Tuesday, July 15, 2008

A Question from Ms. Calabaza About Babalú's Flag Desecration

MaT,

May I play the devil's advocate in this situation? I believe that the post at
Babalú was not meant to desecrate the flag but as a form of satire/irony. The poster had no idea that it would offend so many, especially those of a certain age and above ~ due to our life experiences and beliefs. My question is: What if after Angel Garzon's comment to Babalú which I have lauded and found to be very much in step, Babalú would have taken the flag down. They could have simply stated that it was not meant to offend in any way, but because of the mere idea that anyone could take it that way they were removing it.

Would this have been the end of the issue?

PS - I am NOT trying to add fuel to fire, quite the contrary.
7/14/2008 3:29 PM


Although ignorance is not an excuse it is certainly one that the Babalunians could plead in all honesty not only as regards the desecration of the Cuban flag but any other issue relating to Cuba on which they choose to deliver themselves of an opinion. George Moneo could well have inserted Eduardo's Sarmiento's cartoon in Babalú as "The New Cuban Flag" without the slightest inkling that it constituted a profanation of the Cuban flag. Indeed, I will go so far as to accept that if George had known or somebody else had told him that the caricature, whatever its social commentary, was first and foremost an insult to the Cuban flag, that he would have resisted the urge to seem "cosmopolitan" at the expense of proferring an insult to our flag. If George had known the provenance of the cartoon he would also have been loathe to publish it. The fact that it is the work of one of Castro's caricaturists would surely have sounded an alarm for him. But, of course, he reproduced the offensive cartoon without knowing the artist or the artist's agenda. This is because his knowledge of Cuban history and the quehacer cubano (Cuban reality) is limited by the fact that he does not speak Spanish and has never set foot in Cuba in his life. On one level, of course, such an interest in his Cuban roots is commendable. It is not so commendable, however, for him to opine on Cuban affairs when he refuses to learn our language which is the portal to our history and culture. The greatest service that George can do for our country, as well as the greatest favor that he can do for himself, is to learn Spanish. I do not think that it is beyond him even now. I am sure that if he had taken the trouble to do so over the last 50 odd years he would surely have avoided this and other embarrassing situations.

But once the offensive cartoon was published and its real character pointed out to him and all the Babalunians, what was Babalú's reaction? Well, it was not the reaction of a true patriot who might have given offense unintentionally to our flag but would never persist in his error once it was pointed out to him much less deny the offense by confirming it. It is interesting that George was joined in what now amounted to a defense of the desecration of the Cuban flag by Val, Alberto and Claudia: a Cuban who left the island at age three; another, dubbed "El Americanito," because he was not born there; and a third who is not Cuban. Again, I consider it commendable on all their parts, and especially Claudia's, that they feel Cuban. But that really isn't enough. In fact, it much too little if you intend to dictate to Cubans "of a certain age" and "with life experiences and beliefs" formed in Cuba how they should react to the desecration of our country's most sacred symbol. It may just be that their "Cuban radar" is not what it should be. They do not see the irreverence because they have never worshipped at our temple; they cannot understand the offense because it does not touch them personally. I do not doubt that they would be quick to perceive and denounce any desecration of the American flag. This is, after all, their country. Cuba is a country of interest to them. Of course, it is not the same thing.

If Babalú had taken down the desecration I would have been surprised and pleased. It would have represented an encouraging step towards genuine cubanidad. Instead, Val deleted the entire discussion on the flag desecration, which contained Marc Másferrer and Angel Garzón's devastating and unanswerable critiques. This I consider to be a further disrespect of those whose judgment and patriotic sensibilities are keener than theirs. It is, however, in keeping with Babalú's traditional response to dissent of any kind.

59 comments:

Anonymous said...

Manuel alguna vez te has puesto a pensar que tu eres el satelite #1 de Babalu

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

RCAB is a sun that shines for all (yes, even for Babalú).

nonee moose said...

Careful, Icarus. Don't fly too high...

Anonymous said...

Baja de esa nube Manuel, be more humble

Anonymous said...

Manuel how many monikers can you have with Google?

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

nonee:

Icarus need not fear RCAB'S sun. Its light illuminates all and shines kindly upon all.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

"Manuel, how many monikers can you have with Google?"

