Well, idealism is incompatible with dictatorship, quod erat demonstrandum. And majority of revolutions inevitably lead to purges; idealists become their first victims.
For once, dear steissd, you're absolutely right.
By the way, what is the rank of comandante parallel to? In Spanish, the word "comandante" refers to the rank of Major. It is not so high...
There were very few comandantes in the Cuban Rebel Army. Matos was among the top 10-20 leaders.
Fidel is not a General, but "Chief Comandante".
The false ranking is really egualitarian propaganda.
The political and military leader of the Zapatista rebels in Southern Mexico is "Subcomandante Marcos", because the "comandantes" are, supposedly, the Indian people.
It's all politics. No nation is totally without blame in the human rights arena. Cuba, USA, Saudi Arabia - The Human Rights Commission is pretty much of a joke anyway.
Hmm, I was sure that Mr. Castro had a rank of Generalissimo, or at least Field-Marshal...
Steissd
On a side I met the granddaugter of Trotsky in a hospital - she was my nurse.
Let's finish this little digression.
From "Granma" (Official Newspaper of the Cuban Communist Party".
This is how the "Horse" is officially called:
"Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz, Primer Secretario del Comité Central del Partido Comunista de Cuba y Presidente de los Consejos de Estado y de Ministros".
(Chief Comandante Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the State and Minister Councils).
edgarblythe, you wrote: "no nation is without blame in the human rights arena".
Correct.
Yes, and no man is without sin.
Yet we have lawmen and we have judges.
Sometimes they're corrupt.
We have the right to say they shouldn't be making laws or legal judgements.
But we would not be helping ourselves if we said: "since nobody is perfect, there should be no judges or lawmakers".
Same goes with nations.
If we want a world without tyrants like Castro, mad leaders like Saddam or self-appointed vigilantes like Bush, we must try to build good international law, good multilateral institutions and induce all nations to abide to law and institutions.
Sure we should fbaezer. But that will only happen when people (and their representatives) get serious about the problem.
