Latest headline on the radio, reports are sketchy.

Fidel Castro resigns as President of Cuba due to ill health.

I KNOW NUTTTTT-ING! Yavol! :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X :-X

The resignation will assist in the transfer of power to Raoul Castro, Fidel's younger brother.

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1941945720080219?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Just die already, Fidel.

The resignation will assist in the transfer of power to Raoul Castro, Fidel's younger brother.


Wonder why the Cuban people would vote in another Castro?

Oh wait....

Wonder why the Cuban people would vote in another Castro?

Oh wait....


Yeah. Castro should have to win an election fair and square just like George W Bush had to.

Oh wait...

Well, I see that the US Trade Embargo on Cuba is finally working...

SWEET!

Soon I will finally be able to run over to the cigar store down the street and pick up some genuine Cohibas from Havana!  :) :) :)

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN1941945720080219?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Just die already, Fidel.


Awww, aren't you just a sweetheart.  I went to boarding school with a member of the Castro clan.  Perhaps it just the fact that I've heard stories about his human side.  Suppose I could say the same thing about Bush.  At least Fidel knows how to keep a Country in line, despite the U.S. constant threats to over run it.

Yeah. Castro should have to win an election fair and square just like George W Bush had to.

Oh wait...


;)  Shush, we're not supposed to know.

SWEET!

Soon I will finally be able to run over to the cigar store down the street and pick up some genuine Cohibas from Havana!  :) :) :)


Hey, they have Universal Health Care too!!!  While you're down there can you get my prescription refilled?  Tell them your a relative.  I'd rather pay less than $5 for a refill than $40.  :)

Fidel has had a long reign, nearly half a century, which is impressive by any standards.  I wouldn't trade U.S. citizenship for Cuban, that's for sure, but I would rather live under Fidel than most Latin American leaders.

The U.S., and particularly the American Right, hates Fidel more than any other leader in the hemisphere because he gave Uncle Sam the finger and managed to hang in there until he was too old and sick to do it anymore. 

We could have been friends with Castro, but Castro wanted Cuba for the Cubans, not the sugar barons and the Mafia dons. 

I don't think Raul will be able to cut it without making some sweeping reforms, however.

Fidel has had a long reign, nearly half a century, which is impressive by any standards.  I wouldn't trade U.S. citizenship for Cuban, that's for sure, but I would rather live under Fidel than most Latin American leaders.

The U.S., and particularly the American Right, hates Fidel more than any other leader in the hemisphere because he gave Uncle Sam the finger and managed to hang in there until he was too old and sick to do it anymore. 

We could have been friends with Castro, but Castro wanted Cuba for the Cubans, not the sugar barons and the Mafia dons. 

I don't think Raul will be able to cut it without making some sweeping reforms, however.


Exactly, in order to rule a Country for as long as he has, there has to be something to his abilities as a leader.

No one ever said he didn't truly have Cuba's interest at heart all his years.

Raul is not another Fidel.  With Raul the U.S. may try and annex Cuba.

Exactly, in order to rule a Country for as long as he has, there has to be something to his abilities as a leader.

No one ever said he didn't truly have Cuba's interest at heart all his years.

Raul is not another Fidel.  With Raul the U.S. may try and annex Cuba.

Another Puerto Rico?
:o

As soon as we lift the embargo, Cuban citizens living in America will go home for their doctor's appointments and come back the same day.  They'll have a special shuttle service from Miami to Havana just for that!  Talk about embarrassing. Of course, if the there's internal chaos and the Cuban infrastructure collapses, then quality of life will dwindle to Haitian levels and Cubans won't even want to go back to the home country.  We'll have to put the CIA on the case, after all they got rid of Castro in '62...

Oh wait....
;)

Another Puerto Rico?
:o

As soon as we lift the embargo, Cuban citizens living in America will go home for their doctor's appointments and come back the same day.  They'll have a special shuttle service from Miami to Havana just for that!  Talk about embarrassing. Of course, if the there's internal chaos and the Cuban infrastructure collapses, then quality of life will dwindle to Haitian levels and Cubans won't even want to go back to the home country.  We'll have to put the CIA on the case, after all they got rid of Castro in '62...

Oh wait....
;)


Yep, and the citezens of "Little Havana" will have nothing to complain about. Not being able to see relatives at Christmas.  The U.S. was saying the quality of life was that of Haiti because of Communism. (Age old Neo-con rhetoric)  Raul needs to invest in higher personal security if the CIA gonna try and do another hit.

Exactly, in order to rule a Country for as long as he has, there has to be something to his abilities as a leader.


Like Saddam Hussein?

They loved ol' Fidel Castro's paradise so much they jumped on rafts by the ten of thousands every year to make a perilous 90-mile journey across the ocean to Florida.

Well, I see that the US Trade Embargo on Cuba is finally working...


LOL!

Ant

Like Saddam Hussein?

They loved ol' Fidel Castro's paradise so much they jumped on rafts by the ten of thousands every year to make a perilous 90-mile journey across the ocean to Florida.


