Trujillo, mi padre

[Marianopolita]

Let's see if people actually read it...

In my opinion, not letting the book circulate would be an example of not respecting democracy and freedom of speech. It would be a form of censorship and that happens in Cuba which is why the majority of authors who are renowned have to write in exile in order to get their books published.

I think people need to read about the past and the history of a country (even if they disagree with the content or who the author is) in order to better anticipate and improve the future. It is not an indication that a situation will repeat itself. During times of a dictatorship the general population lives in fear because they can be punished for what they say meaning criticism against the government. The perception inside and outside is not always clear or correct.The Dominican Republic and other Latin countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Cuba (which is the longest standing dictatorship- a nivel mundial) are prime examples.

Before commenting on the book, one would have to read it (ideally). Knowing what is actually written would give a reader or anyone more power to criticize it. The Trujillo dictatorship was a critical period in DR's modern history and it surely affected the lives of many, shaped their thoughts and behaviour as well as their perspective of the government- present and future as do all dictatorships.

In my opinion, it will cause controversy without a doubt. I think the reasons are obvious but people who are firmly against its publication should read it to give their indignation more fire rather than rely on hearsay or have someone else tell them what the book is about.

In simple terms, not letting it circulate or banning it means a democratic society is going backwards (to a certain extent) and it's never a good idea to repeat critical errors of the past. Have faith in the people, if the book is garbage based on its content it will speak for itself.


PD. Vacara, you make some good points. I see where you are coming from completely. My comment is general in nature but does not dismiss the sensitivity that the issue brings forth.


-MP.

 

[suarezn]

Hillbilly said it best. All of these "heros" were themselves part of the regime and served themselves from the regime. As a matter of fact Antonio de La Maza had appropriated all kinds of land for his wood processing company and this was done with the blessing of the regime...so I wouldn't be surprised if his hands were not as clean as they want to make it seem (even with the Mirabal case).

I'm pretty convinced that the killing of Trujillo was not done because of some patriotic or altruistic reason, but rather out of personal interests from the conspirators and with the blessing of the CIA.

I have no qualms about her publishing a book about her beliefs and you can either buy it or not and/or completely dismiss her writings as nothing more than self serving comments, but the book should not be banned.

I also have no problem with a Trujillo running for president nowadays. We're a very different country now and even if he/she won (very difficult I think given their last name) I don't see them with any more chance to become a dictator than let's say Leonel or MVM.

 

[Adrian Bye]

Thoughts from Minou Tav?rez Mirabal, a politician:

"No hay dudas de que ese libro es un irrespeto a la dignidad del pueblo dominicano que violenta el sentimiento democr?tico nacional. Es una mentira sin ning?n sustento que simplemente quiere da?ar y convertir a los victimarios en las v?ctimas. Es un libro muy mal escrito y bastante pueril. Promoverlo a trav?s de algunos medios de comunicaci?n es hacerle un flaco servicio a la democracia." (MTM)

Minou Tav?rez Mirabal | Facebook

 

[Chirimoya]

Guillermo Moreno, former presidential candidate, chimes in:

El libro de Angelita Trujillo es despreciable, no porque lo escribiera o lo publicara, sino porque deliberadamente pretende desnaturalizar hechos monstruosos, exculpando al m?s sanguinario dictador de todos los habidos en el continente. Honremos las v?ctimas de las torturas viles y de tantos asesinatos, “destrujillizan...do” el ejercicio del poder de su legado a?n vigente: El presidencialismo, el nepotismo, el robo del patrimonio p?blico, el clientelismo, la falta de transparencia, el control del congreso por el Poder Ejecutivo, que a su vez ejerce su influencia en decisiones judiciales, con un Ministerio P?blico sometido a sus intereses; precario Estado de derechos en que cientos de personas son muertas por la Polic?a Nacional en supuestos “intercambios de disparos”, sin ser investigadas por las autoridades judiciales.

 

[Rattus_Rattus]

I believe in freedom of speak. So this book should not be banned.

My 2pesos worth

 

[Hillbilly]

VACARA: Please give a citation of the book that page was taken from. I think I have seen that somewhere.

