Dissident Cuban website, once blocked, now accessible

[MADem]

(Reuters) - An independent news website that had been blocked in Cuba since its debut on Wednesday became available to Cuban Internet users on Saturday.

Dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez started publishing 14ymedio.com on Wednesday, only to have readers being redirected to another site that reflects the official line and is highly critical of her.

Sanchez blamed the Cuban government, which said it was unaware who was behind the redirection.

Sanchez's site had been accessible outside Cuba from the start, but remained blocked through Friday to the small minority of Cubans with Internet access. On Saturday, it could be accessed through Cuban servers.....


More at link.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Yoani Sanchez and the U.S. White House

By admitting that the secret ZunZuneo, a disguised “Cuban Twitter” mimic was specifically designed for the purposes of encouraging political opposition to the Castro regime, the White House basically outed Yoani Sanchez as “The Cuban Twitter/Blogger”. The White House recklessly painted a bulls eye on Yoani Sanchez’ back while simultaneously admitting to an international violation of sovereignty.

Now that Gordiano Lupi has stated publicly stating that Yoani is a mercenary, a fraud and fueled by greed, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Díaz‑Balart, Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Marco Rubio, Lincoln Díaz‑Balart, Joe García and her many other supporters are no where to be seen and all questions are met with “no comment”.

http://syndicatednews.net/yoani_usaid/

She a USAID funded bad news item. Plenty of links to the subject of her here on DU for those able to search.

[MADem]

2. They're loosening the net. She can't be all bad news.... nt

[dipsydoodle]

3. Loosening does not affect affordability

as you will know if you've been there.

[MADem]

4. There's elites and serfs in Cuba, too.

That said, every step towards a more open society is a good one.

The country is going to have to make a turn--they can't continue on as they are doing, and VZ is on the edge as well. VZ provides them all that cheap oil, and that's going to be a problem for them if VZ can't pay their own bills.

[flamingdem]

6. Cuba needs to open up more but the US needs to respect Cuba and

its history, especially its history with the US that has included blatant imperialism and subversion - that essentially created Fidelismo.

I think there's a chance there will be progress under Obama. Probably a loosening of travel restrictions and hopefully trade, though good luck allowing Cuba to have credits with the right wing attitudes. I'm less optimistic about Hillary because she's said that her policy is to wait until the Castros die.

In the end change may be forced by economic necessity, though Cuba has withstood worse.

[Mika]

10. Congress REQUIRES that no one w/the name Castro be in Cuba's gov't for the sanctions to end.

We're stuck with pretty much the same shit no matter what Prez O does.
Which isn't much.

[flamingdem]

11. Well if they stick to that we're stuck with stasis until Raul steps down in 2018

and Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel takes over. In the meantime Obama could loosen up travel and trade regulations. Plus they can take Cuba off the terrorism list next year.

[Mika]

19. I doubt they'll take Cuba off the list.

Its one of the myriad of weapons used to put the squeeze on - keeping banks from doing business with Cuba/Cubans.
And the mewling worms howl how Cuba's economy is ruined by the evil Dr Castro.

[Bacchus4.0]

17. I would favor Cuba being able to buy anything they can afford from the United States

including food, medicine, supplies, machinery. Payment upfront in cash. Any credit given to Cuba for purchases in the US would be between Cuba and those companies. They should be wary though, look Cuban's colony Venezuela.

The US government (tax payers) should not bankroll Cuba by giving them credit.

[MADem]

13. At least one guy needs to die--maybe two.

I believe that Fidel and maybe Raul did something that was unforgivable. It's one of those files that remains classified for sixty plus years...

There's no other logical reason.

I think the next US president will be dealing with big changes when it comes to Cuba.

[flamingdem]

15. It's not that dramatic, it's a policy controlled by the right wing

Cuban Americans and others on the gravy train of the Embargo. Many make their living on it and get millions out of USAID, why give that up?

Obama would make changes if he wasn't blocked by Sen. Menendez who says he will block immigration reform if there are changes to Cuba policy.

Etc.

[MADem]

18. I'm not totally sold on that. I think it's a bit symbiotic. I think the RWingnuts

exploited an actual "problem."

It does not escape my notice that every President from Carter on, pretty much, has said "Oh, we're gonna adjust the Cuban relations as soon as I take office," and then, they get in there, get the briefing, and all of a sudden, it's Business As Usual when it comes to Cuba.

[flamingdem]

20. Figure that the US has dominated Cuba for over a hundred years

as in "Cuba belongs to us" for whatever justification. Then add to that the fact that we don't need anything from them and they're not a real threat of any kind. The only conclusion can be that it's just a political football. Concerns for both parties have been over Florida in elections. Now that's changing but as I pointed out Sen. Menendez is another ideologue Cuban American nutjob who'll block immigration out of spite.

[MADem]

24. Naaah. It makes no sense.

We've forgiven Vietnam fachrissake. And they tweaked our nose and killed 58K of our children. And we don't need anything from Cuba, though they grow some nice sugar (and the sugar boys don't like the competition). Cigars are out of fashion, and Bacardi is now set up in PR...and of course, anyone who knows anything about rum would go to Jamaica first, anyway.

