Enjoyed the article by Marcos Aguinis in Argentina’s La Nacion on June 2nd., entitled “Advantages of the Cuban model”. Essentially Auguinis’ sensibilities were insulted by the welcome given to Fidel Castro by the Argentinean Congress, the law Department of the B.A. University, the press and the new President. This led him to write a very fine and ironic article. Some highlights:
“Despite the dictatorships we have suffered, we love a Dictator, we are that way.
Of course, a Dictator who claims to be a socialist, whose tortures tickles and whose firing squads improve the quality of life. Nothing, no matter how horrible he does, matters. Whatever is denounced about violations of human rights in Cuba, is an invention of the CIA. Castro is an idol, a legend, emblematic of heroism and the noble fight against imperialism. Everything he does is fine.
I ask: if he is so admired, why don’t we follow his model? Supposedly, it is marvelous. Why emulate –New Zealand, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, Canada-complicated modern countries-, if Castro’s model is simpler, mobilizes and is attractive?…
Fidel’s model has other advantages, I suppose:
For example, there would be no sterile debates over the Governments actions. Criticism would disappear and with that, it would push us all in the same direction. We would not have to spend neurons or saliva over society’s problems, because that would be the exclusive task of the regime’s functionaries, who never make mistakes. One would not have to choose between newspapers, newscasts, magazines, because there would only be the minimum needed, with official news only. In that manner we would not be able to doubt the various sources, or get depressed for the defeatist news of the enemies of the people…
We would also collect the benefits of not allowing anyone to leave the country. The enemies of the people would say that we have converted ourselves into a huge jail. Lies! The paradise is not prison: those that escape are traitors. This would solve like magic the perversity of wanting to do graduate work elsewhere or look for better prospects abroad. …
The only expense would be bullets against those that want to escape the regime. We could use preventive shootings Castro style; the same way that George W. Bush performs preventive wars.
Another great benefit would be tourism. The best places would be refurbished for the exclusive enjoyment of foreigners…”
The Devil's Excrement 