Posted on Nov 29, 2016
Cpl Security Investigator And Trainer
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I have read some terrible things about Fidel Castro throughout the years. Until recently I have always thought it was pretty unanimous that Fidel Castro was a bad guy. Now I am seeing all this praise for him after his death. This confuses me because of the atrocities he is responsible for.
Posted in these groups: Cubaflagimage1 CubaMedia 2cwljom Media
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LTC Stephen F.
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My wife and her family are Cuban and I have loved the study of history since I was a pre-teen in the early 1960's Cpl (Join to see). Batista certainly was a cruel dictator. By the time Fidel and Raul Castro left Mexico to return to Cuba they were committed Marxists and experienced revolutionaries. From 1956 until 1959 they led a guerilla warfare campaign until they toppled the existing government.
My father-in-law was in a concentration/reeducation camp because he let one of the cows, on what used to be his property until communism acquired everything, be slaughtered. A family friend was brutally beaten while locked away in prison for years and he died a few years ago having been invalided since he got out of prison as a political prisoner.
Execution of political prisoners was in keeping with Marxists and revolutionary doctrine.
The rejoicing in Little Cuba in Miami is for many reasons - the death of Fidel, the hope that Cuba will be free once again, etc.
Thanks for drawing my attention to the discussion LTC Stephen C.
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http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/north-america/item/24716-fidel-castro-death-of-a-murderous-communist-dictator
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CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
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You and your wife might enjoy the short story I wrote, "Absolving Castro", in which the communist bureaucracy prevents Fidel from seek absolution for his sins. It is predicated on my belief that not even Castro himself could alter the course he set the island nation upon. http://jackdurish.com/short-stories/absolving-castro
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SPC Jill Drushal, RN, MA
SPC Jill Drushal, RN, MA
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LTC Stephen F. - My husband's son-in-law and his family are also Cuban immigrants. (His name is Jorge, but it is pronounced like "George.") His parents had a total of six children. Until the late '60s, his parents and their first four children were living in Cuba. When Jorge's oldest brother came home from school spewing Marxist ideology, his parents decided it was time to leave. Jorge's mother and her three oldest children flew to Miami in 1968. Her fourth child had the mumps and couldn't travel, so he and his father stayed in Cuba until he was well. By 1969, both parents and all four children were living in Miami. In 1970, Jorge was the first child born in the US. His younger sister was born the following year. Both parents and the Cuban-born children became naturalized US citizens. . . Last month, Jorge and his 18-y/o son traveled to Cuba for the first time in their lives. They were part of a church mission group. Jorge said that he "felt like [he] had finally returned to [his] people." Now that Fidel Castro has died, Jorge can't wait to visit Cuba again.
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LTC Stephen F.
LTC Stephen F.
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CPT Jack Durish - My wife is still recovering/grieving from her memories of Cuba from long ago. She may be interested in your short story - but Castro is still a sore point with her because of his abuses to her family and friends. She has no desire to ever visit that nation again unless it is completely ridden of communism and totalitarian government, policy and bureaucrats.
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CPT Jack Durish
CPT Jack Durish
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LTC Stephen F. - Completely understandable. It gives new meaning to the homily "You can't go home again". My short story is based on the concept that communism is rooted in bureaucracy and not even Castro could upset it even if he wanted once it became entrenched. Thus, I see bureaucracy as the ultimate evil regardless of the government.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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You have read terrible things about Fidel Castro because he was one of the very bad guys. Now that he is dead, that does not change things.
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LTC Stephen C.
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Fidel Castro was indeed a very bad man, Cpl (Join to see). LTC Stephen F.'s wife is from Cuba and still has many relatives there. By way of this communication, I'll ask him to share his perspective with you.
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