I think the Castro boys did a bad, bad thing. I'd love to know what it was; I think there's a file stashed away somewhere, there, that accounts for the vacillations of commentary between the time presidential candidates become presidents.

Who knows for sure, though? Time as always will tell--I hope I live to see it!

[Mika]

28. So glad the US has forgiven Vietnam for attacking us ... oh .. wait.

This is the very attitude that keeps us apart.

[MADem]

30. Yes, that "attitude" that has you making shit up like you do, and ascribing views to

people that they don't hold.

I never ever, not once, said Vietnam "attacked us." Yet you made that up and flung it, like saying the lie makes it true. I do know American history, and I also know how badly the defeat in Vietnam stung policy makers. That was my reference point. Yet, rather than take that point, you made an assholish and false assumption and snarked--like you do. Always.

You should not do that--you think it's cool, but you come off looking like Bill O'Reilly's opposite number--willing to stretch facts and obscure truth to make what you regard as a point. It's why I can't have much respect for your opinion, when you pull that kind of shit. Never mind the "Castro can do no wrong" lunacy you shop on a loop, it's your nasty approach to conversation that causes me to disregard what you have to say.

[Mika]

32. Then what was the US forgiving Vietnam (as you claim) for?

I guess that I needed a sarcasm icon for you to figure that out.

You're not very good at the Ms Cleo act you put on.

[MADem]

40. For having the nerve to beat us at war. That's a rather large "duh."

You clearly don't have a clue as to the US mindset with regard to national defense during the Cold War era--that much is clear by your remarks.

Do you have trouble with English, spoken or written?

You have no capacity to converse, civilly or otherwise.

Your attempts at sarcasm and snide commentary fall flat. You're just not as clever as you think you are, and you're rude and nasty as well.

You resort to name calling as a first line of defense, because you can't talk to people like an adult would.

And it doesn't take a "Miss Cleo" /snark to figure that out.

You've got issues, and they're your problem, not mine.

[Mika]

43. I'll brush up on my attempts at sarcasm and snide commentary, learning from your excellent teachings

Thank you, Ajahn MADem. No one in this forum is as good as you are at it.


Cheers.

[MADem]

46. I don't call people names and act like a jerk. That's probably the first lesson you need to learn.

You've got that sarcasm and snideness thing down, as well as the name-calling.

It doesn't help your arguments though.

[Mika]

48. Well, your claim of not acting like a jerk is a matter of opinion.

Thank you for the guidance. I'm beginning to feel beloved. lol


Cheers.

[MADem]

50. Yes, it most certainly is and anyone reading this can form one. nt

[Mika]

25. Jesse Helms and Dan Burton were not Florida politicians. n/t

[Mika]

23. RWnuts aren't the only supporters of the US sanctions.

Its bipartisan. There;s a wide swath of R's and D's both pro and con. I've gone over it many times before with you, but, you are intransigent in your refusal to acknowledge it... sticking to the "Castro did bad things" doggerel.

Anyway, I know you & I don't agree. No harm done.

[MADem]

26. One man's doggerel is another's logical conclusion.

What else might account for a candidate changing his mind?

[Mika]

27. A change in economic gains by said candidate's campaign contributors.

Its not as idealogical as you claim, obviously, as stated upthread, the US has normalized with various commie enemies.

[flamingdem]

5. I can't tell who wrote that

It may be obvious but I can't tell, do you know?

[dipsydoodle]

7. Its secret

Not really - on my mobile......will check when I get home later.

[flamingdem]

12. I thought it might be out of Cuba but..

there aren't that many grammar errors!

[dipsydoodle]

35. This maybe ?

Yoani is denounced by her Italian translator.

Yoani Sánchez’s Italian-language translator for the past six years, Gordiano Lupi, on Friday (May 9) published an article blasting the Cuban blogger for being arrogant, mercenary, and greedy. Its title: “Yoani Sánchez: Her new journal is my freedom.”

Lupi, 54, is a respected translator, having translated into Italian works by José MartÌ, Heberto Padilla, Virgilio Piñera, Guillermo Cabrera Infante, Alejandro Torreguitart Ruiz, and many others.

The article, which appeared in the independent website Il Gazetin, is so revealing — coming from a man who knew Sánchez for a long time — that Progreso Weekly has translated it from the Italian and is publishing it here. Our translator’s clarifications appear [in brackets.]

>

read on.......................

http://progresoweekly.us/yoani-denounced-italian-translator/

Earlier stuff here from Judi Lynn in the Latin Forum: Yoani Sánchez and the ZunZuneo scandal http://www.democraticunderground.com/110829098

[MADem]

22. Wrote what? The article?

A guy named Daniel Trotta who works for Reuters.

http://blogs.reuters.com/daniel-trotta/

[flamingdem]

29. This one that Dipsey posted above

http://syndicatednews.net/yoani_usaid/

I couldn't see the author and don't know this website.

