Is Fidel Still Alive?

[Ben]

There is some speculation in Spain that Fidel is dead, and that they are delaying the news to ensure a smooth transition to power for his brother, what do you think?

[Ben]

Question 2 - Would you book a holiday to Cuba right now? (Our neighbour is there, wonder how comfortable he's feeling right now???)

[Edith]

There is some speculation in Spain that Fidel is dead, and that they are delaying the news to ensure a smooth transition to power for his brother, what do you think?

Of course, this is just speculation. It wouldn't surprise me, though, if he has been diagnosed with colon cancer (rectal bleeding, big operation!). Who knows, maybe he is an 'open-and-shut case' and has only been given a few more weeks or months to live. Something must be going on in Havana - that's for sure.

[Marbella]

I only found out the other day that Castro's father was a Galician.

I wouldn't go there now but then again I've never had any interest to go - is there anything that I am missing? I did know a Spanish man, who was going out with a friend of ours, who went off to Cuba with his mates, "on a golfing holiday". Not the first place I'd think of if I played golf that's for sure.

[Pepino]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if he were already dead. It reminds me of the old Soviet days where leaders would die but ironically remain "in power" for months afterwards. You can just imagine the frantic organisation/panic going on behind the scenes if he really is dead.

I've not read the news today so I might be out of date, but last I heard, he hadn't been seen in public (although this is perfectly reasonable given his "condition"), but more telling is the fact that his brother (and nominated successor) hasn't been seen either. If he were to be seen looking like he's in the driving seat, then people might start to panic about what was going on. The Cuban government seems to be pretending that Fidel is sat up in bed, smoking a cigar and running the country, and any other image in the minds of the public might unsettle them.

[Jimmy]

Nah - he's just like a good cigar - Knock the ash off, re-light, and you'll get plenty more out of it !!! ;D

[Edith]

I only found out the other day that Castro's father was a Galician.

I wouldn't go there now but then again I've never had any interest to go - is there anything that I am missing? I did know a Spanish man, who was going out with a friend of ours, who went off to Cuba with his mates, "on a golfing holiday". Not the first place I'd think of if I played golf that's for sure.

Cuba is the heartland of salsa music (think of the Buena Vista Social Club!) and salsa fans from all over the world go there to experience the 'real thing'. And there's more than just salsa. Cuba's musical tradition is one of the richest in the Caribbean.

[ValenciaSon]

Cuba is the heartland of salsa music (think of the Buena Vista Social Club!) and salsa fans from all over the world go there to experience the 'real thing'. And there's more than just salsa. Cuba's musical tradition is one of the richest in the Caribbean.


If Cuba became a free and open society, there would a whole lot of ultra-talented musicians coming out of poverty.

[ValenciaSon]

Question 2 - Would you book a holiday to Cuba right now? (Our neighbour is there, wonder how comfortable he's feeling right now???)


I would be curious to go but I don't want to go to jail.

[Edith]

If Cuba became a free and open society, there would a whole lot of ultra-talented musicians coming out of poverty.

Absolutely! I hope there will be a peaceful transition soon.

[Edith]

I would be curious to go but I don't want to go to jail.

I don't think they will harm tourists, though.

More on Fidel from the BBC's Spanish-language world service:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_5240000/5240742.stm#

[Brian]

There is some speculation in Spain that Fidel is dead, and that they are delaying the news to ensure a smooth transition to power for his brother, what do you think?

Oooh! I love a good conspiracy theory! I bet that he's still living, but barely. It would also not surprise me to see civil war in Cuba.

As for traveling in Cuba, Americans aren't quite their favorites right now, so, probably not.

My mother in law is currently visiting friends in Miami, and she says that there is full-scale partying in the streets over Fidel's impending demise.

[Pepino]

Is Cuba really such an unstable society that a Civil War could break out so easily? Alright, the Cuban people have suffered terrible political oppression, but they are relatively well educated, aren't they? And it doesn't strike me as the tinderbox that Iraq was given that the Iraqi people were heavily armed and had been whiped into an engineered frenzy of hatred. Guns were everywhere, and even more so when Saddam saw the inevitable 2003 invasion coming and spread weapons amongst society even more.

