A Good Psychiatrist

A Good Psychiatrist / Fernando Dámaso
Fernando Dámaso, Translator: Unstated

Cubans who did not have to rush off to a psychiatrist's office in order
to prevent a nervous breakdown after reading their nation's newspapers
this week should consider themselves lucky.

The front page began with an official announcement on the moringa
plant—a type of American tree grown in the French tropics, with a white
trunk and medicinal properties, and the source of an inexhaustible
supply of meat, eggs and milk, suitable for consumption by animals as
well as humans. The article stated that conditions have now been created
to begin growing it in Cuba on a massive scale.

Another article asserted that the United Nations had commended Cuba for
its exemplary record in the area of freedom of assembly and peaceful
association. In thanking the Cuban delegate, it also noted the many
opportunities Cubans have to exercise this right as exemplified by the
existence of more than 2,200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The
article went on to state that Havana would be the site of a world
economic conference on June 2 to June 5.

Let's break this down. First of all, after the disasters of the pangola
grass, the zacharina, the pigeon pea, the micro jet banana, the noni,
the eucalyptus and other miracle plants that were going to solve all our
food problems, have we not learned, at this new stage in the
implementation of the economic model, to avoid repeating mistakes? Are
we going to do more of the same, yet again, with the blessed moringa? At
what point will we stop looking to possible temporary miracles as
solutions to our real problems?

Secondly, in regards to 2,200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), is
this a bad joke or an example of black humor? I do not know what sources
the United Nations is using to come up with these figures, but it would
be a good idea to revise them since they do not really seem verifiable.
It they refer to freedom of assembly and association for members of
governmental organizations, that is one thing. But it has to be made
clear that this has nothing to do with those that are non-governmental,
which are forbidden and suppressed. Are perhaps the dozens of
organizations, federations, unions, etc. known by their various
initials—CDR, FMC, UNEAC, UPEC, OPC, FEU, FEEM. ANAP—and others
organized, funded and controlled by the government considered NGOs?

Thirdly, how can Havana be the site of a world conference on the economy
when here it remains an unresolved issue that practically does not exist?

After reading these news articles,I imagine that others, like me, would
see that the only option for maintaining one's sanity would be to
quickly find a good psychiatrist.

June 24 2012

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