Wonderful documentary on Cuba, especially re: permaculture

[Peace Patriot]

"Cuba already went through an energy famine - How they survived 'peak oil' (53 mins)"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017233918

Posted by MrMickeysMom yesterday.

Guess how they survived it? PERMACULTURE! And this is a beautiful revelation of all that that can mean, from restoring soils to urban agriculture, to using bicycles and oxen, to changing their diet (to more vegetables), to decentralizing the university and other institutions. When the Soviet Union went down, their import to Cuba of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, oil and other unsustainable and polluting items vanished overnight, and that, combined with U.S. sanctions, presented a HUGE crisis to Cubans, which they SOLVED in the best ways imaginable.

I hope that Obama's opening to Cuba doesn't mean U.S. corporate destruction of all of these wonderful Cuban sustainability and self-sufficiency projects AND their example to the world. I fear that that is exactly what it means. There is not a single U.S. policy in Latin America that has not caused utter devastation, in every way imaginable, for the last sixty years. Why should I presume otherwise now? But I can hope--that the Cubans resist and that their example triumphs.

Anyway, it's an amazing documentary!

Joy of the Solstice and Merry Christmas to all!!!

[Judi Lynn]

1. Thank you for posting this. Would never have seen it otherwise. n/t

[hack89]

2. I think the 80,000 to 100,000 barrels of oil per day from Venezuela have more to do with it

We found estimates that Venezuela sends about 80,000 to 100,000 barrels of oil per day. Luis R. Luis is the former chief economist with the Organization of American States, an international body with representatives of governments that span from Canada to Argentina. Luis told PunditFact the swap means a lot to Cuba.

"Venezuelan oil and transfers play a key role in allowing the country to import essential foodstuffs, medicines and industrial inputs," Luis said. "The value of oil plus investments and grants from Venezuela to Cuba varies greatly from year to year largely because of oil price fluctuations. In 2008 it was over 10 percent of GDP. Last year some 6 percent of GDP. This year less."

Former International Monetary Fund economist Ernesto Hernandez-Cata offered a slightly higher estimate of "just over $7 billion, or 11 percent of Cuba’s GDP," in 2011.

http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/dec/18/ana-navarro/navarro-cubas-economy-survives-largely-venezuelan-/

Cuba is pivoting because they know that Venezuela will not be sending free oil to Cuba in the future - Venezuela will be selling it to the US because they need the revenue to stop their economy from imploding.

And BTW - lets not forget that Cuba imports 80% of their domestic food requirements. They do not have a self sustaining economy by any stretch of the imagination.

[Mika]

3. As oil gets cheaper, Ven gets a good bargain for the Cuban medical program.

The exchange is based in barrels, not the value.
As the price of oil goes down, this particular deal gets better for Ven.

[hack89]

4. No it doesn't. Venezuela needs dollars not doctors

there are few governments more dependent on oil revenues than Venezuela. The main reason their economy is collapsing is the lack of foreign reserves. Without the dollars brought in by selling oil there they cannot keep their economy running.

[Mika]

5. Oy. The deal was in barrels, not the value of those barrels.

So, logically, as the price drops the exchange becomes more favorable.
My comments were pertaining to that exchange only, not the broader issue of oil revenues and Ven.

[hack89]

6. You are missing my point

My post was simply pointing out that the OP could not be more wrong about Cuba's economy. It is not self sufficient but is heavily dependent on food imports and free oil. One main reason Cuba is willing to reach out to America is because they see the writing on the wall and know that they are royally screwed when Venezuela's economy collapses. Cuba is certain that VZ will renege on the deal and sell the oil on the open market to bring in needed dollars.

[Mika]

7. "Cuba is certain ..." Huh. Ms Cleo? Is that you?

Always good to hear what Cuba is certain of.
Especially from a Cubaphobe.

[hack89]

8. They are not fools

they know how precarious their economic situation is and has always been in the face of US sanctions. First it was Soviet subsidies and then Venezuelan. They know they have to get US sanctions lifted (which I support). It also doesn't take a soothsayer to see what is happening in Venezuela. The plunge in oil prices is devastating to them and Cuba understands very well that it is foolish to depend on VZ economic support.

I support Cuba. I wish for them all the freedoms that I enjoy - that is where you and I differ.

[Mika]

9. So, you want fewer freedoms for Cubans. I see.

Oh well.
Glad that Cubans know better.

