Guess the Cuban government needs to find a people more deserving of its benevolence, or perhaps to find all those bourgeoisie who fled.
Raul Castro speech scolds Cubans for corruption, theft, loud music and swearing in public
Speaking before legislators at one of parliament’s twice-annual sessions, the Cuban president railed against decaying morals, a deteriorating sense of civic responsibility and vanishing values like honor, decency and decorum.
He also fulminated against baser examples of “social indiscipline”: shouting and swearing in the streets, public drinking and drunk driving, dumping trash on the roadside and even people who relieve themselves in parks.
At times, the 82-year-old’s speech sounded like a generational broadside against disrespectful youth who do as they please, a diatribe that could have crossed the lips of many a grandfather.
“When I meditate on these regrettable displays, it makes me think that despite the undeniable educational achievements made by the Revolution ... we have taken a step back in citizens’ culture and public spirit,” Castro said. “I have the bitter sensation that we are a society ever more educated, but not necessarily more enlightened.”
Other examples of bad behavior cited by Castro:
— People showing up late to work.
— Graffiti and vandalizing of parks, monuments, trees and gardens.
— Loud music that disturbs neighbors’ sleep.
— Raising pigs in cities despite the public health risk.
— Scavenging metal from phone and electrical lines, sewers, signs and traffic lights.
— Fare evasion on public transportation.
— Failure to comply with school dress codes, and teachers who accept bribes for higher grades.
— Lack of deference to the elderly, pregnant women, mothers with small children and the disabled.
— Children throwing rocks at cars and trains.
“All this takes place right in front of our noses without inciting public condemnation and confrontation,” Castro said.
“It is not acceptable to equate vulgarity with modernity, sloppiness and negligence with progress,” he added. “Living in society entails, in the first place, accepting rules that preserve respect for decency and the rights of others.”
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