OCR Text |
Show Thursday, February 2 f, 2008 DAILY All HERALD Cuban expectations for Detroit girl slowly recovers after defending mom for several minutes. to drive at fuel of the Under pretense if et a Parker's friend reforms build gas station to Corey Williams free-mark- THE Will Weissert ASSOCIATED HAVANA PRESS Fidel Castro spent nearly five decades railing against even the tiniest of capitalist reforms in the Western Hemisphere's only communist country. Some Cubans are hoping his brother, Raul, would embrace free markets and more if he becomes president Sunday perhaps moving Cuba to something more like Vietnam or China, which also have communist leaders who control all things political, but let markets largely rule their economies. "China is a communist country but the people are free to earn a lot and buy cars, cell phones," said Alberto, who rolls cigars in a government factory for $15 a month. "Why can't Cuban communism be like that?" The answer could start to emerge Sunday when Cuba's parliament meets to choose new leaders. While Raul Castro is likely to be named president, the choices for 30 other lawmakers on the Council of State, including his No. 2, could indicate how far the island's supreme governing body is willing to go toward opening the economy. . Fidel, 81 and ailing, took himself out of the running Tuesday for the top spot but may continue to wield enough power as Communist Party chief to stifle any major changes. ' Raul, 76, has already tantalized many reform-seeker- s while serving as acting president for 19 months. He has urged unspecified "structural changes" in Cuba's communist system, acknowledged that state salaries don't meet basic needs, and called on Cubans to complain openly when government control of the economy flounders although, so far, there have been few changes beyond better pay for farmers and increased food production. And as defense minister, tion and health care, and ration cards help cover the costs of basic food. Few Cubans want to part with those benefits and fully embrace capitalism, although many are hoping the new government could accept tweaks to the system and enough Small economic opportunities to allow for small U.S.-styl- e quality-of-lif- e improvements. "No one dies of hunger in Cuba, but the system of everyone equal, prisoners the same as students, the same as doctors ft doesnt work," said student Evelyn, a "People who work hard deserve to be paid well." This month, student leaders grilled parliament president Alarcon about low state salaries, restrictions on Internet access and rules that prevent most Cubans from traveling abroad or staying in hotels designed for tourists many of the features of daily Cuban life. There was no mention of the closed event in official Cuban media, but pirated video of it has circulated widely, and one most-infuriati- aboard a special tricycle and maneuvered through hospital haliways, beginning the months of physical therapy she needs to recover from six gunshot wounds. n To many people, the is a hero after she threw herself across her mother just as a gunman was about to shoot the woman in an SUV. "An angel is what I call her," Seliethia Parker said of her daughter. After more than two months in the hospital and six surgeries, Alexis was recently released. She returns twice a week for physical therapy. The young girl bears several scars from the Dec. 2 shooting, including a long, thin surgical line stretching from one side of her hairline to the other. Her right eye, which was blinded in the attack, has also been removed. During rehabilitation, she rides a tricycle designed to be pedaled with a person's coordination hands and plays hand-ey- e games. Tll.be good for therapy," Alexis promised her mother before bounding back to the games. Alexis speaks little about the shooting. ' "She remembers bits and pieces, but she's not really talking about it much. It's like she's blocking it out or something," in prison. Even state-ru- n newspapers have produced unusually critical articles lately, accusing officials of drastically underestimating unemployment rates and failing to provide sufficient supply to meet demand, especially for food. v Nearly 80 percent of Cubans work for the government, and the average monthly state salary is about $19.50. Government economists estimate at least 60 percent of Cubans have access to dollars, euros and other foreign currency because of jobs in tourism, with foreign companies or through funds sent by relatives in the United pills, and 'Buy n or Xlny v .must! L mi Ftsino-v--;.:-'- OfpmaCOffer fJ&ttrcss Pcd f r I ! I Sunshine in! KIWurejxsiic Bohemian Ptosti Pillowtop S399 MoreAhan or cot UF573 2 pc. set King, 3 pc. set SiUi $33 Tvwtn O sci- doctor may not even know about