Castro out
posted at 7:15 am on February 19, 2008 by Bryan
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There’s a “meet the new boss, same as the old boss” quality about this, but Fidel Castro has announced that he’s done as president of Cuba, just a short 49 years into his tenure. With his failing health, perhaps he was worried about being able to fulfill his next 49-year term.
An ailing Fidel Castro stepped aside as Cuba’s leader Tuesday, ending nearly a half-century of rule that saw him become an arch-enemy of 10 U.S. presidents as head of one of the world’s last communist nations.
Castro, 81, announced his decision in a letter posted in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma, which has been his main form of communication since July 2006, when a crippling illness rendered him too weak to appear in public.
His 76-year-old younger brother, spry spring chicken Raul Castro, will officially take the reins unless the rubber stamp parliament decides to go in another direction.
Michelle has a great round-up complete with Zombie Fidel. I say the Fidel Death Watch is on. I have a cigar waiting for that day.
Babalu Blog has Castro’s letter of resignation. He lets Hollywood and the left down easy.
Exit question: With a (slight) changing of the guard, is it time to lift the embargo and push the Commies over with a firehose full of trade?
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Good riddance.
Jockolantern on February 19, 2008 at 7:21 AM
good riddance.
j0 on February 19, 2008 at 7:21 AM
Farewell, Fidel, and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
Hugo Chavez!!!!
YOU’RE NEXT!!!!!!
pilamaye on February 19, 2008 at 7:25 AM
Absolutely !! What could be better than a vacation in Havana? I’m ready.
OBX Pete on February 19, 2008 at 7:27 AM
Only in exchange for substantive democratic reforms.
flipflop on February 19, 2008 at 7:27 AM
Fidel: Door. Ass. Bang.
flipflop on February 19, 2008 at 7:27 AM
Lifting the embargo just on Cuban cigars would probably mean a 1000% increase in Cuba’s GDP.
flipflop on February 19, 2008 at 7:30 AM
I think it’s time for ☆change★ as concerns our policy to Cuba, myself. It’s been how long? With Castro out, there’s really no longer any reason to not deal with them. Plus, free trade is an anti-communism disinfectant in its own right. So, why not?
And, wow, it must be late (here). I misread “[h]is 76-year-old younger brother” as Raul being 76 years younger.
amkun on February 19, 2008 at 7:33 AM
Time to book that fabulous 5-day, 4-night getaway.
malan89 on February 19, 2008 at 7:33 AM
Yes! My ghoul pool bid is looking better than ever!
Milano on February 19, 2008 at 7:40 AM
Re. Exit question. Normally I’d say no. But if the dems win, they will prop up another communist regime there. It’s probably too late in any case. Castro is like the Supremes–just waiting for the Republicans to be out of office before retiring.
JiangxiDad on February 19, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Does this mean he’s skipping the Democrat convention?
JammieWearingFool on February 19, 2008 at 7:50 AM
For a couple of months maybe, until the mystique wears off. All the good rollers fled the Dominican Republic, the commies in Cuba were only concerned with output and not quality and the growers in DR have been perfecting their leafs while the commies have done nothing for fifty-years. Cigar Afficianado did a story on it a few years ago (2003 if I’m not mistaken).
srhoades on February 19, 2008 at 7:53 AM
Adios, comrade colostomy bag.
Mike Honcho on February 19, 2008 at 7:54 AM
Not yet. Time for more carrot and less stick but, because of decades of public policy, we need to wait until Cuba is free not just free of the Castro boys.
Exit prediction/comment. If the US were to use the “firehose full of trade” approach I can easily see Hugo Chavez taking over the Cuban government in the name of the Cuban people to defend them from the capitalist Yankee Dogs. This is a situation that requires more the “boiling lobster” approach.
highhopes on February 19, 2008 at 7:59 AM
Anyone catch Steve Harrigan’s report on Castro’s resignation via Fox & Friends this am? “Bringing liberty from tyranny” and “I even admired Castro” were just two bits of nuanced balance Steve brought to his report. Schmuck.
heroyalwhyness on February 19, 2008 at 8:05 AM
Hollywood weeps
TheBigOldDog on February 19, 2008 at 8:08 AM
I smell a nice Cuban vacation coming on soon. mmmmm sunshine, cigars, bronzed cuties, warm nights heavy with music…..
