My own chilling exposure to Castro happened when I was 17

[The Blue Flower]

I grew up in central Florida during the 60s, when many new kids from Cuba showed up in our classrooms because their teacher, doctor, lawyer parents had to flee the island after the revolution. A few years later, the summer after high school graduation, I was working at a Publix supermarket, ringing up the checkout line. An older man (older to my eyes) came through the line every week. He'd come in with a grocery list stuffed in his shirt pocket, and one of the bag boys would help him shop because HE HAD NO HANDS. We were all too polite to ask him what happened, but finally one day, someone in line behind him did.

He said only a single word as he held up the stumps of his arms: "Castro." And he couldn't say any more. He wrapped what was left of his arms around the grocery bag and exited quickly.

A lot of horrible things happened to cement the power of that regime. We can praise the outcome now, but I will never, never forget that one individual horror. So go easy on the praise for Castro, folks.

[PlanetBev]

1. Thank you for sharing this sad story with us

A reminder that a dictator is a dictator, and behind their idealism they are capable of tremendous cruelty. Doesn't matter which side of the aisle they're on. We've just had our own coup and come January, we're about to have our own would-be dictator.

[heaven05]

2. yeah, yeah

get ready for our own RW fuhrer who will be doing that type of thing and worse. Still trying to demonize huh. The man with no hands, how many did he shoot? How many bombs did he set? I say great for Castro, Che, all who wrested power from people who are like the one coming up for us, JANUARY 20, 2017. ENHANCED interrogation, anyone?

[The Blue Flower]

3. And that barbarism is your idea of justice?

Even the Bible says "A (one) hand for a hand."

[heaven05]

4. IN Revolution

justice is relative. I applaud Castro's revolution against the animal called Batista. IN MY BOOK, he is a great man.

[Statistical]

8. and the thousands of dissidents, homosexuals, protesters and activist ...

... he jailed, beat, tortured, or simply disappeared.

FUCK CASTRO. The man was a fucking monster. I can't believe any Democrat (i.e one who enshrines Democratic values) would be in favor of an utter ruthless dictator who ruled through fear and violence. Left leaning dictators are no better than right leaning ones.

[heaven05]

16. I personally DO NOT CARE

for your feigned outrage. No one mentions the exploitation of the Batista regime except for the childish view that both left and right has done damage thru political and army excesses. Fuck american corporate and mafia exploitation of the island at that time, right? Your grasp of the total history of that period and the revolution(s) going on is tenuous that I can see.. Blinded by some anti-communist outrage, ok. Batista did the same thing to those who resisted him and his american corporate and mafia handlers.

The only thing I held against Castro is his assassination of Che(allegedly). If he was so horrible, how can Cuba have maintained a first class medical system for his people? This american tunnel vision is something I find extremely disgusting. The media is showing now with their "normalizing" of the orange fuhrer and how american "exceptionalism" has always shown it's brighter side, like in the normalized orange fuhrer while ALWAYS ignoring the racist, sexist nature of our racist, sexist culture. Same in my grandmothers time. No mention of exploitation by mafia and corporate interests on the island of Cuba, just how horrible communism was. Castro went with who had a huge stake in the geo-political struggle of those times, Russia because they helped his cause. Of course Russia would exploit that arrangement. Bay of Pigs showed that. What could be different about that? They for their political reasons supported Castro. Not saying that was good or bad, at least Russia kept many from starving, unlike americans in power at the time who gave a fuck less about the hunger and pain it caused with it's 'blockade'. The people wanted Castro. Not Batista. Period. Those who wanted Batista were living comfortably while a majority were not.

American corporate and mafia exploitation caused the original Revolution and a majority of the problems incurred by the Cuban people with our american anti-communist RW inspired asinine and cruel 'blockade' that lasted for more than a generation. Bay of Pigs to reinstall the mafia and corporate exploitation? I am glad it failed. I really can't respond to someone who doesn't know that 97% of 'exiles' from Cuba are RW and when they gain citizenship, vote for Trump and his ilk, both house and senate.

FYI my grandmother came from that island, pre-Castro and Batista, grandfather met her during the Hearst inspired Spanish-american War. I was born 1948 and from 54 to 66 and I visited and stayed every summer at her and my grandfathers chicken farm. It's where I learned the value of work. She was always in touch with her family and stories of american exploitation of the island. She ended up loving Castro because of the fact that he was for the downtrodden who really did try to be for the 'people'. Not exploitation of the 'people' as were the Batista inspired fascists.

