I know he's supposed to be an icon, but what do you really think of him? I looked him up, and he was responsible for the deaths of a multitude of people. He was working for a good cause, but that doesn't change the fact that he killed. Agree? Disagree?
I don't think he is supposed to be an icon. If Che was alive today he would probably rip of the Che shirts of all the liberals today. He would be angry for their hypocricy. He would probably say something along the lines of: "If you are not going to join me in a revolution you might as well take that shirt off." To illustrate how Che felt of the fame; When a person once asked for a signature, Che replied: "I am not a movie star". He wasn't a celebrity, he was a man of the people, a revolutionary fighting for a better world, a genuine marxist. Once, on a trip to USSR, Guevara was dining with high-ranking officials from the said country, when the group's food was served to them on expensive china. To the Russians, Guevara caustically remarked, "Is this how the proletariat lives in Russia?" Upon becoming a member of the government, he refused an increase in pay, opting to continue drawing the (considerably) lower salary he received as a Commandante. I think that's Che in a nutshell. Always suprising, a very vivid and direct person, witty, with rock-solid principles and a genuine love for the people. I think he was a great man, possibly the greatest man to ever walk on earth. His idea of the "New Man" (el Hombre Nuevo) is very interesting. In the words of Nelson Mandela said: "[size=-1]Che Guevara is an inspiration for every human being that loves freedom".[/size] Those executed under his command were secret agents of the Batista regime, Batista officials, war criminals, rapists, and spies infiltrating the rebel army. Batista was responsible for killing some 10 000-20 000 human beings. Kids were hanged in the streets, old men who refused to open the door for Batista soldiers had their toungue cut off. People who resisted were tortured to death, and many a common procedure of Batista-soldiers and agents were ripping the eyes out of the victims. Such people were brought the people to court, and Che was the judge. Estimates vary, but most likely it was around 300-500 "people". Consider it the Cuban version of the nuremberg trial. What do you think he was? A flower-power girl? He was a revolutionary, a guerilla warrior fighting for the people. Such people don't hand out flowers to the enemy. They kill them. Nevertheless he always treated prisoners of war with respect, even releasing them, with a warning not to return to the Army. * This is Che as the revolutionary he was during the Cuban revolution. Like Che said, the pen may be mightier than the sword, but in order to achieve victory you have to use the sword. Che dedicated his life to the revolutionary cause, but at the same time, he was much more than "just a revolutionary". He was an amazing human being.
What Che was good at: Firing squads Forced labour reeducation camps Economic suicide What Che was not so good at: Exporting revolutions (failed in Congo and Bolivia) I think his fatal flaw was that he was a bloodthirsty maniac. They guy said if he'd been in charge during the Cuban missile crisis he would have launched nuclear strikes on the United States. Really smart. The guy died wearing a Rolex. Give us a break.
You seem to have something against executing child rapists and the like? Or is it a problem only when the one taking care of the filth happen to not be your idol? He didn't export revolution to Congo. He was part of a team who had a mission to train and educate some Congolese rebels in said country. Cuba had some 10,000 such advisors in Africa at that time. In Bolivia, he was more or less betrayed by the "Communist party" loyal to Moscow. And Che and Moscow were not exactly friends.
The revolution is never gonna be death free. Che was amazing, he was a man who stood for the people. He wa very much anti-stalin and a very non-corrupt guy. i dont know where you get this bloodthirsty maniac from...
You don't think his wishing he'd started a nuclear war was a sign of a psychopath? Its no wonder he got bored with ruining the Cuban economy and wanted to move on to bring totalitarianism to other countries.
Che spent much of his life as an active revolutionary. He had blood on his hands but name me one rebel that did not. Like most people, he did some good things and some bad. I think he did more good than bad. He was effective however. That is why the US hunted him down and killed him, then gave the credit to the Bolivian Army.
If he really thought so he would have hijacked an airplane and crashed it into a nuclear reactior instead. The West claimed the same thing about Castro, but it arose from a misunderstanding. Probably the same thing happening to Che. Because the only Soviet who could speak spanish spoke it very poorly, and this guy had to bring a message to the Soviet government. Misunderstandings arise because of such things. Castro really said that if the United States would start a war, then nuclear weapons might be a form of retalitation. He did not say "launch the missiles", like some probably still believe. Myths are created everywhere. Yes, I am sure psychopaths work as doctors in leeper colonies for no salary for so long, trying to make things better for those who are not so "fortunate". Haven't you seen the motorcycle diaries? Che was not totalitarian person. If you believe so, then you really need to read a little more about Che. For those actually knew Che, totalitarianism is not what they can connect to him at all. And of course hatred is an element of struggle. What do you think kept people protesting against the Vietnam war? What do you think kept people around the world fighting for their nations independence? And as you know, Che also said: Let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality. Hatred and love is not always opposites. Che hated his enemy. He hated the exploiters, but he loved the people, and was part of the people. He was an ordinary man himself, but upon seeing the exploitation of mostly US companies in Latin America, he understood that he couldn't change the world by simply being a doctor. He understood that these problems were so deep-rooted that a new medicine or a new discovery in the field of science, wouldn't solve world problems. So he joined the Cuban revolutionary, as a doctor. After being ambushed, he had the choice of either taking the bag with medic bag or the rifle, because he couldn't carry them both, so he chose the rifle, and from then on, he became a guerilla warrior. But hey, I'm sure you prefer the apartheid and the oppression of blacks in capitalist Cuba? And illiteracy is a great thing, isn't it? Or a healthcare no one can afford, except the rich? This was Cuba before the revolution. Yes, Cuba has experienced capitalism, they know how it is like.
