Friday, September 26, 2008

Odds and ends

  • Secretary Gutierrez, for no apparent reason, issues a statement about the “Cuban Regime’s Failure” to accept U.S. aid offers. I think the Administration’s offers were made in good faith, and I think Cuba’s rejection was wrong. But if there’s the slightest chance that the aid could flow, how does a statement like this help?

  • The Center for Democracy in the Americas has a 6-minute video of an interview its staff conducted with a resident of Vinales, Pinar del Rio, which was hit by both Ike and Gustav. He describes the damage to farms and crops, his attitude about getting back to work to pick up the pieces, and the recollection of his 96-year-old father-in-law about the hurricane of ’44. With English subtitles.

  • Western Union cut its fee for wiring remittances to Cuba to $14.99, through November 14. The company’s release doesn’t say what the price was before this temporary discount, but when the service started it cost $29.

6 comments:

leftside said...

Phil, what am I missing? Why can't the US just donate the aid money and supplies to an international NGO and quit all this nonsense?

leftside said...

This is Guitierrez's 5th press release peddling the same lie since the hurricanes hit. Anyone who thinks the US offer is being made in good faith and not a political matter is deluding themselves.

Anonymous said...

leftside is beside himself because the regime's callous disregard for the Cuban people is on full display.

leftside said...

This current situation is analogous to the beat up victim of a wife beater being offered money to cover the cost of a sprained ankle while the beatings were continuing.

If the Cuban people were happy being paid a pittance in exchange for their dignity, there would never have been a Revolution.

Anonymous said...

This is grotesque. Castro (obviously from a safe and sound place) telling the Cuban people living in shelters or damaged homes, probably hungry, with no hope for the future, that what is more important to them right now is their "dignity" -- as he alone defines it. And this poster applauding all the way. what is wrong with you people?

Anonymous said...

I can't believe those poor people in Viñales are getting so little help form the govt! That is what you get if you really listen to what that peasant farmer is saying. Not even mattresses yet. It seems they will have to rely, primarilly on themselves to rebuild and eat. And Castro giving away meds and other items to neighboring countries! May God help them!