Remember Little Elian?
Filed under: Latinolicious > PolitikThis just goes to show you that anyone can be brainwashed.
Just eight years ago, Elian Gonzalez arrived in the United States sailing across on a small raft with his mother and several others.
Unfortunately, his mother passed away before making it to freedom, but the controversy of whether the child would stay in the US or be returned to Cuba became worldwide news.
Little Elian was forcefully taken against his will and that of his family's, and forced to return to Cuba with his estranged father.
Now, at the age of 14, Elian, like every other Cuban school boy, has been forced to join Cuba's Union of Young Communists
And of that, he is excited.
According to the Juventud Rebelde newspaper, Elian is very excited to join and has vowed to never let down Fidel and his brother, Raul.
Elian is now one of 18,000 boys joining the communist group.
He says, "We say to the leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, and President Raúl Castro that they can rely on these valiant troops, that we will continue to follow their example and never disappoint them."
He adds, "Although it is an occasion for great joy, we also know that we are taking on a tremendous responsibility and there are great challenges to be faced in every school where we continue our studies, in order to become the educated individuals that our homeland needs."
Poor kid. At least he's well taken care of, unlike the many other Cubans on the island.
Miriam Yanet Martín, president of the José Martí Pioneros Organization, stated Elian "was a six-year-old boy who had been kidnapped by the Miami mafia and his father demanded his return to Cuban soil, the whole population rose up to demand his freedom, from the youngest schoolchild to the most elderly citizen."
Haha, yea right. The Miami Mafia?
We don't know the Miami Mafia, but we know the Miami Sound Machine!
This kid belonged with his biological father, irrespective of what we may think of his country's politics.
Name ONE bastard who swam back to Cuba. Liberals lie like dogs. They say what a wonderful land of free health care. Bastards, go there you demorats. We love it since you took control of congress and now gas is $400 when it was 250 before you took over. The stock market was 14000 and now is 12300. Suck my huge dick, libtards.
Re: TRUTH –
Ummmm…my Cuban relatives who live on the island like just fine, thank you. They aren't begging to come to this country nor are they dying to get on a raft.
By the way for all of you who believe the lies this country says about Cuba- they do have the internet there. And the grocery stores carry more than three cans of beans- the government provides a number of items to the families in addition to what they can purchase for themselves.
Why don't you try talking to someone who lives there and not some American or Cuban-American propagandist before you try to pass off you opinion as informed?
I have been to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and all over the Carribbean (lived there). I can tell you first hand that the overall well-being of Cubans is far, far, far better than the lives of those living in corrupt "democracies" you see in countries like the Dominican. You have to understand, in countries like the Dominican Republic, it is common for people to live without electricity or water. They can't afford to educate their kids - not only in formal education, but in things like living healthy, or how to prevent the spread of STDs.
I should have stated at the outset of this post that there are numerous problems in Cuba (like the ridiculous number of laws); however, one thing that anyone who actually visits the country will see that everyone is taken care of. Nobody is starving, everyone has clean clothes, they are all educated, and most importantly - they all have jobs. It's like everyone has a place in society; there are no outcasts, which is a unique feature of Cuban culture.
I understand why Americans hold animosity towards the country; however, to say that the people in Cuba are not taken care of is American propaghanda. You can't compare countries like Cuba to wealthy ones like USA, Britain, or Canada. You have to compare it to other Carribbean countries, and the reality is that people are doing well.
P.S. I love how some of you are comparing the situation in Cuba to Stalinism …
The Miami Mafia, is actually the NY Mafia, as the Gambinos run things out there.
yea…i remember that day…..i didnt go to school sometime that week either! because i was "protesting"….im a mexican living in miami…ha! i didnt give a shit…i was just happy i didnt go to school
Re: M – Um, ya..I have 2 great aunts who live in Cuba and my grandmother has gone through the years several times to visit her mother when she was still alive (she lived to be 98). I have seen pictures of the grocery stores, and yes, they were as bad as i stated. And you say the government provides a number of items. I like how you make it seem like they live so great. Do you know the shit that they give? How can you defend a country where you can not buy anything you want to buy? You have to buy what they give you? You have to take the same crap food ration every month, which sometime isn't enough? You must really take the US for granted.
