So much for goodwill
Mr. Harry Balafonte, the singer of "Come Mr. Tallyman tally me Banana" and US' Unicief goodwill ambassador, has just called Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world" in Venezuela of all places. Isn't that nice? American singer and activist Harry Belafonte called U.S. President George W. Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world" Sunday and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. Belafonte led a delegation of Americans including actor Danny Glover, Princeton University scholar Cornel West and farmworker advocate Dolores Huerta that met with the Venezuelan president for more than six hours late Saturday. Some in the group attended Chavez's television and radio broadcast Sunday. "No matter what the greatest tyrant in the world, the greatest terrorist in the world, George W. Bush says, we're here to tell you: Not hundreds, not thousands, but millions of the American people . . . support your revolution," Belafonte told Chavez during the broadcast. "We respect you, admire you, and we are expressing our full solidarity with the Venezuelan people and your revolution," he added. Ahh, so much to say, not enough time to say it. How about I just leave that one to you guys? Yeah, that's probably better!
posted by The Sandmonkey @ 1/09/2006 11:11:00 AM
27 Comments:
I can't tell which of these guys is crazier, Belefonte or Baby Castro.
As a US citizen, I must thank Mr. Balafonte for speaking on my behalf as one of the millions of US citizens supporting the socialist revolution of Mr. Chavez. We all know the terrific results of this experiment due to Mr. Castro's tireless efforts. I still don't understand why so many Cubans desire to leave that Socialist paradise for the shores of Miami.
"I still don't understand why so many Cubans desire to leave that Socialist paradise for the shores of Miami."
Because they can?
What are the poor venezualans going to do when it all goes south? It's a long walk from Venezuala to Arizona!
As a US citizen I think Mr. Balafonte is DOUCHE-BAG!!!!
Move the hell to Venezuela or Cuba if you can't stand living in the US under a terrorist!
"Million" supporting the socialist revolution of Chavez and Castro in
America...huh? Show me proof of that one...not just Mr. Taliban's (taliban him bananas) comments that they exist.
Why do so many people flee (and risk drowning) to freedom's shores if Castro and Chavez got it right?
Who made this idiot a Goodwill Ambassador?
Oh, but don't you see guys, this is why capitalism is evil. It makes the people living under socialism question and demand better living conditions for themselves and others. They are so greedy! They should just accept that socialism is the best system in the world and be happy to live under it. Right? Right!
Peter, the answer to your question is...the UN. The nice pleasant people of the UN. Aren't they great?
Don't you just love it when two rich people who enjoy the freedoms and liberties of their country go to another country to celebrate the destruction of freedom, the removal of liberties and the halting of making a better life for yourself?
"Become an American leftie celebrity! Just leave your brain at the door."
by the way, Chavez accused the jews of controlling the world's economy today. What a foggin' idiot.
The truth is the US is not a pure capitalist state. It is a quasi capitalist state with socialist programs as well as protections built in to try and prevent monopolization and maintain fair competition. Like Democracy there is no magic formula but a constant struggle around the middle somewhere.
A friend of mine and I were just discussing Cuba. His dad emigrated from there in the 60's. He said that the system is designed to make people steal. They give you a ration of meat or toilet paper for 2 weeks that you can't live on etc... so it turns the people into thieves who are reliant and hating of the state.
He also said if/when Castro dies if that eventually leads to the borders opening up that it will not be good for the US bcs the class of people there now are much different than the people who emigrated in the 60's and 70's. 40 years of Communism and Totalitariansim will do that as many West Germans a few years after the Wall came down were wishing it went back up.
VOX -
Part of doing business with and becoming allies with the Arab World means you have to denounce Jews and Israel. All of a sudden Castro has become anti-Jewish and Israeli as well, his latest allies after the Soviets fell.
A strong cultural and positive Jewish presence has long been the case in Cuba.
Mike
I wonder why leftist never ask why Americans never risk their lives floating to Cuba on a 1957 Chevy?
Jordan, I don't know why US socialists never seem to immigrate to socailist countries, themselevs. Seems like they'd be happier. Perhaps they think socialism is only the solution for OTHER people, and not for themselves?
By the way, if that's you posting on Farooha's blog, I think you're going to be in for a wake up call as soon as you make the mistake of saying something her commenters don't like. I gave up on her. It's like "talk to the hand" all the time, over there. Worst part is when they call everyone who disagrees with them a bigot.
SandMonkey,
Your right-wing beliefs and your "I'm always right" attitude is getting more and more interesting....
