A brief political interlude

This morning, before school, I woke up as usual, took a shower, drank some warm milk, and went downstairs to check my email. There, waiting for me, was the following forwarded message:

All I wish to express, as a former exiled Cuban, is that Barack Obama and Fidel Castro share many personality traits, ie:
- Both were abandoned by their fathers at an early age.
- Both are charming, eloquent lawyers that say exactly what people want to hear at the right time and place.
- One never led the nation to suspect he was a communist at heart, the other doesn't mention the word socialism when in reality this is exactly what his agenda stands for.
- Neither Obama nor Fidel ever held a real job either in government or in private enterprise for they think of themselves as demigods unworthy of soiling their hands when their destiny is much larger than their own realities.
- Both were virtually unknown until they began to use the word "change" as their main political motto.
- Both have egos as tall as the twin towers, yet they manage to present themselves humbly, one in soiled military fatigues and the other sweating , rolled up sleeves and with an undone tie.
- Both have the unique ability to distort truth and lies as if they were the same.
- Both have the ability to hypnotize the ignorant and fool the wishful thinker and to divide a nation in classes, (divide and you shall win) In Fidel's case he divided the rich against the poor, the illiterate against the educated and the black against the white. In Obama's case even if by omission, he's de-facto dividing the races already.
- Another resemblance between Obama and Fidel and one that shall never be forgotten is that the American media supported the "Twentieth Century Latin American Liberator" (Time Magazine) with the same degree of irresponsibility devoted to Barack Obama today.
And lastly I'll use the words of Jorge Santayana to finish my case in point: "Those who can't remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
And in the words of Sir Winston Churchill: "The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal distribution of blessings, the inherent vice of Socialism is the equal distribution of misery."

GOD SAVE AMERICA !

Signed: Andrew J. Rodriguez,
Author of "Adios, Havana ," a memoir

Now, I don't usually dignify this garbage with a response, but I've been itching to talk politics this past week, especially as the election draws nearer and nearer.

So here goes.

All I wish to express, as a former exiled Cuban, is that Barack Obama and Fidel Castro share many personality traits, ie:
Firstly, comparing Obama to Castro is like comparing apples to bananas. Fidel is a white communist hailing from privilege who believes in violence as a means to an end, as evidenced by his leadership of the violent Cuban Revolution. Obama is a black democrat hailing from humble and disadvantaged roots, a living example of the American Dream, who believes in peace and diplomacy, who embodies all the things that we hold to be American.

Both were abandoned by their fathers at an early age.
So wait, hold on, by your logic you're saying that if your father had abandoned you as a child, you would have grown up to be like Fidel, is that right? Might be good to look up the following words: association versus causation.

Both are charming, eloquent lawyers that say exactly what people want to hear at the right time and place.
See last point. Also, that's blatantly untrue, or don't you remember that Obama was among the few members of Congress who stood up and voiced their objections to the Iraq war when everyone voted to go? A war that has set this country back in terms of our military and economic prowess, not to mention tarnished the reputation of America all over the world...

One never led the nation to suspect he was a communist at heart, the other doesn't mention the word socialism when in reality this is exactly what his agenda stands for.
Let's review: socialism and communism are not the same thing. I don't understand why this is so hard to grasp: it's the same as when people very ignorantly equate capitalism to fascism (as we know, this happens frequently in Latin Amerca). Chile is a socialist country, in our Latin American backyard, and it is light years ahead of countries like Venezuela and Bolivia (that also call themselves socialists). It has managed to both reduce poverty and expand their economy. WITH SOCIALISM! Do not equate Socialism with Fidel, or Chavez, or Evo Morales!! Remember that some of the most free and successful countries in the world are governed by a socialist model (e.g. France, Sweden, etc.) Socialism is not a dirty word - it happens to work in many countries.

Also, Obama is a DEMOCRAT - socialism, as a political affiliation, does not exist in U.S. mainstream politics, and Obama is pretty mainstream. He is the democratic party's nominee for president! Just because Obama points out the fact that the poor have become poorer under Bush, and that we as a nation aren't looking after our sick and unhealthy, doesnt mean you can draw a direct parallel to Fidel (who as I've already pointed out came from privilege and is something of a hypocrite). Just because someone has a social agenda, doesn't mean they are Fidel Castro!!

It's easy enough for you to forget and ignore the marginalized groups in the U.S. and abroad when you sit comfortably in your home, your table overflowing with food for you and your loved ones, enjoying your privileged lifestyle. Isn't it?