Who put Saddam in power?  Answer me that.  As for those who are jumping out of rafts by tens of thosands.  I know that's an over statement.  The Coast Guard quotes only a few hundred political dissidents.  You're going to mention Elian aren't you?  Don't bother, the U.S. was in the wrong on that one.

Like Saddam Hussein?

They loved ol' Fidel Castro's paradise so much they jumped on rafts by the ten of thousands every year to make a perilous 90-mile journey across the ocean to Florida.

 It is true many Cubans were not happy with Castro.  Some were indeed grievously mistreated.  I don't mean just the pre-revolutionary bourgeoisie, but also gays, artists, musicians, and dissident writers.  However, the level of unhappiness with the Castro regime is constantly overstated in the U.S. press, especially as compared to other Caribbean/Latin American nations.  

Tens of thousands?  I don't think so!  It is true many Cubans were not happy with Castro.  Some were indeed grievously mistreated.  I don't mean just the pre-revolutionary bourgeoisie, but also gays, artists, musicians, and dissident writers.  However, the level of unhappiness with the Castro regime is constantly overstated in the U.S. press, especially as compared to other Caribbean/Latin American nations. 


Cuba's mistreatment was mild compared to Chile.

As for those who are jumping out of rafts by tens of thosands.  I know that's an over statement.  The Coast Guard quotes only a few hundred political dissidents.


"The number of Cubans intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Border Patrol reached a post-Mariel high of almost 40,000 in 1994."

Source

"The number of Cubans intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard or the U.S. Border Patrol reached a post-Mariel high of almost 40,000 in 1994."

Source


Since 1994 Fidel has managed to increase the quality of life for Cubans to prevent this.  In other words see a problem, fix it.  Let's see here, now in Cuba if you're Gay no one cares.  (Government included)  Cuba also is home to the largest community of Sephardi Jews in the world.  Unlike Bush, Castro saw a mistake and fixed it.  I'm not going to say life is perfect down there but it sure beats Iran or Iraq.  You wouldn't happen to have the numbers since Fidel's human rights reforms would you?

David Letterman: Fidel will be succeeded by his idiot son, Fidel W. Castro

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FrFjQ4nu7HI

Since 1994 Fidel has managed to increase the quality of life for Cubans to prevent this.  In other words see a problem, fix it.  Let's see here, now in Cuba if you're Gay no one cares.  (Government included)  Cuba also is home to the largest community of Sephardi Jews in the world.  Unlike Bush, Castro saw a mistake and fixed it.  I'm not going to say life is perfect down there but it sure beats Iran or Iraq.  You wouldn't happen to have the numbers since Fidel's human rights reforms would you?


As they say, a picture says 1000 words.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39824000/jpg/_39824467_cuba203_ap.jpg

Cuba must be a really horrible place to live if people are that desperate to get out.

The new 'Scuba' car is a smash hit....already 100,000 orders....FROM CUBA! (my joke)

As they say, a picture says 1000 words.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39824000/jpg/_39824467_cuba203_ap.jpg

Cuba must be a really horrible place to live if people are that desperate to get out.


Oh absolutely.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc151/datdarnkid/621.jpg

I'm sure Cuba is like a lot of poorer countries.  It's probably a wonderful place to live if you're rich, but it sucks pretty bad if you're poor.

As many flaws as America might have, at least we have more freedoms and a higher standard of living.  This is why some Cubans float their way over here.

I'm sure Cuba is like a lot of poorer countries.  It's probably a wonderful place to live if you're rich, but it sucks pretty bad if you're poor.

As many flaws as America might have, at least we have more freedoms and a higher standard of living.  This is why some Cubans float their way over here.


How very true.  I think it's very important to look at all sides to it as you've just demonstrated.  I owe you karma. :)

In comparison to some Countries both Cuba and the U.S. are worthy places to immigrate to.

I'm sure Cuba is like a lot of poorer countries.  It's probably a wonderful place to live if you're rich, but it sucks pretty bad if you're poor.
Sounds like the U.S.

As many flaws as America might have, at least we have more freedoms and a higher standard of living.
We're working on it.  Our standard of living has deteriorated signficantly since my youth. The facade of wealth debt both personal and national has propped up is coming apart.

  This is why some Cubans float their way over here.

Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida.  The short distance accounts for the frequency of attempts.  In other words, if the distance was 400 miles, far fewer would chance the waves on a web of old tires. 

This Castro won't last long. I truly hope they can maintain their identity once the embargo ends :-\\ Something tells me Fidel was the only one who could keep the US from taking over Cuba.

Sounds like the U.S.
We're working on it.  Our standard of living has deteriorated signficantly since my youth. The facade of wealth debt both personal and national has propped up is coming apart.

 Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida.  The short distance accounts for the frequency of attempts.  In other words, if the distance was 400 miles, far fewer would chance the waves on a web of old tires. 


I'm middle class.  I'm doing fine.  I won't deny that I'd like to move to Canada some day, but I'd sure as hell take America over Cuba.

I'm middle class.  I'm doing fine.  I won't deny that I'd like to move to Canada some day, but I'd sure as hell take America over Cuba.

