Cuba: Waiting For A Revolution - Promo

I think some of the knee-jerk apologists for the Castro regime who have posted here should talk to some of my Cuban immigrant neighbors who risked their lives to come to the U.S. by crossing the Caribbean on dilapidated boats and rafts simply because Cuba is a dictatorship (that and they were tired of having to ration soap, among other things). And just because this country hasn't played fair when it came to Cold War foreign policy in Latin America doesn't change the fact that Cuba is a dictatorship.

I also think it's ironic that Current TV regularly gets accused of having a liberal/left bias, but then another commenter equates the channel with Fox News because Vanguard had the temerity to show Cuba's regime in a less-than-positive light. I guess you can't please everyone.
However, embargo hasn't worked, either (especially since the Castro regime has used it as a crutch).

That being said, I enjoyed this Vanguard episode.

There is no one more opposed to that regime than Cubans themselves. The only ones that defend it in any way are non-Cubans. There is nothing better than the testimony of the people who lived there as Cubans. Foreigners and tourists are treated very differently and its easy for them to get a different experience of the island...

So far all the Cuban members on this article have been consistent in our experience with the revolution as repressive and evil:
(Me, Zurama, HeartFactory, icalbert, and Hozer100)

The only ones who defend it are the people who never lived there as native Cubans.

And for all of you out there that like to complain that the US needs its own revolution I have only one thing to say: YOU DON'T KNOW HOW EASY YOU HAVE IT HERE.

This country has its own issues, but they are never as serious as to need a revolution. That is what is great about this country, it was built to allow for peaceful change by the people. You have all the tools, free press, freedom of speech, a democratic system in which you can choose your representative in government. Authors are allowed to dissent and the mere fact that all of you are here on the internet expressing your ideas freely is a testament to this country.

It is perfectly acceptable to be critical of this country and it has its issues, but make no mistake about it, this is the best country on Earth to live in.

Lets look at the facts... Cuba is a Stalinist-type dictatorship with no respect for human rights and an oppressive and controling govt. I have visited Cuba several times to bring to bring medicines and CLOTHES to my family and I can vouch for EVERYTHING in this documentary being TRUE. For those of you that want to defend the Cuban Govt. Go down there and see what a miserable hell it is for the Cuban people. Get your facts straight, you naive fools!

First, I'd like to commend Current for airing this piece. As a Cuban-American who has travelled to Cuba on eight separate occasions (to be with family because they are not allowed to travel outside of the country and this has been the only means of seeing them) I was truly touched by it and the way it captured the current state of Cuba as I've witnessed it with my very own eyes.

As was stated early on in the documentary, Cubans are prisoners in their own country. There is no free speech, no freedom of the press, no property rights. The government owns you and your house and the land your house sits on. Everyone likes to point out that Cuba enjoys socialized healthcare, which can be as free as you'd like, but when there's no medicine to treat your tumor it doesn't mean squat! When you have to pretend to believe in your government's policy or else risk being shunned by your peers, blacklisted and never able to work a decent job again (forcing you to turn to the black market), it doesn't mean squat! When all you want to do is fry some plantains to compliment your government-rationed chicken and rice dinner, and you can't because for the last four months the stores haven't had any vegetable oil to sell, it doesn't mean squat!

And while I understand that going back to basics is in vogue in capitalist countries like the US, the basic necessities that Cubans survive on would be considered completely unacceptable living standards by the very bourgeoisie crowd who forgets how lucky they are to have the ability to talk about public options and farmer's markets, in the first place!

Change must come to Cuba. The counter revolution to the revolution is about giving young people the opportunity to grow as free-thinking individuals, with an option to choose their own path in life. That roof that the Cuban government so kindly provides is an old rusty tin roof, riddled with holes, and will fly away during the next hurricane. That free education the Cuban government is so considerate to offer is based off a very biased lesson plan, and reads more like propaganda literature than factual information. At the end of the day, the Cuban struggle is one of human rights.

And it's pieces like this Vanguard episode that will help others see the potential. So don't knock it for trying. Had we all been paying closer attention and caring, could the situation in Iran have been avoided? Hopefully, we can avoid a similar gaffe in the Caribbean. But as the Cubans say: No es fácil.

The toilet paper shortage is no news! In the 70s there was the same shortage!

