Oops. I started an international incident.
Oops. I started an international incident.
For those new to the story, I wrote yesterday about the spectacular overreaction in South Florida to the extremely low-key little presentation of my extremely non-ideological book at the U.S. Embassy’s extremely small authors’ reading booth at the Buenos Aires Book Fair on Friday. Far from being a big taxpayer-funded “forum” on Guevara, as some readers of the Miami Herald saw it, the embassy just provided the space for two separate 2o-minute reading and discussion sessions. I provided the vocal chords. I was one of many other U.S.-associated authors who were given a chance to showcase their work to visitors of the fair.
My talk was a little different from the typical book reading, simply because I used a projector and talked about images, icons and myths. But if it was at all provocative it would have been far more so to Argentine lefties, who would not have liked my thesis that Castro manipulated the image of Che to sell a false romantic idea of his revolution, than to right-wingers. And yet now I read that Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Florida congresswoman and longstanding Washington kingmaker for the Cuban-American lobby, has formally complained to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the “deplorable” use of taxpayer funds to “praise Che” during an event that ended up “venerating” a “ruthless murderer.” (Total cost to U.S. taxpayers would by my estimation be about $1.50 - you’d have to pro-rata the three-week lighting cost for the stand for that which was relevant to my 40 minutes in one corner of the stand, so I apologize for not having a more accurate figure available. As for venerating Che, well, read the book and judge for yourselves.)
Hey, I was just thinking: with pig flu, Afghanistan, the global economic crisis, and all that heavy stuff, maybe Hillary Clinton has better things to do than worry about my book reading. But I might be wrong. And the Congresswoman clearly believes her voters need to be heard on this matter. So to be fair I’ve included her press release in full below. (It is not yet up on her web site.)
But before I go there, a little bit of fun. This shot was taken after Friday’s event at the fair:
Photo by Daniel Garcia.
Here’s the press release.
NEWS
House Foreign Affairs Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Republican
CONTACT: Brad Goehner, (202) 226-8467, April 27, 2009
Alex Cruz, (202) 225-8200
http://foreignaffairs.republicans.house.gov
For IMMEDIATE Release
Ros-Lehtinen Comments on U.S. Funding of Che Guevara Event
Condemns Use of Taxpayer Funds to Praise Brutal Che
(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking
Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commented today on
U.S. sponsorship of a Che Guevara event at the Buenos Aires 35th
International Book Fair this weekend. Statement by Ros-Lehtinen:
“Che Guevara was a ruthless murderer and enthusiastic enemy of the
United States. It is incomprehensible that the State Department would
use American taxpayer funds to sponsor an event venerating him.
“Partnered with the Castro brothers, Che directed the execution of
hundreds of Cubans who would not bow to his violent revolutionary
agenda. But Che had more than Cuban blood on his hands. His campaign
led to the murder of countless victims throughout Latin America.
“It is bad enough that tyrants throughout the region idolize him and
use him to justify their dictatorial ways. Now, the U.S. is going to
prop him up as well?
“The U.S. Embassy’s support and funding of this event is deplorable
and goes against the very ideals our country stands for.
“U.S. taxpayer funds are to be used to advance U.S. national security
interests. Instead, the U.S. Embassy in Argentina is using American
tax dollars to advance the radical agenda of those working feverishly
to threaten regional stability and undermine critical U.S. foreign
policy priorities in the region.
“I have contacted the Secretary of State on this matter and will be
using our Committee’s role in the State Department budget process to
ensure not one more cent goes to fund these types of activities.”
BACKGROUND: On April 24th, the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires sponsored
an event at the Buenos Aires 35th International Book Fair titled “From
Image to Icon: El Che.” According to reports, this event included two
readings of Che’s Afterlife: The Legacy of an Image, by journalist
Michael Casey.
####
drox said, April 4,2009, 22:33
The sad truth this really highlights, is the absolute absence of discourse in both Republican and Democrat politics, all is party lines; my guess is that if Ros-Lehtinen had been part of the cuban revolution, she would have broadcasted Che’s every utterance.
MIKE POOTS said, April 4,2009, 08:53
I suppose the right honorauble Republican Lady does for example approve that millions of dollars of taxpayers money were spent rightly on chasing after WMD that never showed up. I suppose she voted for this well spent and well meaning disaster. Like so many other disasters the past administration paid for.Perhaps the lady should “read” the book and not behave like a bull that has just been showed a red flag. Or is this not part of her job paid for by taxpayers good money.
inti l. said, April 4,2009, 09:37
Great anecdote. I’m sure some Cuban Americans in Miami wrote anti-che books. I guess Ileana wouldn’t mind the US taxpayers to finance those books. On the other hand, trying to stop people from reading a book without even reading it yourself… That’s just the kind of things a tyrant would do.
Donigan Merritt said, May 5,2009, 09:00
Being the writer who followed your reading, I am kicking myself for not making up something in my reading that would get a Republican upset. I could use the publicity for my novels.
Oh, by the way, I’ve calculated how many American writers — young and old, published and not — were offered space for readings at the American Embassy stand, and your and my amount of “taxpayer funds” spent is closer to 24 cents each. So I’ll mail a quarter to Ms Ros-Lehtinen to calm her down.
Michael Casey said, May 5,2009, 10:23
Don, let’s not forget that you listened in on my talk. I think that makes you complicit in this scandal, this bid to swindle taxpayers in the name of praising a murderer. So, you’re right: It is only right that we clear our consciences and pay up. I’m short on quarters, though. So can you send the Congresswoman 50 cents and I’ll fix you up for my share later? Thanks.
Donigan Merritt said, May 5,2009, 13:25
No problem. In fact, I could just send our Republican whackjob $3.75, which would cover all the American writers who appeared at the embassy stand, and then take a tax deduction for my charitable contribution to the AWL (American way of life).
If this weren’t so stupidly silly, it would be annoying. But then, one learns to expect certain odd behaviors from members of the GOP, especially as they exercise the tyranny of the loser. At least it keeps them from making decisions that would really hurt us all, vis-a-vis the last 8 years.
Michael OKane said, May 5,2009, 11:01
Ileana Ros’ father was a member of the Cuban Olympic sharpshooting team in the 1950’s. I’m not sure if he was an officer or not–or even in the military–but he participated in a coup attempt against Batista which was put down and led to the sacking of the Cuban Army’s general staff. The Cuban Army was thus severely weakened–and made weaker still by the fear of betrayals–when it was tasked with confronting Castro’s revolution. So Ileana’s own family is at part to “blame.” Speaking of family, Fidel Castro was once married to Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s (R.Fla) aunt. The Diaz-Balart’s have never forgiven Castro for the divorce. The continued embargo may all be in the family, after all.
Che Spotting said, May 5,2009, 13:05
Hillary Clinton seems to inspire just as much love-hate as does Che.
Almost.