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This year I traveled to Cuba. You know, it’s that little island that’s spitting distance from Florida and should not be visited without special dispensation. I wanted to see it before MacDonald’s arrived. I’m so glad I did. I learned a lot and I met some wonderful people. It seems they like us. Now there’s a change!
I’ll add a short T/F quiz to each post the same as I did last year about Burma, and I’ll post the answers to the questions the following day.
Answers to your T/F Quiz for T
Like everyone on our planet, I’ve known about Guantanamo (GITMO), but it was just a place on an island that I knew little about, except from the news. Since the Bush administration’s War on Terrorism turned it into the center for civil rights violations, I’ve heard the horror stories that will haunt our country forever. However, I didn’t know how it came to be established in the first place. Before I left on my trip, I had to find out, and so I read this book about the Untold Story.
If you read my G post, you’ll see the mention of Theodore Roosevelt and the Spanish-American War. And if you read that post and took the quiz, you now know that the U.S. has had a permanent military base at Guantanamo since 1898. It seems the Cubans can’t get rid of us. Of course, now that Venezuela can no longer provide aide, guess who the Castros are looking to for financial support again? Let’s see the hands.
Your T/F Quiz for U
1. One of reasons for the continuation of the U.S. presence at GITMO, stems from the Cold War era when we feared the Russians and their ties with Castro.
2. Only 485 miles separate Florida from Guantanamo.
Answers tomorrow.
Since 1898?? I had no idea!!
Very interesting. I need to read that book. Great post.
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I've been learning about Guantanamo more from the news. I think both are true.
It is a great shame when countries do things that their people have to be ashamed of. Guantanamo isn't something anyone is going to forget for a while.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
Glad you made it to Cuba before the Big Mac, Lee.
I have no idea, but I'm gonna guess True, False.
Interesting stuff. Glad you got to visit. I'm going to guess both are true.
Liz A. from Laws of Gravity
Scary history! I honestly don't think most politicians will ever learn!
I'm impressed that you researched before you went!
Yvonne V
I've never been to that part of the world and found this most interesting to read.
Yvonne.
My guess is that #2 is true, though I know a lot of older folks still have holdover fear and suspicion regarding Russia.
Welcome to My Magick Theatre
Onomastics Outside the Box
It should be interesting to see how things work out between Cuba and the U. S. these days.
I hadn't realized that the base had been established that long.
Geography and history – my worst subjects. I know very little about Guatanamo save for a few news items and how it's been portrayed in films. But my answers are True and True?
Fran
@FranClarkAuthor
Writing Women’s Fiction
So interesting. I don't know how many miles between Cuba and Florida, but I know it's close enough to take a boat and hopefully land on free soil and not get shipped back to the island. I need to learn more about Cuba. I might check out your book recommendation from your T post.
I'm going to say True for both questions. 485 miles is a long way for all those people who tried to boat to the US. So many people lost their lives in that attempt. Very sad.
Michele at Angels Bark
It never occurred to me that there was a presence already.
Both of those questions sound true.
I think those are both true. It's still a lot of ocean miles for those using shaky rafts to cross it.
I'm so bad at these true and false questions. LOL I'm not sure I've gotten any right.
The prison there has been a human rights hotbed for decades, and somehow it's still in operation. There's undoubtedly many untold stories yet to be leaked.
The AtoZ of EOS
#TeamDamyanti
I'm going to go with true for #1 and false for #2. I had no idea the base had been in existence for that long. And I agree with Yolanda, I think the prison is horrifying.
When did we become Nazi's? Sigh. Can torture ever be condoned? If we knew that a silent terrorist had the information that would save the lives of countless children, would we ever resort to torture? Tough call.
Yep, not a place any good stories have come from. Both are true.
That book looks like it would be an interesting read. My guess is that both statements are true.
I find it horrid that we have a prison on Gitmo, seems like a place for horrible things to happen. Figures our version is a bit once sided, but to know someone could have blown us up, doesn't sit well either. Wow!
I thought the distance was much closer, but I can't say I've studied that part of the world map very often.
I wasn't aware of the long history of that base. Honestly, why do we need these places and why do we continue to support them?
@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge
Hi Lee – so interesting … and in due course I shall learn more once my wandering god-daughter returns. I think I noted the base had been captured by the Americans from the Spanish back in the 1800s … but now you tell me again – that must be so.
The distance is shorter … because people couldn't get over 485 miles of ocean … or sea …
So both are not true exactly … I have to say I hadn't realised Havana was half way round the island … or where Guantanamo was … til you started your A-Z … cheers Hilary
Ooh, so jealous! I really want to see Cuba.
I've loved reading about Cuba and its history, even though it's unpleasant at times. I'm still reading my book with a cocktail in the square 🙂
I didn't know I base had been there that long.
Oh that place is well known and not always kindly. I believe both are true
I'm going to say that the first one is true and the second one is false. I believe Cuba is separated from Miami by 90 miles but I am not sure how far the bay is inland.
Visiting from the A to Z Blog Challenge.
Shalom,
Patricia @ EverythingMustChange
I'll guess the first is true and the second is false. Aren't Florida and Cuba even closer together?
I had read that about Guantanamo being owned by the U.S. since before Castro. Interesting how they couldn't kick us out of there when Castro took over.
Looking at a map, I'd say it's about 485 miles between them. Although Cuba itself is much closer.