Leave No Lens Unclicked
Published October 22, 2004
The Australian reports that Castro (excuse me, Dr. Castro) fell down yesterday and broke some body parts.
Before his fall yesterday, Dr Castro had visited the grave of his former comrade, Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who was killed by Bolivian troops in 1967 as he was leading a revolutionary uprising.
Flanked by Elian Gonzalez, the boy at the centre of a heated custody dispute between the US and Cuba who returned to his father in Havana, Dr Castro laid a wreath on Guevara's tomb.
Why does that strike me as a "look who I have with me, take a picture" opportunity?
I mean there is actually nothing wrong him taking Elian Gonzales to lay a wreath on the grave of Che Guevara...I guess.
You know what they say...put a kid or a dog in the picture, and it'll get published. I personally haven't seen it, but I'm sure it will be widely published since there were a myriad of international photographers present.
Oh, and everyone will be happy to know, The Australian further reports:
Dressed in his usual olive-green uniform, Dr Castro was sweating when he appeared on camera less than a minute after the fall. He asked Cubans to forgive him for any worries the fall may have caused. "I will do what is possible to recover as fast as possible, but as you can see I can still talk," he said. "I can continue in my work."
Dr Castro noted the presence of international photographers and television camera crews at the event.
"The international press has captured it and surely tomorrow it will be on the front pages of some newspapers," he said. He then encouraged those at the event to continue with their musical program, which they did.
The incident did not appear nearly as serious as a fall in June 2001, when the Cuban leader apparently fainted before a crowd of thousands during a speech in the scorching sun. At the time, he joked that it was only a rehearsal to see what kind of burial he would get.
He is resting comfortably with a broken knee and arm.
If anyone sees the picture...shout it out, would ya'?
I guess no one is immune to the draw of the lens...even those people who go on reality shows and make asses out of themselves. But using Elian? Why does that leave a bad taste in my mouth? Or is it just me who finds that a little offensive? Maybe I'm just so sick of politicians and their photo ops that I am looking with a skewed eye. :)
- Leave No Lens Unclicked
- Published: October 22, 2004
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- Section: Politics
- Writer: Claire Robinson
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Don't think you have a "skewed eye" on this one. It's obvious that Castro was sending American Cubans some kind of message! I'm not sure what it was though
Andy, I think you are right...I don't know what the message is either, but it just struck me as a little "much"...I mean the photo op of him laying the wreath on Che was a good enough picture...wish I could read minds...lol
Claire
i agree it's low using the kid like that, but unfortunately that's the way the world works these days. In fact, politicians have been doing this sort of publicity "thing" for years now, with absolutely no stain on their conscience.
Perhaps it says more about the general public than the politicans that it still works...
Elian is now a public figure, who is
approaching Godhood, within a large segment of the population.
(see the second heading titled 'religious movement' on that page, and think if it wouldn't be a great photo-op to be seen with the modern Messiah). Although the page was written in 2000, the fervor around Elian has not died. He hasn't had a normal childhood since the day he got on that raft.
Elian is also a symbol of Castro's victory over 'American imperialism'.
Here's another photo of a politician using a child who has been through tragedy for a political photo-op benefit.
Boom, your post is valid. I object to your inclusion of the W picture at 9/11 because he was comforting a child, not using the child for a photo op, the fact that photographers caught it, is not to the detriment of W but the man was there...and so were the children...he didn't "round 'em up" for a good photo op...there were plenty of good photos already out there due to his handling of the aftermath...his SINCERE handling of the aftermath....we could trade those kinds of pictures all day long...on both sides of the fence...
But I appreciate your taking the time to read, also finding the piece on Elian. You are right, the use of "Elian" was a comment Castro's "win" over the US.
Do you honestly believe, regardless of what your political affiliations, that W did ANYTHING in those first days after 9/11 that was politically oriented. I can tell you he didn't. He did what any president would have done...He mourned for the dead, with their families, and he was pissed as hell. Would you want a president to do anything else?
Claire
Claire, the text on that page starts out with 'it was a fluke'. So no, I do not believe that there was an intent to do a photo-op at the onset. The picture was used as a photographic propaganda AFTER the fact. This is evidenced by the fact that the email/photo has been in circulation since it's creation and has appeared in numerous publications.
