Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Walter Lippmann — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:31:32 GMT

Here's one question: I want to know if Fidel Castro is reading Harry Potter, or is he too busy reflecting?

And now that some of the candidates are calling for allowing people from the U.S. to be free to travel to Cuba, it's time for the TODAY show to go back. And, hey, spend a week there this time!

Thanks,

Walter Lippmann
p.s., and if we can go there, can Cubans come to visit us here, too?

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Mario Rios Pinot, NY NY — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:58:57 GMT

I love these easy articles about the Cuban people. It reminds me that the Cuban people are just like everyone else including ourselves. It would be great if the USA embargo were lifted and they could get on with their lives with some more trading. It would also be good if the USA gave its word not to invade Cuba so that they would not have to worry about that. If regime change comes let it be from within and not from USA imperialism.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Lanny Murrell, Miami, FL — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:02:01 GMT

A toast to all the youngsters who would rather be in Hogwarts, rather than Havana.
As a sixty-one year old who has read all the books and seen all the movies, I wish the magic in Washington, DC, USA, could match that in Hogwarts. No way, Jose.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Genaro, Salinas CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:08:01 GMT

Cubans have not only visit the USA the also stay here for good, you silly rabbit!!!

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Don, Prior Lake, MN — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:46:59 GMT

I look forward to the day when Castro is out of power and Cuba relaxes it's agenda. The economic boom that will result in Cuba will be unbelievable.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

CigarFan, Aurora CO — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 19:48:53 GMT

I don't care if the Cubans come here to visit - all I care about is if their cigars can come here to vist.

:-)

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

K.C. Heylin, Newport Beach, CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 20:12:57 GMT

Does anyone who writes these simpleton distillations REMEMBER that Castro has basically WRECKED the quality of life for the majority of Cubans for more than four decades??? Those who escaped and made it here have had far better lives. I am sick to death of hearing about how the U.S. is to blame for the woes of lives of people who are, albeit unfortunately, living under the oppression of ENTIRELY self-seeking DICTATORS. Wake up, people!!

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Raquel B.X N.Y — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 21:51:46 GMT

IT'S SAD TO SAY THAT IF castro was not in charged the USA would just Invade cuba,Then the Usa would find a reason for war there to.I can't wait for the day where everone can just be in peace.The USA and all countries,I'm glad cuban's can read Harry potter everyone needs alittle magic in there life.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

CP, Renton Wash — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:09:28 GMT

Thank you KC.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Mark Henesian, Livermore, CA — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:10:31 GMT

ENTIRELY self-seeking DICTATORS or NOT --- Let's flood the place with Potter ! At least Harry's better reading than some communist rag !

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Raquel B.X N.Y — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:17:20 GMT

With all due respect we are living under a self seeking Dicator,WHAT DO YOU THINK BUSH IS. Nothing he does is for us, I don't remember the president asking us if we want war,the united states has more freedom but thats only to a limit. Not much of a difference two men with to much control.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Daryl — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:18:51 GMT

So by eradicating illiteracy and having one of the highest life spans in the world, as well as one of the best medical systems in the world, Castro has wrecked the country? I will never agree with dictatorship and the way Castro has handled some of the affairs of the country, but the United States needs to come off its hypocritical high horse and either clamp down on other politicall oppressed countries like China( their BIGGEST trading partner) or open things up with Cuba.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Antonio, Chittenango, NY — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:30:28 GMT

Castro died recently! harry potter novels are in fact evil. A major earthquake is about to hit San Francisco and a major tsunami is about to hit the east coast of Florida. As these events occur I will inform you of much more.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Maria Delgado, Miami, FL — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:28:51 GMT

Before you exagerate how well the lives of Cubans in the US has been you should remember that the majority of Cubans who have done well for themselves were middle-upper class refugees with college education and money. Lower class refugees were not allowed to enter the US until the 80's and have since been exploited by both Americans and the earlier wave of upper class Cuban refugees. I am sure if we only allowed upper and middle class immigrants (of any country)into the US they would do better than the poor uneducated folk they left behind.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Barbara Tomlinson, Seattle, Wash — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:29:47 GMT

Cuba has a FAR, FAR BETTER MEDICAL SYSTEM than the U.S., and it is TRAINING DOCTORS who go all over the world. The U.S. "system" is basically BROKEN. See Michael Moore's movie "Sicko". These people who MINDLESSLY PARROT U.S. OFFICIAL GOVT PROPAGANDA ABOUT CUBA AND CASTRO -- why don't you THINK FOR YOURSELVES for a change?
Cuban people are A LOT BETTER OFF ECONOMICALLY, than they were BEFORE Castro. Only the RICH have complaints about that. They are the ones who are NOT better off.
Watch something besides Fox Faux Controlled News!

