I love mankind. It’s the people I can’t stand.
-Charles Shultz
This post is a reaction and clarification to what two people had to say about the Castro-Kennedy post. I am not posting both the comments because they could lengthen this post unnecessarily.
When I posted the Castro-Kennedy assasination connection, all I wanted to do was inform everyone about this latest theory that came up. Nothing else. To me, Castro ordering Kennedy’s assasination (if at all) was a HUGE thing. I mean, here is this tiny nation always on the threshold of perpetual anhilation thanks to a paranoid USA, manage to kill one of its most popular and charismatic leaders and got away with it? Of course need I say, also avoiding some assasination attempts in the bargain.
I grew up listening to Castro’s escapades with poisoned boots and food. I understand Marxism, have a great regard for Karl Marx, have read his theories and think they are great to explain many phenomena that can be seen in today’s world. However, I do think that there are some points which may not translate well onto the real world not because of the theories but because of a basic flaw in human nature: we are not perfect. But that is beside the point. What I am saying is I am not against Castro or his ilk. Actually, I should said, “I’m Bengali” and that should have been enough! (Just kidding!).
As far as America being black and the world white, what can I say? I heard today that Iran was back in the news as a possible target that the world’s most powerful country wants to do away with. I wonder what happened to the ideals that the Emerson, Thoreau, Whitman talked about? Why is this nurturing nation whose very own Statue of Liberty has a plaque with this written on it
Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!
want to raze every other country on this planet?
Communism had its flaws as does Capitalism but we shouldn’t made the mistake of throwing away the baby with the bathwater. Capitalism’s worked so far. And we are in a mess. Who knows what is ahead of us. If there was a way to combine the good bits of both theories, I am all for it.
South of the Border, West of the Sun 
If my comments bring forth such posts, expect more. Well written and I find myself agreeing to your point of view. By the way, aren’t we (India) the largest democracy (where democracy refers to people) or did you mean in terms of power and influence?
I guess the information revolution is partly to blame for the lopsided view of the world that a large segment of our generation has towards the whole Cold War/Capitalism vs. Socialism conflict. We grow up reading American authors, and imbibing the American view of looking at the world. Sad!
But agree with whatever you’re saying(as I had written in my comment also)! Still, I’m afraid we’re fighting a losing battle, the society is going the ‘American Way’, with not just its good aspects (and there are many, I know), but also everything that is wrong with it!
Brilliant post, AFJ. Muah!
Sooooo well written. Haven’t read something as good in a long time 😀
Soumyadip: First of all, thanks! i was writing the whole post in the heat of moment right after I read yours and Obi Wan’s comment!
I meant the US in terms of power that it weilds now. But I feel foolish now because India is the world’s largest democracy!! I will change it now.
Obi Wan: We won’t know if it’s a losing battle unless we do something about it and we can’t do anything about it because we are so hopelessly caught up in the trivialities of life. It’s a vicious circle. I do hope that this “American way” is a fad and will pass us by. And that we will be in some shape to stand up and pick up the pieces and move on preferably in a better direction that is neither communist or capitalist but rather is humanist.
Rita: Thanks so much Rits!
I second your point of view!
Rohit: Thanks!