Having visited Cuba in recent times, I suspect that Matt Labash is the one "edging closer to dementia", not Fidel Castro.

Why? Because Matt's general psychology, as revealed through his hockey coach style journalism, reveals the typical crass "tough guy" mentality that is so beloved by North American conservatives...the mentality that finds its deepest purpose in making sure that McDonalds, Burger King, and Coca Cola become available in even the remotest corners of the world, and one day perhaps even on the moon.

He also reveals (and is no doubt proud of) his cultural ignorance. The reason that Muslims do not necessarily use toilet paper is this: they WASH themselves, scrupulously, with soap and water after defecating....which if you spend any time at all actually thinking about it...results in a cleaner "end" result for the human body than any amount of vigorous rubbing with a handful of dry paper ever will. That is their cultural habit. Westernized ones use toilet paper AND wash themselves with soap and water after that. They regard westerners as dirty, because most westerners don't wash themselves in that fashion, outside of their daily bath or shower. Matt must not know about this, I presume. I bet the average Muslim is cleaner than he is...at least below the belt.

It's also indicative of something quite interesting...North Americans, in general, are so afraid of their own "shit" (I mean that symbolically as well as literally), that they can't face dealing with it directly...Third Worlders, in my experience are not. I'm not being flippant in saying that, I am quite serious. We North Americans live a lifestyle that is so insulated, that it has removed us from much of what life is about.

We live in denial, safe on our broadloom, eyes on our flickering TV's and computers...never having to kill the flesh we eat, never having to deal with the blood we indirectly shed, the sweat and toil we delegate to others, and the tactile, messy stuff of ordinary life that Third Worlders deal with every day.

Since Matt feels that the prisoners are receiving so much better treatment than he is, I suggest that he volunteer for Al Queda immediately, and enjoy the obvious benefits of an indefinite period of incarceration, assuming he survives being smart-bombed first, and doesn't end up being massacred in a pen by the Northern Alliance and thus not being one of the lucky few to get to visit Guantanamo. He'll get better fed as a prisoner than as a journalist! Who could resist an opportunity like that?

Yes, it is abundantly clear from his article that there are (supposedly) few fates more cozy than being a prisoner of America. We should, I suppose, all declare war on America immediately, and reap the benefits...3 meals a day, and accomodation rent-free, while waiting for the show trials to begin.

The US military's attitude toward the press has changed substantially since Vietnam, since the more open press coverage of that day had much to do with making the war unpopular at home. In post-1984 Amerika you will find the press on a MUCH shorter leash than in those days. Depend on it. Matt will doubtless have further occasion to carp and complain about how he is getting treated by the powers that be in fortress Amerika.

But it will all be worthwhile as long as he can feel so totally culturally superior to those godforsaken people who don't use toilet paper.

It reminds me of Dylan's song about the "poor white man" who is comforted, despite his poverty and low station in life, by being reminded by the Southern segregationist politicians "you've got more than the blacks, don't complain...." Being so reminded of his innate superiority to non-whites, he feels quite righteous in joining the local cross-burning gang, and is free "to kill with no pain, like a dog on a chain, but it ain't him to blame...he's only a pawn in their game."

I am not saying this to in any way support terrorism by Third Worlders or anyone else, but I don't like Matt's attitude. I've seen it all too many times and I know where it leads. Matt, if you ever lose your job, there is a desk waiting for you at the Toronto Sun! They wake up every morning and cry because Canada has not yet become the 51st state of corporate USA...well, not officially, that is. Money-wise, the deal is already done.

Hey Amos and the rest of you guys, I guess I've got a different take on this one than you do...and we all get to have our say if we so desire. I won't be offended by yours, and I hope you won't be offended by mine. We just disagree this time, that's all.

- LH