Is there an echo?  I said the same thing earlier.  I would not trade the U.S. for Cuba.

Enjoy your stint in the middle class, it's like a snowdrift in April.
:o

Hold your horses...he's not dead yet http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-22-voa46.cfm

Hold your horses...he's not dead yet http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-22-voa46.cfm


The U.S. needs to keep quiet until Fidel is among the living impaired and they get a feel for Raul leadership.

Hey Bush, kindly insert your foot in your mouth and keep it there.

I hope the Embargo gets lifted soon.

I hope the Embargo gets lifted soon.


I suppose you also want the U.S. to Annex Cuba too?  Don't think either will happen to soon.  Funny how Raul mentions possibly working on U.S.-Cuba relations the U.S. automatically brings up annexing.  The only good thing about annexing Cuba is that most of the Cubans that are there are Socialist.  That ought to make Republicans cringe.

I suppose you also want the U.S. to Annex Cuba too?  Don't think either will happen to soon.  Funny how Raul mentions possibly working on U.S.-Cuba relations the U.S. automatically brings up annexing.  The only good thing about annexing Cuba is that most of the Cubans that are there are Socialist.  That ought to make Republicans cringe.


No, just U.S.-Cuba Relations no annexation. We don't need another war. (And yes, JFK nearly got the U.S. into war with Cuba, but it never meddled.)

Hold your horses...he's not dead yet http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-22-voa46.cfm


I feel happy! I feel happy!
;)

Yeah. Castro should have to win an election fair and square just like George W Bush had to.

Oh wait...


BURN!!!!!


I just got around to reading that, and I actually laughed out loud. Good one.

Hold your horses...he's not dead yet http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-02-22-voa46.cfm


Does nobody else appreciate the irony of him wearing an ADIDAS tracksuit?

The U.S. relations with Cuba really baffles me. Because we have this dictator on the left-he is such a "bad guy"-a member of the "axis of evil" type thing. But yet, the U.S. can cuttle to nasty dictators on the right (i.e. Pinochet) and that is ok. If the U.S. Government was smart (Yeah, I know, I know  ::) )- they would have lifted the embargo a LONG time ago and then you would have had U.S. influence on the people of Cuba. But, by having the embargo-for 50 years, mind you-longer than my lifetime, Cuba has been isolated where the majority of ordinary Cubans believe the anti-American rhetoric that is fed to them (even if some of it is true). Also, I think that the U.S. Government is scared s**tless to open up Cuba to Americans because Americans will see that universal SOCIALIZED medicine does indeed work as well as free education for all. We can't have that happen-because then the American people will be demanding that, too and where would that leave the health insurance and pharmaceutical companies? 



Cat

Does nobody else appreciate the irony of him wearing an ADIDAS tracksuit?


Besides poor fashion sense.  I think it means retirement community bound.

Does nobody else appreciate the irony of him wearing an ADIDAS tracksuit?


You noticed that too ;D Now the real irony would be NIKE,right?

You noticed that too ;D Now the real irony would be NIKE,right?


Thank you!  ;D ;D

Does nobody else appreciate the irony of him wearing an ADIDAS tracksuit?


The Iranian leader shows up in Members Only jackets still....maybe the Salvation Army just started there.

Does nobody else appreciate the irony of him wearing an ADIDAS tracksuit?


All Day I Dream About Sex
???

If relations with Cuba are "normalized" and the government agrees to free its political prisoners, where does that leave us and Guantanamo?

The Iranian leader shows up in Members Only jackets still....maybe the Salvation Army just started there.


Did he have the sleeves bunched up on his arms?  Don'tcha just love those attempts at being cool?

If relations with Cuba are "normalized" and the government agrees to free its political prisoners, where does that leave us and Guantanamo?


I guess the closing of Guantanamo would be part of the deal, unless the U.S. can weasel it's way out of not closing it.  It was doing Cuba no economic or political good anyway.

I guess the closing of Guantanamo would be part of the deal, unless the U.S. can weasel it's way out of not closing it.  It was doing Cuba no economic or political good anyway.


The point is, if we pressure Cuba to let it's political prisoners go, how does the administration continue to justify the injustices we have been perpertrating down there?

The point is, if we pressure Cuba to let it's political prisoners go, how does the administration continue to justify the injustices we have been perpertrating down there?


I know, but have you ever known the United States to "play fair"?  It's like the Bush Administration saying the CIA doesn't use torture.  Waterboarding (or methods like it) have been used as torture since the Middle Ages.  In the eyes of the current administration we are exempt from everything.  However we feel it is our moral duty to tell other Countries how to behave.  Perhaps the next administration will be more willing to be realistic in their thinking.

I read they even had an election. of course it was "the assembly" that voted

I read they even had an election. of course it was "the assembly" that voted


Actually, when we started out it was the Congress who voted for the President.  They didn't have an election like we do now. 

Actually, when we started out it was the Congress who voted for the President.  They didn't have an election like we do now. 


Then of course there is the Electoral College that pretty much picks the President.