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Confirmation: Castro near death. Cuba to fall in line with the U.S.?

washingtonpost.com — Looks like the eyes and ears in the sky and the feet on the streets are revealing some new information. The fate of Cuba hangs in the balance.

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  • canewediggit, on 10/12/2007, -40/+14"Everything we see indicates it will not be much longer . . . months, not years," that sucks. i was hoping for this weekend when i saw the headline. saturday night party on calle ocho would be amazing!
    • TekeeTakShak, on 10/12/2007, -25/+42...You sound like those people rooting for the Congressman to die so that Republicans win the Senate back.
    • Muyoso, on 10/12/2007, -13/+36There is a little difference in rooting for a dictator that kills thousands of his political opponents,

      "[There were] thousands of executions, forty, fifty thousand political prisoners. The treatment of political prisoners, with what we today know about human rights and the international norms governing human rights ... it is legitimate to raise questions about possible crimes against humanity in Cuba."

      You might want to read up on a wiki or two.
    • Braxo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+36I may just pick up smoking cigars if they lift the trade embargo.
    • infinite411, on 10/12/2007, -18/+7"TekeeTakShak by TekeeTakShak 11 minutes ago"
      You might want to read up on a wiki or two.

      Wiki's are written by ignant son's of bitches like your self.
    • zeiben, on 10/12/2007, -15/+5"There is a little difference in rooting for a dictator that kills thousands of his political opponents"

      No, rooting for death is rooting for death. You're either okay with it or you're not.

      In this case, it's the change that this death represents that people need to focus on.
    • RobynG7, on 10/12/2007, -17/+11@Muyoso
      "There is a little difference in rooting for a dictator that kills thousands of his political opponents,

      "[There were] thousands of executions, forty, fifty thousand political prisoners. The treatment of political prisoners, with what we today know about human rights and the international norms governing human rights ... it is legitimate to raise questions about possible crimes against humanity in Cuba."

      You might want to read up on a wiki or two."


      And I guess the US has never condoned Human Rights violations. Ever heard of Guantanamo? You might want to read up on a wiki or two yourself.
    • lj535i, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13@RobynG7

      And what point if any are you trying to make? Are you saying that since our leader is a "bad man" that this excuses Castro for his thugish violations of human rights?

      A son of a bitch is still a son of a bitch... regardless of whether he's ours or theirs.
    • 010111, on 10/12/2007, -11/+14"And I guess the US has never condoned Human Rights violations. Ever heard of Guantanamo? You might want to read up on a wiki or two yourself."

      they killed 40,000-50,000 people in Guantanamo? link please.
    • PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -12/+12@Muyoso
      If it were legitimate to raise claims of crimes against humanity anywhere in Cuba it would be in Guantanamo
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -11/+23"[There were] thousands of executions, forty, fifty thousand political prisoners. The treatment of political prisoners, with what we today know about human rights and the international norms governing human rights ... it is legitimate to raise questions about possible crimes against humanity in Cuba."

      And you proof of this is - beyond the word of a group of ultra right wing neo fascistic ex patriot Cubans, who think they can claim Cuba back for themselves and make a fortune turning it back into the haven for gambling, organized crime, money laundering and prostitution that it was back in the 1950's under Batista?

      I think it is you who needs to do some reading.

      Look at the guy Castro replaced:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulgencio_Batista

      Oh and BTW Batista really was one of your own (American backed) son of a bitch.

      Some more info about the revolution here:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Revolution

      Did people die? Sure they did - but that is what revolution is about. The 50,000 that allegedly died (again that depends on the source of your info) died in the normal course of a war between the political right and the political left.

      If you look at it from Castro's perspective, what was he supposed to do? Let these people go on wrecking the country? Let the drugs and the crime and the Mafia dictate the agenda? Too right he saw these people as the enemy and did everything he could to turn things around for the poor and ordinary people of Cuba, who just wanted to live in a decent, civilized and safe society.

      By most standards, despite the initial turmoil of the revolution, Castro is/was one of the most benevolent dictators who ever lived - and the things he has achieved for ordinarly people in that country ave been both miraculous and revolutionary.

      I may not fully support his methods - but Castro is justifiably a hero and a beacon of hope for a great many of the poor and oppressed people of the world.
    • SecondGuesser, on 10/12/2007, -20/+7Oh boy. America-haters can't seem to abandon their obsession.

      The topic is Castro, the Cuban people, and the effects of 50 years of repressive communism. Yet somehow all of this is negated by the wrongs of America.

      Rooting for the death of Castro must be bad. Why? Because the US locked up a few hundred crazy Arabs! It's all so logical if you're an America-hater.
    • Blandyman, on 10/12/2007, -10/+1canwediggit:

      I live right next to Calle Ocho (University Lakes Trailer Park, my home since Day 3 of my life.)

      You guys can party all you want, but you better keep that ***** to a minimum. I need my beauty sleep!
    • RobynG7, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15@010111
      "they killed 40,000-50,000 people in Guantanamo? link please."

      They killed 40-50,000 people in Cuba? Link please. I used to live in Cuba, and there were not bodies all over the road. There have been human rights violations in Cuba, but no worse than what has happened in Guantanamo in the past.
    • mutz, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4to 010111... no they bring the war we're terrorists live... Iraq... You're country's made a mess over there... and won't stay to clean up...
    • superal1394, on 10/12/2007, -7/+1I convinced one of my friends that cuba was the 52nd state... maybe itll happen? (this would require puerto rico deciding to be a state though)
    • bugsy187, on 10/12/2007, -6/+14Like it or not, the Cuban revolution was a popular revolution. Castro has done an excellent job of fighting for better education and health care for every person in his country. In spite of economic strangulation by the USA, they've managed relatively well. I wish people were more able to look at history even-handed and not get caught up in the emotionally potent oversimplification and patriotic masterbation of mainstream media stories that demonize Castro. With a small group of guerillas, and popular support, he overthrew Batista. He was even able to thwart a US invasion in the Bay of Pigs. Documents came out that Kennedy nearly provoked a nuclear war in the imperial games with Cuba. The US government continues to have an arrogant, fanatic imperialistic strategy that could very likely get us nuked one day.
    • bugsy187, on 10/12/2007, -7/+8I guess it's time for rich white men and uneducated whites to start beating off...
    • bobbknight, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2What gets me is that Juanita Castro told (US) that Fidel was a bad man.
      Castro has killed more people than any Bush.
      When Fidel dies, I will do a where the hell is Matt dance.
    • frozen1, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4@lj535i 3

      "And what point if any are you trying to make? Are you saying that since our leader is a "bad man" that this excuses Castro for his thugish violations of human rights?

