Thursday, June 14, 2007

Val Goes After the Younger Generation

"Ya no más" is 24 years old, which means that he is some ten years younger than Val Prieto was when he started Babalú four years ago. I find this a most encouraging development and I am happy and proud to see that the truth about Cuba concerns the generation that followed Val's, too. I think that it is Val's duty and the duty of every Cuban blogger to nurture such commitment not to thwart it. But Val could care less about nurturing anybody's interests but his own. To merit Val's support you must buckle to his authority. "Ya no más'" mere presence on this blog was sin enough, although this is a "sin" shared with all partners in Val & Co. His "sin" was no doubt compounded by commenting here which made his disaffection with Val's authoritarian vent a public rather than a private sin. "Ya no más" had also had the temerity to add this blog to his links, which others, including Val's cousin Tomás Estrada Palma, have done. I guess one has to be Val's cousin to take that risk, trusting that familial ties will trump Val's fear of betrayal. People like Val, who live always under the apprehension that they will be betrayed, usually are not adverse themselves to betrayal and are usually the catalysts for it.

As a consequence of asserting his intellectual independence and refusing the strictures which Val wished to place on his speech, "Ya no más" was expelled from Babalú's blogroll without warning or explanation, although he had received an earlier indication of which way the wind was blowing when Ziva asked "Ya no más" to remove her blog from his blogroll earlier.

This reminds me of my own contretemps with Marc Másferrer, who was the first in Val's circle to link the Review of Cuban-American Blogs, which originally alerted all the Valalusians to the existance of this blog (where they have moored ever since). Obviously the news eventually filtered down to Val himself who dashed one of his "Marc, why have you betrayed me, buddy" e-mails which immediately obtained the desired result, for Val seems to hold a curious power over men smarter than himself.

I was flattered honestly that Val was in such dread fear of RCAB that he felt the responsibility to "purge" this blog from the blogrolls of his acolytes. But I should not have been surprised. When Val posted his infamous attack upon me on Babalú which was deleted within 3 hours of being posted because it unintentionally cast Val in a much worse light than it did me, I should have guessed that Val far from ignoring the challenge we presented had us in his crosshairs. Mightily did the blog Goliath conspire against our David, but all his exertions against us have had the opposite effect; he awakened rather than stifled interest in this blog.

Of course, it is Val's blogroll, and he is perfectly free to demand from "Ya no más" or anyone else a blood oath before being included there. His policy has always been, as I long ago discerned, that it is good to hang an admiral from time to time because it encourages the others.

In all his actions Val has displayed an absolute disdain for freedom of expression and an attendant obsession with crushing it wherever he finds it. He is the first trans-blog censor. If he had his way, he would even limit access to the internet for his opponents in order more completely to control the agenda and quell all dissent. He does so already on his "island on the net" which doesn't have a bearded dictator unless Val now sports a beard.

Who will be the next blogger to merit Val's retaliation? I think we all know the most likely candidate at this moment is fantomas, BUCL's ambassador to RCAB. The quirky fantomas, who is always proclaiming here that he is his own man and beholden to no one (especially Val Prieto), has not been as active in Val's defense as Val no doubt expects and has even opened a cordial dialogue with "Ya no más" being by nature an includer rather than an excluder. This diversionist tendency does not sit well with Val and will surely lead to fantomas' expulsion from BUCL and Babalú's blogroll. The fact that I have mentioned this may actually save fantomas from expulsion from Val & Co. because such is the power that I have over Val & Henry that I have merely to suggest something for them to do the exact opposite. If I were a dime store Machiavellian like Val I could use this power on my own behalf but I prefer to use it on their behalf, which is yet another way in which Val Prieto and I are different and our positions irreconcilable.

25 comments:

Fantomas said...
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Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

In other words, you live straddling the fence. Isn't that hell on your nuts?

Sharpshooter said...

Manuel,
the never ending saga of this rift in all its shapes and forms, including the act of barring another blogger from Babalu's cross reference links, provides me with such fun lecture every day, that I woull not miss it for the world. I look forward every morning to see what new foibles and transgressions are reported here to get a good laugh with my coffee and animate my mornings.
"Ya no mas" should not worry. He should continue to express his opinions as he wishes because as luck would have it, we live in a free country and we are able to express our opinions and dislikes as we please.
As to Fantomas comments regarding your stay at the famed hospital for the insane in old Cuba, please take it with a grain of salt. Fantomas can be so funny sometimes and I think this is another one of those funny comments of his. It reflects more on him than he can ever imagine. By the way, how was the food at that institution during your stay? Maybe you should post something about that. LOL. Is all laughable and very amusing to those of us watching on the sidelines.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

BTW, you are always, always bringing up Mazorra. Is that the old family homestead?

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Agustín:

Some of the sanest people in Cuba today live in Mazorra.

bookster said...

In street talk , a PISSING CONTEST a one in which a group of (usually drunk) men line up and see who can pee farther. This is supposed to be some sort of vague measure of a man’s virility. You could say that BABALU vs RCAB qualifies as such.