Cuba just seems to me to have much more in common with the Spain of the 1970's than any of the more recent "transition to democracy" horror stories we see constantly in the news.

My hope would be that the US doesn't do anything to appear to be pulling the strings of the transition process, but it will obviously have a role to play, but as a supportive neighbour rather than anything less altruistic.

Blimey, listen to me, talking like the guy's already dead!! Or is he?? :o hehe

[Brian]

Cuba just seems to me to have much more in common with the Spain of the 1970's than any of the more recent "transition to democracy" horror stories we see constantly in the news.


It really is difficult to see if they are similar to Spain, or more likely to plung into the darkness that seems to prevail over many of the governments in Latin America.


My hope would be that the US doesn't do anything to appear to be pulling the strings of the transition process, but it will obviously have a role to play, but as a supportive neighbour rather than anything less altruistic.


You're kidding, right? Cuba has missiles pointed at the US, and they're situated less than 100 miles from Florida. So, yeah, I'm sure that they'll want to have some part of the transition, right or wrong. I just hope that they don't get involved militarily. :thumbs-down:

[Pepino]

Agreed, you can't just smile and wave when your neighbour has weapons pointed at you, but I just think it's time for the more traditional subtle diplomacy to make a come back, rather than the heavy handed approach we've all gotten so used to in recent years.

Although, I think they'll be a collective groan and rolling of eyes the minute we hear terms like "the Washington approved candidate" etc being banded about.

[ogando]

I do not think he is dead.
Fidel has always made sure that he is never seen as anything less than a strong leader. I think that is why we will not see photos of him in his hospital bed. The same reason we never see photos of him with his wife or his many children. Here he is photographed not too long ago, a picture of health:

[Brian]

I do not think he is dead.
Fidel has always made sure that he is never seen as anything less than a strong leader. I think that is why we will not see photos of him in his hospital bed. The same reason we never see photos of him with his wife or his many children. Here he is photographed not too long ago, a picture of health:

jaja, have you been taking Photoshop lessons from ValenciaSon? ;D This could start up a whole new thread. "Where's Fidel?"

[Brian]

Agreed, you can't just smile and wave when your neighbour has weapons pointed at you, but I just think it's time for the more traditional subtle diplomacy to make a come back, rather than the heavy handed approach we've all gotten so used to in recent years.


Agreed. Henry Kissinger, where are you?

[Brian]

Evidently he's enjoying great health these days, just recovering from holidays in Pamplona.

119

More Castro Sightings (http://www.worth1000.com/cache/contest/contestcache.asp?contest_id=11305&display=photoshop)

[Pepino]

jaja, have you been taking Photoshop lessons from ValenciaSon? ;D This could start up a whole new thread. "Where's Fidel?"

I guess we should soon expect to see lots of "Elvis-style" sightings of Fidel doing normal everyday things.... Popping up in the background of news reports wearing a "Choose Life" T-Shirt, or spotted picking up a few bargains down at his local Asda-Walmart store (Well, it might save us from having to watch Sharon Osborne pretending she buys no-frills toilet roll!! ;D )

PS. Fidel looks awful in that baseball pic. He's got exactly the same face on him that my Great Aunt Ivy had the day she had her haemorroids cortarised! :eek:

[Edith]

It really is difficult to see if they are similar to Spain, or more likely to plung into the darkness that seems to prevail over many of the governments in Latin America.

Brazil (Lula), Chile (Bachelet) and Argentina (Kirchner) really appear to have recovered from their totalitarian past, though.

[Brian]

Brazil (Lula), Chile (Bachelet) and Argentina (Kirchner) really appear to have recovered from their totalitarian past, though.

That's wonderful, but they're definitely the exceptions to the rule.

