Monday, November 30, 2009

Citizen diplomacy

Lots of catching up to do on news items about U.S.-Cuba relations, but none of these items have to do with government officials sitting across the table from each other.

There’s weather diplomacy with the U.S. visit of Cuba’s top meteorologist Jose Rubiera…softball diplomacy with Massachusetts seniors in Havana…chess diplomacy with the University of Texas at Dallas chess team in Havana…and lots of music diplomacy: Cuba’s Septeto Nacional just played Miami, Omara Portuondo will play Miami next spring, Kool and the Gang has Havana dates booked in December (h/t Penultimos Dias), and Los Van Van is planning 70 U.S. concerts.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good signs - people and families trumping politics!

Can't wait to see los van van!


On a side note, I remember seeing Jose R. on Cuban tv reporting on huricanes. He is real good, and much more scientific than our meteorologists on TV. Basically, he doesn't 'dumb it down', like they do on our TV.

Anonymous said...

the more of these types of events, the harder it is for the hard right gusanos to try and control the message. and the more these events create energies on their own that will lead to more and more

it's time to end the travel restrictions for all americans.

let those who want to continue the embargo, to continue to control how others should think about cuba, to deny my right to travel, it's time for them to be tossed into the trashcan of history.

Anonymous said...

"the more of these types of events, the harder it is for the hard right gusanos to try and control the message."

Amen, brother! Just keep swatting those softballs, forecasting the weather and moving those chess pieces! And let's not hear any more of that dreary talk about unimportant "human rights" issues such as "free" elections, "free" speech and other trivialities

"it's time to end the travel restrictions for all americans."

Shhh, not too loud! Or those horrible gusanos will start yammering about the few trivial and unimportant travel restrictions for Cubans.

We gotta string Phil along to prevent him from thinking about the trivial subjects. Now, let's see, how about sending some U.S. kazoo players to Guanahacabibes?

Anonymous said...

the point, gusano, is for america to end the restrictions. and don't talk about human rights when the americans torture, imprison, invade. clean up your own house first.

and again, the americans deal with far worse regimes than cuba, but without the restrictions, the siege, the terrorism.

cut the crap you've been spewing for 50 years, end the restrictions for americans

Anonymous said...

everytime Bootlicker hears a criticism of Cuba he starts talking about the United States, a true Fidelista bootlicker and well-trained. When you can't deal with the issue on its merits, try to change the subject.

chingon

Anonymous said...

"the point, gusano, is for america to end the restrictions."

Exactly right. The way these gusanos talk, you'd think there were actually a few imperfections in the First Free Territory of the Americas. Jeez, you ignorant imperialistas, give us a break!

"and don't talk about human rights when the americans torture, imprison, invade. clean up your own house first"

Yes. For the life of me, I can't figure out why all these extranjeros don't concentrate on obeying their *own* Comandante before butting into other People's internal affairs!

Anonymous said...

ahh, but the americans just love to stick their noses into other people's business while letting their own system rot. it's called empire under the justification of bringing 'freedom' and 'liberty' under the corporate gun

Anonymous said...

yeah keep thinking our system is "rotting," because it makes you feel better about your own lousy existence in whatever sh*thole you're posting from. And the last thing we need is an "empire" where we have to babysit the likes of you who can't even run their own affairs with any sense of competency.