It’s my humble assessment that MAT is outpissing VAL and could be easily declared the winner at this time.

Congratulations MAT

Sharpshooter said...

Manuel,
now that you mention it, I could not agree with you more. The Coma-andante was called "el loco" in his University heydays, so yes, you are right.
Some of his harebrained schemes such as the "coffee ring " around Havana, the infamous pigmy cows, the draining the the Zapata Swamps, the crossbreeding of our cows and coming up with new breeds unsuitable for the Cuban environment, planting the wrong crops in the country side ( I can attest to that one personally, since our own farmland was planted with the wrong crops and the results were a total failure) and so many others, are the living proof that had these schemes been proposed by anyone other than a deranged tyrant with absolute power to do as he pleases, it would have landed that person in the Mazorra hospital for a definite stay and a life long treatment of daily electro shocks. The amazing thing is that no one at the time they took place, was able to say anything to contradict these insane policies and put a stop to them.

Fantomas said...
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Fantomas said...
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Anonymous said...

I am Cuban American and my parents came from Cuba as teenagers in the 60’s. I'm 1st generation Cuban Americans, we have only stories and pictures, stories that my parents and grandparents have told me.I am always interested in others peoples' views on how they feel about our beautiful island and being Cuban.That's why, I Created "YA NO MAS" like many cuban families.My parents made many sacrifices to ensure that my sister and I had a better life. I am always thankful for the choice they made even though it was very hard on them.My family is mostly in the U.S.; however, we still have some back in Cuba and we try to help them the best we can. There is an enormous guilt every time I examine my life and theirs.The sorrow over lost family members that we were never able to see them. the family mementos that we do not have, etc. I rejoice in the fact that by living here, working hard and being successful, I am honoring my parents decision for raising me here the land of the free and the brave." I would like to set foot in cuba is very emotional.Is an inner struggle for sure to see cuba free.But I'm thankful for all this great cuban bloggers like Manuel for giving me more Knowledge about cuba it made me get in touch with my Cubanness.I inherited my fathers blood and I was raised with Cuban customs and tradition, is my responsibility to continue learning from intellectual individuals like manuel, killcastro and others.I am proud to be an "American," proud to be in this land of freedom and equality, but I am also proud of the achievements of my ancestors , my "Cuban" ancestors, I am proud of all the "Cubans" that have come to this country and prospered,The blood that runs through my veins is blood that originated in Cuban soil, and although my certificate does not say; place of birth, Habana, Cuba, I feel that part of me is from Cuba.I'm here to learn.

Vana said...

!Ya No Mas!
Your comments shook me to the core, all you say is correct, like my children who being born here in the land of the free, feel Cuban to the marrow, we have taught them all our customs, all our food, our way of speaking Spanish, they along with us trecked to Echo Park in 1980, so that our voices could be heard, concerning the people that broke into the Peruvian embassy in Havana, they cried and suffered along with us the indignity of having Elian returned to Cuba, they can't wait like us for Cuba to be free, yes they are 100% Cuban, just like you, keep being yourself, and never allow anyone to step on you, I'm proud of you, at your tender age, you have taken a stand, keep it up !Ya No Mas!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Manuel for your kind words.

Anonymous said...

Vana:

Thank you, I appreciate your and manuel's comments sincerely from my heart thank you...

Fantomas said...
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Fantomas said...
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Nemesis said...

Ya no mas -
Thank you for your words - It was a mandate we imposed at KillCastro from day one , to tell the Cuban truth as it is in whatever year we are in not to wax nostalgically as to what was left behind. That Cuba that PHYSICAL Cuba is no longer there. But your parents (as did mine) left me a PROFOUND sense of CUBANISMO and that predicated on the fact that we were LUCKY that this country (In which often we criticize its policies towards Cuba, but nevertheless we LOVE) embraced us and gave us a home.
It was so different back then. Even as far as 1980 and the Marielitos , Cuban/Americans en masse suffered dearly for those left behind . Never not once in any anti-KaSStro group to which I belonged the issue of starving our breathen was brought up as an option to deal with The Beast . Never not once the separation of families was brought forth as an anti-KaSStro strategy.
So many things have changed it is hard to believe sometimes we are all on the same side of the fight. But Again your parents gave you an invaluable gift and that was to see Cubans .. All Cubans los de aqui y los de alla as brothers and sisters and they NEED that, they need to see that people like you who by means of your upbringing STILL love them and care for their well being.
You have NO idea how precious that is !

Anonymous said...

KillCastro, and all...
All of those who are for the separation of the Cuban families, for the starvation of the Cuban people to death, for their reduction to desperation, are NOT on the same side of the fight we are.
We are on the side that fights kasstro, who by the way is the biggest proponent of the separation of the Cuban family, their starvation to death, and their reduction to desperation. All others are on who knows what side. Not on ours, definitively, they are not on ours or on the side of the Cuban people for much that they say otherwise.
You cannot fight kasstro an and the same time advocate for the annihilation of the Cuban people for the sake of a political agenda.

bookster said...