[ogando]

jaja, have you been taking Photoshop lessons from ValenciaSon? ;D This could start up a whole new thread. "Where's Fidel?"

Actually, this was not the work of photoshop, but a game played in 2000 and the photo was shot for Reuters. Here is the link:
http://www.20minutos.es/galeria/1397/0/19/

[deecree]

Fidel is busy bonding with his new born...

[Edith]

Fidel is busy bonding with his new born...

I thought Arnold Schwarzenegger was the only male ever known to have given birth to a baby... :D

[ValenciaSon]

I don't think they will harm tourists, though.

More on Fidel from the BBC's Spanish-language world service:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_5240000/5240742.stm#





I was actually referring to an American jail. It is illegal for US citizens to go to Cuba (unless they are serving at Gulag Guantanamo)

[deecree]

I was actually referring to an American jail. It is illegal for US citizens to go to Cuba (unless they are serving at Gulag Guantanamo)

As if just to insult Fidel's socialist beliefs, doesn't the $10,000 fine allow you (particularly the rich and able) to avoid all punishment?

mmmm capitalism :smug:

[osvaldo]

I for one hope he's dead! I was born in Cuba, and still have a lot of family there.

I'm not going to get into a political discussion because it's way too hot of a topic for me.

But, for those of you that choose to believe the fascist propaganda than comes out of that banana republic, do yourself a favor, and do some research -- read Amnesty Internationals reports on Cuba.

[ValenciaSon]

jaja, have you been taking Photoshop lessons from ValenciaSon? ;D This could start up a whole new thread. "Where's Fidel?"


Someone looking for Fidel?

[Edith]

I was actually referring to an American jail. It is illegal for US citizens to go to Cuba

:eek:

But Ry Cooder went there for his music sessions with the Buena Vista Social Club.

[ValenciaSon]

:eek:

But Ry Cooder went there for his music sessions with the Buena Vista Social Club.

If you recall in the documentary, he sought special permission from the US State Department.

[Edith]

If you recall in the documentary, he sought special permission from the US State Department.

Oh... OK! :)

[Alan]

You're kidding, right? Cuba has missiles pointed at the US, and they're situated less than 100 miles from Florida. So, yeah, I'm sure that they'll want to have some part of the transition, right or wrong. I just hope that they don't get involved militarily. :thumbs-down: Agreed, you can't just smile and wave when your neighbour has weapons pointed at you . . .
Britain manages . . .

[Edith]

Britain manages . . .

Hey, we're your next-door neighbors! :wave:

[celia s]

I have heard that the Bush administration is starting to fine Americans who travel to Cuba by way of third countries (eg.Canada).Has this deterred many Americans?

[ValenciaSon]

Britain manages . . .

Like at la islas Malvinas:blush:?

[Brian]

Like at la islas Malvinas:blush:?

*coughcough*

[osvaldo]

I have heard that the Bush administration is starting to fine Americans who travel to Cuba by way of third countries (eg.Canada).Has this deterred many Americans?

Most definitely! I myself don't know of any Americans who have visited Cuba.

[Pepino]

*coughcough*

Hey guys. Sorry to be dumb, but this tongue in cheek comment got me thinking about whether there's a whole American (or at least non-British) opinion regarding the Falklands that I've never tapped into.

Being a Brit who was at primary school (aged about 8/9 during the Falklands War) we were brought up at the time being told that the Falklands were about as British as you could get, and everyone my age clearly remembers the image of Maggie Thatcher driving that tank in her headscarf (hilarious in any other circumstances! :D ) We used to have daily Assemblies where our teacher would give us her take on the progress of the war.

Is there a whole other opinion on the situation that perhaps things aren't as I see them? Educate me :reader: please.

[Pepino]

Hey, just found the pic...

http://81.137.246.130/chrishoy/thatcherTank-1988.jpg

Funny as! Makes me do a little wee... :blush:

[Alan]

Well, my dad was ready to go fight in the Falklands war and he's not even a soldier. The feeling was pretty strong. But propaganda can make populations believe silly things. I don't know what claim Britain should have to the Malvinas, but the feeling was just that Argentina shouldn't have invaded the way they did. And I still don't think they should have.

