Saturday, May 24, 2008

What Was Missing in Obama's Speech? Fidel

The late Jorge Más Canosa, founder and chairman of the Cuban-American National Foundation, courted Bill Clinton with disastrous consequences for the Cuban people. Now his son and successor, Más Santos, whose lobbying group was excluded from participation in the "Aid to Cuba" piñata, has cast his lot with Barack Obama, who will, presumably, give CANF a better shake. The fact Obama was invited to address it is more than just an olive branch extended to him. It indicates that CANF does not consider his views on Cuba outside the mainstream of American politics, which, given what his views are, is nothing less than an endorsement of him.

This move also indicates just how desperate CANF is to seem relevant again and hear itself described once more in the MSM as "the most powerful/influential Cuban exile organization," which CANF has not been in any appreciable degree since the schism that followed Más Canosa's death. The old guard, unhappy with CANF's new openness to engaging in dialogue with the Castro regime, accused it of betraying Más Canosa's legacy and formed their own group the Cuban Liberty Council. With the so-called "hardliners" gone, an alliance of convenience between CANF and Obama is, therefore, not as bizarre as it may sound if anything is really bizarre in politics.

If Obama had simply espoused the "necessity"of engaging the Castro regime directly and left out the part about doing so "without preconditions" there would have been no difference between his position and CANF's. In fact, if Obama had substituted "with everything on the table" for "without prior conditions" (the former being only a more diplomatic way of saying the same thing) not only would there have been no difference but CANF might even have felt comfortable acknowledging that fact. This does not mean, of course, that Obama's position is in the mainstream; but, rather, that CANF is no longer a mainstream exile organization.

No American politician in the last 50 years, at least no successful politician, has espoused complete capitulation to the Castro regime as the best way to "engage" it. Forget about capitulation: negotiation with Castro, in any form, was once considered beyond the pale of acceptable discourse, though all American presidents, including Reagan, sent emissaries to him sub rosa to sound him out with predictable results. Jerry Ford came the closest of any U.S. presidents to accommodating Castro. He was only one week from announcing the resumption of ties with Communist Cuba when Castro's mercenary legions invaded Angola. It seems that Ford forgot to make not undertaking wars of aggression against other countries in the Third World one of the pre-conditions for establishing diplomatic relations.

Obama will not make the same mistake. In negotiating with Castro, "President" Obama will make no demand that Castro might reject. Where no concessions are extracted, none may be expected. That's OK with Obama, too. He is only interested in succeeding and doesn't care whether it's on Castro's terms or not. And, Raúl, of course, will try to make it as painless as possible for Obama. Not by implementing any kind of liberalization or meaningful reforms, of course. He will, however, hand over to Obama the 230 political prisoners which human rights organizations have formally annointed as such and as many of the other 230,000 in his jails as Obama may want (we don't think he'll want any more). Then it's a done deal. Fifty years Fidel has waited and now, tottering on the brink of the grave, victory will finally be his. Castro always expected that the U.S. would surrender unconditionally to him and it will if Barack Obama is elected president.

Let this be a lesson to all tyrants: Never capitulate, run down the clock, and eventually an American president wholly ignorant of history and in collusion with America's enemies, will come to your rescue, and postpone for 50 years, or indefinitely, the re-birth of freedom and democracy in your country. Fidel Castro was fortunate enough to have had one such president in his lifetime (JFK). He may actually live to see another.

In his speech, Obama made a few passing references to Cuba concealed in a surplusage of verbiage covering topics from FDR's "Four Freedoms" to the effect of youth gangs in Central America. What no one seems to have noticed is that Obama did not mention Fidel Castro in his speech as if he and his crimes had already passed into history. This omission spared him having to address Fidel as "former president" or dictator, "onetime leader" or tyrant. It also eliminated the possibility that his audience would manifest their disapproval when he uttered his name. He certainly wouldn't want to provide an occasion of his public embarrassment.

