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04/01/2012
स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा विद्वान सर्वत्र पूज्यते
Of Popes and Potatoes
Can Pope Benedict XVI’s trip to Havana offer any hope for the Cuban people?
BY YOANI SÁNCHEZ | MARCH 23, 2012
January 1998 was a moment of discovery and creativity, of unprecedented scenes and audible prayers. John Paul II visited us, and in the Plaza of the Revolution — ground zero or, better yet, Ground Red for Cuban atheists — he offered a sermon in which he mentioned the word “freedom” more than a dozen times. But beyond the ritual and liturgy, at the level of the street and ordinary people, life was also tumultuous.
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More… Jokes multiplied — a veritable avalanche of jests and satirical stories whose protagonists were both the Pope himself and then-president Fidel Castro. Just when we thought our sense of humor had abandoned us, when our smiles had been transformed into grimaces by the economic hardships of the “Special Period” — that time after the collapse of the Soviet bloc when our economy shrank by a third — our mockery and laughter were reborn.
Pepito, the eternal mischievous child of our stories, reappeared on the scene, to the surprise of those who thought he had taken off from Cuba’s shores during the Rafter Crisis of 1994. With the papal staff on its right and the olive green-clad guerilla on its left, a disheveled little head mocked the human and the divine, the ancient and the immediate.
But now, shortly before Joseph Ratzinger lands on this island, our store of sarcasm seems dry and exhausted. Only one ridiculous and trite joke has been making the rounds — a crude and stupid quip that explores the similarities between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Vatican, playing off the fact that the Spanish words for “pope” and potato” are the same. The punch line: “Yes, I know, in 50 years they both have produced only four popes/potatoes.”
The reference, of course, is to the near disappearance of potato production — a topic of conversation, rumors, and even extensive reports on state television these days. But the real question is whether our satirical impoverishment is a measure of the low expectations that surround the arrival of the head of the Catholic Church — if humor, or the lack thereof in this case, is a barometer. Or, better yet, it might reflect the apathy that runs through our society, best summed up by the phrase, “Nothing is going to change, nobody is going to manage to make things change.”
At the end of the nineties, Karol Wojtyla inspired us to hope. But now, in 2012, national cynicism conspires against enthusiasm. We already know, for example, that the phrase, “Let Cuba open herself to the world and let the world open itself to Cuba,” never became more than the beautiful intention of the Polish pope.
In the nearly 15 years between one papal visit and the other, the Church has gained ground in the public life of our nation. But to do so its hierarchy has had to make concessions that have disappointed some of the faithful, laypeople, and even some hopeful atheists. When priests are asked about the slow and cautious steps the Cuban Church has taken, they always respond with the line, “We have survived two millennia despite worse difficulties, we cannot be rushed now.”
Franco Origlia/Getty Images
SUBJECTS: POLITICS, HUMAN RIGHTS, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY, RELIGION, CULTURE, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, LATIN AMERICAYoani Sánchez is the Havana-based author of the blog Generation Y and the recently published book Havana Real. This article was translated by Mary Jo Porter.
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JAN Z. VOLENS
1:37 AM ET
March 25, 2012
Latin America is becoming less Roman-Catholic.
One of the major reasons for Latin Americas relative lesser development in comparison to North America: 500 years of dominance of the Vatican’s influence over Latin America! Example: The majority of Brazilians have some “black” ancestry (48% self-declared “brown”, 8% black, also the 66% of the 42% declared “white” have some indigenous and/or black ancestry). Today Brazilians ask perplexed: “Why are there black physicians and lawyers in the U.S. and other black professionals – while very few “black” or “brown” Brazilians are professionals?” Here is one reason: The 19th century the great-grand fathers of Michelle Obama (Harvard Law), and Condoleeza Rice (Stanford International Relations) became Presbyterian ministers – in black colleges established by northern Presbyterians in the South after the Civil War. Angela Davis (Humboldt U. Philosophy) – comes from ancestors who became teachers in Methodist colleges for blacks established in the South by white Methodists from the North after the civil war. At the beginning of the 20th century, a growing number of African-Americans had graduated from such segregated colleges established by WHITE PROTESTANTS. Nothing like that happened in Brazil – a virtually totally catholic nation in which the Vatican did nothing to abolish slavery – which only ended 1888 by a revolt of white Positivists. Today, the Catholic church loses ever increasing numbers in all of Latin Ameria to protestant churches. Cuba will not be different – even after an initial increase in interest. What makes the catholic church in Cuba and Puerto Rico somewhat different from the Catholic Church in Latin America: After the U.S. expulsion of the Spaniards, 1898, the Catholic Church in Cuba and Puerto Rico became an element of traditionalist and nationalist defiance against “amerianization”. In Puerto Rico the Catholic Church supports the right-wing of the independent movements, while until recently, Cuba supported the left-wing of the independent movements. Thus: Ratzinger’s trip to Cuba is primarily a defensive operation against the destruction of cuban “traditionalism” in the wake of the coming changes. The Catholic Church has its own geopolitical agenda – which sometimes counters that of the “Anglos” (U.S.&Britain). Notice: in Lybia and Syria – the Vatican remained “neutral” because both Ghaddaffi and Assad, did protect Catholics, as did Saddam Hussein and Hosni Mubarak.
