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In Cuba, Che still sells revolution

Posted: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 9:10 AM
Filed Under:

By Mary Murray, NBC News Producer

Observe the kids at any Havana rock concert or on line for a Saturday night movie date, and lots are wearing Ché Guevara's photo emblazoned on T-shirts or handbags.

They are no different from the many kids around the globe who sported the iconic image of the young Argentine revolutionary a few years ago when Hollywood released the "Motorcycle Diaries."

Vintage car stands parked near grafitti of late rebel hero Ernesto "Che" Guevara on a street in Havana
SLIDESHOW: Ché communist hero to capitalist icon
But sales of Guevara paraphernalia go beyond Ché chic in Cuba.

Here, kids are urged to identify with Ché as a role model. Starting in primary school, children salute their flag with the slogan "Seremos como Ché"… "We will be like Ché."

Doe-eyes due to flu
The image of the starry-eyed revolutionary is one of the most reproduced of the 20 century, taken from photo shot in 1960 by the late great Cuban photographer Alberto Korda.

The photo is said to be inspiring, especially for young people reading hope into that look in the Argentine revolutionary's eyes.

Ironically, Korda told me in one of his last interviews before his death in 2001, that Che's glaze was actually due to fever, suffering that day from the flu.

Korda also confessed that he personally was never that impressed with the photo, finding it too passive.

It took seven years before it would be published, shortly after the Bolivian army and the CIA executed Guevara on Oct. 9, 1967.

Despite those beginnings, the photo has helped keep the image of Ché alive around the world.

Cuba being no different…

To Castro a ‘flower yanked prematurely from its stem’
Monday the image flew on banners at a ceremony marking the 40 anniversary of Guevara’s death.

Ché's family and former comrades gathered at his tomb in Santa Clara for what was for the most part a low-key remembrance.

There was one moment when staidness was cast aside. Ché’s youngest son and namesake, Ernesto, mirrored his father’s tour of Latin America and arrived on an apple red motorcycle along with a few dozen members of the island’s Harley Davidson Club.

The ailing Fidel Castro, who has not been seen in public since he ceded power to his brother Raul over 14 months ago, missed the official event but paid homage to Guevara in an essay published in the local press: "I halt in my daily combat to bow my head with respect and gratitude to the exceptional combatant…" Che, he wrote, was a "flower yanked prematurely from its stem."

Inside and outside Cuba, Ché’s image is big business. In Europe, ad men exploit Che’s bearded image to sell everything from vodka and cigarettes to Ché bikinis and Louis Vuitton Ché-embroidered handbags that go for $4,500.

Here, Ché is used to sell revolution and alliance to the socialist government.

Only history will decide if this has worked. At the moment, when Fidel Castro remains sidelined, Cuba’s youngest generation seems more inclined to embrace consumer goods than movements for social justice.

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Comments

Che the Butcher did help to get rid of some corrupt governments which disrespected human rights... but he replaced them with MORE CORRUPT, less respectful and more anti-humanitarian, pseudo-Marxist governments. ("pseudo" because those who Che helped, never instituted a government anything like what MARX HIMSELF envisioned, but rather, totalitarianism masquerading as Marxism).  Gee, thanks Che!

Nevermind the Crimes Against Humanity committed by the people who Che helped to bring into power, think about what Che has done with his own 2 hands: I'd have more respect for the man if he had stayed a healer (medic) instead of *frequently* committing War Crimes!

...and of course Che is still sold on t-shirts, especially in Cuba: This is because he's one of the few rebellious images that Castro's thought-police ALLOWS to be sold on t-shirts, and everyone who doesn't like Che and Castro and their ilk had to leave on rafts, with only the clothes on their backs, because the thieves led by Castro wouldn't allow people to come and go freely, let alone, not allowed take the fruits of a LIFETIME of their labor (possessions) with themselves!  Even then, most Cubans polarized against Che the Butcher and Castro the Butcher found ways to leave, Castro could steal possessions but not lives and spirits!

Why do you think Cuba is the only island-nation with practically no FISHING industry?  Castro won't trust the average Cuban with a boat, they would take the boat to Miami! to escape the life MOST Cubans (i.e. non-Communist-Party-members) lead: e.g. wretched hospital quality except for the one "potemkin hospital" for Communist-Party-members which Michael Moore visited. A "shining light" as they abuse human liberties and cannot even feed their own people (need to have 30% net-imports of food)?  MENTIROSO, PUH-LEAZE!  Go to the "shining light" like a moth goes to a bug-zapper, fool!

