Calling All Cubans: Cell Phones, Gays OK!
Posted on Mar 28, 2008
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| AP photo / Jorge Rey |
Ricardo Alarcón, president of Cuba’s National Assembly, pauses to contemplate how the homoerotic imagery of Robert Mapplethorpe relates to the “new socialist man.”
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Be it through changes in cell phone restrictions or proposed legislation recognizing same-sex unions and transgender rights, Cuba’s political future is looking up for many of its citizens.
Recently appointed President Raul Castro appears to be moving to act on the “structural and conceptual” changes he promised in last month’s inauguration speech. First on the list is the loosening of ownership restrictions on cell phones, a luxury previously limited to statesmen and employees of foreign businesses.
And while historically considered a “capitalist illness” punishable by forced labor, discussion around and policies on homosexuality appear to be changing as well. Led in part by the efforts of Mariela Castro, daughter of el nuevo presidente, legislation is in the pipes to give not just legal equality to same-sex partnerships, but also subsidies for transgender operations.
The Guardian:
The Cuban president, Raúl Castro, today lifted restrictions on ownership of mobile phones.
Castro’s move was another indication that he is prepared to grant more freedom to the island’s residents.
Castro—who formally assumed power from his brother, Fidel, in February—promised in his inaugural speech to ease some of the restrictions on daily life within weeks.
He pledged “structural changes” and “big decisions” in the near future.
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Jump to Comments
By Conservative Yankee, March 31 at 5:41 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
...and over 100,000 Chileans “disappeared” over the course of his reign… BUT Alexander Haig was happy!
Report thisBy cyrena, March 29 at 5:48 pm #
Well CY, that’s pretty much what genuine ‘obrero sin categora’did..at least the ones under Batista.
I damn sure can’t blame them. I would have done the same. Just as I’m an American ‘obrero sin categora’ and always have been, I’d damn near welcome the devil with open arms at this point.
(that might be stretching it a bit, but surely there can’t be anything worse for the average American citizen now than the devil we know in Dick Bush, unless it’s John McSame.)
Meantime, things are looking up for the Cubans, and that’s good. Even before that, they could still ‘look down’ on the obrero sin categora of the US. At least for the past 7 years, since they’ve been better off than we have.
Seriously..food, health care, housing...the basics. Ya know, the stuff that we DON’T have?
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, March 29 at 11:15 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Had I been a “obrero sin categora” (lower class worker/laborer) under Fulgencio Batista, I would have welcomed Castro with open arms.
Report thisBy Thomas Billis, March 29 at 10:52 am #
Ah the morons who respond here.You do live in a socialist country.Only the socialism is on top and you do not get shit.I guess the government bailing out Bear Sterns is capitalism.Only the middle and lower classes get sold that capitalism crap.On top it is socialism pure and simple.When they go to Congress to lobby it is not for more competition it is for less.On top they slice up the pie and legislate so you cannot even get a sliver.The morons who think there is not socialism in this country should check the legislation that gets passed and then come back to TRUTHDIG with their apologies for being so naive.
Report thisBy jimmyjam, March 29 at 10:39 am #
Yea Hugoville is the way to go. ask all the people giving away what they worked hard for. maybe you can give away tour computer and 2/3rds your paycheck.I love it you all tout socialism, but dont have the balls to live in a country that is socialist.
Report thisBy Conservative Yankee, March 29 at 7:00 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Funny, while reading, watching, or listening to discussions about Cuba’s “democratic” future, or her “Communist past” I never hear mention of the name that allowed Castro to rule for half a century.
Were I a Bracero in Cuba, I would prefer the rule of either Castro to the rule of Fulgencio Batista.
Report thisBy jatihoon, March 29 at 6:42 am #
Cuba has not lifted ban on cell phones but they have lifted ban to sell, “cell phones”.
Rahul Castro declaration, “From today onward, let all cell phones ring,"but no mention of freely.Time for cuban policy makers to “Ring” there thoughts freely so that all free loving cubans people could understand and hear it clearly.
Report thisBy Saddler, March 28 at 11:15 am #
Here’s hoping Cuba join Venezuela in leading the way for socialism in the 21st century! Corporations and the U.S. are licking their chops at the possibility of a “transition to democracy” that favors their interests, but the Cuban people might just surprise them.
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