I have always thought the U.S. was shooting ourselves in the foot re. Cuba. Why is it that we are now pretty chummy friends with Vietnam and China, but we have this everlasting grudge with Cuba? Is the Cuban ex-pat in Florida SO important that it trumps being diplomatic with a country 90 miles off away?

It’s been good politics for some people that always like to have a boogieman handy.
Dumb…

The old folx in Miami/Hialeah might dream of returning to Cuba, but they won’t be welcome (surprise!). The younger generation(s) are pretty much Americanized and from my rather extensive contacts with them over 22 years of living there, they do not anticipate going to Cuba as more than tourists. As for US military intervention, one should not forget that Cuba maintains a pretty effective military herself. There will be no more “Bay of Pigs” attempt consisting of exiles, as few of the younger generation has any interest, and the older generation is, well, too old.

While working the Mariel Boat Lift back in the 80’s I recall one of my friends from Miami telling me that he grew up in Cuba, but did not recall seeing so many black people there (remember, the white elites all migrated to Miami in the early ’60’s). These elites were very far removed from the vast majority of the Cuban population. Well, there aren’t anymore white elites in Cuba, and the population is now more black than ever.

No, the Miami exile community will not be welcomed back.

Right on.

Raul and the party are solidly in command. If Fidel dies, the transition will largely be orderly, and in fact, there may be an easing of control if the distaff side – I think it is Raul who has a thirtyish, well educated daughter who has his ear and who is more liberal – has its way.

Despite his failings,the bulk of Cubans know their child survival rate is the envy of all, including us, that they have medical care and education – and Fidel is largely loved, notwithstanding years of our propaganda and the virulent Miami Cuban right wing. I believe any military action would more likely than not result in a Bay of Pigs II finale.

“With a map (which said US Department of Defense), Fidel showed Moyers where Holden Roberto’s CIA-backed forces had moved and where the South African and mercenary army were heading. ‘Neto telephoned me and asked for military help. I conferred with my comrades on the Politburo and all agreed we should do it if possible. I also called (Prime Minister) Michael Manley in Jamaica, who also supported the move and offered Jamaica as a landing place. But that would not help us. Jamaica is very close to Cuba. Then, with Manley’s support, I called Forbes Burnham (PM of Guyana) and he offered us landing rights.’

Fidel scoffed at the notion – promoted by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger — that the Soviets had dictated the Angola intervention. ‘As our troops left on the refitted commercial planes for Luanda, my brother Raul took off for Moscow to inform the Soviets and ask for their help in providing military equipment.’

The Cuban troops stopped both invasions. Angola celebrated her independence in November 1975 and then got bogged down in a bloody civil war against UNITA, led by Jonas Savimba and financed by the CIA. The crucial battles, however, took place in 1987-88 at Cuito Cuanavale, in southern Angola.

The former diplomat evinced pride in the way Cuban and Angolan forces delivered devastating losses to the apartheid South African army.

Vidal agreed that these battles and not the supposedly brilliant diplomacy of State Department Africa specialist Chester Crocker convinced South Africa to abandon the strategy of maintaining puppet governments in her surrounding states. The military losses were too great. So, Namibia became independent, Angolan sovereignty was sustained and Nelson Mandela emerged from prison to become President. At his inaugural in May 1994, he whispered audibly in Fidel’s ear so that the TV microphones picked it up: ‘You made this possible.’

This glorious past in which Cubans changed the history of southern Africa had faded quickly after the fall of the Soviet Union. Mandela noted Cuba’s role in changing South Africa’s destiny. The fall of the Soviet Union changed Cuba’s trajectory.”

But not before Cuban soldiers had kicked the U.S.’s proxies’ butt. The Cuban army is for real.

The old folx in Miami/Hialeah might dream of returning to Cuba, but they won’t be welcome (surprise!). The younger generation(s) are pretty much Americanized and from my rather extensive contacts with them over 22 years of living there, they do not anticipate going to Cuba as more than tourists. As for US military intervention, one should not forget that Cuba maintains a pretty effective military herself. There will be no more “Bay of Pigs” attempt consisting of exiles, as few of the younger generation has any interest, and the older generation is, well, too old.

While working the Mariel Boat Lift back in the 80’s I recall one of my friends from Miami telling me that he grew up in Cuba, but did not recall seeing so many black people there (remember, the white elites all migrated to Miami in the early ’60’s). These elites were very far removed from the vast majority of the Cuban population. Well, there aren’t anymore white elites in Cuba, and the population is now more black than ever.

No, the Miami exile community will not be welcomed back.

Right on.

Raul and the party are solidly in command. There probably will be a some relaxing of control if the distaff side – I think it is Raul who has a well educated thirtish or so daughter who has his ear – has its way. Contrary to popular belief in this country, Fidel is pretty much loved despite his failings. Any attempt at military action would more likely than not result in Bay of Pigs II.

“Fidel scoffed at the notion – promoted by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger — that the Soviets had dictated the Angola intervention. ‘As our troops left on the refitted commercial planes for Luanda, my brother Raul took off for Moscow to inform the Soviets and ask for their help in providing military equipment.’

The Cuban troops stopped both invasions. Angola celebrated her independence in November 1975 and then got bogged down in a bloody civil war against UNITA, led by Jonas Savimba and financed by the CIA. The crucial battles, however, took place in 1987-88 at Cuito Cuanavale, in southern Angola.

The former diplomat evinced pride in the way Cuban and Angolan forces delivered devastating losses to the apartheid South African army.

Vidal agreed that these battles and not the supposedly brilliant diplomacy of State Department Africa specialist Chester Crocker convinced South Africa to abandon the strategy of maintaining puppet governments in her surrounding states. The military losses were too great. So, Namibia became independent, Angolan sovereignty was sustained and Nelson Mandela emerged from prison to become President. At his inaugural in May 1994, he whispered audibly in Fidel’s ear so that the TV microphones picked it up: ‘You made this possible.’

This glorious past in which Cubans changed the history of southern Africa had faded quickly after the fall of the Soviet Union. Mandela noted Cuba’s role in changing South Africa’s destiny. The fall of the Soviet Union changed Cuba’s trajectory.”

But not before the Cubans kicked the hell out of the U.S.’s proxies in Africa.

http://counterpunch.org/landau01162007.html

We’d best prepare to prevent this war now.

“Arrest The Police State!”

While working the Mariel Boat Lift back in the 80’s I recall one of my friends from Miami telling me that he grew up in Cuba, but did not recall seeing so many black people there (remember, the white elites all migrated to Miami in the early ’60’s). These elites were very far removed from the vast majority of the Cuban population. Well, there aren’t anymore white elites in Cuba, and the population is now more black than ever.

No, the Miami exile community will not be welcomed back.

Meanwhile, Taylor Marsh is up with a new thread. Thanks, all!