Pepe R (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:14 PM)

Isn't ironic, he spent his entire life fighting the battle against capitalism, but after his death, his likeness is used to make fat cats rich... in other words, he wasted his life, like all idiot communist, socialist, democrat dolts... whoops I was being redundant at the end there.

Corey, Orlando FL (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:27 PM)

Che was nothing but a Marxist thug.  No hero. If Cuba is such a "shining star" then way not move there Mr. Pinot.  
It looks to me that Cubans and many others around the world are trying their best to get to the world's best country.  The USA!

Jerry Dexter, Lafayette, In. (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:31 PM)

Che is only thought as a hero by people who are ignorant of the brutality he was responsible for.
He appeals to South America in particular because so many of these contries are poor and he was thought to represent the poor, when in fact he was a very brutal with anyone who didn't "agree" with Castro's ideas.  There's plenty of documentation showing that he was "Blood-thirsty" and loved killing.
It is also documented that even the guys fighting with him didn't like him very much. They thought he used unneccessary brutality. He once shot a pregnant woman in her stomach because she spoke against communism.
Another interesting fact is that he didn't like blacks very much, according to an interview with a couple of guys who fought with him.  Hmm, doesn't Mike Tyson have a LARGE tatoo of Che on his chest???
 

Rosa J, Elizabeth, NJ (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:38 PM)

Now let us see the Nay sayers.  Batista was such a democratic soul? In with the Mafia? Living the high life while his people starved to death! From my understanding here was a man Che who gave his all for the lowly people of South America so that they could have a say in their own welfare! Guns he had to use well lets put it this way he had to kill as he was hunted by the largest gun runners in the world!  Cuba today stands as an educated, talented country! Let us look at all the have nots in South America and Fidel definitely helped Cuba be what it is today.  Sure there is a lack of freedom but under Batista they had a lack of everything including freedom as the mafia would not tolerate any muffled noises! Fidel will die as he is human and life will go on but he has given cubans the advantage of education, medicine and dignity that will go a long way when true freedom gets to Cuba! Both Che and Fidel will be cult figures now and in the future!  I feel proud when I wear my Che T-Shirt it reminds me of someone who is passionate, macho and a MAN who gave his life for the poor and wretched of South America so that these deprived people could have a basic existence.  Viva Che!

Tom, Vancouver, BC (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:41 PM)

It is really ridiculous how "CHE" the murderer of "La Cabaña" has been idolized. Those who know HIS real story should speak up. He had to leave Cuba for "New Adventures" because he was having little problems in Cuba with the "Comandante" He contribute to form the tyrany the Cuba is still living

Rha, Ft Lauderdale (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:42 PM)

I live in San Francisco, home of knee-jerk liberal dogma and, though I am myself liberal, I don't understand the attraction to Che. No one ever says they like his beliefs or admire his writing. No one wearing the cliche t-shirt with his face on it has the slightest idea of what he believed or stood for, other than that they think he was sticking it to the Man. Sure, he was killed by a corrupt system, backed by the US, and for that I can understand a certain degree of martyr-stutus, but the hero he has become doesn't seem to be substantiated either by what he did or what he wrote.

Tre, Vancouver, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:46 PM)

CHE WAS NOTHING BUT A CRIMINAL //LIKE THE REST OF THE SO CALL CUBANS THAT APPROVED OFF FIDEL CASTRO

LUIS FERRER (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:48 PM)

Che, Fidel,Hugo,and many other great men who didnt bow to white american supremacy and the wicked tricks of the CIA are hated by misguided americans who dont really understand how really wicked the CIA is Sadam was once in bed with them and even trained at U.S. air bases until he got wise and quit dealing with them. America look deeper into what evil things that the CIA does to people and the propaganda and lies they tell in the name of the United States

V. Williams Atlanta Ga. (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:53 PM)

It's seems that "revolutionary" is a bad word amongst Americans who are ignorant to their own history. It's how colonists became Americans. People like Che',MKL, Castro,Mandela, and Chavez,are fighting for the rights and repect for those are taken advantage by the rich and powerful. And ,yes, they are heroes,and looked upon as a voice of their people. Everyone on the planet has the right to life,liberty,and pursuit of happiness.Unalienable Rights is what these "Revolutinaries" have in common with the founding fathers. Step back and see the whole picture. A narrow mind is a good thing to waste.