I don't really care for the feigned or real outrage at Castro. I believe my grandmother when she spoke of "her home". She knew about the racism of americans, she was brown skin and had a very thick Spanish accent, the KKK was thick in that area. America was her adopted home, my family even fought back, with guns, against intimidation by the KKK because my grandfather built a beautiful home and was a successful AA. They like the cowards they still are, ran when faced with 'resistance to their evil ' white supremacist empire. I will ALWAYS believe grandmother, your opinion really doesn't matter to me.....have a good day.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

18. Cuba does not have a first class medical system

It has a "first class" medical system for the elite (surprise, surprise), and a much lower standard of care for the masses. Yes, they do all get healthcare, but it's not even close to "first class."

[heaven05]

24. fine, anything you say

Cubans still have a top notch medical system. Period.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

25. No, they have plenty of doctors,

a top notch medical system for the elite, and run-down hospitals with antiquated care for the rest of the population. Talk to people who left Cuba just in the last twenty years. I have.

Just like the former Soviet states.

Have a nice day.

[heaven05]

26. Most who left Cuba

in the last 20 years voted for RWers. I can't believe anything from their mouths/minds. I hear a different story from others. Thank you, you have a nice day also.

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

29. The people who risked their lives on boats in the last

twenty years were the POOR...the very people whose lives depending on those shitty hospitals.

The wealthy elite left a long, long time ago.

And maybe you should open your mind a bit and you would understand why the poor who have arrived from Cuba have been hoodwinked into voting for republicans.

[flamingdem]

37. 1 DU is rife with people who know nada about the history of Cuba-US relations

and the horrors and violence visited upon Cuba by the USA

That includes the inhumane embargo, still in place after all these years.

[11 Bravo]

47. Who are you to dismiss anyone else's stated outrage as "feigned"?

Your claims about your family history, while compelling, don't provide with you with a cloak of omniscience from beneath which you are able to determine the legitimacy of another poster's feelings.

[heaven05]

48. only omniscent people around

seems to be those who cannot stand the open opinions of those who disagree with them. I have been dealing with hypocrisy and feigned outrage for the last 50 years, america has perfected both, especially in dealing with those countries that DO NOT meet the american criteria of democracy...sir... My family, partly, is from Cuba, I listened to my trusted ones and when it came to Cuba, Castro or the 'stone mountain boys' and their continuing quest for white supremacy they never gave me erroneous information.....I have a right to question anyone at any time on any point of contention. Whether its fact or supposed outrage, whether I am right or wrong. Period. As does anyone else. Your sanctimonious query leaves me with no other answer....I will ALWAYS question the true feelings of anyone, anytime, especially now that this society is a battleground filled with mistrust and danger. Not saying the poster is dangerous, yet I do and will question any persons sincerity, always. My right. And I will be questioning much, much more. Have a good one.............

[Archae]

9. Casto only replaced Batista.

The dictatorship went from far-right to far-left.

I saw one article yesterday, written in (2012?) about how Pol Pot wasn't a bad guy.

There are articles about how great Stalin was.
Mao.

Hitler.

[7962]

10. Great man,huh. Thats why most of Cuba is stuck in the 50s

And Chavez was the savior of VZ too I imagine?

[heaven05]

17. no Cuba was stuck in the 50's

because....wait for it....of an american economic and military blockade that lasted over TWO GENERATIONS. So as I tell others, you're entitled to your white washed americansplained outlook....doesn't matter to me. Keep it. Don't want none.

[7962]

36. Because no country can thrive without US economic support? Wrong.

Even with constant Soviet support, they were a failed society. Russia provided whatever Cuba needed until it, too, failed.
Most other countries in the world traded with Cuba. You cant blame their miserable failure on the US. Our "blockade" was a joke, since we were pretty much the only country doing it.

[heaven05]

39. What don't you understand about

embargo? Military blockade? Guantanemo? Right blame it all on Castro. Your right. Not informed, but your right.

[7962]

44. And embargo only works if everyone does it. WHAT military blockade? 1962s? Please.

Its awfully pretentious to think an embargo that pretty much only ONE country takes part in is powerful enough to bring down a country supported by another world power.
But go ahead and light your candles; most of the world is happy to see the end of that era. Although its doubtful much will change since the family still runs things

[EX500rider]

45. "military blockade" wrong, there is no military blockade.

That would be the US navy surrounding Cuba and allowing nothing to pass. That is not and has never been the case.

[heaven05]

46. 90 MILES AWAY?

the military did not have their constant surveillance of this island. Military was ALWAYS in the mix. Guantanamo? These were brown people, they were always under the 'watchful eye' of the americans. Brown? Threat. You know the deal. Hell that was the DRIVING FORCE of the chumps that voted for trump/fuhrer. 2016. Always been this way, 350 years, I expect, if we get through the trumpfuhrer years, it is to be this way for the next 25 years or so until the Caucasian population numbers are eclipsed by PoC population numbers.