But, I would like to say that I don't agree with Britain holding onto the Malvinas, just as I don't agree with America holding onto Guantánamo.

I was really referring to the fact that I have heard that America has missiles trained onto just about every nation on Earth. And, as a Scot, I don't like the fact that American missiles are based in Scotland due to decisions mostly made by England, because they wouldn't be able to reach the rest of Europe otherwise. I know there are a lot of proud Americans on this forum: please believe that I don't intend to insult your country, but I don't like its foreign policy. And Britain's is only slightly better.

[Marbella]

But, I would like to say that I don't agree with Britain holding onto the Malvinas, just as I don't agree with America holding onto Guantánamo.


If the people of the Falklands want to remain British, like those in Gibraltar then what's the problem? We could use the same argument about Ceuta and Melilla, even the Canary Islands. Strategically it's quite useful for us (Britain) to keep the base in the Falklands.


And, as a Scot, I don't like the fact that American missiles are based in Scotland due to decisions mostly made by England


How was this an English decision and not a British one?


I know there are a lot of proud Americans on this forum: please believe that I don't intend to insult your country, but I don't like its foreign policy.

It's thanks to American foreign policy, and the relationship that Britain has with America that this tiny island is so powerful and influential. I know whose side I want to be on. The world owes a huge debt to the US and I feel this fact is too quickly forgotten these days.

[Alan]

How was this an English decision and not a British one?


I said mostly England. It's sheer numbers. It was a British decision, but Britain is mostly England. Scotland does not like these weapons being here. That is the truth.

[Marbella]

I said mostly England. It's sheer numbers. It was a British decision, but Britain is mostly England. Scotland does not like these weapons being here. That is the truth.

Ok, thanks. What is the objection? Is it the danger from these things accidently exploding and/or Scotland being a target if a foreign power wanted to blow up these missiles? Where should they be based, if at all?

[Alan]

Ok, thanks. What is the objection? Is it the danger from these things accidently exploding and/or Scotland being a target if a foreign power wanted to blow up these missiles? Where should they be based, if at all?
No :) It's nothing to do with them being accidentally blown up. I can only speak for myself, but I don't want anything to do with America's foreign policy. Or Britain's for that matter. I feel bad for the things they're doing, with Scotland/Britain's help. So, they shouldn't be here at all in my opinion.

[ValenciaSon]

I know there are a lot of proud Americans on this forum: please believe that I don't intend to insult your country, but I don't like its foreign policy. And Britain's is only slightly better.[/quote]




Well not all or even the majority of Americans are so hawkish. In fact, most of us disagree with our president's polices, evidenced by the fact that he has had the lowest approval rating in the history of US presidents. :thumbs-down:

If I had my druthers, we would not be in Guantanamo so you are preaching to the choir there.:D


The UK had very little presence at las islas Malvinas for a while and then decided to reassert that presence after so many years. Until then it was pretty much Argentina's burden. Well before this, there has been a precedent set that if you ignore your colony for a certain time, it will independently find its own way.:rolleyes:

[Pepino]

It's a good job we're in the Off-topic area, as we've gone from poor old Fidel's possible gastric problems, to British/Scottish devolution issues. :eek:

I said mostly England. It's sheer numbers. It was a British decision, but Britain is mostly England. Scotland does not like these weapons being here. That is the truth.

It is absolutely true that Britain is mostly England - population wise, but Alan will know that there's a huge anomoly in British/Scottish politics these days that has tipped the balance North of the border on many issues.

Basically...

1. Britain has a national parliament in Westminster (made up of MP's from every corner of Britain) that makes national decisions.