As many as you want, fantomas.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

anonymous:

Don't confuse RCAB with Manuel A. Tellechea. RCAB is not solely my work. It is the work of the entire RCAB community.

Anonymous said...

Does that include fantomas??

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

It does not exclude fantomas.

Anonymous said...

Manuel:

Your information is incorrect. George Moneo was born in Cuba and speaks fluent Spanish. Just because he doesn't use it in his posts doesn't mean he doesn't speak it.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

imetmoneo:

A source very close to Babalú assured me otherwise.

I would be glad if George spoke Spanish. On the other hand, it would take away the only excuse George has for posts like "The New Cuban Flag."

Anonymous said...

"Your information is incorrect."

That hasn't stopped MAT before. why do you think now would be any different.

Vana said...

I believe the biggest mistake they made was to name the post "The New Cuban Flag" they could have posted it to show the mentality of one of Castro's caricaturist, instead they showed us theirs.

Anonymous said...

Manuel you are not following Anatasio's ORDERS.

"Manuel - don't EVER say anything like that again. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

The Wizard said...

wow! just Wow!...Dude, like get over it.Sure, val and crew their lack of intelligence and insight is refreshing.

The Wizard said...

People who take advantage of all the opportunity this country affords should not have the right to desecrate this sacred symbol of our beloved island Cuba; that’s not freedom of speech, it’s treasonous.

Manuel A.Tellechea said...

Anonymous said...
Does that include fantomas??

7/15/2008 11:00 AM


Manuel A.Tellechea said...
It does not exclude fantomas.

Fantomas is the life and blod of this blog

Anonymous said...

Alex, I have some advice for you. Slow down on the steroids. It's not just your peepee that's been affected.

The Wizard said...

Well. changing the topic for a few seconds:

Michelle Obama on the New Yorker Cartoon looks like Angela Davis, the famous Black Panther activist.

K,I'm done..Continue. That was a brain fart..sorry lol

The Wizard said...

rant, rant, rant, yea, yea, lol

Anonymous:

if you're going to insult me, please " DO A BETTER JOB" I'm the king of Sarcasm" So be careful.lol

I'd insult you, but you're not bright enough to notice.lol next!

The Wizard said...

Manuel:

I'm not. Thank you for asking.And I have zero respect for Val and Fantomas...Well, Fantomas is out, he wasn't born here in the good'ol United States of America...and for Val we have plenty of Jackass in Washington.

I hope, I responded clearly...lol

Anonymous said...

Well, Fantomas is out, he wasn't born here in the good'ol United States of America

Are you saying that if you are not born in the good'ol you are up to no good

Discuss

Anonymous said...

Alex Hernandez= Serafin el carnicero

Anonymous said...

I'm not. Thank you for asking.And I have zero respect for Val and Fantomas

I know about Val but Fantomas What has Fantomas done to you personally, did you meet him in Nostalgia


Discuss

Anonymous said...

Manuel's best blog with his best content:

http://thebestofmanuelatellechea.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

How about CACAluchea blog for the new Fantoma's idea

Anonymous said...

Val knows his beer

He drinks Busch Light and Colt 45

Anonymous said...

Val knows his beer

No man I saw Val drinking Rolling Rock , the green bottle

Fulano de Cal said...

Someone born in Cuba is unlikely to have been named "George"

And if he changed his name from Jorge, then he should have changed it to Arrepentido Moneo

Anyway, so that George does not end up with a Mexican accent if he decides to learn Spanish, I suggest that George checks out "Cubano con Barreras"

However trying to learn Spanish when oyu are so old is tough..

Anonymous said...

Val drinks Hatuey, Milwaukee Best, Pabst Blue Ribbon and Miller

Anonymous said...

Moneo habla y escribe perfecto español. Lo que pasa es que he is ashamed of it

Americano cubano arrepentido de haber nacido en Cuba

For him Cuba is the black hole or the black dump in the Caribbean

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 2:38-

That site is genius. Pure genius.

Anonymous said...

TOO MANY MANGOS FOR VAL He has to go and puke ...pobrecito

I'd run down and comment on the entire ruminationary article, but I gotta go puke. Read the whole disgusting thing here.