      A son of a bitch is still a son of a bitch... regardless of whether he's ours or theirs."

      If you had to put up with the ***** of other countries planting spies and fanning the flames of revolution I'd like to see how you'd act as a leader. Cuba is one of the countries big business and other nations love to try and ***** over because they want the wealth for themselves.
  • Bartboy919, on 10/12/2007, -3/+33If Castro dies, will things really change? If his brother will be in power, I think he may have the same idea on how to run a Government as his brother
    • JeffH, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7Exactly. Unless there is some sort of forced democracy, Cuba WILL fall into the hands of his brother and it will be the same story over again.
    • zeiben, on 10/12/2007, -2/+19Exactly. Even the bitching about him will sound exactly the same: "Castro this, Castro that..." etc.
    • scratched, on 10/12/2007, -7/+5Fortunately, his brother isn't much younger. He may not be around much longer either.

      Then again, he could live longer than Fidel, and when he dies he could appoint someone even worse...
    • Chaotyk, on 10/12/2007, -6/+0Actually, from what I hear, his brother is already worse than he is...
    • SundayTrain, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7So pretty much no Cuban Cigar's anytime soon..
      Damn!/s
    • PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10@Jeffh
      Since the US's current track record on forcing democracies is impeccable.
    • SecondGuesser, on 10/12/2007, -11/+10You're right -- the US had nothing to do with the fact that Japan and all of Europe are free to elect their own leaders. Just remember that it took Europe nearly 100 years and two world wars to go from (often brtual) totalitarianism to the free way of life they enjoy today. It would not have happened without the blood of nearly a million Americans over that time.

      Our record is not perfect, but our role in the emergence of free societies around the world is unmistakable. Freedom and stability takes generations. You are drenched in short-sightedness and lacking historical perspective.
    • bobba, on 10/12/2007, -10/+7Which european countries did the USA 'free' in the course of the two world wars that weren't free already? After WW2 a lot of european countries were a whole lot less free thanks to USSR and USA ***** around with it. BTW ~ 100 years LOL.

      I hope that Castro sticks around a bit so I can visit Cuba and soak it up before it gets turned into disneyland. Just one more year!

      I wonder why the USA thinks that sanctions against Cuba will make any difference any more? Surely if the US traded and visited Cuba a lot, the people there would be a whole lot more interested in a western way of life?
    • SecondGuesser, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5I never said that the US "freed" any particular nation. I said that the US's role in a free Europe was integral and causally related. To argue otherwise is ludicrous. At the turn of the 20th century, there was but one non-autocratic nation in Europe. I'm happy to provide a brief history of 20th century Europe if you're not familiar.

      I do agree with you that sanctions against Cuba will not make a difference in that nation becoming free, but surely you don't expect an autocratic regime to bestow the benefits of capitalism on its people when it refuses to first bestow the benefits of basic human rights like freedom of speech.

      So we share the opinion that the lifting of sanctions will not result in a democratic revolution. It is still an autocratic nation, after all, and any commerce with the nation will line the pockets of the autocratic regime that controls the economy.

      Thus, the only relevent question is whether you wish to see American capitalists enriched by the loosening of sanctions. Given your expressed opposition to a Cuban Disney World, I'd expect you to support continued sanctions against the Communist regime. Otherwise, the autocrats and capitalists gain. Neither way do the people of Cuba benefit from a reversal of policy.
    • kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2unlike Castro. His brother will get assasinated. Lets face it. Castro was a pro at nearly escaping assassinations.
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2"Thus, the only relevent question is whether you wish to see American capitalists enriched by the loosening of sanctions. Given your expressed opposition to a Cuban Disney World, I'd expect you to support continued sanctions against the Communist regime. Otherwise, the autocrats and capitalists gain. Neither way do the people of Cuba benefit from a reversal of policy."

      Man you must have had to reach deep to pull that one all the way out of your ass.

      As for autocratic governments at the start of the 20th century - well my friend I'm British - and I don't recall us ever being enslaved by anyone. In the two world wars you mention the US came in late when all of the hardest fighting was over and we had the deal all but licked.

      No one is saying that the American involvement was important - or vital even in helping to bring the war to a faster conclusion - but to imply that America is single handedly responsible for bestowing peace and democracy on the world tells me only how much you like so many Americans have gained your appreciation of history from watching Hollywood movies.

      With regard to the embargo, it makes no sense at all. People are free to earn their own income in Cuba - and many do in the rapidly expanding tourism industry that exists there now (but of course being American you wouldn't know anything about this).

      Ordinary people do benefit from trade - and if wealth was so corrupting that the 'commies' shouldn't have it, how come Castro and his regime haven't succumbed to temptation so far? How come despit the limited resources of that country, he has still managed to create one of the highest educated and healthiest populations in the world?

      It doesn't sound to me like someone who only cares about his own self interests.

      The only reason that the embargo remains in place is that America is unhappy with the idea that socialism might be shown to be a successful strategy in the Western hemisphere.

      A wealthy and successful socialist country?

      Ohh the horror...
    • SecondGuesser, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2*** "As for autocratic governments at the start of the 20th century - well my friend I'm British - and I don't recall us ever being enslaved by anyone." ***

      You will note that I said "all but one" - with your country being the exception. Your people overcame monarchy rule only after America rose up against your King. I guess I'm also to forget about your country's reign over a global empire -- called "the British Empire" nonetheless -- oftentimes enslaving others and lording over their trade, industry, and economy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Empire No wonder you don't mind dictators as much as Americans.

      *** "In the two world wars you mention the US came in late when all of the hardest fighting was over and we had the deal all but licked." ***

      In the case of World War II, I'd hardly say you had the Nazis "licked" when the US became involved in 1941 (against an enemy that DID NOT ATTACK America, nonetheless). Maybe you forgot about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Normandy, which required over a million troops against the Germany's 300,000-strong Atlantic wall. Britain did not have the Nazi's "licked". Did you learn that in your movies?

      *** "A wealthy and successful socialist country? Ohh the horror.. " ***

      According the the CIA factbook, Cuba's per-capita GDP is about $3500 per person - about 1/3 of the world average and about one-tenth of US, UK, and even Canada and France, with their highly-socialised systems. Cuba is frankly so poor that nearly 1 million Cubans have fled the nation under Castro. 10% of their population is so hardup that they've been willing to float to America with nothing but the wet clothes on their backs.

