OP/ED: The Power of Freedom to Overcome Tyranny and Terror

Originally posted by MaskedAvatar
Muaddib

I am not oppressed. I am free.

But I believe you may be oppressed.
..................
Oppression includes removal of the ability to protest, and capturing as much as possible of dissidence in some all-encompassing definition of criminality such as "potential terrorist". All predicated on victimization and lies.

Me oppressed?....i am not oppressed. Never even said i was, i am stating my opinions here.... Aren't you stating your opinions? isn't that a form of protest?....

Once more what you want Masked Avatar, is to live under an anarchy with no government, where you can protest anyway you want and do whatever you want, nomatter if you trash the rights of others who differ with you.

i never said you can't express your opinions, but to show proof that you are oppressed...which you can't show.

There have been protests by a few, yes i call 100,000-200,000 out of a country of 350 million just a few people. Yet even if they are a minority these people have been allowed to protest, but if you somehow break the rules of course these groups of people are going to be detained.... It happens even in socialist countries, such as Spain and other countries in Europe, or Mexico etc.... where people who protest and resort to some forms of violence or break any rules are detained...



[edit on 16-1-2005 by Muaddib]

Originally posted by Duzey
With regards to Cuba,

I think maybe we can all agree that the sanctions aren't working, Casto is still in power, and the Cuban people are no better off. So while it will probably not happen, another option is to lift the sanctions, and allow the people to prosper enough, so they'll have time to think about their situation and what they can do about it.

Not really, if you lift sanctions from Cuba as it has been done somewhat by some presidents in the US, it will only make castro richer. If castro wanted all the Cuban people could be fed well and live well, but my family and friends are living under a communist regime, the same one i was born at.

If people in the states saw what is really happening in Cuba i am pretty sure most people will change their minds as to what is an oppressive government.

A dictatorship were the government takes control of all infrastructure, where capitalism doesn't exist or free enterprise, unless you are communist and work for castro...then you can almost live like a king...

Originally posted by Muaddib
Not really, if you lift sanctions from Cuba as it has been done somewhat by some presidents in the US, it will only make castro richer. If castro wanted all the Cuban people could be fed well and live well, but my family and friends are living under a communist regime, the same one i was born at.

I agree that it all comes down to Castro at this point. But the sanctions don't only affect American aid efforts, they affect others. For example, if a Canadian group wanted to donate computers to a school in Cuba, they have to be very sure that, at no time, do they actually touch US soil, or they will be confiscated.

If people in the states saw what is really happening in Cuba i am pretty sure most people will change their minds as to what is an oppressive government.

I have never been there, but from what I've seen and heard it's a beautiful country. I'm sure if they could, many Americans would go there. Then they would have an opportunity to see your situation first-hand, and that could lead to more pressure on both govts.

A dictatorship were the government takes control of all infrastructure, where capitalism doesn't exist or free enterprise, unless you are communist and work for castro...then you can almost live like a king...

I think that because they can't really see it for themselves, unless they were born there, they don't know just how bad it is for you. While easing sanctions may not be the best short-term solution for the problem, in the long run it could lead to changes brought about by awareness. If people could understand your situation better by actually seeing it for themselves, they may feel more strongly about doing something to help change it.

If a Canadian government was to donate computers to Cuba castro will confiscate them and use them for other reasons...not for schools.

Any kind of aid sent to Cuba goes to castro, not the Cuban people. What people who live outside Cuba but have relatives still living there do, is either send money to their relatives directly, or some when they go to visit them bring money with them and buy what their families need. Any kind of large aid will be promptly "appropiated" by castro for the "good of the revolution".....and the Cuban people will never see that money...



[edit on 16-1-2005 by Muaddib]

A beautiful country?... There are piles of garbage in every corner in Cuba, you won't see any cats or stray animals in Cuba, they have been quickly been eaten.. The tourist centers are the only areas that are preserved and maintained so that castro can make more money from tourists, but the regular people in Cuba are left to live everyday with the piles of garbage that are on the streets, with a "libreta" or book to buy food, and only a very small amount, as well as other items.

Cuba used to be beautiful, before communism/castro took over the country.


[edit on 16-1-2005 by Muaddib]

Well, that just sucks.

But maybe that's more of a reason to open it up, so we can find out whats really going on, instead of just what we're told by the press. I guess when Castro dies one of his sons will take over, and not a lot will change. What do you think our govts can do, if anything?

The problem is not the govenrment of the US, but what a lot of the liberal media and some celebrities or hollywood friends of castro (friends because of $$$) have portrayed of Cuba. Such as Oliver stone... if you want to see control by a government of what is filmed, do watch the last film by Oliver Stone of Cuba...he did a great service to the "revolution" and castro...

If you don't believe me, DG who is one of our more liberal
Cuban-Americans in these forums can testify if she ever saw Oliver Stone's film.





[edit on 16-1-2005 by Muaddib]

Thanks, I will make of point of looking for it. I'm trying to become more familiar with the situation, and you have an insight I can't possibly have, never having been there, or even knowing anyone from Cuba.

Originally posted by Duzey
Thanks, I will make of point of looking for it. I'm trying to become more familiar with the situation, and you have an insight I can't possibly have, never having been there, or even knowing anyone from Cuba.

Actually by watching the film of Oliver Stone and not knowing what is really happening in Cuba, you will think that castro is a good man. That's the point i was trying to make. If someone that knows what is happening in Cuba saw that film, they would be outraged by the lies that Oliver Stone agreed to film.

Don't worry. There is absolutely no chance I could ever think Castro is a good man. I'm interested to see how they try to do that though.

Originally posted by Muaddib
I have asked for proof that this is an oppressive government.... Masked Avatar, and you among others, are claiming you are being oppressed...
...and all you have to show is that you went to prison by doing marijuana...btw what else were you doing at the time?.... i don't think the police went into your house because they saw you smoke marijuana.....

What you want is to live under an anarchy...not to live in a Republic....

[edit on 16-1-2005 by Muaddib]

If a cop pulls you over, they have a right to ask to search your car. If you refuse this, they will call drug dogs to walk around your car. I allowed the cops to search my car not knowing there were stems and seeds in a bag.

As well, you don't have any notion of who am or what I want.

Your last statement is akin to me saying you want to live in a 1984-world dominated by double think, lies, and oppression. You did vote for Bush didn't you?

This book is said to have heavily influenced the President's inaugural speech today.