"B Banton" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 05 Apr 2004 13:27:56 GMT, "LewBob"
wrote:

Our local Cable and PBS each carry BBC
and Deutsche Welle every evening. (digital cable
service carries BBCWorld 24/7) Shortwave is obsolete.
Unfortunatly.

Not entirely obsolete. Having recently visited Cuba (legally as a working
journalist), I listen to Radio Havana almost every night. Got a chance to
meet three of the folks working there during my stay in Havana.
Fascinating
country. Wonderful people. All they need is a little freedom and
opportunity.

Oh is that all. Just a "little freedom and opportunity".

I could go into considerable -- off topic -- discussion about the Cuban
people, but I will try to be concise.

Considering that Cuba is (and always has been) a Third World country, the
people are remarkably well educated, spirited and welcoming. They are
ingenious at making do with what they have and keeping mechanical things
working. They live under a totalitarian regime that suppresses all
opposition -- as best it can -- and the socialist system provides free
freedoms and little opportunity for advancement, therefore no incentives to
improve productivity and no hope of improving their lifestyles.

Restricted though they are, they manage to subsist at a higher level that
the average citizens in almost any other Third World country.

If Castro would allow them a few freedoms, e.go. to travel, to own, buy and
sell cars and property, to change jobs, I believe the Cuban people would
amaze a lot of onlookers with their abilities and passions.

Yeah, just a little freedom and opportunity.