November 16, 2004
Castro is Not “Generous,” He’s a Thug
Mr.Alexander Marriott,
I have read your article concerning the evils of Fidel Castro and Communism (The “Inspirational” Dictator and the New York Yankee). I understand that we live in the best nation in the world and I would not live under type of government. Two days ago I had returned from Haiti, where I helped build a school for the poor. I just wanted to offer you insite on what you do not see. The people of Haiti, and in other poverty stricken nations are very greatful for Fidel Castro because he is sending trained physicians and contractors to help out their situation. I feel that is a very generous notion, and no doctors have ever been sent to help from America with the exception of volunteers. The reason people wish to leave Cuba is because they wish to try and make money individually and not have to worry about civic virtue. I am just trying to help show the other side of the story that very few are aware of. I hope some day you can talk with a doctor sent by Castro to aide the people of a third world country as I did.
Or maybe see people who are being blessed by his generosity. Please be a well rounded journalist, too many people’s minds are being warped in this nation by one sided journalism. Thank you for your time.
Respectfully,
Mark Buschur
New Weston, OH
P.S. – I am a 20 year old political science major and I classify myself as a very conservative republican.
Mr. Marriott responds:
Dear Mr. Beschur,
Concerning your comments about Fidel’s efforts in Haiti, I don’t really see the point. Because Fidel plunders the wealth and abilities of his people at gunpoint and uses it for his own personal whims, whether that be his own pleasures or sending doctors to Haiti (which I would wager is a nice propaganda move more that anything else), we are supposed to be thankful to him or laudatory of any good that may come of it?
Please define “civic virtue” and why people who wish to be free and not live in police states should care about it one bit. The problem with “very conservative” Republicans and communists like Castro is that they typically are willing to subvert individual rights to altruistic goals, even if that means using the apparatus of state to confiscate wealth from some to give to others. No “good” Castro could ever do would ever justify how he does it and who he is, a murdering dictator. The ends do not justify the means. The United States engages in this as well, to our detriment, by sending confiscated wealth to Haiti and many other countries as “aid,” but your denigration of the fact that we don’t compel people to go to Haiti and rather rely on volunteers, which I must assume you are as well, to go out into the world to offer help is rather dumbfounding to me. It is the essence of why Castro is evil and free countries are not, he forces people to contribute to his whims and sends people about to build up his own name and free countries allow individuals to do as they wish. Those living is free countries can help or not help, they can go individually or they can raise money from others and send many people. This is freedom, this is at least moral. Castro is not “generous,” he’s a thug.
Good day to you sir, cordially yours,
Alexander Marriott
November 04, 2004
How to Honor Our Veterans
Dear Editor:
Veterans Day is meant to honor
It is often said that our soldiers must selflessly sacrifice themselves for their country. But this is precisely what we in the