Charlie Bravo,

Forgive my ignorance in this matters, i live here in California. You say that there are some exiles that advocate the starvation/separation of the cuban people as a tool to bring down Kastro can you give me an example of that. Are you referring to the US embargo proponents?

Anonymous said...

Corgiguy
I really don't know what the embargo has to do with the limitations in travel and the cash remittances to Cuba, as well as the medicine and care packets limits.
I really don't know what the embargo has to do with the government saying who is your family and who is not, and I don't understand the logics that "my family came here and didn't go back" because.... I couldn't go back and many people in my family passed away without me being close. Why on Earth will I condemn others to the same fate? Isn't castro doing it already?
Now, some please tell me how's that the NON EXISTING embargo got lumped with this. Because there's no embargo, and EVERYBODY knows it.
There's a cash and carry policy with Cuba, and I think that 34 States of the American Union deal with Cuba under those terms.
There are a lot of people -and I am not in the business of mentioning names or anything similar- who propose what they call the pressure cooker approach, they think that if the conditions in Cuba become harsher the people will revolt. Just like they are revolting in North Korea.
Those are the same people who are silent when the American government keeps its sweet deals with kasstro, but that will tell you that a five dollar bill to your great aunt and a blood pressure medication for your old neighbor who is like part of your family are a no-no.
For the record, I don't live in Cuba or Florida, or in California.
The embargo and the cash remittances has nothing to do with each other. Traveling to Cuba to see your relatives (your REAL relatives, not the limited version of family that the hyphenated politicos have helped the American government to define for you or me) is needed to get dissidents more help to show people who we are and what we are all about. But no, some people don't really understand that we do not need to be the bad guys, because..... well, that policy is used by kasstro to paint us as the bad guys, but you have to be born and raised in Cuba to understand that. By the way, at KillCastro we propose NOT to have any BUSINESS with kasstro, but to allow families to reunite and to allow help to individual Cubans. Too complicated for the politicos, it's way to complicated for them.

Sharpshooter said...

Ya no mas,
I found your statement very moving specially coming from someone who never set foot in the land that saw most of us who comment here, come into the world. I also feel very greatful to the USA for having become my second home when I had to abandon mine in the early 1960's. Since I spent the majority of my adult life there, I identify very much with the country and in fact I consider it my second home. For me naturally Cuba is first in my heart, but I would be ungrateful if I did not recognize that the USA gave me a chance to develop fully as a person and study, earn a living, raise my children and afford me a new life in freedom.
To read your statement was for me joyous because I admire the children of Cuban exiles who have a deep love for the country we left behind. I would not be lying if I said that I am very proud of you. For us who knew Cuba and left it as adults is not unusual to remember and deeply love our country. But for someone like you who only have second hand knowledge of it from your parents and family,this is something to admire. As a proud Cuban I say: Thank you.

bookster said...

Charlie

I now understand where you are comming from and find myself in agreement with you. The current us policy is hurting more than is helping. It seems to me that we are creating more enemies than friends.

This so called EMBARGO is just a political tool designed to win votes Florida and is not serving the best interest of the US

Anonymous said...

Agustin Farinas,killCastro,Manuel
and everybody thank you..I’m surrounded by intelligent and articulate people.I love reading and listening to what guys have to say and learning from every article you guys write.In my opinion, you guys are doing a great job...Keep up the good work! I really apreciate what you guys are doing. Your guys blogs sites are amazing and VERY informative.

Keep on rocking!!!!

I don’t know why people become so jealous seeing someone else going ahead. Each and every Smashing article boost my knowledge like a rocket!I’m totally hooked..

Tomás Estrada-Palma said...

Hey Manuel. Drop me an email amigo. trestradapalma@verizon.net

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Charlie:

The trade embargo exists only in name. It has been effectively dismantled by the Bush administration, which, while relaxing the strictures of the embargo, has tightened those on private citizens by restricting their ability to assist their relations on the island. It is a foolish and counterproductive policy to sell foodstuffs to the Communists to feed the army and other instruments of repression while denying Cuban exiles the ability to feed their relatives on the island. U.S. policy keeps Castro's minions strong and well-fed and the Cuban people weak and malnourished. But this is hardly surprising: We have always said that the U.S. has a vested interest in keeping Castro in power.

Nemesis said...

Well when Giuliani comes forth on the national press and states “Today we lack the strong leadership and vision of a Ronald Reagan" you just HAVE to know that a GREAT Republican can still look at Washington politics and THROW UP!
Such a disappointment, such hopes we had for Bush, and what did we get ? What did Cubans get? we got another JFK backstab . I wonder when and “where” they will give Bush the Cuban flag that HE will return to us on a “Free Cuba”, but I BET ya it will be at a sunny, warm stadium.