061, there's no force needed against Cubans

Do DUers really think that the Cuban people would let Castro rule them with an iron fist, especially considering their performance against the murderous, brutal, US backed Batista dictatorship?

Is it possible that DUers really think that Castro holds a gun to Cuban's heads to get them to develop a 1st class universal health care system, 1st class full education resulting in 99% literacy, a peaceful gun violence free culture that is a wellspring of music, dance, and all of the fine arts? Do DUers believe that Castro forces this on the Cuban people? It just seems to be such a disconnect from reality to believe such a thing.

There are no armed soldiers on the streets anywhere in Cuba, oppressing anyone. Cubans wouldn't stand for that shit.

The Cuban people, together, have built Cuba into what it is, and what the Cuban people have, today.. a free, civil, democratic & social country.

Its too bad that American government policy seems to be that we need to deny American's freedoms and rights to travel to Cuba to see any of this for themselves in order to bring more (perceived) freedom to Cubans.

[userdave2061]

65. I don't doubt Cuba can be a happy place to live

I just don't like non-violent political prisoners of any stripe. That's all.

[Say_What]

73. Peaceful polictical *dissidents* my a$$

They were paid by the US to promote the overthrow of their government. Do that kinda shit in the this country and they lock you up for 10 years.

<clips>
...In trying to change the regime in Cuba, our Executive bureaucracies such as NED, CIA, State Department (including its AID) and others are simply enforcing detailed Cuba laws passed by Congress in the 1990s, such as the Toricelli and Helms-Burton Acts. The primary political event that has effected US Cuba policy in the last 20 years has been the transfer of the responsibility for Cuba affairs by default (at the apparent desire of our last four presidents) from our State Department to our Congress. This is the only time in US history this has happened. Normally our Executive bureaucracies can be counted on to protect and save their turf.

The primary factors which motivate our Congresspersons are personal -- retaining their offices, which bring them wealth and power. They therefore respond primarily to the businesses and other powerful lobbies which fund their campaigns. Our Congress functions slowly if at all -- it takes years to resolve most issues, and many are never resolved. What and when issues are voted on are determined by a few powerful men called "party leaders." Seats become secure when public positions on controversial issues are avoided. Most are elected in uncontested or not seriously contested elections, with about 35-40% of the eligible electorate voting. Pursuing primarily private rather than public interests, our Congress has become oligarchic rather than democratic. It has become apparent to everyone, including the Cuban government, that the Cuba blockade will never fairly be voted on in Congress, therefore change within the present US political system is impossible.

The key to our present Cuba policy can be deduced from our president's answer a couple of years ago to a question why his Cuba policy differs so radically from his China policy. He said it was because there exists in China a strong "entrepreneurial" class. In other words before we change anything, there needs to be a class society in Cuba based on big business, wealth and power, led by elite's who run things through the media and politicians, as in the US. This is why former Secretary of State William Rogers is saying we must rely on the Miami "exiles" to return Cuba to teach Cubans how to become good capitalists. This is why seminars are being held in South Florida for Cuban businessmen -- to help them run things in Cuba without making the mistakes that were made in Eastern Europe. This is why AID, CIA, NED and other government agencies have been funneling money and property to Cuban American "free Cuba" groups, and thence to Cuban "dissenters" (code word for counterrevolutionary mercenaries) directly and through our Interest Section in Havana. This is why not only hard-line Cuban emigres, but also members of our Administration and our Florida governor, are now openly talking about regime change.

http://www.counterpunch.org/crumpacker06032003.html

[userdave2061]

76. Please, I'm still looking for accounts of their violent acts

Could you by chance post a link to their violence? Many thanks.

[graywarrior]

81. makeanoise

Thanks for the link. I had heard about that, but not is such detail. Go to http://jesseredhorse.com for a member of Blackfeet tribe. He is a good friend of mine.

[Mika]

85. Here's a few links

Cuba has a wide spectrum of domestic political parties and public debate, including critics of current government policies. We Americans would understand this as common knowledge IF our government wouldn't restrict our freedom to travel there.


The foreign (US) funded "dissidents" and "opposition" in Cuba have many connections to Miamicuban "exile" terrorist organizations, as well as the NED/CIA.. all declared enemies of Cuba seeking to overthrow the Cuban system of government. They are as wanted in Cuba as Al Queda is in the USA, and their 75 collaborators were violating Cuban constitutional law 88 - aiding and abeting foreign entities seeking to overthrow the gov of Cuba. In other words.. treason.



Terrorist Actions against Cuba from 1990 to 2000
http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/english/escalaing/terroring1.htm

-

Terrorist provocations against Cuba
A selection of items retrieved from news sources, 1992-96
http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/43b/142.html

-
A Bomber's Tale
http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/americas/index-posada.html

-

Biological war waged by the US against Cuba
http://www.poptel.org.uk/cuba-solidarity/CubaSi-January/Bio.html

-

The people of Cuba vs. the government of the United States for human damages
http://128.242.103.136/~resisftp/resistance/enanalyse/cu2.htm

-

BOMBINGS -- DADE COUNTY, FL
ORGANIZED CRIME BUREAU
Metro-Dade Police Department
7925 NW 12 Street
Miami, Florida  33126
http://cuban-exile.com/doc_001-025/doc0022.html

[peacetalksforall]

87. I can barely think about Cuba because

it reminds me of all the Democratic politicians who take money from the Cuban-American foundations and vote for all the legislation that Cuban Americans write as the United States policy.

It reminds me of how hypocritical it is to allow us to be held hostage by Cuban Americans.

I would like to see a list of the countries who do not allow themselves to be held hostage.

I'd like to see the international corporations that do business with Cuba.

I'd like to see a list of the countries who have direct flights to Cuba.

I'd like to see a list of the countries who do not prohibit cultural or sporting exhibitions or competitions.

I'd like to hear just one U.S. politician say that the Cuban embargo should have been lifted when the Berlin Wall came down.

I would like to hear just one U.S. politician explain with perfect logic why we can love Communist China and the old USSR federation, but can't abide Cuba and Castro.

I'd just love to have Cuban-Americans accept that they are four decade old United States residents and citizens. I'd like to see them mature.

I'd like the CANF and other Cuban American foundations to be exposed for the money they rake in and spend in payola to our politicians.

I'd like to have a comparison list of human rights violations exposed side by side - U.S. Cuba China and every other darn country and get it all out there without CIA and CANF lies about Cuba.

I'd like every American to know exactly how much money is being spent on broadcasting propaganda to Cuba and exactly how much is going in to the pockets of Cuban Americans.

The hypocrisy could fill a 1000 page book.

[0007]

88. The U.S. economic blockade should be condemned

*

[Muddleoftheroad]

89. Why?

Cuba has no inherent right to trade with the U.S.

[Osolomia]

91. Because using food and medicine as weapons is immoral and unethical

But obviously repukes in dem clothing don't give a damn!

[Osolomia]

90. It has been condemned for over a decade now

but despite a BIPARTISAN MAJORITY in Congress and most STATE LEGISLATURES who want the embargo lifted, spineless hypocritical DEMS prefer to cling to their Cold War fantasies and pander to Batista's fellow "exiles" in Miami-Dade to this day, e.g. from today's news:

Democrats eye Cuban-American vote
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=89964

SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!