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

MZ, Allentown, PA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:52:19 GMT

So True KC,

You hit it right on the dime..

MZ

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Pedro, Queens, NY — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:54:33 GMT

Yes, wake up is right. Washington has worked its magic "regime change" wand in Haiti not long ago. For one, the military closed a university to make their military head quarters. The students are still scattered.
Two: The newspaper "the Lancet" of London has documented hundreds of cases where those guys Washington handpicked to succeed the government there used rape and assassination tu punish those they suspect might want to run for office.

Now the country has a new elected government, members of the government puplicly said: if we punish those guys who commit those rapes and assassination and empty the tresury, their friends in Washington will punish us."
Has the US empassador in Haiti been made aware of statements like that. I want to believe so. Has he reacted to it. Why should he?

So much for regime change. So much for freedom. So much for "good governance".

Cuba should change after Castro. But it should never become like Haiti or Dominican Republic or even Mexico where illetaracy and disease is a way of life.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

MojitoFan, Pacifica, Ca — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:22:01 GMT

Oh yea, Castro has wrecked Cuba by making Cubans better educated and healthier than Americans. Castro has taken pity on American students by giving 100 scolarships to study medicine in Cuba.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Tom B., Miami, FL — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:22:27 GMT

If you want to see what Cuba looks like, come to Miami, Fl and drive around little Havana off of SW 8th street. They have trashed the hell out of the neighborhood. I wish when Castro finally kicks the bucket, that all of the cubans go back and stay the hell out of the US. They are the most arrogant and rude people that I've meet. I'm tired of heard them speak to me in spanish. They get pissed when you don't speak their language and they don't want to learn english. They only english they know is " No Peakie English." Don't tell me to leave either. I was born and raised in this country. They only foreign language I had to learn was Dutch because I lived in the Netherlands for 4 years. These cubans have lived in the US for more than 20 and the refuse or don't want to learn English. My feelings are if you don't want to learn the language of the country that you are living in then "Get the Hell out and go back to your own country." Don't force your language on others.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

CLM, Kingston, Ontario, Canada — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:11:46 GMT

Cuba is a great place to visit. My wife and I spent our honeymoon there. Politics always has a way of interfering in the enjoyment of things. I wish that some day US citizens will have the freedom to travel where they wish. Good luck to those who work towards this.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

mm; lacey, "the other" washington....state — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:17:47 GMT

Re: to Raquel B.X NY:
totally agree with you. are we forgetting also the mantra....."One Nation UNDER Bush".

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

JDH, Main Line, PA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:32:47 GMT

Well, Barbara, next time you need medical care go to Cuba, you have easy access from Canada or Mexico. As for Michael Moore and his adventures on Fantasy Island, are you serious? You actually believe a communist dictatorship would provide an honest accounting of public health (oh yeah the Soviets did). Someone is not thinking for herself or rationally, now is she.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Mario M, Tampa, Florida — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:47:33 GMT

Yes, Castro can be a dictator. That is true ,but the health care in Cuba is free, you can study any major career for free, as well as you can get arrested just for speak freely too. People just do not understand how Cubans behave, that is our way of life, you either accept us or not mr Tom B from Miami. As a "free" country you can move out of Miami or deal with the problem.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

johngiarratana — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 13:50:01 GMT

RAQUEL B.X. NY
HOW IS CASTRO STOPPING THE US FROM INVADING CUBA? AND ONE MORE THING WHEN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE SIGNED ON TO THE WAR THE PRESIDENT DID ASK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!YOUR REPRESENTATIVES VOTED FOR IT IN YOUR NAME!!! THE U.S. CONGRESS REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE...