and how many millions of our tax dollars were spent on this fiasco? our money, that we work our asses off every day, for crap like this. sorry, okay, the kid is a hero, he survived a terrible ordeal. he's back home now and "thriving". he's a hero. good for him. wonder if he'll ever appreciate what his mother went through to find him a better life? doubt it. he's brainwashed. good riddance. get lost. join the army. hail fidel. he's the queen of mean. we've spent way too much money on you already. when are we, as hard-working Americans, going to start helping our own? our own poor and helpless? American citizens who have struggled alll their lives and now find themselves completely down and out because they can't afford gas to get to work, or food to feed their families. Foreclosures are at a record high. Hey, here's a thought, let's spend that uber millions that we apparently have to throw away to foreigners because we want them to like us………..how about we keep it in the country? How about we start taking care of our own? Families of our heroes who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and other horrendous places………let's spend money on them……I think it's time America got selfish and stopped throwing away billions to other countries……….charity begins at home. Let's take care of our own for once……….
and you continually praise your hometown, perez?!
communism isnt good.
yo me acuerdo cuando esta noticia fue un escandalo, elian era el "balserito", recuerdo ke salio en tooodos lados y ke el niño platicaba ke los delfines se le acercaban para cuidarlo y ke su mamá murio para poder darle una mejor vida, recuerdo a elian, y tambien ke cuando llegaron a sacarlo de casa de sus abuelos maternos, todo un shoe, de pelicula, hombres armados con todo un desplege policiaco para un niño, ke barbaros, saludos a todos los ke vemos perezhilton antes de dormir, yo desde tijuana no me lo pierdo.
communism rules. if anyone is brainwashed, its stilly americans thinking their country is doing good and just things in the world.
Perez + foreign policy = ridiculous.
brainwashed? Look in the mirror.
Maybe if you (and we) spent less time reading about tawdry pointless garbage online, perhaps you'd (we'd) have a better understanding of foreign affairs, of the impact of America's policies towards Cuba, and of the deep flaws within both systems of government.
you sound like an uneducated red neck, I wonder how much education you have had, You have been sold a story and like many millions believe it, look at the picture were the big guns really neccessary, I wonder which country is really behind in acting humane and civilied.
He looks well, mature, and educated its more then I can say for you. And as for Cuba it has one of the best health care and the best education for the poor and the rich, but we are to busy hating and watching fox, please keep your one sided news to yourself.
Cuban Americans in Miami REALLY embarrassed themselves over this little boy. They allowed their hatred of Castro potentially damage that little boy forever by keeping him from his father. I mean that boys mother was beyond moronic endangering his life the way she did and then for her family to try to kidnap him. Utterlydisgraceful
seems that that whole story turned out for the best. not.
Re: vero3 – VIVA CUBA LIBRE!!!!! ABAJO LA REVOLUCION! EL COMUNISMO SOLO SIRVE PARA EMPOBRECER LOS PUBLOS MAS Y MAS!!! Comunism is crap is a fake! cubans have free health care and education? yeah but in horrible conditions!….and for all of those who think Venezuela is doing great because of the cheap gas….I hpe venezuelans star to eat gasoline cuz they'r starting to run out of food just like cubans….VIVA VENEZUELA Y CUBA LIBRE!
the way i look at it is like in the states they always try to keep kids and biological parents together first. His father did not beat him or hurt him in anyway, he even came to miami and walked the streets even though he was very scared to just so he could have his little boy in his arms again.
As random as it sounds I happened to be in Orlando when this was going on and I remeber all the controversy over it and plus if he was not handed over, you know cuba would do something crazy to get him back. It wasn't worth starting a war over.
