BruceVC

Volo I would appreciate if you didn't speculate about what Cubans are, lest of all while i'm around. Reducing an entire group of people to two views just to illustrate a point might be how you get your argument across but I won't stand for such sophistry, specially when its my people you're talking about. Then why dont you give us your views? I would have long commented on SA to avoid exactly this type of speculation We not going to beg you and the reality is I also agree with much of what Volo says

Only a liberal would be able to toss aside a person's entire life's work and hijack them as one of their own. Its okay, we allowed to do that as liberals have been proven to have the moral high ground....haughtiness is just part of what defines us

No Bennie patriotism doesnt mean blind loyalty or some kind of nationalistic\nazi outcome In the case of Germany and the EU it just means you support the concept of the EU and Germany's contribution. Now some people want the EU to dissolve, if this happens this will weaken the West and the entire world. You have a right to have a voice and I would use it? Yes there are great countries, these are governments that try very hard to ensure good governance, economic growth and keep there citizens happy " In life if we dont stand for something we fall for anything "

That series is very popular in SA, did you enjoy it? I dunno if I enjoyed it but I did get wrapped up in it I found myself reading a Downton Abbey wiki just to find out what happens to all the characters since I don't actually want to watch it anymore but I do want to know what happens. I know that probably doesn't make a lot of sense It makes perfect sense to me, I have done that before. I watch a series and build a connection with some character but for some reason I cant or wont watch the rest of the seasons ....but I need closure so I read what happens at the end

Every Cuban I've ever met has a serious issue with Castro. I take their word over anything else. I'm hoping that you know even the basics of Cuban history. If you do you should be well aware that the opinions of Cubans living in the US are, at best, a one sided view of those affairs. But do feel free to ignore fifty years of established international politics and world history for someone's bitter anecdotal evidence. By the way, shouldn't you, as a teacher, be dealing primarily with facts? Drowsy come on.,...the irony with you suggesting Hurlshot needs to focus on facts must be a joke ? You have made several comments like " Castro is one of the greatest leaders the world has ever seen " and " Castro is a better leader than any EU leader "....and the concern is I think you actually believe this

Dont worry my friend you will notice that high ground is always full of the majority of forum members already.....we always welcome another commentator

Nope, international heroes status point out towards the sea; to their land of birth. National heroes point towards inland. "The West won"...says the SJW, marxist, socialist person that believes himself a humanist. Would you prefer I lied and said " Communism prevailed as it was stronger ideology " And I have never claimed to be a SJW because that word gets abused...I am definitely not a Marxist I do believe in a form of socialism like our friends in Scandinavia and I am a humanist ...ask volo, he will confirm this Liberals have exchanged humanism with socialism and would have you believe that to be moral is to engage in economical socialism (e.g. Welfare programs and such) if you're against those the please do say so. The fact is that most of modern liberals can trace their ideology to the counter culture movement of the 60's and 70's which were infiltrated by KGB in order to create dissent in the US and do the same thing they did to Afghanistan. Yet that ideology remains ignorant of its communist ties, and even more ignorant of how they aid the establishment.Some of what you say about is correct, for example I looked up the word humanism and Im glad I did because I misunderstood its meaning...yes I believe in that I also believe not everyone will be part of the economic transformation so welfare programs are necessary for some I believe economic growth needs to be driven by the private sector but government has the right to intervene in certain cases of gross mismanagement like in 2008 All male citizens need to do 1 year compulsory military service, this doesnt mean marines or hardcore infantry units.You could join logistics...but this would be seen as a form of patriosm 1. Humanism is great, I agree. It goes well with my personal existentialist and general politically left views, but it really should be the foundation of any society. About Marxism... Well I think if Marx was alive today he'd be pretty satisfied with Germany's state, communism is a extrem idea born out of extrem circumstances and shouldn't be directly applied. but I do think his criticism of capitalism is quite perspective and should be much more talked about. But if you ask me, I'm a social democrat. 2. Agreed, but I'd go even further. I support the idea of basic unconditional income for all, regardless of age, job and so on.... I quite like and support the idea. 3. I think the goverment shouldn't need to react, the regulations should already be there. A very important regulation in my opinion would be to force banks and firms that are considered "to big to fail" to split up. 4. I don't like patriotism. Never did. If my country has my respect them because it earned it. And with 2017 elections, it might loose it again, who knows. Anyway, I do not support the idea of making that year compulsory. Rather, to strengthen the military sector I support alliances between states in a sense that a single army is created (such as the idea of a EU army). This not only strengthens the military, but it also makes war between the members much more unlikely and, since the governments need to agree with each other to do something, makes war on other countries less likely as well. But I don't think young people should be force d to do a year in the army. Give them a choice between army and social services. Bennie you make some good points Government needs to have institutions like SEC in the USA to ensure regulation in the financial sector. Until 2008 I was opposed to this but i realize it needed. There is no country left in the world that allows its financial sector to be unregulated anymore Arent you loyal to Germany? Dont you feel proud of being German.....thats patriotism What do you mean by social services?

