SECTION TEN
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COLUMN FIFTY-TWO, OCTOBER 1, 2000
(Copyright © 2000 Al Aronowitz)

MIAMI PROBLEMS

Subject: Many Miami Cuban-Americans are deadly dangerous (long)
Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 13:30:12 -0500
From: jo grant jgrant@bookzen.com
To: jcnews@yosemite.leepfrog.com

If anyone has any doubts about how dangerous many of the the Miami Cubans
are here's an interesting summary of their activities in Miami over the past
couple of decades.

After watching all the action down there it appears that the conservative
Republicans have no problem with flag burning, as long as it's not done by a
peace activist.

I took the material from this web site. You can go to the site and E-mail
the article to friends

<http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2000-04-20/mullin.html>

The Burden of a Violent History

By Jim Mullin
Miami New Times

As the Elian Gonzalez media juggernaut began approaching warp speed over the
past few weeks, some in Miami's Cuban-American community expressed
displeasure with the portrait of them being painted by the press. The
muffled grumbling became explicit on April 7 during Ted Koppel's Nightline
"town meeting," beamed to the nation from Florida International University.

A panelist on that program, the University of Miami's Juan Carlos Espinosa,
took off the gloves: "I think we really need to be careful that we don't
continue to engage in Cuban-exile bashing, which is something I've been
hearing a lot in the media coverage about Miami."

Similar sentiments have been voiced by countless others, from exile leaders
to local politicians to Cuban-American celebrities. And it's true that The
Elian Show isn't playing so well in Peoria, or Pinecrest for that matter.
You know you've got image problems when the staid New York Times
editorializes with evident concern that it appears "as if South Florida's
Cuban Americans believe in mob rule."

Phrases like "mob rule" evoke frightening images of violence, which in turn
sends Miami's damage-control specialists rushing to the microphones and
insisting to the world that the Cuban-exile community is peace-loving,
law-abiding, and (with emphasis now) nonviolent. Miami Mayor Joe Carollo in
particular has been tireless in promoting that message. "Miami has been a
peaceful, nonviolent community," he stressed to CNN last week. The
historical record, however, clearly contradicts those assertions.

Lawless violence and intimidation have been hallmarks of el exilio for more
than 30 years. Given that fact, it's not only understandable many people
would be deeply worried, it's prudent to be worried. Of course it goes
without saying that the majority of Cuban Americans in Miami do not sanction
violence, but its long tradition within the exile community cannot be
ignored and cannot simply be wished away.

The following list of violent incidents I compiled from a variety of
databases and news sources (a few come from personal experience). It is
incomplete, especially in Miami's trademark category of bomb threats. Nor
does it include dozens of acts of violence and murder committed by Cuban
exiles in other U.S. cities and at least sixteen foreign countries. But
completeness isn't the point. The point is to face the truth, no matter how
difficult that may be. If Miami's Cuban exiles confront this shameful past
-- and resolutely disavow it -- they will go a long way toward easing their
neighbors' anxiety about a peaceful future.

1968 From MacArthur Causeway, pediatrician Orlando Bosch fires bazooka at a
Polish freighter. (City of Miami later declares "Orlando Bosch Day." Federal
agents will jail him in 1988.)

1972 Julio Iglesias, performing at a local nightclub, says he wouldn't mind
"singing in front of Cubans." Audience erupts in anger. Singer requires
police escort. Most radio stations drop Iglesias from playlists. One that
doesn't, Radio Alegre, receives bomb threats.

1974 Exile leader José Elias de la Torriente murdered in his Coral Gables
home after failing to carry out a planned invasion of Cuba.

1974 Bomb blast guts the office of Spanish-language magazine Replica.

1974 Several small Cuban businesses, citing threats, stop selling Replica.

1974 Three bombs explode near a Spanish-language radio station.

1974 Hector Diaz Limonta and Arturo Rodriguez Vives murdered in internecine
exile power struggles.

1975 Luciano Nieves murdered after advocating peaceful coexistence with
Cuba.

1975 Another bomb damages Replica's office.

1976 Rolando Masferrer and Ramon Donestevez murdered in internecine exile
power struggles.

1976 Car bomb blows off legs of WQBA-AM news director Emilio Milian after he
publicly condemns exile violence.

1977 Juan José Peruyero murdered in internecine exile power struggles.

1979 Cuban film Memories of Underdevelopment interrupted by gunfire and
physical violence instigated by two exile groups.

1979 Bomb discovered at Padron Cigars, whose owner helped negotiate release
of 3600 Cuban political prisoners.

1979 Bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1980 Another bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1980 Powerful anti-personnel bomb discovered at American Airways Charter,
which arranges flights to Cuba.

