"The first victory we can claim is that our hearts are free of hatred. Hence we say to those who persecute us and who try to dominate us: ‘You are my brother. I do not hate you, but you are not going to dominate me by fear. I do not wish to impose my truth, nor do I wish you to impose yours on me. We are going to seek the truth together’. THIS IS THE LIBERATION WHICH WE ARE PROCLAIMING."
Oswaldo José Payá Sardiñas (2002)
VATICAN CITY, JULY 11, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the telegram sent Saturday by Benedict XVI on the occasion of the death of 98-year-old Otto von Habsburg, who was the eldest son of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.
Archduke Otto of Austria died July 4 in Pöcking, Germany, and his funeral is scheduled for July 16 in Vienna, Austria. The telegram was sent to his son, Karl von Habsburg, also known as Archduke Karl of Austria.
With deepest sympathy have I learned about the passing of your father, His Royal Highness Archduke Otto of Austria. In this hour of sadness at your painful loss, I am united with you and all the royal family in prayer for the dead.
During his long and full life, Archduke Otto has been a witness to the changing face of Europe. Trusting in God and aware of a significant heritage, he has been a committed European tirelessly working for freedom, for the unity of peoples and for a just order in this continent.
May the Lord reward him for his diverse acts for the good of mankind and give him the fullness of life in his heavenly kingdom. Through the intercession of Mary, the mother of God, I offer an Apostolic Blessing to all family members and to all who mourn Archduke Otto, and who pray for his eternal salvation.
Citizens Reasons: Chapter 7 , this time with the topic "Racism in Cuba." Among the guests of this program of reflection and debate are the blogger and anthropologist Miriam Celaya, the historian Dimas Castellanos and José Antonio Madrazo, president of the Center for Racial Integration. Moderated by well-known journalist Reinaldo Escobar.
The current situation of the black community in Cuba, the deficiencies in eradicating racial discrimination in the country.
There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest. - Elie Wiesel
37 victims of the July 13, 1994 tugboat massacre
In six days 17 years will have passed since 37 men, women and children were massacred by agents of the Castro regime. Let us remember them and continue to demand justice.
"In the early morning hours of July 13, 1994, four boats belonging to the Cuban State and equipped with water hoses attacked an old tugboat that was fleeing Cuba with 72 people on board. The incident occurred seven miles off the Cuban coast, opposite the port of Havana. Cuban State boats attacked the runaway tug with their prows with the intention of sinking it, while at the same time spraying everyone on the deck of the boat, including women and children, with pressurized water. The pleas of the women and children to stop the attack were in vain, and the old boat--named "13 de Marzo"--sank, with a toll of 37 deaths, including ten minors. Thirty-one people survived the events of July 13, 1994." - Inter-American Commission on Human RightsReport Nº 47/96 Case 11.436 Victims of the Tugboat “13 de Marzo” vs. Cuba.
Imagine what it would be like to have lost a family member in such a crime. [It cannot be called a "tragedy" because it was a premeditated crime. The sinking of the tugboat was an act of state terrorism carried out by the dictatorship in Cuba.] Jorge Garcia lost 14 family members that day. He continues to demand justice but rejects revenge. During a question and answer session at Florida International University on July 13, 2009 organized and hosted by the Free Cuba Foundation an audience member asked Jorge about justice and reconciliation. Jorge responded:
"I could have easily executed the man who killed my family. The only picture of that man is the one I took a picture of. I knew where he lived. Despite that I didn't do it. The government itself directed me towards him. They wanted to turn me into a criminal. The regime sought to justify what it had first said. The regime had said that a group of anti-socials had stolen the boat and that there were an undetermined number of victims. If you look at the photographs and the profiles there were no 'anti-social elements.' What were there were entire families. I told the man that he would have to face trial that it might not be me but my son. It might take generations but there would be justice."
Oscar Elias Biscet and U2 Concert in Miami on June 29, 2011
"Now I would like you to do something we've never done before. A beautiful man, a doctor who has spent his time in the prisons of Cuba. He is also released. His name is Dr. Biscet. I want you to hold him up. Let everyone in Cuba know that he is special to us and we are watching WE ARE WATCHING. Hold him in your thoughts. Hold him in your prayers." - Bono at Sun Life Stadium on June 29, 2011
“As you read me what he said, I was shaking with happiness because it showed it’s good when one is chosen as a symbol of his people. He’s praising not me but all my people, all Cubans, and I agree that Cuba will be free, if people like Bono join the cause” of human rights on the island. - Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, Havana, Cuba on June 30, 2011 to El Nuevo Herald, which first told him of Bono’s comments.
