One thing I've noticed about all of the anti-Bush protests in the US, Europe, and South America, the presence of Che Guevara can be seen in murals, t-shits, signs, everywhere omages to the late South American leader. In Washington at the Sep. 24th protest I happily walked next to the 20 ft X 20 ft Che mural being carried through the crowd.
Hated by the CIA, the KGB, and Castro (after Guevara denounced Castro's continued trade with the Soviet Union, a form of Communism that Guevara felt was perverse and mocked the teachings of Karl Marx) Che was murdered and an icon emerged.
Guevara was the true marxist, he believed that all people were completely equal and felt that violent revolution was the only way to liberate a peoples. Many have condemed Che for being a bloody revolutionist. Truth be told he had no problem killing people. However I personally find it hard to muster up sympathy for Baptista supporters. They were those that had gotten rich off making the Cuban people slaves to American Corporations. Under Baptista an even bloodier leader, Cuba was basically whore island, run by the mob and us.
Che was a doctor, a brilliant tactical general, he taught scores of his body guards to read (he purposely requested illiterates to guard him, once he had taught them to read, they were replaced), he spoke out on his fears of Western Corporations and their explotation of the 3rd world like no one has done before or since. It's no wonder that the CIA was so afraid of him, especially when he brought his revolutionary ideas to the UN and Africa.
I love Che Guevara, he is a hero that believed that just because he was a general, and later treasurer of the Cuba economy he was not above manual labor. He felt that no politcal leaders should be above manual labor. While in Cuba, Che often worked the sugar fields, to no avail he tried to convince other powerful Cubans to do the same.
He made a lot of enemies, but his presence is still a inspiration for millions. If you don't know the truth about Guevara there are many great books that will show you the person that he was. I personally suggest you read his own words, read books containing his letters and his speeches, you won't be sorry.
Che is going to be even bigger next year, when Steven Soderberg brings his life to the big screen. Benico Del Toro is cast to be Che and it will be the first movie to cover his revolutionary years. I like Soderberg, I think that this movie will accurately portray both the good and bad of a very complex man.
Take that Bushco, you helped kill him and he still haunts you! He will aways haunt those that wish to keep people enslaved.
Viva la revolution! Viva Che!