The Locusts of Miami

[joshcryer]

I was catching up on the Cuban bloggers and came across this amazing post by Ernesto Morales Licea, who is one of the most fantastic writers on the subject I've ever read (no BS propaganda, just straight talk; though he seems to be slightly wide-eyed about America's implementation of democracy, but I won't fault him for that). Apparently he has come out against the embargo vocally (before he left Cuba he was vocal about the embargo, mind you), and it pissed off some Miami mobsters to the extent that he basically started getting harassed.

You can chose to tune out Licea and even despise him because he's highly critical of the regime, but I urge you to read this total and utter evisceration those mobsters in Miami, who he calls a dying breed. Their time cannot come soon enough.

http://pequenohermanoenglish.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/the-locusts-of-miami/">The Locusts of Miami
I would almost dare to ask the regular readers of this blog, to leave it this time. To not read a post not directed to them: a post that is not directed at democrats, the quick-witted, the open-minded. It is not for the readers who do credit to this space, or for those for whom nearly a year I have written texts with high pretensions (false modestly doesn’t prevent me from saying so), where I have reviewed every sentence, ever metaphor, every idea with obsessive rigor.

This time, it’s different. I am driven by a clear and unambiguous response. And a rather temperamental response, to not out of tune with my unredeemed Latin character.

A few months ago there appeared in this space a http://pequenohermanoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/with-a-homeland-but-without-a-master/">response addressed to the agents of State Security of my country. To the hounds of power who tried to blackmail me, using all the methods at their disposal to stop me from writing from my house at Parada 204 with all the passion of one who knows himself to be free.

Now I respond to the other repressors, the other hounds… although these are powerless. I dedicate these words to the poor troglodytes who roam the magnificent city that is Miami, and that in spite of them, in spite of their bold efforts, does not suffer the least stain or loss of status as a mythical city.

You can http://elpequenohermano.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/cigarras-de-miami/">read the Spanish version here (the comments are great).

[joshcryer]

1. Who Benefits From the Cuban Embargo?

http://desdelahabanaivan.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/who-benefits-from-the-cuban-embargo/">Who Benefits From the Cuban Embargo?
...

But regarding the Cuban embargo, the Americans show a notable stupidity. Let’s see it from its supporters’ angle. Its advocates think that if the United States lifts it, Castro and his olive green entrepreneurs, will be lining up their pockets with dollars.

They will keep on governing for decades. So the democrats and the human rights activists on the island will continue to be harassed or beaten by the mobs egged by the political police. With the embargo, they say, the United States tries to asphyxiate the regime, promote people’s discontent and provoke the angry Cubans to start a protest on the Havana waterfront.

...

Of course, the embargo is pure gold for Castro’s propaganda. According to the official media, the Cuban economy is walking with crutches because of the “blockade’s” effects. I don’t think so.

...

Of course, the ones who blame the embargo for all the misfortunes that have been happening are also lying. Cuba’s bad situation is the fault of the government. And if you decide to visit Havana, with hard currency, you can buy Coca-Cola, Dell computers and Motorola mobile phones.

Original Spanish http://www.desdelahabana.net/?p=7121">here, comments are interesting, clearly people trying to justify the embargo using stupid logic. I might continue posting various Cuban bloggers' sentiment on the embargo as time passes, because they're almost universally against it (I believe I read all of one who was 'for' it).