Monday, September 10, 2007

The Saga of Babalú's Henry Gómez & Alex of SotP

Has fatherhood awakened in Henry Gómez long-muted cords of empathy for the plight of the abused little Cuban girl who had previously elicited from him only indifference if not disdain? Has he finally realized that her case is not and never was a plot hatched by The Miami Herald to discredit Cuban-Americans? Is he finally able to see that this case is about an abused little girl, abused by her own parents and the regime to avenge itself on her foster father Joe Cubas? We know as everybody does that Henry is rash to make judgments and slow to revise his first (erroneous) impressions. It is always unfortunate when men carve their first impressions in stone because it is much harder to erase them later than to let them stand. But Henry appears, at least, to be trying to make the effort lately. A bigger man would avow his error and radically correct his course. But this, of course, we cannot expect from Henry.

But has Henry caught on at long last? Yes and no. He has never uttered a word of sympathy for Elenita. He has in fact refused to on repeated occasions. That has not changed. What has changed is that he's taken on the villains in this case (two of them at least), Ira Kurzban and Magda Montiel-Davis, and realized that there can be no semblance of justice for anyone in a case where they are involved in representation of Fidel Castro's interests.

Henry has taken on Alex of South of the Palmetto for defending the indefensible — the honesty and integrity of that felonious duo and their napoleonic bully of a client (Rafael Izquierdo, not his master). The Castro-orquestrated conspiracy to obstruct justice unfolding in Judge Jeri B. Cohen's classroom, carried out by these legal miscreants, no one but the most deluded Castroite could fail to see or condemn. Is Alex then a Castroite? No, I'm sure he's not. But he is the product (victim) of a Castroite education and his outlook on the world is framed in the terms that his Marxist professors taught him. Many have been able to free themselves from those bounds; many, in fact, rejected them from the first (Killcastro & Charlie Bravo). Alex's intelligence might have been expected to help him liberate himself from such tutelage, but it has not. He still sees his childhood in Castro's Cuba as idyllic and there is no shaking him in that conviction (I know, because I tried hundreds of times before finally giving up). His childhood in Cuba consisted very much of slave labor for the state, setting the example for other youth which a mid-level Castro official's son is expected to (not so for those at the highest level). Alex told the story once that his father forbade him to be friends with another youth because he was a "gusano." Such a thing, in his peculiar cosmology, is compatible with an idyllic childhood. But just as a white child who was forbidden by his parents from playing with black children would have his perspectives on life seriously compromised, so too must a child raised in Cuba whose father sanctions, indeed, orders the same kind of conduct, based not on color but ideas: "seditious" ideas such as hatred of tyranny and love of freedom. As with sexual abuse, a child thus victimized can be expected to carry those scars all his life, and, what is worse, victimize others himself. This explains why Alex favored the return of Elián to Cuba and now favors the return of Elenita as well.

The reason that Henry once favored Elián's return was because of the influence that Alex once exerted on him. He obviously doesn't exert such influence now because even Henry's affection for him does not trump his revulsion for Magda Montiel-Davis. If Elián's case had ever been heard in an American courtroom with such a cast of characters, perhaps he might have shaken free of Alex's influence and seen the light much sooner.

Henry, who was born in this country and calls himself an "American-Cuban," has the common American bias of expecting justice in a courtroom, which no one raised in Cuba would ever expect. This is why Henry declared that "This case is dirty as hell," and begged Alex in the comments section of SotP: "Please Alex, I know we disagree on a lot of things but you'd have to be willingly blind to not see the strings that are being pulled from Havana on this one."

No, Henry, not willingly blind but unwillingly blind. Alex is a product of his education just as you are a product of yours. In one respect this has been beneficial to him: it made Alex a Cuban nationalist, as opposed to Henry and Val, who are practically annexationists. Unfortunately, however, though it preached ideas such as nationalism which in fact it did not itself practice, the Castro regime also inculcated into Alex the mantra of Vamos a Cuba: there is no difference between life in Cuba and life in the U.S. This is why Alex feels comfortable sending Elián and Elenita back to Cuba. Of course, Alex also confessed that he would never do that to his own daughter, and there is no contradiction there, either. That is also how the elite think and behave in Cuba: privilege for their children and misery for everybody else's.

