John Kerry Lectures Cubans About Democracy
By Stephen Lendman
August 16, 2015 "Information
Clearing House" -
US elections when held are farcical. Ordinary
people have no say whatever. Big money-controlled duopoly power
rules.
All so-called elections turn out the same way.
Business as usual always triumphs. Things go from bad to worse.
Neocons infesting Washington threaten world peace.
Alleged US normalization with Cuba is a thinly
veiled scheme to recolonize the island state, steal its resources,
exploit its people and open its markets without restrictions to US
corporate predators.
Kerry berated Cuban “policies of the past that
have not led to a democratic transition” – code language for
capitulating to US hegemonic rule unconditionally.
He laughably claimed “the United Statse will
remain a champion of democratic principles and reforms” – democracy
solely for the privileged few, “reforms” meaning replacing social
justice with neoliberal harshness.
Kerry “urge(d)” the Cuban government to fulfill
its obligations under the UN and American human rights covenants” –
ignoring Washington’s longstanding record as a scandalous human and
civil rights abuser on a global scale.
Kerry lied saying embargo conditions “can only be
lifted by congressional action.” US presidents can use executive
authority to rescind inapplicable restrictions.
Washington isn’t at war with Cuba. It hasn’t been
since its aborted three-day April 1961 Bay of Pigs aggression.
Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA – 1917) constraints don’t apply.
They restrict trade solely with countries hostile to America in
times of war.
Other embargo related legislation, regulations and
sanctions are invalid with diplomatic relations restored. Obama can
end them with a stroke of his pen straightaway – the same legal way
he can close Guantanamo.
World nations overwhelmingly demand both. America
is out-of-step with reality and rule of law justice. It’s waged
unacceptable political, economic and financial war on Cuba for over
half a century.
Formally reopening Washington’s Havana embassy
with a flag-raising ceremony and bombastic Kerry speech does nothing
to change reality on the ground as long as anti-Cuban policies
remain unchanged – except for too little positive tweaking.
On August 14, Fidel Castro turned 89. He’s the
world’s preeminent statesman, a legend in his own time, a model of a
responsible world leader.
Occasionally he writes reflections, expressing
views candidly on vital issues. He’s justifiably suspicious of US
intentions after over half a century of anti-Cuban policies,
including hundreds of failed attempts to do him in.
On August 13, he wrote a commentary titled
“Reality and dreams.” He called writing “a way to be useful (to
combat) long-suffering humanity…”
He justifiably said America owes Cuba “many
millions of dollars” for harmful actions against the nation and its
people for over half a century – citing “irrefutable arguments and
facts.”
He remains true to his redoubtable spirit and
belief in rights all human beings deserve. “(W)e will never stop
struggling for peace and the well-being of…every inhabitant on the
planet regardless of skin color or national origin, and for the full
right of al to hold a religious belief or not,” he said.
The equal right of all citizens to health,
education, work, food, security, culture, science, and
wellbeing, that is, the same rights we proclaimed when we began
our struggle, in addition to those which emerge from our dreams
of justice and equality for all inhabitants of our world, is
what I wish for all.
To those who share all or part of these same
ideas, or superior ones along the same lines, I thank you, dear
compatriots.
You can’t express peace advocacy, support for rule
of law principles and social justice thoughts, views and reflections
any better than that.
Happy birthday, Fidel. Feliz cumpleanos. Wishing
you many more in good health.
With very best wishes from America. May my country
one day have a leader of your stature and virtue.
Imagine permanent peace and social justice instead
of endless wars, neoliberal harshness and police state crackdowns on
nonbelievers. Imagine a nation where everyone can breathe free.
Stephen
Lendman lives in Chicago. He
can be reached at
lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and
contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony
Risks WW III.” -
http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html - Visit his blog
site at
sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with
distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the
Progressive Radio Network. It airs three times weekly: live on
Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.