Manic Street Preachers with Fidel Castro

[BPCpresents]

Nicky could you please remove your make up when you meet Fidel Castro. Nicky's response: OK

[somor98]

So I guess that the children of the manics will be next!!

[petertrickaz]

I love the other part of this interview where they all sit there dissing the English!!!!

[greenberetgirl]

I can't help thinking that old Fidel may not have been quite so welcoming if he'd seen that video for 'Love's Sweet Exile'!

[undercoverbrother67]

Viva Cuba. Tierra Socialista, Patria de Fidel

Vive la Revolucion!

from Glasgow, Scotland

[undercoverbrother67]

@warriorprince1010 bollocks. you're an american tit... plain and simple

[zKa0sz]

The Manics were shitting themselves - they were talking about how they had ended up being introduced to Fidel before their gig without any warning - long live FIDEL!

[ivangrozny27]

@warriorprince1010 no system is perfect but castro is certainly no billionaire and he doesnt blockade, bomb, terrorise and invade foreign countries and kill millions of people like your heroes have done in Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, Afghanistan etc. You need to learn the expression 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones'.

[starpier]

@ivangrozny27 Cuba didn't attack other countries because it simply can't. do you see Cuba capable of invading someone ? That would be like Liechtenstein or Switzerland declaring war to somebody. I dont like the Cuban system because, like all communist regimes, keeps you in poverty and in check whatever you decide to do. I dont like capitalism either.

[undercoverbrother67]

@starpier Cuba isn't communist... Cuba STRIVES to acheive communism. Referring to Cuba or USSR etc as a 'communist state' is a common misconception. True communism can only ever exist when all, or a large proportion, of the world is Left wing. Btw, Cuba fought against several corrupt regimes in its time... like French Congo; Belgian Congo; South Africa; Angola and more. So your suggestion about 'Cuba not attacking countries coz it can't' is plain wrong

[starpier]

@undercoverbrother67 for communist country i mean inspired by the communist principles and Marxism, of course true communism, which has little to do with the world being left wing, is an ideal that is impossible to achieve without reducing people's freedom. So no communist country will ever be communist in a "true" way. Cuba, like USSR, is a regime, if you prefer i skip on the word communist..

[undercoverbrother67]

@starpier Well it seems we have a difference of opinion as to what it takes to acheive true communism. As for 'communism reducing the freedom of the people'... how can you know that if we have yet to see true communism? And do you think you're free now? However, I notice you offer no response to the fact that Cuba has indeed fought militarily against racist and oppressive regimes around the world... so perhaps that is something we do agree on.

[starpier]

@undercoverbrother67 I can see that EVERY country on this planet who was inspired by communist ideals ended up with a regime and bringing misery to the population. Cuba is no exception. I made it shallow and simple because this is just a youtube comment

[undercoverbrother67]

@starpier Believe me, I've been keeping this simple also. I'm not about to get involved in an intellectual debate across YouTube. So I'll simply end it with this... you are conditioned to believe that nonsense.

Hasta Siempre

[puertorricane]

naa bro you're wrong he is one of the best leaders in latin american history not even the empire up north could mess with him

[Anargie]

I bet most American bands would just shit in their pants just thinking about doing something like this. MSP FTW.

[gaabag]

it is only another sample of the free world against comunist dictator. this little band can go and have an interview and a concert with castro the proslavery, but porno para ricardo can not even play in his own house

[uech1ko]

James looks so excited

[EcleptoFunkAmericana]

seeing as how i was born there and lived 13 years there, and personally know political prisoners who were tortured, i suggest it is you who needs to learn a little bit more about Cuba

[IceyPancho]

I'm basing my comments on what it is possible for an American to learn about Cuba. Reports by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, diverse media reports, cultural expressions that come out of Cuba, books by credible authors such as Ignacio Ramonet, documentaries by people such as Oliver Stone, remember I'm prohibited from traveling to Cuba by the U.S. govt. You claim you personally know people who were tortured, yet AI doesn't write about it? I'm supposed to believe you I suppose.

[tapansinut]

I'´d like to see evidents of this.. and these "political prisoners" were propably enemies of revolution supported by CIA.

