tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post4364263704620121852..comments2024-01-24T11:41:28.022+00:00Comments on A Cuban In London: Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and MusicA Cuban In Londonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-45562190330899295532010-06-09T13:42:56.912+01:002010-06-09T13:42:56.912+01:00Many thanks for your kind comments.
Greetings fro...Many thanks for your kind comments.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-65068940562090553802010-06-09T12:43:40.337+01:002010-06-09T12:43:40.337+01:00Ahh Politics! something I stay away from really, j...Ahh Politics! something I stay away from really, just reading and listening a lot and of course casting my vote but not discussing it much at all these days. Still I enjoyed this post very much and felt it added to my limited knowledge. I have of course listened to Diane Abbott often on 'This Week' not always agreeing with her views but pleased with her announcment to stand. Why because she is a bright strong nonconformist lady with good knowledge and insight into civil liberties and will bring a good balance amongst the rest of the motley candidates. It will be very interesting to watch the outcome. Yes a most thought provoking post, thank you.<br />Sincere Regards.Susie Hemingwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00936508273837230613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-34152753504598009912010-06-08T22:32:14.845+01:002010-06-08T22:32:14.845+01:00Difficult to comment on politics (as a civil serva...Difficult to comment on politics (as a civil servant, I'm only really able to do my blog because I avoid talking about the detail of where I work). But this is a great read with some interesting propositions, not all of which I agree with, but worth posing regardless.Madame DeFargehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08172239340844485940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-70625674143692417592010-06-08T21:17:14.892+01:002010-06-08T21:17:14.892+01:00Excellent, finely targeted points and totally on t...Excellent, finely targeted points and totally on target. There would be no Obama without Bush although American memories are woefully short. Already, Palin's tea party supportors are trying to gain momementum to regain those Bush "glory" years. And pairing Oumou's powerful voice with this was genius.Fly Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18191335990973494972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-81373990183947150162010-06-08T15:49:28.752+01:002010-06-08T15:49:28.752+01:00Politics, ah, that is a subject I usually flee fro...Politics, ah, that is a subject I usually flee from, but not for obvious reasons. I do agree that politicians too often lack courage, moral or otherwise. I also agree that often their stated objectives during an election bear little resemblance to their actual product once in office. Here is where I part company, though, with so many who have little positive to say about politicians. I spent a year working in a high-level government position which gave me an unusual peek into the minds of political decisionmakers, and here is what I discovered. Trying to get an unruly, at times dysfunctional and contentious, family together is a very, very hard job, at times requiring dissembling, even going back on one’s word, recognizing when one’s ideals are out of sync with the electorate, etc. The better among the politicians can both fight the trench wars and also maintain a vision of the ideals which motivated their entry into public life. And it is a very public life which will test the mettle of even the most saintly. I would not hold public office ever. But I am grateful for those who do and I try to be understanding of their challenges even as I hold their feet to the fire.Judith Mercadohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739476600999112092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-6608668328684365732010-06-08T15:44:50.504+01:002010-06-08T15:44:50.504+01:00Many thanks for your kind comments. It's odd f...Many thanks for your kind comments. It's odd for me to stray into politics, but every now and then, I like 'clearing the air' a bit. It does wonders for one's pent-up anger :-).<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-37860967971293655882010-06-07T22:48:20.025+01:002010-06-07T22:48:20.025+01:00Thank you Cuban - both an enjoyable and a stimulat...Thank you Cuban - both an enjoyable and a stimulating read. I like Diane Abbott and the persona she presents, but that's always the problem with politicians at the moment - they have to focus on how they "present". I am tired of the style over substance of our political arena, and it is a rare politician in power (or so it seems, particularly in the past couple of years) who does not offer an opinion before checking this is the opinion that accords with the majority of the populace.<br />Like Eryl,perhaps, I do feel jaundiced about politics but of course we have created the system we have allowed the county to slide into. <br />And I'm fed up with how policiticans private lives must strictly adhere to what the media think the public "expect". You can have ideals whilst not being ideal, surely.<br />Oh-oh, getting all bitter and twisted now, unlike your balanced post. Best say bye-bye.Titushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16380213493011623153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-31429126981981718832010-06-07T11:44:06.486+01:002010-06-07T11:44:06.486+01:00A thoroughly enjoyable read - and given that the s...A thoroughly enjoyable read - and given that the subject matter was politics, that must be a first! I was as pleased as I was surprised to hear that Diane Abbott was favourite for the job! (I guess that must have been favourite among a certain section of the membership.)Dave Kinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430484174826768488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-52754332918420472112010-06-06T20:29:28.290+01:002010-06-06T20:29:28.290+01:00Ideas, intelligently and cooly presented, seemed t...Ideas, intelligently and cooly presented, seemed to be exactly what we needed, after Bush. Obama was the dream date, now we're wondering if he's going to call.