unblocktheplanet

I grew up in NYC. There were tons of gays, both in and out of the closet. I think the City was more of a gay centre than SF at the time. I had my ass grabbed in the bus station or a hand in my crotch in a darkened movie theatre from about the time I was 12, the era of the Mattachine Society and NAMBLA. I really didn’t worry about it much. I had heard, of course, about Cuba's repression and even imprisonment of gays. But there were gays and my Brigade, and also women, and I never witnessed or even heard of any sort of discrimination. Then, and during my subsequent visits, I met a few gay Cuban men--there were even gay prostitutes & ladyboys. They were discreet, of course, but not living in fear. Do those camps even still exist? I would have thought views would have grown more enlightened by now. In NYC, one could know a gay man or woman for years and never think about their sexuality. It didn't matter then and it doesn't matter now. <deleted> who you want! You don't need to tell me about it. In any case, the 60s and early 70s were all about free love. The young men and women in the Brigades worked equally as hard and put in long hours. Did we ball? Was that not feminist, too? Absolutely! Girls asked as often as guys. A brush on a bum or boob was friendly invitation not assault! These were different times. I certainly never heard of any rapes. There was no #MeToo or LG-BLT+ (plus what, exactly? Next, Z, zoophiles will be included!) The sexes worked out sex on their own, and it was nobody’s business! We were all young so we weren't really into booze yet. No smoking dope in Cuba--that was really bourgeois decadence! I was last in Cuba in 2015. There were no blackouts and no fuel shortages. However, essential meds were in short supply as were foodstuffs. Excellent wine & rum, though. Most of the pharma came from India, some from Russia, and some from China. Not enough, because of the US blockade. Cuban society was always fun (why I kept going back) but had lightened up a great deal and certainly no one seemed desperate to escape. I think my Cuban friends & colleagues would have told me so, if true. I completely disagree that there was extensive flight of the best and brightest. There was great flight of the middle class. IMO, this was due to a desire to be part of American consumer culture. Can't live without Levi's. I knew many scientists & other academics at the University who had no intention to flee. I have never heard of a Cuban doctor, sent to the West for humanitarian relief, defecting to “live in freedom”, as you so quaintly put it. The Med School was first class, certainly as good as Chula’s, but using antiquated Soviet diagnostic machines out of necessity…because of US sanctions and embargo. IMO, the sanctions and embargo should have been lifted after the missile crisis. That incident showed Cuban good faith, standing up for themselves. It was not wholly the Soviet decision to withdraw; it was also Fidel’s. But then we got LBJ and Vietnam pushing Cuba again onto the back burner, where it has remained ever since. Until, that is, the current US-created humanitarian crisis and bully Trump talking about a takeover. Yeah, friendly—not! Hehe, the joys of freedom, immigrants to the US, refugees, if you will, you must be joking. People of colour make such great targets! Again, IMO, the original US sanctions were not due to any kind of Communism on our doorstep. It was because a huge number of US interests were nationalised, casinos, for example. Americans lost a lot of money. The blockade was vengeance, pure and simple. Would you really prefer Cuba go back to Batista-era corruption? I have absolutely zero interest in or support for Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah. But...missiles for missiles! What a loser strategy that is! For both sides! Leaving aside the terrorist factions (and yes, that’s what they are) for a moment, the attack on Iran was completely unprovoked. Yeah, right, more WMD—were people born yesterday, with their eyes closed?!? And sinking an Iranian ship 3,000 miles from the war zone. WTF! Can you honestly believe this was anything less than cold-blooded murder just like the Caribbean drug boats. The US don't take no prisoners! What I’m for is an end to needless suffering caused by violence, state or otherwise. You focus on LG-BLT, why? There was no such ‘persecution’ (whatever that means) in my Brigade or others I knew about, many of whom I networked with on my return to NYC. In fact, we were more like the partisans in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade who went to Spain to fight the Fascists, including Hemingway. Those dudes were the original badass antifa. None of us were big-C Communists. But we all believed the socialism of Cuba showed great promise and could be an inspirational example to other countries. I still do. It's only the US shackles are holding Cuba prisoner. Is Vietnam, another example, any kind of failed state? It’s shallow to resort to left-right, beneath you, friend. Those labels are meaningless in today’s world. “Leftist excitement”—hey, only in the sack! I was never part of the New Left, e.g., SDS/Weatherman. I did hear they didn’t like gays. I was a core member of the pacifist movement and worked with many gays & lesbians. And you know what? Nobody ever talked about it! Why would they? Gay Pride—proud because of who you screw?!? WTF! Aren’t there more important things to champion??? Free abortion, for instance. No idea where that phraseology came from. It certainly wasn’t the Brigades, though I did not follow their evolving ideology into the 80s. The thought that the Brigades would even ask you about your sexuality on signing up is completely ludicrous! There ya go. Have I managed to say nothing yet??? Hehe…

I have to remember to add that /s!

Um, because Israel is waging a three plus year war decimating Gaza...using those F35s. And now is bombing the <deleted> out of Iran and Lebanon...using those F35s. Thailand is neutral. Our national carrier should not be carrying parts which will facilitate killing people.

Sorry to annoy you! Enthnoreligious? I should say not! Eastern European Jewry and Ethiopian Jewry and Middle Eastern Jewry. They're as different as Catholics in different country. I have already explained why I am "obsessed" with Israel. Because I know, from personal experience, that Jews can shine in the world instead of being murderous warmongers. So much of the world could benefit from Jewish influence & knowledge. Instead, here we are, Jing. (And I don't find you even mildly annoying!)