But this means progress, at least on Henry's part. Now Henry recognizes that the strings are not being pulled by The Miami Herald but by the Castro regime. If The Herald had not aggressively covered Elenita's case when Henry was saying that it was a humbug, he would not be able to say now, as he has said, that her mother and father "are crazy as a bedbug."

OK, Henry, one last try: the parents are crazy; their lawyers are corrupt; Castro is pulling all the strings from Havana — all this you have already admitted.

Are you willing to acknowledge now that you were too obsessed with the reputation of Cuban-Americans and too indifferent or hostile to the plight of the neediest Cuban-American among us?

Do you now support awarding custody to the only other people besides her brother who have ever loved this abused little girl — Joe and María Cubas?

Just one little step more, Henry.

46 comments:

Alex said...

I'm sure Henry is laughing even harder than I am at the thought that I have ever affected his politics.

Oh and one more thing you are absolutely wrong. I don't see anything bad at all with annexation. I'm a realist and a globalist and I have been in Puerto Rico. Feel free to make hay of that.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Alex:

I thought you were Abbot and Henry was Costello. Now I see that you are both Costellos.

Martí's denunciation of annexation is good enough for me. I have nothing more to add on that score except that it is more excusable in you than it is in Henry. You've seen with your own eyes the worst of which Cubans are capable. Henry has only seen the best.

BTW, I hope Henry is not laughing too hard. You have affected his life in many ways besides politics, and, except in politics, always for the better.

Alex said...

Abbot and Costello: cute. Whatever.

But listen: if you admit that "Henry has only seen the best" which I take it to mean what Cuban Americans have done under the US system, why wouldn't you want that same best for a future Cuba?

Realistically there's no erasing the 50 years of Castro rule and its effects. The fastest way to full restoration would be annexionism or a Puerto rico stle arrangement. To reject it based on moral grounds is as shortsighted as is archaic -and it shows that you can't escape your education either.

Vana said...

Anexetion? I would venture to say, is a sell out of one's country, and a sell out of Marti's teachings and wants, those Cubans that wanted it, are more American than Cuban, a free democratic Cuba is what I want, with no ties attached, I too have been to Puerto Rico, my dad lived there, and what I saw was a lot of people on welfare and using food stamps, leaching off the system.

Seems to me these American-Cubans, should just forget about Cuba, and stay here. Butt out of the Cuban fight for independance, does this not remind you Manuel of when Marti lived in exile, and had to listen to this utter bull shit.

Vana said...

Alex:

If you found your Cuban communist upbringing so idyllic, what the hell are you doing here? after all you were not allowed to play with gusanos, what are you playing here with now? did your rabid communist father leave Cuba too? and now drinks his cafecito at Versailles with other gusanos? it would not surprise me at all!

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Alex:

Because Cubans did the same thing without the U.S. before 1959. As you know, Cuba was the most prosperous and socially advanced nation in Latin America before 1959. The Generation of 1953, the most pampered in our country's history, imploded the Republic and brought 48 years of tyranny and backwardness upon the Cuban people thanks to the monumental ineptitude and betrayal of successive U.S. administrations.

That generation has learned its lesson, though now that hardly even matters as its leader totters on the grave. Future generations have profitted by their example. A future democratic Cuba won't repeat the same errors again. I am not so sure about the United States. I think it has learned nothing in the last 50 years and can only repeat the mistakes which led to Castro and which enshrined Castro in power.

Your annexationism, anyway, explains your affinity with Rick, although if his type are to be the future overlords of Cuba, God help Cuba!

Vana said...

Well said Manuel, I give you a standing ovation, encore, encore

Alex said...

So either the best of Cubans was before 1959 or now in Miami. Which one is it?

There's no realistic reason in today's world to go through a couple decades of hard reconstruction -and this time without high sugar prices. It's not enough to avoid mistakes, the money has to come out of somewhere.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Alex:

The best was before 1959. Deprived of their country and freedom, Cuban exiles duplicated that success in the U.S. and every country where they settled.

Cuban exiles have the wherewithal to reconstruct Cuba, and the people of Cuba, once their entrepreneurial genius is unleashed and they are justly compensated for their labor, will soon return Cuba to the vanguard of civilized nations.

