Che Guevara: Just a Logo?

by Joe Pulcinella

I know I've commented on this before but it bears repeating. Che Guevara  was nothing but a murderous thug no different from Hitler, Stalin or even his boss, Castro, with one exception...his likeness has become a logo for anyone who fancies himself as different from the mainstream. Well, Carlos Santana, after going ultra-bland mainstream and hitching his aging wagon onto the star of weenie-pop band, Matchbox 20, has adopted this cowardly tyrant's mug in the form of a t-shirt at the Oscars.

From LRC: Well, the famed guitarist couldn't contain himself. He stopped for the photographers, smiled deliriously and swung his jacket open. TA-DA! There it was: Carlos' elegantly embroidered Che Guevara t-shirt. Carlos' face as the flashbulbs popped said it all. "I'm so COOL!" he beamed. "I'm so HIP! I'm so CHEEKY! So SHARP! So TUNED IN!"

Somehow, I don't think he was corrected by the E! news crew.

Posted 4/2/2005 9:23:07 PM by Joe Pulcinella

From Wikipedia; In 1959, Guevara was appointed commander of the La Cabana Fortress prison. During his term as commander of the fortress from 1959–1963, he oversaw the hasty trials and executions of many former Batista regime officials, including members of the BRAC secret police (some sources say 156 people, others estimate as many as 500). Poet and human rights activist Armando Valladares, who was imprisoned at La Cabana, alleges that Guevara took particular and personal interest in the interrogation, torture, and execution of some prisoners. Even thoug Che was a staunch anti-imperialist, his unfortunate habit of killing everyone who opposed him pretty much relegates him to the level of Hitler, Stalin, et al. But most people only hear of the charming doctor-turned-revolutionary, fighting for the people, or at least, the totalitarian states claiming to represent their interests.

Posted 4/3/2005 12:29:50 PM by Vince Daliessio