1981 Bomb explodes at Mexican Consulate on Brickell Avenue in protest of
relations with Cuba.

1981 Replica's office again damaged by a bomb.

1982 Two outlets of Hispania Interamericana, which ships medicine to Cuba,
attacked by gunfire.

1982 Bomb explodes at Venezuelan Consulate in downtown Miami in protest of
relations with Cuba.

1982 Bomb discovered at Nicaraguan Consulate.

1982 Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre defends $10,000 grant to exile commando group
Alpha 66 by noting that the organization "has never been accused of
terrorist activities inside the United States."

1983 Another bomb discovered at Replica.

1983 Another bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1983 Bomb explodes at Paradise International, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1983 Bomb explodes at Little Havana office of Continental National Bank, one
of whose executives, Bernardo Benes, helped negotiate release of 3600 Cuban
political prisoners.

1983 Miami City Commissioner Demetrio Perez seeks to honor exile terrorist
Juan Felipe de la Cruz, accidentally killed while assembling a bomb. (Perez
is now a member of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board and owner of
the Lincoln-Martí private school where Elian Gonzalez was enrolled.)

1983 Gunfire shatters windows of three Little Havana businesses linked to
Cuba.

1986 South Florida Peace Coalition members physically attacked in downtown
Miami while demonstrating against Nicaraguan contra war.

1987 Bomb explodes at Cuba Envios, which ships packages to Cuba.

1987 Bomb explodes at Almacen El Español, which ships packages to Cuba.

1987 Bomb explodes at Cubanacan, which ships packages to Cuba.

1987 Car belonging to Bay of Pigs veteran is firebombed.

1987 Bomb explodes at Machi Viajes a Cuba, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1987 Bomb explodes outside Va Cuba, which ships packages to Cuba.

1988 Bomb explodes at Miami Cuba, which ships medical supplies to Cuba.

1988 Bomb threat against Iberia Airlines in protest of Spain's relations
with Cuba.

1988 Bomb explodes outside Cuban Museum of Art and Culture after auction of
paintings by Cuban artists.

1988 Bomb explodes outside home of Maria Cristina Herrera, organizer of a
conference on U.S.-Cuba relations.

1988 Bomb threat against WQBA-AM after commentator denounces Herrera
bombing.

1988 Bomb threat at local office of Immigration and Naturalization Service
in protest of terrorist Orlando Bosch being jailed.

1988 Bomb explodes near home of Griselda Hidalgo, advocate of unrestricted
travel to Cuba.

1988 Bomb damages Bele Cuba Express, which ships packages to Cuba.

1989 Another bomb discovered at Almacen El Español, which ships packages to
Cuba.

1989 Two bombs explode at Marazul Charters, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1990 Another, more powerful, bomb explodes outside the Cuban Museum of Art
and Culture.

1991 Using crowbars and hammers, exile crowd rips out and urinates on Calle
Ocho "Walk of Fame" star of Mexican actress Veronica Castro, who had visited
Cuba.

1992 Union Radio employee beaten and station vandalized by exiles looking
for Francisco Aruca, who advocates an end to U.S. embargo.

1992 Cuban American National Foundation mounts campaign against the Miami
Herald, whose executives then receive death threats and whose newsracks are
defaced and smeared with feces.

1992 Americas Watch releases report stating that hard-line Miami exiles have
created an environment in which "moderation can be a dangerous position."

1993 Inflamed by Radio Mambí commentator Armando Perez-Roura, Cuban exiles
physically assault demonstrators lawfully protesting against U.S. embargo.
Two police officers injured, sixteen arrests made. Miami City Commissioner
Miriam Alonso then seeks to silence anti-embargo demonstrators: "We have to
look at the legalities of whether the City of Miami can prevent them from
expressing themselves."

1994 Human Rights Watch/Americas Group issues report stating that Miami
exiles do not tolerate dissident opinions, that Spanish-language radio
promotes aggression, and that local government leaders refuse to denounce
acts of intimidation.

1994 Two firebombs explode at Replica magazine's office.

1994 Bomb threat to law office of Magda Montiel Davis following her
videotaped exchange with Fidel Castro.

1996 Music promoter receives threatening calls, cancels local appearance of
Cuba's La Orquesta Aragon.

1996 Patrons attending concert by Cuban jazz pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba
physically assaulted by 200 exile protesters. Transportation for exiles
arranged by Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto.

1996 Firebomb explodes at Little Havana's Centro Vasco restaurant preceding
concert by Cuban singer Rosita Fornes.

1996 Firebomb explodes at Marazul Charters, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1996 Arson committed at Tu Familia Shipping, which ships packages to Cuba.