      You need a serious reality check on so many fronts, my British friend.
  • BigCalhoun, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5It looks like their are some signs of at least a willingness to change (Cuba). We're sending the largest congressional representation over there we ever have to discuss these things so you'd have to assume, whether for the better or for the worst, some form of change is going to come.
    • foofightrs777, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1A bigger delegation than when we were practically running the island? How we forget that little thing known as the Spanish-American War and the Platt Amendment
    • controlguy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4It's fairly clear that they are referring to the period following Castro's rise to power.
  • nmeadata, on 10/12/2007, -13/+8Sure would be nice to get a piece of the lands and business my grandparents owned before Castro took over. I doubt that is on the list but being 90 mikes from FL it would be a fun place to visit.
    • ryodoan, on 10/12/2007, -5/+11I dont mean to be rude, but what rights do you have to the land that someone else has probably already bought and paid for? (Honest question, I want to know)
    • vbr2, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3well, we used to have all the rights...it used to be ours. the government is what took it, no one person owns anything anymore, just the government.
    • CiXeL, on 10/12/2007, -6/+13many of the cuban people down here in miami are as corrupted as castro is
      theyre just envious they dont have the power over the island

      digg me down all you want cubans but until you respect "Americans" with the same respect you have for other cubans I am your mortal enemy.

      the only thing that keeps miami going is the fact most people and businesses dont realize its a hell hole. i am trying to do everything i can to show whats wrong with this place so people avoid it.

      the only reason miami beach (what most people think is miami) is still competant is because it has an aging jewish population and a healthy supply of people who move here for a year and then leave when they see what its like. when the jewish population dies of old age in miami beach it will become just like mainland miami. a dirty racist third world country.
    • Geekbeard, on 10/12/2007, -6/+10Personally, I am of the opinion that those who most of those who left Cuba who are the formerly rich, are simply waiting in bay to rape the Cuban country again and that they probably had a good reason to lose what they did in the first place.

      Moreover, before anyone starts with the ***** about how Cuba is so bad they have to leave in rafts, etc. etc. The ONLY reason they don't leave by plane is because the US of A doesn't give out that many visas to Cubans, so those who want to leave are pretty *****. I personally know several people who left Cuba and came to Canada by plane.
    • vbr2, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4I agree and strongly disagree with you, yes there are ***** here in miami, without a doubt, but ***** comes in all forms. Without antagonizing any specific ethnicities, alot of the crap you refer to isn't necessarily Cuban. Alot of uncontrolled (illegal) immigration is to blame i'm afraid. Your glorification of the "aging jewish population" while bold, is innacurate. There is a strong young jewish population and while you claim it to be the only thing maintaining sanity, it really isn't. Also, Miami, as you seem to put it, is full or retirees. You should stop watching cartoons as this isn't as true today as it was several decades ago.

      @CiXeL

      Every city has *****. You seem to realize it more since you live with them apparently.
    • PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2digg down mispost.
    • Blandyman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@CiXeL

      I live in Miami, too. It's not the best place, but it's not the ultimate horrible place to live.

      I live in the trailer park. We used to have TNS here (Take No *****, it was a gang.) They've done a lot of bad *****. They tried to rob my diabetic grandmother (across the street) who lives with my paralyzed uncle (paralyzed neck-down) not just once... TWICE in the same night!

      Hialeah is pretty disgusting, too. Not much of Miami is really very pretty, save for the beaches and downtown by the shore. Even regular downtown is a *****. It's all drug dealers and penitentiaries.

      The coolest thing we have is the 7-mile bridge, and the club scene.

      Don't move to Miami, unless you have the money for a condo, or one of the larger homes. Even then, don't expect to have much to do... this is a partying/beach-going city, nothing more... plenty less.
    • kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2@Cixel

      Even though I'm black. To tell you the truth. White Americans really don't deserve respect. Just my opinion. I say this because you expect ***** to be done for you. You expect everyone to kiss your ass. Though White people are too damn arrogant for their own good.
    • h00paj00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4And now blocking kuzotz for being a racist bastard who will not have anything useful to say in any thread... ever.
  • 7of7, on 10/12/2007, -17/+12Fall into line? You mean become a capitalist hellhole where greed and consumerism are more important than people? For the sake of the Cuban people I hope not.
    • foofightrs777, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15While greed and rampant consumerism aren't exactly desirable a dictator with little regard for human rights or liberty is much worse.
    • JeffH, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9You're right. Oppression, censorship and poverty are much better for the Cuban people.
    • marvin69, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Everything bad that has gone on in Cuba is strictly Castro's doing. Yes the U.S. has an embargo but that doesn't prevent the rest of the world to trade with them. Hell most of the sugar the Canada and Europe uses comes from Cuba.

      Go to Miam and ask anyone if they like Casto or the Cuba government and if you are still able to speak let us know how it went.
    • rabiddogma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14What they had before Castro was greed, consumerism AND a brutal dictator with no regard for human rights. And thats what they'll have again if the Cuban Mafia in Florida takes over Cuba again.
    • rsmaniak, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2@marvin69

      not to mention all the free oil cuba's been getting from venezuela.
  • JrGhoull, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8cuba is an interesting place, it'll be interesting to watch how this all unforlds.

    fun fact: cuba stopped trading with when fidell castro came into power...but before that they were still trading with us...were getting things like cars n such. well since they stopped trading with us, they still have some of the original stuff (e.g. cars) that was traded. my point? lol they have some beautiful old cars over there that through their own ingenuity have kept in perfect conditions...literally classics.
    • h00paj00, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yet they trade with the rest of the world... and can't afford even a broken Pugeot.

      I don't see how this is America's fault.
  • dkm201, on 10/12/2007, -13/+8what does this have to do with apple and the wii
  • gtr9, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2Donde estan los Cohibas?
  • chriskzoo, on 10/12/2007, -10/+6***** Castro - bring on the CIGARS!
  • jgambleii, on 10/12/2007, -9/+1I wonder how his views towards God have changed since his mortality has been threatened. At least he's getting a chance to make up his mind before he dies.
    • HyperbolePolice, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Nothing like a little fear of burning painfully in eternal fire and brimstone to get people on the one truth path to God's everlasting love.
    • hiscity, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1If he were on standard US treatment for things like pancreatic cancer, they'd have him so doped up with thorazine and morphine that he wouldn't be able to do much more than hallucinate. Medical practice in Cuba may be different.

      The odds though are that Fidel is headed straight to hell.
    • kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Yeah Cuba doesn't use English medicine like we do. English medicine is pumped with steriods, and they work a ot faster, but it isn't very healthy for you to be on them for long.

      I think Cuba uses a style similar to Germany's. Its long, and it takes patients, but it is effective with little side effects.
    • h00paj00, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2ALL medical treatment takes "Patients"

      My guess is that he's been dead for awhile now.
  • jbignell, on 10/12/2007, -10/+8Free education, free health care, a happy population....I don't agree with everthing that he has done, but show me a leader you can get behind 100%....?
    • chriskzoo, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11happy population? LOL I guess you're referring to the non-dissidents who haven't yet been pulled off the street and incarcerated.
    • ShawnPeterson, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13As a Canadian who had the opportunity to work at a company in Cuba for a two month work term, I can report back that the people there are quite happy - considering what little they have.