Ok lets see, the fact that makes che guevara so great, at least from my point of view, is that he had a main aim in life, and he ACTED according to what he always said. That my friends, its a very difficult thing to see these days. Now, you may disagree or not with his ideas or the way he carried out his ideas, but you may never say that he was not a true revolutionary, he did what his heart told him to do, and he died doing it. Ill let you here a letter that he wrote to his sons, ill do my best to translate it: To my sons, Dear Hildita, Aleidita, Camilo, Celia and Ernesto: If you ever have to read this letter, it will be cause im not longer among you. You will not remenber almost anything, and the little ones will not remember a thing about me. Your father has been a man who acted the way he thought and, sure, has been loyal to his convictions. Grow as good revolutionaries. Study a lot to be able to control the technique that allows to control the nature. Remember that the revolution is important and that each one of you, alone, doesnt worth anything. Above all, be always capable of feeling in your heart any injustice commited against anyone in any part of the world. That is the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary. Until forever, kids, i still hope to see you. A kiss, and a great hug from DAD.
I love Che. Pure and simple, even when I was a gun toting red neck, I loved Che. The man is the symbol of the revolution. Forget politics, forget ideology. Che Guevara made the notion of revolution accessible to all. Even he is misunderstood, used and take for granted by today's youth, at least they have gained a spark of defiance. At least they look up to a man, who died for what he believed in, who never sold out, who died for his revolution. Even though marketing has gone to far with his image, at least it's an image with substance. It means something. It has value, and there is great thought and progress behind it. I hope that half the kids that wear che shirts understand who he is, and can learn. That man proved change is possible. You cannot be a politician, a revolutionary, an advocat or informed without knowing who Che Guevara was. Like him or not. And Capitalists just hush, you love him, I paid 18 dollars for Che Guevara thong, you love him.
How can you forget that when he fought for what he believed in? If not for his political views, for his ideology, he wouldn't be known today. He might even have been alive today, if it wasn't for his beliefs. Forgetting about politics and ideology while thinking of this man... I think it's like... buying a candy bar for yourself but not tasting it. Or buying a desperately needed car, without later on driving it.
First of all, I don't think so. Second, he is not fighting. Third, when Che was out fighting, Bush was a little boy sucking mommies implants.
second of all what you think is not of importance as to whether or not GWB is fighting for what he believes in..there are many ways to fight.....if you think grabbbing a gun and killing people is the only way you are sadly mistaken
I'm sure you have all heard the quote "I don't agree with what you are saying, but I will fight to the death for your right to say it." That is a true revolutionary. People can admire other's despite their political views, admire them for fighting for what they believe in, for having the nerve, the drive, for putting their lives through hell to get a message out. The selfless sacrifice for truth. Most politicians will never understand this. Most politicians mildly voice an opinion. You can admire the means, and not the end. There is more than just ideology there are those that will be forever admired for their spirit.
Wait, wait, wait. Che helped train a rebel group in Congo, together with some 100 other Cubans. He fought until he was shot and captured after his gun jammed in Bolivia. He didn't go along "starting shit". By starting shit you mean giving poor peasants land, getting rid of multi-billionaire CEOs and trying to getting rid of poverty. Yes, that's quite some "shit". You criticize a man who joined a group of a few duzin others, who had decided to fight against an army of some 50,000 soldiers. A little group who fought against a might army, who once sent 17 battalions (yes, 17 battalions) against the small group who had created a guerilla zone for operations in the Sierra Maestra. While you on the other hand, would piss yourself if you ever had one single man with a rifle running around after you, with the intent to kill you. Yet you criticize this man. What will you do next? Call him a coward? Ridiculous. Ridiculous. Bush was "always a little late" with things.
Is a true revolutionary someone that says, "I don't agree with what you're saying, and I'm going to create a totalitarian state where you have to shut the fuck up or go to the reeducation camp, and when that's done, I'm going to go to other countries and try to do the same thing?" In that sense Che was a revolutionary.
