Raul Castro speech scolds Cubans for corruption, theft, loud music and swearing in public

smael Frae closing of the second day of a twice-annual legislative sessions, at the National Assembly in Havana, uba, Sunday, July 7, 2013. Observers will be watching to see if the new vice president is taking on increasing responsibility since assuming the post in what was seen as the beginning of a generational leadership transition.
By Associated Press, Published: July 7
 

HAVANA — Raul Castro spent the lion’s share of a prominent speech Sunday scolding his countrymen for all kinds of bad behavior, everything from corruption and theft to public urination and the odoriferous practice of raising pigs in cities.
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.


Castro aired a laundry list of complaints about illegal activities that he said do the country harm: unauthorized home construction, illicit logging and slaughter of livestock and the acceptance of bribes, to name a few.
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.”