      When I arrived back home, it really made me wonder why we become so stressed over little things like 40" plasma TV's, PlayStation 3's, and car insurance! The people there are lucky to own a CD player, yet they are quite happy.
    • joe90210, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6umm ya I've been to cuba too, guess you stuck to the tour guide huh? if you ventured a bit, you'd see the massive poverty of areas they hide from tourists, children with no clothes on picking food of the ground
    • kuzotz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1lol I grew up in a poor area in the US. People are happier when they are poor, and that isn't because they are poor. ITs more of a sense that you aren't alienated from your neighbors. They watch your back ,and you watch theres. Its a support system that keeps it going, and thats how a lot of people are able to lead happy lives. When I went to a suburb for the first time. I found it weird that neighbors didn't talk, and that there weren't any block partie during the summer. I found it weird no one walked, and I found it weird that the houses all looked the same. I really wouldn't be happy in a place were the people aren't as caring for each other.
    • ShawnPeterson, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2@joe90210

      Yes, I did see poverty where I worked and where I traveled; but naked children eating bits food off the ground? Give me a break. The government provides enough food for everyone to eat and that's a fact. Although rice and beans may not sound appetizing to us for three meals a day, nobody was starving. I've also walked through some very poor areas in Havana, Trinidad, and in the mountains outside Cienfuegos - No naked people to report there.

      Are people poor there? Yes. Are they starving? No.
  • EtherGnat, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Why do we have such a stick up our ass when it comes to Cuba? I understood during the Cold War when Cuba was in bed with the Soviets, but it doesn't seem to make any sense anymore. I don't like Castro or their government, but we have no trouble having a relatively normal relationship with far worse governments.

    I suspect it's lingering embarrassment over our inability to overthrow Castro and their government. Any other ideas?
    • rabiddogma, on 10/12/2007, -4/+10I suspect it's the large voting block of Cuban ex-pats in the southern swing state of Florida.

      Seriously, if we don't support the right of return of the Palestinians, then why do we support the return of Cubans (who claim to be Americans) to Cuba? Don't make no sense. I say ***** em.
    • bobba, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1*(who claim to be Americans)
      Well, Colombus discovered Haiti and Cuba, so they were the first real "American" areas. I never understood why north americans celebrate Colombus as he had absolutely nothing to do with them at all.
  • rabiddogma, on 10/12/2007, -9/+5"Castro near death" so says John D(eath squad) Negroponte.
  • eschompthis, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3it does not matter if he dies or not, his son is just the same SOB, if anything worst. But since Castro has the best doctors in the world i doubt he will die any time soon :(
    • OUChevelleSS, on 10/12/2007, -5/+5Cuba has good doctors?

      I thought all of their SPRITE (social, political, economical, technological, etc) was stuck in the '60s.
    • wnorrix, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3If his country is soo crappy, how come he has the best doctors and education system?

      Ahem...
    • h00paj00, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3@OUChevelleSS Did you see the picture of Castro in Cuba's advanced weather center before Katrina, or Rita hit?

      Some lady meteorologist with a PC with a 15 inch screen.

      That's some advanced technology!

      Also if Cuba is so great, why are people dying in rafts to escape? OH YEAH cause their GRAND PAPPY was rich in the 50s. That's a sure lot of rich people.

      Also... WHy is it that people say in one breath that it's a great place and that the economy is so poor because the USA won't trade with Cuba? You do realize that Cuba trades WITH THE REST OF THE ***** WORLD... so why again are they piss poor broke, except for those in power?
  • h00paj00, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9I need him to die by Dec 31st 11:59 PM in order for me to win my Dead Pool
  • ozid, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7"Assistant Secretary of State Thomas Shannon told reporters that the Bush administration will deal with Cuba's Communist government only when it shows a commitment to democracy."

    This is stupid. The brother reached out to the United States and we are going to do nothing until they pledge to become a democracy? I believe democracies are the best type of government, but this is ridiculous.
    • LowRentDiggs, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Kinda funny considering Castro only gained power because of American support of Batista, who was as brutal and autocratic as Castro. It's really sickening to think about what the US has done to Cuba, whatever your opinion of Castro is.
  • infinite411, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3The government of cuba is just that a government. Though American's living in a democracy see communism as something from the midle ages. I can assure you cuban government officials fear the people!. They keep the people in check but also don't keep them on a leash. Do you really believe cubans just because they are unhappy with their goverment would favor an occupation of their country. No ***** No.

    So stop all of this idological ***** of making cuba a democracy. If cuba ie. the people wanted a democracy they would unite and create a demo.
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4You do realize that if you were Cuban, and you didn't parrot the party line that Cuba is *already* a democracy, then Castro's thugs would have you tossed in a cell that was too small for you to lie down or even stand up straight in, right?

      Yeah, Castro took power at the head of a popular uprising. Trouble is, he then betrayed the revolution, just as Lenin did in Russia.

      -jcr

    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2"Yeah, Castro took power at the head of a popular uprising. Trouble is, he then betrayed the revolution, just as Lenin did in Russia"

      How the ***** did Castro 'betray the revolution'? As far as I can see, given the progress he has made for the ordinary people there, he has been a very efficient and competent manager.

      You do realize anyway that you are bitching mainly in support of the Miami Cuban mafia - and that all they are concerned about is that they see Cuba as potentially lucrative piece of real estate that they want to control.

      You may not like Castro (although again this simply because you have been conditioned not to like him) but despite whatever you might feel, I still think he is better than the other alternative that people like you have mapped out for Cuba.
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3"How the ***** did Castro 'betray the revolution'? "

      By becoming a dictator, just like Lenin did.

      -jcr

  • jtk83, on 10/12/2007, -11/+6I root for Castro's death and sleep pretty soundly at night. I see nothing wrong with rooting for the death of horrible, evil people. In fact, tonight I think I'll root for the death of Amadabijabbi, Castro, Chavez, probably some warlords in Africa, maybe the leader of Syria. Seems like a good start. Goodnight.
    • infinite411, on 10/12/2007, -9/+6by jtk83
      "
      I root for Castro's death and sleep pretty soundly at night. I see nothing wrong with rooting for the death of horrible, evil people. In fact, tonight I think I'll root for the death of Amadabijabbi, Castro, Chavez, probably some warlords in Africa, maybe the leader of Syria. Seems like a good start. Goodnight."