Pure capitalism isn't the solution either. In the US close to half of all seniors can't afford their drugs, the middle-class can barely afford health insurance and areas of extreme povrety and crime prevail(Louisiana and others). Social injustices are great and the gap between the rich and the poor remains.
Canada is what we call a social-democracy and what I believe to be the best system of all. The government provides heath insurance to all citizens, a pharmacare program is in place, in other words the government pays 75% of the cost of prescription drugs for all citizens. And to top it off, families can benefit from subsidised daycare for their kids. All Canadians have an equal chance at education since the tuition for 1 full year of University is only 4000$ a year (Compared to 15 000$ or more in america). The difference is covered by our government and foreign students who pay a lot more to study here.
Of course we do pay more taxes in return for these services but the great social injustices of the US are not present here.
We believe in free enterprise, the spirit of competition and moderate capitalism. The rich can get richer but still have to contribute to our social system to help the less fortunate.
It's called a compassionate system, not one of greed, hate and injustice.
As a result, our crime rate is low, our life expectancy is higher then the US, our education system is great (McGill University and others) and we have a vigourous economy.
Right-wingers, please take notes...
CP,
Hey man, as long as you find me interesting. That's all I care about!
"Of course we do pay more taxes in return for these services but the great social injustices of the US are not present here."
Canada is not the US, Canadian Pharoah. You don't have our social problems, and it's an incorrect assumption to believe that the Canadian system would work here.
We have one socialist holding elected office in our federal government, out of over 500. It's a lot more than the right wing that disapproves of socialism in the US :)
BTW, I already pay roughly 60% of my income in various taxes. How much would I take home if we had canada's system, here? I'd have to quit my job and go on welfare.
CanadianPharaoh
Pure capitalism isn't the solution either.
The US doesn't even have close to pure capitalism.
In the US close to half of all seniors can't afford their drugs, the middle-class can barely afford health insurance and areas of extreme povrety and crime prevail(Louisiana and others).
This is exagerrated simplistic talk Canadian Pharaoh.
Social injustices are great and the gap between the rich and the poor remains.
The gap between the rich and poor will always remain. The idea everyone will be equal is some Utopian dream. However, the middle class in the US is the largest than anywhere else in the world. And the chance to get ahead if you reasonably work hard is nowhere better than in the US. Otherwise, Latin Americans and Indians would be emigrating to Canada, not the US.
Canada is what we call a social-democracy and what I believe to be the best system of all. The government provides heath insurance to all citizens, a pharmacare program is in place, in other words the government pays 75% of the cost of prescription drugs for all citizens. And to top it off, families can benefit from subsidised daycare for their kids.
yes, that's great and there are programs in different areas of the US like that as well. However, free Health Insurance would never work in the US and is barely working in Canada. I've spoken to many people who talk about how people who get operated on after 5 days get booted out of the hospital bcs higher priority worse off patients need the beds. And if you want the best health care you still come to the US.
Why do foreign students pay more to study in
great social injustices of the US are not present here.
Your rosy painting isn't exactly accurate, though you may believe from what you've read it is.
We believe in free enterprise, the spirit of competition and moderate capitalism. The rich can get richer but still have to contribute to our social system to help the less fortunate.
Again, that's just a nice packaging for what you're saying.
It's called a compassionate system, not one of greed, hate and injustice.
So Pharaoh, the US is a system of greed, hate and injustice? eh?
As a result, our crime rate is low, our life expectancy is higher then the US, our education system is great (McGill University and others) and we have a vigourous economy.
The best schools are still in the US and more people go to college in the US now than ever have. Is the life expectancy really higher in Canada?
Interested to see where you get your facts from
Scorekeeper,
You are so blinded with the patriotic bull your media feeds you that can no longer think critically You can not admit some pretty simple realities.
Here is some evidence:
Life expectancy:
Canada 80.10 years US 77.71
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2102rank.html
Guess our free heathcare is good!
Crime rate:
Canada has "one of the lowest crime rates in the world"
http://www.answers.com/topic/crime-in-canada
Crime comparison with the US: http://www.answers.com/topic/crime-in-canada
Immigration: It seems like many "smart" immigrants have selected Canada as a new home.
1 million Italian-Canadians:http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume7/countries/italy.html
2.7 million germans, 204 000 Spanish, 203 000 greeks, 131 000 Lebenese, 1 million Chinese and many others http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/dcforum/pubs/jedwab2_e.cfm
Canada is the best place to live. Justice and equality for all races and social classes!!!!!
Canadian Pharoah, I admire your patriotism towards canada... BUT!! :D
Canada is 2.2% black
Canada is 0.7% hispanic
Canada is 3.5% Chinese!!
