Forwarded from Walter Lippmann

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

A FEW THOUGHTS ON JULY 26, 2002

by Walter Lippmann

==============================

Today is July 26th, 49th anniversary of the beginning of the Cuban
Revolution. It's a day worth taking a few moments to reflect on the
significance of this revolution

Few believed that fateful day that those events would have paved the way
for a revolution of world-historical importance.

Fidel Castro, I believe, sensed that very possibility. He had the vision,
the skills and the capacity necessary to organize an effective struggle.
Together with his compatriots, they overthrow a brutal and also corrupt
dictatorship which had come to power with the help of the most powerful
nation on the planet. Cuba has stood up against a relentless assault by
their powerful neighbor to the north for these past 43 years. Every day
Cuba survives is at once a miracle and the result of political thinking and
activity.

When the Moncada attack was crushed, who would have believed that they
would come to power less than six years later?

When the Granma landed in December 1956, most of its occupants were killed.
Only twelve survived. Who would have believed then that barely two years
later, Batista would fall and Cuba's Revolution would be successful?

And when the Soviet Union collapsed, those who had claimed that Cuba was a
Soviet puppet, a client regime incapable of standing on its own, who would
have believed that this Revolution would last?

Cuba today is an independent country, at least, it's as independent as any
one country can be in a world dominated by the capitalist system. But
capitalism is not exactly in healthy, admirable shape these days. It hardly
provides a vision for humanity to emulate, does it? How long can this
brutal, anarchic system continue to rule and plunder our planet?

This can't possibly be the end of history as capitalism's apologists like
to claim.

With all of its aches, pains and troubles, its imperfections and
contradictions, the Cuban Revolution continues to live and breathe and
provide a positive example for people everywhere who seek better and more
just human relationships.

Each day I work hard to understand this rich and complex process we call
the Cuban Revolution, and to help all people who also want to learn, to get
information they need to learn about it themselves.

Walter Lippmann, Moderator, CubaNews http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CubaNews/

p.s., New material, most of it about Cuba, is being added to my website all
the time. Soon I'm hoping to have a page devoted to the films by, from and
about Cuba which were exhibited at the 6th Annual Los Angeles Latino
International Film Festival, which will wrap up this coming Sunday.

******************************
WALTER LIPPMANN
walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.walterlippmann.com
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