      Stop watching FOX. You'll sleep better without all the ***** oreilly feeds you before you take a nap, nap.
    • LowRentDiggs, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4At least learn the names of these people and find out why you hate them. I'm sure there are some talking heads on cable news who will tell you who and why if you pay more attention to them.
    • wnorrix, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4How about adding Bush to the list too?
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6"Stop watching FOX. "

      Oh, what a brilliant application of the standard pinko put-down!

      Something you need to realize sunshine, is that Fox news is not the source of all anti-communist sentiment in the world. It kind of started with Lenin's body count.

      -jcr

  • ShawnPeterson, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Although many Cubans live in near poverty, life for the average person under Castro is much better then the tyrant he replaced - Batista.

    If the Americans were to open trade and allow tourists to visit, they would speed up the process of spreading a democratic process tenfold! Threats and intimidation only give the Castro more opportunity to blame America for all their trouble.
    • LowRentDiggs, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Exactly. Isolating the people of a nation gives them nobody to turn to but their leaders who then turn it into an "us -vs- them" and it solidifies power. We've seen this time after time but the general populace doesn't seem to be able to put 2 and 2 together and the "leaders" on each side get what they want at the expense of both countries.
    • HyperbolePolice, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1It's a moralistic punishment mentality that fails to simply look at true cause/effect. Do embargos work? The answer doesn't seem to matter. Cubans apparently DESERVE it because they choose not to fight off communism.
    • CiXeL, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3but we already have open trade and allow tourists to visit miami
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1It was a whole lot easier for a Cuban to leave the country if he didn't like Batista.

      -jcr

  • grazny, on 10/12/2007, -10/+6***** those Communists!! They want to negotiate with the US in order to save their regime. The Communists in Cuba failed just like those from Eastern Europe, Vietnam etc. How can one forgive Castro when he brought the Soviets and their nuclear missiles to Cuba. This kind of behavior by a neighboring country is unacceptable. His act almost start WW3 and if it wasn't for JFK we would all be dead now. So ***** him and those 10 Dems that want to ease up relations btw US and Cuba. We should reopen relations with Cuba after the (Castro)pig's death.
    • deivys, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6

      Dude are you high? Cuba right now its bouncing back strong. Around 94 till 96 were some of the worse years for the Cuban people. Right at this moment the government is giving everyone brand new appliance like rice cookers, pots, pans ,fan, AC units, fridges. Its sort of a layaway. They give you the appliances and you pay each month a certain amount out of the paycheck. For a third world country, they are not doing too bad right now. Also Europe and Canada are investing heavily in Cuba. Canada with oil and Europe with Hotels and land. Check on the net for pics of Varadero if you want to see many 5 stars hotels one after the other. Google it and you see.
  • Szat, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3Castro's death would be the best thing to happen to the people of Cuba in the last 40+ years. Also, this could mean one less communist country in the world, leaving the number at three (China, Vietnam, and North Korea).
    • MrZaiko, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3Szat,and Grazny. I bet you have no Idea of what Communism is. 10 US presidents had to deal with Castro, he has seen it all. WE (the US) want everybody to agree and be like US. that's why "we" hate him and his form of government.
  • lowfalls, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!....
  • Democritus2, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1Venezuela is going to officially claim govt of Cuba.
    watch
  • Eddie74, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4Batista was big time corrupted yet compare to Fidel he was and angel. My family own several business and 100 houses 4 generations of hard work, and it was taking away by the government and then Fidel gave out the houses to his officers. And there was nothing for us to do if you disagree with the government you went to jail. My dad was in jail for 4 years because he kill a cow from his farm to feed his family. See you first had tell the local government and they would take most of it in the name of Fidel. So ***** him and all his corrupted friends.
    • rhombus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1See what I mean by "Near as I can tell, the angriest anti-Castro types are the moneyed classes who were punted out on the shoe soles of Castro's revolutionaries. I guess I'd be mad too if somebody had unhitched my gravy train. But let's not have illusions about the moral superiority of their position."?
  • FAT_PIGGY, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1Cuba get ready for the world bank!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4Man there's a lot of misinformation going around in here.
    First of all my prayers go to President Castro, his family and the Cuban people. Fidel might not want them but he's getting them anyways.
    Second of all, to the people who are under the impression that Cuba is one large military state, you have to realize that without popular support no government lasts very long. Especially when the Peoples you're talking about helped get Fidel into power in the first place, through a military endeavor; they have experience getting dictators out.
    Third, there is support within the US government towards the idea of eliminating sanctions and returning to regular trade relations with Cuba. The main reason that this issues is such a political land mine, is that most dissenting Cubans (most of which were Batista's right and left hand people before they got kicked out) live in a swing district in one of the defining swing states. If all the Cubans who left their native home had left Cuba and gone to say New Hampshire, where they would have barely affected the results of any election past mayor, Cuba's sanctions would have been lifted ages ago. But since they live in Miami their voices are heard loudly, support for eliminating the embargo equals losing Florida, and most presidential candidates aren't ready to do that.
    Fidel's death is unlikely to change the political spectrum within Cuba, the people enjoy their life there, and have grown accustomed to enjoying the benefits of a socialist government and accepting its defects.
    If anything comes from Fidel's death, I hope it's a better understanding throughout the US about the real situation within Cuba, both good and bad The Cuban people's triumphs with what little they have will be a true tribute to his life
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1" without popular support no government lasts very long."

      Oh, I don't know about that... The communists held onto russia for about seventy years.

      The thing is, it's very difficult for people living under a dictatorship and want change to know that they're the majority. That's why the burmese junta, the mugabe thuggocracy, and the Red Dynasty in china are all in such a tizzy about the internet. Once those countries get good internal communications, it's game over for the bad guys.

      -jcr

    • emptycan, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Just a few notes to what you are saying.

      "you have to realize that without popular support no government lasts very long."

      This is wrong, you only have to control the military and the secret services to rule a country. When you have this, you can force the rest of the people into submission.

      "the people enjoy their life there, and have grown accustomed to enjoying the benefits of a socialist government and accepting its defects."

      "Have grown accustomed" are the key words in that statement. I've seen north koreans happy with the way they live. If you'd hear their story, you'd be amazed with how easy it is to brainwash people and make them think that this way of life is the only possible way of life(their whole life is controlled by the party - they have scheduled walks in the parks, if you can imagine that; and they only receive the right to a walk in the park if they do their job; but they like it that way). People in Cuba have no choice, so sure, they've grown accustomed to their way of life.

      I doubt it's all of them though. The US is still getting emigrants from Cuba, last i checked. I don't think they're happy with how things are going there.
    • PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Dude, and you think you haven't grown accustomed to the problems intrinsic to capitalism?
      In pretty much the same manner, you have been taught to accept the things you don't like about our economic system. Like no free health care, higher education, or pretty much anything else. In every political or economic system you take the bad with the good. As we do.

