U.S. Turns off News Ticker in Havana

I guess it is possible a news ticker could bring down an oppressive regime, but in reality it's just going to serve as another silly point of conflict. The U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana turned on the five-foot high, 25-windows-long news ticker in January 2006. The first message, to celebrate Martin...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

July 27, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

I guess it is possible a news ticker could bring down an oppressive regime, but in reality it's just going to serve as another silly point of conflict.

The U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana turned on the five-foot high, 25-windows-long news ticker in January 2006. The first message, to celebrate Martin Lurther King Jr.'s birthday, read, "I have a dream one day this nation will rise up." Subtle.

The Castro government was predictably pissed and, according to the Cuban press, attempted to obscure the ticker with 138 flagpoles. Another instance of people acting like children in the ongoing "dialogue" between the two governments.

Well, finally the Obama administration has turned off the ticker. Some say it's a sign the relations between the two countries are maturing.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.