There wearing this Biscet t-shirt preparing to toss a spare one brought for if the opportunity presented itself during the show at the Sun Life Stadium and progressing steadily to the front row in the outer ring of the field area. All of a sudden Bono begins talking about a free Cuba and dedicates a song from their 2009 album No Line on the Horizon with the title "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" which contains the following lyrics :
Every generation gets a chance to change the world Pity the nation that won't listen to your boys and girls Cos the sweetest melody is the one we haven't heard Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear? The right to appear ridiculous is something I hold dear Oh, but a change of heart comes slow
Further on in the song "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight":
It's not a hill, it's a mountain As we start out the climb Listen for me, I'll be shouting Shouting to the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" with intro
The song pleads for the nation to listen to the new generations and about the power of love to drive out fear. Towards the end of the song the words indicate the height of the challenge and the need to speak up to denounce the darkness and struggle for light. A beautiful anthem and a love song for a free Cuba.
This was followed by "Sunday Bloody Sunday", a song originally about the troubles in Northern Ireland but relevant today too so many places where people struggle in the midst of conflict. The color green dominated during the song in honor of the Green Movement in Iran. The song is a rejection of violence.
Last part of If I go Crazy followed by Sunday Bloody Sunday
From previous encounters with U2 any fan would know that the song "Walk On" was written for and dedicated to former prisoner of conscience and human rights activist Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma. It also meant that there was a second opportunity for the band to make a statement on Cuba. They did not disappoint. U2 began playing "Scarlet" which lyrically is the word "rejoice" repeated and on this evening was dedicated in honor of Suu Kyi's recent release from prison. The band transitioned into "Walk On" with Bono giving a shout out to Dr. Oscar Elias Biscet, who was also recently freed, when Amnesty International walked around the stage with the glowing symbol of the organization. At that moment realized whether or not the spare t-shirt reached the stage the message had been given. The words of "Walk On" are powerful and apply to all prisoners of conscience:
You're packing a suitcase for a place none of us has been A place that has to be believed to be seen You could have flown away A singing bird in an open cage Who will only fly, only fly for freedom
"Walk On" from the U2 concert in Miami on June 29, 2011 at Sun Life Stadium
A shout- out to Lebron James - who is here and gets a mighty reception - and also to Carl Willner, the father of producer Hal, a longtime friend of the band. Carl has recently published a remarkable book, Carl's Story; The Persistence of Hope, a memoir of how as a teenager he survived the concentration camps of Auschwitz, Buchenwald and Dachau.
'Unos, dos, tres...'
'Are you ready to take the roof off... if we had a roof?' By Vertigo everyone was ready and the roof we didn't have was duly removed. 'Crazy' became ' a love song to Cuba - one day Cuba will be free' and as Walk On arrived, Bono invited everyone to remember Cuban human rights activist Dr Oscar Elias Biscet. Dr Biscet endured many years in prison in Cuba for opposing the government and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George Bush in 2007. 'Let everyone in Cuba know he is special to us and we are watching... we are watching.'
After four decadesU2 is still on top form musically and still manages to do the unexpected. Looking forward both to their next album and concert.
Cafe Fuerte reported today that The international festival United Islands of Prague punished Cuban dictator Raul Castro with a "pink card" for having prevented the participation of three members of the punk rock band Porno para Ricardo, invited by the organizers of the event.
"In sports yellow and red cards awarded. We showed a symbolic pink card to Raul Castro to leave the artists alone in peace, "said David Gaydečka, one of the promoters of the festival, which ended Saturday in the Czech capital.
Prague Daily Monitor reported on June 7, 2011 that the Castro regime had not permitted three members of the Porno Para Ricardo punk rock band to travel to the Czech Republic to perform at the United Islands International Music Festival, but over the weekend of June 23-25 they were able to listen to the Cuban band's songs as the band's front man, Gorki Aguila, visiting relatives in Mexico, was accompanied by Czech musicians at the Prague concert, Aguila's first in Europe.
Pope Benedict XVI and HIRH Otto von Habsburg
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