Ray Izzi, Phila. Pa (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:54 PM)

I'm just discussed by the lack of historic knowledge some of you have displayed on your comments. Che Guevara was a man of hate, a man with no remorse or sense of humanity. The only thing that people like Guevara, Castro, Chavez have in common is an unlimited thirst of power and a total lack of humility. The rest are just details.

Aliet Casas, Miami Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:57 PM)

There were no Wal-Marts while Che was alive.

Why do you post stupid comments like the one second from the top?

John Doe, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:58 PM)

Che was a mass murderer and an egomaniac. Nothing more, nothing less. The sooner the world forgets him, the better.

MITmike (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:02 PM)

Ernesto Guevarra was a malignancy.  He was a hateful, anti-democratic, authoriatarian little excrement of a man.  He got off on murdering innocent victims of his evil ideology.  He personally supervised the murders of many hundreds of democrats and homosexuas while he ran his Stalinist political prisons in Cuba.  I cannot believe that so many people have been duped into believing there was anything positive about this twisted, aggressive beast.  If you are a homosexual or a believer in any political ideologogy other than Che's, count yourself fortunate that you were not living in Cuba in those days.  

Alejandro (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:03 PM)

Like most legends, the actual Che is lost to history, because he is either lionized by his supporters or demonized by his critics. That being said, Che seems to have acted with considerable restraint in the immediate aftermath of the revolution. The hundreds he had executed ( not "murdered") were police, soldiers, and officials of the Batista regime, a government controlled by foreign nationals ( Americans) and not known for its kindness towards Cubans who opposed it. Thousands more were given clemency or reduced sentences ( albeit that usually meant forced exile or prison).
Revolutions are not nice and tidy events. Many of my fellow Americans have a naive view of such events. I would suggest they do a little in depth reading of the vigilante justice American patriots delievered to their Tory neighbors during and after our own
revolution. Revolutions are not tea parties.
Also, capitalism in Latin America pretty much equals foreign economic domination and slavery for the locals. That was the main thing Che was fighting against.
My great criticism was his theory of guerilla warfare, which was based on his experience in the Cuban Revolution. It turned out to be impractable elsewhere and got Che and a lot of adherents killed.

RPN, MN (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:05 PM)

No question that Che was a "true believer" in what he did and thought that anything justified overthrowing whatever he didn't like. But the fact is that he did cause innocent people to die--and some of the things he wanted to overthrow helped put food on people's plates. Corporations are some of those things; it's silly to say all of them are bad. While some may be, certainly others do a lot of good; imagine the world without them. Would Che overthrow a solar company or an organic food company--and execute the officers? By his credo he would.

It's no surprise that Bolivia saw him as better off dead than alive. He couldn't discriminate between what was really good and bad. Like most idealogues, he had a blind black/white view of the world and sought to kill all that he saw as bad. The world is actually varying shades of gray--but that is too complicated for those like him. If anything was his downfall, that was. He wanted to throw the baby out with the bathwater. In Bolivia he had killed many innocent people in villages, etc. promoting his causes. The Bolivian army and many of the people just saw him as a killer and a threat to innocent people. So they hunted him down and killed him. What else could have happened? He goes around the countryside killing people--and expects something else? (Duh!) It seems he had entirely lost touch with reality.

Someone earlier wrote that Cuba is a shining light to the rest of the world?!?!? What world are you talking about. Have you lost touch with reality too? There is more torture and political prisoners there than anywhere else in the world. ANYTIME you have a government that doesn't allow it's citizens to leave at their own free will, you have no shining light. Too many exiles from Cuba have told too many stories; the place is brutal dictatorship. A living hell--unless you're in the government or the military. Most of its citizens live in abject poverty with no freedom or rights. (Shining light? Someone else seems to have lost touch with reality!)

Gene Dittmer (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:06 PM)

Che is old news everywhere except in Cuba and now in Venezuela. As a revolutionary, he failed because he got himself killed before he could do more than become a minor martyr.
Cuba is freeze dried in time and perhaps, it should be left in this state. Do we really need to exploit it as a resort? Our culture would, eventually, destroy all of the old and replace it with the new worthlessness.
Che failed but so have we. Leave Cuba alone. Let them be the perfect petre dish.

Redoubt (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:09 PM)

This is a comment for Mario Rios Pinot, how little you kanow about the reality of what has happened in Cuba, Che was just a criminal mind at the service of Mr. Castro and by the way if you think that Cuba is a shining light just move there and enjoy it. You do not deserve living in the US.