Better off in Cuba fighting for his homeland than in the US where he will develop a grandious sense of superiority.. Funny you should say brain wash when it's Americans who are brainwashed when it comes to Cuba, it's one of the best run countries in the world
Elian's parents were separated, he lived with his father before the incident occurred. His mother kidnapped him from his father's home to take him with her to Miami. His father is his family. The cuban Americans were trying to keep Elian in Miami against his father's will. Elian was only 7 years old, and although he was unsure of what he wanted to do, he was terrified from the violence and protests that surrounded his situation. He returned to his real family, and has refused any interviews since the incident.
America has scarred Elian. In my opinion, Cuba has done nothing wrong to this boy. The United States government participates in equal amounts of propaganda as the Cuban government.
What is with the bullshit here. Elian was NOT estranged from his father. The parents were divorced and the dad was remarried and had a new child. Happens everyday, it doesn't mean he wasn't involved with his son. The maternal grandmother came to the US to try to get him back to Cuba. Elian's mother was an idiot, plain and simple. She got on a small rickety raft with her young child and 14 other people. Utter stupidity and irresponsibility. Don't kid yourself that it was to give the kid a better life, it was about being with her deadbeat boyfriend. The irony of the whole story is that the raft had to be turn back originally due to problems and another young mother decided not to take her daughter on the second try. The mom survived, but her relatives would not send her daughter to the US.
Um yeah, anyone can be brainwashed, including YOU!!!!!!! Perez, you have absolutely no clue how brainwashed you are do you? That's one of the sign of someone who's bought the ideology they're fed hook, line and sinker. Stop shitting on Cuba like you're a crazy neocon. Sheesh.
Perez:
have you even been to the island? Or do you just take what anyone tells you. I, and African American, have been several times and find that most the stuff you hear about cuba is totally untrue, I stayed in cuban homes and went where they did to shop, etc. It, unlike the U.S. has seemingly tackled the race issue. Black or white, red or green, you are a cuban first. the cubans in the states that seem to complain the most are of European heritage. Cubans on teh island celebrate thier African–and Spanish–heritage. It's a wonderful place full of wonderful people, whose country has made sure they are educated (everyone cane read–unlike the U.S.) and taken care of as far as housing and health. Need I remind you how many people in the States have no health care and are homeless (the working homeless). As a blogger, get a media pass and visit for yourself. Your mind will change 100 percent
Yeah, Cuba was sooo much better when it was controlled by the mafia, a haven for gangsters, and had no social programs whatsoever. I've been to Cuba, and I can tell you it's way better off than many parts of the United States, and certainly better off than the banana republics the U.S. supports. Oh, and for all of you who say the kid's brainwashed — Americans are brainwashed, that's why the rest of the world laughs its collective a-s off at you.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IT WAS THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION WITH JANET RENO (YEAH, THEY'RE DEMOCRATS) THAT WENT IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE WITH GUNS BLAZING TO TAKE A SMALL BOY, WHO SURVIVED THE OCEAN WITH SHARKS AND THE DEATH OF HIS MOTHER, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO SEND HIM BACK TO A COMMUNIST DICATATOR AND A LIFE OF NOTHING TO BE BRAINWASHED AND ENSLAVED, JUST LIKE HIS FATHER - WHO WAS UNABLE TO SPEAK OUT BECAUSE THE CONSEQUENCE IS PRISON OR DEATH. THAT IS COMMUNISM, FOLKS, AND YES, I AM INCLUDING THE DEMOCRATS………CONSERVATISM IS FREEDOM…….ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS A REPUBLICAN, PEOPLE…..THAT'S JUST A SMALL DOSE OF HISTORY FOR ALL YOU 'USEFUL IDIOTS' BEING KEPT STUPID BY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS YOU WANT MORE DEMOCRAT WELFARE FOR……THE DEOMOCRATS WANT YOU TO STAY STUPID AND BRAINWASHED, BECAUSE IF YOU WERE'NT, YOU'D SEE RIGHT THROUGH THEM AND BREAK FREE FROM THE 'PLANTATION.' THOMAS JEFFERSON SAID, "THE TREE OF LIBERTY MUST BE REFRESHED FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS." REMEMBER THAT HOLLYWOOD, BECAUSE AFTER IRAN, YOU'RE NEXT………
HEY HOLLYWOOD COMMIES, NAME ANOTHER COUNTRY PEOPLE ARE WILLING, AND LITERALLY, DYING TO GET INTO…….THAT WOULD BE OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA………….GET THE HINT?
