Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Smee]

[Czarjorge]

I wonder who it will go to?

[Gopher]

[caniff]

It's about f'ing time. Good riddance.

[Ya-ta Boy]

I don't think anything will change in the immediate future, but the clock will start ticking as of today. Once he's dead and buried, then we'll probably see a move to imitate Vietnam, China, etc.

[Milwaukiedave]

Given the fact that things have been in limbo for awhile no big surprise. I have to wonder if maybe Castro was waiting to see how well his brother did in power before totally stepping aside. It kind of seems like that's how they planned it.

[Milwaukiedave]

[Gopher]

The Cuban govt has already been cultivating the tourism industry for some time.

[Milwaukiedave]

Yep, but given the fact there is a travel ban for Americans it could be much more of a travel destination.

[Czarjorge]

I've always wanted to go to Cuba. All the Cuban women I've met have been painfully gorgeous.

It's a long shot but I'm hoping that the cult of personality that is Cuban politics continues. Only the wrinkle I hope for is something along the lines of what happened in Spain with the death of Francisco Franco. As far as I know there is no equivalent to Prince Juan Carlos in Cuba, but it would be great. Sometimes the world works out wonderfully.

[Zebra12]

The Castro regime is just about at the end of its rope...soon to be transformed by a new agenda, one that reflects the collective desires of the Cuban people to achieve a higher degree of prosperity and independence from the doctrines of tyranny. Raul Castro's bland personality (and ruthless behavior in the past), will simply assist (or accelerate) this process of change...as he does not have the charismatic appeal of his brother, or the will (might I say "stamina") to carry the communist ideal forward. The youth of the nation--clearly understand that the 'revolutionary dreams' of the past no longer fit the demands of living in an increasingly electronic global village of the 21st century. They were not a part of the revolution in 1959, and after almost 50 years of repressive actions on the part of the regime...the youth are increasingly demanding change. This process will unfold much as it did in Russia during the late 1980s...leading to a complete paradigm-shift in the thinking of the community as a whole.

In Cuba, the people are stealing many things from the government just to stay alive (i.e., materials; tools; gas etc.)...and it's the black market which really helps maintain the stability of the Cuban economy as a whole. Cuba is not at all like North Korea...in Cuban society the young people (generation XYZ) are alert to the rising tide of the digital culture...and are very informed about everything that's going on in the world. Cuban timba music [for example] is the new voice of the people in La Havana...a volatile current that is also supported by other contemporary art forms etc. Music is an important medium through which people exchange new ideas in Cuba (this is especially so in Havana). They would, of course, prefer a peaceful transition of state power: rather than one that heralds the use of molotovs; disrupted communications; and the burning of buildings. The United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, will play an important role in the new Cuba, a new political triad will undoubtedly emerge over the next few years.

I have a computer system set up at our home in Cuba...actually had the Internet connection established by members of the local secret police (!)...only to have it shut down after a few months of operation...no reprecussions (we access other lines)...fascinating times...many properties changing hands...millions of dollars ready to flow into the country once a free-market system is established. The Cuban people are anxious to build a socialist state that's more along the lines of Canada and Europe...flexible socialism with a mixed capitalist economy.

My thoughts on the topic. I believe that today's annoucement was happily received by millions of Cubans as a symbol of the profound change that lies ahead. Oh yeah...there will be a big "porco asado" feast after Castro is six feet under...and though they will shed tears for the despot...they will be thinking about the ideas of the real national hero: Jose Marti.

Anything that drives a wedge between people, clasifies them, isolates them or confines them is a sin against humanity. The Fatherland demand sacrifices. It is an alter, not a pedestal. Jose Marti

In contrast to this sentiment, Fidel Catsro used the nation as a pedestal...and lacked the intellectual capacity to understand Jose Marti's poetic genius. There is more to history than a dialectic of materialism...something that Castro failed to understand.

[catman]

Good riddance. Hopefully now the US will end its embargo and travel ban on the country.