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
11:43 PM ET
March 25, 2012
MONBOIS
3:24 PM ET
March 26, 2012
It’s only bigoted to irrationally hate or criticize a person or institution based on stereotypes. The Catholic church as spent 2,000 years nurturing prejudice, hatred and plenty of bigotry of its own. The historical practice of the church as been, “Leave our followers alone and we’ll keep mum about your mistreatment of others.” The church proved that to a fault during WWII when the pope had nothing to say about the millions of Jews being legally murdered by Hitler.
You are, without a doubt, the pride of the Catholic church: willing to ignorantly, blindly and unquestioningly follow an old Nazi in a pointy white cap no matter what he tells you. You should be ashamed, though, for letting others do your thinking for you.
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
8:29 PM ET
March 26, 2012
Hello to you, bigot monbois! Do you really believe I am intimidated by persecutors like you and your black propaganda? I feel honored to be persecuted by bigots like you! Think again, you bigot! We will not be bullied by persecutors like you! Hitler once despised us Catholics and Stalin once boastfully asked, ‘How many divisions does the Pope have?’. And where are those monsters now? Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are in the dustbin of history. Hehe. So long, sucker!
ZEREX
1:44 AM ET
March 26, 2012
I am not a Catholic but do respect all catholics but do not agree as well.
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The Final Chapter with { OBAMA. } ~` His Terrorist Connections AND His WorldWide Co-Conspirators, have been REELED – in, Like Fish, on a Fishing line / Swallowing Hook, Line and Sinker. Deep, Throating the entire Pole, up to the Steel Reel.
All of Obama’s Corrupt Political Partners in Washington, have also been REELED in, like an OLD TIME Reel to Reel Movie PROjECTOR.
THEIR eXposure has successfully been Framed and They are NOW `Seen {CAPTURED} UPON the Screen, eXposed and Snared in the VERY OWN TRAPS, that
they Themselves had set for YOU- [ The Prey ] The American Citizens.
These traitors, have FALLEN Head-Long, Down into the very SAME eXact Pits, that THEY themselves HAD dug for YOU, { the Game ]\ American Citizens.
All of Obamas Corrupted Political Partners in Washington and Terrorist Connections and His Co-Conspirator WORLDWIDE, have been Snared / CAUGHT in the very Jaws that they had Sprung for YOU, The American Citizens.
Their Ropes and Lines of DECEPTION, TREASON and FRAUD, that They had Drawn, Planted, eXtended and INTENDED to Hang and Trip Up YOUR Freedoms { YOU The American Patriots / Great Sons and Daughters of Liberity } These Ropes, Have ALL been Un Tied, Unravled and Unstrung.
You MUST continue A Peaceful Resistance. You MUSt Maintain a POSITIVE, AGGRESSIVE, firm Focus on the Facts and Truth /\ as WE Stand by OUR
convictions and NEVER Fall or Surrender to this mob of Traitors :
In Fact, THE ONLY THING in America – that was trully Needing`“ CHANGE ” ! Was Barry or Barack Hussein OR, .Soetoro OR….Obama the JR. l. or II. ………… HIMSELF. !
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ALL eXXXposed. ! ` And Americans are NOT Impressed with his Network of Degenerate Thieves, Terrorists and RIPP OFF SCAMMERS and Cons, all PARADING and Masquerading as Crack Heroes.
