Not the right graphic

but I haven't got a good one for Vietnam. Where are all the good ones of the right size of Ho Chi Minh when you want them?

Vietnamese authorities replace chapel items with images of Ho Chi Minh

As long as humans are involved this whole Communism thing won't work any better than Capitalism does. One day you're praying in front of a Cross in your nice Lutheran church and the next day, poof!, a photo of Stephen Harper.

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One of the more

news-like articles on this speech:

Castro bashes Canada

All the news articles seem to be are editorial slams at Castro for being old and exhibiting the general deficits evident when people age. No one took anything he said with any seriousness. Sure, perhaps he was taking things to an extreme for his speech, but did anyone actual examine what he said for any possible truth in it? Is Mr. Harper dancing to 'Yankee Doodle'? Given what I've seen of him, if there's money in it for entrepreneurs he certainly could be. Canada has never been more for sale than it is today...

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A very good question

if you think about it from the perspective of a Communist leader who has been cut off, at least physically, from the closest 'democratic' neighbour for all these years.

Fidel Castro to Pope Benedict: “What does a pope do?”

In fact, I think a lot of Catholics would be able to pose the very same question, as illiterate of Church teachings and structure as they are...

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On this day in history, in 1957,

Arthur Miller

was convicted of contempt of Congress in a terrible period of 'witch' hunting in modern U.S. history. His play The Crucible reflects an earlier period of history on the modern Communist 'witch' hunt...

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On this date, in 1818,

Karl Marx was born.

Karl Marx

Visit his gravesite in Highgate Cemetery in London, England.

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What's not to admire?

Castro admired John Paul II: Vatican number two

"John Paul II had during the trip exhorted Havana to open up more but at the same time criticised US sanctions."

Such a good, good man...

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You know,

despite the fact that I think the Internet and WorldWide Waste of time might not be the best thing for Cuba, I can't help but applaud this.

Venezuela, Cuba outfox U.S. with fiber optic cable

America has to get out of the cold-war 60s and into the new century. Good grief!

(Yeah, yeah, I know. Fidel is going to arm all his people and invade the U.S. in an attempt to restrict their freedoms by imposing Godless Communism. Yeah, right...)

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Religious persecution

of Christians is a reality.

Compass Direct News’ Top 10 Stories of 2010

While Communism still presents itself as a persecutor of Christians, the vast majority of news items regarding persecution of Christians comes from Muslim countries, or countries with Muslim religious majorities. While the Muslim faith contains people of a wide range of peacefulness, it only takes a small group to commit violence and to cow the majority into silence. So very sad...

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It's a good thing


Pope advances cause of sainthood for Spanish nuns murdered by communists

"The cause of a German priest and two companions, murdered by National Socialists during WWII, has also been advanced."

Ah, the media!

The causes of individuals martyred by the extreme right are also advanced, but that can't be in the headline because we're all anti-Communist, right? The Right, and the Fascists, may have made some mistakes, but they don't deserve a headline, do they? I mean, that would tar all right-wing individuals with the same brush, while using 'Communist' only tars the left. That's OK, isn't it?

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An interesting article

from a right-wing perspectice...

A Hidden History of Evil

"Why doesn’t anyone care about the unread Soviet archives?"

While I, too, am appalled to read about the uncaring response by the Russian Premier to killings, deaths and tragedies, anyone who doesn't think that politicians in the West have had similar attitudes (and made similar comments) to similar sorts of events because of their ideology is either trying to fool themselves or others, or both. I find that just a little disingenuous...

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A terrifying example

of State Communism and State Capitalism...

Worker Suicides Have Electronics Maker Uneasy in China

"A series of apparent suicides has shaken the management of Foxconn, an electronics manufacturer that builds parts and assembles products for many Silicon Valley firms. Hundreds of thousands of people live and work at a Foxconn factory complex in southern China, in what critics say are sweat-shop conditions."

...which also gives me qualms about technology choices. It appears that neither platform, PC or Mac, is exempt...

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Three books

about "the longest path from capitalism to capitalism." (You'd find out what that is in the first paragraph of the article if the link below didn't give it away.)

Communism, Rising and Falling

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This will be a chance

to see if censorship is alive and well in Cuba...

Catholics launch blog to share faith experiences in Cuba

Do you think they'll have freedom to post what they like, or will it be shut down?

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Rehabilitating Marx


Rethinking Marx?

"Georg Sans, a German-born professor of the history of contemporary philosophy at the pontifical Gregorian University, wrote in an article that Marx’s work remained especially relevant today as mankind was seeking "a new harmony" between its needs and the natural environment. He also said that Marx’s theories may help to explain the enduring issue of income inequality within capitalist societies."

Now here's a view that will gain few supporters in the West, where, among Catholics, Capitalism is right up there with belief in the Trinity.

Some very good thoughts in the article, though...

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Collecting people and jokes

East German Jokes Collected by West German Spies

The East German spies collected them as well. The actions taken and the results were different though.

People in desperate conditons use humour as a tool to survive. Everyone does it...

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Godless Communism makes headway?

Venezuela bans religious instruction in public, private schools

He appears to be doing things in small steps...

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R.I.P. - Bishop Michael Nguyen Khac Ngu

Vietnam Prelate Dies a Witness of Persecution: Communists Mark Life of 100-Year-Old Bishop

Go quickly to God, Bishop Ngu. Rest in God's peace...

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I believe

that Pope John Paul II had more to do with the collapse of the Soviet Union than politicians give him credit for...

Cardinal Dziwisz recalls papal journey that brought down Communism, emphasizes reality of Satan

The media is usually more accurate. I think that they don't have their own nest to feather in history the way politicians do...

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There seems to be

an almost schizophrenic attitude by the authorities in Vietnam toward religion...

Vietnam Authorities "Halt" Construction Work On Church Land

One minute you read of repressive actions against believers, then you read about accomodations...

No, not that Marx, THAT Marx!

Thoroughly Modern Marx

That Marx!