Alden Pyle on February 19, 2008 at 8:09 AM
I wonder if there will be fewer boats setting sail for America now.
boomer on February 19, 2008 at 8:14 AM
Um….. Not defending Castro’s regime here but Cuba under Batista was hardly a shining example of a freedom-loving people living in a democratic utopia. To a certain extent the dictatorship installed by Castro was better than the previous regime unless you were one of the “haves.” Again, this isn’t singing Castro’s praises but to point out that nuance comes in many forms.
highhopes on February 19, 2008 at 8:19 AM
Even with Raul in charge, normalized trade would just mean the money is going into his pocket instead of Fidel’s. However, it would be interesting to watch the upheaval…I’m not convinced Raul has the support Fidel has, even with his brother’s endorsement.
JohnTant on February 19, 2008 at 8:22 AM
Bah, He just resigned to run for governor of Minnesota. He’s already up by 12%.
kingaljr on February 19, 2008 at 8:33 AM
Ok, you owe me a new keyboard.
I don’t care who you are, that’s funny right there.
Janna on February 19, 2008 at 8:56 AM
Vietnam is full of free trade, they have gone from commie to oligarchy. I see Cuba doing the same thing, with the government siphoning off money to bolster the military. Besides other countries trade with Cuba and they seem to manage. I think our trade would only feed the beast and eventually the Cubans in America would draw us into some sort of conflict with their political pressure after a decade of free trade has created a stronger Cuban state and some unforseen Chavista/Che wannabe gets hold of the country.
Theworldisnotenough on February 19, 2008 at 9:07 AM
and why has Castro been allowed to stay in power for this long, so close to the United States? JFK and the Cuban Missle Crisis:
http://hnn.us/articles/1090.html
jp on February 19, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Sucks that we’ll have to go socialist and then commie first before we can get to oligarchy and finally back to democracy. It’s Asia’s century boys.
JiangxiDad on February 19, 2008 at 9:16 AM
Finally, the 51st state: South Florida.
Potfry on February 19, 2008 at 9:16 AM
★
Here is to him dying soon and burning in hell.
Tim Burton on February 19, 2008 at 9:21 AM
I don’t see the trade pushing the commies over. China’s commies are standing up quite well, as they enjoy their huge trade surplus with the US.
I have to remind myself that this is not about Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Merrie Wilson.
Bigfoot on February 19, 2008 at 9:33 AM
I saw Fidel’s picture and thought he was dead. Maybe the next time….
For any of you lefties out there ready to take this comment out of context, yes, I do celebrate when murderous dictators go belly up. Think of it as akin to the warm feeling you get when you see a rolled over SUV.
Canadian Infidel on February 19, 2008 at 9:36 AM
-the SUV being a gas guzzling vehicle destroying Mother Earth.
/forgetting sarc clarifications
Canadian Infidel on February 19, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Grudge match with Zombie Reagan?
You and me both! AndI don’t think we’ll be the only ones…
Frozen Tex on February 19, 2008 at 9:39 AM
Snarctastic!
ronsfi on February 19, 2008 at 9:39 AM
I thought that was Willy Nelson.
Griz on February 19, 2008 at 9:45 AM
If that’s Willy, then that ain’t no cigar…
Frozen Tex on February 19, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Bryan, we so need to see that in a Vent. Maybe with a Ventilator song. “Na na na na Goodbye” maybe?
Meryl Yourish on February 19, 2008 at 9:58 AM
I had my hopes up that he was dead. Alas.
BillLalor on February 19, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Before trade can be considered, perhaps a few other things should occur first, like for example giving the people back rights that they should enjoy, freedom of the press, freedom of conscience, private property, etc.
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on February 19, 2008 at 9:58 AM
I was in Cuba in 2000. There is LOTS of repair work to be done to bring even the best hotels (La Nationale) up to US standars. But it’s a pretty interesting place.
Also, medical standards are P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C ! Don’t go there unless you are really, really healthy. I toured the Havana hospital and it took all my power to keep from getting sick (and I have a pretty strong stomach).
stenwin77 on February 19, 2008 at 10:01 AM
As unbalanced as Chavez is this should push him over an edge. He’ll make a move to show he is more Fidel then Fidel.
He’ll fly over and ask Fidel to annoint him. He has the cash to bribe the entire island.
Limerick on February 19, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Should we suspend trade with China or Saudi Arabia until they give people the rights they should enjoy?