[MADem]

33. Syndicated news dot net? First I have seen of them.

There are a bunch of articles at the link, some of them are gossipy, most are denigrating, and they seem to be by different people. It's a bit of TLDR I am afraid.

I really don't see what the point is of dissing someone (the blogger in question, in fact) for her style of dress and "hillbilly hairdo," or for participating as a witness in a transgender wedding, but that's in there, too, at the end.

Nothing wrong with disagreeing, but that kind of stuff is pretty disagreeable.

[Bacchus4.0]

8. Only in Cuba is a blog site problematic n/t

[MADem]

9. I guess they hate that dissident freedom, or something! Party line only! nt

[flamingdem]

14. More like they don't like Yoani due to her questionable funding

and ties to the Miami right wing.

Knowing the MO of the right wing and USAID sneakiness I'd believe it if the site was blocked as a promotional stunt by their own side.

[Bacchus4.0]

16. I doubt it since her previous site was hosted outside Cuba

Nothing really to fear from her. If Cubans don't like her there is even less to fear. Why are Castro and Chavista types so afraid of expressions of public discontent?

[flamingdem]

21. Well they're not blocking her site, does that mean that

they don't fear her?

[Mika]

31. Generation Y wasn't blocked in Cuba.

Waded thru her online muck last time I was there just to check and see for myself.




https://www.facebook.com/SyndicatedNews.Net

[Mika]

34. A guess is all you've got on this topic.

It simply MUST be that "Fidel and maybe Raul did something that was unforgivable".

[MADem]

36. What in hell is WRONG with you? Where did I ever claim that this was anything more

than my own personal view?

You really are something--and I don't mean that kindly, either. By your own nasty approach to discussion we all shall know you.

And frankly, I don't like you one bit. You try to be a mocking, snarking, wise-acre bully, but all you do is make a pathetic ass of yourself.

[Mika]

37. An informed pathetic ass. lol

Unlike you. You've got nuttin but guesses on this topic.

Also, where do I say anything about your 'the Castro's did bad things' comment being anything other than your usual uninformed and laughable doggerel on this topic? Where do I say that its an official position, according to you? Why would I even think that, based on my opinion of your serious and intransigent lack of knowledge, or lack of honest level of discussion on this topic?

Methinks you're projecting a tad, and that you're perception of disliking me is possibly your own dislike of your own lack of knowledge of this topic. It must be frustrating, based on your come-backs.
Unless... you really do dislike that I'm well informed on Cuba topics, and that I've lived there, and that I have family there, and that I visit frequently. It really really is bugging you, badly, judging from your repeated ad hominem posts.


Nonetheless, have a great evening.

[Judi Lynn]

38. Projection comes to mind in a flash!

[center][/center]
Sad, so sad, although sometimes it is amusing.

[MADem]

39. I "guess" reading is not your strong suit.

Too busy dragging out the fellow to actually engage in conversation. And if you consider yourself "well informed" on topics re: Cuba, I'm the King of England. You spout propaganda, and nothing more. You don't have a nuanced view of the situation at all.

Yeah, you have one of those nice evenings, yourself. I'd "guess" you don't have too many of them, with the pissy and dismissive attitude you bring to this forum.

[Mika]

41. There is no real engaging with you.

All you've got is guesses, uninformed conjecture, and ad hominem comments, when it come to discussing Cuba topics.

Maybe one day you'll post what "unforgivable" thing the Castro's did to invoke such a long term US standoff, since you can't fathom any other reasons, other than guessing.


Yes. Thanks. So far it has been a great evening, irrespective of your dull invective. I've been working on surgical stents for my next Operation Smile trip, thankful to be able to do so here, in air conditioning and good lighting, rather than on-site with a flashlight in sweltering heat, swatting mosquitos.


All the best to you.

[MADem]

42. Of course there isn't--I don't respond well to rudeness, snark and insults.

Most people don't.

Keep catapulting the propaganda. You are incessant, even if you don't do it very well.

[Mika]

44. You do it so very well. So, I'll learn from you.

Thanks for the lessons.


Cheers.

[MADem]

45. You're the one that started flinging shit, starting at post 28...and you didn't let up, not once.

And you wonder why you're not beloved?

[Mika]

47. Awww, geez. You mean I'm not beloved by you? Color me shocked.

You think #28 is flinging shit? Hahahaha. You crack me up. Especially considering that you're the master of flinging in this forum. I am learning from you though, master.

Gawd, my sides hurt laughing @ your beloved comment. Classic projection. Here, maybe this'll help ...


Cheers.

[MADem]

49. Love the way you keep proving the point. It's quite remarkable. And the only projecting happening

in this thread is your projection of your rather foul attitude on the readers, here.

[Zorro]

51. A step in the right direction

Unless Raul begins to loosen the rigid governmental controls soon, I think the post-Castro transition in Cuba will be a very rough one with the remaining old guard and true believers fighting to maintain the status quo against the interests and desires of the younger generation.

[MADem]

52. I agree. nt