<br /> <br /> Every day keeps piling on, and now the press has fallen out of love with him. Folks are distressed that he isn't angry enough at oil ruining our seascape. No one quite knows what to do..and we hope that BP won't be bailed out, because we had a big joke played on us with the banks. We're past the early euphoria.<br /> <br /> And let's not forget the ugly undercurrent that will always trail Obama.<br /> <br /> Some of us really expected a departue from war..what were we thinking? Politics is so full of politicians.<br /> Thank you for this stirring post!!Lynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11985979258848310351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-34929766847496062832010-06-06T20:09:30.741+01:002010-06-06T20:09:30.741+01:00What a coherent, thoughtful post on politics, Obam...What a coherent, thoughtful post on politics, Obama, marketing and the elephant in the room (female, black, somewhat older and with curves). I was always cautious about Obama because I feared that he didn't have enough experience and enough knowledge of Washington to put a progressive program across. Unfortunately, I was more right than wrong, although, as they say, it's not over until its over. But American progressives and liberals didn't have a choice - once Obama became the candidate, it was vote for him or prepare to see another four years of Republican rule. In many ways, I feel sorry for Obama because he's been handed a abundance of crisis which would tax the wisest politician in the world. Plus, his youth base is notoriously fickle and isn't getting behind any coherent plan; alas, there doesn't seem to be any. Both FDR and JFK, for all their flaws, put programs in place for activism - from the CC to the Peace Corps, there were ways for people of right hearts to display right actions. They also knew how to work with Congress; Mr. Obama seems to have been stalled by that less -than - august body. <br />I certainly agree with you on Palin but her supporters are the most rabid and non-critical lot that you can imagine. I belong to a couple of Yahoo discussion groups and they uphold the Faith of Palin but can't tell me what in the heck she really believes in (other than money, publicity and BS). <br />Anyway, it doesn't look too good on either side of the pond for genuine progressive actions and given our ongoing financial mess, I don't know when it will get better. <br />But there is always music, literature, art, civil conversation, family, friends and food. <br />Speaking of civil conversation - I just want to thank you for your comments on my blog or your always civil response to my comments. So many bloggers these days forget to respond to those who comment. They forget that its always a two-way street. <br />Viva Senor Cubano!Nancy Ewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12116290968007398337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-41659467940043150402010-06-06T19:33:43.826+01:002010-06-06T19:33:43.826+01:00Thanks, Catherine. If you read The Observer today ...Thanks, Catherine. If you read The Observer today you'll come across an article penned by one of the contenders for the Labour leadership: Ed Balls. I would say that in terms of principles, language and connection with people (especially working class people), Diane beats Ed hands down. I really do wish her well in her bid but even she will realise that it's a long shot.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-44348036714988105102010-06-06T17:20:40.023+01:002010-06-06T17:20:40.023+01:00love both the analytical insights and the music - ...love both the analytical insights and the music - thanks and greetings from Mexico..Catherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06255193476024745869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-52173776135271509492010-06-06T15:39:49.892+01:002010-06-06T15:39:49.892+01:00Many thanks for your kind comments.
Greetings fro...Many thanks for your kind comments.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-58775939782868146492010-06-06T13:02:23.152+01:002010-06-06T13:02:23.152+01:00Blimey, politics on a Sunday morning! I can't ...Blimey, politics on a Sunday morning! I can't help feeling that our political system needs much more than a nice, well meaning lady (or man). It's no longer fit for purpose, rather like our roads, and heading the government seems too much like driving in pole position trying not to lead everyone into the worst of the potholes.Erylhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06008344023000459577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-33195656899955973592010-06-06T12:34:56.208+01:002010-06-06T12:34:56.208+01:00Plain thinking, elections have been conducted like...Plain thinking, elections have been conducted like the American Idol.<br /><br />Thank you for the song, it is unusual yet there is some semblance to a Malay traditional music.<br /><br />Happy Sunday to you and family.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02399300464457820101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1165773290907101242.post-68192615878717181862010-06-06T12:13:10.365+01:002010-06-06T12:13:10.365+01:00I rarely, if ever, have any dispute with the cogen...I rarely, if ever, have any dispute with the cogent arguments of Naomi Klein or A Cuban in London!<br /><br />We discuss the strategies, promises, character, style of the candidates - but ultimately they are constrained and limited by the monumental structures in place. <br /><br />Obama has discovered the games he must play, the ***** he must kiss, and the maze of bureaucracy he must hurdle. His ideals, unfortunately, seem to be no match for the gargantuan, antiquated structures that litter the political field.<br /><br />Before a person of character, ideas and hope can ever make a difference, the structures within which they must negotiate must be overhauled.Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00282469017360136275noreply@blogger.com