Mike Peterson, Miami, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:12 PM)

COLD BLOODED KILLER CHE GUEVARA

John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):* (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:12 PM)

Ernesto Guevarra was a malignancy.  He was a hateful, anti-democratic, authoriatarian little excrement of a man.  He got off on murdering innocent victims of his evil ideology.  He personally supervised the murders of many hundreds of democrats and homosexuas while he ran his Stalinist political prisons in Cuba.  I cannot believe that so many people have been duped into believing there was anything positive about this twisted, aggressive beast.  If you are a homosexual or a believer in any political ideologogy other than Che's, count yourself fortunate that you were not living in Cuba in those days.  

Alejandro (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:12 PM)

"Cuba stands as a shining light to the rest of the world".   Mario - you've got to be kidding right?   If it's so wonderful why don't you move there?   Why are people willing to risk their lives at sea in rafts to get away from such a wonderful place?

JLB, Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:13 PM)

Mario Rios Pinot, You love communist oppression, huh? Well, since youre so in love with the people who are the antithesis of the freedom and liberty (REAL liberty, not the political slogan 'liberty' that is chanted constantly) that Americans continue in their struggle to preserve, I suggest packing up and moving to one of the few surviving communist paradises that remain.

Literacy rate? Very good healthcare? Those are all well and good, but how about poverty levels? Land ownership? The ability to say that you don't like how something is done? The ability to actually LEAVE if you want? Cubans are treated as Castro's abused dogs, if he leaves the gate open he'll never see any of them again, until they come back to bite him. And don't think he doesn't know that.

Be my guest, I'm sure Fidel will be happy to see you.

Brian, Monterey CA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:14 PM)

Mike from Alexandria, Walmart never even made it to Cuba, nor were they even created at the time Batista was ousted, so give it a rest. Maybe you could try comparing someone who upstaged the US to someone running the US who has managed to kill far more people in the name of "democracy" (that's "oil" to you lot). Cuba have done exceptionally well considering the embargo against them and... How many times did the US secret services FAIL to eliminate Castro? Exactly.

Che was no angel but neither are any of the present day powermongerers, yet are you willing to chastise them as easily from within the comfort of your own home, hiding behind a screen? I think not.

Chris, Seattle WA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:14 PM)

Che was a murdering, corrupt person. I hate him, and if my son's ever wear a shirt with his face on it, I'll rip it off their back, and burn it.

M Wakefie Buffalo, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:24 PM)

As a proud Cuban-American, it makes me sick to think that "El Che", as he is known in Cuba, could be a symbol of freedom to anyone.  He was a misguided idialistic killer.  Even Hitler had his ideals.  I believe that unless you have lived in a communist regime, your opinion would be scued at best.  I have family in Cuba, believe me when I say no one who has to live in cuba cares about idialisim.  They are too concerned about feeding themselves, and their children.  Schools and Health Care are free.  Believe me you get what you pay for.  Anyone who defends "the Revolution", has never stood in a bread line, only to be told they ran out.  

ElizabethCorral St Charles, IL (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:25 PM)

Although Che's started his journey with his heart in the right place. He ended up a power hungry pig like the rest of Castro's crew..Castro himself had to have him killed for fear Che would overthrow him.. The rest of you that think Cuba is such a great place..Can thank GOD you weren't born there and aren't stuck there. The Cuban people have no real freedom. There is no work, no food nothing. If it wasn't for the barter system and their relatives abroad they wouldn't be able to survive off what Castro gives his people. Yes Cuba helps other countries by sending medicine etc..but it's citizens have nothing.

www.therealcuba.com

New Jersey (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:25 PM)

Those people that so admire Che and Fidel Castro, and think that life in Cuba is so great; what the heck are they doing living here in the United States of America.  WHy are you people not enjoying all the great things Fidel Castro has to offer?

Teresa Abreu , Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:26 PM)

I have been looking for toilet paper with that image of Che on it.  Does anyone know where they sell it?
He was just another dirtbag Marxist who tortured and murdered "fighting injustice".  Our kids are taught some pretty sorry revisionist history in this country.  Stalin must be up there with Ghandi or Mother Theresa.  

J. Sturgis (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:26 PM)

how great that the cuban butcher, who hailed marxism, is spinning VIOLENTLY in his grave knowing that his image is used as a tool for capitalist!

phil, laguna niguel, ca (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:29 PM)

I must admire Che, though I cannot condone the violence, I must admire the passion, ambition and need for change to make a young med student stand against the corruption. For that alone he deserves my hero worship.

