Remember how two weeks ago the blogz were writing about how gay-playing Sean Penn can't be a gay hero because he recently interviewed Raul Castro, who was bad to gays 50 years ago? On Sunday the meme was borrowed by the hilariously-crappy Roger Cohen in his New York Times column. Cohen says Penn is a "poor writer," a "rambling journalist," and, naturally, one of "Lenin's 'useful idiots,'" because, you know, Lenin.
True, Castro "once dispatched gays to labor camps to correct their 'counterrevolutionary tendencies,'" whereas in free countries the USA we just locked them up in regular old prisons until the Supreme Court put an end to that practice once and for all, in 2003, roughly 24 years after gay sex was decriminalized in Cuba. So Roger Cohen's point is kind of stupid, but it's a nice reminder that idiots don't have to be particularly useful.
Comments (6)
“Sean, truth is as elusive for a journalist as it is for an actor. It takes work. You should never have written that this was Raúl’s ‘first ever interview to a foreign journalist’ in 50 years. You’re no journalist.
“The Bush years have taught us the dangers of amateurism and the preciousness of freedom. Your journalism flouts those lessons even as your brilliant acting illuminates them.”
Gee, this could almost be him talking to himself, except I don't think Cohen is a brilliant actor.
BTW, Penn's journalism kicks ass.
Posted by QueenBina
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January 5, 2009 10:07 PM
Posted on January 5, 2009 22:07
"Public antipathy towards LGBT people is high, reflecting regional norms. This has eased somewhat since the 1990s. Educational campaigns on LGBT issues are currently implemented by the National Center for Sex Education, headed by Mariela Castro.
"Cuba is a country where citizens can have sex reassignment surgery for free."
But let's just go right on bashing Raúl Castro...and whistle and twiddle our thumbs at the mere mention of his daughter, who is spearheading this gay-rights movement, and focus on what things were like 50 years ago instead.
BTW, ever notice how homophobia is widespread all over LatAm, including--in fact, ESPECIALLY--in arch-conservative countries like Colombia? Say, what IS the award-winning Alvarito's stance on gay rights, BTW, does anyone know?
Posted by QueenBina
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January 5, 2009 10:00 PM
Posted on January 5, 2009 22:00
Useful...to Lenin or otherwise.
Snicker.
Posted by QueenBina
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January 5, 2009 9:56 PM
Posted on January 5, 2009 21:56
Oops haha just as submitted that, your post appeared :)
Posted by Utpal
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January 5, 2009 6:54 PM
Posted on January 5, 2009 18:54
Did you notice that Bush has awarded Uribe with the Presidential Freedom or Liberty or whatever award?
Posted by Utpal
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January 5, 2009 6:52 PM
Posted on January 5, 2009 18:52
Cohen = pwned.
Posted by Damian
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January 5, 2009 4:16 PM
Posted on January 5, 2009 16:16