Cuban-American Pundits: Essays from a Cuban-American Perspective

Beer, Ice cream and Beaten Bloggers

2009-11-07T10:22:00.006-05:00

Thanks to Val from Babalublog I learned yesterday that Yoani Sanchez and other Cuban bloggers were temporarily detained and beaten on her way to a peace protest against violence. I've been since following Claudia Cadelo on twitter, and today I checked Generacion Y to see Yoani's point of view. It can only be said that the Cuba Governement is afraid, and that these heirs to Cuba's future are

Hey Juanes

2009-09-16T16:03:00.005-04:00

Hey Juanes, I have a few questions.Here are two Cuban musicans in Cuba that I'm sure would love the chance to play at your peace concert. Why not invite them?Why import musicians who don't even deal with the day to day suffering of Cuba? Flying them in on planes is a waste of money that can go to feeding the Cuban people. A full belly is a closer step to peace than noisy propaganda. Why bother

When will the irony end?

2009-09-04T16:56:00.000-04:00

"I think anyone who buys a t-shirt of Che has gotta be cool. If I see someone with a Che t-shirt, I think, 'He's got good taste'."— Benicio Del ToroAs we know the Che shirt is a delicious irony. A man against capitalism and commodities becomes a commodity sold for capital. As for Del Toro’s quote, taste is an aesthetic that has little to do with fact, and the fact is Che was a murderer. Taste is

Come one and come all and come quickly before it’s gone!

2009-01-26T17:06:00.007-05:00

That’s right, you too should visit the world’s finest circus that is Cuba before Fidel is dead and Obama drops the embargo! Hurry. Yes, hurry! Come to the paradise of car collectors. The haven of Anti-American sentiment. The center of cigar aficionados. The tropical hub of human meat marketing, where flesh thirsty tourists can have their fill of sultry, sexy, and lets not forget savage, Cuban

November 22, 1963

2008-11-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

By George L. MoneoI was a second grader in Mrs. Mudre's class at St. Mary's Cathedral School, my parochial school here in Miami. The day started as all days back then did. I have no memory of it save that it was my birthday and I was expecting lots of presents when my class celebrated it later that afternoon. We had a Cowboys & Indians theme party and I received a great present -- a gun that

The day after

2008-11-05T13:29:00.005-05:00

I read Granma the day after the election, you know, the dirty mouthpiece of Castro they call news. Yes, I read it from time to time looking for what is said, and more importantly, I look for what isn’t said. For many of us, the election of 2008 was a surprise. I was shocked to see Obama win, and knowing the praise that Castro has given him, I wanted to read what filth Granma was spewing. One

The danger within

2008-10-18T09:06:00.004-04:00

By George L. MoneoI didn't watch the debate last night.Why, you may ask yourselves, would someone who writes for political blogs not watch one of the lynchpin events of this political season? I’m angry as hell with this whole process.Last night I came home to a house smelling of my wife's delicious Cuban style meatballs she was almost finished cooking. My son had finished his homework and was

McCain vs. McCain

2008-10-04T10:36:00.001-04:00

By now everyone is familiar with the multiple narratives that John McCain has written for himself. He’s effectively positioned himself as a no-holds-barred corruption fighter. Agree or not with the McCain-Feingold Act it’s clear that McCain’s intent was to remove some of what he considers to be the corrupting influence of money in the political process. It’s arguable that the bill sent money

September 11, 2001

2008-09-11T08:46:00.005-04:00

by George L. MoneoSeven years.The tears still well up and my body tenses with anger whenever I see footage of that morning. Last weekend, in preparation for this anniversary, I steeled myself and watched the Fox News and ABC News coverage of the event as archived here. This has become part of my ritual every year since the first anniversary; I don't ever want to forget what happened that morning.