Canada is 13.4% ethnic minority (which includes Middle Easterners, North Africans and other non-Europeans)
"Justice and equality for all races and social classes!!!!!"
Except the poor and uneducated :P
The US is 12.9% black
The US is 14.1% hispanic
The US is 4.2% Asian
The US 31% ethnic minorites (which DOES NOT include Middle Easterners, North Africans and "other" unspecified ethnicity which is considered white, but not European, bvecause they are considered "white" in the US)
The US is over 40% minority if the above listed groups were considered minorities.
That's what I meant about Canada not having the same social problems the US has.
Canada is a great country, but it's not really in the same category as the US.
Craig thanks for the statistics.
I've heard from many people that the healthcare system in Canada has some serious drawbacks.
Also, I wonder if the lower crime rates is due to a less densely populated country? The US has a much larger population and many more densely populated cities.
Pharaoh thanks for the links but please don't patronize me with "my patriotic blah blah has blinded bme".
But thanks for the information anyway. :-)))
Scorekeeper
PS By the way how did you get it to say Canadian Pharaoh to Scorekeeper...?
Scorekeeper,
I'm not just throwing numbers, I really believe that the Canadian system is more just and fair towards people of all social classes and ethnic backround.
Our history is one of love and compassion. During the days of slavery in the US, underground networks of Canadians helped hundreds of thousands of African-americans escape to Canada. Most black Canadians of today are the descendants of ex-american slaves!
Our healthcare system is not perfect but closer to perfection then the american one. As a Canadian you are entitled to free care and your life-expectancy is not based on the size of your wallet.
As to immigration Craig is wrong again. Close to 25% of Canadians are of a different ethnic backround.
The average difference in annual income between a 2nd generation Canadian and other Canadians is non-existant. That's justice!
Our seniors don't have to cross the border (like yours) to buy precription drugs. We welcome them and are happy to provide to their needs....keep on buying from us!
The only reason you have more latin immigrants is because you share a border with Mexico and Cuba is right off your coast. Believe me, if they had the opportunity they would run to Canada.
Lastly (and this one involves you and me because I have armenian blood), Canada has never hesitated to recognize the Armenian genocide...Where is the great land of the free on this issue??? Defending their more profitable relationship with Turkey I guess!!!
Cheers buddy
HERE IS SOME OF THE INFO FROM THE CIA FACTBOOK.
CANADA
Area: Somewhat larger than the US. 2nd largest country in the world to Russia.
Canada's paramount political problem is meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care and education services after a decade of budget cuts. The issue of reconciling Quebec's francophone heritage with the majority anglophone Canadian population has moved to the back burner in recent years; support for separatism abated after the Quebec government's referendum on independence failed to pass in October of 1995.
US
The two most traumatic experiences in the nation's history were the Civil War (1861-65) and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Buoyed by victories in World Wars I and II and the end of the Cold War in 1991, the US remains the world's most powerful nation state. The economy is marked by steady growth, low unemployment and inflation, and rapid advances in technology.
Canada top line
US botttom line
No info on crime rates.
GDP Purchasing Power parity
1.023 Trillion
11.75 trillion (2004 est.)
GDP Growth Rate:
2.4%
4.4%
GDP per Capita:
$31,500
40,100
Unemployment Rate
7%
5.5%
Population below poverty line:
15.9%
12%
Household Income Consumption by % share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 23.8%
highest 10%: 30.5% (1997)
Budget:
revenues:
$151 billion
$1.862 trillion
expenditures: including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)
$144 billion
$2.338 trillion
Investment (gross fixed):
19.4% of GDP (2004 est.)
15.7% of GDP (2004 est.)
Population
32,805.041 (July 2005 est)
295,734,134 (July 2005 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.9% (2005 est.)
0.92% (2005 est.)
Life Expectancy:
80.1 years
77.71 years
Median Age:
38.54 years
36.27 years
Total fertility rate:
1.61 children born/woman
Ethnic Groups:
Canada
British Isles origin: 28%
French origin 23%
Other European 15%\
Amerindian 2%
Other mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%
mixed background 26%
US
white 81.7%
black 12.9%
Asian 4.2%
Amerindian and Alaska native 1%
native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander 0.2%
(2003 est.)
note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean a person of Latin American descent (including persons of Cuban, Mexican, or Puerto Rican origin) living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc.)