When Obama spoke of "tyranny," it was the "tyranny of oil" that he lambasted, not the Castro tyranny. And when he attacked a dictator, it was Hugo Chávez, not Fidel Castro. While accrediting Hugo Chávez's last election as "democratic [!]," Obama said that he was a "demagogue," an "authoritarian" and "perilous." He did not say the same thing about the Castros. Before an audience of more or less anti-Castro Cubans, Obama did not feel right joining in the anti-Castro "bashing" by calling a spade a spade. Besides, Obama can afford to beat up a little on Chávez. He doesn't have to restore diplomatic or economic relations with Venezuela. Hugo is good to go: Obama can attack him without hurting him. If attacking him can provide the necessary cover not to attack Castro, he is more than ready to make an "example" of Chávez.

What exactly did Obama say about Cuba?

Exactly what he had said before.

He will "stand up for freedom in Cuba" by enabling tyranny there.

Obama's real concern is to make Communism work in Cuba as it does in China, that is, work in America's interest. The repression of the Tibetans shows that the Communist Chinese have no respect for human rights and that nothing has changed in China except that it is financially more viable. The tyranny now stands on firmer ground and is better equipped to perpetuate itself into infinity. It is precisely such a "space" which Obama hopes to create for Stalinism in Cuba.

Obama assured his listeners that he wouldn't just fly to Havana the day after his inauguration. There would be some preliminary arrangements before he met with Raúl. Future Assistant Secretary of State for Latin America and Castro's onetime lawyer, Greg Craig, will iron out the details of this latter-day Munich. The preparations might take some time, he hinted. But Obama left no doubt whatever that he intends to do precisely what he has said he would do and in exactly the manner he has stipulated -- without prior conditions. He is determined to be the "hostess with the mostest" to all the world's tyrants, not just Raúl. He is going to render them harmless like a snake charmer. After all, charm has carried him a long way. He is on the verge of becoming president of the United States on the strength of it and nothing else.

Which makes the defeat of Obama all the more imperative if Cuba is ever to be free again.


POSTSCRIPT:

There's a very good deconstruction of Obama's speech at Babalú by his onetime booster Henry Gómez and even some grudging praise elsewhere for McCain's position on Cuba. I am tempted to charge Henry with gross inconsistency, but I will let it pass since he now appears to be going in the right direction. I wonder if Ros-Lehtinen, McCain's earliest supporter, boxed Henry's ears at Cuba Nostalgia? If she did, good for her. That's also the first time I've praised her in ages.

http://www.babalublog.com/archives/008392.html

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

Que clase de mierda han hecho con el pueblo Cubano. Basta ya de discursos y mierda.Que relajo y el pueblo sufriendo con un super poder a noventa millas. Enough!

Anonymous said...

CANF doesnt represent this Cuban.

Anonymous said...

Hey Manny why weren't you invited to the speech? You sure know more about Cuba than that guy from Babalu. That's probably why.

Fantomas said...

Which makes the defeat of Obama all the more imperative if Cuba is ever to be free again.



Fantomas may 24, 2008
"the future of Cuba is not in the hands of any US president"

Si estamos esperando por eso , estamos bien jodidos

To vote for Obama is to try something different which may or maynot work. iam willing to try , si no sirve in 4 more years he is out

Fantomas said...

Obama's real concern is to make Communism work in Cuba as it does in China, that is, work in America's interest

Manuel has dicho muchas verdades en ese post , al mismo tiempo has reiterado algo importantisimo

el liderato cubano NO TIENE NINGUN INTERES JAMAS de cambiar el sistema politico de cuba JAMAS, entonces que mas da que obama logre la liberacion de todos los presos , el derrumbe dl embargo y todas las restricciones y que Cuba continue con su camino como ellos deseen pero menos represivo y mas moderno

PONTE A PENSAR , lo que queremos para cuba es la elimincacion del comunismo y esto solo vendra si hay una guerra y mucha sangre derramada

who is willing to give that blood?

Are you? are the cubans inside the island? the cuban youth?

Angel Garzón said...

"...To vote for Obama is to try something different which may or maynot work. iam willing to try , si no sirve in 4 more years he is out."

Before considering the plausibility of "trying something different," it is imperative to consider the potential consequences of such a risk, not the least of which is, the imminent retirement of two, or perhaps, even three Supreme Court Justices. We must acknowledge the responsibility that is parallel with the right to vote Fantomas, we must look and see not only the trees in the forest, but also the forest wherein are the trees. Think about the potential damage to the U.S.A., Israel, Colombia, the anti-totalitarianism and pro civil, republican, constitutional democracy cause throught Latin América. Think Fantomas, think.

