I guess it's not safe for a manager to speak highly of Fidel in the rabidly right-wing politcal climate of anti-castro Cuban Miami....Have there been human rights abuses in Cuba durning his tenure.  Of course.  But people forget that US policymakers had been trying to assasinate, overthrow and otherwise terminate this man for decades...People also forget that Cuba was a mob-run sewer under Batista where poverty, prostitution and malnutrition were rampant....Because of Castro, the US failed to keep Cuba safe for the American mafia, and many paid the price....I give Guillen credit for leaving his team to return to Miami and "apologizing" so the political firestorm can be put out...But the repressive censorship at work here is sad...Never dare challenge the dominant culture where Castro is demonized for lifting his people out of an economic abyss, and surviving despite a crippling US embargo for years....      A manager should be able to at least express a political opinion without being vilified and threatened with the loss of his job....It is a shame Ozzie has to lower himself to the level of bowing to the right-wing in Miami, but that is where we are today in the land of the free....
Posted by teilhardian

In Response to Re: Ozzie apologizes for what??? : Now, now, if you want to play fair, play fair.  Yes, the free market can be a wonderful thing (and I really do believe that), but many so-called "socialist" policies (like free public education, rules against child labour and other exploitive labour practices, social insurance programs for the elderly and others) demonstrably do produce a lot of good.  Every healthy modern society balances market forces with social welfare programs and sensible regulation . . . those who go too far in either direction are the ones that fail.  The good ones learn to strike the right balance. That's the problem with America now.  The right wingers fail to acknowledge any good whatsoever to any government program (except maybe the military). That's childish, unrealistic, and ultimately damaging to the country. 
Posted by prolate0spheroid

I imagine the following conversation: Reporter: So why did you suspend Ozzie? Marlins owner: Because of the positive things he said about that horrible Fidel Castro. Reporter:  What is so horrible about saying positive things about Castro? Marlins' owner:  What?  Have you been living in a cave?  For the past 43 years Castro has suspended basic human rights in Cuba. Reporter: Basic rights like Freedom of Speech? Marlins' owner:  Exactly!
Posted by bald-predictions

For some reason, millions in Latin America view Castro as a latter day Simon Bolivar...Funny that...Apparently, they have all been brainwashed in the School of Left Wing Loons also...Try reading and studying history before demonizing someone....
Posted by teilhardian

I don't think anyone is denying Ozzie's right to freedom of speech. It's not as if the secret police are knocking on his door to arrest him. The thing is , the Marlins are a business trying to succeed in South Florida. They have a new name , new ballpark , new uniforms , some new players and a new manager. Then , first thing out of the box , the new manager says something that is highly offensive to a significant part of the fan base. A fan base that the Miami franchise needs to support them. Under the circumstances , I think a five game suspension is more than reasonable.
Posted by dgalehouse

In Response to Re: Ozzie apologizes for what??? : If you open the door way into corruption and evil (CUBA), and allow free passage between good (USA) and evil (Cuba), there is no question that some of that evil will infiltrate good. The USA already has too much evil to erradicate and we can't afford to risk access to evil breeding grounds. Period. American's do have a choice. If we don't like not being able to go to Cuba, then we can get the hell out of America. I choose to stay in the GREATEST COUNTRY on this planet. Please, just keep your opinion in Canada if you don't like it!!!! Let us know when you need help with remaining free, little sister.......
Posted by RallyC