Debating Issues in Cuba - A public forum for opinions

[flamingdem]

(edited for copyright purposes proud patriot Moderator Democratic Underground)

http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=30673

*** Note: These forums sound very interesting, a high end discussion by anyone who wants to participate.

HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 7 — To see disagreements between the panelists on a program like Cuba’s news/commentary program “Mesa Redonda” (the Round Table) is something that rarely occurs. To also allow members of an audience to raise blunt criticisms against the government would be truly astounding.

Notwithstanding, this is what happened at the Fresa y Chocolate Cultural Center at the end of September. In the panel discussion held there was a former economic minister of Fidel Castro, a well-known economic analyst from the University of Havana, and a renowned sociologist.

The audience was made up of a hundred of people of all types and colors, and the admission open and free. The great majority of those in attendance were Cubans, but there were also a few diplomatic officials from the US and a couple of foreign journalists.

The topic was the Cuban economic crisis of the 1990s. Upon entering we were given forms so that we could express our opinion with respect to this. The fact that the surveys didn’t ask for people’s names helped everyone to view the inquiry as sincere.

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[bherrera]

1. Cuban communism is evolving

I think the comment that "statization is not the same thing as socialism" is very interesting. It is clear the majority of Cubans want change from the archaic communist system which has been imposed on them by the Castro regime. Now they have to decide which form of social democracy will emerge. The days of one party rule under the communists will be over soon.

[naaman fletcher]

2. This article is right-wing propaganda

"HAVANA TIMES, Oct. 7 — To see disagreements between the panelists on a program like Cuba’s news/commentary program “Mesa Redonda” (the Round Table) is something that rarely occurs. To also allow members of an audience to raise blunt criticisms against the government would be truly astounding.

My surprise began when I first detected basic disagreements between the panelists, and I wondered if something was getting out of control. And if that weren’t enough, the speakers also differed on what the Cuban government is doing today."

This is just right-wing propaganda to asset that somehow it is rare for people to talk openly in Cuba. As I have learned here, Cuba is a fully functioning Democracy and there is no state-repression of those with differing views.

[bherrera]

3. Good sense of humor

And they are free to propose constitutional changes to end the parasitism of the communist party upon government resources.