…is a hero to those in this country who are wetting themselves this election over “change”.

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?

No.

http://www.kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=24693

These people are your neighbors.

(You are free to employ your imaginations for the blank).

The Marxist institutions in place would collapse faster than a college air head at an Obamma rally.

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.

I don’t smoke cigars but I will on the day Castro dies.

RiH Fidel. :-)

File this one in the “a half century late, a few billion dollars, thousands executed and imprisoned and millions of Cubans tormented short” category: Fidel Castro has resigned as dictator of Cuba:
An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigne…

William Amos on February 19, 2008 at 2:47 PM

Oh, that’s nothing. Check C&L, they’re sucking him off over there.

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.

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?

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.

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.

BBC Boards

Bush was no democratic president, rigging elections, illegal wars, at least Fidel kept it in house and gave his country healthcare.

Dave Eye, Bradford, (Ethnic Minority’Apparently), Manningham, US Minor Outlying Islands

Added: Tuesday, 19 February, 2008, 18:13 GMT 18:13 UK

Fidel Castro was a hero. Since the end of the Spanish-American war at the turn of the century, the United States has legally had control over Cuba, and despite the countless deaths for freedom from Spain, Cubans were suddenly imperial subjects of the US. Castro ousted the US, the Mafia and gave the exploiting US corporations the Cuban people. Sounds like a real tyrant.

Alexander K, Centerport, NY

Added: Tuesday, 19 February, 2008, 18:12 GMT 18:12 UK

I’m shocked. Simply, shocked. To me, he’s a great man leaving a great legacy behind.
It’s interesting, in the US I know so many people that have so much empathy for Cuban “exiles”, yet don’t analyze the situation of other immigrants. As for one thing, I only wish that my native country of Mexico would have full racial integration, accessible health care, and free education. Count the street kids in L.America, and count the ones in Cuba.

Myra Belman, Napa, United States

Added: Tuesday, 19 February, 2008, 18:12 GMT 18:12 UK

Downing Street says the retirement of Cuban leader Fidel Castro is “an opportunity” for the country to make progress towards democracy.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s spokesman said he hoped it would lead “to more respect for human rights and the release of political prisoners”.

Could equally be applied to both the UK and the US Governments.

Pablo

Added: Tuesday, 19 February, 2008, 18:12 GMT 18:12 UK

Cuba achieved 100% literacy, excellent and free healthcare and education, to name a few. Wealthy Americans fly via Canada for the best cancer treatment in the Americas.

Sure, he is a dictator and people have lost their lives, which is bad. But it’s nothing compared to the utter hypocrisy in the US where democracy is dictated by money and media and where many more people die in support of the arms lobby.

I doubt that it will have an impact on the relationship with the US.

[lewvdc], London, United Kingdom

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!

A little something for my friends at HA….and Cuba….

Next Stop Hollywood

Limerick on February 19, 2008 at 1:50 PM

Niccccccccccce.

Next Stop Hollywood

And we are in the process of repeating that mistake with Chavez.

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?

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.
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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

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

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.

Here is to him dying soon and burning in hell.

Tim Burton on February 19, 2008 at 9:21 AM

Come now. If you believe in hell, then you don’t wish people there.

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.