Posted by Val Prieto at 03:04 PM | Habla (2) | Leenkaso (0)

Anonymous said...

Manuel the kids kept you busy this afternoon, how many comments have you edited today

Anonymous said...

Manuel,

por que no le pedimos a Moneo que nos hable en espanol manana en el Radio Hour?

Anonymous said...

Fantomas: Me gusta tu idea pero porque no llamas al Radio Hour manana y empieza un dialogo. Asi como ellos creen en la democracia, pueden platicar sobre porque the botaron de su blog.

Fantomas said...

Yo participo en el webchat de su programa todas las semanas. Lo que pasa es que no quiero entrar en polemicas ni insultos por la radio
Ademas el señor moneo es una persona muy intransigente . significado de que vale llamar para que te salgan con una groseria y te humillen en el aire y despues te cuelgen sin dejarte hablar

Anonymous said...

Fantomas, are you afraid of George?

Val?

Henry?

Ziva?

The dark?

Anonymous said...

Famtomas met George at Nostalgia. Can George speak spanish Fantomas?

Fantomas said...

Creo que la idea sigue siendo genial . Los dos bandos con el password del nuevo blog de esta forma todo el mundo entra y sale comenta y postea sin censura. el unico compromiso que hay que hacer es que no se deben borrar ningun comentario. Creo que esta idea podia ser lo que realmente necesitamos ..llegar a un entendimiento. Because after all we all want the same thing ...to destroy the revolution como sea

Babalu se ha convertido en un nido derechista , intransigente e intolerante, de personas que tienen buena fe pero carecen del mas elemental conocimiento de la cuba actual y esto mayormente se debe porque nunca han vivido alli, habemos otros nidos que somos menos derechistas ,menos intransigentes y mas tolerantes, con vision futuristica no revanchista sin ser ni comunistas ni izquierdosos.. Ahi esta la clave
ahi estoy yo

Anonymous said...

Fantomas:

Te comprendo. Pero entonces, me estas diciendo que solo toman llamadas de sus "fans" como Mami, Papi y otros comentaristas de Babalu? Cierto? Entonces esta es la democracia que Babalu quiere para Cuba? Eso no es lo que hacen in Cuba ahorita? Que lastima los cubanos no aprenden.

Fantomas said...

No i did not meet Moneo at nostalgia

and No Why should I be afraid of them

there is no need for that

Fantomas said...

I have no idea where moneo was born

who said Haiti

Anonymous said...

Fantomas:

don't EVER say anything like that again. Have I made myself perfectly clear?

Fantomas said...

what?

Fantomas said...

Fantomas:

don't EVER say anything like that again. Have I made myself perfectly clear?

what?

Fantomas said...

Who's line was that

anastasio?

Anonymous said...

Anatasio said:

"Fantomas:

don't EVER say anything like that again. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"


BUSTED

Fantomas said...

regreso en 3 horas

los espero a todos por la noche

Anonymous said...

Anastasio es el bodyguard de Babalu y el poodle.

Anonymous said...

ay fanto,
ya te hecho de menos!

Anonymous said...

ay fanto,
me vas hacer sacar los kleenex. Entre las palabras de Val y esto estoy destruida.

Anonymous said...

ay si, cuando Valentin escribe de piedras o de mangos hay que sacar los kleenex. Ya la gente en mi trabajo saben cuando yo estoy leyendo un escrito de Valentin.

Val you are SO right.
Val you are 395% right all of the time.

Fantomas said...

All Star Break back @12am

Anonymous said...

long game

Fantomas said...

Al segunda base de los Marlins hay que enviarlo para Doble A . Que idiota ese Dan Uggla . cometio 3 errores( por poco comete 4) , se poncho tres veces y dejo como a 5 en base, Solo espero que los Marlins lleguen en ultimo lugar y este Uggla ojala se lesione por vida

Anonymous said...

"ojala se lesione por vida"

Que buena gente eres Fantomas

Anonymous said...

M Tellechea, Fantomas , and Val
doing their thing

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/owner/k7poqLp4ORw2JKwx#/view/k7poqLp4ORw2JKwx