This morning on SportsCenter, Dan Le Batard, an ESPN radio guy who happens to be of Cuban descent, was interviewed and explained it this way:  Castro maintained illegal prisons, put people in front of firing squads and generally abused his power for decades at the expense of his people.  Lebetard went on to say that for Cuban immigrants, Castro is their version of Hitler.

Here's a link to Le Batard's interview with Mike & Mike this morning.

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=7794763

I think its one of those things where you'd have to be Cuban to fully appreciate the anger caused by the statement.

Last edited by forsberg_us (4/10/2012 10:39 am)

"I don't understand the Ozzie Guillen/Castro fiasco at all."

Unless you're Cuban, you never will. There are still Cuban ex-pats who think as soon as Castro is gone, they're going to trimphantly return to the homeland and pick up right where they left off - with all their real estate, bank accounts and personal property, even though all that stuff was seized a half-century ago. Their anger about being displaced will never subside.

"I guess (and you see this all the time) I'm frustrated with the Freedom of Speech we seem to worship and praise in this nation, and the moment someone invokes it with a stand that goes against public view, he's admonished, his career is punished, he's suspended or fired, and villified. In truth, we have no freedom of speech."

The First Amendment only prohibits Congress from enacting laws limiting speech, not private reaction to otherwise protected speech.

You have a constitutional right to state your opinion, but try walking into your boss' office and calling him/her a "fucking know-nothing asshole" and see what it gets you.

The Marlins built a new stadium in Little Havana in an effort to market the team to the Cuban population.  Guillen expressed public support for an individual reviled by that same population.  That isn't a free speech issue--Guillen just financially damaged his employer by alienating its fan base.  That's basic employee misconduct.

artie_fufkin wrote:

[
It's asinine that he's being punished, but Ozzie put the Marlins in a tough spot. They have all these new players, a new ballpark and a charismatic manager of Latin descent who has suddenly offended the people they're trying to attract as fans.

I havent followed it that close but is he getting punished?  I assumed the club and Cubans were just upset.  I dont see how he can be punished by baseball.  I saw the headlines that read "Blah Blah Blah Ozzie Guillen" and stopped caring. 

Alz, The truth is this isnt a free speach issue because he cant be charged with a crime.  Just because the government will let you vocie your opinion doesnt mean your employier will.  That is very true in sports but still true in other cases. 

For the Marlins it seems to be an image thing.  They have and signed Latins to appeal to the fan base.  Truth be told Ozzie wouldnt still be managing the Marlins if it wasnt for him being Latin.  I mean all the crazy shit he has said.  Now the marlins are worried they shit in their own nest.

artie_fufkin wrote:

And don't move to Canada. It's colder than Anne Coulter's tit, they don't have paper money in denominations less than $5 so you end up pulling leg muscles lugging around all those loonies and toonies in your pants pockets, and there's an increasing degree of animosity toward Americans.
And they put mayonnaise on hamburgers in Quebec. I could live with snowstorms in May, the constant throbbing in my lower limbs and the indigenous ire, but for cripe's sakes, at least get the friggin' condiments right on my damn sandwich.

You dont like Whoppers?

"And they put mayonnaise on hamburgers in Quebec. I could live with snowstorms in May, the constant throbbing in my lower limbs and the indigenous ire, but for cripe's sakes, at least get the friggin' condiments right on my damn sandwich."

I like mayo on my burgers.  Along with a little ketchup and pickles.

Like you friggin northerns have any room to talk.  Go buy a can of bread.

forsberg_us wrote:

"I havent followed it that close but is he getting punished?  I assumed the club and Cubans were just upset.  I dont see how he can be punished by baseball."

Baseball didn't punish him, but the Marlins suspended him 5 games.

Still retarded.  He should have been suspended for making the "fag" comment in Chicago.  There is likely as many homosexuals in Chicago as there are Latinos in Florida.

"Like you friggin northerns have any room to talk.  Go buy a can of bread."

OK, Mr. Toasted Ravioli. How do you get those damn things out of the toaster anyway?

APIAD wrote:

artie_fufkin wrote:

"You dont like Whoppers?"

I swore off BK and McDonald's last summer and lost 20 pounds.

So you did like them?

The good thing about living in podunk USA is there are not many places to eat out at.  We have a subway but just one.  There is one on every four blocks like most places.  We also have a Hardees and DQ.  Those are likely the worst fast food joints ever.

I like the convenience. No Hardees. A few DQs, but they're not that popular. I think I'd have to travel to find one that serves anything but ice cream. McDonalds are ubiquitous. I know there are at least three in the town next door.
There was a big deal here a couple of years ago when the first Sonic opened up a couple of towns over, and my wife and son got all excited. Having spent a year in Arizona, I'd been to a Sonic and told them that if they went, they and their digestive systems would live to regret it. As usual, I got ignored, and they came home an hour later and proved me prophetic.

artie_fufkin wrote:

I like the convenience. No Hardees. A few DQs, but they're not that popular. I think I'd have to travel to find one that serves anything but ice cream. McDonalds are ubiquitous. I know there are at least three in the town next door.
There was a big deal here a couple of years ago when the first Sonic opened up a couple of towns over, and my wife and son got all excited. Having spent a year in Arizona, I'd been to a Sonic and told them that if they went, they and their digestive systems would live to regret it. As usual, I got ignored, and they came home an hour later and proved me prophetic.

I hate eating out.  Like you said it makes us fat and the food drags me down.  I do it a couple times a week for the reason you stated, convenience.  Still I feel bad about myself after I am done.

alz wrote:

I understand the difference between criminal prosecution, which sadly we can be subject to based on the statements we make depending on circumstance. We can be jailed for refusing to speak, we can be jailed for speaking (saying something that threatens the President for example), or have court imposed orders that limit our freedom (threaten a seperated spouse, and watch the restraining order).

Sadly?  I am sure you wouldnt want someone the threaten you or your family.  Your freedom of speach cant be allowed to conflict with other rights.  It is the whole "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" thing.

APIAD wrote:

I cant speak for those offended but Ozzie seems like more of an ass clown to me after todays interview then before.  I think his statements about Castro were wrong and in poor taste but if that was his opinion then so be it.  He said he loved the guy.  Today he calls that statement the biggest mistake of his life.  From one extreme to another.  Ozzie seeks the shock factor and it annoyies me.

Good point. The Marlins knew they weren't getting Joe Torre when they hired Ozzie. You buy an angus, you're getting the t-bone and the filet. But you're also getting the tongue and a whole bunch of shit coming out of the other end.