Cuba's baseball victory
I would like to underscore one of the points raised in the
fine article on Cuba's baseball victory. World-renowned third-
baseman Omar Linares explained to the media why Cuban baseball
stars like himself do not defect: "My decision is very simple.
I was born there. That's where I was raised. That's where the
revolution gave me an opportunity to study and turn into a
professional in my sport."
In the same pregame discussion with the media, right fielder Luis Ulacio explained how the United States blockaded Cuban ball players. Ulacio stated that he would like to play in the major leagues, but, "The main thing is to have the opportunity to remain and live in Cuba. I feel that we should not be forced to defect to play in the major leagues."
"If we ever made it to the major leagues in the U.S., payment would be very difficult because of the embargo," Ulacio continued. "If they give us the opportunity to play, I don't think the Treasury Department would allow the money to reach us."
Unlike athletes from Mexico, the Dominican Republic, or other countries, Cuban athletes must defect not only to receive money, but to travel to the U.S. in order to play. (In the same interview, Ulacio raises the possibility of playing for free. A famous athlete playing sports for fun? An insane idea, under capitalism, but quite reasonable for a Cuban.)
A discerning sports fan might have been able to piece together the real picture. Cubans who stay in Cuba - athletes and nonathletes, 11 million strong - are responding with an integrity they learn in a revolutionary society. They are not victims of coercion or brainwashing.
This was further proven by the six who overslept and missed their plane to Cuba. No Cuban cop force came checking on them, banging on their doors, making threats about their families back in Cuba, etc. But the U.S. was very concerned about it. The INS detained the six sleepyheads, grilled them, insulted them, and finally let them go home.
And those who leave, like Livan Hernández? His interviews, which are full of self-serving distortions and lies, contain a few glimpses of the truth, like the time he cried about how bad things were in Cuba - he had to ride a bicycle to ball games. Working-class sports fans are familiar with this type of whining from overpaid stars. Why shouldn't athletes have jobs and ride bikes?
David Salner
Frederick, Maryland
Airport workers speak out
The Los Angeles Militant Labor Forum recently hosted a panel
of airport workers involved in organizing efforts.
José Moráles, an activist in Service Employees International Union, explained that 600 of the 800 workers at Argenbright Inc., (baggage handlers, security and wheel chair attendants) had signed union cards to bring in the SEIU but the company was firing and intimidating them. Conditions of workers at the airport are very bad -some make only $5.75 per hour while the airlines are making billions. Moráles reviewed the protests at LAX to win a union and the readiness of Argenbright workers to strike if necessary.
Arnold Iniguez is a ramp worker at Continental and actively participating in the efforts to bring in the International Association of Machinists. He told the audience that 5,000 of the 8,000 eligible workers have signed cards for the IAM, but the National Mediation Board just ruled in favor of the company to include office workers in those eligible to vote. The IAM did not campaign among these workers, but "I am confident that we have the support to win."
César Guerrero, a Hudson General worker, and Laura Anderson, who works at United, both IAM members, reported on their trip to London to support the striking Skychefs workers. Guerrero said, "We collected notes of solidarity from Skychefs and United workers in L.A. to bring to London. The trip opened my eyes to how workers can confront obstacles between the company and union. I met many confident women workers and immigrants - we need this same confidence."
Mark Friedman
Los Angeles, California
Keep subscription coming
Thanks for the renewal reminder letter I received today. We
just renewed the subscription.
I want to take this occasion to highly praise the Militant for the central role it has played in politically clarifying the issues around the current murderous NATO war against Yugoslavia. Of special merit and usefulness are the facts presented by the reporting team.
I have closely followed U.S. television reports, including the occasional presentations through C-SPAN of official Yugoslav television. The contrast between the Militant's coverage and that of the so-called free press in the U.S. is stunning!
Also, there is just no substitute for the views and opinions of Yugoslav working people which come out of the last issues. It is inspiring to know about the resistance by working people, students, and others to the nationalists.
Please keep the subscription coming.
J.K.
Seattle, Washington
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