Reflections by Comrade Fidel

THE CRIME AGAINST THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN

As it is well-known, the state of Arizona, a territory that was taken from Mexico by the United States along with much more territory, has been the scene of painful events for hundreds of Latin Americans who die trying to immigrate to the US in search of work or to join their parents, spouses or other kinfolk who are there.

In that country, these are the people who work at the toughest jobs and live under the constant fear of arrest and forced deportation. Despite the drastic measures, every year the number of those dying in the attempt grows and there are hundreds of thousands of them who are annually deported to their countries of origin.

The number of Americans opposed to that abuse is also growing, such as those who supported and, for the third time, elected the young congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

At the present time, the state of Arizona is one of the wealthiest because of the minerals taken from its soil, especially copper and molybdenum; great productions of cotton and beef that use up vast areas of its land; the beauty of its landscape, such as the famous Grand Canyon carved by the Colorado River, considered to be one of the most beautiful on the planet and, one of the three great native communities. The state is visited annually by 30 million domestic and foreign tourists. Approximately 30% of its population is of Hispanic-American origin.

On the other hand, the Tea Party, made up of the most reactionary and politically backward elements of society, tries to drag the Republican Party to extremist and warmongering positions, that in the middle of the crisis and the disillusionment about the promises that Obama hasn’t wanted or hasn’t been able to fulfil, would lead the country to the abyss. From the debate that will have to come out of this, one can draw the pertinent conclusions.

On the congresswoman’s health, this morning, Monday the 10th, the Spanish digital version of El Mundo published the following information:

The bullet entered the rear of the Democratic congresswoman’s head, […] crossing the left hemisphere of the brain and exiting from the front. After a two-hour operation during which the remains of the bullet were removed, along with part of the dead brain tissue and approximately half of the cranium, - which is being kept to be re-attached later on – the Tucson University Medical Center surgeons […] showed ‘cautious optimism’.

Surgery appears to have gone well, according to the head of the hospital Traumatology Unit, Dr. Peter Rhee, who explained that, in spite of the patient being under sedation and respiratory assistance, thus not allowing her to speak, she has been able to communicate with signs and to respond to simple commands, ‘such as squeezing a hand or lifting two fingers’, something that indicates that ‘brain function’ exists.

Dr. Francisco Villarejo, head of Neurosurgery at the Niño Jesús Hospital and the La Luz Clinic, experienced in this kind of surgery, explained to El Mundo that the most dangerous thing for the congresswoman at this time is that the brain should swell, since the bullet as it went through dragged along bone fragments with it, and this could produce inflammation. A risk increasing even more after surgery since the area is highly sensitive’.

We hope that world public opinion can know the real condition of the congresswoman, clearly and precisely, and as soon as possible. It is a matter of interest to everyone.

Fidel Castro Ruz

January 10, 2011

7:11 p.m.