i'm glad they sent his ass back.Talkin bout the US took him back to Cuba forcefully.PLEASE.What about all the poor Haitans that don't even make it over to America cause they get stopped in the water.I'm tired of Fuckin Latino's always wanting a free pass but don't want to be AMERICANS
Perez you are very much on pointwhen it comes to hollywood gossip media, but way off about Elian Gonzales, he was n ot taking against his or miami family's will. A 6 yr old has no will his place is with his paraents, in this case his mother chose to riks her life and that of her son. Hi's so called family form Miami are nothing but a whole bunch ofblood sucking loosers who were on welfare and were only to try to make money out of the whole story and they did. They went from a section 8 rundown house to a huge own house overnight, I'm sure welfare did not provide that. We spent millions of dollars fighting for a kid who's wasn't even american and was only gonna grow up to take welfare just like his family in Miami. he's better off in Cuba where he learns to work for a living for a change.
Re: IGNOR –
I'm sorry darling but you are the one who doesn't know what you're talking about. I'm not going to talk about A family that has lived through communism coz that's quite a big discussion. We're talking about Cuba where ALL it's citizens have access to education and health, not just those with big money.
Also their army consists of about half the Cuban population. Don't you think they could have overthrown Castro, if they were unhappy with his rule or they were treated like dogs???
If the boy is happy then who cares?! 99% of have probably not nor ever will go to Cuba so everything negative that you are saying is a direct effect of THIS country's BRAINWASHING! Why are you so up in arms about Castro when we have George w. Bush to deal with… If you guys knew half the bullshit our government causes in less fortunate nations you wouldn't be so fast to talk!!! Grow up and go read some damn books!!!
I'm going off topic, but because so many people here have decided to post vitriolic comments about the United States, I'm going to go off topic, too.
The U.S. funds on average 22% of the U.N.'s funds, and Japan contributing 17%. So for all of those of you on here who thinks we're more detrimental to other countries than we are helpful, I propose this. Have the U.S. pull all aide (not just U.N. funds) out of other countries for two years and see what happens. People will talk shit about the U.S. till no end until their country is in trouble? Who do you think they come running to? We're far from perfect, but the hatred of country (internationally and even within) in undeserved.
Also, for those of you who actually care, do some research on the Oil for Food scandal. See who Saddam was in bed with. You'll be surprised and disgusted, I hope.
We've fucked up, but we're not the only ones, and I'll be damned if I'm going to apologize for us.
Re: Olina – darling, so you think millions of cubans have risked their lives trying to come to the U.S. on rafts because they love it there so much and are treated so fairly and nicely? OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE! you are so fucking ignorant. it makes me sick.
Re: IGNOR –
Where exactly did you see those MILLIONS???
And you didn't answer my question.
Re: m –
m is right. This story happens every day here without any problems between families here and Cuba. At first Elian's father had agreed that the mother's family would care for him. He would've probably joined his son in Miami eventually with his new wife and baby. When the media got ahold of the story because of the mother dying and the whole dolphins saving the boy thing…and then the governments got involved..all the families became pawns.
Right-wing Cubans who now live in America need to shut their f-ing yappers. Or they need to join Alpha-66 and suck either others dicks. Fuck Elian and fuck the Cuban American pride and Agenda. Were are all living in America.
Isn't it OBVIOUS that Cubans eat what they are given because so many nations refuse to TRADE with them and they can't make as much money from IMPORTING!!! The US doesn't want to have "good relations" with Cuba!!! Thet want full CONTROL… they want to step in an introduce MTV and genetically modified foods and McDonalds… like in Puerto Rico where they tell them they CAN'T EXPORT oranges… after all Florida's got that on lock. Re: Wow –