If Fidel Castro's legacy to his people were to have turned them into annexationists, then the harm he has done our country would have been much worse than the destruction of its economy and infrastructure.

I pray you are sui generis and that other Cubans raised on the island do not share your affinity for national suicide.

The Wizard said...

I love Arroz con Mango chusma.No offense...hahahaha

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Alex of StoP meet Alex Hernández of Arroz con Mango and formerly of Ya No Más blog.

Fantomas said...

Apuntando

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

Are you an annexationist too? Of course you must be; you've lived all your adult life in Puerto Rico.

Vana said...

No Manuel say it aint so! that is the same Alex as Ya no Mas, I used to like him, guess I was wrong, my bad

Fantomas said...

Manuel yo no voy a caer en tu trampa para que me arrastes por ese tema que bastante complicado que es y despues cogas a costilla mia 100 o 200 comentarios . Fijate si es complicado que los puertorriqueños llevan muchos años sin ponerse de acuerdo.

Yo estoy bien claro en lo que deseo para Puerto Rico. Pero prefiero que los puertorriqueños sean los que decidan esto.

Yo acatare la decision . Y si esto conlleva mudarme para los Estados Unidos que asi sea . I love The USA

Just in case...

Dear Abby , I do not receive ANY federal handouts. I pay taxes

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

The fact that you refuse to answer if you are an annexationist or not shows that you are. No advocate of independence would have any difficulty answering that question.

Even after 109 years of U.S. occupation, Puerto Ricans have not consented to the annexation of their island. If a plebiscite on independence had been held in 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 or even 1940, Puerto Rico would be a sovereign nation today. Knowing this, the U.S. never held a plebiscite in the first 50 years of its occupation of the island.

Although most Puerto Ricans living today are not pro-independence because of assimilation, neither are they pro-annexation.

Annexation is the road of no return. If Puerto Rico were to become a state not even a civil war on the island could alter its status. This is one "union" that you can't quit.

I am sure that Puerto Ricans will not opt for annexation; and I know that Cubans who, unlike Puerto Ricans, fought 75 years for their independence and lived for 56 under a Republic, will never surrender the sovereignty of their country to form part of a nation that disdains us and has historically posed the greatest obstacle to our liberty and pursuit of happiness.

The blood of Martí and Maceo and of the legions of our glorious heroes and martyrs would make the very soil of our country heave if Cubans ever embarked on such a suicidal course.

Fantomas said...

l could not agree with you more from your previous comment

Excellent profesor, te la comistes

The Wizard said...

Vana:

You're hurting my feelin...Not, but anyways hate is a powerful word use it wisely.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

George Bush and the Republicans want the next plebiscite on Puerto Rico's status to include only two options — independence or annexation (statehood), eliminating the option of remaining an associated commonwealth.

If Puerto Ricans were faced with only two options, annexation or independence, and choosing independence meant that Puerto Rico would be the poorest republic on earth — which it certainly won't be — I would still advise Puerto Ricans that it is better to be poor and belong to yourself than to be less poor and belong to another.

Fantomas said...

Manuel gracias por el advise pero solo te digo algo

Tu NO eres puertorriqueño...

Deja que ellos decidan

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

Martí's commitment to Puerto Rico's independence, no less than to Cuba's, and the participation of thousands of Puerto Ricans in Cuba's struggles for independence, including Betances, Hostos, Lola Rodríguez de Tió, Rius Rivera and "Pachín" Marín, lays upon all Cubans the obligation, moral and historic, to assist our Puerto Rican brethren in procuring their independence. Cubans would be ingrates and traitors if they denied them their support or the benefit of their advice.

We are not different peoples. Cuba, Puerto and the Dominican Republic form a historic triad, a cultural unit. All the great men and women I have named, including the Dominicans Luperón and Máximo Gómez, supported a Confederation of the Antilles. That was their fondest dream. It is up to us, their descendents, in all three countries, to make their prophetic vision a reality.

Fantomas said...

Let them decide Manolo

Let them

I am not asking you for much this time around

Vana said...

Alex:

Pray tell me where did I use the word hate? I don't hate you, just dissapointed, I thought you a better person

The Wizard said...