Birth rates
10.84/1000
14.14 births/1,000
Net Migration Rate
5.9/1000
3.31 migrant(s)/1,000
Infant Mortality Rate:
4.75/1000
6.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Fertility Rate
1.61/woman
2.08 children born/woman
Scorekeeper,
Not so valid arguments:
You have a bigger budget (all you spend on is military)
but
you also have a bigger population (it's normal)
and....you forgot to mention the fastest growing debt in the world!
Population growth rate is the same
Life expectancy is higher in Canada
Our median age is similiar
We have 6% asian, african and arab, 26% mixed backround and 15% other Europeans.....nice that's a total of 47% of the population of another ethnic backround...You just made me prove my point!
Unemployed rate is actually 6% right now, not 7% (those are old figures).
Canada's infant mortality rate is lower then the US
(4.75 vs 6.5 per thousand)
Our purchasing power is lower because we pay more taxes....and that's the choice we made to have better social programs for seniors, heathcare, prescription drugs.
And we have a lower crime rate.
I think you helped me make my point.
Scorekeeper,
By the way, the only real figures that you performed better on were the povrety numbers.
Population below poverty line:
15.9%
12%
If you were Canadian, you would know that these figures include the Inuit (Eskimo) population and other tribes living in the Canadian North. This area has one of the hardest and coldest climates in the world and very little industries.
The government gives money to these tribes to help them survive. They refuse to leave and come down in the cities. Without the north, our povrety rate would actually be lower then yours!
By the way, you never answered; Did the US recognize the genocide????
I just copied facts from the factbook you interpret them anyway you like.
Using "other European" as proof you have more minorities is pretty funny.
British Isles origin: 28%
French origin 23%
Other European 15%
66% European + mixed 26% = 92% of the population more or less white ethnic background.
The US has by far more minorities. It's like counting the French Creoles in New Orleans as a minority 200 years later.... lol... a testament to no integration in Canada like in the US.
Also, I really don't care if you believe Canada is or really if it really is "a better" country.
My ego couldn't really care either way. I know I'd rather be living right here in NY.
Btw, I am a semi-regular reader of Damian Penny on a weekly basis.
Either way it doesn't excuse your generous use of statistics.
Half of the 15% Other-Europeans are actually Greeks, Turks, Albanians, Armenians and Syrians (considered as europeans by Canada's census bureau).
All these races are not "swedish whites". They actually look Arab. Add the other 8% ranked as visible minorities and you're already at 16% minorities.
Additionally, a large percentage of the "mixed numbers" are Canadians that mixed with these minorities.
So it's pretty safe to say that 20% are minorities but, once again, what's your point exactly???
You should travel out of your bubble and not only read whatever is online about the rest of the world. Maybe then you will be able to see further then your nose and realize that you are not part of the best country in the world.
Defining who is better is pretty subjective, it depends on what values you have and what you believe in! Personnally, I believe in justice, equality, universal health care, good pensions for our seniors and help for the poor.
Others believe in money, greed, war, destruction, a neo conservative agenda, racism and different social classes....That's your beliefs.
By the way, did the US recognize the armenian genocide??? Are you afraid to answer??? I'm sure your money based system is happy to back the Turks....for financial reasons of course, so much for virtue.....Hypocrites!
CP
You should travel out of your bubble and not only read whatever is online about the rest of the world. Maybe then you will be able to see further then your nose and realize that you are not part of the best country in the world.
OK, so your point is nah nah nah nah we are the best and you aren't.
I never said "" the US is the best ""... and I really don't care if anyone believes this, but it is apparently very important to you.
CANADA OH CANADA.... YOU ARE THE GREATEST..... bow before thee OH CANADA.
Personnally, I believe in justice, equality, universal health care, good pensions for our seniors and help for the poor.
Others believe in money, greed, war, destruction, a neo conservative agenda, racism and different social classes....That's your beliefs.
HOW DID YOU KNOW? YEAH, WE'RE ALL BADDIES DOWN HERE AND YOU'RE A GOODY......
By the way, did the US recognize the armenian genocide??? Are you afraid to answer??? I'm sure your money based system is happy to back the Turks....for financial reasons of course, so much for virtue.....Hypocrites!
I don't know did they? Should I ask a few guys tonight at the bar if they know and also ask if they are for money greed hate and racism OR for pensions universal health care social justice and a happy happy world?
I'll let you know and get back to you...
:-))))
Cheers and you should have a few glasses of Chardonnay or Red on me tonight, I think you seriously need it.
Mike
Balafonte and others such as Chomsky, love to trash the U.S in 3rd world countries ,then they immediatley rush back to the U.S to their comfortable homes and incomes provided by the "terrorist" U.S.State.
http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Recognition_of_Armenian_Genocide_by_Kurdistan
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