Nadia Caldera, Pueblo, CO (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:31 PM)

Che died like a coward begging for his life. True story told by the CIA agent present at the time.

John Jameson (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:31 PM)

Che is a hero for leftists everywhere and in particular in Latin America. Che has been a disaster ultimately. People of his ilk just create more poverty because communism creates nothing. Communism only restributes.

Paul Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:31 PM)

Che Guevara. He was just another murdering communist among a long list of killers.: Stalin, Mao, Kim, Castro,and on and on.Always the darlings of the lefties in Western democracies this group of dictators was or are responsible for the deaths (mostly violently or through starvation) of 70,000,000 humans. Our strange school & university faculties just can't arrive at the understanding that Che and these other butchers were really bad guys and that if given the chance Che, Mao, Uncle Joe et al would gladly slit their throats.

Paul Whelton, Middletown, DE (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:34 PM)

It deeply saddens me to see how many fools there are in this world who believe Guevarra was a believer in "social justice".  Only leftist journalists and Hollywood can wrap up a piece of shit like Guevarra in pretty paper and ribbons and sell him to the gullible as something to be admired!  Evil admires evil, and Evil despises good.  I guess that's why Hollywood and journalists admire Che and perpetuate the deceptions about his true nature.

Alan Reed, Pittsburgh PA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:40 PM)

CHE GUEVARA WAS AN ASSASIN, NO MORE NO LESS. Any other potrayal of him would be ignorant. Check the history books and you'll see CHE had the same execution style mentality Hitler had. Its too bad Castro wasn't executed along side his friend.

Rick Fernandez, Miami, Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:48 PM)

We seem to forget that El Che and Castro were (Except for Castro; he still alive) Latin America heroes. In this injustice world that Americans portray all over the world to protect American interest.  El Che and Castro stood up against the great  American empire.  Some people believe that President Kennedy was an American hero, but in fact President Kennedy fuel El Che and Castro cause by failing to bring regime down.  Kennedy tried everything, even bio-logical war fare to suppress Cuba’s economy, to no avail. Cuba wanted to leave in peace with their neighbors; however, it all changed when guerrilla invaded Cuba backed up by the U.S. government.  The defeat of the American-Cuban invasion caused El Che and Castro popularity to sour!
Who doesn’t like the underdog? And Ask yourself who fuel El Che and Castro success?

Sr. El Che, Cali (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:49 PM)

Che died leading a " revolution " in Bolivia.  Very admirable...and also very sad because no Bolivians joined him in his endeavor.  As a motivator and a leader - he was spectacular, it's pitiful that his efforts were so misguided.  Maybe the Cuban youth should educate themselves better before they pledge to " be like Che".  

brad howard, wilmington, north carolina (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:49 PM)

Che Guevara stood for, and represents today, a symbol against injustice and imperialist aggression. The man who came from a upper-middle class backgound with privilage, saw how so many of his fellow Hispano Americans lived in extreme poverty and political repression. He sacrificed all his he privilage and status to help fight for a more just world. Che's self sacrifice and commitment to freedom from oppression is an example that is should be celebrated today more than ever. As he put it "I am not a liberator, the people liberate themselves." As long as oppression continues to exsist, Che the man and his ideals will live on.  

Eduardo Mora, Calgary, Alberta (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:50 PM)

If you were educated about the man--what he stood for, what he fought for, what he believed in--you couldn't help but be in awe.  Che was a revolutionary in it's purest sense.  What Castro has done to Cuba in the name of Che goes against all he fought for.  That is the reason he ended up leaving Cuba on cool terms with the dictator.  His ideals remained pure and his hopes for Cuba were grossly distorted.  Che was an incredibly educated man, from a well off family, who gave up his life as a doctor to fight for those who lacked the resources to fight for themselves.  His socialist values are what strong-handed governments, and those who fund and support them, fear most.  That is why he was assasinated.  And if his icon makes one young person say, "who is that man?" and then takes the time to learn who he really was and what he died fighting for, then his death will not be in vain.  

Kate S, San Francisco, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:53 PM)

Quote: Castro then made Che the commander of La Cabaña prison in Havana where Che, the great beliver of civil rights and justice, ordered the death of hundreds. To this, he said, "To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary. These procedures are an archaic bourgeois detail. This is a revolution! And a revolutionary must become a cold killing machine motivated by pure hate."

