In many ways, the appearance of Cuban blogger, Yoani Sanchez, in the Huffington Post is a strange fit. Her posts tell "uncomfortable" truths that counter the leftwing attitude prevalent at the Huffington Post. However, few folks over there dare to attack her directly since she is not only talking the talk but walking the walk in that Communist island. So rather than argue with Yoani, most of her posts elicit little reaction.
Such was the case in Yoani's latest blog post in which a clandestine camera recorded a regime official denying internet access to a Cuban...because he is Cuban...at a Havana hotel. Yes, foreigners are permitted to go on the Web but this "privilege" is denied to Cuban nationals in a bizarre form of Communist apartheid. The reaction to this outrage from Huffington Post readers? None as of this writing except for one very funny yet incredibly sad comment which reflects perfectly the bizarre state of leftwing mentality. I beg you not to cheat and scroll to the end. To fully appreciate that comment you must first read (or watch the video) the transcript of the encounter between a Cuban denied access to the Web by a regime toadie. You can read the English translation of the video by placing your cursor over the center. Yoani Sanchez begins her blog by explaining the internet denial (for Cubans in Cuba) of internet access:
Saturday, May 9, I went to the Melia Cohiba hotel to check if the Internet access limitations for Cubans continue. Several friends had told me that the measure had been rescinded... but I wanted to check for myself. So Reinaldo and I went and made this little video.
The "tourist" who appears to be reading the newspaper Granma is me.
And now the conversation between a Cuban (Reinaldo) and a regime toadie (Raquel):
REINALDO: Good afternoon, Miss. I'd like to buy an hour of internet.
RAQUEL: May I see your passport please?
REINALDO: No, what I have is an identity card.
RAQUEL: No, I can't sell you an hour of Internet, because the connection here is only for foreigners.
REINALDO: Excuse me, I don't think I heard you clearly.
RAQUEL: The connection here is only for foreigners.
REINALDO: Since when is this?
RAQUEL: Since one month.
REINALDO: I came last week and connected.
RAQUEL: And who sold you the ticket?
REINALDO: I don't know the name. Just as I didn't ask your name, neither did I ask...
RAQUEL: My name is Raquel.
REINALDO: Yes, but you aren't the only person who works here. There's a red-headed girl... It was eight days ago.
RAQUEL: Now... There's a resolution that says it's only for foreigners. Look here...
REINALDO: Yes. This is the...
RAQUEL: Come here... and... see.
REINALDO: But is this only in this hotel? Is this being done in all the hotels? Because I frequently connect in the National and the Presidente.
RAQUEL: I think in the President they still haven't established this system.
REINALDO: But this is something that comes... a resolution. Forgive me for asking so many questions. Is this a resolution of this hotel, of the Melia company, of...?
RAQUEL: No, it's a resolution from MINTUR.
REINALDO: From the Tourism Ministry?
RAQUEL: Yes.
REINALDO: It's not from the Communications Ministry?
RAQUEL: I've been given to understand that it comes from MINTUR and ETESCA. Because of the fact that this new type of connection is from ETESCA.
REINALDO: OK, and this, how can one dispute this? See someone about it? Look, I don't have an argument with you, because after all you are a person who is just doing your job.
RAQUEL: Yes, you can go to Reception and lodge any complaints you like.
REINALDO: Because you know this violates my constitutional rights. Because it's written in the constitution of our Republic that discrimination based on national origin is prohibited. And I feel discriminated against because my national origin is Cuban. It's as if they said here: "This Internet is for the whole world except Mexicans." It's the same, no? I'm being discriminated against for my national origin. There's not a single law or internal regulation that can supersede the constitutional rights of citizens... Aren't I right?
RAQUEL: I'm just that one who has to... I'm just doing my duty.
REINALDO: Yes, of course, I know that... OK Raquel, and many thanks and I hope to see you the next time I come here, I'm sure this will be repealed.
RAQUEL: OK... hopefully... we'll see...
And for those of you who didn't cheat and peek ahead, you can now appreciate the full effect of the one LONE (as of now) Huffington Post money quote reaction that perfectly exemplifies the mindset of the American left:
And you think the United States doesn't violate the constitutional rights of its citizens?