      Also, most immigrants coming from Cuba these days, leave, not because of political persecution, but because of the same reason people leave Mexico, for the US, or the Dominican Republic for Puerto Rico, because there is a perceived higher level of opportunity for people like themselves. Of course whenever they're found out they scream political persecution, that way they don't get thrown back to Cuba.
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Pablo,

      There's no such thing as "free health care" anywhere in the world. In some countries, health care is paid for from tax monies, but that doesn't make it "free", by any stretch of the imagination.

      -jcr

  • MrZaiko, on 10/12/2007, -5/+4I'll just STFU, I agree with PabloIV 100% VIVA EL CHE
  • daxsymbiont, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4hold your horses. they'd go first with venezuela than go in line with usa.
  • LIBERTY06, on 10/12/2007, -4/+0Alright; bring on the Cuban Cigars,..... Heard Cuba used to be a party town ; Like Vegas BC= before Castro.
  • ElevenisEven, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2im building a bunker
  • KlipschFan, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3IMHO At Castro's age, he most likely has Colon Cancer which isn't always fatal especially if caught early. You can go nearly symptom free when you are old, because you get tired and occasionally constipated. How is that any different from being old?

    I am not willing to swallow the bait and the hook when it comes to how evil Fidel is. Our nation has a bad habit of telling us who to hate.

    I would invite people to look into what the US has done in Latin America. Nicaragua, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, El Salvidor, Brazil, and Venezuela have suffered under US favored dictators and US led death squads by Negroponte and IMF/World Bank loan rules that led countries down a path toward virtual slavery in a debt trap.

    He who is without sin cast the first stone.
  • DennisPwnsj00, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3If I wasn't worried about what this nation is coming to, I am now. Seeing people worry over whether one of our biggest enemies in the western world may finally be neutralized... and saying something as idiotic as to make it sound like a bad thing. Thank God you people aren't the mainstream.
  • sanman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2After Great Leader Fidel dies, then Dear Leader Raul will continue on in the marvelous tradition of communisty monarchy. Never mind reading Wikipedia, go read Orwell.
  • rhombus, on 10/12/2007, -4/+3The United States is the only country in the developed world without normal diplomatic relations with Cuba. Flinging ***** at Castro over "human rights abuses" is the height of hypocrisy when the US government is perfectly happy to subsidize and underwrite dozens of equally reprehensible and murderous regimes around the world, and most of the rest of us recognize this. Castro's no angel, but he's no dummy either -- and the crooks he replaced were arguably worse. Revolutions don't materialize out of a vacuum.

    Near as I can tell, the angriest anti-Castro types are the moneyed classes who were punted out on the shoe soles of Castro's revolutionaries. I guess I'd be mad too if somebody had unhitched my gravy train. But let's not have illusions about the moral superiority of their position.

    For my part, I would be sad to see an island (literally and metaphorically) free of American cultural and corporate influence disappear. This is not America bashing -- it's merely saying I see and appreciate the value of a counterpoint, a place where things are done differently.

    They may be driving around in Chevrolets from the fifties, but there's a lot they've done right. We ignore the lessons of Cuba at our peril.
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2" We ignore the lessons of Cuba at our peril."

      The main lesson of Cuba is that it's wrong to let a thug like Castro turn a country into a prison. This is one of the most shameful examples of dereliction of duty on the part of the United States in my lifetime.

      -jcr

  • rhombus, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1The United States is the only country in the developed world without normal diplomatic relations with Cuba. Flinging ***** at Castro over "human rights abuses" is the height of hypocrisy when the US government is perfectly happy to subsidize and underwrite dozens of equally reprehensible and murderous regimes around the world, and most of the rest of us recognize this. Castro's no angel, but he's no dummy either -- and the crooks he replaced were arguably worse. Revolutions don't materialize out of a vacuum. (As someone deftly pointed out, no regime -- democratic or not -- survives without some measure of popular support.)

    Near as I can tell, the angriest anti-Castro types are the moneyed classes who were punted out on the shoe soles of Castro's revolutionaries. I guess I'd be mad too if somebody had unhitched my gravy train. But let's not have illusions about the moral superiority of their position.

    For my part, I would be sad to see an island (literally and metaphorically) free of American cultural and corporate influence disappear. This is not America bashing -- it's merely saying I see and appreciate the value of a counterpoint, a place where things are done differently.

    They may be driving around in Chevrolets from the fifties, but there's a lot they've done right. We ignore the lessons of Cuba at our peril.
    • renman, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3The crooks he replaced were replaced by other crooks in his regime. Do you think Castro lives on 1 cup of rice a month like the rest of the country?
  • renman, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Here's what some of you who really didn't live there don't know... Havana was just like any American city before Castro. There was JC Penny, Woolworth's and other modern day amenities. The Cuban dollar and the US dollar were of equal value. Cuba had public education, public transportation and a thriving economy.

    Castro tricked the US government at that time and the people of Cuba. When asked if he was communist, he denounced it. He said that there would be elections the following year (Cubans are still waiting for the elections). After taking power and assassinating political figures that opposed him, he got tight with Russia.

    Next time you think things are great in Cuba and Castro is good for that country, think about this - after Castro took over, food was rationed. You had to (and to this day still) stand in line to claim your ration of food. My mother stood in line to get our ration of meat only to discover it was filled with maggots. She couldn't speak up and complain because if she did, she would be reported to the local government watchers and suffer consequences. This is progress? No, this is oppression of Cubans.

    It is not the US government's responsibility to provide for the Cuban people. Castro denounced the US, human rights and freedom of speech. Think about that, if you were in Cuba you could be imprisoned for criticizing the government. So say whatever you want about our president, government and such, but remember this - it's because you are in America that you have such freedoms.

    • PabloIV, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Dude? Seriously, cause one of my best friends moved here from Cuba after her mom married a Puerto Rican businessman (now her step dad) and we've had lengthy conversations about Cuba and the situation there and it's not nearly as bad as you describe it. As a matter of fact I know 4 other people who moved from Cuba to Puerto Rico through legal channels within the last 5 years, and pretty much all their stories contradict yours and make your description sound more like a bad 80s movie compendium of oppressed third world country, where Rambo comes in, kills the evil commies and saves the day, than actual anecdotal experience.
      I could be wrong though.
      Then again probably not.
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Pablo,

      The people who get to leave Cuba legally are those with the connections in the government that make life tolerable in a totalitarian state. Try asking any of the people who escaped on a boat how it was in Cuba.

