Cuba--Just a Spit in the Ocean
some history and observations17 total reviews
Comment from gypsycaravan
This is very well-written and researched for the past history. However, I do resist accepting your point that Americans judge the Cubans because of Castro's politics. I live in Florida, have worked with many Cubans and deal with many daily in their diversified jobs. They are respected members of many communities in Florida. I have NEVER and I say that with a firm denial heard anyone in my experience judge them by the politics they fled to escape. If anything, they are pitied for having to flee their homeland to be able to lead a free and decent life. I enjoyed reading your piece up until that statement. The writing is excellent, but that particular statement is untrue.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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This is very well-written and researched for the past history. However, I do resist accepting your point that Americans judge the Cubans because of Castro's politics. I live in Florida, have worked with many Cubans and deal with many daily in their diversified jobs. They are respected members of many communities in Florida. I have NEVER and I say that with a firm denial heard anyone in my experience judge them by the politics they fled to escape. If anything, they are pitied for having to flee their homeland to be able to lead a free and decent life. I enjoyed reading your piece up until that statement. The writing is excellent, but that particular statement is untrue.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Florida is completely different than the rest of the US, Home of many exiles, Cubans living in Little Havana are grateful for their welcome and are integrated into the cultural melting pot. I agree and will add the exclusion to the essay, but for the other 49 states, your humanity isn't always so pure.
Comment from Quoiky
Wow. I'm not really sure how to respond to your writing. As an American, I can say how insulting it was; but, as an intelligent American, I also agree with what you are saying. Let's see how things turn out after Obama is finally out of office.
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Wow. I'm not really sure how to respond to your writing. As an American, I can say how insulting it was; but, as an intelligent American, I also agree with what you are saying. Let's see how things turn out after Obama is finally out of office.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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As an intelligent American, you surely don't hang around with the Mafia, but that's really who owned Cuba before the revolution. As an American you should no more identify with the awful behaviour of the people who exploited Cuba than you would with a natural-born lone wolf that becomes radicalized on home soil while staring at the computer screen.
Essentially we are all human beings, and regardless of the flag that flies over our respective capitals, we need to address human rights and pay attention--especially to what goes on in our backyards,
Thanks for the read and honest feedback.
Comment from Kingsland
I really liked your thoughts here on Cuba and its new relationship to the United States. This article was well written and made a lot of sense for me. I just hope for the sake of the Cuban people that the new agreement can mean new progress and hope of those on that island. There is no way to go but up... John
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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I really liked your thoughts here on Cuba and its new relationship to the United States. This article was well written and made a lot of sense for me. I just hope for the sake of the Cuban people that the new agreement can mean new progress and hope of those on that island. There is no way to go but up... John
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Right now there's no place for these people to go at all, living on survival mode does not birth dreams.
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It's going to take time, but I think things will improve for the Cuban people. American companies are already making plans to go there and set up business...
Comment from RodG
I am giving your essay a "B" or GOOD rating because it is very informative and gives the reader a veteran traveler's perspective of Cuba. The fact you are Canadian helps us understand how/why you have been able to enjoy 5 trips.
The weakness of your essay is coherence. You spent the first third giving us a history lesson, the second third discussing your personal remembrances, and the last third giving us more political and social background. Your essay would benefit most from better transitions.
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reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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I am giving your essay a "B" or GOOD rating because it is very informative and gives the reader a veteran traveler's perspective of Cuba. The fact you are Canadian helps us understand how/why you have been able to enjoy 5 trips.
The weakness of your essay is coherence. You spent the first third giving us a history lesson, the second third discussing your personal remembrances, and the last third giving us more political and social background. Your essay would benefit most from better transitions.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Thanks for your gracious review.
Comment from rjpurdy
Ingrid, please do not think that the sixth star is a trade for the recent spectacular review you gave me on "Reconciled." I am not that shallow. I only administer the honor when it is well deserved. This is worthy of a six and more.
Your strong voice of knowledge is present is this engaging report. You could easily rewrite history with your knowledge and truth. America has historic amnesia, a sanitized history they want us all to believe. It has always been that way.
Your personal experience here speaks louder than the history books. You are compassionate yet realistic. The picture you paint is one of hope. Yet, I fear America will only take advantage of a disadvantaged culture AGAIN, if they are allowed unrestricted access to this island gem. But I digress.
Your writing is technically flawless. It flows and progresses, holds interest and is of social, cultural value. You are as you state "A Writer." I am enamored of how well you keep your own opinion graceful, while simply staing the facts and the truth. You are a pen to be taken seriously.
~Peace & Grace~ Rod
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Ingrid, please do not think that the sixth star is a trade for the recent spectacular review you gave me on "Reconciled." I am not that shallow. I only administer the honor when it is well deserved. This is worthy of a six and more.
Your strong voice of knowledge is present is this engaging report. You could easily rewrite history with your knowledge and truth. America has historic amnesia, a sanitized history they want us all to believe. It has always been that way.
Your personal experience here speaks louder than the history books. You are compassionate yet realistic. The picture you paint is one of hope. Yet, I fear America will only take advantage of a disadvantaged culture AGAIN, if they are allowed unrestricted access to this island gem. But I digress.
Your writing is technically flawless. It flows and progresses, holds interest and is of social, cultural value. You are as you state "A Writer." I am enamored of how well you keep your own opinion graceful, while simply staing the facts and the truth. You are a pen to be taken seriously.
~Peace & Grace~ Rod
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Occasionally, when the plumbing gets blocked up, venom flows on the page and I'm not nearly as gracious as in this essay. Selective memory works for us old codgers, but many younger Americans have no history, just the habitual hatred of something they know anything about.
The mob poisoned Cuba, and the Russians aimed the missiles. No one seems to get that or want to get that, preferring to look at Castro like a totally evil man. I admit, some parts are slimy, but he never gave up his mighty desire to see Cuba free from the follies it endured in his youth.
Thanks for the stars--always appreciated and welcome.
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Perhaos Castro is a little less caustic than my own governing fathers. I used to believe that no matter what party was in power, they all had the American peoples' interest at heart. Now, I believe the only interest they have is that of the party they are affiliated with. Sad commentary.
Comment from Jay Squires
I like your post, Ingrid, and agree with its premises.
Just a breath over three hundred miles from Miami, [What a fresh image!]
Every country bears the responsibility of their own shame. [Country being singular takes "its" instead of "their".]
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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I like your post, Ingrid, and agree with its premises.
Just a breath over three hundred miles from Miami, [What a fresh image!]
Every country bears the responsibility of their own shame. [Country being singular takes "its" instead of "their".]
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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A six? Wow, thanks. From you a prized accolade!
I think a lot of American attitude towards Cuba is habitual hate, and the average Joe knows very little about the island or its history, except perhaps in the Miami community of Little Havana.
Many people are more benevolent (at least before the Crimea invasion) towards Russia than Cuba. It was the Russians that aimed those missiles at the US, albeit Castro was most certainly involved. The USSR has been dissected, they've been out of Cuba for twenty years, yet the hatred towards a little island continues.
As an occasional political junky, I can't wait to see what happens politically after the Castro brothers die.
Comment from patcelaw
Good essay on Cuba. It will probably take years to undo damage the Castro brothers have inflicted on the country, as well as the attitudes of the people who now rely on hand outs from tourist and the government to eke out a meager existence.
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reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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Good essay on Cuba. It will probably take years to undo damage the Castro brothers have inflicted on the country, as well as the attitudes of the people who now rely on hand outs from tourist and the government to eke out a meager existence.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 22-Dec-2014
reply by the author on 22-Dec-2014
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It will take time, but everything starts with an idea and a footstep.