Documentary – Catastroika

I post the documentary ‘Catastroika’ here because I think it is important. It is important because what goes on in Greece is not without precedent. It happened before and it will happen somewhere else. It happens for a reason.

The killings of Falcone and Borsellino

20 years ago on May 23rd, 1992 judge Giovanni Falcone got blown up by the Sicilian Mafia. His wife Francesca was also killed in this blast, together with three security personnel. Only 57 days later on July 12th his friend and colleague Paolo Borsellino met the same fate in the streets of Palermo. Five bodyguards could not prevent his assassination and died with him. The new book by John Follain asked why  Falcone and Borsellino had to die? I would put the question another way: is there anything that could have obviated the murders?

Irish referendum on fiscal compact

I am watching RTE’s live stream (here) about the fiscal compact referendum (60% vs 40%). I am puzzled by the arguments of the victorious yes-side: since the referendum has been passed now, we need a growth strategy. Fair point. But how one stimulates an ailing economy? By putting more money in maybe? But where is that to come from? No answer. Silence. That’s not good enough I am afraid.

What has Florida to do with the U.S. embargo against Cuba?

Shelves are too large for what they offer in Cuba.

In my recent article 50 years of U.S. embargo against Cuba I tried to give some information about the history of Cuba and how the U.S. embargo came about. I did not however go in too much details regarding the question as to why the embargo is still in place and what does this say about democracy or rather the lack of it. This is the purpose of the following essay.

First we need to take a look at Cuban immigration to the U.S. in terms of numbers and preferred locations. Second, we need to enquire shortly into the U.S. electoral system and its peculiarities. Third, conclusion.

50 years of U.S. embargo against Cuba

Cuban flag hanging down the balcony of one of Havana’s many houses in urgent need of repair. But where are the funds to come from?

Much has been written about Cuba, even more has been said. Its beaches are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. Its capital Havana was once praised as the Paris of the Antilles. No visitor fails to notice this, even though decades of deprivation and neglect have taken their toll.