Vana:

First only god can judge me. I'm a good person and you can't make that Judgment by reading some comments or judging my blog.Never Judge a Book By Its Cover take time to read the contents first.I could say the same about you vana but the big different is I don't have the luxury to judge others.

Vana said...

Alex:

If you want anexation for our country, than you and I have nothing else to discuss, I want pure unadultarated freedom, is what we deserve, is what Marti wanted, sorry I'm Martiana to the core, nothing else will do, to wait 48 years is a long time, to then give our country away, would be TREASON!!

Vana said...

BTW I'm not judging you, to each his own, I'm stating the way I feel

Vana said...

Manuel:

Right on, I feel as you do, every word you have spoken here, has been the truth and nothing but, I'm behind you 100%

All of you open your eyes, Manuel is trying to teach us all about our country, he has never once lied, be grateful to have found someone like him, I for one Am happy to learn from him, be smart, do the same

The Wizard said...

You can state anything you like vana but keep my name out your damn mouth or you will see my wrath..And by the way this blog looks it needs comments. hahahaha..


And another thing which alex you're referring to. I haven't mention anything about "anexation"

The Wizard said...

I was taught to respect my elders but in your case. I would have a change of heart. I don't hold back my feelings..So is best for you not to stir that shit with me. BTW I careless about your damn feelings.

Fantomas said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Wizard said...

Manuel the more I read your blog that more I appreciate Val prieto and Company.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Alex H.:

Well, Val did re-link to your now defunct Ya No Más blog after having severed the link due to insubordination on your part. Now that you are a good little boy again maybe he'll link to your new blog. In any case, I think now that you were meant to be a satellite all along and will be happiest in Val's orbit again. Good luck.

Vana said...

LMAO...I almost fell off my chair from a laughing attack.

Tengo pruebas que tu eres Vana...HAHAHAHA....The shit that comes out of fantos mouth, is just that, plain laughable

Vana said...

Alex:

If you are the same Alex from SOTP, who came here to fool us, as arrozconmango, then I have nothing further to say to you, if you are not, than I beg to differ, and would go as far as to apoligize if iam wrong, I hope you and he are not the same man

Vana said...

And furthermore Alex, how will you show me your wrath...lol....funny, I always remember the famous adage.

El que se acuesta con niños, se leventa meado, and you my dear are a child

Fantomas said...

Vana a veces suenas tan estupida que das pena...

Cualquier persona que sane de blogs etc,se dio cuenta hace rato que son dos Alex diferentes uno no tiene nada que ver con el otro...

follow the profile and get your shit straight woman

manolo deja el relajo ya sabemos que eres Vana

The Wizard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Vana:

It's obvious: fantomas and Alex H. are one and the same person. Alex H. is even deleting his own comments now in the best fantomas manner. The Madhouse may be the next destination for the manic twosome (onesome?), just in time, too, because that package from Romania we were waiting for has finally been delivered to The Madhouse. The sparks are going to be flying soon.

Fantomas said...

Vana or Manuel , Manuel or Vana same thing...

Oye Manolo deja el relajo ya sabemos bien claro que eres la misma persona

no te olvides de poner el Fantomas Madhouse in your first post ..ahora se me hace muy dificil llegar alli

anda manolito do me the honor or renaming the madhouse

A que no tienes pantalones o faldas ( vana or manuel) to do that

Vana said...

Manuel:

The Madhouse is the perfect place for the dynamic insane duo, I have always suspected there are two fantos, one babbles can barely write or make sense, the other I imagine must be Alex H, who has mastered the english language better, to The Madhouse they go...lol

The Wizard said...

Frankly, vanabanana or Manuel el Psycho. I don't give a rat-ass about your whining blog. You need to grow-up, quickly..how old are you again 54 or 60..dude, seriously.I'm beginning to think you are delusional, is obvious you have to much time in your hands, you need a hobby..oops you have a hobby "whining"okay, grandpa is your turn to rattle your dentures..bring it, Mr Merriam-Webster and another thing you're not Cuban.okay, grandpa your turn make it good, start attacking my intellect,or my grammar let's go Pyscho Manuel.

Fantomas said...

dejamelo a mi Alex , Manolo es mio

The Wizard said...

Let's play Tag...hahahaha You are your worst enemy, Manuel or Vanabanana.

The Wizard said...

hahahaha go clean your house or ass vieja.

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