What about people held in Guanatanamo by USA without a trial? aren't they political prisoners? that´s part of Cuba but occupied by imperialists that have been trying to overthrow the revolution ever since it´s beginning. HASTA LA VICTORIA SIEMPRE!

FOREVER TOWARDS THE VICTORY!

[Munkaspart2006TV]

LOL, you never lived there. Yankee!

[RadicalHiphop1]

I suggest it is you that should show evidence rich boy

[caliaa]

You DO know that you said your sticking Fidel Castro up YOUR ASS, don't you? Well, enjoy!

[jimmypinch]

My favourite bit of the interview was when James Bradfield said the concert was going to be pretty loud and Castro said "It can't be louder than war can it?", a great moment where a little musician was firmly put in his place.

[serocka]

Felicitaciones Manic Street Preachers!!!! you're very good musicians. Esoo Fidel siga pa' lante comandante!!!

[mroquero]

The Manics' music changed my life. But such a shame their allowing themselves to be used as Castro's stooges. It was clearly a publicity coup for the dictator. I understand everyone's desire for a equality, but the beatings and disappearances that have taken place in Cuba in just the last few years have made even leftists like Almodovar demand justice for the Cuban people. Manics shoulda known better; their muse Orwell certainly woulda.

[AmbassadorOfMorning]

Mroquero, what about US-backed dictatorhips like Pinochet in Chile, or Somoza in Nicaragua, or the paramilitary death squads in Colombia?. If you are going to discuss politics in YouTube you ought to do your homework first.

[Flanker345]

The manics refused to allow themselves to be used like that - declining several publicity opportunities offered by Castro, including dinner at his house. Their primary role of playing in Cuba was to wind up the US record label, and also visit one of the few remaining states with a completley alternate political system.

[IceyPancho]

You're perpetuating ignorance and calumny. The Cuban government doesn't torture, beat, or disappear people. Fidel Castro has lots of famous friends and acquaintances. Even John Kennedy, the son of slain JFK, visited him and had dinner with and shot the breeze with him. He probably forgot about them already, but they'll never forget about him. That's how big his stature in the world is. It's too bad Americans are brainwashed and manipulated by the media, but Youtube can help you overcome that.

[ivangrozny27]

I remember the band were asked if they thought visiting Castro & Cuba would damage their record sales in the US and their response was basically 'we dont give a fuck'. Fuck the US and all its disgusting acts of terrorism against Cuba over the years.

[gemarcher83]

fuck USA!

Uk rule and Fidel too!

viva cuba,viva fidel,viva manic street preachers!

[cryingshame06]

I missed manics night 7 years ago. :(

[minedarea]

Ironic that the surviving member of the Manic Street Preachers care so much about their missing friend, but they don't seem to give a fuck about the innocent people who 'disappeared' under Castro's rule. Sorta sums up those particular champagne socialists.

[alewisuk]

Who says they don't? They've been critical of Cuba. They didn't go just to big up Castro (who just turned up on the day of the gig) or the Cuban political system. And they're hardly champagne socialists. They were rooted in struggle during the Miners strike.

[Psycarne]

Because he hasn't.

There is no secret police in Cuba, the police are not allowed to go arrest people at there homes without first contacting elected revolutionary leaders in the community. Infact it was set up by Fidel to avoid Stalinism from ever raising it's ugly head.

How the hell can Fidel be a dictator in a country that has over 100 democratic constituencies and a 90%+ voter turn out?

[Twiggy003]

Well said.

[tevonx]

Kiss up to a dictator!! Why didn't you ask how many poets Fidel has had jailed or killed?!!!

[Twiggy003]

What about Bush?

[fourganger88]

He hasn't had any killed. Or even jailed. Face it, Cuba has shite civil rights. They nearly wouldn't let the Manics play because Nicky Wire might have worn a skirt, and that wasn't on for them.

[Twiggy003]

Bush is responsible for more death and pain than Castro. From the my knowledge, CIA eastern European torture camps? Oh, the invasion of Afghanistan...and there's Iraq of course, No one jailed, killed or brutally tortured there.. There are elections of party officials in Cuba that aren't corrupt and fixed, unlike the US's ridiculous electoral college system which doesnt represent the people to much of a scale and has been known to be fixed.