Facts don't matter - they only confuse the issue!  The man was a terrorist and a murderer.  He has been romanticized by those who ignore reality in favor of what they THINK he was, or what they WISH he was.

Eric Van Stralen, Rosemead, CA (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:54 PM)

I think that Che was an excellent marketing instrument for Castro, he was young, good looking and knew how to move people, I mean look at him in that famous picture smoking a cigar, he almost looks like Brad Pitt!, who wouldnt wear a shirt with his picture on it?, Have you seen anyone wearing a shirt with a picture of Castro?....

Griselda, Kansas City, MO (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:54 PM)

Anyone that approves his ideology, calls him a "so-called" hero, or sees him in a positive light is extremely naive and/or in-informed, at best,... and a freakin' idiot at worst (you hope). Che Guevara was nothing but a thug, who hated and tried to topple what he could never have. He died like a pig because that was what he truly was. Too bad Fidel Castro didn't die the same way. Many, many people would ultimately be still alive. My only consolation is knowing that Che is right now sitting to the left of Satan. Satan is saving the most important seat to his right, and to his favorite,... Fidel Castro!
io the right is saved for Fidel himself!!

Carlos Garcia, Miami Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:56 PM)

Anyone that approves his ideology, calls him a "so-called" hero, or sees him in a positive light is extremely naive and/or in-informed, at best,... and a freakin' idiot at worst (you hope). Che Guevara was nothing but a thug, who hated and tried to topple what he could never have. He died like a pig because that was what he truly was. Too bad Fidel Castro didn't die the same way. Many, many people would ultimately be still alive. My only consolation is knowing that Che is right now sitting to the left of Satan. Satan is saving the most important seat to his right, and to his favorite,... Fidel Castro!
io the right is saved for Fidel himself!!

Carlos Garcia, Miami Florida (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:57 PM)

Im wondering how many actually lived through the era or have even been to Cuba.  Are you believing the negative spin the American Gov has put on Che and pals?  Wasnt that one of John Kennedy's missions?  The same great American hero who offered the poor Cabrini-Green instead of education in order to keep them out of the Hamptons? THAT people is to take away the freedom of a person-no education.  Castrow and Che called the US a greedy monster that would eat up the world's, culture, natural resources and soul.  See any truth to that over the past 40 or so years?  Many Cubans do NOT want to leave Cuba.  Instead of running like ants for "things" they want to play checkers with a family member.  Go fishing.  Americans are more oppressed by their own greed than you would EVER imagine any Cuban is.  And sadly, we preach to the Cuban people about freedom; they often confuse freedom with free "stuff".  There is NOTHING so compassionate, humane, kind and full of empathy than the true Cuban heart.  Mario, YES, Cuba is a shining light.  Let's hope the investors posting sites to buy up land when Castrow dies for concrete resorts do not succeed.  Sure would hate to see my family's home turned into another Disney.  Off for a cafe'Cubano

Debi Iglesias (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:59 PM)

Another puff piece on this rabid, murderous, and inept, thug.  I guess if the Nazis had triumphed, Horst Wessel t-shirts would be in vogue.

James, Hampstead, MD (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:59 PM)

Che Guevara was amongst other things, against capitalism.  The fact that his face is printed on millions of clothes worldwide being sold for 50-80$ profit is a bit ironic.

Alex, Chicago Illinois (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 4:00 PM)

Wasn't Che who told one of his fellow guerrilla fighters "the ends justifies the means" when asked why he ordered to kill so many innocent people in Cuba.
Too bad the younger generation does not know this part of history.

Mara, California (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 4:00 PM)

CHE was not a noble man. He was an assasin for hire. Going from country to country as a hired assasin to put fear in the people. He is responsible for hundreds of innocent peoples death in Cuba. Including members of my family. People who idolize this man are some of the most ignorant people in the world. They are same people who think Castro is a hero. It is so sad that they do not know what is really going on in Cuba.

Alex, Miami, FL (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 4:00 PM)

Is this China? or America home of the free!!

Are you afraid some one will tell the trugh?

spud (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 4:01 PM)

The fact that America is presently seeking its own financial reward in Iraq is sufficient evidence that capitalism has its negative side, when left un-challenged. We should be thankful to CHE for his contribution to fighting the immoral decay of a once hopeful society

Leon, Isarel, New York,N.Y. (Sent Wednesday, October 10, 2007 4:02 PM)



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Learn more about the ethnic, religious and political power plays in and around Iraq during a briefing of the region led by NBC’s Richard Engel.

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