What one learns in Panama

What one learns in Panama
REINALDO ESCOBAR, Panamá | Abril 10, 2015

Intransigence against tolerance, ideological deafness against a
willingness to talk, radicalism against moderation, slogans against
arguments, and many other pairs of conflicting definition could serve to
headline a commentary on what is happening in Panama during the Seventh
Summit of the Americas.

The pro-government Civil Society delegations from Cuba and Venezuela
have systematically dedicated themselves to boycotting the parallel
forums, because for them it is more important to discredit their
political adversaries who favor a consensus that could conclude in a
message from the civil society of the American people to their
respective government. They have opted to beat, insult and denigrate
their own compatriots, rather than sit down to civilized debate with them.

In a business atmosphere, however, Cuban officials have not been shy
about conversing animatedly with representatives of the continent's
exploiting class. Radicalism only fits in the message being sent to the
spectators, where photos of Che Guevera, little Cuban flags and wanton
gestures are flying. At the other tables, among cocktails and smiles,
the area's capitalists are invited to come and invest in the Island.

Anyone might think that it is inconvenient to show both faces on the
same stage, but no, the logic is different. The Government is telling
prospective investors, "This is how we treat strikers, those who protest
against you."

The lesson for civil society in the countries that retain some residue
of democracy is clear. The day when, in their nations, the politics
supported by the Cuban government triumph, they will have to learn to
conduct themselves like transmission belts, as Lenin defined the role of
labor unions in socialism, otherwise they will have to get used to being
treated like mercenaries, cockroaches, worms and whatever other vermin
those who bet on totalitarianism choose to call them.

Source: What one learns in Panama -
http://www.14ymedio.com/englishedition/What-one-learns-in-Panama_0_1758424163.html