Fantomas said...

Angel I am only talking about the -cuban issue in regards to Obama if you are going to bring here other issues then ask the millions of Americans that are following this Obama guy

Not cuban Americans or American cubans .. the rest

Angel Garzón said...

Fantomas, I ask you again, think, please, think. It's not that difficult to see the correlation.

Alex said...

Factual correction: The CANF wasn't "excluded from the piñata", the CANF didn't want any of the funds which were procured thanks to laws they pushed through. hey wanted the funds to go straight to Cuban disidents. I corrected you already on this once.

Vana said...

Manuel:

You are so right the only dictator he mentioned was Chavez, did irrelevat CANF notice it? probably not, it takes a sharp mind like yours to notice such things.

If Obama wins the election Cuba will forever be doomed, it may take another 50 years to perhaps pull away from communism.

Fantomas said...

Angel you must be another one that does not take me seriously, right

Fantomas said...

If Obama wins the election Cuba will forever be doomed, it may take another 50 years to perhaps pull away from communism.


Vana que bruta eres chica, es lo unico que puedo " think" en estos momentos

Fantomas said...

breaking news for RCAB

muerto el lider " 1 de las FARC

MANUEL MARULANDA " TIROFIJO "

developing

Fantomas said...

Importantisima la muerte de tirofijo con fidel castro todavia " lucido" como dice Evo

castro se llevara esa derrota para el infierno , quizas se mire en el espejo de marulanda anes de partir

esta noticia tiene mucha cola de ser cierta

Vana said...

Fantomas:

La persona mas bruta del mundo eres tu, no tienes ni dos dedos de frente, el condon te tiene asfixiado.

Fantomas said...

lol, para lo unico que tu sirves es para moverle las letras a Pat

spell

O B A M A

Anonymous said...

fanto se puso aburrido esto-- que tienes de tomar ?

Fantomas said...

Manuel es el que reparte el jugo kool aid

pero yo no tomo de eso, ni loco

Anonymous said...

fanto: tienes wachipupa ?

Anonymous said...

Warfarina para Fantomas!

Fantomas said...

me gusta la champola

Anonymous said...

Champola, bebida de chample.

Fantomas said...

no , guanabana

Fantomas said...

POSTSCRIPT:

There's a very good deconstruction of Obama's speech at Babalú by his onetime booster Henry Gómez and even some grudging praise elsewhere for McCain's position on Cuba. I am tempting to charge Henry with gross inconsistency, but I will let it pass since he now appears to be going in the right direction. I wonder if Ros-Lehtinen, McCain's earliest supporter, boxed Henry's ears at Cuba Nostalgia? If she did, good for her. That's also the first time I've praised her in ages.


breaking News .... you saw it here first...

Manuel tellechea COULD close down this blog very soon since he is now praising the reason for his existence

unbelievable

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

I have praised Henry in the past and hope to be able to praise him again. Whether I can or not is entirely up to him.

In fact, I have even praised you on one or two occasions and may someday praise you again. Feel free to hold your breath. I won't.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

P.S.: Where would you see it first but here?

Fantomas said...

tengo que tener mucho cuidado contigo

hay muchas personas upset conmigo porque yo hablo contigo

very upsept

pero no te preocupes ya estan advertidos

Fulano de Cal said...

Alright, here is what I have taken from Obama’s speech:

Despite a lot of pressure, he remains committed to meeting with Raul Castro, a man who managed to kill 550 Cubans, including 273 in only 15 days. Why doesn’t anyone ask Obama if Raul’s past concerns him?

Like in the Rev. Wright fiasco, Obama just can’t get himself to directly criticize the responsible individuals, in this case, of course, Fidel and Raul Castro, or their failed communist system. I am convinced he, like many of his supporters, have always admired the Castros and their so-called “humanist” revolution.

Obama has no specific Cuba plan. He will play it by ear using “libertad” as his guide. What could he possibly offer to Raul in order for him to allow free assembly, free speech, and free elections? Come on.

Anonymous said...