1997 Bomb threats, death threats received by radio station WRTO-FM following
its short-lived decision to include in its playlist songs by Cuban
musicians.

1998 Bomb threat empties concert hall at MIDEM music conference during
performance by 91-year-old Cuban musician Compay Segundo.

1998 Bomb threat received by Amnesia nightclub in Miami Beach preceding
performance by Cuban musician Orlando "Maraca" Valle.

1998 Firebomb explodes at Amnesia nightclub preceding performance by Cuban
singer Manolín.

1999 Violent protest at Miami Arena performance of Cuban band Los Van Van
leaves one person injured, eleven arrested.

1999 Bomb threat received by Seville Hotel in Miami Beach preceding
performance by Cuban singer Rosita Fornes. Hotel cancels concert.

January 26, 2000 Outside Miami Beach home of Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin,
protester displays sign reading, "Stop the deaths at sea. Repeal the Cuban
Adjustment Act," then is physically assaulted by nearby exile crowd before
police come to rescue.

April 11, 2000 Outside home of Elian Gonzalez's Miami relatives, radio talk
show host Scot Piasant of Portland, Oregon, displays T-shirt reading, "Send
the boy home" and "A father's rights," then is physically assaulted by
nearby exile crowd before police come to rescue.

jim.mullin@miaminewtimes.com
"In the defense of Freedom and Literacy, Libraries are the most powerful
weapons we have. Use them."
--Maria Norlander Martinez, The Incredible Librarian  ##

* * *

W'S GRANDPA DID BIZ WITH HITLER

Date: Tue, 27 Jun 2000 07:31:10 EDT
Subject: [soa] Bush/Hitler background URL missing from previous post
 
http://www.padrak.com/alt/BUSHBOOK_1.html

CHAPTER_2
 EXCERPTED FROM MATERIAL  FOUND AT URL ABOVE

 "THE HITLER PROJECT

Bush Property Seized-Trading with the Enemy

In October 1942, ten months after entering World War II, America was preparing its first assault against Nazi military forces. Prescott  Bush was managing partner of Brown Brothers Harriman. His 18-year-old  son George, the future U.S. President, had just begun training to  become a naval pilot.  On October 20, 1942, the U.S. government  ordered the seizure of Nazi German banking operations in New York City  which were being conducted by Prescott Bush.  Under the "Trading with  the Enemy Act", the government took over the "Union Banking  Corporation," in which Bush was a director. The U.S. Alien Property  Custodian seized Union Banking Corp.'s stock shares, all of which  were  owned by Prescott Bush, E. Roland "Bunny" Harriman, three Nazi  executives, and two other associates of Bush. Note #1 The order  seizing the bank "vest[ed] [seized] all of the capital stock of Union  Banking Corporation, a New York corporation," and named the holders  of .......  ##

                                                              * * *

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS

To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 21:30:39 -0600
Subject: Fw: The state of Texas, under the leadership of Governor George W. Bush
From: Cordley G Coit <cordleycoit@juno.com>  

Al I generally don't do this but knowing you and knowing your love of the Bush baby... Oh Doc Rosen Is a pal of mine from the Village. He went out with my sister in 62 and I wasn't upset. He is now the family Doc. He teaches Indian people Chinese medicine and is a real hero. And a peacemaker. Cordley

--------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Doc Rosen <DRDRDOC@compuserve.com>
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2000 22:43:48 -0400
Subject: The state of Texas, under the leadership of Governor George W. Bush

The state of Texas, under the leadership of Governor George W. Bush, is ranked:

·         50th in spending for teachers' salaries

·         49th in spending on the environment

·         48th in per-capita funding for public health

·         47th in delivery of social services

·         42nd in child-support collections

·         41st in per-capita spending on public education and ...

·         5th in percentage of population living in poverty

·         1st in air and water pollution

·         1st in percentage of poor working parents without insurance

·         1st in percentage of children without health insurance

·         1st in executions (avg. 1 every 2 weeks for Bush's 5 years)

Just think of what he could do for (to) the country if he were president!  ##

* * *

INTERESTING SITE!

From: "Charlie Farren" <mail@charlie-farren.com>
To: "'Al Aronowitz,'" <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>
Subject: RE: xxxm
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 19:59:27 -0400  

Interesting looking site Al - I've forwarded your link to some interesting guys that might enjoy your stuff too.

Charlie  ## 

* * *

SPIRAL INTO IT

Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 11:35:43 -0700
Subject: Re: Spiral Into It
From: "Fiske Smith " <fiskevid@microweb.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Al

     I was really excited to get a send about the blacklisted journalist. I have a confession to make..... I've always been a big admirer of yours, and love what this is all about....Keep up the good work. Lets try and change things!!!

