I know, it’s only rock n roll…
We should have seen this one coming.
Via The Latin Americanist, where I also first learned of the great Juanes-Clinton Summit of 2009 comes an essay in the Miami Herald by some guy named Joe Cardona (described as an “independent film maker”) claiming that Rock n Roll aids and abets commies. Really!
Juanes likely will share the stage with Silvio Rodríguez and Los Van Van, singers who have spent their entire careers hailing the comandante. Some American acts are being considered. His publicist revealed Juanes spoke with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about relaxing the embargo so that American artists could join in.
The concert promises to be nothing more than a shameless, thoughtless and heartless appearance by the 36-year-old singer and his fellow performers. It will be one more tacit legitimization of the hemisphere’s most oppressive 50-year-old dictatorship.
Juanes (Juan Esteban Aristizábal) apparently plans on strumming his guitar at the Plaza de la Revolución, which has hosted hundreds of Fidel Castro’s vitriolic harangues over the last half century. The descarga (jam) won’t question Cubans’ lack of freedom of speech and self determination.
Complaining both that Cubans might enjoy the event AND at the same time, complaining that musicians who are not interested in attending won’t attend, It’s not “lack of freedom of speech” that Cardona is complaining about, but that it’s only a music festival and not a political event, like he wants.
Besides, given that the Cuban government is paying for the thing, it’s bad manners to insist on being admitted to someone’s home in order to insult them. Sort of like the commentator who I’m spamming out from now on.If you want to insult people, do it on your own dime (or website) or music venue.
mexfiles.net 
True Story [ forgive me if I say it in english.]
I have a Mexican friend who works for a wealthy man from Mexico City. He hasn’t been paid for 5 weeks. So when he sat down with the Jefe, he asked “Why?”
Jefe said: “You have to understand that when I sit down in a restaurant with my friends and go to pay the bill.It’s very important that I have a thick wallet.”
My friend said in response: “Who pays for the food for my children.”
Probably 70% of campesinos and urban working mexicans put up with garbage like this. It’s no wonder that Castro is seen as a hero against those with the fat wallets.
Gringo Norteamericanos and Europeans who support the coup in Honduras should understand that a small percentage of folks are muy rico and then about another 20% are the emerging middle class only they have none of the governmental and consumer protection safeguards that exist for the middle class in other countries. They really believe that someday they can be part of that muy rico class. Not a chance. Not as long as they can keep their wallets fat.
That’s why unless there are social and political changes, it’s inevitable that the masses will support their Castro.