2. Scotland has it's own regional parliament in Edinburgh that contains ONLY Scottish MP's and has complete power over a number of areas (although, admittedly, Foreign policy isn't one of them and therefore still sits in Westminster's bag)

3. When Westminster debates/votes on an issue that ONLY affects England, the Scottish MP's can still vote in it!! But there are NO English MP's in Edinburgh, so we have NO say over votes affecting only Scotland.

This situation is totally unfair and bordering on corrupt. Tony Blair knows that he relies on the Labour dominance in Scotland and the Scottish MP's based in Westminster that this gives him, to help give him the numbers to carry his more controversial votes through. If he was honest enough to recognise the anomoly and exclude Scottish MP's from any English-only votes, then I would be praising him, but this move is unlikely given the Conservative party's tentative improvements lately and the fact that this will mean poor old Tony relies even more on those Scottish MP's in the Westminster parliament.

Whether all this actually gives any REAL benefit to Scotland is debateable. It probably doesn't in practice, as the benefit of having these "extra" MPs is only really used when Blair wants to push through something that's controvsersial on a National level, so they aren't used to get any real special treatment for the people North of the Border who they are supposed to represent.

[Alan]

Absolutely :) If it makes you feel any better, I have no interest in having influence over English-only matters. The Scottish National Party don't vote in Westminster unless it has an impact on Scotland. It's Labour who are the winners in this situation. I bet you that as soon as there are different parties in power in Holyrood and Westminster, the West-Lothian question will be solved.

I don't think the current situation particularly gives more power to Scotland. It does to Labour. And I don't even believe that our Parliament has real power. Scottish Labour does what they are told :)

But you're right - back to Castro.

[Brian]

Hey guys. Sorry to be dumb, but this tongue in cheek comment got me thinking about whether there's a whole American (or at least non-British) opinion regarding the Falklands that I've never tapped into.

Is there a whole other opinion on the situation that perhaps things aren't as I see them? Educate me :reader: please.

To be honest, I haven't thought about the Malvinas conflict in many years, and I for one see it as a strange little chapter that was an aberration in England's history.

[Pepino]

It interests me that everyone even refers to the islands as Las Malvinas. At first I thought this was just to keep the Spanish flavour on the forums, until Brian directly referred to it as "The Malvinas Conflict". If you used this term on 99% of British people, they wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about, but mention the Falklands War, and the penny drops instantly.

I think the Falklands was the last major test of Britains military power, and luckily for us, it paid off. If Argentina was to invade again tomorrow, I fear the outcome would be very different.

[richardksa]

I think the Falklands was the last major test of Britains military power, and luckily for us, it paid off. If Argentina was to invade again tomorrow, I fear the outcome would be very different.

Maybe as a test of the British Government's resolve, but I feel the military's position would be quite definate. It's ours, we go and protect it. (If, of course, we could spare the manpower from "peacekeeping" duties elsewhere. We are spread quite thin at the moment.)

[ValenciaSon]

I wonder what the occupants of las isals Mavinas have to say about all this.

[Pepino]

I wonder what the occupants of las isals Mavinas have to say about all this.

Everything we seem to hear in the UK is that the occupants are overwhelmingly in favour of remaining British. I don't think Notes in Spanish's international reach has made it to the Falklands yet, but if there are any Foreros out there in Port Stanley hanckering after some Argentinian "Mate" to replace their afternoon "cuppa tea" then please step forward :)

[Alan]

I don't think our media are quite as objective as they used to be. I would take that with a pinch of salt. One only has to compare the reports about Castro from British TV compared to Spanish TV to see what I mean.

[richardksa]

Re the Falklands: Could it be that if they favoured Argentina they fear being overrun by people who don't live far away. Residents of Britain are most unlikely to want to move to such an isolated (from the British point of view) place, so leaving them in peace.

[Pepino]

I think if I lived there, I'd rather be under British administration rather than Argentinian, given that the Argentine ecomony has been through such a rocky period. From a political point of view too, going back a little further, it has plenty of past history of dictators and general political turmoil, so it seems if they're looking for a quiet life, then the status quo gives them the best chance of this. I know things are much more stable now over there, but you still never know what's just around the corner.