Obama {the Fraud} Then HOPED and CHANGED himself into becoming the first CRACK HEAD President in History.
Incorporating the criminal template / master-plan of his Entire Life, into CHANGE for the UNITED STATES Herself.
The Model ? Was HIS very own Dispicable, Unethical, Cowardly and Dishonorable – IMAGE.
Barack Hussein Obama II ~( Who HATES American Values ) who is A ” SELF PROCLAIMED Religious and Political Enemy” ~0f ALL Responsible, Morally
Conscious and HARD WORKING Americans.
…The UN~CHANGEABLE, Cowardly, Fraud, has done His VERY BEST to Inspire His Degenerate MOb to VIOLENCE.
LITERALLY, Saying ………To his supporters.Saying “Get ready for HAND-to-HAND Combat with your Fellow Americans ! !
“I want all Americans to get in each others faces !– ^ Obama `Demands !
“You bring a KNIFE to a fight pal, we’ll bring a GUN” – ! **
THESE ARE OBAMAS very OWN WORDS.. “We talk To these folks…~ / so I know whose A*$ to KICK.“ALSO` Shouting THAT Republican victory would
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MONBOIS
3:31 PM ET
March 26, 2012
You are simply paranoid and crazy. You worship George W. Bush and his cronies who were more than happy to send thousands of Americans and tens of thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – or Iraqis to their deaths in order to put billions of dollars in the pockets of mercenary organizations like Halliburton and Blackwater.
They are the true evil geniuses, like Stalin who had gulag prisoners who had been randomly slected for death writing to him for help. They were convinced they had been unjustly arrested and sentenced to spent the rest of their lives in Siberia without his knowledge, even though he was the orchestrator of the terror campaign that arrested them in the first place.
Since Bush’s coup d’état in 2000 people in America has become a more frightening place to live. Although Obama could be doing a better job of alleviating that fear, it’s better now than it was with a synical bigot in the White House. Rent “Fahrenheit 9/11″ and start learning the truth for a change.
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
8:30 PM ET
March 26, 2012
Hello to you, bigot monbois! Do you really believe I am intimidated by persecutors like you and your black propaganda? I feel honored to be persecuted by bigots like you! Think again, you bigot! We will not be bullied by persecutors like you! Hitler once despised us Catholics and Stalin once boastfully asked, ‘How many divisions does the Pope have?’. And where are those monsters now? Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are in the dustbin of history. Hehe. So long, sucker!
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
2:54 AM ET
March 26, 2012
The Catholic Church has endured numerous persecutions from the Roman Empire, communists, and other apostates, agnostics, atheists, and dictatorships throughout history. And it has become resilient through this bigotry. It is not perfect, but then, who or what is? The Catholic Church has been in the forefront of education, social welfare, and justice. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
MONBOIS
3:35 PM ET
March 26, 2012
Yes, the Catholic church has survived for millenia by arresting, persecuting and killing dissidants who spoke out against it, often under the ludicrous accusation of witchcraft. The church has murdered untold numbers of gay men and women, it continues to oppress women and we’ve all learned in the last decade about the church’s global effort to protect pedophile priests while offering no compensation, justice or compassion for their victims.
The Catholic church is run by a select group of ruthless, greedy old men hungry for power, many of whom are likely homosexuals themselves (such hypocrisy) which is why they have no problem not marrying.
CEMAB4Y
10:19 AM ET
March 26, 2012
Ratzinger is a former Hitler-youth, who is the worst bishop of Rome since St. Peter. I can’t wait for the son of a bitch, to die or quit.
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
8:31 PM ET
March 26, 2012
Hello to you, bigot cemab4y! Do you really believe I am intimidated by persecutors like you and your black propaganda? I feel honored to be persecuted by bigots like you! Think again, you bigot! We will not be bullied by persecutors like you! Hitler once despised us Catholics and Stalin once boastfully asked, ‘How many divisions does the Pope have?’. And where are those monsters now? Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are in the dustbin of history. Hehe. So long, sucker!
MONBOIS
3:14 PM ET
March 26, 2012
It’s no wonder everyone in Cuba is depressed after 50 years of living in a dictatorship. Religion is a crutch the downtrodden use as a means to give themselves hope, and that’s fine except when the religion charges the price of spreading bigotry and prejudice. The priests’ call for patience is just a cowardly ruse to deflect any responsiblity for enabling an oppressive government in return for priviliges.
