Opinion

Occupy Wall Street Focuses on the Roots

The western media is finally aware of Occupy Wall Street (OWS), and of course, it is confused. One the biggest problems with its coverage of anything inherently political is the need to frame all new phenomena within an identifiable context. (13 photos)

Read More

Cuba’s Sports: for Medals or for Health?

A few days ago while walking through Old Havana, I saw the police trying to stop some neighborhood kids from playing soccer in a park. There were five simultaneous games underway that were almost completely preventing the activities of other people.

Read More

Philosophy’s Not for the Masses

I maintain that philosophy isn’t a subject for the masses, though I don’t mean to say that not everyone can philosophize. Like Socrates said, everyone has in themselves the beginnings of wisdom.

Read More

Cuba: Immigration, Love and Sex

The United States has committed deplorable acts against the Cuban nation, it’s true, but all of those together fail to justify even one of the arbitrary measures taken by the Cuban government (many of them still in force) against its emigrant population.

Read More

Cuba’s Constitution, Law and Rights

I ran into two friends who were euphoric. One of them can finally put the title of his Russian Lada car in his name. The other can now transfer his car ownership to his daughter “without having to die.”

Read More

Cuba Elite Faces Identity Crisis

In technical terms, while the political system moves towards an authoritarian status — requiring obedience more than empathy — the elite maintains its totalitarian bent, as if it were actually in a position to command the enthusiastic allegiance of people around the promise of a new world that it can no longer even promise.

Read More

Revolutionary carrots and sticks

It is no secret that the Cuban government has harshly punished those people that oppose it; using violence in many cases and long prison terms against many dissenters. On the other hand they stimulate those that support their rule.

Read More

Adios September 28

I live in one of the many marginal neighborhoods of Havana, and ever since I can remember, whenever the date of September 28 started to approach, the residents on each block are summoned to a gathering of their CDR (Committee for the Defense of the Revolution).

Read More