In another unexpected move, Raul Castro lifted the ban on cell phones and will allow prisoners Cubans to have them.

Most articles have been gushing, but I suspected some ulterior motive. I concluded the government is allowing these simple technologies to keep Cubans from overthrowing the transitional government and my thoughts were confirmed in this great Q/A from AP.

Q. Why now?

A. Raul Castro said when he became president last month that he would quickly lift some prohibitions to create new government income. Some also believe that allowing Cubans to have modern gadgets such as cell phones, personal computers and microwave ovens may dissuade them from demanding deeper changes in the state-controlled economy.

Read the rest of the Q/A HERE.

Translation, Raul gives the Cubans little concessions to curb their complaining. He’s using technology as a distraction from the real issues. The Cuban people don’t have landlines, their infrastructure sucks, they don’t have a hard currency, or free speech.

And what about their political prisoners rotting in their evil prisons?

So let’s give ‘em microwaves and expensive cell phones and hope they don’t pay attention. They’ll be too busy text messaging each other.

What’s happening over there reminds me of what happens here sometimes. We get apathetic and distracted, we focus on our gadgets an gizmos and don’t pay attention to what our leaders are doing to our country. Don’t let Washington and your own state capitals take advantage of our short attention spans.

Force yourself to care, because when you don’t politicans can do as they please with your taxes and your democracy.