[Alan]

Britain's 'forgotten' invasion of Argentina:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4779479.stm

[Edith]

I think if I lived there, I'd rather be under British administration rather than Argentinian, given that the Argentine ecomony has been through such a rocky period. From a political point of view too, going back a little further, it has plenty of past history of dictators and general political turmoil, so it seems if they're looking for a quiet life, then the status quo gives them the best chance of this. I know things are much more stable now over there, but you still never know what's just around the corner.

Since many - if not most - inhabitants of these islands are English-speaking people, being part of Britain would make more sense anyway. Nevertheless, I considered the Falklands/Malvinas war to be a tragedy. All those lives lost on both sides for a couple of bleak, desolate islands...

[ValenciaSon]

Since many - if not most - inhabitants of these islands are English-speaking people, being part of Britain would make more sense anyway. Nevertheless, I considered the Falklands/Malvinas war to be a tragedy. All those lives lost on both sides for a couple of bleak, desolate islands...



And we still can't find Fidel!;)

[greytop]

SAll those lives lost on both sides for a couple of bleak, desolate islands...
Ah, being a cynic I suspect the rich fishing and maybe oil or seabed minerals would seem to make any sacrifice worth it for the UK/US governments.
All the TV programmes I've seen about the islands suggest they want to stay part of Britain, but they would, having been that way for many years. It's the same impasse we've reached with Gibraltar and Spain and no solution will ever keep everyone happy in either case. They are slowly reaching some sort of compromise over Gib. so maybe one day can do the same for the Falklands/Malvinas. The best thing Argentina can do is get it's own house in order and make the idea of joining them so attractive the islanders will opt for that!

[Edith]

And we still can't find Fidel!;)

The last thing I heard about Fidel came by mouth of Hugo Chávez. who was cited in the news yesterday. According to Chávez, Castro has been taken off the intensive care unit although his situation is still critical. For what it's worth...

Here, four well-known Latin Americans (Mario Benedetti, Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Ernesto Cardenal and Carlos Alberto Montaner) express their opinion about the dictator:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/spanish/specials/1659_fidel_80/

[ValenciaSon]

The last thing I heard about Fidel came by mouth of Hugo Chávez. who was cited in the news yesterday. According to Chávez, Castro has been taken off the intensive care unit although his situation is still critical. For what it's worth...

Here, four well-known Latin Americans (Mario Benedetti, Alvaro Vargas Llosa, Ernesto Cardenal and Carlos Alberto Montaner) express their opinion about the dictator:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/spanish/specials/1659_fidel_80/



I heard on NPR that Fidel had GI surgery and was recovering. I guess news of his demise was slightly exaggerated:blush:

[Edith]

I heard on NPR that Fidel had GI surgery and was recovering. I guess news of his demise was slightly exaggerated:blush:

But we still don't know what is really the matter with him, whether they have found a malignancy or not. Anyway, I hope for the Cubans that there will be a peaceful transition to democracy soon. Batista was a dictator too and armed opposition against him was understandable, but Castro should never have joined the Soviet camp. At least not in my opinion. Many people who supported him at first turned away from him after he embraced the Marxist-Leninist doctrine, including his own sister who lives in Miami now. Castro has turned out to be an implacable, cruel old man who is afraid of peaceful political opponents and gays. What does he think to achieve with those eight-hour-long speeches on TV? I have got to grant the regime one thing, though: its literacy campaign and its health care system. But there is no political freedom in Cuba and democratic changes are sorely needed. People can't even own a restaurant.

[Marbella]

The Guardian published today (http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1842977,00.html) a shortened translation of a piece by Gabriel García Márquez which is worth reading more for the outstanding quality of the writing than the subject matter.

The full article can be read from Granma, the Cuban communist newspaper, in English here (http://www.granma.cu/INGLES/2006/agosto/lun7/33gabo.html), or in Spanish here (http://www.granma.cu/espanol/2006/agosto/vier4/33gabo-e.html).