[hack89]

10. I would settle for multi-party elections and the US Bill of Rights.

what is so bad about that? Don't you think the Cubans would appreciate that?

[Mika]

11. No. Cubans run their own country. A US Bill of Rights is American. Cuba does better.

Why do you seem to think that Cubans need America to run Cuba? Its pathetic.

[hack89]

12. So you oppose freedom of speech? Freedom from illegal searches? Banning cruel and unusual punishment

really - there is no place for any of that in Cuba? What do you propose in their place?

[Mika]

14. Go ahead and attribute your BS to me.

After all, that's your style.

[hack89]

15. I said Cubans should have rights identical to those found in US Bill of Rights.

perhaps I misunderstood your answer. Do you think they should have such rights?

[Mika]

16. You didn't say that originally. They have better.

Most are unaware that The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in its entirety is included in the Cuban constitution.
The question many should be asking is, don't Americans deserve this too?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

[hack89]

17. You really think one party political rule meets the spirit of article 21?

every dictatorship has a constitution and elections.

Article 21.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Why do you refuse to address the issue of one party rule and the Communist party of Cuba's monopoly on power? Do you have a problem with real multi-party elections?

[Mika]

18. Yes. It does.

"every dictatorship has a constitution and elections."

So does every democratic country. Your point?

I have a few problems with party run elections. I have a few problems with smoky back room deals by party honchos.
I prefer direct citizen nominations of candidates to represent them - as Cuba does have - not secret party wheeling and dealing - as is the case in the USA. I prefer candidates not being funded by Wall Street or other wealthy private entities putting the public will after their interests. I prefer equal public funding of candidates - as Cuba does have.

I could go on, but its not my issue to address, nor yours. Its up to the Cubans in Cuba to address. If they push to change from their current citizen run elections -as Cuba has now - to a party ruled system, that's up to them to make it happen.

[hack89]

19. Free and open elections are how people choose their future

But in Cuba any future that is not the Communist party is forbidden. The day a candidate who opposes the Communist party is on the ballot is the day we know the Cuban people have a real choice.

[Mika]

20. You are simply ignorant of the goings-on IN Cuba.

You are unaware of candidates from the Christian Democratic Party, unaware of the Liberal Union party candidates.
Unaware that parties DO NOT choose candidates for elections in Cuba. They are nominated in open sessions.
I've been to several. Watched it in-person. That is how I know that you don't know, and why I have been consistent on this point from day 1 here @ DU.

You can continue insisting that what isn't - is.
My response is to suggest that you go there during an elections season.

Take care.

[hack89]

21. Nonsense

They all have recognize the power of the communist party.

Only dictators or kings rule for 50 years. I don't see a crown on Castro's head.

[hack89]

22. Political parties can't campaign or engage in political activities

Candidates cannot present a platform, just a resume. It is a farce.

[Mika]

23. When in doubt, just make shit up.

And you do it with verve.

Happy Holidays.

[hack89]

24. Not familiar with Cuban election law I see

I am always amazed at how many here will support authoritarian rule here.

One day Cuba will be free and you will be sad. Once the door is cracked there is no going back - look no further than Eastern Europe and East Germany in the 1980s.

[Mika]

25. I'm very familiar with it. I've witnessed the process in-person.

As I've said before, you just make shit up when you don't know. Which, when it comes to this topic, is per usual.

[hack89]

26. Cuba will be free. That is all that matters. Nt

[Mika]

27. Cuba broke free of US shackles in 1959, and has been free ever since.

Cubans have refined, updated, and made their system even more accountable to the people, and continue to do so.

EVERY SIX MONTHS each and every parliamentarian must hold a public forum, a town hall type of meeting, called Accountability Sessions. This is one of the many fora where citizens can seek political redress. If said parliamentarian does not receive at least 50%+1 of the accountability vote (a confidence/recall vote) then a new election is mandated within 6 weeks.
This occurs in EVERY district twice a year. I've attended several of these accountability sessions. Its an incredible process that assures Cubans of real representation.

Of course, you know nothing about this, as evidenced in your numerous uninformed exclamations on this topic. You take the lazy route and look to E Germany and such and try to fit Cuba into their paradigm, doing little in the way of personal integrity-based & honest research on a topic you seem very passionate about. Strange. That.


[hr]

Happy Holidays.

