June 02, 2006
As much as I like Charlie Brown...
...I dont want to be him.
I couldnt help but think of Charlie Brown when I read this piece by Songuacasal at Cuban American Pundits. No, Im not equating Songuacasal to good ole Charlie Brown. My analogy is somewhere else altogether.
Let me 'spain...
Everyone knows Lucy always manages to talk Charlie Brown into kicking a football despite the fact that every single time, as soon as good ole Charlie Brown's foot is about to make contact with the ball, she pulls it out from under him. And good ole Charlie Brown always ends up falling to the ground on his ass. It happens every single time. Good ole Charlie Brown is too good, too trusting, too naive, too believing to ever learn.
Every single time he thinks he's actually gonna hit the ball. Every single time he gets duped and ends up on his ass.
And that's the way I picture some folks who prefer dialogue with fidel castro's regime: a bunch of Charlie Browns. Every single time the bearded Lucy from the island convinces them that they will, in fact, get to kick the ball this time. "I promise, Charlie Brown. Trust me. Go ahead, kick the ball!"
And then the pro-dialogue Charlie Browns make their run all happy that finally - Finally! - Lucy will be magnanimous enough to let them finally - Finally! - kick the ball. But you know what always happens to the ball.
And it's not just because Lucy cant be trusted, history proves that she cant. But its because of one plain and simple fact:
Lucy has the ball. And whoever has the ball, controls that game.
So you either choose to be Charlie Brown and play a game already lost before it begins, or you play a different game altogether.
A game without a bearded cheater holding the ball.
Posted by Val Prieto at June 2, 2006 07:43 AM
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Comments
In Defense of Charlie Brown:
I love Charlie Brown and the Peanuts cartoons. I don't see Charlie Brown as a dimwit like I see those to feel we should deal with the bearded prick. I see good ole Charlie Brown as a symbol of good and innocence who represents the self doubt everyone has in themself. At the same time, he is the voice of reason at times. At other times, his quest to hit the football represents to me optimism and his desire to never simply give up on an ideal even though the ideal may seem futile. Likewise, I see Linus as Chuck's spiritial companion. Who could ever forget his speech on the meaning of Xmas during the Charlie Brown Christmas special. There's a piece of Charlie Brown in all of us. Those who are pals with the notion of dealing with the old geezer in Havana are Neville Chamberlains and are naive about doing business with the devil. Good ole Charlie Brown isn't naive when he chooses to see the good in people. Charlie Brown to me stands for what is good in the world. Lucy stands for the slings and arrows of reality that one must face in order to find that common good. And of course, Snoopy stands for our dreams...as Snoopy can do whatever he wants; something we all wish we had the freedom to do but are prohibited be it because of society or other factors.
In any event, I understand your point, but I cannot fathom one of my favorite comic characters being equated with Castro apologists. The spirit of Charlie Brown transcends those with short sighted perspectives who feel it is better to be in bed with the beast than it is to kill the beast.
Posted by: Cigar Mike Pancier ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.babalublog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at June 2, 2006 08:52 AM
"bearded Lucy"? I think we have new moniker...
Posted by: pkrupa at June 2, 2006 12:39 PM
And still, Charlie Brown, despite the history, never gets to kick the ball.
Posted by: Val Prieto at June 2, 2006 12:47 PM
No dealing with the Castro regime. Ever. Period. You can't deal with liars and those who have no concept of rule of law.
That said, what does Peppermint Patty represent? Our inner lesbian?
Posted by: Louis at June 2, 2006 03:47 PM
negative louis. Patty is that girl who you're buddies with but never want to sleep with :-p
Posted by: Cigar Mike Pancier at June 2, 2006 04:30 PM
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