that you can receive for free entitled, "New in Medical h that reveals a Technology" , Full, . surgery-fre- uayngnung system ( Professional Installation about 2 hours SAVE $$ SAVE Energy We do swamp cooler in designed to treat severe low back, buttock and leg pain s! Solatube installed prices starting at: Sag $123 call for details e 24 Hour recorded message) or go to: backpaininfo.com Maple Ridge Spinal Pain Center David Cook, DC Decorous Plus!) Pillowtop, Plush or Cushion Firm BlueLakeVisco S999 $1299 Queen2ipcS8t iueen2-tc5e- t Twin, 2pc. set Full, 2 pc. set King, 3 pc. sei 2 pc. set FuH.2pc.set King, 3 pc. set SALE $743 SALE $373 SALE $123 See our online specials at DailyBlowouts.com r- r and guide free, call ' Twin, $499 rcMl slipped discs. To receive the (Toll-fre- wm e, technology along with herniated X 0SOLATUBE switch-out- relatively new 1 1 ' Let the back pain guide that your www.9 See stars' far !st3s Now there is a go away? ' Delivery Sapphire Lace Plush Pillowtop atica, or leg pain will ever Break-throug- S sgJSf uun yiymlmm0K for SDU & a&ovy failed? Have you wondered if your severe back, $mM v injections, surgery massage, to school And in the coming weeks, she will be fitted with an artificial eye. Parker says her daughter is a living miracle. "I'm thanking God every day that me and my baby are still here," she , said. "It has taught me to ... appreciate the smaller things in life." said Parker, 30. The mother and daughter were getting a ride from a friend when Parker's former boyfriend emerged from the shadows outside Parker's house and jumped into the vehicle. He then forced the friend Have you tried therapy, OSORIOAP America's 1 Selling Mattress rwi - CARLOS stretches her back during a rehabilitation session at Children's Hospital inDetroit onFeb. 14. Alexis Goggins States. Advertisement UTAH d toe student who asked tough questions later appeared on state television, in an apparent government effort to prove that his criticisms did not land him ; Disc? Sciatica? Leg Pain? call 911. Inside the SUV, Parker pleaded with the gunman not to shoot. As he was about to open fire, Alexis cried, "Dont hurt my mother!" and jumped into her mother's arms from the back seat. Despite her daughter's efforts, Parker was shot twice. and lags Alexis is learning-disablebehind other youngsters her age. As a result, police say, it may never be known whether Alexis meant to shield her mother from the bullets. But Parker has said that if her daughter had not put herself in between she might have been killed. former conCalvin Tillie, a vict on parole, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, along with other offenses. Parker said she met Tillie last year but called off the relationship after three months. In addition to the physical therapy, Alexis also meets with a teacher assigned to the hospital until she's ready to return soft-spoke- Still, the government's campaign for egaUtarianism limits access to luxuries such as cell Raul put Cuba's military at the forefront of the economy, as he phones and private vehicles. For the first time under and other top military officers communist rule, Cuba may be assumed control of such key sectors as electronics imports, ready to allow a large percentage of its population accumucigar exports and tourism. "There could be a new late wealth as long as they perspective with Raul, new pay taxes. freedoms that are exciting Vladimir, a who studied economics at the to some," said Sergio, a University of Havana, said he government factory worker. supports Raul Castro's small Like others interviewed, he steps so far, but recently quit was afraid that having his full his job at a state agricultural name appear in the foreign cooperative and sees working press could lead to harassment with a foreign company as his only hope. by supervisors at work, or "I think, 'What can I have in even political repercussions. 10 years?" and it's very sad," Raul Castro has called for an Vladimir said. "I can work increased tolerance of public criticism, but many are still very hard, but with a state afraid to openly speak their salary, I can't buy a house, minds. an apartment. I can't plan a life other than living with my The Cuban government parents." provides free housing, educa Herniated needing stopped at Detroit Alexis Goggins climbed DETROIT THE gunpoint ASSOCIATED PRESS II I- '- - CALL TODAY Toll Free SLC . ; Sat 10-- AL$1 rfA store Hours: muirrn m SALEtt23 SALESlia u 12 MONTHS 6 NO INTEREST, Closed Sunday NO PAYMENT 0AC, See Store lor details 877-873-76- 566-126- 4 Look lor our new Bright Concepts llc www.brighterrooms.com 4?o (17 Off 07 f r y 1497 S. State Orem, UT 801-229-BE- DS sign Mattress Warehonw 1497 S. SUtt St., Orem (2337) tiMI. , Easy to Find f ij.-- . |