Ms Rice: “Let Cubans Become Masters of Their Own Lives”

While the US administration’s priority in Pakistan seems to be to safeguard the position of President Pervez Musharraf (unmindful of the fact that the ex-military dictator has been humiliated in the recent polls), it delivers a homily to a country in its backyard (with whom it has been at the ‘original’ unending ‘war’ for the past 50 years) about the virtues of democracy. There has to be some limit to blatant hypocrisy.

The deadly/strange antics of President Bush & Co have been eclipsed in the American media/blogosphere by the frenzy created over the electoral battle by other dramatis personae — Obama/Clinton/McCain/et al . As if the media has absolved itself of its duty to scrutinize the acts of omission and commission of their president.

Where is the great American tradition of responsible journalism? Is the media/blogosphere scared of presenting the facts? Who will harm them if they do? What happened to the famous tradition of investigative journalism? What else could be the reason? An interesting subject for research.

Here is The Times of London report: “As Fidel Castro’s 49-year-rule ended formally, the Bush Administration urged Cuba to move towards ‘peaceful, democratic change’ and let its 11 million citizens become ‘masters of their own lives’. ‘We urge the Cuban Government to begin a process of peaceful, democratic change by releasing all political prisoners, respecting human rights and creating a clear pathway toward free and fair elections,’ Condoleezza Rice, the Secretary of State, said in a statement shortly before Raúl’s accession.

“Raúl Castro, Fidel Castro’s younger brother, was last night named Cuba’s first new President in nearly 50 years and quickly dampened hopes of any swift or big change in the western hemisphere’s only Communist state. Raúl, 76, acknowledged in his acceptance speech that Cuba faced problems and he spoke of the need for economic reform, the streamlining of bureaucracy and greater public consultation.

“Raúl also warned the United States against meddling in Cuba’s affairs and told the assembly that he would consult his ailing 81-year-old brother on all important decisions.”

More here… And here…

The past record of the present US administration’s policies and actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan does not inspire confidence that the motive was to allow democracy to flourish in those countries.

Please remember that, for the world, President George W. Bush and Ms Condoleezza Rice speak on behalf of the American nation/people. Those, including the media/journalists, who maintain a silence and overlook their remarks, would appear to be in agreement with what their leaders have been saying/doing. God Save America!