[yardwork]

14. Justice is relative? Do you think Stalin was a great leader?

[Adrahil]

20. So, you are FOR A MAN...

who seizes power and holds it dorever, only passing it off to his brother. A man who imprisons and tortures political dissidents. Great man my ass.

[heaven05]

21. like I'm telling everyone

it does not matter to me what your feelings on Castro are. Means ZERO!!!!!

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

27. What in the hell are you doing on this board

if you don't believe in democracy?

He was a cruel dictator who enriched himself and his family off the backs of his fellow Cubans. The Castro family is filthy rich.

It's disgusting.

[heaven05]

30. please

like I said, I believe someone who was from the island. I don't care for anyone telling me how to think. I am on this board because I am, at heart, a democrat. That's it. You have no right to try to change my free speech right with your 'splainin' . I have every right to be on this board with my view on Castro and any other left/right leaning individual or revolution. Who in the hell are you to question me?

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

31. I'm someone who believes in democracy for everyone

including the Cubans.

But, then, I'm not surprised by what I read here. Since this country only has two viable parties, the far right finds its home with the republicans, and the far left, communists, and those who would support extreme dictators espousing communism find their home in the democratic party.

Big tent and all that...

[heaven05]

32. good

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

33. Good that we have a big tent that includes

communists and supporters of cruel dictators?

Got ya.

[heaven05]

41. that's right

[jack_krass]

40. "who believes in democracy for everyone". Whah!?!? Come on, thats like, so, 1970s

Get with the times. Inclusiveness is out, identity 3rd way centrism is the new thing!!! Keep up that kind of talk and youll find alll your posts hidden and your ass banned.

Heres a primer:

-centrism = good
-wall street = good
-fuck white men
-corporatism = good
-fuck the working class, especially the white ones
-latino = good, unless theyre white or cubans
-fuck white men

[TexasMommaWithAHat]

43. Yep.

nt

[Adrahil]

42. Well geez. Can't argue with that.

Glad to see that the left doesn't fall for monsters and ignore their serious flaws in exchange for filling an emotional need.

Fuck Castro.

[HAB911]

6. I'm sure the mafia would have been much better for Cuba

LOL

[yardwork]

13. You really ought to educate yourself about Castro.

[heaven05]

22. please, don't

I am educated on Castro. And ameriKKKa, and corporate exploitation and the mafia on that island and Batista. Don't condescend. You know NOTHING about my background. 'splaining' again. geez.

[yardwork]

34. oh the drama.

[mountain grammy]

5. What did you do in the war, daddy?

Sometimes we don't want to know the answer. War in itself is the atrocity. Thanks for the reminder.

[eissa]

7. The vast majority of Castro's victims

we're not Batista sympathizers or henchmen. They were the countless Cubans (most of whom were supportive of the Revolution) who had the audacity to question El Jefe (even privately) or disagree with his total control. Just because he was a thorn in the side of America does not mean he should get a pass on the abuse he heaped on his country.

[UTUSN]

11. Would have Rec'd but for "praise outcome"

[MiniMe]

12. My Parents went to Cuba on a cruise on their honeymoon

in the 50's

[Archae]

15. Once again "the left" shows how they can wear blinders too.

Remember these?

"Khomeni is just wonderful, since he opposes the Shah!"

"Arafat is such a great man!"

"Maduro can do no wrong!"

(Just read this...) "Pol Pot was a truly great man!"

"Assange is a hero!"

"Putin is being unfairly targeted!"

And now all this about how Castro was so wonderful.

Give me a fucking break.

[sarisataka]

19. It seems that the standard is

a dictator is a 'good man' if he is (subjectively) less evil than another dictator {one the poster extolling the virtues of the "good man" doesn't like}

[heaven05]

23. that's right

[sarisataka]

35. Maybe I'm radical

but I think we should set the bar slightly higher than 'less evil'. I don't think those imprisoned or executed feel any better about their fate if the dictator persecuting them is 'less evil' say Pol Pot or Hitler.

'Less evil' dictators seem to become 'more evil' only after they bite the hand that feeds them. A lesson the U.S. has failed to learn despite having teeth marks all over our hands.

[dembotoz]

28. Guess it appears du would have preferred a banana republic puppet backed by the CIA

No I do not want to move there but there lots of places I do not want to move

Including much of the us

[flamingdem]

38. 1 how about a little history here - there's that little thing known as imperialism

and it wasn't just practiced in Cuba.

The USA didn't care if it attacked communist Cuba or democratically elected governments as in Chile.

USA USA USA

It's been the same for centuries.

Fidel was violent because violence was done to the Cubans.

The USA still oppresses the Cuban people with the Embargo. Humanitarianism is not USA way.

And just take a look at our Democracy now - Fidel died LAUGHING