Circling in on Public's Complaints about Media

Longtime resident, Circles Robinson reports on the general popular sentiment regarding the press in Cuba.

It is not clear whether his testament on the Cuban street comes first hand or is more an assessment on the government's broad understanding of the grievances aired regarding aggrieved airtime and faultily spilled ink.

Regardless, they seem like very plausibly nuanced comments.

Missile crisis warship showdown exaggerated

So a book says...

I would say that the missile crisis WORSHIP shodown has been exagerated.

Basic Units of Cooperative Production

Cooperatives that enjoy usufruct rights to state land will be getting wider credit and assistance options from the government, as it decentralizes agriculture and tries to achieve food security. Currently, the UBPCs work 42% of cultivated land.

Get Rich or Socialize Trying

If you have thousands of dollars to invest in Cuba, as the raulista reforms mount, Financial Times has noted that there are a number of risky baskets for you to lay your eggs in.

Popular Reguetonero Lost at Sea

All you have heard in the streets for the last two years has been Elvis Manuel and Gente de Zona. Sadly, Elvis Manuel has disappeared at sea.

Sociopolitical Studies Gauge Public Opinion

The Cuban Communist Party has a think tank that studies "the impact of the Revolution's programs on the population, the political and ideological work, and society's sociopolitical climate."

Talks given at a recent conference stressed the importance of the Cuban Communist Party staying totally informed about public opinion and feelings in the street. They say this allows them "to make adequate decisions" and to take proper action.

Much of these studies are performed at the local level, though there are also "macrosocial" studies.

This seems like a form of democracy. Political leaders measure public opinion, then adopt policies that address the expressed challenges and grievances. Very similar to US politicians letting polls shape their political paths.

New Elevators!

Out with the faulty Soviet lifts and the frequent ten story climbs, in with new elevators.