Tout est perdu fors l'honneur
My 80-something year old Grandpa who…
-fathered 6 children, has countless grandchildren, and even more nephews and nieces, survived his wife and three kids, seen two World Wars, heads of state come and go, bought his first pair of shoes during his late teens, witnessed the gradual lost of his fellowmen’s civil rights, who has worked his entire impoverished life and who continues to amass knowledge, wisdom, and age-
…was just "given permission" to visit us (his family) in the states. Here’s a small list of other things that an (80+ year old) adult is not allowed to do without permission:
-Travel abroad without government permission.
-Change jobs without government permission.
-Change residence without government permission.
-Access the Internet without government permission (the Internet is
closely monitored and controlled by the government. Only 1.67% of the
population has access to the Internet).
-Send their children to a private or religious school (all schools are
government run, there are no religious schools in Cuba).
-Watch independent or private radio or TV stations (all TV and radio
stations are owned and run by the government). Cubans illegally
watch/listen to foreign broadcasts.
-Read books, magazines or newspapers, unless approved/published by the
government (all books, magazines and newspapers are published by the
government).
-Receive publications from abroad or from visitors (punishable by jail
terms under Law 88).
-Visit or stay in tourist hotels, restaurants, and resorts (these are
off-limits to Cubans).
-Seek employment with foreign companies on the island, unless approved
by the government.
-Run for public office unless approved by Cubas Communist Party.
-Own businesses, unless they are very small and approved by the
government and pay onerous taxes.
-Join an independent labor union (there is only one, government
controlled labor union and no individual or collective bargaining is allowed;
neither are strikes or protests).
-Retain a lawyer, unless approved by the government.
-Choose a physician or hospital. Both are assigned by the government.
-Refuse to participate in mass rallies and demonstrations organized by
the Cuban Communist Party.
-Criticize the Castro regime or the Cuban Communist Party, the only
party allowed in Cuba.
(if your feeling a bit of inner discomfort, worry not, you are not coming down with the flu. You are simply experiencing .0001 percent of the disgust that Cubans have to accept 100% on a daily basis.)
info credit: NetforCuba
It's sad that some countries in the world are still in the grip of communist minds ...
But I know you must be excited about the news that Abuelo is coming to visit!
I am glad you highlighted these egregious injustices on your blog.
Quarterly I get into a heated debated with these pro-Castro fascist that think because racism is outlawed (which in practice it is not) and because there is a program of universal health care in Cuba that it is deserves our support.
Don't get me wrong I think the embargo has it problems, but I can't understand supporting a government that oppresses its citizens.
Around here in the “progressive circles” I am known as a counter-revolutionary.
The CBC should be ashamed for supporting Fidel Castro's regime.
oh yeah and I'm glad you get the opportunity to visit your grandfather in the States...maybe he'll remain here.
Very upsetting, yet true facts about Cuba. I have a few friends from undergrad, all Cuban, who couldn't see loved ones because of the still imposed embargo, etc.
T.Zac: don't feel bad I feel as strongly as you do, and I'm called a lot worse by friends and enemies alike.
have both of you been keeping abreast of the social studies teacher at Beacon High SChool here in the city who is currently being investigating for ignoring the embargo and taking a group of kids from the school to Cuba for spring break??
It's a complete mess...and the teacher AND the kids are currently being fined $65K A PIECE...jacked up right?
i can identify with this alot. sounds very much like life in my country, and though Iran is supposed to have some form of democracy,i'd rather go swimming off the coast of Cuba than in the Persian Gulf.