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The (Dead Trees) Information Age seems definitely over, as the new thrive for freedom in the most famous of the last Communist dictatorship — and the most revered of all in France — ignores the Samizdats-on-paper of the 20st century Soviet Union and its unfortunate satellites, in favor of flash disks and data sticks smuggled in the country:HAVANA — A growing underground network of young people armed with computer memory sticks, digital cameras and clandestine Internet hookups has been mounting some challenges to the Cuban government in recent months, spreading news that the official state media try to suppress.All in all, an extremely heartwarming read — even though it comes from the New York Times, of all places.
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Something similar happened in late January when officials tried to impose a tax on the tips and wages of employees of foreign companies. Workers erupted in jeers and shouts when told about the new tax, a moment caught on a cellphone camera and passed along by memory sticks.
“It passes from flash drive to flash drive,” said Ariel, 33, a computer programmer, who, like almost everyone else interviewed for this article, asked that his last name not be used for fear of political persecution. “This is going to get out of the government's hands because the technology is moving so rapidly.”
Young people here say there is a thriving black market giving thousands of people an underground connection to the world outside the Communist country.
People who have smuggled in satellite dishes provide illegal connections to the Internet for a fee or download movies to sell on discs. Others exploit the connections to the Web of foreign businesses and state-run enterprises.
Students download everything from the latest American television shows to articles and videos criticizing the government, and pass them quickly around the island.
The days of Socialist Cuba are numbered, and the end could come faster than it did for any of its predecessors. Could almost make you regret that Castro died before seeing this.
Almost.
Cheers to all Cubans Freedom Cyber-fighters — and viva Cuba libre, at last.
h/t to Bill for the post title
By the way
Sure, Castro is not dead. Neither is Elvis.
Comments
Comments thread (7)
3309 - Proof
Proof Stockton, Callifornia, USA
Castro, darling of the left, would literally burn books that might have had ideas subversive to Communism in them. Authors such as the radically avant garde...Mark Twain were banned!
It is heartening to hear that the electronic age is covertly facilitating freedom of thought in old Fidel's bastion of censorship!
3310 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
I have never understood why we did not park a satellite over Cuba and the ME and absolutely flood the electromagnetic spectrum of communication with everything they do not want their people to hear and see. F-ing baffling!
And to our Cubano brothers and sisters, despite all appearances we have not totally abandoned you. Just the Democrats and other socialist/communists in our government have.
3311 - TooTall
TooTall Utah
Signs of life - a flower blooming in a dung heap.
3313 - BlueStarMom
BlueStarMom
Out of the ashes...
Gives me hope for the future of the United States of America.
I just hope I live long enough to see the shift back to a true Republic as defined by James Madison in the Federalist Papers, No.39, p.241
3314 - Mike H.
Mike H. Spokane, Wa
Speaking of Cuba some people aren't too happy. Eh vato?
3318 - HenriettePirenne
HenriettePirenne
Could you please comment on this please?
Did you see what Segolene Royal said at Harvard about independence for Puerto Rico from the United States ?
If you are interested:
Look for SEGOLENE ROYAL on Wikipedia or:
GOOGLE: "PORTO RICO" "SEGOLENE ROYAL" HARVARD
3326 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
I wonder if she has asked the people of Puerto Rico if they give a crap about anything she has to say?