Cuba Thread

[sandorski]

Re: Cuba/Castro/Communism is bad, all the people leaving for the US is the evidence: What about the Mexicans? Guatemalan(sp), El Salvadorans, etc(virtually any Central or South American Nation) doing the same. Is Castro, Communism, Cuba to blame for those people coming to the US as well?

 

[Isla]

I'm half Cuban... both my grandfathers were born there (both my grandmothers were Spanish immigrants) and I can attest to at least the warmth and wisdom of the islanders.

I've never been to Cuba (my family immigrated a century ago), but I've grown up with the flavor and character of it.

I think there is something to be said about a country that has been through so much yet has still been able to blend the traditions of Spain, Africa, and China successfully. To be Cuban is to be a little bit of everything.

 

[DrPizza]

Time to let P&N have a crack at this thread, since it keeps degenerating into such a thread.

Anandtech Moderator DrPizza

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Time to let P&N have a crack at this thread, since it keeps degenerating into such a thread.

Anandtech Moderator DrPizza

:thumbsup:
:beer:
izza;

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: sandorski
Re: Cuba/Castro/Communism is bad, all the people leaving for the US is the evidence: What about the Mexicans? Guatemalan(sp), El Salvadorans, etc(virtually any Central or South American Nation) doing the same. Is Castro, Communism, Cuba to blame for those people coming to the US as well?

The economic situation of their native countries is the main motivator, as it is for many Cubans (as a direct result of Communism in this case). There is a larger political aspect with regard to Cuba since the government there cracks down pretty mercilessly on anyone who doesn't want to go along quietly.

If its political leadership moderated some Cuba has the resources and potential to be a relatively wealthy and developed nation. All bets are off once Castro kicks it, his cult of personality is about the only thing really holding things together. While people fear his brother I doubt he will be able to maintain sufficient control to keep things as they are. There is talk however that he will be much more economically open minded than his older brother.

 

[dmens]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I just got back from a week in Varadero, Cuba.

Let me just say that it felt like heaven on earth. The beaches were pristine. The people were amazing. The cities were clean and in good condition. I felt safer there than I do at home in Toronto, Canada.

What shocked me the most was how healthy the people are there, and how good their living conditions are. They apparently invited my GF to their home for dinner when she was there on a previous trip and she said that the conditions were fine.

Really and truly, if I had the chance I would be very tempted to immigrate there.

The New York Times just called, they need someone to take over where Herbert Matthews and Walter Duranty left off. You should apply.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: FoBoT
http://www.pics.bbzzdd.com/bet...itestorm/nocommies.jpg

To be honest, I think I would rather be a Communist than live under Bush's rule.

:thumbsup:

Agreed x1000

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: destrekor

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: FoBoT
http://www.pics.bbzzdd.com/bet...itestorm/nocommies.jpg

To be honest, I think I would rather be a Communist than live under Bush's rule.

you obviously are very ignorant of both governments then, or are simply a commie through and through. so which is it... possibly both?

better yet. just take it to P&N. :roll:

Or maybe he just has an IQ over 45.

 

[Drako]

Originally posted by: dmens

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I just got back from a week in Varadero, Cuba.

Let me just say that it felt like heaven on earth. The beaches were pristine. The people were amazing. The cities were clean and in good condition. I felt safer there than I do at home in Toronto, Canada.

What shocked me the most was how healthy the people are there, and how good their living conditions are. They apparently invited my GF to their home for dinner when she was there on a previous trip and she said that the conditions were fine.

Really and truly, if I had the chance I would be very tempted to immigrate there.

The New York Times just called, they need someone to take over where Herbert Matthews and Walter Duranty left off. You should apply.

LOL, nice. I was thinking the same thing. We need more bleeding hearts telling us how great Castro and the commies are.

 

[Deudalus]

I think you should take a serious look at other communist states before you talk about how nice Cuba is.

Take a look at the Discovery New York Times special they did on North Korea for example. Government minders followed them everywhere. They were not allowed to take photographs of many things. They were told where they could go, who they could interview, and what they could and could not do to a T.

Maybe you could return to Cuba with a video camera and attempt to roam about the island wherever you wanted to and interview people and ask them how they felt about Cuba. If you don't wind up spending the rest of your days in a Gulag, I'd be very interested to see what they said.

 

[nick1985]

If you liked it so much, why didn't you stay?

 

[Isla]

See, I didn't get anything political from the OP. I just got that he found the people to be remarkable.

I'll admit my family left Cuba a long time ago because they didn't like what was going on. But that doesn't change my impression that the Cuban people are wonderful, despite the political climate they deal with. Sometimes the spirit is triumphant despite everything.

 

[blackangst1]

In all fairness, Varadero strip is one of the premier tourist attractions in Cuba and in no way should it be considered "average". Would you take a tour of Beverly Hills and consider that a fair snapshot of the USA?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: nick1985
If you liked it so much, why didn't you say?

He did!

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: SirStev0

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
It's retarded that the US embargo still exists.

I completely agree 100%.

Apparently 99% of what you hear about Cuba here is generated by right-wing extremists in Miami. I guess they have a right to be upset; I'm assuming that they are the former 'Bourgeoisie' of Cuba that had their mansions and such expropriated. That said, they are spreading FUD that is nonsense.

well said. I remember seeing an interview during the whole Elian (however you spell his name) where the one guy actually straight up admitted it. Basically said his family was wealthy landowners and he had to flee.

