Reflections by Comrade Fidel - THE ASSASSINATION OF OSAMA BIN LADEN

Obama has no way to conceal that Osama was executed in front of his children and wives.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Those persons who deal with these issues know that on September 11 of 2001 our people expressed its solidarity to the US people and offered the modest cooperation that in the area of health we could have offered to the victims of the brutal attack against the Twin Towers in New York.

We also immediately opened our country’s airports to the American airplanes that were unable to land anywhere, given the chaos that came about soon after the strike.

The traditional stand adopted by the Cuban Revolution, which was always opposed to any action that could jeopardize the life of civilians, is well known.

Although we resolutely supported the armed struggle against Batista’s tyranny, we were, on principle, opposed to any terrorist action that could cause the death of innocent people. Such behavior, which has been maintained for more than half a century, gives us the right to express our views about such a sensitive matter.

On that day, at a public gathering that took place at Ciudad Deportiva, I expressed my conviction that international terrorism could never be eradicated through violence and war.

By the way, Bin Laden was, for many years, a friend of the US, a country that gave him military training; he was also an adversary of the USSR and Socialism. But, whatever the actions attributed to him, the assassination of an unarmed human being while surrounded by his own relatives is something abhorrent. Apparently this is what the government of the most powerful nation that has ever existed did.

That paragraph expressed a dramatic truth, but can not prevent honest persons from remembering the unjust wars unleashed by the United States in Iraq and Afghanistan, the hundreds of thousands of children who were forced to grow up without their mothers and fathers and the parents who would never know the feeling of their child’s embrace.

Millions of citizens were taken from their villages in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba and many other countries of the world.

Still engraved in the minds of hundreds of millions of persons are also the horrible images of human beings who, in Guantánamo, a Cuban occupied territory, walk down in silence, being submitted for months, and even for years, to unbearable and excruciating tortures. Those are persons who were kidnapped and transferred to secret prisons with the hypocritical connivance of supposedly civilized societies.

Obama has no way to conceal that Osama was executed in front of his children and wives, who are now under the custody of the authorities of Pakistan, a Muslim country of almost 200 million inhabitants, whose laws have been violated, its national dignity offended and its religious traditions desecrated.

How could he now prevent the women and children of the person who was executed out of the law and without any trial from explaining what happened? How could he prevent those images from being broadcast to the world?

On January 28 of 2002 the CBS journalist Dan Rather reported through that TV network that on September 10 of 2001, one day before the attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, Osama Bin Laden underwent a hemodialysis at a military hospital in Pakistan. He was physically unfit to hide and take shelter inside deep caves.

Having assassinated him and plunging his corpse into the bottom of the sea are an expression of fear and insecurity which turn him into a far more dangerous person.

The US public opinion itself, after the initial euphoria, will end up by criticizing the methods that, far from protecting its citizen, will multiply the feelings of hatred and revenge against them.

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Special thanks to Salem-News.com writer Ralph E. Stone for submitting this fascinating piece by Fidel Castro.

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Alia May 11, 2011 11:24 am (Pacific time)

We Americans are quick to judge and call everybody we don't like names...terrorist, scumbags, etc. Maybe Osama Bin Laden deserved to die because he fought the people who were terrorizing his country. When Americans fight against another country, it is in the name of honor and protecting our democracy. But when someone else fights the Americans to protect their countrymen, it is terrorism. How many Americans really understand fighting for a cause or for our religion. Will any of us cross that line to die for our cause?

Anonymous May 11, 2011 10:36 am (Pacific time)

From now on when I get gas pumped into my vehicles I'm going to think of these gas jockey's as Tactical Re-Fuelers. Thanks for the image and update.

Ralph E. Stone May 11, 2011 7:56 am (Pacific time)

How many times have I heard people who criticize our government say, "Why do you live in America if you hate us so much?" By "us," you really mean you and them is everyone who disagrees with you. Isn't America about freedom of speech and speaking your mind. Or would you rather have a country with thought/speech police. Paraphrasing Samuel Johnson, "[False] patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Bill May 10, 2011 7:04 pm (Pacific time)

You a person of action? Hardly! What have you ever done in life?

