You Ain't Gonna Make It With Anyone Anyhow

Bobby from Los Angeles answers my question on Che chic:

You asked the question "I wonder how it [Che chic] would play in Miami.

Let me answer that.

A couple of years ago, I was vacationing in South Beach, and at a restaurant, a young co-ed was sporting a black shirt with a rainbow Che blazoned on the front. As she and her cohorts paid the bill and began their egress, a middle-aged man (presumably Cuban) stopped her and asked if she knew who the man was on her shirt.

She mumbled something about revolutionary heroism or some such. The Cuban man laid into her something fierce, describing how his parents were killed in Cuba under the "revolutionary and heroic" regime Guevara helped usher in. When he was done ten minutes later, he asked the girl what she had to say for herself.

The girl just stood there, mortified.

I think for a large majority of the Che mythologizers, its willful ignorance of the facts that fuels their zealous idolatry.

They simply do not care to learn how their "hero" gained his notoriety.

Nor do they care to recognize the true nature of the regime that their "hero" helped bring about. Further evidence of that is provided by Matthew, who e-mails to inform us of an upcoming birthday celebration:

As a Returned Peace Corp Volunteer I received the following message in my group list. So if you have nothing to do, you could clear your calendar and bring a friend(s).

In reading your the above mentioned post I am sure you will be there "with bells on."

Hello all, Good news. Mayday Books have agreed to host

"Get Well" Fidel,
Birthday Celebration Sunday January 14th
3 to 5pm at 301 Cedar in
Minneapolis 333-4719.

This event will be a belated Birthday and Get Well Celebration with a Cuba Update, 1 minute "open mic" for Cuba/Fidel Supporters, Get Well / Birthday Card signatures and comments, Photographs /Video via computer to send to Cuba Media.

There will be music and food. Black Beans and Rice, Yams, Vegetable Soup, and of course Cake and Peace Coffee.

This event will be a fun opportunity for Cuba supporters to get together
and talk, listen and enjoy good food, conversation and company.

I will provide the food and coffee. I am working on a specially designed Get Well
Birthday Card.

Your support is still needed. Here is a needs list.

1. Someone to help design an appropriate flier.

2. Someone to take pictures and download on computer

3. Someone to video event and send to media via computer

4. Suggestions for Music

Finally, we need good weather and everyone's help in getting the word out.

Here's hoping that this is the last year that said event will be taking place.