All I have to say is I would much rather live in Cuba than any other Central or South American country. Cuba has done wonders for itself compared to other countries. I mean look at Panama. Would you really want to live under the rule of drug lords put into power by the US government.

You, sir, have obviously never travelled to S America. Argentina, Peru, and Honduras are FAR better in terms of government, safety, and acceptance of Americans.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: nick1985
If you liked it so much, why didn't you say?

He did!

stay*

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: nick1985
If you liked it so much, why didn't you say?

He did!

stay*

 

[ProfJohn]

Walt Disney World is amazing, the people are great, the scenery is beautiful the hotels, landscape etc are in perfect condition.
It?s paradise on earth.

Now drive about 30 miles into downtown Orlando and take a turn down the wrong street and see how fast your opinion of the Orlando area changes.
Tourist areas are beautiful because that is how they attract people and make their money.
To say the whole island is beautiful because of one town or area is foolish.

Oahu is the same way. Waikiki and other tourist beaches are amazing; meanwhile the beaches on the west side of the island are filled with homeless people living in tents.

 

[Hacp]

I can't believe you buy into the propaganda. If we life our Cuban Embargo, we'll be telling the world that its ok to tar and feather human rights.
Nvm, we've already told the world that(Gitmo), but we shouldn't be sending any more of these messages.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I just got back from a week in Varadero, Cuba.

Let me just say that it felt like heaven on earth. The beaches were pristine. The people were amazing. The cities were clean and in good condition. I felt safer there than I do at home in Toronto, Canada.

What shocked me the most was how healthy the people are there, and how good their living conditions are. They apparently invited my GF to their home for dinner when she was there on a previous trip and she said that the conditions were fine.

Really and truly, if I had the chance I would be very tempted to immigrate there.

The funny thing was, there was a show on local radio the day before I left talking about how evil Catro is, how many people he kills each year, and how Cuba had better quality of life than most of Europe did in the 50's (but not anymore - he said something along the lines of no Hatians being willing to move there). IMO they have equal quality of life to Europe TODAY.

Thoughts?

*edit*

Here are some pics of Cuba that I took:

A cuban house (typical in Varadero)

Cayo Blanco beach

Varadero beach (sunset)

Except for the Hurricanes I'm sure it's a great place especially without the Corporate controlled U.S. meddling with it.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Nice that you enjiyed your trip, though I find it hard to believe that's what Cuba is really like.

While my father was at university, he had a friend that was a fan of communism and stuff, and was fond of Cuba. He went on a trip to Cuba to do some humanitarian work and came back horrified.
This wasn't some American either, both my father and his friend were Mexicans attending a Mexican university and living in Mexico, where the overall standard of living isn't as good as what the average Canadian or American is used to.
This was probably like more than 2 decades ago, but I doubt things have improved in Cuba.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
By paying taxes I would be supporting their actions. Honestly I would contantly feel compelled to start a revolution and protest all the time.

Your government does a large amount of trade with ours, doubtlessly supplying some of the money and materials used in the war.

You don't have any problems with that?

 

[Beowulf]

I have a very different opinion of Cuba and I was actually born there. Born in Santa Clara and left in the early 80's with my family. My father served six years in jail as a political prisoner and was tortured various times. The only reason he served jail was his refusal to serve in the Cuban Army. We left in '81 through the Peruvian embassy eventually bounced from Peru to Costa Rica and finally California. Later on moved to Miami, FL, where we had family and I have spent the majority of my life here.

I'm glad that you enjoyed everything the average Cuban is not allowed to do. That does not mean you actually know anything about Cuba or the struggle to survive in Cuba. When you have family members die that you haven't seen in over 20 years due to misery than maybe we can talk.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: ProfJohn
Walt Disney World is amazing, the people are great, the scenery is beautiful the hotels, landscape etc are in perfect condition.
It?s paradise on earth.

Now drive about 30 miles into downtown Orlando and take a turn down the wrong street and see how fast your opinion of the Orlando area changes.
Tourist areas are beautiful because that is how they attract people and make their money.
To say the whole island is beautiful because of one town or area is foolish.

Oahu is the same way. Waikiki and other tourist beaches are amazing; meanwhile the beaches on the west side of the island are filled with homeless people living in tents.

Wow. That may be one of the best posts you've ever made. Bravo.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Beowulf
I have a very different opinion of Cuba and I was actually born there. Born in Santa Clara and left in the early 80's with my family. My father served six years in jail as a political prisoner and was tortured various times. The only reason he served jail was his refusal to serve in the Cuban Army. We left in '81 through the Peruvian embassy eventually bounced from Peru to Costa Rica and finally California. Later on moved to Miami, FL, where we had family and I have spent the majority of my life here.

I'm glad that you enjoyed everything the average Cuban is not allowed to do. That does not mean you actually know anything about Cuba or the struggle to survive in Cuba. When you have family members die that you haven't seen in over 20 years due to misery than maybe we can talk.

I'm sorry to hear that your father was treated in such a way, but really, I find it hard to believe that *everyone* in Cuba goes through this, or that it is the status quo.

How is it a struggle to survive in Cuba? Please forgive my ignorance; I saw nothing to that effect while I was there. What part of Cuba are you from?