      -jcr

  • lswinney, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1digg is a cesspool of American hating communists. kruschev was right.."Russia does not have to destroy America with missiles; America will destroy from within." What a damn shame.
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -3/+3The only people swimming in sh*t in this whole picture are a bunch of neo-conservative/fascistic revisionists like you pal... The true definition of a pig is someone who lives in their own sh*t and who both wallows in and who regularly consumes it.

      I wonder if that sounds familiar to you - because where I stand it really probably should.

      I am one of those 'commie dogs' pal - and you are a 'fascist pig' - so I guess at least we are even, if in nothing else than in our mutual hatred of each other.
    • lswinney, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I stand by my original statement. I'll give you credit, though. At least you admit you're a communist dog. You're also the perfect definition of a parasite. Enjoying the good life in America, and destroying it at the same time.
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Lol, I don't live in America chum - nor would I ever want to.
    • lswinney, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0LOL. Then what the hell are you complaining about? Mind your own business, stay out of our politics and shut the hell up.
  • hiscity, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4http://www.cfr.org/publication/9359/

    =quote=
    Does Cuba support terrorism?

    The U.S. government says yes, but many experts are skeptical. The State Department placed Cuba on its list of states that sponsor terrorism in 1982, citing Fidel Castro’s training and arming of communist rebels in Africa and Latin America. But intelligence experts have been hard pressed to find evidence that Cuba currently provides weapons or military training to terrorist groups. In 1998, a comprehensive review by the U.S. intelligence community concluded that Cuba does not pose a threat to U.S. national security, which implies that Cuba no longer sponsors terrorism.

    Why does the United States list Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism?

    U.S. government sources offer these reasons:

    Throughout 2004, Cuba continued to actively oppose the U.S.-led war on terrorism by taking a stance that “acts by legitimate national liberation movements cannot be defined as terrorism.”

    Cuba is providing safe haven to eight Americans who face criminal charges in the United States. The United States and Cuba have let their pre-1959 extradition treaty lapse, and recent U.S. ideas about updating the treaty have been scuttled by pressure from anti-Castro Cuban-American members of Congress.

    Cuba has provided “limited support” to designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations, as well as safe haven for terrorists, such as members of the Basque terrorist group ETA—despite a November 2003 public request from the Spanish government to deny them sanctuary. The State Department also says that Colombia's two leftist rebel groups—the National Liberation Army (ELN) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), both of which regularly carry out acts of terrorism—maintain a “permanent presence” in Cuba. But experts agree that the Castro government ceased arming or training the former group in 1991 and never gave military support to the latter. The Colombian government, the United Nations, and the European Union all say that Cubahas played a useful role in advancing peace talks with the rebels. Moreover, both rebel groups also have offices in many other Latin American capitals and in many European capitals.

    Does Cuba have weapons of mass destruction?

    In May 2002, Undersecretary of State John Bolton accused Cuba of having a limited biological weapons program and selling dual-use biotechnology to rogue states. Bolton did not name the states in question but noted that Castro visited Iran, Libya, and Syria last year. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell later clarified Bolton’s statement by saying he did not believe Cuba had bio-weapons, merely the capability to conduct biological research for offensive purposes. But some experts doubt that Cuba’s sophisticated pharmaceutical industry has been turned to biowarfare.

    Does Cuba have ties to states that sponsor terrorism?

    Yes, but we don’t know how closely they cooperate. In 2001, Castro visited Iran, Libya, and Syria, but other than a commitment to ongoing trade and plans for some public health exchanges, which were announced during Castro’s visits, we know very little about these countries’ dealings with Cuban intelligence or other ties. Cuba also has diplomatic ties with North Korea. During his visit to Iran, Castro reportedly said, “Iran and Cuba, in cooperation with each other, can bring America to its knees.”

    =unquote=

    And of course, Fidel has been in bed with Hugo Chavez who's in bed with everyone from China to the Arab Oil Cartel -- and has a thing for pseudo-communistic socialism. Chavez's megalomania would have been reason enough to embargo Cuba since he's arming Venezuela and threatens the overthrow of Bush, though he's only got about 2 years to try.

    And then there's the question of where did all those old soviet hardliners end up after the implosion of the USSR ... but in the last bastion of soviet communism?

    Since the early '90s, I pushed hard for the end of the US embargo of Cuba. Castro's actions with Chavez -- giving verbal support to terrorists and other state sponsors of terrorism against the US -- changed my stance. Now, I'd put up a military blockade and try to lock down all their funds transfers. The bad thing about living on an island is that so much of what you need has to be shipped in.

    But once Fidel is gone ... embargo or no embargo, I really don't care. I do, however intend to retire in Cuba, no matter what synthesis of capitalism and communism they adopt.

    Raul is probably a lot more like Quadafi than Fidel. Nor is there that "he's our George Washington" teflon to protect him. The reason Fidel was never assassinated was because "the devil that you know is better than the devil that you don't." Raul may enjoy a bit of that, but then again he's an old alcoholic, ¿verdad? Raul will be nothing more than a figure-head.

    Which leaves the question: Who's really running Cuba now??
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Well that was an almost balanced perspective.

      But all this cozying up to 'rogue terrorist nations' as you put it is really over blown. When your biggest potential trading partner has placed a strangle hold on you and has placed you as a pariah among nations - and regularly uses strong arm tactics to dissuade other countries from doing business with you too - sometimes you can't be too fussy about who your friends are. Cuba still needs all of the basic things that other countries need - and that is not possible without trade.

      As for Castro having weapons of mass destruction... I mean come on, get real. What use would these be to him in the 21st century? Cuba needs trade, not WMD's. Right now WMD's would be about as useful to Castro as square wheels on a bicycle would be to a fish. In the environment that existed in the 1960's things were different, particularly when it looked like the fate of the world could be evenly decided either between capitalism and communism - Castro simply aligned himself with the wrong side. It was a gamble - and it didn't pay off. But it did stop him from at least having to be 'in hock to the man' in the same way that Batista was. This meant that he could do in part what he set out to do - which is to empower and raise the stand of living of the ordinary peasant class of that country - something that would not have been possible under a purely American inspired capitalist free for all that many of your fellow country men commonly advocate.

      Anyway blaming a leftt wing revolutionary for associating with other left wing revolutionaries is kind of missing the whole point of it I think. I do agree on one thing though and that is that Chavez is nothing more than a pale imitation of Castro (he hasn't really got a 10th of the wit, or charm or intelligence of Castro) but unlike Castro the one thing he has in his favor is oil - and in this regard the US government (as ever) has no problem in maintaining trade relations at all. (Socialism or not).
  • strangerzero, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I give Castro credit for trying to create a better life for the people of Cuba against overwhelming odds and the constant harassment of the United States government. Castro will be remembered as a hero to the downtrodden and poor, a Robin Hood who took it all away from the rich and gave it to the poor. He and his comrades stood up to the United States and survived. They created an economic system that more evenly distributed wealth to the people of Cuba, feed the poor, stamped out illiteracy, and provided health care for the people of Cuba.

