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Castro’s revolution, with all of its supposedly good intentions, put a stop to the growth of Havana. Of course it put an end to the Mafia controlling the casinos and entertainment, but for them it was a minor setback. They just packed their bags and went to Las Vegas where they expanded and developed “The Strip!” Batista and his followers fled Cuba for the Dominican Republic, Europe and South Florida. Many Cubans lost everything they had but others fled taking their wealth with them. The upheaval in 1959 marked the beginning of austerity for this former freewheeling city. The communistic de-privatization of all businesses, along with the embargo imposed by the United States, created a serious decline in Havana’s economy. The constant pressure to nationalize, as well as the severe crackdown by the régime to keep people in line, curtailed growth and placed an enormous hardship on the Cuban people. Since the Castro Revolution, the people of Havana have been severely affected, because of the absence of commerce with its former trading partner, the United States, located only 90 miles to the north. In all Havana has taken a severe toll economically, with its dilapidated houses, and the pre-1959 cars on the streets of the city being a testimony to the bygone era. It is only now that with the hope of normalization between the governments of Cuba and the United States that perhaps the people will benefit. For the greatest part, the Port of Havana has also been bypassed, chiefly due to the restrictions placed on them by the United States. However, the Cuban government is now attempting a comeback by attracting tourism from Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Latin America, Asia and Europe. The city of Havana has renovated the Sierra Maestra Cruise Port, but only very few cruise companies consider Havana a port of call. Slowly, German and British ships started to arrive, including the Fred Olsen Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line. Technically Real Estate Brokers and Automobile Dealers are illegal in Cuba, although real-estate offices and car dealerships are blatantly open for business. The buying and selling of real estate and cars, which was forbidden for many years, can now be done because of some changes brought about by Raúl Castro, but only by full-time residents of Cuba. However, gray market sales are thriving through the use of friends and family as proxies.

What’s my big beef with capitalism? That it desacralizes everything, robs the world of wonder, and leaves it as nothing more than a vulgar market. The fastest way to cheapen anything—be it a woman, a favor, or a work of art—is to put a price tag on it. And that’s what capitalism is, a busy greengrocer going through his store with a price-sticker machine—ka-CHUNK! ka-CHUNK!—$4.10 for eggs, $5 for coffee at Sightglass, $5,000 per month for a run-down one-bedroom in the Mission. Think I’m exaggerating? Stop and think for a moment what this whole IPO ritual was about. For the first time, Facebook shares would have a public price. For all the pageantry and cheering, this was Mr. Market coming along with his price-sticker machine and—ka-CHUNK!—putting one on Facebook for $38 per share. And everyone was ecstatic about it. It was one of the highlights of the technology industry, and one of the “once in a lifetime” moments of our age. In pre-postmodern times, only a divine ritual of ancient origin, victory in war, or the direct experience of meaningful culture via shared songs, dances, or art would cause anybody such revelry. Now we’re driven to ecstasies of delirium because we have a price tag, and our life’s labors are validated by the fact it does. That’s the smoldering ambition of every entrepreneur: to one day create an organization that society deems worthy of a price tag. These are the only real values we have left in the twilight of history, the tired dead end of liberal democratic capitalism, at least here in the California fringes of Western civilization. Clap at the clever people getting rich, and hope you’re among them. Is it a wonder that the inhabitants of such a world clamor for contrived rituals of artificial significance like Burning Man, given the utter bankruptcy of meaning in their corporatized culture? Should we be surprised that they cling to identities, clusters of consumption patterns, that seem lifted from the ads-targeting system at Facebook: “hipster millennials,” “urban mommies,” “affluent suburbanites”? Ortega y Gasset wrote: “Men play at tragedy because they do not believe in the reality of the tragedy which is actually being staged in the civilized world.” Tragedy plays like the IPO were bound to pale for those who felt the call of real tragedy, the tragedy that poets once captured in verse, and that fathers once passed on to sons. Would the inevitable descendants of that cheering courtyard crowd one day gather with their forebears, perhaps in front of a fireplace, and ask, “Hey, Grandpa, what was it like to be at the Facebook IPO?” the way previous generations asked about Normandy or the settling of the Western frontier? I doubt it. Even as a participant in this false Mass, the temporary thrill giving way quickly to fatigue and a budding hangover, I wondered what would happen to the culture when it couldn’t even produce spectacles like this anymore.

Wachovia Bank Foreclosures: Understanding the Process and What You Need to Know Wachovia Bank, once a prominent financial institution in the United States, was known for offering various financial services, including mortgage lending. However, like many other banks, Wachovia faced its challenges during the 2008 financial crisis, and its mortgage operations were affected. Many individuals found themselves facing foreclosure on loans held by Wachovia. Understanding the foreclosure process associated with Wachovia Bank and how it impacts homeowners can help individuals navigate this difficult situation. What Is Foreclosure? Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender, such as Wachovia Bank, takes possession of a property from the homeowner who has defaulted on their mortgage payments. The process begins after the homeowner misses several payments, and the lender attempts to recover the outstanding loan balance by selling the property. In many cases, foreclosure results in the homeowner losing their property. The Wachovia Bank Foreclosure Process Although Wachovia Bank no longer operates under its original name (having been acquired by Wells Fargo in 2008), the foreclosure process involving Wachovia loans follows similar steps to those of other financial institutions. Here’s an overview of how the foreclosure process typically works: Missed Payments and Default Foreclosure begins when a homeowner misses several mortgage payments. Typically, the lender will send reminders and notices of default. If payments are not made within the stipulated time frame (usually after 90 days), the lender initiates formal foreclosure proceedings. Notice of Default After a homeowner defaults on their mortgage, the lender will send a Notice of Default (NOD). This notice serves as an official warning that the lender intends to foreclose on the property unless the homeowner can bring the mortgage payments up to date. Pre-Foreclosure and Auction If the homeowner does not resolve the arrears or reach an agreement with Wachovia (or Wells Fargo, as the case may be), the lender may initiate a foreclosure auction. This is when the property is put up for sale to recover the outstanding loan balance. The auction typically occurs at the county courthouse or through an online platform. Post-Foreclosure Sale If no buyer comes forward at the foreclosure auction, the property may become "bank-owned" or "REO" (Real Estate Owned) by Wells Fargo. In this situation, the bank will attempt to sell the property on the open market, often at a discounted price, to recover the debt. Potential Consequences of Wachovia Bank Foreclosures Loss of Property The most obvious consequence of foreclosure is the loss of the property. Homeowners will have to vacate the home and may be forced into temporary housing or an apartment. Credit Score Impact Foreclosure can significantly damage a homeowner's credit score, making it more difficult to secure future loans or obtain favorable interest rates. Deficiency Judgment In some cases, if the foreclosure sale does not cover the full mortgage balance, the lender may pursue a deficiency judgment against the homeowner for the remaining amount owed. However, laws regarding deficiency judgments vary by state. Options for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure While foreclosure may seem inevitable, homeowners with a loan serviced by Wachovia (now under Wells Fargo) have several options to avoid foreclosure: Loan Modification Homeowners can work with the lender to modify the terms of the loan, such as reducing the interest rate or extending the loan term. This may make the payments more affordable. Short Sale A short sale occurs when the homeowner sells the property for less than the mortgage balance with the lender's approval. This can help avoid foreclosure while minimizing the financial damage.