BARBARA TOMLINSON SEATTLE WASH.
YOU ARE RIGHT "MICHAEL MOORE" IS WHERE WE SHOULD ALL GO TO FOR THE TRUTH. ARE YOU FOR REAL? "CUBANS BETTER OFF UNDER CASTRO" !!! CUBANS LIVE FOR THE HOPE OF HIS DEATH, THEY ARE SO HAPPY WITH HIM THAT THEY WANT HIM DEAD. THEY ARE SO WELL OFF THAT WOULD RATHER DIE ON A RAFT THAN LIVE UNDER CASTRO !! TALK ABOUT "SICKO"
YOU HAVE PARTIES IN LITTLE HAVANA AT THE MENTION OF A RUMOR THAT HE IS DEAD, THEY DON'T WAIT FOR PROOF JUST A RUMOR IS ENOUGH. AND YOU ACCUSE OTHERS OF BEING PARROTS BE REAL.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

AH,Flemington,NJ — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:21:51 GMT

Yeah, Cuba's healthcare is so impressive that Castro went where for surgery and spent months in recovery?
SPAIN!!! Stop drinking the koolaid.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Raqual Oak Hill VA — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:45:23 GMT

Have any of you been to cuba before castro came to power. Most of you are two young. There is a very big difference. I was there as a young child and the capital is not the same.If everything in cuba was so great. Why do people risk there lives on small rafts to excapefrom the island?????

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

CigarFan, Aurora CO — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 14:51:28 GMT

Raquel B.X N.Y. Are you suffering from Alzheimer's?

Remember that 85% of the American Public was initially behind going to war in Iraq. I was one of the ones who was not. I was in favor of waiting for the UN to finish inspections for WMDs, and to complete other sanctions before we moved unilaterally.

Where did you stand back in early 03?

That's part of the problems with Americans. We have really short memories. And we don't learn from history. (Or we wouldn't be in this mess). And when the going does get tough, we want to get going.

JFK instigated an invasion of cuba back in the early 60's. And Castro himself was supplied with specialized arms and ammunition from places in Louisiana and Florida by who? The US!

Good grief people. It's not all about Bush. It's about U.S. We've been screwing with the Cuban's lives for 50 years.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Maria, Pembroke Pines FLorida — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:31:52 GMT

Give me a break Mojitofan and Raquel. My grandfather was executed by Castro for not agreeing to put a communist logo on the business. Then he nationalized-took away everything- we owned. My mother's parents came here with nothing (lower class) and have done very well by YES! working 2 and 3 jobs to put us through school.

Medicine in Cuba is from the 50's, we treat many Cubans here (I am an MD) seeking care from us in the US. You would be amazed at how little these "Doctors from Cuba" are actually taught!

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

sepialy, Orlando, FL — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:12:33 GMT

So this went from Cuban kids barely getting to read or watch Harry Potter to Cuban healthcare, Michael Moore and Bush....geez.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Susan Grey — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:23:40 GMT

I'm lucky enough to have been to Cuba many times - (the UK doesn't prevent people from travelling there).
I've visited hospitals and schools and seen for myself that the cuban regime invests in its people. Just look at the children - bursting with life and confidence. And remarkably knowledgeable about their own history and about what's going on in the rest of the world. It doesn't suprise me at all that they know about Harry Potter and want to read it. Everyone can read and write, everyone has housing, fresh water, sanitation, electricity, free schooling, free healthcare, and a job - and I mean everyone.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Kiki, Miami, FL — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 16:28:32 GMT

WOW!! I think we are missing the big facts here. Their are children READING Harry Potter in Cuba. That is amazing and so welcomed. Another fact id Castro: BAD!! He puts a stop to w/e help anyone tries to give the Cuban people. I don't see Venezuela or that Chavez nut-case offering up any trading with his best-friend. There is a long history there, but here is a long history here in the US as well...remeber the Indians and what was taken from them....remember the African-Americans and what has been done to them for so long no one can remember. It sucks, but this is still a country that gives you rights, where you can talk & not be afriad of being arrested....that is Cuba folks. Let's not beautify or glorify something like their suffering which we, none of us can know what its like till we have lived through it day by day......with no end in sight.

Harry Potter finally hits Havana's shores

Carlos, Rio de Janeiro, Rio — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 01:53:49 GMT

I wonder how the fifth book of the series, containing a chapter fully devoted to the possible outcomes of tyranny and consequences thereof, was received in Cuban lands. The chapter is "Educational Degree 24".

No doubt the censors had a tough job dismembering the dangerous ideas exposed by Mr. Rowling.

Oh, and by the by, no amount of literacy and good healthcare system(let's not forget the sports too) compares to being able to criticize openly your very own president and/or representative. That's what democracy is all about. That's what Castro will always try to stifle, erradicate.

Also interesting is the plea Mr. Castro makes towards a lifting of the embargo. For someone whose philosophy basically dictates that "the capital is a villain" or that "property is theft", he is quite desperate to join in the making of a bit of cash himself (not that he hasn't done so already by literally owning the entire island) and, of course, in securing that royalties are paid for Cuban original inventions. Why the anachronysm?