"What could Obama possibly offer to Raul in order for him to allow free assembly, free speech, and free elections?"

A blowjob, maybe?

Anonymous said...

"A blow job, a blow job, my kingdom for a blow job."

Sharpshooter said...

Angel Garzon wrote:
"Think Fantomas, think"

Angel please, do not ask peaches from an elm tree. With only one brain cell and covered by a comdon, he is already having trouble spelling and writing. Not enough brain matter for a discernible and clear thought.
He is so captivated by the Obama charm, he would not be able to see the truth if it was wave in front of his rubber covered nose.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

I am well aware of the pressure that is exerted on you by the Babalunians not to comment on this blog just as I was also aware of the pressure that was formerly exerted on you to comment and disrupt the proceedings here.

But since you are obviously equally fond of the tolerance I afford you here as well as the smackdowns you receive from Agustín and Vana, I am sure that you will be able to withstand all pressure which is brought to bear on you by others that wish you to stop commenting here but do not afford you the same accommodations at their blog.

Freedom is very easy to get used to and hard to give up.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

P.S.: Were you ordered to delete this comment, fantomas?

Obama's real concern is to make Communism work in Cuba as it does in China, that is, work in America's interest. -- Tellechea

Manuel has dicho muchas verdades en ese post, al mismo tiempo has reiterado algo importantisimo

el liderato cubano NO TIENE NINGUN INTERES JAMAS de cambiar el sistema politico de Cuba JAMAS, entonces que mas da que obama logre la liberacion de todos los presos, el derrumbe del embargo y todas las restricciones y que Cuba continue con su camino como un estado comunista pero menos represivo

PONTE A PENSAR, lo que queremos para Cuba es la eliminacion del comunismo y esto solo vendra si hay una guerra y mucha sangre derramada

who is willing to give that blood?

Are you? are the Cubans inside the island? the cuban youth?

5/24/2008 6:42 PM

Fantomas said...

no , i made a correction on it , sounds better like it is

Fantomas said...

fulano de cal dijo

Despite a lot of pressure, he ( obama) remains committed to meeting with Raul Castro, a man who managed to kill 550 Cubans, including 273 in only 15 days. Why doesn’t anyone ask Obama if Raul’s past concerns him?

Sera bruto este fulano de cal.... Mc Cain se ha reunido con los vietnamitas que causaron la muerte a 50k plus americanos, ha habladdo inclusive con sus torturadores, los Estados unidos ha hablado con Libia, con North Korea, hacen negocios con los chinos, mientras la gente del Tibet muere todos los dias, que mas da que hablen con un hombre que solo ha matado a 550 como tu dices...Borron y cuenta nueva bro, de lo contrario JAMAS llegara la libertad para Cuba , jamas

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

fantomas:

You really must stop deleting your posts:

you are like CNN, very fast

you saw it first here

lo demas es parking

5/25/2008 2:28 AM

Anonymous said...

damas del blanco endorced obama's plan.

so real cubans don't feel the way you express on this post.

Angel Garzón said...

More than three hours have elapsed since the proof of being a true Santiaguero questionnaire was posted by me for Fantomas (as per his request) to confirm the veracity of his claim. No answers have yet been provided by Fantomas, even though he has posted some comments on another post after the questionnaire was published.

IT IS OFFICIAL, Fantomas cannot answer any of my Stgo. queries because he IS NOT from Santiago de Cuba, Fantomas is a Puerto Rican that pretends to be Cuban, he knows that Orientales from La Campiña (guajiros) speak with a cadence that's similar to that of Puerto Rican peasants (jibaros.) One more label that can now be added to this Fantomas character. What say yee Fantomas?

P.S. For the sake of clarity and transparency, I must state that I have been married for almost thirty years to a Jersey Rican, born and raised in New Jersey, of Puerto Rican parents.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

angel:

I suppose you posted the questionnaire on fantomas' blog. That was kind of you. Almost nobody visits Abajo Fidel because it is toxic with viruses and tends to knock you off with great regularity, or, worse, will trap you and not allow you to go anywhere else.

The blog is the man, as I have often said.

Fantomas said...

oye manny i had fixed those problems already don't be spreading rumors that are not true