I turned on the TV, in one of those fits of credulity which now and then assail me. I wanted to hear the evening news, to know some news, to feel closer to the reality of Syria, so distant and so near. But here information is not measured by its importance in the rest of the world... so, patience, great patience. First came a report about some agricultural crops whose growth we have not noticed on our plates; a story about the increase in beans, bananas or quarts of milk that are still playing hide and seek with our mouths. I endured it. I wouldn't take my eyes from the screen until I had heard about the deaths in Homs, the declarations of the Arab League, and the deaths of two journalists resulting from a bombing.
The minutes passed, uninformed and anxious. Suddenly I see a photo in which the blogger Miriam Celaya and other acquaintances appear, surrounded with epithets such as "mercenaries" and "traitors." The reason was their participation in a workshop on digital media, held at the home of an official from the United States Interest Section. Outside a group of restless official paparazzi were taking photographs of the event to illustrate their later telling of it, in their own way, on national television. Whenever something like this happens, I wonder why the Cuban government keeps open a representation of the United States on the Island if -- as they say -- it is a "nest of provocation." The answer is contained within the question itself: they would not be able to govern without putting the blame for the growing discontent on someone else. And, in addition, if the thousands of people who line up each week outside this diplomatic site to emigrate felt that there was no other outlet for their frustration, most likely they would take to our streets, to our plazas. In short, the Foreign Ministry suffers a visible conflict of avoidance-approach, love-hate, get away from me-I need you.
I would also love to know what happens to American citizens who visit the corresponding Cuban office on the soil of our neighbor to the north. Are their faces also broadcast on the news, accompanied by insults? Diplomacy, despite what many think, occurs not at the level of governments or presidential palaces, but person to person. So every Cuban should have the sovereign right to visit the embassies of Iran or Israel, Bolivia or Chile, Russia or Germany. Given that these contacts are not a crime under the penal code, they should be allowed and encouraged. The job of the government would be to protect these exchanges, not to dynamite them.
Even more surprising, the next day on the same boring news show, I see images of Raul Castro meeting with two important United States senators. But in his case they do not present him as a "traitor" or a "worm," but as the First Secretary of the Communist Party. I know that many will try to explain to me that "he can because he is a leader." In response to which, allow me to remind them, the president of a nation is just a public servant, he cannot engage in an action that is prohibited or demonized to his fellow citizens. If he is empowered to do it, why is Miriam Celaya not. Why not invite this woman, an anthropologist and magnificent citizen journalist who was born in 1959, the year of the Revolution itself, to some public center to relate her experience in working in the digital press, rather than relegate her to some locale provided to her by "others." Why not dare to allow her one minute -- even if it is only in the worst hour in the middle of the night -- to speak on the official television that censors and stigmatizes her?
The saddest thing is that the answer to all these questions will never appear in this dull newscast at one in the afternoon, nor in the morning, nor at eight o'clock at night, nor at...
Yoani's blog, Generation Y, can be read here in English translation.
Translating Cuba is a compilation blog with Yoani and other Cuban bloggers in English.
Yoani's new book in English, Havana Real, can be ordered here.
Follow Yoani Sanchez on Twitter: www.twitter.com/yoanifromcuba
The Biotechnological Development provide information on the large amount of money expend in the research centers used as a smoke screen for the “extensive research and development in the field of bioterrorism for military purposes.”
The WNV provides irrefutable evidence of what they have in storage for us, “Since 2001 the WNV epidemic has killed more than 1,200 people, an average of 110 deaths a year... The spreading of the WNV, besides the loss of human life and public health impact, had a substantial ecological and economical impact.” This has been accomplished with a low level biological weapon. The devastation cause by a more deadly biological weapon will be enormous.
The Mysterious Dead shows how the tyrannical Castroit regime deal with the so call “traitors” through the regime control “wonderful” health system. It is very simple and safe with the use of the “Bulgarian treatment” and inoculation of lethal diseases.
Link: http://cubanology.com/home/blog/2012/02/24/the-cubanology-blog-biotechnological-development-under-the-castroit-tyranny/
I grew up during the Cold War and McCarthy era and the US was in effect a police state, and in the South, a one party dictatorship. Members of the CPUSA were thrown in prison for mere membership in it. I share the Cuban governments concern about meeting with US diplomats since the US has invaded, supported corrupt dictators, blown up civilian jets in acts of terrorism, attempted assassinations, and is still trying by foul means to overthrow the Cuban government. That is why the Cuban government does not have much objection to other embassies being visited.
If the Cuban government could have an agency like the US NSA, then such restrictions would not be needed. So until the US ends its program of state sponsored terrorism against Cuba, I think that you will have to live with the consequences.
