Cubanizm

What was Guevara’s underlying reason for such a strong stance on American policies? What characteristics made leaders like Fidel and Raul Castro praise him? After reading Guevara’s speech, was it obvious how he was able carry out the work of social welfare?

Che Guevara’s fierce devotion to the proletarians of Latin America and his revulsion toward the scheming, tyrannical dictatorships and imperialist governments that existed in many countries in the west made his rise to power possible. However, his cult-like status was achieved through his bravery and his moral ideals, upon which the Cuban revolution became inextricably based. Fidel Castro, at Che’s burial ceremony, said that Ernesto “Che” Guevara was a man in whose mind stirred the dream of struggle in other parts of the continents and who was nonetheless, so altruistic, so disinterested, so willing to always do the most difficult things, to constantly risk his life. His martyrdom for the cause of socialism made him even more of a national hero, particularly due to his death at the hands of the U.S. forces representative, to the Cuban socialist movement, of the greed and evil in the world. Che was considered a pure example of revolutionary virtues. He was a man of total integrity compounded with the utmost sense of loyalty and honor. Che was characterized by stoic and austere almost “opportunistic” lifestyle and a flawless pretense of conduct. The campaign of world socialization for which Guevara was the greatest advocate, lives on today mainly under the name of Che because of his status and incredible faith in the cause. For all these reasons, Che Guevara is undoubtedly the second greatest, behind Fidel Castro, if not the greatest, Cuban hero of all times.

Yu,

Do you find similar interest in activist such as: Gandhi, Mao, Mark and Engels?

Yes, I do. I like Gandhi's tactics. Marx and Engles are very cool/hard reading.

"Das Capital" is good reference reading and a real money maker for the Capitalist who's mass producing them.

Henry David Thoreau compares the United States’ government to a political machine. This machine has friction, which Thoreau explains is injustice. He states that “If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of the government, let it go, let it go...certainly the machine will wear out.” Thoreau is stating that this machine will eventually cease to run if the friction continues to occur. By having injustice in the government, corruption is ultimately the result, and the corrupt government will eventually crumble. Thoreau also explains that the people who are affected by the injustice should put an end to it, or at least make an attempt to stop it. “Let your life be a counter friction to stop the machine.” Sitting back and letting others fix the problem will accomplish nothing, but making any effort towards correcting the injustice is an accomplishment in itself. Thoreau’s position is summarized in a single rebellious act: in protest of slavery, Thoreau refuses to pay taxes and spends a night in jail. His fond account of his incarceration, as chronicled in “Civil Disobedience”, idealizes his argument for severing ties with government and further exemplifies the civic responsibility of those oppressed by it laws to reframe from participation in it’s institutions.

Why does Henry David Thoreau compare the United States government to a political machine? What does Henry suggest might happen to a corrupt government? Does he also suggest that each individual affected by a distorted government take a stance and fight for equality or simply allow the government to continue unethical practices?

Do you agree with his statement,” If the injustice is part of the necessary friction of the machine of the government, let it go, let it go...certainly the machine will wear out.”

I have to disagree with him; think about it, corruption continues till this day. The only difference is that now it’s happening at a global scale. We no longer only fight against ourselves, but also with the rest of the world.

Similarly, Mao Zedong stirred up my interest. What was the drive behind the Manifesto of the Chinese People? Why was Mao Zedong named the revolutionary leader by his people? What was one of the primary reasons for the revolt against arch-criminal, Chiang Kai-Shek?

The genesis of the People’s Republic of China was almost ideal. It was born from almost half a century of conflict during which many political systems were attempted. There was the feudal system under the warlords, followed by the democratic system, which quickly changed into autocracy. Looking at the progression of ideas in China for the first half of the Twentieth Century, one can see that the only effective change had to be a total one. China needed to be fundamentally reformed, and this needed to be done with the support of its population. The period that followed this major event in Chinese history was characterized by political corruption by its Chiang Kai-Shek’s dictatorship and many revolutionary movements directed to improving China as a world leader. Mao Zedong took a revolutionary idea, namely Marxism, and modified it to fit China’s unique culture. He also helped his party survive both ideologically and militarily, through the many hardships it faced. Mao Zedong saw his party from its very beginnings, through its trials and triumphs, and finally to the realization of its goal: a strong, united, and Communist China.

What's your feedback on this matter?

JOe,

The answer to your questions are posted on today's entry.