"A man of austere habits and insatiable illusions, with an old-fashioned formal education of cautious words and subdued tones, and incapable of conceiving any idea that is not colossal."

Wow!

----------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S.
A clever deviation by the translator from the Spanish version I noticed. Colossal seems perfect to me but in Spanish Márquez uses 'descomunal'. Is there a reason for this, assuming that Márquez only writes in Spanish?

[Edith]

Marbella "A man of austere habits and insatiable illusions, with an old-fashioned formal education of cautious words and subdued tones, and incapable of conceiving any idea that is not colossal."

It's obvious he is very intelligent, but his Jesuit upbringing hasn't taught him to listen to others who disagree with him and be a true mensch. Like all dictators he's kind of scary.

[cubix]

Well tomorrow the 13th is his 80th birthday, it is pretty amazing he has gone all these years with decent health. Think of how many 80 year olds you know that run a country(pope maybe?)

I don't care either way, I don't understand the US's reasons for the sanctions against cuba, don't we have better things for the coast guard and all the paper pushers, investigators, political reports, and all the others to be doing.

[Edith]

Well tomorrow the 13th is his 80th birthday, it is pretty amazing he has gone all these years with decent health. Think of how many 80 year olds you know that run a country(pope maybe?)

I don't care either way, I don't understand the US's reasons for the sanctions against cuba, don't we have better things for the coast guard and all the paper pushers, investigators, political reports, and all the others to be doing.

Although I don't like Castro I don't understand the sanctions either because the US maintains diplomatic relationships with another Communist country, i.e. the People's Republic of China, which is also known for its gross human rights violations. Why this double standard?

[ValenciaSon]

Although I don't like Castro I don't understand the sanctions either because the US maintains diplomatic relationships with another Communist country, i.e. the People's Republic of China, which is also known for its gross human rights violations. Why this double standard?

One difference between our relations with the two counties is that there is a significant Republican political party presence from the Cuban-American community that supports the Cuban embargo and will not entertain anything more diplomatic because the Cuban-Americans carry scarred memories of their life in Cuba and how much they suffered under Castro's regime.

I for one think we should adopt the same approach we are using with China and let the people's enjoyment of increased capital evolve Cuba's policies towards a more open country. That is a debate that currently takes place on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

[Edith]

I for one think we should adopt the same approach we are using with China and let the people's enjoyment of increased capital evolve Cuba's policies towards a more open country. That is a debate that currently takes place on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

I think you are right. This is also the opinion of a Cuban dissident in Havana who was interviewed by Radio Nederland Wereldomroep:

http://www.informarn.nl/informes/americas/cuba/Fidel_Castro/act060810_cubamenoyo

[richardksa]

It has always been my contention that the US embargo is the reason Castro has stayed in power so long. If American citizens could go there freely and distrubute their dollars where ever they wanted the people would have the financial muscle to rise up. Kept poor and ignorant, they have remained in desperate servitude to the whims of an old man. I have seen African nations transformed by unfettered western investment. Dictators like isolation. The people cannot compare their lives with other countries standards and complain.

[Jimmy]

U.S. embargo on Cuba

The cigar became inextricably intertwined with political history on February 7, 1962, when United States President John F. Kennedy, intending to sanction Fidel Castro's communist government, imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. Americans were thus prohibited from purchasing what were at the time considered the finest cigars on the market, and Cuba was deprived of a large portion of its customers. According to Pierre Salinger, then Kennedy's press secretary, the president ordered him on the evening of February 6 to obtain a thousand Petit H. Upmanns Cuban cigars; upon Salinger's arrival with the cigars the following morning (he obtained 1,200), Kennedy signed the executive order which put the embargo into effect. :rolleyes: :smoker:

[Edith]