Check this definition http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/humanism

Nope, international heroes status point out towards the sea; to their land of birth. National heroes point towards inland. "The West won"...says the SJW, marxist, socialist person that believes himself a humanist. Would you prefer I lied and said " Communism prevailed as it was stronger ideology " And I have never claimed to be a SJW because that word gets abused...I am definitely not a Marxist I do believe in a form of socialism like our friends in Scandinavia and I am a humanist ...ask volo, he will confirm this Liberals have exchanged humanism with socialism and would have you believe that to be moral is to engage in economical socialism (e.g. Welfare programs and such) if you're against those the please do say so. The fact is that most of modern liberals can trace their ideology to the counter culture movement of the 60's and 70's which were infiltrated by KGB in order to create dissent in the US and do the same thing they did to Afghanistan. Yet that ideology remains ignorant of its communist ties, and even more ignorant of how they aid the establishment. Some of what you say about is correct, for example I looked up the word humanism and Im glad I did because I misunderstood its meaning...yes I believe in that I also believe not everyone will be part of the economic transformation so welfare programs are necessary for some I believe economic growth needs to be driven by the private sector but government has the right to intervene in certain cases of gross mismanagement like in 2008 All male citizens need to do 1 year compulsory military service, this doesnt mean marines or hardcore infantry units.You could join logistics...but this would be seen as a form of patriosm

I went to Bronwynn's sisters place tonight for a barbeque\braai tonight I use to work with her sisters husband so we all get on very well, they doing another fun run tomorrow morning so it wasn't a late night

Yes Africa has had its share of terrible leaders and brutal dictators that were much worse than Castro...we have had leaders in Africa that literally committed every possible war crime known to the Geneva Convention But nowadays we only have one real war criminal left, Al-Bashir from Sudan The ME currently holds the worst leaders at the moment, Assad must be top of the list ?

" Castro is one of the most remarkable politicians and leaders of the 20th century " ....dude you at least consistent with your criticism of the West, that's all I ask people like Zora. There is nothing wrong with having issues with the West, everyone is perfectly entitled to there opinion. Its irrelevant, inaccurate but understandable in your example But the depths of hyperbole ....Putin would be at least believable ?

Nope, international heroes status point out towards the sea; to their land of birth. National heroes point towards inland. "The West won"...says the SJW, marxist, socialist person that believes himself a humanist. Would you prefer I lied and said " Communism prevailed as it was stronger ideology " And I have never claimed to be a SJW because that word gets abused...I am definitely not a Marxist I do believe in a form of socialism like our friends in Scandinavia and I am a humanist ...ask volo, he will confirm this

That series is very popular in SA, did you enjoy it?

I mean, we tend to view others through the lens of our existences and we apply our arbitrary standards. Maybe the general Cuban population is happy with their lives? I never hear of any rabble rousing down there. No "cracking down" by the government or stuff like that. They are never going to be a world player, or a powerhouse economy. Maybe things are fine as far as they are concerned? I am not sure if I mentioned to you but I am a collector of certain books on military history on certain topics I have a very good book about the Cubans and there involvement in Africa, I have to give them credit. They really believed in a world where there interpretation of socialism and equality would be the best outcome for a continent like Africa. http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB67/

Well you can say wanting to uplift yourself economically and buy nice things is " worshipping at the altar of economic growth " But the majority of people who live in abject poverty would see it as " making there lives comfortable and adding real meaning and or a sense of identity " It may sound exciting but being unsure where your next meal is coming from is .....unenviable

Well this is a silly post .....do we now blame the president of a country for anyone there military kills ? Also its not historically accurate, the Cubans were involved for many years in various African conflicts including battling with the South African military in Angola. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_intervention_in_Angola

There economy is weak and as I mentioned it had been subsidized for years by other countries When you say " good for Cubans " what do you mean?

@ Baro, Namutree and others Can I ask you guys a serious question because I may be misunderstanding something When you guys talk about Cuba being a success why would you suggest that when the Cold War ended the ideological conflict of Capitalism vs Communism? The West won .....so surly that would indicate the ultimate failure of the Cuba social experiment ?

Guys, Castros legacy is a failure.....the Cuban idea of socialism failed because it failed to sustain or grow the economy His legacy will be one of success. Success in what way?

Guys, Castros legacy is a failure.....the Cuban idea of socialism failed because it failed to sustain or grow the economy The last 20 years or so Cuba was funded by certain South American countries like Venezuela under Chavez who were determined to use Cuba as some sort of adversary to the West ....but why would we consider Cuba a real enemy to the USA? Lets not believe some false narrative that Cuba was an economic success story

Yes. The elites in Cuba have wanted to transition to a market economy (China style) for a while now, and have been waiting for Fidel to die. Now that he's gone, the US will be helping the Cuban elites make the transition. The only roadblock is that Trump won the election, making what was a done deal a little unclear. Even so, the plan will go forward, and Trump will take credit even though it's Obama who deserves it. What do you mean by a market economy in respects to Cuba? China is primarily an export driven economy but since Davos last year they are trying to restructure there economy to consumer driven, meaning the citizens of China will be the main buyers of goods like many Western countries

You know I support the Democrats but I do think this recount is unnecessary, the only real opinion I heard about why this recount may be necessary is not from a politician but this professor....what do you think about his reasoning ? http://www.mediaite.com/online/probably-not-professor-at-center-of-election-hacking-report-says-cyberattack-not-likely/

I was thinking about this whole recount debate, initially I thought its a waste of time and in a way hypocritical because many Democrats were horrified that Trump said " I wont accept the election result " I believe the election was fair and represented a better message from Trump ..thats why he won. But end of the day lets say Stein arranges this recount for some states it may be better for overall cohesion in the USA because then we can put to rest the accusation about rigging ?

You raise a good point, I have always maintained that the Russians interfered in the US election but of course they not solely responsible for every " fake news " story that was circulated during the election Trumps intrinsic strategy created certain stories or rather just repeated past issues himself and these stories then grew and became relevant for many of his supporters The Russians played a part but I would say maybe 15 % of the overall hyperbole was because of them But as GD said to me once when I raised how Wikileaks\Russia was undermining Hilary was if she had less controversy because of her past then there would be less to criticize her about. So in other words in some examples Hilary was an easy target because of perceived and valid negative sentiment about her