Warm Regards,

Fiske  ##

* * *

FOREVER BIRD!

Subject: Bird&Miles Christmas 1948
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 16:49:48 -0400
From: "Brian Haynie" <bhaynie@maxworldwide.com>
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Thanks for your entertaining article on Bird & Miles;  I found it entertaining and just shows the legend of Bird is ever growing.  Bird's music will live forever!!!  ##

* * *

ANOTHER FAN

From: Howard217@aol.com
Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2000 06:36:40 EDT
Subject: Message from Howard DeWitt
To: info@blacklistedjournalist.com  

Al: What a page. I am a writer. But I think my rock and roll writing is too mundane for your great web site. I was intrigued with your Dylan and Beatle pieces. You have a great style. I still am not sure why you were blacklisted. Can you do a column or did AI miss it. How is your health? I read the heart attack column, it was great, particularly the funeral part. Take care of yourself and keep writing, we still love to read your work. Best Howard DeWitt  ##

* * *

SECOND THOUGHT

From: "jesse glass" <ahadada@gol.com>
To: <info@blacklistedjournalist.com>
Subject: Thanks!
Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 10:36:49 -0700

Christ, I thought it was another porn-site spam when I first got your e-mail, so I deleted it.  Happy that your message came back.  I opened it because your name was familiar--hmmm where had I heard that name before?--and there you were. I'm romping through your articles, Al, and enjoying them.  The invitation to send is just whipped cream on the devil's food cake.  More soon, Jesse Glass  

About Jesse Glass.  How to order his books.

http://www.letterwriter.net/html/jesse-glass.html   ##

* * *

FROM THE SONS OF AFRICA MAILING LIST

Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 10:26:00 -0400
From: lhl <lhl@tiac.net>
Subject: Origin of "NIGGER" Rap
To: psa@seestudio.com  

Dear Corey A. Burkes:  

The following message refers to your website production at http://seestudio.com/the_n_word.html   I very much like the spirit in which your "nigger" piece was developed. However, those who are interested in the eradication of this kind of self-debasement must take a step further into the issue at hand. Allow me to very briefly elaborate:

The _VIBE History of Hip Hop_ (1999) is very explicit about the roots of this pervasive "niggerization " of Black youth. Writing of the birth of "gangsta rap" in the minds of the group NWA (Niggaz with Attitude) they show that "Acting like a nigger was about to become more lucrative than ever."  I quote from p. 258:

As NEW YORK CITY RAPPERS like KRSS-One and Public Enemy mature and became radicalized, N.W.A flew in the opposite direction as quickly as possible. When black power and recognizing one's African heritage were all the rage, N.W.A reveled in their ignorance-sporting Jheri curls when everyone else was rocking high-top fades, pointing guns at brothers while others were calling for an overthrow of the white system.

"I wanted to make people go, 'I can't believe he saying that shit,'" said Dre. "I wanted to go all the way left. Everybody trying to do this black power and shit, so l was like, let's give 'em an alternative, 'niggemiggerniggemigger fuck this fuck that bitchbitchbitchbitch suck my click,' all types of shit, you know what I'm saying?"

Notice that VIBE and Dre both acknowledged the positive, uplifting direction rap was taking before NWA consciously decided to play the nigger anti-Christ. If the Black community had a say in the matter NWA would have  remained marginalized but VIBE also shows how a white, Jewish  promoter named Jerry Heller began managing the "band" and aggressively promoting the self-hating NWA to white record companies. [Heller is no minor figure. He introduced Pink Floyd and Elton John to American audiences among many other industry accomplishments.] White record execs now poured tens of millions into the hands of these street hustlers and drive-by artists who then competed in their hihilism and misogyny for white recording dollars. In short order, white record execs in collusion with  MTV, BET, and Hollywood, etc. were openly telling young, talented Black youth that NWA and the crime noir motif is where the money's at. All of this coincided with the rise in the Black on Black murder rate and the infusion of crack, malt liquor  and other destructive elements into the innercities.

In short, the pervasive use of the term "nigger" is much more complex than "it's in our music." It IS NOT in OUR music. With seventy-one percent of the rap audience being white male youth, it is hardly a surprise to find them seeking to amplify and promote the criminalization of Black youth while calling it "entertainment." From the 1915 release of Birth of a Nation the Black criminal has been the dominant media image emerging from Hollywood. New technology spreads and accelerates these images at breakneck inter-gallactic speeds. We should target those exploiters of our impressionable youth who are in the driver's seat of this lowdown trend.

Alan Muhammad  ##

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