General Discussion

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)

82. You're saying they let you rent a car in car-starved Cuba?

Fri Oct 19, 2012, 01:25 PM

Oct 2012

that they in this vicious dictatorship in the 90's, they let you roam at will with your rented car, talking to people who were allowed to say bad things about the government --bad enough to get them arrested upon your departure?

curious what kind of car you rented there. must have been pretty good, it got you around the entire island for a month!

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Fidel Castro is near a neurovegetative state from a stroke. Good. [View all] DonRedwood Oct 2012 OP

Will that be the morning headline? Castro Dead Lint Head Oct 2012 #1

Reallly? I think you might be disappointed flamingdem Oct 2012 #2

Capitalism is the worst system, except for all of the others (nt) Nye Bevan Oct 2012 #3

+1 hrmjustin Oct 2012 #8

Really? Want to compare Cuba to Haiti? Marr Oct 2012 #93

Better medical care too. alarimer Oct 2012 #129

Without the embargo? obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #135

link to miami harald DonRedwood Oct 2012 #4

You're saying they let you rent a car in car-starved Cuba? CreekDog Oct 2012 #82

Cstro is harder to kill than a cockroach. deaniac21 Oct 2012 #5

Same dude that spends his life claiming that Hugo Chavez is dying from cancer.. flamingdem Oct 2012 #6

I am not a Castro fan by any measure bluestateguy Oct 2012 #7

"And the embargo is an outdated Cold War relic that should be repealed." KansDem Oct 2012 #29

I remeber in 1999(?) seeing all those hardline anti-Cuba congresscritters Blue_Tires Oct 2012 #96

The 'chains of communism?' leftstreet Oct 2012 #9

ha ha It's so retro, and irrelevant, the Cubans are tremendous NATIONALISTS n/t flamingdem Oct 2012 #17

I didn't say they weren't...but i did not meet a single person who liked castro DonRedwood Oct 2012 #20

"And they weren't afraid to say it." Scootaloo Oct 2012 #21

Yeah I noticed that too...in fact, the OP says they were getting arrested for saying it CreekDog Oct 2012 #85

They weren't afraid to say it? aquart Oct 2012 #22

"They weren't afraid to say it," but their spirits are "broken" because castro has "sucked the life HiPointDem Oct 2012 #25

no kidding arely staircase Oct 2012 #62

Wait -- you think Castro is an oppressive dictator obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #60

They didn't feel free enough to start a political party and oppose him in an election. nt hack89 Oct 2012 #119

Which is a nice huge scarecrow obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #134

But it is perfectly true hack89 Oct 2012 #141

Cuba has at least 10 political parties 0rganism Oct 2012 #156

" No party is permitted to campaign or endorse candidates for election" hack89 Oct 2012 #157

"including the Communist Party" 0rganism Oct 2012 #160

Because candidates are chosen not elected. hack89 Oct 2012 #161

why not post the link to your source? 0rganism Oct 2012 #166

There is nothing there that points at free and open elections hack89 Oct 2012 #175

Are you refering to that intra-union fight hack89 Oct 2012 #162

yes, you "supported" the scab union 0rganism Oct 2012 #167

It was not a scab union - it was merely the union you didn't support. nt hack89 Oct 2012 #174

They were scabs. You're anti-union leftstreet Oct 2012 #196

I support unions hack89 Oct 2012 #197

so much for freedom of speech... magical thyme Oct 2012 #68

Stick around - it's election time so all the normally quiet TBF Oct 2012 #45

Well, I DO feel enlightened... Scootaloo Oct 2012 #88

Well, that was tacky. And maudlin. Comrade Grumpy Oct 2012 #10

Well, they kept re-electing Castro for some reason. Nye Bevan Oct 2012 #11

I remember watching all the Cuban presidential debates ... oh wait hack89 Oct 2012 #48

Me too and what the OP lacks is an explanation for why the police do what they do flamingdem Oct 2012 #14

+1 crunch60 Oct 2012 #26

Don't forget the legacy of US terrorism in Cuba. I mean that was what I first thought of Puregonzo1188 Oct 2012 #70