[fourganger88]

You are equating war casualties with domestic suppression, the two are very different. Within his own country Bush hasn't had people tortured and killed (as far as we know at least), which was my point. In my opinion, both are pretty terrible leaders- but at least Bush will be gone next year. Castro will stay untill he dies, when he will be replaced by another un-elected successor.

[Twiggy003]

The successor is elected through party officials elected on a different level, ok, it isnt perfect, but it is an elected leader unlike the cash driven US leaders. When it comes to human life, domestic and foreign torture, death and abuse are the same thing, still responsible by Bush. Bush is responsible for police state-like practices. Proven at least equally to Castro's "terror".

[fourganger88]

Both are equally despicable. But the whole world hates Bush, whereas people continue to romanticise Castro.

[Twiggy003]

I'd say Bush is a hell of a lot worse, but your opinion is otherwise. Castro is looked up to more because of the ideals of the struggle for the people to form a socialist state for the benefit of everyone in this world, surviving so close to a country that discourages that take on equality.

[fourganger88]

For the benefit of everyone apart from "social deviants" such as homosexuals, or those who oppose the government (despite the Cuban Constitution granting freedom of expression). Bush is a warmonger, Castro is a tyrant. Both are as bad as each other. But Bush will be gone by the end of next year at least.

[Twiggy003]

Wasn't there a big gay pride parade just recently in Cuba? Making assumptions, but, im assuming this stance on homosexuality is due to the morals forced into them by their catholic ancestors and probably stuck since, yet now things are changing. Castro does not control everything, things have to change by the will of the people.

[fourganger88]

Things are only changing because Castro is weakening, and common consensus is that those below him are the ones responsible for any social change. And Catholic traditions are no excuse- it's exactly the same as when people try to excuse America's poor civil rights record as being a result of their Puritan beginnings.

[Twiggy003]

Well, America is a tad older than Cuba in the sense of a whole new order. Castro has demoted the power his position himself, a more authoritarian rule is needed initially to maintain order and then gradually move toward a Communistic Utopia. While the US is moving toward a police state.

[fourganger88]

Given the NIE's recent defection to the anti-war cause, the case seems to be that the US is moving further away from a police state, likely due to Bush's imminent departure.

[Twiggy003]

Because Bush goes, the whole current system of a nearing police state goes? Are you saying also that when Castro steps down the communist system will go or just his "tyranny"? Both are planning to go soon anyhow.

[fourganger88]

"Because Bush goes, the whole current system of a nearing police state goes?" No, the mentality that leads to a police state goes. Any new President would want to make a clean break with such policies, to make it seem like a fresh start.

[Twiggy003]

to make it seem? but still in actual fact following what has been set by the actual government, police state like policies? And do you think that the mentality communism will go when Castro steps down?

[Twiggy003]

of communism*

[fourganger88]

"to make it seem? but still in actual fact following what has been set by the actual government, police state like policies?"

That is not what I said. What I said was that such policies will be abandoned, if only for political, rather than moral/ethical considerations. As for Cuba, it's anyone's guess. Given the amount of cenorship in Cuba, our view of their internal politics is decidedly dim.

[Twiggy003]

Suggesting that America's real politics is entirely open? i wouldn't say Cuba is entirely hush hush on such matters. it's probably difficult to judge, but i'd say the American government has more secrets from it's people than Cuba does from theirs.

[fourganger88]

I did not suggest America's politics were open at all, stop using strawman arguments. US politics are however more open than Cuban politics, simply because governmental/national organisations in the US simply have more autonomy than their Cuban counterparts, which increases transparency.

[IceyPancho]

You should learn more about Castro and Cuba. Castro does not torture and kill people as you imply. This is part of the demonization of this man.

[EcleptoFunkAmericana]

unfortunately for Cubans, Castro has both tortured and killed people during his 50 years as dictator. fifty years, i may add, without free and open elections. i think that says it all.

[puertorricane]

the US goverment has killed and tortured more than that all over the world