The Catholic church is also fond of saying “you don’t question 2,000 years of tradition” when they’re faced with challenges to their poicies and practices. Slavery existed for a lot longer than that, and still exists unofficially in places like Mauritania, so it’s a lame excuse. Reglion only encourages lazy intellect and shamefully allowing others to abscond with your own alleged “God-given” common sense.
It’s always been clear that Communism is a failure as far as freedom and human rights are concerned. That’s always been clear, and China’s current economic prosperity is thanks to greedy Western corporations exploited cheap third-world labor so we can have beautiful iPads while their workers make less than $2 a day, have to ask permission to use the bathroom, and walk past armed guards all day long. No wonder so many poor Chinese are choosing to kill themselves than continue living in misery.
Unfortunately for Cuba it’s right on America’s doorstep, so it faces sanctions which China should also face. But Cuba doesn’t have millions of cheap workers the U.S. government is willing to exploit. That’s what Cuba gets for Castro’s chest-beating for so many years. But even if the U.S. did lower or eliminate sanctions, the Cuban people still wouldn’t have freedom of speech, freedom to come and go as they please, freedom to start their own political parties and make change for the better. No, if suddenly Cuba was welcomed to do business with the West only a privileged few toadies and sycophants will prosper while 99.9% of the population will continue to live in poverty while working 12- and 16-hour days.
No, it’s time for the Cuban people to rise up against the government and take back their country from the corrupt Communists whose greed for power has destroyed such a beautiful paradise and culture. Unfortunately only the Cubans cand decide to do that themselves. Many of its neighbors undoubtedly would like to keep Cuba out of the tourism business, which would surely bring billions of dollars to the tropical paradise each year since it’s closer to the U.S. than any other Latin American resort. American politicians would also hate to lose such a handy tool to sway votes one way or another. The only thing worse for Republicans would be actually outlawing abortion!
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
8:36 PM ET
March 26, 2012
Hello to you, bigot monbois! Do you really believe I am intimidated by persecutors like you and your black propaganda? I feel honored to be persecuted by bigots like you! You think you are so self-righteous that you vehemently and angrily try to put down any one whose views do not agree with you. YOU ARE NO DIFFERENT FROM THE NAZIS AND SOVIETS. Think again, you bigot! We will not be bullied by persecutors like you! Hitler once despised us Catholics and Stalin once boastfully asked, ‘How many divisions does the Pope have?’. And where are those monsters now? Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are in the dustbin of history. Hehe. So long, sucker!
JAMESJONES
3:47 PM ET
March 26, 2012
I think we should look at pope john Paul and compare him to the our current pope. I’m convinced that he stayed so long was because he knew that there wasn’t another that was capable of taking his place. sandstone pavers
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
8:21 PM ET
March 26, 2012
MICHAELGERALDPDEALINO
11:50 PM ET
March 26, 2012
We, the people who have faith and believe in a God, do not give a damn if agnostics and atheists exist. What we do give a damn is that our right and freedom of religion should not be curtailed and discriminated against by fascist atheists. We are not afraid of you and you will not scare us. The Roman Empire, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union once persecuted us, and where are they now? They are in the dustbin of history.
CHIAKI MORITA
2:50 AM ET
March 27, 2012
HAHAHA, the prejudices of the zombies who are maligning the Catholic Church are ridiculous! Ignorant morons, why don’t you study history so you will know that Catholics have been murdered by people like you. Do you even know the story of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic priest who sacrificed his life at Auschwitz so a Jew lived? STUPID FOOLS, YOU BIGOTS!
Go on, Michael, give these bastards their due! WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF THESE ANTI-RELIGION BIGOTS! THE POPE’S TRIP TO CUBA IS A SUCCESS! VIVA EL PAPA! TO CHRIST BE THE GLORY!
SIDEVILIAM
6:55 AM ET
April 1, 2012
Of Ho Ho, Id, Ego, GOD, POPE, and a Hohum (Headline)
Fire that idiot, who wrote that Of Ho Ho, Id, Ego, GOD, POPE, and a Hohum (Headline).
Need I say more?
OK.
??????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ???????
…and I am Sid Harth@mysistereileen.com
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