"May Cuba break free from the chains of communism" Scootaloo Oct 2012 #12

+1 Don't forget Cuba's national healthcare. Where's ours? leftstreet Oct 2012 #16

"Comminism" KansDem Oct 2012 #38

Amen to that. hifiguy Oct 2012 #65

lift the embargo and Cubans will do just fine Adenoid_Hynkel Oct 2012 #13

I agree. When attacking Cuba one is basically siding with the worst right wing and exploitative flamingdem Oct 2012 #15

+1,000 malaise Oct 2012 #31

100% this obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #61

Exactly right! nt crunch60 Oct 2012 #27

And that's why it won't be lifted. Marr Oct 2012 #95

Exactly. That has always been the biggest problem. Not Castro. n/t vaberella Oct 2012 #111

his death would be about as relevant as these cliches Enrique Oct 2012 #18

Very wrong! His death will be a huge symbolic moment for Latin America flamingdem Oct 2012 #19

+1 graham4anything Oct 2012 #28

Let us try to recall how happy we were when Batista ran Cuba. aquart Oct 2012 #23

^^^ Recommended!!! KansDem Oct 2012 #33

TY! For giving the details I couldn't. aquart Oct 2012 #100

Godfather II actually gives a good background on this obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #103

So they traded one authoritarian leader for another hack89 Oct 2012 #105

Yes, dear. That's what they did. aquart Oct 2012 #109

Free and open multi-party elections after a post revolution transition period. hack89 Oct 2012 #115

We have that. Yet no national healthcare leftstreet Oct 2012 #138

That's your measure of freedom? hack89 Oct 2012 #139

You're the one trying to talk about 'freedom' leftstreet Oct 2012 #148

Watching DUrs rationalize single party authoritarian government is so funny. hack89 Oct 2012 #151

We're an enigma, the rest of the wetern democracies have universal health care Hippo_Tron Oct 2012 #198

"The Enemy of my Enemy" is sometimes my Enemy... brooklynite Oct 2012 #193

You are a person who has absolutely no inclination as to the history of Cuba. vaberella Oct 2012 #112

Batista ruled for seven years, Castro for 60. hack89 Oct 2012 #116

And during Batista's time --- he killed 20,000 Cubans. vaberella Oct 2012 #125

So it was impossible for Castro to implement multiparty democracy hack89 Oct 2012 #127

Communists were immensely helpful in the industrial union movement in the U.S. amborin Oct 2012 #24

I thought travel to Cuba was "illegal" for Americans? KansDem Oct 2012 #30

I think most go to Canada, then fly down. I been there two times, B Calm Oct 2012 #34

Thanks for the info KansDem Oct 2012 #37

You can buy Cuban cigars in Canada. B Calm Oct 2012 #39

My sister lives in Coeur d'Alene KansDem Oct 2012 #40

Yeah, if you can afford them. Comrade Grumpy Oct 2012 #78

Americans travel to Cuba through the Bahamas Kolesar Oct 2012 #80

The thing holding Cuba is our embargo! B Calm Oct 2012 #32

Running out of corn nut stories, Snoutport? Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #35

.... TBF Oct 2012 #46

Good morning, TBF! Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #57

That is a really good point obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #58

That's the name I was trying to remember! REP Oct 2012 #89

Very interesting thread obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #92

And fruit leather! nt. Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #97

Ah, jeez. The Cuban people need to live in a cesspool of predatory capitalism like we do because Skidmore Oct 2012 #36

And he has a beard. H2O Man Oct 2012 #41

... and "dark eyes" too! n/t KoKo Oct 2012 #182

The CIA made H2O Man Oct 2012 #185

That's priceless... KoKo Oct 2012 #190

it must be terrible for the people to have access to low cost health care quinnox Oct 2012 #42

