AJC wrote:
> On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 13:14:54 GMT, "Gregory Morrow"
> wrote:
>
> >
> >Brian K wrote:
> >
> >> On 10/24/2003 1:11 PM Sjoerd while directing tourists to the Zazu Pits,
> >> was inclined to say:
> >>
> >> >"James Anatidae" schreef in bericht
> >> >news:bna8o0$47cj$1@news3.infoave.net...
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >>I have to say I whole heartily approve of this. Castro is going to
die
> >> >>someday and the more influence America can have with the Cuban people
> >the
> >> >>better.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >The last thing that Cuba needs after Castro dies is "influence from
> >> >America". US influence is probably inevitable, but I guess Cuba
deserves
> >> >some independence after decades of American colonialism followed by
> >decades
> >> >of Castro dictatorship.
> >> >
> >> >Sjoerd
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> The influence is already there. Cubans are avid readers, there is a
> >> black-market in US authors besides Hemingway. Also, as in communist
> >> Russia, Levi's are a prized possession, along with US music. As a
> >> global power, regardless of any overt action, US Culture can be found
> >> just about everywhere. Even in dirt track Amazon Jungle settlements,
> >> you can buy a Big Mac.
> >
> >
> >I don't think that's what Sjoerd means. He means *political* influence,
not
> >cultural influence. Cubans have always embraced Yankee cultural
influences,
> >e.g. baseball, literature (Hemingway), consumer goods, etc. Culturally
> >speaking, Cubans are the most "pro - US" folk in all of Latin America.
>
>
> Pretty standard behaviour then. If you ban something, drink, drugs,
> ., you immediately create a fascination for it.
I think you are discounting the Cubans, who are a pretty sophisticated bunch
(at least in urban areas): they are well - educated, many have access to US
broadcast media (MW/SW radio broadcasts, even some Florida TV when the
atmospherics are right [or through rigged up satellite dishes]), music and
movies, and many have relatives in the US who they keep in close contact
with (visits, mail, telephone calls, etc.). And also the afore - mentioned
pre - 1959 ties. The "fascination" for Yanquis here is not anything like
that existed in the Soviet populace in the old USSR, where 99% of the
population had absolutely no clue what the outside world was like (let alone
conditions in the US). It's largely economic "envy".
When Castro falls, I think many here in the States (e.g. the anti - Castro -
ites) are going to be very unpleasantly surprised when they discover that
many, many Cubans are not real keen on the concept of inviting their Big
White Brothers to the north to march in and take everything over. The
Cubans are going to want to keep the best of what they have (good education,
health care, etc.) and pick and choose as to what *they* think is the best
course for their country. It's going to be very unlike, say, the decline
and fall of the DDR (which was simply sheer BRD carpetbaggery at it's most
grasping and worst)....
--
Best
Greg
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