Do you honestly believe, regardless of what your political affiliations, that W did ANYTHING in those first days after 9/11 that was politically oriented. I can tell you he didn't.
I don't think that picture was taken right after 9/11 but I could be wrong. I don't know what he did after 9/11 so I don't know that it was politically oriented and I don't see how you can know that either. I do know that Bush's and the Republican parties election ads have used 9/11 for political benefit.
One way a politican could use children as photo-ops would be to sit down and read 'My Pet Goat' to them, because I'm quite sure the most powerful man in the world has a lot to do besides play substitute teacher.
Castro should have been flanked by Janet Reno on the other side. Elian? Maybe Castro and Reno should raise the little bastard and turn him into the next evil dictator.
As for Castro I saw news footage of the old son of a bitch falling. Too much carcinagous cigar smoke.
Boom, I value your opinions, AND your arguments because that's what this country is all about.
I can know it because I saw the ire he exhibited when the process story took away from the problem and the REAL issues after 9/11.
You must remember, he is married to a fine woman who was an educator. "Her" causes are illiteracy and education...and they, by osmosis have become causes he also strongly believes in. I have (and had) no problem with him reading Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail and Peter to anyone if, because the POTUS took the time to get them interested in reading. We could use a lot more of that.
I have great respect for Faith Hill, not just as an artist, but as an advocate for literacy. She has people bring BOOKS to her concerts to be shared with those who can't buy them. Dolly Parton has a similar literacy endeavor.
I don't quarrel or find offensive ANY action to foster that. I know we won't ever be on the same side of the political fence. I admire your forthrightness, and the fact that you took the time to comment. :)
Claire
Truth...the Janet Reno comment made me laugh really hard. Would that have been a photo op? *Laughing so hard.
I didn't seen the footage of him falling...I'm sorry he did...of course, I wish injury to no one unless they are a direct threat to me. Of course JFK took care of that didn't he...by his promise that we would never invade Cuba...he wasn't thinking ahead...Every time I see people desperate to get to the US from Cuba on what amounts to fruit basket rafts, I think of what he gave away.
Claire
That would be "I didn't see"....ugh...I'll be glad when I can proofread with two eyes.
Claire
Jadester....I missed your earlier post...for some reason I didn't get a mail about it...but I think you are probably more right than not. What does it say about people who want to see the picture instead of know the facts....Thank you so much for responding!
Claire
He broke his knee cap if I'm not mistaken.
I can't lie I thought it was funny when he toppeled. I would have rather seen him get hit in the nuts then grab his balls in pain.
Well, Truth, thats one for the balls, and a member wrote me and suggested it was too bad he didn't break his jaw....
My p.c. reply is I don't wish anyone injury...but I must admit that both your suggestions made me chuckle. I have no hatred for the man, other than he is a heinous dictator who is oppressive and knows he is impotent with the fall of the Soviet Union....life's little blessings...
Claire
I guess as long as he minds his business he'll be fine.
It is sad when a little crumb snatcher like Elian is a driving force behind your countries politics. Of course Clinton and Reno made it a big part of our politics while terrorist were learning to fly 747's.
Those were the good ole day's. Yeah back in my day the President could get a blow job in the oval office and still launch a raid on some poor impoverished cubans. What ever happened to Florida?
The last guy out...took the flag like he was told...
You know, Truth, Presidents (Except W and Jimmy Carter) have been getting blow jobs in the oval office, in the Lincoln Bedroom, in the Mural Room, and probably in the China Room for as long as they have been there. And more. So have the CEO's of Microsoft, the manager of the local 7-11, and the guy who works on your spark plugs.
There was a time when the press had an unspoken promise to just shut up about it. No more. Watergate put an end to that. There are actually people who don't CARE when or where, or by whom, the President, the cabinet, or the spark plug guy is "done" as long as he does the job for which he is getting pad.
I wonder how many people think moral character is AS important as how well the job is being done....
Claire
Go to this address and you can see Castro in three pics taking the fall. They're not very large though.
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=185392
The guy who works on Truths spark plugs is getting blow jobs in the oval office????
No, Andy, the spark plug guy doesn't have an "A" pass...he has to get his in Lafayette Park....
Truth, thank you for the link with the pictures...interesting story, good pictures...
Claire
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/21278)
Hmmmm...I included ISBN's...guess I left a lens unclicked somewhere...LOL
Claire