    BUT Castro is not a saint. He is a pragmatic man and the ends often justified the means during his rule. Yes, he is a cold blooded killer and a despot. Yes, he is anti-democratic, but he recognized early on that democracy is a tool that the rich use to maintain power at this point in history. This is something that the people in the United States need to consider as their armies march around the world wreaking havoc on countries under the banner of bringing them democracy.
  • rlh1, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Went to Granada on vacation once, met some of the locals. The talked about finding their friends bodies down by the beach. They had dared to oppose the Cubans when they came down to take over. They were really glad that the Americans came in and kicked the Cubans out.
    Castro has been trying to export their (Soviet) revolution in Latin America and Africa from 1960 till the Soviets fell, about 35 years of being a pain in the ass. That's the reason why there has been an embargo, not because they are a socialist country or because of some votes in Florida. If it was fear of socialism like some have stated then the US would invade Sweden.
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1And so what if Cuba wants to support its socialist revolution? What's it to America if they do now? It's not as though America is ever going to suddenly become a communist country at any point in the foreseeable future - or that Cuba poses any kind of serious military threat.

      I mean get over it already.
    • rlh1, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1At this point Cuba is pretty isolated. I really haven't paid too much attention to them since the fall of the Soviets. At this point the trouble that they can make is pretty limited. The embargo should probably be lifted which would hopefully move the country towards a socialist economy instead of a communist. When the countries of the Soviet block jumped from communism to capitalism overnight, most had a very bad transition. Some have still not made a go of it. China is trying to move towards a market economy in a controlled method. Hopefully Cuba can also.
  • fsjonsey, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1double post, sorry
  • fsjonsey, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2For all those who believe the US trade embargo is the ONLY reason why most Cubans live in poverty, explain this to me, if Cuba trades with Europe, Canada, and south America, than why haven't Cubans seen at least some of the vast wealth of they helped Castro and his cronies accumulate through their labor? Cuba's GDP is $40.06 billion a year, Castro himself is worth $550 million. The average monthly Cuban salary is 200 pesos, just under $10.50 US dollars. Sounds like the equality, social justice, and wealth sharing thing is really working out well.
    • raid517, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1It takes a lot of money to run all of those schools and hospitals. Try looking up how much of that cash is spent in educating and providing a basic standard of living for the ordinary people of that country. They may not have much money, but most of their basic needs are provided for. When you look at the per capita expenditure for each member of the population, then I am sure you will get an idea where the money goes. For a country of the size and population of Cuba - 40 Billion really is unlikely to go very far. (And no they don't just have 'good' education, benefits and healthcare they have an excellent level of all of these).

      Also without the embargo - it is highly likely that they would be able to meet this expenditure and more. It is also expensive to import from Europe and other countries - as many countries (even in Europe) still refuse to do business with Cuba because they are afraid that it will damage their relationship with the USA - so things are particularly hard as their economy suffers from hyper inflation as a result of this.

      So yes, when you have possibly the biggest cash cow in the world on your doorstep and they refuse to do business with you, it very much can hurt the economy.
    • NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Raid,

      There are very few things indeed that can only be obtained through trade with the United States. Cuba is able to trade with every other country in the world. They can even obtain goods made in the USA by buying them through Mexico or other Caribbean nations.

      Cuba is a basket-case economically, because Castro is a Stalinist who fears anyone who achieves success outside the confines of his kleptocracy. Russia propped them up for decades by buying sugar at artificially high prices, but those days are over. Castro is not, and has never been competent to manage an economy (truth to tell, nobody in the world is competent to manage an economy, which is why free markets are essential.)


      -jcr

  • hawkeye17, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Great. Another historic event that Bush can ***** up.
  • mos6507, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1We were one step away from nuclear war over missiles in Cuba. Now we are letting North Korea and Iran get away with murder, and I'm sure Chavez will get nuke tech from Iran since he's so buddy buddy with them. Personally, I do not like the idea of nukes on our hemisphere, let alone as close as Cuba.

  • davew1951, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Why not mos6507 you have then in everybody else's hemisphere
  • daxsymbiont, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2you got to admit che's photo owns

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara_%28photo%29
  • jgpilot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0This is a joke, anyone that believes that Castro wanted any tourist money from Americans just have to ask “Why is it that every time an American President seriously thinks about lifting the ‘embargo’ with Cuba, then the Castro brothers screw it up for ‘themselves’ and Cuba” Just ask Mr. Carter about the Mariel fiasco and then Mr. Clinton about the Brothers to the Rescue shoot down. Apparently, the Castros don’t care about the meddling Americans on “their farm” called Cuba. Watch what happens now if the Congress seriously calls for better relations. I bet we’ll have another shoot down or boat-lift. The Castros don’t want Americans in Cuba, it would just cause them a lot of trouble. They can control the small numbers that travel illegally now, but if the doors were opened, the Castro brothers know that they couldn’t control the situation. Not to mention that what would they do with the always “subversive” Cuban-American exile in the US, they would have to have some control on that travel. What would they say, WASP Americans are welcomed but not “gusano” American citizen with Cuban ancestry could be free to visit, like they control now. Everybody, don’t kid yourselves, the Castros DO NOT want Americans to go to Cuba, it’s the only way for them to stay in power, period. The Castros will do anything to make sure they keep the so-called Embargo. Right now, it has caused them a lot of headaches to buy American food stuff and medicines since they have to buy it with cash. They just want to be able to buy on credit guaranteed by the US taxpayers so they don’t have to pay for anything they get, like they have from Europe for so long. That’s why European nations now want to have the same ‘cash and carry’ system that we have. They have loss millions of $$ to the Castro Cuba. Really, do you think it’s cheaper to buy from the U.S. or from the rest of the non-embargoed world. Medicines are much cheaper in Mexico or Canada or any place other than the U.S. So does the “embargo” keep the Cuban pharmacies empty, I think NOT. It’s just that the rest of the non-embargoed world is demanding payment right now (except for Venezuela) and the Castro brothers know that if they cry enough the politics in the U.S. will eventually give in and grant credit to them so they can put it away in their Swiss bank accounts like they have since 1959. None of these products go to the populace, but rather to the paying tourists. Believe me, if the Castros wanted the “embargo” lifted it would of had it a long, long time ago, but, that is what keeps them in power, period.
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