Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
There is no end to the slobbering hagiography lavished on this sociopath:
A new documentary is casting fresh light on Argentine-born guerrilla Che Guevara, with an intimate look at the revolutionary's life through newly-discovered images and writings.
"It was very moving to hear Che Guevara's voice reciting poems by Cesar Vallejo in a farewell message to my mother before he left for the Congo," Che's son Camilo told AFP shortly before the documentary was screened here.
Yes. Moving. He went over to the Congo to spread his cultural imperialism - er, revolutionary message to Africa, and was executed. The radical’s version of “daddy had an accident on a business trip,” perhaps. We also learn that these writings reveal an interesting elision:
In another surprising find, Bauer's researchers came upon a handwritten copy of the last letter Che wrote to Cuba's Communist leader Fidel Castro as he left Cuba. The letter, which Castro read in public in 1965, concluded with "Hasta la victoria, siempre" (Until victory, forever).
Yet the original letter revealed that the now famous phrase was in fact incomplete, with the original saying instead: "Until victory, forever/always the homeland or death," Bauer explained.
It’s always the DEATH with these guys. But even the original is banal: until victory, forever what? Allegiance to el jefe? What’s victory, exactly - the overthrow of capitalism? Big words, coming from a guy who couldn’t even cobble together a successful operation in the Congo.
For a tonic, feast on these maxims from another Latin America thinker - Nicholas Gomez Davila, also known as Don Colacho. I’d never heard of him until yesterday. He died in 1994, and seems to have devoted his literary work entirely to the art of the aphorism. A selection from the thousands he left:
Formal instruction does not cure foolishness; it arms it.
The left’s theses are trains of thought that are carefully stopped before they reach the argument that demolishes them.
The democrat comforts himself with the generosity of the program over the magnitude of the disasters it produces.
The most shameless spectacle is that of the voluptuous throbbing with which a crowd listens to the orator who adores it.
Che would have had him shot.
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Jul '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Bolivia, not the Congo.
Jun '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Like Che Guevara, Charlie Manson was supposedly very charismatic in a dangerous and uncomfortable sort of way. I think the two minds have a lot in common. Che just had better public relations support.
Oct '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
The most frightening thing about Che-worship is its shallowness and, therefore, how easily the lies spread among otherwise respectable and intelligent young people.
However: I have personally talked seven or eight college-aged men and women out of Che-worship: wide eyes and a mumbled, "Wow, I didn't know... I mean... Che! Really?" and the tee-shirt ends up at the bottom of the hamper.
With most young people, no thought whatsoever goes into Che-worship, so a few actual facts go a long way! This is an easy one, folks! Don't give up.
May '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
James Lileks: ...
Still riding that frat house high from the last podcast, are we?
Jul '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Congo, not Bolivia. After the assassination of Lumumba, Castro sent Che to Congo to see how Cuba could assist the local communists against the pro-Western regime. Che's solution was to return to Cuba, recruit 120 commies and go back to the Congo with them. They were defeated. He was killed later in Bolivia.
Edited on Oct 12, 2010 at 2:18pmJul '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Ragnarok
Congo, not Bolivia. After the assassination of Lumumba, Castro sent Che to Congo to see how Cuba could assist the local communists against the pro-Western regime. Che's solution was to return to Cuba, recruit 120 commies and go back to the Congo with them. They were defeated. He himself was killed in Bolivia. · Oct 12 at 2:11pm
Edited on Oct 12 at 02:14 pm
"He went over to the Congo to spread his cultural imperialism - er, revolutionary message to Africa, and was executed. The radical’s version of “daddy had an accident on a business trip,” perhaps."
Even the sublime Lileks, when blogging at blazing speed, sometimes stumbles.
The rest of us mere mortals should read carefully before we post.
Edited on Oct 12, 2010 at 2:20pmJul '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Yes, and Manson had the poor public relations sense to slaughter a pregnant, famous Hollywood startlet, whereas Che practiced his sadism upon faceless patriots and peasants. Thus benefiting from the "No Americans died in the incident" phenomenon.
Jul '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Our work is not done until college campuses are over-run with students wearing Armando Valladares t-shirts.
Oct '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
and never forget...when Che was finally caught, after asking how many men to fight to the death, he said "don't shoot, I am worth more to you alive than dead". truly a coward who fumbled and bumbled about everything that he tried. even John Anderson couldn't make him out to be a hero in his biography "che".
May '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
From the adulation the left has for Mr. Guevara, it seems human rights are waiverable when it comes to the socialist revolution.
May '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
From the adulation the left has for Mr. Guevara, it seems human rights are waiverable when it comes to the socialist revolution.
Jun '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Kenneth
Yes, and Manson had the poor public relations sense to slaughter a pregnant, famous Hollywood startlet, whereas Che practiced his sadism upon faceless patriots and peasants. Thus benefiting from the "No Americans died in the incident" phenomenon. · Oct 12 at 2:25pm
As opposed to Che’s beret and red star, Charley Manson had the decency to tattoo a swastika into the middle of his forehead. Truth in Advertising, I say.
Jul '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Another Che movie / hagiography?
I guess they approach these efforts with the same consideration they pay to world socialism:
It just hasn't been done correctly..... yet.
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Beautiful.
May '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
Or at least these t-shirts.
May '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
"Hasta la victoria, siempre"
A better translation might be "Toward victory, always" or "Onward to victory, always".
May '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
I prefer the "Viva Steyn" T-shirt.
Aug '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
herb briggs: The most frightening thing about Che-worship is its shallowness and, therefore, how easily the lies spread among otherwise respectable and intelligent young people.
However: I have personally talked seven or eight college-aged men and women out of Che-worship: wide eyes and a mumbled, "Wow, I didn't know... I mean... Che! Really?" and the tee-shirt ends up at the bottom of the hamper.
Bravo, sir!
Oct '10
Re: Oh Joy: another new Che documentary
John Davey: Another Che movie / hagiography?
I guess they approach these efforts with the same consideration they pay to world socialism:
It just hasn't been done correctly..... yet. · Oct 12 at 3:43pm
100 Socialist hagiographical flops proves nothing!