My thoughts on…Fidel Castro’s resignation
The news caught me by surprise this morning. I just couldn’t believe it. After all these years, Fidel Castro finally resigned. I knew it had to eventually happen, but I almost saw the guy as invincible. I mean he was in power for 49 years. Would’ve been cool if he made it a round 50. Ah well. Soon after he announced his resignation, Bush said that he regards his resignation as “a period of transition, and it should be the beginning of the democratic transition in Cuba”. Bush, your “bringing democracy to the world” gimmick is getting old. Cuba isn’t gonna sell out like Puerto Rico, so just forget it. And if Raul is anything like Fidel, which I know he is, that will never happen.
A classmate of mine said that Jamaica needs a Fidel, to weed out the corrupt politicians, and I agree. Fidel wasn’t without his flaws, but he cared about his people, and that’s a lot more than I can say for most politicians. He even left his position of prestige to become a revolutionary - to alleviate the plight of his people. How many people sitting in parliament or congress would do that? I’ve never had a reason to hate him. He ran Cuba well, despite the American embargo. Jamaica on the other hand, is practically America’s footstool. Let’s see. Cuba has 98% literacy, virtually all of its citizens attend university and it’s healthcare system is comparable to First World countries.
Us? Well, our healthcare system…needs work and while our literacy rate is 88%, 26% (female) attend tertiary instititions, about half that for males. Yeah. We’re benefiting from that alliance alright. In fact, Cuba’s aiding us, allowing our students to study over there, giving us free light bulbs…erm, let’s not talk about that shall we? I’m proud of Fidel. After countless assassination plots, they never got you, even outlasting nine U.S. presidents. You had the balls to defy a nation virtually every other country fears. You weren’t forced out of power, neither by death or foe. You ended your governance on your own terms. Way to go.
Another great post. Imagine what Cuba would have been without the embargo. I never did buy into the argument that Castro is a communist. A socialist yes….
Castro ran Cuba WELL?
America doesn’t trade with Cuba, but he rest of the world does… Castro’s infliction of communism upon Cuba has resulted in poverty and misery for Cuba’s people. His export of “revolution” spread death and strife in places like Angola and achieved NOTHING.
Cuba’s claims of achievement in health care, education, etc. is nothing but propaganda aided and abetted by the same sort of mushy-minded “useful idiots” that fawned over the Soviet Union… Until it collapsed. Look up “Potemkin Village.”
You’d think your sort would have learned, but evidently not.
Without the United States, the free world wouldn’t exist. The US has it’s faults, but to lionize a murderous dictator who viciously suppressed dissent via EXECUTIONS, FORCED “PSYCHIATRIC CARE”, TORTURE, and IMPRISONMENT, for DECADES while complaining that the US’s sacrifices in blood and money to remove terrorist thug regimes are “getting old” is both offensive and ludicrous.
Ever hear the old joke routine, George Carlin IIRC, where it’s observed that what’s “stuff” to yourself is Sh!t to others… Well, your stuff STINKS.
How did I know it? How did I know that there would be some anti-Castro rhetoric posted here?
My parents visited Cuba last summer, and said that although beautiful, it was clearly very poor and everything was badly in need of repair.
Although Raul will not turn to democracy. I believe he will open Cuba up a little bit, and help it develop economically.
Tom Beaton’s last blog post..Image is everything – Sort out your landing pages
I respect Fidel, I don’t share his philosophy but I beleive he is a good man.
America on the other hand is evil and I believe no explanation is necessary
Jamaipanese’s last blog post..Japanese Teaching Material Handing Over Ceremony - Feb 25th 2008
I respect the fact that Fidel was able to stay in power despite the US fighting so hard to get him out, but at the same time, I ask myself what would drive so many people to put to sea on some BARELY sea worthy crafts with little food or water in an effort to leave the place… I don’t think it was so good over there, Mr. Leon.
Don’t make anyone fool you.
Mad Bull’s last blog post..Chat ‘Bout
I agree with Mad Bull and also think that you have to be there, have to have lived it to have the real picture on this one. Not just hearsay.
Happybutterfly’s last blog post..Lynden David Hall - one soul brother
Way to go Fidel..I think you are the man too..not perfet,no one is but I have maximunm respect for the man. He is smart,this way he gets to see his obits while still being the defacto leader:)
kami’s last blog post..Lynden David Hall - one soul brother
Well I’m no fool. I recognize the fact that people must have been fleeing Cuba for some reason, but you still have to give credit where credit is due.
I spent some time in Cuba last year and was invited to dinner with a local couple in Havana. We got the full spiel on how ordinary citizens feel and most are not happy. Unless you’re a Communist you have no power and little else. I hope Raul brings longed for change.
FeelingFlirty’s last blog post..How much does age matter?
I’ve been to cuba twice. but guantonomo bay. It was fun.. but it was mostly united states citizens there. as it was a us naval base.
Uh.. relative to fidel.. did you know the man had more than 300 assasination attempts on his life. damn!!!!
someone tried to give him an exploding cigar.
taylor2nd’s last blog post..Dvd Mayhem in jamaica.