That explains why so many Americans try to ride to Cuba on inner tubes (nt) Nye Bevan Oct 2012 #72

irrelevent n/t quinnox Oct 2012 #73

Fidel didn't let USA rape Cuba Welcome_hubby Oct 2012 #43

No - he turned it into the Soviet Union's lap dog instead. nt hack89 Oct 2012 #49

That ONLY happened because of the US's cold shoulder obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #63

Perhaps. hack89 Oct 2012 #66

I'm just going to come right out and ask. Kindly Refrain Oct 2012 #74

I think that one is a gungeoneer quinnox Oct 2012 #75

Considering 40% of Democrats own guns hack89 Oct 2012 #163

No - a die in the wool Democrat from a long line of blue collar Democrats hack89 Oct 2012 #77

So In Other Words..... Paladin Oct 2012 #84

I oppose any sanctions on Cuba hack89 Oct 2012 #87

but it's only guns and sometimes taxes that you get really animated about CreekDog Oct 2012 #91

But guns are not a purely RW issue so I don't see your point hack89 Oct 2012 #94

So Casto would have rejected single party rule with some American love and money? hack89 Oct 2012 #118

Another scarecrow obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #136

You are the one rationalizing authoritarian one party rule hack89 Oct 2012 #140

No. America did that---no idea of the history then don't talk about it. n/t vaberella Oct 2012 #113

So America force Cuba to send it's armies to fight in Africa? hack89 Oct 2012 #117

and of course the US policy of burying Cuba has nothing to do with anything CBGLuthier Oct 2012 #44

Hmmm. I seem to recall the Cuban people were just as bad off before Castro... OldDem2012 Oct 2012 #47

Does that mean we can lift the stupid fucking embargo? Iggo Oct 2012 #50

LOL! TransitJohn Oct 2012 #51

The heirs of Fulgencio Batista thank you for your support. GliderGuider Oct 2012 #52

I bet nobody died in Cuba because they couldn't afford to see a doctor about a dental abscess. jsr Oct 2012 #53

Castro will die in old age. I don't get the celebrating. He kinda won. Zen Democrat Oct 2012 #54

Also, the 1960s called and said they want quinnox Oct 2012 #55

Our Stupid Blockade Has Kept Castro In Power For Decades. Paladin Oct 2012 #56

I find your OP header extrememly inappropriate obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #59

Last I checked the Cold War was over GObamaGO Oct 2012 #64

Gee. Stay classy. Zoeisright Oct 2012 #67

Thread title in extremely poor taste...n/t CorBlimeyGuvnor Oct 2012 #69

I believe it's the meanest title I've ever seen on DU. Prometheus Bound Oct 2012 #99

I agree. n/t vaberella Oct 2012 #114

you were in the USSR before the mid-80s? CreekDog Oct 2012 #71

May Cuba break free from the stranglehold of the United States. Arugula Latte Oct 2012 #76

Yup...+1 joeybee12 Oct 2012 #79

Paging Mika -- Hell Hath No Fury Oct 2012 #81

Teachers can afford month-long foreign vacations now? LeftyMom Oct 2012 #83

The Mafia ruined Youngstown Kolesar Oct 2012 #86

I love your stories, you really seem to bounce around the world CreekDog Oct 2012 #90

How many products made in Red China have you bought this week? Dr Fate Oct 2012 #98

That's an excellent insight. And, thanks for posting it. KoKo Oct 2012 #181

The 50's called, they want their overblown, fearmongering rhetoric back. 2ndAmForComputers Oct 2012 #101

best comment! flamingdem Oct 2012 #104

There is always a helluva storm in that little teapot upi402 Oct 2012 #107

Castro's status is immaterial. He is not a factor that matters in politics. LiberalFighter Oct 2012 #102

I disagree hack89 Oct 2012 #106

I like Fidel. Sure his economics might not be that good but he saved Cuba from US imperialism. craigmatic Oct 2012 #108

Yes, because Batista's mass murders, genocide of Blacks and the Wests rape and pillage of Cuba... vaberella Oct 2012 #110

That justifies 60 years of one man rule? Really? nt hack89 Oct 2012 #120

Oh so all of those things are okay?! By your estimation, then?! vaberella Oct 2012 #122

