Here’s a “Nov. 6, 1940, letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt from a 14-year-old admirer in Oriente Province, Cuba. In slightly fractured English, the author makes a simple request.”
“If you like, give me a ten dollars bill green american . . . because never I have not seen a ten dollars bill green american and I would like to have one of them. . . . Thank you very much. Good by. Your friend. Fidel Castro.”
Perhaps if FDR had actually sent that kid a sawbuck, the past 40 years would have been completely different for so many.
The letter goes on to say:
My Address is:
Sr. Fidel castro
Colegio de Dolores
Santiago de Cuba
Oriente, Cuba
I dont know very English but I know very much Spanish and I suppose you don’t know very Spanish but you know very English because you are American but I am not American…
If you want iron to make your ships I will show to you the bigest(sic) (minas) of iron of the land. They are in Mayari, Oriente, Cuba.
Unbelievable! I think you’re right, FDR should’ve sent him the cash.
A Child Writes the President
You know, if FDR hadn’t been so stingy, think how history might have changed. The kid might have been able to afford a decent haircut,…
Fancy that. 63 years and he hasn’t changed. Or progressed.
Soon, he will take to his bed for the last time. He’s close enough now to know what is coming cannot be cheated the way humans and humans systems can. But it’s only right at the end that he’ll know what a waste it all was.
Did You Know…
…that Teddy Roosevelt married his high school sweetheart after his first wife died, which was eerily the day after his mother died? …that professional (and I use the term loosely) wrestlers are wanting to Smack Down Your Vote? …that 14,802 French…
Stephen,
From your lips to God’s ears.
Wow, the hallmark of a true government leader so young. That is a jewel.
If FDR had sent that little brat the ten bucks, Castro just would have been able to finance his rise to power that much sooner.
The Council Has Spoken!
Update: Thanks to Sgt Hook for the link, which came right after a link to a very interesting post about Castro’s letter to FDR. By the way, congrats to Sgt Hook for his recent evolution.
Links
sgt hook has an excellent Photo essay. Paul points out another brave “militant”. Cathy Buckle news from Zimbabwe. Alan is off to commie land. “If you like, give me a ten dollars bill green american . . . because…