by Stephen Lendman

Kerry represents US imperial arrogance, rogue state ruthlessness rejecting democracy worldwide - especially at home.

US elections when held are farcical. Ordinary people have no say whatever. Big money-controlled duopoly power rules.

All so-called elections turn out the same way. Business as usual always triumphs. Things go from bad to worse. Neocons infesting Washington threaten world peace.

Alleged US normalization with Cuba is a thinly veiled scheme to recolonize the island state, steal its resources, exploit its people and open its markets without restrictions to US corporate predators.

Kerry berated Cuban “policies of the past that have not led to a democratic transition” - code language for capitulating to US hegemonic rule unconditionally. He laughably claimed “the United State will remain a champion of democratic principles and reforms” - democracy solely for the privileged few, “reforms” meaning replacing social justice with neoliberal harshness.

Kerry “urge(d)” the Cuban government to fulfill its obligations under the UN and American human rights covenants” - ignoring Washington’s longstanding record as a scandalous human and civil rights abuser on a global scale.

Kerry lied saying embargo conditions “can only be lifted by congressional action.” US presidents can use executive authority to rescind inapplicable restrictions.

Washington isn’t at war with Cuba. It hasn’t been since its aborted three-day April 1961 Bay of Pigs aggression. Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA - 1917) constraints don’t apply. They restrict trade solely with countries hostile to America in times of war.

Other embargo related legislation, regulations and sanctions are invalid with diplomatic relations restored. Obama can end them with a stroke of his pen straightaway - the same legal way he can close Guantanamo.

World nations overwhelmingly demand both. America is out-of-step with reality and rule of law justice. It’s waged unacceptable political, economic and financial war on Cuba for over half a century.

Formally reopening Washington’s Havana embassy with a flag-raising ceremony and bombastic Kerry speech does nothing to change reality on the ground as long as anti-Cuban policies remain unchanged - except for too little positive tweaking.

On August 14, Fidel Castro turned 89. He’s the world’s preeminent statesman, a legend in his own time, a model of a responsible world leader.

Occasionally he writes reflections, expressing views candidly on vital issues. He’s justifiably suspicious of US intentions after over half a century of anti-Cuban policies, including hundreds of failed attempts to do him in.

On August 13, he wrote a commentary titled “Reality and dreams.” He called writing “a way to be useful (to combat) long-suffering humanity…”

He justifiably said America owes Cuba “many millions of dollars” for harmful actions against the nation and its people for over half a century - citing “irrefutable arguments and facts.”

He remains true to his redoubtable spirit and belief in rights all human beings deserve. “(W)e will never stop struggling for peace and the well-being of…every inhabitant on the planet regardless of skin color or national origin, and for the full right of al to hold a religious belief or not,” he said.

“The equal right of all citizens to health, education, work, food, security, culture, science, and wellbeing, that is, the same rights we proclaimed when we began our struggle, in addition to those which emerge from our dreams of justice and equality for all inhabitants of our world, is what I wish for all.”

“To those who share all or part of these same ideas, or superior ones along the same lines, I thank you, dear compatriots.”

You can’t express peace advocacy, support for rule of law principles and social justice thoughts, views and reflections any better than that.

Happy birthday, Fidel. Feliz cumpleanos. Wishing you many more in good health.

With very best wishes from America. May my country one day have a leader of your stature and virtue.

Imagine permanent peace and social justice instead of endless wars, neoliberal harshness and police state crackdowns on nonbelievers. Imagine a nation where everyone can breathe free.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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