Raul Castro's speech and Cuba Blockade Not Obama's Fault - Huffpo

[flamingdem]

Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2015, 03:18 PM - Edit history (3)

Raul Castro Says Cuba Blockade Not Obama's Fault

Minute 26: I ask for forgiveness from Obama as well for expressing myself this way but when I talk about the revolution I get emotional, I ask for forgiveness because President Obama has absolutely nothing to do with this, there were 10 before him and all of them have guilt with us, except for him. In my opinion El President Obama is an honest man.

I've read his biographies, he's humble, his way of being follows from his humble origins.

clapping

These words I've thought about a lot, and I feel satisfied with it

** Cultural Note - In Cuba to being humble is highly desirable and worthy of respect. It means that one has sacrificed for others and not put oneself first. You can say that about Obama and it's interesting to see him through Latin American eyes, well Cuban eyes.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/11/raul-castro-obama_n_7046540.html

PANAMA CITY (AP) -- President Barack Obama declared his refusal to refight the Cold War battles of the past on Saturday while Cuban President Raul Castro rallied to his defense, absolving Obama of fault for the U.S. blockade in a stunning reversal of more than 50 years of animosity between the United States and Cuba.

Castro, in a meandering, nearly hour-long speech to the Summit of the Americas, ran through an exhaustive history of perceived Cuban grievances against the U.S. dating back more than a century - a vivid display of how raw passions remain over American attempts to undermine Cuba's government.

Then, in an abrupt about face, he apologized for letting his emotions get the best of him. He said many U.S. presidents were at fault for that troubled history - but that Obama isn't one of them

[Judi Lynn]

1. First time to get to hear Raul Castro's voice!

He has a terrific manner about him. The response from the audience is 100% on his side. So nice! Thank you.

From Deutsche Presse-Agentur:

Ahead of meeting, Castro calls Obama "an honest man"
11 April 2015
By Valerie Hamilton, dpa

Panama City (dpa) - Cuban President Raul Castro extended an olive branch to US President Barack Obama at the Summit of the Americas Saturday, absolving him of responsibility for the US embargo of Cuba and calling him "an honest man."

Toward the end of a fiery speech that slammed past US interventions in Cuba and Latin America, he apologized to Obama for the tirade.

"I apologize to him because President Obama has no responsibility for any of this, like his 10 predecessors did. Everyone of them is indebted to us except President Obama," Castro said.

"In my opinion, President Obama is an honest man," he added, to sustained applause.

More:
http://www.dpa-international.com/news/international/ahead-of-meeting-castro-calls-obama-an-honest-man-a-44861039.html

[flamingdem]

2. He does, he's also on the humble side

and look how interesting that it took these two personality types to make it happen.

Can you believe it Judy? Finally common sense has triumphed.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Sure hope our Republicans won't find a way to destroy this progress the whole world wants.

Cuba has had so many sympathetic supporters everywhere, and nowhere did it show like the annual vote by the General Assembly at the U.N. against the U.S. embargo against Cuba.

[flamingdem]

3. Also, thanks for the better translation

Predecessor is the word I needed!

[Mika]

4. Forgiveness - a wonderful human quality.

[flamingdem]

5. Absolutemente!

[freshwest]

7. Thanks for this post and the video and translation, flamingdem!

[Bacchus4.0]

8. He should ask forgiveness from the Cuban people for the 50 yr nightmare nt

[flamingdem]

9. Ah, see you got your right wing talking points for the day!

[Bacchus4.0]

10. Obama will be fine, no need to apologize. The Cuban people are the ones who have been

screwed by the Castros for 50+ years.

[Judi Lynn]

14. Right-wing talking points are so predictable we already know what they will be before we see them.

We all agree right-wing talking points don't belong at a Democratic message board. Like a #### in a punchbowl.

[bemildred]

11. He will get the biggest Cuban funeral in history when he dies.

Leaders from all over the planet will attend, and show great respect. Fidel is a world historical figure now of the first rank, and there is jack shit any of his enemies can do about that except whine.

And we will all enjoy watching the Miami ex-pats suck on it, when it happens.

[flamingdem]

12. It's quite a spectacle

to watch them melting down over and over.

They don't seem to be very bright, they could have turned things in their direction but their pettiness ruined it for them. They hated their own, a thing that was hard to watch!!

[Bacchus4.0]

13. Looking forward to that nt