HB

 

[Trainman33]

I may hate what Angelita has to say but I will defend her right to say it. I forget who I am paraphrasing here. However I do agree with the case where one of the killers of the Mirabals had his book banned. To me the difference is that he was trying to make money from his own crime.

Edit; "By law, no member of the Trujillo family can live, visit or conduct any kind of activity in the country" I was unaware of this constitutional restriction. Since this is the case any Dominican who wants to read Angelita's book should have to buy it outside of the DR.

 

[NALs]

Edit; "By law, no member of the Trujillo family can live, visit or conduct any kind of activity in the country" I was unaware of this constitutional restriction. Since this is the case any Dominican who wants to read Angelita's book should have to buy it outside of the DR.

No, the law prohibits Trujillo's siblings and his kids from living in the DR, but not anyone else.

That's why practically the entire Trujillo family live, own businesses, etc. in the DR, save for a few who voluntarily live in the US/Spain/Puerto Rico and his daughter, etc. who are, by law, forbidden to step on Dominican soil.

Despite that, Angelita has secretly been to the DR numerous times. Presidents can wave the law for a few days a year, and almost all of them have done that.

 

[Adrian Bye]

i know one guy last name trujillo who is a distant relative and he lives here in santo domingo.

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[Trainman33]

Someone could make a case for banning the book on the grounds that it is slander or libel, this would require a court hearing to prove that fact in my opinion.

 

[Vacara]

VACARA: Please give a citation of the book that page was taken from. I think I have seen that somewhere.

HB

 

[Vacara]

Hillbilly said it best. All of these "heros" were themselves part of the regime and served themselves from the regime. As a matter of fact Antonio de La Maza had appropriated all kinds of land for his wood processing company and this was done with the blessing of the regime...so I wouldn't be surprised if his hands were not as clean as they want to make it seem (even with the Mirabal case).

Show me a national hero of any country that doesn't have his share of mischief and I'll show you a "ciguapa".

George Washington once said that "black people are beast and should be treated accordingly", but still he's worshiped like a god (& deservedly so).

 

[Vacara]

I also have no problem with a Trujillo running for president nowadays. We're a very different country now and even if he/she won (very difficult I think given their last name)

If you think is highly unlikely to see a Trujillo back in power then you must not be familiar with Dominican's way of thinking. I remember in the early 90's, a beauty queen went on tv and said that she would love to have Rafael Trujillo again as president, cuz he would bring respect & order to the country. Everybody was in awe and political figures like Juan Bosch went on tv and expressed their surprise & concern at such a troubling statement.

I wasn't surprised at all, cuz back then (& even now) hardly a day pass by without me catching someone thinking out loud how good would it be to have Trujillo back in "El Palacio", to restore order & respect.

I don't see them with any more chance to become a dictator than let's say Leonel or MVM.

Nobody is indispensable in this life. I don't care if your name is Jesus or Mohamed, let alone "Leonel Fernandez" but 12 years in power is too much for my taste. So let me ask you; are you willing to have a Trujillo 12 years in power even if it is by means of winning elections?. I'm sure the Haitians would be elated!.

 

[Adrian Bye]

If you think is highly unlikely to see a Trujillo back in power then you must not be familiar with Dominican's way of thinking. I remember in the early 90's, a beauty queen went on tv and said that she would love to have Rafael Trujillo again as president, cuz he would bring respect & order to the country. Everybody was in awe and political figures like Juan Bosch went on tv and expressed their surprise & concern at such a troubling statement.

I wasn't surprised at all, cuz back then (& even now) hardly a day pass by without me catching someone thinking out loud how good would it be to have Trujillo back in "El Palacio", to restore order & respect.

thats pretty interesting. and yes, i've also heard a bunch of people say how good it would be to have trujillo in power.

 

[simpson Homer]

papi Truji

and what is his opinion about the great Trujillo ?

I got the impresion that the family is trying to come
clean after the mess that Truji made. as they know
that Dominican society barely accept them.

Again if mr Trujillo has nothing to do and that he was a
great guy in the heart of Angelita why dont the entire
family fight for justice for the death of the great father
is she trying to run for politics some time soon or else in the
family ? Why she would diserved freedom of speach where
her father never gave chance to other to do so.

