Reforms? Cubans facing a new wave of repression

(My new American Thinker post)

The Castro government has been playing this game for years:  

1) They announce reforms and get all of the Western media excited; and then,  

2) They unleash repression on the Cuban people. 

It looks like we are watching another one of those episodes again, according to The Capitol Hill Cubans via my friends at Babalu:  

"Cuban independent journalists (from the Hablemos Press news agency) have documented over 100 political arrests conducted by the Castro regime during the first five days of August. That's nearly half the tally (in just five days) of the 255 political arrests documented throughout the entire month of July.  There's one irrefutable change that is currently taking place in Cuba: an increase in repression."  

There is also evidence that the Castro government is going after the dissidents by making it difficult for them to work:  

"The vetting process involves quizzing candidates' neighbours about their political views, and enquiries among local officials from Committees for Defence of the Revolution - a nationwide neighbourhood surveillance network - the Communist Party, the armed forces and the interior ministry."  

So that's the latest from the land of "reformas."  It is clear to me that these "reformas" are like the last "reformas" or no "reformas" at all!

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Tags: Cuba and more repression  To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!

Our democracy is in bad shape when we have to depend on Jay Leno to ask questions

(My new American Thinker post)

Jay Leno is a great late night comedian. He is good at what he does and I wish him well where ever he goes. Frankly, I'd rather watch the Rangers play at Anaheim but that's just me!

Again, this is not about Jay Leno. 

This is about our republic, our president and a media so in the tank that they should resign and join the Obama administration.

We have serious issues in the country, from the Middle East to these ObamaCare waivers for members of Congress.   

Our list of problems is long but you wouldn't tell by President Obama's schedule or priorities. Incredibly, President Obama is not talking about any of these problems.  He has been allowed by the media to float along and avoid any serious answers to serious questions. 

All of his appearances are staged speeches before selected "yes we can screamers" or "si se puede robots" if he is pandering to Hispanos about immigration.  

His presidency is now about appealing to low information voters who don't understand that the US is a superpower not an American Idol show.

Last night, I was appalled at watching the leader of the free world devalue the office created by George Washington by appearing on a variety show to discuss the threats we face. 

By the way, weren't you happy to hear this pearl of wisdom from our commander in chief:  

""The odds of dying in a terrorist attack are a lot lower than they are of dying in a car accident, unfortunately," Obama said...."

Why didn't he call Leno and cancel?  Why didn't he speak to us from The Oval Office?

Sorry but George Washington and Abraham Lincoln must be wondering whatever happened to the country that they shaped with their integrity and leadership!

Washington and Lincoln must be asking this:  When did American Idol select the president of the US?

Again, this is not about variety shows. I guess that I wouldn't mind watching a president of the US on a late night show if unemployment was at 4%, the budget was balanced and we were not pushed around by Putin.

This is a disgrace. This is also a stand up moment for the members of the media who've been protecting President Obama for years. It's time for the media to make it clear that they will not stand for more trips to Leno, MTV or worthless speeches about this or that.

The nation is calling on the media because President Obama is insulting our intelligence.  He is especially insulting the intelligence of those in the media who've been carrying his water.

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Tags: President Obama and Jay Leno  To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!

Venezuela: A country in turmoil

Could things get any worse in Venezuela?  I guess that the answer is yes.

Venezuela is undergoing a constitutional crisis coupled with inflation and personal insecurity.    In other words, the rule of law is selectively enforced, prices are high and it's unsafe to walk the streets.

How much longer can this go on?  I don't know.  At the same time, I will tell you that I'm surprised that we've gone this long already.

By the way, did I tell you that prisons are overcrowded?    This is nothing to be cheerful about via Fausta's blog:

"Only Haiti and the Philippines have a higher rate of overcrowding than Venezuela. Also, the country’s data sheet from the International Centre for Prison Studies indicate that the total number of inmates in our penitenciary system doubled between 2008 and 2012.
The consequences of this are more than evident, as 289 inmates have died in the first six months of 2013, according to a report from the NGO Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons. In average, it means one inmate death per day. It’s easier to die inside a jail than outside."

Click here for Wednesday's show Jesús Fernando González Cazorla, former military officer and a human rights activist in Venezuela.  Also, Fausta Wertz and Michael Prada PLUS a special message from Betsy Gonzalez:

Listen to internet radio with Silvio Canto Jr on BlogTalkRadio

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Tags: Venezuela: A country in turmoil   To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the My View by Silvio Canto, Jr. Thanks!