Tim King: Oh please, go read my bio. But wait, you want me to actually tell you a few things? We can call it your 'interview'. You are creating a brag session, whatever. My opening reaction is that it is more a question of what I haven't done, and that I do not mean boastfully. Let's see, I've produced a documentary about the sole survivor of a WWII plane crash for PBS, a successful career in news with major background in writing, editing and producing at NBC, ABC and FOX stations. I've covered two wars; spending a total of three months in Iraq and Afghanistan, which is a bit more than many reporters. I have earned a number of awards and the most recent was my (our) first national award, the 'Silver Spoke' award, from the National Council of Motorcyclists. That was presented to us at an awards banquet three days ago. I've flown an F-16, covered German Luftwaffe MiG-29 operations, I started a Wildlife Rescue Team on the Oregon coast, later performing the same role as a volunteer with the Oregon State Police. I've hosted amazing people in the U.S. like Ken O'Keefe, the Gaza activist, last summer. Oh, when I was in the Marine Corps, I was on the surf team for MCAS El Toro, that was pretty cool. I created four destruction derby cars in my life and took second-place in two events. With my friends, I have exposed the contamination of the El Toro base through Internet stories and now have my first book coming out. A lot of people have suffered cancer because of that base, and we are reaching more and more people every day, potentially saving lives. I also write about the hard life of veterans, and I write frankly about the absurdity of laws that ban marijuana from public use, I hate unmarked 'gestapo' police cars, I don't like narcs, I don't like rats, I seriously dislike bigots and I have a real issue with nations that suppress Civil Rights and I have an equal problem with these mindless wars the U.S. is engaged in that mean only death, death and more death, all because a former president not worth two cents set this nation up and f*cked us all in the you-know-what. But at least some of us have the decency to try and do something about it. I used to wonder about my life's direction, but not today man, today I feel perfectly secure in at least knowing that my stands against violence, occupation and above all Genocide, are all efforts that are born not in this realm but in God's realm, and a handful of us push and push and will always do more and more to force change and to bring down the money grubbing bastards who have turned this nation inside out. Man it feels good to rant sometimes doesn't it?

A brief bit of time in the miltary doing what?

Tim King: I was a tactical aircraft refueler in the United States Marine Corps. I didn't really find it to my taste but I'm glad I joined and met the challenges and the coolest thing is the lasting bond between all Marines that is a big part of my life. It doesn't matter who, when or where, Marines stick together. The best in my opinion are those who work for peace as Marine Veterans. I am a major history student of the Marine Corps and all U.S. history, though I concentrate more on how it really was, than how I wish it was.

Peacetime make-work details. Not much action there. I assume by your posted resume' that you never had any formal education, just on the job type work. Running a camera is childs play.

Tim King: My goodness, you sure spend a lot of time worrying about this don't you? Child's play? Running a Sony Betacam and going live and negotiating breaking news situations all day long every day for years; child's play? I know you are just looking for things to say, but buddy, you couldn't even put my rig on your shoulder without sagging. All news photographers are also reporters, they gather news, but I was specifically, at every station I was ever employed, a reporter and photographer. That means I found the story, recorded the video, conducted the interviews, wrote, voice and edit the entire piece myself, just as I do today. Someone like yourself could probably never begin to master my trade, it takes years and years and even then it has a great deal to do with where you worked and if you were NPPA, (National Press Photographers Assoc.) etc. A person with your views on life would never have the patience to mater this art form.

Have you had any real formal training other than minor editing, that a 4th grader can do? You certainly have no writing skills, ditto for any of your so-called staff loons. You sure don't see them published in mainstream media in a successful manner. Just appeal to a tiny radical population of conspiracy loons. Hell I have grandchildren that storyboard highly sophisticated video's that they have parleyed into robust financial remuneration.

Tim King: You and your partner adopted kids eh? Just kidding. We see about 20k people per day at Salem-News.com. It is nothing to sneeze at and big days top 145k.

They have probably made more money on a professional level in just one of their products than you will in your entire life, and they're still in school. You are way behind the curve in most everything that professional writers/journalists engage in.

Tim King: Nope, money is not my specialty, but I assume that will change some day and God help the bad guys when it happens. I know you aren't impressed, but this is built with hard work, endless long hours, but a team of people who share our values and want truth, justice and peace in this world. They don't like the brown skies, the racism, the nationalism, the outright ugliness displayed by certain people when they seek to bring others down on baseless grounds. hint hint But I learned in college studying child psychology that people put others down to make themselves feel better, because they have low self-esteem. You can root for war and whatever little fascist philosophy it is you sport, but it doesn't make it right. I have close to 1500 published articles and hundreds and hundreds of emails from people telling me my work touched their lives, thanking me, etc. It is my reality, you friend are a minor irritation.

I heard you had brief visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, so what. I have traveled the world since Vietnam, and have seen more death and destruction in probably just 24 hours than you've actually "never" experienced in your entire un-action existence! My friends at least compensate those who work for us, you can't even pay minimum wage.

Tim King: I picture you as a bleeding scab.

All you do is attract loons who easily manipulate you because of your complete lack of understanding how the world works.

Tim King: I can't believe I am letting this go on, and those who want to tell me I shouldn't waste my time engaging assholes like this, remember that it is a sort of mental exercise for me too! These writers are the best in the world. Huff Post didn't pay writers, we don't because we have no money to do so, but if we could we would. Still, I would rather have established this group exactly as I have. It is ideal. These are all people who care enough to volunteer. That means they are doing it because they have big hearts. It will be my joy to be able to pay them someday.