Instant democracy isn’t a guarantee of long-term stability. It will probably take a decade to unwind the dysfunction that Castro’s dictatorship has brought about. Encouraging trade and allowing investment from U.S. companies will do a lot to transform the society.
dedalus on February 19, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Trade blockade? but which one:
http://therealcuba.com/whereistheblockade.htm
jp on February 19, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Castro resigns…
…thus paving the way for his death two years ago.
Lee on February 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Castro:
Hello? Is this Hell? Yes, Fidel here. I would like to make a reservation. Something with boiling pitch, flaming sulfer and right near Che. Che Guevara? Oh, he’s writhing for eternity impaled on red hot sickles and beting beaten with hammers? Oh, all right, glowing spikes and hammers for me, too.
How soon? Well, I’d start heating and sharpening ASAP.
profitsbeard on February 19, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I understand your point, but I would argue that Castro was far worse because a) he was a tyrant much, much longer that Batista (about 12 years over two separate terms), b) the impoverished under Batista remained impoverished under Castro and tens of thousands more joined their ranks, and c) the only things equitable under Castro were misery and imprisonment.
(And don’t forget, we helped Castro get his start in overthrowing the Batista regime. So it’s not as if the US was propping up the Cuban status quo in the late ‘50s.)
I’m sure there is one thing we agree on: It’s a crying shame this news didn’t appear in the obituary section.
scatbug on February 19, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Bush, traveling in Rwanda, pledged to “help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty.”
God, if that’s not the kiss of death.
Drum on February 19, 2008 at 10:57 AM
Who would be next in line after Raul? At 76 he isn’t exactly going to last another 49 years either.
Hollowpoint on February 19, 2008 at 10:58 AM
Bremer?
Drum on February 19, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Arthur or Paul?
profitsbeard on February 19, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I vote for Ollie North.
Limerick on February 19, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Does this mean that sometime today Allah is going to post a video of “Don’t Fear the Reaper” again?
p40tiger on February 19, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Absolutely
offroadaz on February 19, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Bremer already has his medal for adding to the disorder in Iraq.
We should open up a channel with the Cuban leadership in order to thwart the influence of Chavez, who can offer petro-dollars and military assistance if there is unrest. Limiting Chavez is good for the region and good for Cuba.
dedalus on February 19, 2008 at 11:13 AM
But, but, I thought they had the best healthcare in the world! How could Moore lie to us like that?
/sarc iff
the goddess anna on February 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Good one! Quick!
Drum on February 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM
His doctor said he’s gonna live to 140, so I guess he’ll have 59 years of retirement to get some serious “me-time.”
Jim-Rose on February 19, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Bout Time. How long has he been dead anyway?
Bladerunner1701 on February 19, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Yup. Watch it play out. In a month or so there will be reports that “Fidel” is feeling ill and taken to his bed. After a short time while his private doctors tend to him, he will pass away in his sleep. It will be a closed casket funeral.
This just in, Francisco Franco is still dead.
Mallard T. Drake on February 19, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Won’t Hemmingway be surprised!
Limerick on February 19, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I’m having a Cuban sandwich today to celebrate. God Bless the Cuban people, they have suffered for so long. It’s capitalism time, baby.
FLcapitalistthug on February 19, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Don’t worry.
They’re too busy tripping over themselves to congratulate him for opposing the evil imperial empire.
SouthernDem on February 19, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Nah…he still gets to keep his superdelegate status.
LarryinVA on February 19, 2008 at 11:51 AM
I guess this means that the sexual tourism Havana is known for will finally be available to Americans.
How nice !!
saiga on February 19, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Yeah. Sean Penn, Danny Glover, get your funeral tuxedos to the cleaners.
labrat on February 19, 2008 at 12:01 PM
There’s been no evidence this serial killer has been alive for the past year.
Headline News said this morning that “Castro brought universal healthcare and racial integration to Cuba, but was criticized for violating free speech and political rights.”
As if socialist healthcare isn’t a scourge, and even if it weren’t, that it would justify genocide.
ashleymatt on February 19, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Come now. If you believe in hell, then you don’t wish people there.
Tzetzes on February 19, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Quick! Call Hillary and Obama and let them know there’s now an opening for a Supreme Communist Ruler on Castro’s former Island paradise.
Scorched_Earth on February 19, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Front page photo and caption are clasic.