[hack89]

28. Only kings and dictators rule for 50 years

I don't see either Castro wearing a crown.

[Mika]

29. What year did Castro become president?

You know nothing about Cuba.

[hack89]

30. Fidel Castro was in charge from the beginning

He was the face and the power of the revolution as prime minister before becoming president. Let's not forget who appointed
the first two presidents of Cuba.

[Bacchus4.0]

31. yep, only communist party can rule

And communist party approves candidates

[hack89]

13. How can Cubans run their own country without a choice?

what is so wrong with multi-party elections? Why should the Cuban communist party have a monopoly on power?

Cubans needs to run their own country. The Cuban communist party =/= the Cuban people.

[Judi Lynn]

32. Finally had the chance to watch the entire video tonight. It was GREAT.

As the man said near the end, there is one world, and it must be for ALL of us.

I think a lot of people feel the same as that Cuban man, even here in a country which has a lot of people who don't think a lot of others deserve to live if they won't bow down to them.

Alternative energy. Cubans are living it. They already have mastered that level of self-discipline. It still awaits us. Love their far more evolved attitudes.

Thank you, so much.

[Peace Patriot]

33. Our glorious 'TWO-party system' brought us the war on Iraq,

the war on Afghanistan, the war on Syria, the war on Libya and other wars, not to mention the utterly corrupt, murderous, failed 'U.S. war on drugs'--indeed, it has brought us the Forever War--along with torture and secret prisons, an all-out attack on New Deal policies, a second Great Depression, massive outsourcing of jobs, massive loss of income by the middle class, devastation for the poor, massive incarceration of the poor, an epidemic of police murders and other violations of civil and human rights, military tactics and numerous abuses against protestors, massive looting of taxpayers' money by private contractors, banksters and others, massive corruption of every kind in Washington DC and in many state capitols as well, massive government/corporate spying, a massive assault on education and science, massive and catastrophic deregulation of extractive industries on environmental issues, failure to address the global environmental catastrophe of climate change, neglect of infrastructure and more, AND electronic voting systems all over the country featuring 'TRADE SECRET' programming code, largely controlled by one, private, far rightwing-connected corporation (ES&S, which bought out Diebold), with NO AUDIT AT ALL in half the states in this country and a miserably inadequate 1% audit in the other half.

I'd say the 'TWO-party system' here has been a catastrophe for the American people and for the world. We DON'T HAVE a "multi-party system.' Anyone who is not a Puke or a Democrat is excluded from alleged public debates, and without public funding, in our extremely filthy campaign system, they have no chance. The Pukes and the Democrats rule, and look what they have done!

This is my reply to the discussion above within my thread on Cuba's amazing survival of the fall of the Soviet Union and long term U.S. sanctions--the subject of the posted documentary. Cubans PULLED TOGETHER. They became very INNOVATIVE. They have led the world on permaculture, out of necessity. They DID NOT PERMIT homelessness, poor nutrition or starvation. They invested heavily in education. They showed the best that humanity can be in a grave crisis. It is inconceivable that a coerced people would have accomplished these miracles. That is evidence in itself that Cuba's system is functioning democratically. And the truth may be that Cuba has ended up MORE democratic than we are--as ironic as that may be, given the NON-STOP propaganda by the U.S. government and its corporate rulers against Cuba!

Posts on Latin America--especially those reporting anything good about leftist governments--often draw rightwing hacks to post short, information-less comments--like the above. Their premise that the Cuban system is bad and the U.S. system is good, is beyond naive. It is propaganda and it is wrong. Our system SUCKS. And it is laughable to say that Cuba should have a U.S. "Bill of Rights" when many U.S. citizens don't have any such a thing, nor do the millions we've murdered in the Forever War, nor those we've tortured. Get real! Cuba's government system is BENIGN compared to ours! And all of Latin America, and much of the world, has recognized this for a long time.

[Judi Lynn]

34. Adding short video on this subject: Organoponico - Urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba

Organoponico - Urban agriculture in Havana, Cuba
Puddlepictures

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A short film looking at the sucess of urban farming in Havana, with some eye-opening facts at the end. Cuba has reached peak oil a little sooner than the rest of the world, spurring them to create the largest program in sustainable urban agriculture ever undertaken.

http://www.permaculture.co.uk/videos/organoponico-urban-agriculture-havana-cuba