NFR--3 Cuban Soccer Players Defect in Canada

[LordNelson]

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/national/FIFA+confirms+three+Cuban+soccer+players+defected+before+match/7386921/story.html

Why would anyone want to leave the socialist worker's paradise?

[HatterDon]

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/national/FIFA+confirms+three+Cuban+soccer+players+defected+before+match/7386921/story.html

Why would anyone want to leave the socialist worker's paradise?

Pink Floyd - Money

[btings]

This happens pretty regularly with baseball players.  The latest (Yoenis Cespedes) was tearing it up in Oakland this year.

[Oiseau]

There was an article about two other defected Cuban players in FourFourTwo last month. They're both playing in the MLS at the moment but they're not allowed to see their families (who are in Cuba) ever again. It's quite upsetting. Apparently the quality of life in Cuba is quite high, though.

The even sadder situation is that faced by North Korean football players. Wasn't the National Team sent off to do forced labour as a punishment after the last World Cup? And a few of them defected in South Africa (three at least)? I wonder how far they made it? Jong Tae-Se is the only North Korean player playing outside the country but he's got dual Japanese citizenship. He's also the only squad member to own a mobile phone. The only minor positive is that it's the only national side to offer their women's side the same quality facilities as their men's squad.

This is sort of unrelated but has anyone read Shin In Geun's book? His story is absolutely horrific but incredible. There was a Guardian article about his story but it's since expired.

[Logicalman]

This link gives an insight into the book ..

one-mans-astonishing-escape-from-a-north-korean-death-camp

[Snibbo]

I went to Cuba about 5 years ago. It's no paradise. But if I was poor, I'd rather be poor in Cuba than say in New Orleans.  Cuba has lower infant mortality, better basic education and healthcare, lower crime, infinitely smaller drug problem than the U.S.A.

The issue is, that if you've got the opportunity to make mega bucks, you're obviously not going to get them in Cuba - though I think top sportsmen get reasonably looked after.

There's more than one way to run a country, and whilst Cuba certainly doesn't have it right, there are a lot of things it does better for its people than the U.S.A.  Remember that under U.S.A rule, it was basically a brothel and a gambling den.

[LordNelson]

I went to Cuba about 5 years ago. It's no paradise. But if I was poor, I'd rather be poor in Cuba than say in New Orleans.  Cuba has lower infant mortality, better basic education and healthcare, lower crime, infinitely smaller drug problem than the U.S.A.

The issue is, that if you've got the opportunity to make mega bucks, you're obviously not going to get them in Cuba - though I think top sportsmen get reasonably looked after.

There's more than one way to run a country, and whilst Cuba certainly doesn't have it right, there are a lot of things it does better for its people than the U.S.A.  Remember that under U.S.A rule, it was basically a brothel and a gambling den.

I notice you don't happen to live in cuba--because you wouldn't be able to post on a board like this if you did.  To cast this as a desire for money is superficial.  Any country you have to sneak out of because your government won't let you leave isn't worth a pile of shite.

[Snibbo]

I went to Cuba about 5 years ago. It's no paradise. But if I was poor, I'd rather be poor in Cuba than say in New Orleans.  Cuba has lower infant mortality, better basic education and healthcare, lower crime, infinitely smaller drug problem than the U.S.A.
The issue is, that if you've got the opportunity to make mega bucks, you're obviously not going to get them in Cuba - though I think top sportsmen get reasonably looked after.
There's more than one way to run a country, and whilst Cuba certainly doesn't have it right, there are a lot of things it does better for its people than the U.S.A.  Remember that under U.S.A rule, it was basically a brothel and a gambling den.

I notice you don't happen to live in cuba--because you wouldn't be able to post on a board like this if you did.  To cast this as a desire for money is superficial.  Any country you have to sneak out of because your government won't let you leave isn't worth a pile of shite.

Did I say I wanted to live in Cuba? Did I say it was perfect? So rather than engage in a rational argument, you descend straight to abuse. Why do you even bother responding?

[Horse]

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/national/FIFA+confirms+three+Cuban+soccer+players+defected+before+match/7386921/story.html

Why would anyone want to leave the socialist worker's paradise?

Ooooh I think I know the answer to this one.... Is it Greed?

[McBridefan1]

How sad is it that Cuba is poorer than poor and yet it can provide health care to its citizens. As a totalitarian government they are under no pressure to do so, yet they do. So if those evil bas tards can provide health care with no money why can't the richest country on the planet do the same for its citizens? Shame on us for letting such a horrible government show us up. Shame on you if you don't support national health care. Greed has its place and its place should be nowhere near the well being of our citizens. 

[LordNelson]

And there was full employment under Hitler. Let's have a listing of the bright spots of totalitarianism.   How enlightening.

[HatterDon]

And there was full employment under Hitler. Let's have a listing of the bright spots of totalitarianism.   How enlightening.

I believe you are missing the point of the distinguished gentleman from Massachusetts.

I also believe that you are doing so purposefully.

[A Humble Man]

How sad is it that Cuba is poorer than poor and yet it can provide health care to its citizens. As a totalitarian government they are under no pressure to do so, yet they do. So if those evil bas tards can provide health care with no money why can't the richest country on the planet do the same for its citizens? Shame on us for letting such a horrible government show us up. Shame on you if you don't support national health care. Greed has its place and its place should be nowhere near the well being of our citizens. 

Rich Americans do not like healthcare for the poor because they will have to pay for it.

[McBridefan1]

And there was full employment under Hitler. Let's have a listing of the bright spots of totalitarianism.   How enlightening.

Good point, our government has taken a lesson from Hitler with all the defense spending. I hadn't looked at it that way. In your backwoods sort of way you made my point. Which is that our priorities are out of whack.

[cebu]

And there was full employment under Hitler. Let's have a listing of the bright spots of totalitarianism.   How enlightening.

Ah, one of the famous Nazi myths. Germany's unemployment problems only disappeared when universal conscription was introduced. If you're in the armed forces, you don't appear on the unemployment register!

1933 - 6m unemployed
Losses in WW2 5-6m (depending on what you read)
Unemployment problem resolved!

[mccscratch]

And there was full employment under Hitler. Let's have a listing of the bright spots of totalitarianism.   How enlightening.

Good point, our government has taken a lesson from Hitler with all the defense spending. I hadn't looked at it that way. In your backwoods sort of way you made my point. Which is that our priorities are out of whack.

What many of you may not realize is that McBridefan1 is a northeastern guy who I believe from his past postings on politics is actually very moderate to almost conservative which is a rarity in his part of the country... yet even he realizes how foolish the rest of the world must think we are to not have some form of healthcare for all of its citizens...

Our defense budget is pure lunacy that even someone from the far right wing could not possibly justify without extreme rhetoric...

[A Humble Man]

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/il-duces-crowning-achievement

[YankeeJim]

How long before this thread of nonsense is locked?

[YankeeJim]

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/il-duces-crowning-achievement

If you control everything you publish what you want. Sort of like health stats.

[CanadianCottager]

I really hope that tonight 18 Canadian soccer players, their coach and executives defected in Honduras...