Obama and Cuban Flag/Che Guevara mishap

[yby1]

This has been all over the net the last two days.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/bob-owens/2008/02/12/obama-flag-flap

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=28915_Che_Guevara_Flags_in_Obamas_Houston_O ffice&only

http://www.memeorandum.com/080211/p127#a080211p127

Which I don't really see the big deal. I'm surprised, though I shouldn't be considering the history between the US and Cuba, at how people really hate Che Guevara. On the other hand, I'm also surprised with how some people truly see him as a revolutionary hero that conquered Imperialism.

I think Che had good intentions and truly wanted to help the people of Latin America, but his had too much of a narrow focus that he didn't see, figuratively, the damage that his system was causing.

[Niobe]

I think both sides way oversimplify Che Guevara, and the entire Cuban revolution.

I found this comment from the little green football hilarious.
Click picture for video, as again the Houston news anchors don’t even notice the big image of Che Guevara staring them in the face.

OH MY GOD! CHE GUEVARA!! AHHHH!!!! *runs screaming from room*

Seriously, has that person never seen That 70s Show, or a liberal college campus? I see Che Guevara shirts constantly. Downright trendy.

[yby1]

Seriously, has that person never seen That 70s Show, or a liberal college campus? I see Che Guevara shirts constantly. Downright trendy.

But isn't it kind of disturbing to have Che as a "trend?"

[msnicolea]

You gotta love kids today--wearing tee shirts with Che and Mao and whoever else on them--and couldn't tell you the first thing about who they were, what they stood for.

I find it equally obnoxious when people wear tee shirts to concerts they didn't attend, or representing bands they don't listen to (ie, The Clash).

[Niobe]

But isn't it kind of disturbing to have Che as a "trend?"

Yeah, because as msnicolea pointed out, most people wearing his shirts and stuff don't really know anything about him. I just don't get why the conservatives are acting like someone's walked into a synagogue with a Hitler banner or something. I never realized he was that offensive to some people - never heard people ranting about "terrorist" and "mass murderer" before.

Really, foreigner going into another country with the goal of overthrowing an dictator who's been killing thousands of his own citizens. Put the right spin on Che, and his actions sound a lot like those of the U.S. in Iraq...

[yby1]

Batista and Hussein were eerily similar dictators, even in the manner they came to power and connections to the US.

While I admire Che for standing up to Imperialism, I would not wear a t-shirt of someone who openly said that they would have nuked the US if he had the chance.

This 1964 UN speech by him is great. I'm amazed every time I read it - there are so many truths in it...to this day.

http://www.playagiron.net/docs/guevara/unche.php

[yby1]

Just ran across this by chance.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v172/sumama/Revolutionaries.jpg

[villanelle75]

Yby1, I believe the great anti-capitalist's hair was also recently sold on ebay. I'm sure he would love that.

[mar5195]

I absolutely HATE seeing Chicano kids rocking those t-shirts. I always tell them something about their hero Che.