As one OP commented, Dontcha know, this is war! Tit for tat. Why do we believe Iran is any more capable of firing a nuclear missile than Israel or the USA? They themselves would be destroyed in the process! Having nukes are for men with tiny dicks.

I was in the original Venceremos Brigades, cutting sugarcane to support the revolution, I have been back seven times and given lectures at the University of Havana. The suffering I see in Cuba is 100% created by the USA.

Erdogan wants entry to the EU. He won't screw that up for such a small benefit, only bragging rights, really.

Nonsense! That isn't true of any other religion, why Judaism? Do you really want this particular lost tribe?!?

I'm a retired university academic. I've given around $1,000 over the past four years or so since I found out about them. I like to know the money is being put to good use. Father Joe has worked tirelessly in the Klong Toey slum for 50 years. They still require an annual visa extension and work permit. They can given millionaires like Heineken citizenship but good works are rarely rewarded.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all countries ran out of weapons? Wars will cease when men refuse to fight.

Aldous Huxley asked to be injected with LSD as he died, "100ug intramuscular". As said by Peter Pan, "To die will be an awfully big adventure."

That's what happens when you put old fogies in positions of power. Could you do that job at 73 & 79???

Oops! Nothing like regime change, eh, boys?

I'm amazed that nobody in this thread didn't mention that other Middle Eastern country that depends on desalination for 70-80% of its water: Israel.

Not precisely true. South Africa dismantled its five nuclear weapons just before the end of apartheid so they didn't fall into the hands of a Black govt. AIUI, Ukraine's bombs were manufactured in Russia and deployed in Ukraine. Much as the US keeps nuclear weapons in Turkiye. That's the Middle East. That scares me as it should you. Remember Turkiye has no allegiance as it's not part of the EU. I'm not so sure if Ukraine kept those weapons when it became an independent state, that the Russian war on Ukraine would have started right then, under a far weaker govt. Only a nutjob would unleash a nuke. I think Iran will do everything possible to develop a nuke after this little misadventure is over. It was a war with no particular reason, much like all Israel's pre-emptive wars.

Finally, a war the US (and Israel) actually won! They got exactly what they wanted: regime change. Kudos to Bibi and Donnie. Great work, guys. Mission accomplished.

What makes it funny is that Muslims are proscribed from drinking alcohol...

Can your point me a URL, please. I really like this one in many languages. I already was sent a No Kings t-shirt but I didn't think it would go over well here!

My personal favourite is Father Joe's Mercy Foundation in Klong Toey. They could use money and help.

Honestly, as you can see from my two paragraphs of disclaimers, of course I know this cult has nothing to do with genuine, historical Judaism. Why did I post this? Simple reason, I'm fascinated by weirdness and Lev Tahor is far out there. I would not have known about them at all if another poster didn't point to the Jerusalem Times article. Fed my research instincts. They're NOT Jews! No one can defend or tolerate this kind of behaviour.

And change your avatar, please. It's far too aggressive.

When you fly Thai, pretend you’re in an Israel fighter plane! This is the actual plane used, Sydney to Bangkok. Thai Airways has responded to boycott action after a passenger flight with 321 people aboard was used to transport F-35 fighter jet parts. The parts were manufactured by Lockheed Martin, a major US war supplier, for transport to Israel’ smajor Nevarim Airbase 28 on September 17, 2025. The parts were offloaded from TG to El Al, Israel’s national airline on a commercial flight to Tel Aviv. All El Al Israeli Airlines are fitted with Flight Guard, an anti-missile system. El Al is considered the safest airline in the world. No wonder. It is unknown if Thai accepted F-35 parts subsequent but a more recent flight on February 26, 2026 has been mentioned. Thai’s CEO, Chai Eamsiri, tried to weasel out of this by telling us the shipment was booked on Thai by a different airline, thereby shifting the blame. He said the airline does not want to be involved in the conflict and will exercise greater caution in accepting cargo in future. Yeah, right. Israeli F-35s at Nevarim Airbase in the Negev near Beersheba. On the September 17, 2025 shipment, 61v human beings were murdered on Gaza, the same day the UN found “Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide”. At least 68 shipments of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter parts from October 23 (fancy timing, eh) have been flown on commercial passenger planes from Australia to Israel in the last month alone. The parts were listed in the shipping manifests as: Tie-rods for the F-35 plane’s aft tail rudder. Inlet Lube Plates, shipped by THai. Actuator for the door under the F-35 for dispersing InfraRed Counter Measures. Display Visors for the specialised Generation III helmet worn by F-35 pilots. Plus there are various radios, specialised parts, assemblies, switches, bushes, sleeves, valves, cables, nuts, packing material and other items, all designed for the F-35 fighter jets. The F-35 Generation II Helmet Mounted Display System is manufactured by Elbit America, the Israeli company targeted in the UK by Palestine Action. The parts are listed on the company website as “manufactured and maintained” in the UK, Canada, México, France, Netherlands and Czechia—but not in Australia or Israel. Why not??? Good money in war, eh. However, Australia claims these parts are being sent to Israel “for repair”. And I have a fighter jet to sell you, call me. Sources. Thai CEO https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/news/general/40063018 Thai Airways denial https://world.thaipbs.or.th/detail/thai-airways-denies-role-in-f35-parts-shipments-to-israel/60527

WHERE can I buy one--outstanding!!! Mesage me, please!

The Cypriots need to get rid of military bases altogether. Whitewash that target off their back and stay neutral.

An OP here had the tagline, "You can't cure stupid." Selling coke to tourists on Sukhumvit?!? My guess is that he didn't buy the blow, it was fronted to him. It the end of his life. Even with prisoner exchange, a convict has to do half their sentence in a Thai prison. No golden years for this poor man. Damned shame.