The Manchurian Candidate Part II: "Going out on the Limb"

2008-05-24T11:39:00.013-04:00

On my last post, Obama "The Manchurian Candidate" I raised a question concerning my analytical comparison to Obama the candidate for the 2008 presidency with the movie "The Manchurian Candidate", the older version. Here in my final assessment and after careful observation, I will be taking an enormous step towards uncertainty, yes, I'm "Going out on the limb". I’m going all-out with an

Open season on bloggers

2008-05-11T13:17:00.000-04:00

Recently a number of sports writers have expressed their disdain for bloggers culminating with Buzz Bissinger's expletive filled tirade on Bob Costas' HBO show. The arguments, which are not confined to the realm of sports blogs are familiar: blogs are filled with lies, bloggers are mean-spirited, there's no fact checking on blogs, blogs value speed over accuracy.What old guard journalists like

Obama "The Manchurian Candidate"

2008-05-07T01:24:00.009-04:00

I don't know if you noticed this about Mr. Obama, but I have. I've been observing the three pathetic candidates we have to choose from in the coming presidential election and I have been concentrating on how they display emotions. Although there is a lack of emotion present with all three of them, I have noticed this much more with Mr. Obama. He seems to be in some kind of trance, I don't

The sudden shock of cold water

2008-04-18T14:46:00.002-04:00

My first experience at a swimming pool was with some friends at the YMCA. The water was clear and cold and I was terrified. One kid told me to just jump right in, embrace the cold, and move on. A friend suggested to gradually go in and allow my body to adjust to the environment. I tried the gradual approach first, and I grew frustrated with fear and the cold water reached my knees. Getting out of

On Illegal Immigration

2008-04-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

So much has been made of the illegal immigration problem in our country but it's a hard issue to understand and easy one to demagogue.There is no question that securing the borders should be a national priority. It is a concern in this day and age of dirty bombs, suitcase bombs, biological weapons, etc. We should know who is coming into our country and for what purpose. And when those persons

Louis Moreau Gottschalk and the Rise of Cuban Music

2008-04-11T11:17:00.004-04:00

by George L. MoneoIn a review of books on Latin American music published in 1947 the musicologist and historian Gilbert Chase wrote that Cuba was a country “whose musical influence has been in indirect ratio to its size.”[1] From the nineteenth century, and indeed even since 1947 when Chase wrote those words, Cuban music, with its almost countless unique rhythms, instruments, melodies and forms,

Rebirth

2008-04-10T22:09:00.008-04:00

Her gorgeous deathbed!Her rich pyre Burnt up with aromatic fire! Her urn, sight high from spoiler men! Her birthplace when self-born again!-From “The Phoenix” by George DarleyWelcome to the newest incarnation of Cuban-American Pundits. Without getting too deep into nostalgia it bears mentioning that site was founded almost exactly three years ago. Over time it has evolved, authors have come and

Comments Policies

2008-03-31T22:02:00.000-04:00

One of the best things about the web is the interactivity it provides. Because of comments there is a give and take between the authors and the readers, and that is refreshing. But it also has its drawbacks. Because the topics covered here may be polarizing and controversial it may attract cranks, Castro apologists, propagandists, etc. Some readers may be well intentioned but don't realize

In Memoriam

2008-03-14T09:56:00.003-04:00

Melissa Britt Lewis "Missy"1968-2008I'll miss you my friend. My prayers are with you always.

There's One More Angel In Heaven

2008-03-07T12:22:00.002-05:00

It is with such sadness that I have learned that one of my closest friends and law partners, someone who has been like a little sister to me was murdered. One always reads about these things in the papers but when it strikes someone close to you, the evil in this world becomes so vivid.We keep asking why did someone have to take away such a beautiful person from us, who loved life, and always

La Malaguena

2008-02-19T14:38:00.001-05:00

The Lecuona classic by one of the greatest American guitarists, Roy Clark.

Irish Rocker Bob Geldof Rips Media and Praises Bush for Aid to Africa

2008-02-19T11:33:00.003-05:00

I've always respected Bob and Bono for being honest and walking the walk and not just talking the talk re: their advocacy for Africa and the AIDS crises. Unlike others in the entertainment area who simply want to score political or PR points. It was reported today in the Washington Times that Bob has ripped the media for ignoring Bush's work in getting aid to Africa and rightly acknowledged that

Patton on Iraq

2008-02-17T13:52:00.000-05:00

Enjoy.

Good OP Ed on Nancy in the WSJ

2008-02-15T10:18:00.001-05:00

Perfect example of no matter who wins the white house, we must regain the Congress before the Dems take us deeper into Hell ...