Very insightful and take the opportunity to change the destiny of a nation

Okay opinionated few... I am Cuban American, no gusano in site. There is a spook in every corner. Any groups of more than 5 are scrutinized if they are not approved by the local communist committee. You can be arrested very easily and held with no explanation of your crime, oh wait, that happens here, Miranda where art thou? Regardless of the sanctions, the black market will always exist. The recent toilet paper shortage was nothing more than hoarding, a tale of two commies, lets say, How high are you in the party? The Class struggle exist in any government. It is the ingenuity of the Cuban people that has separated them from the rest of the world since their beginning. The soul. The desire to live on, this may be the same reason why communism flourishes, as conflict is avoided and their ingenuity is applied to go around the system. Right now the dollar economy in Cuba is probably about $100 million or more. This is a flawed system. Tourist continue to go to Cuba and feed that black market and more each day officials look the other way if their pockets get lined. The next revolution will be one of osmosis. Too many dollars to avoid. Remember the first independence? El grito de la Yara should not be forgotten, nor should the Platt amendment, allowing the US to bypass the Cuban Constitution in 1902 through intervention, somewhat similar to our Patriot Act. Now even with all those striking similarities, we as Americans can fight for our rights, we can change the process through litigation and effect the system. The Cubans are doing it via the underbelly. This reality may show the raw nature of every cuban and allow you to connect and feel the heart and soul of the cuban people, but it does not justify their plight. We may dance in their streets, sing a son, or drinking rum with locals, sneak back painting, and tell our friends wild stories of uninhibited nights, but when the whistle blows and we go back to our ivory towers and the poor cuban goes back to their modest house, holding their tongue and wishing for change. This is the truth. Is a McDonald's in every corner the answer, Ask China? They have a changing metabolism and increased obesity to thank us for. It is not about exporting democracy it is about going back to 1901 and hitting the reset button. Allow the Cuban's their constitution, formally repeal the Platt amendment as a show of Sovereign dignity and let the people find their voice. Guidance will be found by both the US and Cubans together learning lessons from each other. If the youth are to be the next revolution, let them read 1984. "He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future.”
George Orwell
Good Luck, my Brethren!

medical apartheid
tourist apartheid
Communism
Thieves
Hidden Bank Accounts off shores
Escape Plan
Deteriorated Culture
Degenerated Youth
Misconception of reality
Idolatry of Shameful idols
2009 RESTRICTED INTERNET USE
CASTRO TAX on REMITTANCES
......page 1 of 69

As said Diego Maradona "keep sucking".

This appears to be based on the premise that Cuba IS waiting for a revolution against their Revolution?

In any case, look forward to seeing the piece in its entirety.

Well going to Cuba I talked with a few people there and they told me really your opinion on the state depends who you are. For a young person seeing all these tourists come in with these fancy goods, makes you want to leave as the grass is probably greener on the other side. For an old pensioner who can't otherwise support himself it's better to stay in Cuba. Depends what you need and what you want I guess.

The embargo has made things very hard in Cuba... imagine paying 5 Cuban Convertibles for toothpaste that's like $10USD. But you still get a basic ration that you can further implement with your salary at least and your healthcare and your transportation are pretty much taken care of. It's pretty much the same in all communist countries where you get your basic scrapings and the rest depends on your rank in society.

The point is you get your bare necessities (or at least theoretically so). And well to be honest Cuba is not a large country... everything down to it is part of an island society. It will probably never be fully self-sufficient and thus therefore it will be hard to run smoothly satisfying everyone without a strong central government. Really to be honest while personal freedoms are nice and I think it's fantastic I think we are discussing this openly on an internet forum, most people could care less as long as they have a roof on their head, a job and food to keep them fed.

I'm glad Current is airing this... Its about time people found out what is going on in Cuba. There's alot of fairy tales going around about what Cuba is like... Its about time people knew the truth.

perseonally. I know people from Cuba............. simple as this.. grass always lookgs greener on the other side for ALL countries... but the quality of life is not determined by money and many end up going back or wishing to go back once they realize this. All about a 'lifestyle' war in the media.......... Cuba is still richer than many in Africa and why doesn't the US highlight that? What about parts of Asia... why doesn't the US attck that?

If you think we should have Cuba........ Look at what has happened to Puerto Rico post annexation. Drugs going wild and aids are spreading like wildfire... people better wake up... yes there is choice but devices such as this media can persuade most people b/c most are weak in mind and hanit

this episode looks really good...season 3 is off to a nice start

If they only had the CIA and Twitter...worked out great in the Iran election. Or maybe they should hire Simon Mann and Executive Outcomes (get wiki with it).

This is absolutely ridiculous. Doesn't this network realize the basic fact that most of Cuba's problems are due to the EMBARGO? That is why Cuba is such a difficult place, and the main reason why there isn't presidential democracy. When your neighbors north try to kill you with, among other things, exploding cigars, you are in a state of siege.

Not to mention, the FBI currently aids and abets anti-Cuba terrorists

http://www.counterpunch.org/alarcon10152009.html

Current, you're just as bad as Fox. You are a network producing sub-par stories trying to inculcate a generation of 'young Americans' you take to be insipidly stupid.

Media Sabotage........ Don't believe the hype.

We need to make Cuba like the USA-- everybody can still be poor, except for the rich people who can move back and avoid being taxed. And there will be fewer social services.

Who will fund this revolution? Hopefully not the bankers.

I remember suggesting this topic to Laura Ling while she was on chat during the special she made on drug wars on Mexico. However this was probably not the kind of doc I was looking forward to. Yes obviously there are problems in Cuba, but to overlook their advances in social services for well "personal" freedoms is well not very productive let's say. Well I'm Canadian and have been to Cuba and you can clearly see a class difference in residents but no really I don't think a documentary like this is necessary, we see too much of this "Cuba" stuff and this is just more media pollution.

Never----Cuba, according to Current Members, is perfect in health care and in music concerts.

watashi wa kyo tanjoubi desu

VIVA Revolution!

What Revolution?

Together making it a revolution...