Babalu Blog: And the Cubans keep defecting

July 30, 2008

And the Cubans keep defecting

While the media keeps fawning over the so-called reforms being carried out by the great and munificent Raul the Pragmatist, the ones who have to live in this monarchical dictatorship--the Cuban people themselves--are not feeling as content with the royal decrees. Meaningless reforms and cosmetic changes to oppressive regulations does not a free nation make.

Two members of the Cuban baseball team in Edmonton, Canada for a tournament have gone missing. Two more players are also rumored to have defected.

Cuba's extra efforts to try and stop some of their best players from defecting at international tournaments has once again hit a snag.
Two prominent players from their 2008 IBAF World Junior AAA roster were missing Tuesday.

Starting pitcher Noel Arguelles and infielder Jose Iglesias were last seen Sunday night at their team meal at the University of Alberta's Lister Hall.

I guess the right to own cell phones they cannot afford, to own computers that cannot connect to the world wide web, to stay in tourist hotels that do not accept the currency they are paid in, and the most marvelous right of all, to own a toaster oven with no food to toast, was not enough to entice these Cubans to remain as slaves to the Cuban regime.

Posted by Alberto de la Cruz at July 30, 2008 08:05 AM

Comments

At this rate, it's not much longer that we will hear of one defector has left the island (who will finally put an end to all 'defections' in Cuba): Raul Castro

My take is that the reason that Raulita has not introduced any real 'reforms', is that he is just trying to buy time until his bro' is placed 6 feet under. Why waste all your energy on trying to do the impossible in trying to 'turn Cuba around', when it's simpler just to wait a short time to bury ol 'bro, and then pack-off with the entire clan on the midnight express out of La Habana and arrive in his old mentor's back-yard by the Caspian sea.

Posted by: LaConchita at July 30, 2008 08:56 AM

interesting in that the local media is saying that perhaps it has something to do with the 17 USA major league baseball scouts sitting behind home plate that had something to do with this...
while at the local Can/ Cuba Friendship Association representative Bruce McCloud mentioned in the local paper that "The players could have left Cuba any time they wanted, but the practicality makes it difficult" (The practicality of asking your jailer for an airplane ticket out of your prison??)
it makes me wonder if education in Canada is an option for some...? and typically the only reason for wanting to leave this tropical paradise is given in the local media as a money gain, the often mentioned "I know a surgeon that only earns $25./month" is of course mentioned here, but never, never is "PERSONAL FREEDOM AT LAST" printed as the headline in a local paper...
Nobody ever asks if Dr.Biscet only wants to return to work earning $25/month... the ridiculousness of such a statement would make any freedom loving person's head explode.

and after the loss of these 2 players, they of course won the game anyway, they were after all, playing Canada... and they do expect to win the tournament, (still).

it is mentioned locally as well that 4 were rumored to have left the team, but there were only 2 empty seats on the bus.

Posted by: marc in calgary at July 30, 2008 11:38 AM

The funny thing is that they always want to blame those evil baseball scouts for the players defecting. As if these scouts are casting spells upon these poor, unsuspecting athletes. Never is it the lack of freedom these players must endure or the way the regime exploits their talent.

They would like us to believe that it is far better to be a slave and have your talent exploited by your slavemaster than to be compensated for it. Of course, none of these people would allow the same to be done to them. But it's okay when it's just Cubans.

Posted by: albertodelacruz at July 30, 2008 12:03 PM