It really is the exact definition of the term
Just like if the US governemnt were to fund pro regime change bloggers. That person would also be known as a traitor.
YOUTUBE : CUBAN Documentary - "Wishes on a Falling Star"- Clandestine underground shops, businessmen experienced in all things illegal, dodgy pimps, mothers who force their daughters into selling their bodies -- the hidden face of the State which welcomes tourists into its luxury resorts is openly displayed beyond censorship's control. One special guide is Yoani Sanchez, the independent blogger, a leader of the new, peaceful revolution -- the revolution of ideas. The internet is its main instrument, while the government attempts to limit computer use with any means possible in a pushing and pulling of ideals. In the interview, recorded in a secret location, the young writer speaks about her country's ruin, and where Raul's reforms have no effect on everyday life. Castro's supporters and dissidents, young and old -- none deceive themselves that the star of the revolution will shine on for much longer. And this is what this project focuses on: the wishes on a falling star.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afnx7j1m6eA&annotation_id=annotation_725071&feature=iv
you don't have to look at it as a bad thing
George Washington was a traitor to Britain
But no she is not an "indepednent" blogger, she is financed by a foreign government.
And she certainly is not a leader of anything. She is more widely known in the US than she is in Cuba, and she isn't that well known in the US
STATE MONOPOLY OF THE MEDIA
The absence of an independent media is a serious obstacle to the enjoyment of
freedom of expression and the adequate review of corrupt and abusive official practices.
Restrictions on the Cuban media are stringent and pervasive and clearly stop those in the
country from enjoying their right to freedom of opinion and expression, including freedom to
seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers.8 The state maintains a total monopoly on television, radio, the press, internet
service providers, and other electronic means of communication.9 According to official
figures, there are currently 723 publications (406 print and 317 digital), 88 radio stations,
four national TV channels (two devoted to educational programming), 16 regional TV stations
and an international TV channel. All are financed and controlled by the government.10 Three
newspapers provide national coverage: Granma, which is the organ of the Cuban Communist
Party, Juventud Rebelde and Trabajadores.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR25/005/2010/en/62b9caf8-8407-4a08-90bb-b5e8339634fe/amr250052010en.pdf
The corporate owned and run media networks in the US have resulted in FAUX news being published and being nothing but propoganda orginizations. In fact, there is an American journalist who works for the BBC who is basically banned from US airwaves, Greg Palast. He has stories that are accurate, insightful, but go against the lies promoted by the MSM. Until I see Palast on US TV, I will have to regard the US media as no less controlled, biased, and false, than the Cuban models.
CONTROL OF INTERNET ACCESS
In Cuba, access to the internet remains under state control. It is regulated by the Law of Security of Information, which prohibits access to internet services from private homes. Therefore, the internet in Cuba has a social vocation and remains accessible at education centres, work-places and other public institutions. Internet can also be accessed in hotels but at a high cost. In October 2009, the government adopted a new law allowing the Cuban Postal Services to establish cyber-cafés in its premises and offer internet access to the public. However, home connections are not yet allowed for the vast majority of Cubans and only those favoured by the government are able to access the internet from their own homes.
However, many blogs are not accessible from within Cuba because the Cuban authorities have put in place filters restricting access. The blogs affected are mainly those that openly criticize the Cuban government and its restrictions on freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly and movement. For example, Generation Y is one of the dozens of blogs that are filtered or intermittently blocked by the government and are not accessible inside Cuba.
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/AMR25/005/2010/en/62b9caf8-8407-4a08-90bb-b5e8339634fe/amr250052010en.pdf
What business is it of the US to 'educate' Cubans in digital media? Is Ms Sánchez being deliberately naive concerning Cubans who attend such events? I expect the CIA contingent at the US Interests Section have by now regrouped after the devastation inflicted on them in 2003 by Aleida Godinez, aka agent Vilma.
http://tinyurl.com/7buzp7w
< "I wonder why the Cuban government keeps open a representation of the United States on the Island if - as they say - it is a "nest of provocation." " >
Simple enough. The moment Cuba closed the US interests Section in Havana, the same fate would befall the Cuban Interests Section in Washington. James Cason, the former head of USIS in Havana spent most of his time attempting to provoke Cuba into doing just that, under instructions from Washington as exposed in the Wikileaks documents.
I must add that it seems to me that, increasingly, Sánchez gives the distinct impression of desperately trying to find something fresh to stir her outrage. It would be quite sad were it not for the unwarranted damage she knowingly inflicts on the country of her birth and the encouragement given to the US to continue its program of outrageous lies and propaganda.