So dictators who don't indulge in mass murder are ok with you? Wow!! hack89 Oct 2012 #124

So 60 years of GW Bush would be ok as long as he didn't advocate mass murder? ok. nt hack89 Oct 2012 #126

Cuba was a poor Carribean nation before Castro and will be after... JCMach1 Oct 2012 #121

I cannot share with your enthusiasm about a human suffering, even if he doesn't feel anything slackmaster Oct 2012 #123

I suppose the OP would rather Cuba was still run by Batista and Meyer Lansky? leveymg Oct 2012 #128

No third option? hack89 Oct 2012 #130

Without Castro, Cuba would probably be similar to the Dominican Republic. Press not free there, leveymg Oct 2012 #131

So Latin America requires strongmen to prosper? True democracy is a hindrance to be avoided? hack89 Oct 2012 #132

Caudillos aren't my preferred form of governance - true democracy may exist in Iceland leveymg Oct 2012 #133

There has been no US imposed strong man in Cuba for 60 years hack89 Oct 2012 #142

Exactly. leveymg Oct 2012 #143

Do you think the Cuban people should be given a real say in what change is made? hack89 Oct 2012 #146

Who's going to give it to them? leveymg Oct 2012 #149

Up to the authoritarian government to give? Or for the people to take? hack89 Oct 2012 #150

Maybe the Evil Spock will play Che to the revolution that Fidel made? leveymg Oct 2012 #153

The world does not need another Che. nt hack89 Oct 2012 #155

Don't worry. He got turned into a commodity a long time ago. leveymg Oct 2012 #158

Ohhhh... The world will get used to many MORE Che's as we go forward with Wall Street Bankers. n/t KoKo Oct 2012 #170

Considering his unbroken string of failure hack89 Oct 2012 #177

They will do it. Two out of three of the demands of the Varela Project have been met. joshcryer Oct 2012 #165

I dispute that. Cuba wasn't occupied like DR. joshcryer Oct 2012 #164

leveymg....Excellent Point! n/t KoKo Oct 2012 #168

I am wondering why the OP never revisited this thread obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #137

Good question. In fact, there are tons of good questions in this thread. CreekDog Oct 2012 #144

Maybe he and Tom Clancy are having a reunion. Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #152

Might be too close to McCarthy Era to want to engage in discussion. KoKo Oct 2012 #169

Did you even read the OP? Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #172

+1 obamanut2012 Oct 2012 #176

Links please for my "repeated misuse of that term" here on DU.... KoKo Oct 2012 #187

This is just from two hours ago: Starry Messenger Oct 2012 #194

I lived in a dictatorship for five years... brooklynite Oct 2012 #145

Texas in the 90s? leveymg Oct 2012 #147

Really? What in your opinion is definition of "Dictator?" What definition do you use to judge? KoKo Oct 2012 #171

A dictator chooses to rule without any regard for democratic process... brooklynite Oct 2012 #173

Well we've seen a taste of that with BUSH II...but it's been a progression that's gone on KoKo Oct 2012 #178

NO - WE - HAVE - NOT brooklynite Oct 2012 #184

Wait, haven't you posted about being a 1%er before? LeftyMom Oct 2012 #179

So, because I'm financially well off... brooklynite Oct 2012 #180

Since the offense appears to be denying political domination to you and yours, and actually giving a LeftyMom Oct 2012 #186

You DO know your Filipino history, don't you? brooklynite Oct 2012 #189

Oh, Bullshit. The Candadian and European tourists there JanMichael Oct 2012 #154

Gee, I guess our embargo had nothing to do with Cuba's economic condition. WinkyDink Oct 2012 #159

"May Cuba break free from the chains of communism." marmar Oct 2012 #183

Right ON! Exactly....! KoKo Oct 2012 #188

Why couldn't it be done with free and open elections? hack89 Oct 2012 #191

Have you looked at USA in the past 12 years? KoKo Oct 2012 #192

Yes - a man of color won a free and open election hack89 Oct 2012 #195