Also after the USA gave asilum prob to the entire family why
now they talk bad about the USA indirectly saying that the CIA
was responsible for her father death.

If daddy Truji was good then the family should fight for justice.
they all got fortune from him and please keep who could say a word
against the TRUJILLO gov. was that freedon to talk DID she put that
in the book ???. no because her father just wanted EL Pueblo to be
happy and not to talk about the situation of the human rights in DR.

SHe doesnt see it and never saw the Dominican life situation because she
lived the glamour life getting whatever she wanted and living the high class life. but she never had the chance to live the condition that Dominican people were living by then even after her father was killed she and her family
kept living the glamour life. The family lost a lot of fortune in property and cash after his death I will asume that some how they little by little are trying to get back.

That woman should apologized for what her father did first before start saying how great he was. but not apologies and also denial is an insult
her father didnt kill people one her own eyes, her father slept with some
many woman against their will afraid to be killed "I call that rape"
and for respect to the woman rights no apoligies ???

i know one guy last name trujillo who is a distant relative and he lives here in santo domingo.

there are plenty more: Login | Facebook

 

[Adrian Bye]

she's daddy's little girl. of course he's done no wrong in her eyes. i don't see the book as being very relevant.

 

[Hipocrito Mejia]

The book should definitely be allowed to be published and sold in DR, as freedom of speech is one of the most basic freedoms of Democracy. The people of DR who would read this book are smart enough to realize that it is written from a very biased point of view.

 

[simpson Homer]

the two face of the coin

If by any chance she had put in her mind to write about
both side of history her personal point of view, political point of view, society point of view and experience. wouldnt have caused controversy is just the fact that he is being painted in the book as an inocent president that did nothing wrong reason that was killed. I think if she had the dedicated the book to those who lost their relative and those who lives the marked memories and for the sake of bringing her family together and at least pretend
how sorry the trujillo family are for what happen during her father ERA.


Believe me the Dominican society will see the book in a diferent way and wont be against it.

***** The ignorance of not apologies until today date to the nation
reflect the lack of responsability she has as a daughter of a Dictator ****
but she will rather to die before acepting the reality of who was her father,
of course she had the greatest father while he was giving every thing to her and her brother.

 

[suarezn]

If you think is highly unlikely to see a Trujillo back in power then you must not be familiar with Dominican's way of thinking. I remember in the early 90's, a beauty queen went on tv and said that she would love to have Rafael Trujillo again as president, cuz he would bring respect & order to the country. Everybody was in awe and political figures like Juan Bosch went on tv and expressed their surprise & concern at such a troubling statement.

I wasn't surprised at all, cuz back then (& even now) hardly a day pass by without me catching someone thinking out loud how good would it be to have Trujillo back in "El Palacio", to restore order & respect.



Nobody is indispensable in this life. I don't care if your name is Jesus or Mohamed, let alone "Leonel Fernandez" but 12 years in power is too much for my taste. So let me ask you; are you willing to have a Trujillo 12 years in power even if it is by means of winning elections?. I'm sure the Haitians would be elated!.

I'm VERY familiar with the Dominican way of thinking since after all I AM Dominican and IMO it's very unlikely you'd see a Trujillo back in power. While on the one hand the last name would give instant recognition to a candidate if he/she starts to rise in the polls the other candidates would jump all over this and put the fear of "back of dictatorship" into the population.

You have do understand that Dominicans long for the order and relatively lack of petty crime that existed back then, but when they talk about Trujillo they refer they would like to have Trujillo himself, not a family member. Remember Trujillo's family members were not really that highly regarded and were mostly tolerated only because Rafael Leonidas was in power. His sons, brothers and daughters (including Angelita) were seen by the public as good for nothing freeloaders (of course nobody would say this in public)...whereas Trujillo commanded some level of respect his extended family was just feared because they were considered to be thugs. Pretty similar to Saddam and his two sons (Uday and Qusay)...

 

[PeterInBrat]

Banning a book about a person who quashed freedom of speech and had absolute control of the media defines irony.

“If we do not believe in freedom of speech for those we despise we do not believe in it at all.” - Noam Chomsky.