Let us not forget what is carved on the Statue of Liberty: "Give us your tired, your poor, your hungry, your huddled masses yearning to be free."

Neither Obama nor Fidel ever held a real job either in government or in private enterprise for they think of themselves as demigods unworthy of soiling their hands when their destiny is much larger than their own realities.
Obama has, to borrow your quaint expression, "gotten his hands dirty" with civil rights movements, with community organizations, and the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, Bush and McCain's hands are dirty with the blood of thousands of Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis who have perished for a war waged out of corporate greed.

And frankly I'm sick and tired of hearing attacks about Obama's experience when Republicans back Sarah Palin, who has even less experience and has also been found guilty of abusing her power in Alaska. You also backed Bush - a rich white guy who could barely manage a C-average at the school he was accepted to based purely on legacy, a former Cocaine addict, an alcoholic who received a DUI...any of this ringing a bell? But this is the man who you saw fit to represent our nation (instead of someone like Obama who represents our multiethnic, multiclass society, someone who got into Harvard on MERIT and excelled, going on to become an advocate for change at the very real grass roots level...)

Both were virtually unknown until they began to use the word "change" as their main political motto.
Wait, McCain has used the word change too. SO HE'S A COMMIE!! Right?

Change is also much needed in the U.S. at present, just like it was needed in Cuba at the time of the Cuban Revolution. Castro was not the answer, as history has shown, but change is not inherently bad.

Both have egos as tall as the twin towers, yet they manage to present themselves humbly, one in soiled military fatigues and the other sweating , rolled up sleeves and with an undone tie.
In what capacity exactly are you familiar with Obama's ego? Exactly? Are you his shrink? His mother??

Give me a break. If you want to attack anyone for having a big ego, look at Sarah Palin. Even prominent republicans (including writers from the very conservative National Review) have gone on record saying that if she really cared about the country, she would pass the vice presidential torch to someone more qualified who might actually help McCain win the election and run the country semi-decently.

Also, nice way to invoke the image of 9/11. Really very tactful.

Both have the unique ability to distort truth and lies as if they were the same.
Examples, please. Yes, I want a concrete example.

Both have the ability to hypnotize the ignorant and fool the wishful thinker and to divide a nation in classes, (divide and you shall win) In Fidel's case he divided the rich against the poor, the illiterate against the educated and the black against the white. In Obama's case even if by omission, he's de-facto dividing the races already.
No no, BIGOTS, HATEMONGERS, and RACISTS are the ones dividing the races. Like those fools who have shown up at McCain rallies spouting hateful racist verborrhea, and even touting racist dolls.

Another resemblance between Obama and Fidel and one that shall never be forgotten is that the American media supported the "Twentieth Century Latin American Liberator" (Time Magazine) with the same degree of irresponsibility devoted to Barack Obama today.
Yeah, um, so, because Time backed Fidel Castro, Barack Obama is, in effect, Fidel Castro?
...that's a rhetorical question...

And lastly I'll use the words of Jorge Santayana to finish my case in point: "Those who can't remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
Great quote. Let's hope you can all remember what George Bush led us to - the brink of bankruptcy.

And in the words of Sir Winston Churchill: "The inherent vice of Capitalism is the unequal distribution of blessings, the inherent vice of Socialism is the equal distribution of misery."
Like Churchill said, the problem with Capitalism is oftentimes the unequal distribution of blessings - of wealth and such. Which is directly related to distribution of misery. Of course, only the poor are miserable, so I guess it's okay...

Jesus. I'm not advocating socialism over capitalism. What I AM advocating is the end to such black and white thinking. And drawing on what works, regardless of what its political affiliation (again, see example of Chile - a country that has blended capitalist values and socialist values to the great benefit of its citizens).

GOD SAVE AMERICA !
Yes, God. Or Allah. Or Buddha. Or the GREAT SPIRIT. Or whatever you subscribe to, if anything. That is, of course, another one of our nation's laudable values.

And to end on a general note, I'm not saying Barack Obama is a saint. He isn't perfect because, well, no one is. Anyone who appears to be is deceiving themselves and those around them. To expect perfection is to set ourselves up for hypocrisy and lies. Perfection is an unrealistic and unfair burden for anyone to bear.

But he has integrity. A quality that has been noticeably absent from the republican presidential tickets in the past decade.