12thman on February 19, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Sigh,…another dream broken. How depressing! Next you’re gonna tell me they had a national health plan, just like the ones Obama and Hillary are pushing.
a capella on February 19, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Hurricane Castro
RushBaby on February 19, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Perfect shirt for this occasion.
NTWR on February 19, 2008 at 1:05 PM
Not if Bush has his way:
WASHINGTON – Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte says the United States will not soon lift its embargo on Cuba despite Fidel Castro’s resignation.
ADVERTISEMENT
Asked by reporters at the State Department if Washington planned to change its Cuba policy now that Castro has stepped down, Negroponte replied: “I can’t imagine that happening anytime soon.” He declined further comment.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080219/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_castro
Drum on February 19, 2008 at 1:15 PM
One of the biggest mistakes we ever made as a country is allowing this piece of human garbage to die of old age.
And we are in the process of repeating that mistake with Chavez.
JayHaw Phrenzie on February 19, 2008 at 1:33 PM
A little something for my friends at HA….and Cuba….
Next Stop Hollywood
Limerick on February 19, 2008 at 1:50 PM
So what? One dictator for another. The best we could hope for is the assasination of the “younger brother” and then hopefully the people would stand up fpr democracy.
kcd on February 19, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Niccccccccccce.
RushBaby on February 19, 2008 at 2:40 PM
He needs to hurry up and die – Miami’s going to be so gloriously happy when he does.
I don’t like a Communist government so close to my home state (or my country). Toppling them through trade seems smart. I wonder if we could support a rebel band who’d be willing to put in some sort of (Latin American, and thus flawed) democracy?
Remember the Tropicana!
emailnuevo on February 19, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Good Greif there are tears for this man on the BBC BBS boards
BBC Boards
William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I will only visit a free Cuba, but it will be in my lifetime. It’s one of my ardent wishes for places yet to see.
The perspective of Hillary/Obama/McCain will be interesting to observe, and I assume they will differ from each other.
The media is so predictable.
Free trade should ensue, but won’t due to FL politics. Nothing would put an end to that disaster faster. Mold, jackals, snails…don’t thrive in sunlight.
Entelechy on February 19, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Anyone think about why they would make this announcement at 3 in the morning? I didn’t think anything of it until I was over on Fark.
Drew Curtis has a blog entry he wrote today on his theory on why they wouldn’t wait until this morning to make the announcement — Castro’s already dead, and they needed to make the change quick. Once they elect the new leader, then they’ll make the announcement that he died quietly.
I don’t know if I believe it (not a conspiracy theorist type), but it is an interesting question.
ScoopPC11 on February 19, 2008 at 3:30 PM
There’s some speculation that the transition will be more “Chinese” than “Soviet” (opening some economic avenues, retaining political control in the hands of Raul or other dictatorial leader). Don’t know myself.
I do find it ironic that this transition is beginning under Bush. He can’t get credit for Fidel’s health issues (as far as we know…), but it’s interesting that Reagan/Bush coincided with the end of the Soviet era, and Bush/Cheney are in power when Fidel steps down.
I concur with others that I look forward to a freer Cuba in my lifetime. Vacation spot in 10-15 years?
cs89 on February 19, 2008 at 3:52 PM
A middle of the night announcement that Castro is stepping down?
No, he’s not stepping down. He’s already dead–likely has been dead for some time.
They’ll give Cuba 24-72 hours to process the info of Castro stepping down before they announce that he has dies.
Enoxo on February 19, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Oh, that’s nothing. Check C&L, they’re sucking him off over there.
SouthernDem on February 19, 2008 at 5:59 PM
I don’t smoke cigars but I will on the day Castro dies.
RiH Fidel. :-)
Mojave Mark on February 19, 2008 at 8:16 PM
Lift the embargo and hit Cuba with a full on tsunami of capitalism and American tourism.
The Marxist institutions in place would collapse faster than a college air head at an Obamma rally.
SuperCool on February 19, 2008 at 8:26 PM
Die, rot and burn in Hell, you worthless _______.
(You are free to employ your imaginations for the blank).
Dave R. on February 20, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Listen to what rank and file ignorant American leftists really think about one of history’s worst Dictators and how excited they are about his new spoken autobiography.
http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=24693
These people are your neighbors.
HockeyTemper on February 20, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Interesting to see a thug dictator who held power with an iron fist for 49 years…
…is a hero to those in this country who are wetting themselves this election over “change”.
No.
91Veteran on February 20, 2008 at 1:11 AM
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