Tom Gjelten is an eminent commentator for the esteemed National Public Radio. He authored “Bacardi and the Long Fight for Cuba: A biography of a Cause” which uncovered the earthshaking revelation that many of Cuba’s wealthiest families (the Bosch family, for instance) funded the Anti-Batista rebellion. In an interview this week, he also revealed that: “In 1960, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara expatriated all private businesses including the Bacardi Rum Company.”
Many people without such impressive media credentials would instead use the word “STOLE all private businesses.” Indeed “expatriation” would mean that businesses were simply shown the way to the border and ordered to vacate Cuba, while Fidel and Che deprived themselves of all those investments and assets. I’m willing to bet that 95 per cent of NPR listeners don’t know any better.
UPDATE (From Henry):
Tom Gjelten left this comment:
I actually did say Fidel and Che “expropriated” all private business on the island, because that’s precisely what they did. “Expatriated” makes no sense in that context.
For the record, Humberto quoted this media outlet.
Expropriation: Big word for the lib’s little brains…
Ah, semantics. It’s truly an art. As Orwell illustrates so well, it is the most subtle and un-noticable form of propaganda — but also the most powerful.
I heard Germany once escorted some Jews out of some cities.
Caballeros, I hate to spoil your fun, but I actually did say Fidel and Che “expropriated” all private business on the island, because that’s precisely what they did. “Expatriated” makes no sense in that context. With all the nonsense you have to rail against, you don’t need to make stuff up.