Pretty damn sure if I introduced myself to a frail soul like you, you would wet your pants, as would any of the effeminate limp wristers around you. I suggest you never threaten me again kid...I simply made a posted comment that the majority of Americans agree with and you call me names.

Tim King: threaten threaten threaten.

It won't be long and we will resolve this violent issue with the muslims, and they have brought it onto themselves going back hundreds of years. You cherry-pick some events in the relatively recent past of less than a hundred years, the uneducated are so dangerously stupid and ignorant.

Tim King: ... where the sun doesn't shine, Bill.

Bill May 10, 2011 5:16 pm (Pacific time)

Editor you have your opinion on this matter, but no doubt very little experience about the ways of the world, and the historical violence of Islam. This charge of racism has no traction, because people of literally every race feel the same as I do, and we are in the majority.

Editor: Funny, I've seen sheep in mostly white colors. I like the black ones though. You would no more admit the truth about these subjects than you would jump off a cliff. All three major religions are based in peace, it is the people with shitty attitudes who create the problems, Bill.

Why do you live in America if you hate us so much? I read where you spent a little time in the military, maybe if you experienced the death and destruction of innocents all around the world at the hands of muslims as I have, you would have a different perspective. To call someone a racist because they disagree with you is childish, and would be incredibly foolish if you ever did so in person to people like me. I am a totally no-nonsense individual, so be warned, curb your tongue around people like me.

Editor (Tim King) Well Bill, I sincerely hope I have the chance to meet you some day. I promise to be very loud if I ever have an opportunity. I attend public events, I get out quite a bit, but guys like you are all talk. My friends and I are people of action. Pretty big difference.

Bill May 10, 2011 10:50 am (Pacific time)

Mr. Stone: "...we lost any ideological advantage we might have had --..." What do you mean by ideological advantage? This war has been going on for over 1,000 years. Only the military tech has changed, the chasm that seperates us ideologically has not altered. Just more Crusades going down. Even moderate muslims way down the line opine for Sharia Law in place of our form(s) or any other form of government. Peace for us will only be allowed by keeping stronger miltarily, just look at the history of Islamic migration and what is happening today in the different countries in just Africa. I'm all for peace and getting along, but the historical record shows that it will only end one way, and we just have not gotten there yet, but it's coming. I do feel most muslims want peace as do most people of other faiths, so once again, peace through strength, at least for now. If people think a picture of a killed OBL causes a big problem, then how do you like it when you see tortured and dead Americans? How about the violent killings in Europe when cartoonists exercise their rights? You do not capitulate your values and mores to anyone else's, never. Like the Crips and the Bloods, it no longer means anything on who started the violence...

Editor: Yeah, it means plenty who started it. It also matters that your little veiled act of racism was stated here. You are a racist buddy, you can admit it, you can shout it or you can deny it, but that is your MO and why? Over fear, that is why. Trust me, there is right and wrong in this life and there are consequences for the oppressors. One race dominates this nation, it doesn't have to, but whites have always had a hard time giving respect to other cultures. We are the mental infants of the planet with no sense of right and wrong. And for that cartoonist, it is that exact lack of respect that keeps the fires hot. Don't blame the Muslims for respecting their creator and demanding respect.

Ralph E. Stone May 10, 2011 8:05 am (Pacific time)

President Obama said that the bin Laden raid was one of the most successful intelligence and military operations in America's history. "This week has been a reminder of what we're about as a people, the essence of America, the values that have defined us for more than 200 years, they don't just endure - they're stronger than ever." According to Obama, our values include the unauthorized incursion into Pakistan's sovereign territory to illegally assassinate an unarmed Osama bin Laden and members of his entourage. From the flag-waving, the dancing in the streets, the shouts of joy. feelings of revenge, and "patriotism," I guess many Americans agree with Obama. By assassinating Osama bin Laden, we lost any ideological advantage we might have had -- the promotion of democracy, freedom and human rights. We became the thugs our enemies say we are. As Walt Kelly's Pogo remarked, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Anonymous May 9, 2011 6:50 pm (Pacific time)

"Obama has no way to conceal that Osama was executed in front of his children and wives." So what! Where's the public outrage other than some malcontents. I have seen many people killed in front of their families by VC/NVA (happening eveyday in Mexico), and when possible we tracked them down and killed them. OBL was tracked downed and killed, as will many more of these demonic scumbags. So where was the outrage by the mass murder Castro and those of his pathetic ilk when my fellow Americans have been tortured and murdered live on the internet? Or mutilated and drug through the streets in some 3rd world sewer?

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