China is certainly an authoritarian state but if you look at its economy, it’s not communist anymore. It’s really a fascist state. That doesn’t make the atrocities and human rights abuses any better but there is some privatization in the economy (much more than in Cuba). Communism is an ideology but at it’s root is an economic theory that China’s leaders have discarded.

As far as the U.S. lending humanitarian aid, I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Fidel Castro why he doesn’t allow it in? The current policy of the U.S. does not prohibit humanitarian aid going there. It’s the regime that’s preventing it from getting there.

Secondly, since when is the U.N. the authority on what’s right? Please. Quit while you’re behind.

And lastly this post has nothing to do with the embargo. So why bring it up?

I do not want to be like you, dear mother
you always sing the same old song
I do not want to be like you, comrade
you rise your hands and applaud all time
I do not want to be a blind king´s clown
I piss on your soup and I hit you

http://rebelrebel.typepad.com/rebelrebel/

The first is a music video, the second a trailer for a documentary on dissident music in Cuba, with a great interview clip of Gorki.

However, according to the political terms set by the Cuban government years ago, any opening of aid or trade with the United States signifies not merely a Cuban victory in the battle of wills, but our acceptance of the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban government as it exists today. Conferring such apparent legitimacy on that government would only give it more power to control its citizens and stifle their democratic freedoms. If there’s a way to help the Cuban people while completely bypassing Castro and his supporters, I’m sure the world would love to hear about it.

On that note, it appears that “Lipmann” is a pro-Castro fanatic (see his website) and Jones is at least an apologist despite his treatment by the Cuban legal system. I think sending either of them money would be a big, big mistake. Just send a few bucks to the Red Cross. Maybe some of it will somehow make it into the hands of genuine Cubans in need.

People who really want to help Cuba want the US to make it possible for people from the United States to help Cubans to rebuild after the massive devastation caused by Hurricane Gustav.

Here’s just one example among many:

A PLEA TO ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL
by Dr. Alberto N. Jones September 3, 2008

Three days after hurricane Gustav hit Cuba, the news coming out of the western region are dramatic, devastating and urgent. Tens of thousands of people are without the most basic means of survival, while we, Cuban-Americans who proclaims to respect the Independence and Sovereignty of that nation, are submerged in an endless diatribe, while men, women and children suffer severe and unnecessary needs.

I am therefore making a profound appeal for unity to all men without social distinction, race, creed or sex, to unite our efforts, ignore past postures or antagonistic affiliations, by extending a helping and solidarity hand to our brothers that are suffering in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

No decision or action that we may assume, should have any discriminatory character, sectarian of preferential treatment, which would only aggravate the present tragic situation. Neither must we dilute ourselves attempting to invent the wheel or ice water.

For years, people of all ethnic groups and social stratifications in the United States and beyond, have supported the Caribbean American Children Foundation in our efforts to mitigate the material needs of our people. We learned to beg, accept donations, package, ship and verify its use.

Together, we can turn a child tears into a smile. Suffice to overcome our bashfulness, courage and dignity, for some of us to begin to collect material goods, others money, still others lending their shipping license and together, without names or divisive titles, let’s ship massive amounts of donations with no strings attached, to defenseless victims of these endless natural disasters.

Alberto Nelson Jones
Cacf2@aol.com September 3, 2008