U.S. embargo on Cuba

The cigar became inextricably intertwined with political history on February 7, 1962, when United States President John F. Kennedy, intending to sanction Fidel Castro's communist government, imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. Americans were thus prohibited from purchasing what were at the time considered the finest cigars on the market, and Cuba was deprived of a large portion of its customers. According to Pierre Salinger, then Kennedy's press secretary, the president ordered him on the evening of February 6 to obtain a thousand Petit H. Upmanns Cuban cigars; upon Salinger's arrival with the cigars the following morning (he obtained 1,200), Kennedy signed the executive order which put the embargo into effect. :rolleyes: :smoker:

;D

[greytop]

Link (http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=6d0a0350-ac8e-4fc3-91a6-089f9949621a) to a news item suggesting he is alive but in his own words "be prepared for the worst" or at least a long recovery. And of course pictures don't lie do they ValenciaSon?

[Edith]

And here are the pictures from Juventud Rebelde, the state-owned newspaper which published them:

http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/


http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/UserFiles/Image/2006/agosto/fidel-castro/fidel-castro-4.jpg

[Alan]

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6012/castrosandwichyv6.jpg
(http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6012/castrosandwichyv6.jpg)

[Edith]

At first I thought I saw three pictures of a wild boar! (Fidel's ear being the boar's snout). Maybe this is because I watch Animal Planet too often! :D

[Edith]

I just saw Castro on TV, and I've got to admit I feel sorry for the guy no matter what he has done since he looked very sick. He has lost a lot of weight. More on BBC Mundo:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_5307000/5307718.stm

[Brian]

Eeks. It's very difficult for me to feel sorry for a dictator such as he.

[Edith]

Eeks. It's very difficult for me to feel sorry for a dictator such as he.

I know what you mean. But I remember we had a discussion at home when Franco died in 1976... my mother felt sorry for him in the end, even though she didn't like him; she was always very compassionate. Castro may have got cancer, which is a horrible disease.

[Brian]

I know what you mean. But I remember we had a discussion at home when Franco died in 1976... my mother felt sorry for him in the end, even though she didn't like him; she was always very compassionate. Castro may have got cancer, which is a horrible disease.

Certainly, you feel pity from a humanitarian standpoint, because you never want for people to suffer.

[Marbella]

Don't take this as an attack on you personally because it's not meant to be so, but I always think that this is 'compassion at a safe distance'.

For example, if you had a close relative or friend whose life had been taken away either through death or long-term imprisonment just for being a political opponent of Castro or Franco, would you feel so kindly towards them?

I just think live by the sword die by the sword when it comes to people like this.

[Edith]

I just think live by the sword die by the sword when it comes to people like this.

This is a big moral dilemma and I can see your point of view... what my mother meant back then is that by rejoicing in their suffering, we become a bit like them and that's not what we want. At that time I was a politically-involved 18-year old with strong opinions and my mother was a bit alarmed by the fact that I was so glad Franco was terminally ill. For some reason I still remember that discussion very well. Of course I'll be glad to see Castro gone, no doubt about that. I hate dictators of all political persuasions.

P.s.: IMO, the best punishment for any dictator would be to stand trial. There should be no excuse because of age or health. Imagine how humiliated Saddam Hussein must feel deep down, even though he's acting up all the time before the court! I had a real good laugh when they pulled him out of that cave, disheveled and knowing that his days as a dictator were finally over. Let them all be brought to trial and atone for their sins by having to confront their victims and having to listen to their stories. That is how I feel about it. I would have wished this upon Pol Pot, for instance, the Khmer Rouge leader who killed two million of his own people in the most atrocious way. Unfortunately he died in his own bed before anyone was able to bring him to trial.

[Brian]

Imagine how humiliated Saddam Hussein must feel deep down, even though he's acting up all the time before the court! I had a real good laugh when they pulled him out of that cave, disheveled and knowing that his days as a dictator were finally over.

I think that Hussein is so arrogant and outraged by the trial that he's incapable of feeling humiliation.

In my view, bringing those who have committed crimes to trial is somewhat satisfying, but it is in the meting out of justice where humanity is served. I personally have no interest in vengeance, for this profits nothing.