Castro retiring

[RadarContactLost]

I almost wish he'd stay through next January just so he could say he out lasted JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush2. Gave Haile Selassie a run for the record book.

[ZeroAltitude]

The end of an era. Almost 50 years.
Will they now replace those old vintage Cadillacs and Chevrolets with new composite cracker boxes?

[tds]

The end of an era. Almost 50 years.
Will they now replace those old vintage Cadillacs and Chevrolets with new composite cracker boxes?

I doubt there'll be any immediate moves to lift the embargo, sadly. Presumably it'll hang on what reforms follow (if any) and also on who wins in November.

I can't wait though - Havana Club and Cohibas for everybody!

[Ancient Mariner]

Too bad, I liked the old bugger.
Per

[Dmmoore]

I did too Per.
He's 82.
He has been better for the people of Cuba than Batista ever was.
Its too bad the US and Castro couldn't find common ground somewhere.

[RadarContactLost]

Havana Club would be common enough terreno for me.

[Cam]

It's still a commie hole.

Let the people be free.

[Pipe]

Put this asshole on trial. Quick, before he burns in hell!

[sindeewell]

I really don't care one way or another...just so long as it doesn't f**k up my vacation next week.

[einesellesenie]

You guys that "kinda liked the ol' fart" should not.

What Pipe said...100 times.

I still hope to see he get a taste of his own "paredón". I dream...

[Sickbag]

Viva Castro

[Ancient Mariner]

You guys that "kinda liked the ol' fart" should not.

What Pipe said...100 times.

I still hope to see he get a taste of his own "paredón". I dream...

Why not, I have a long list of Presidents and Prime Ministers I kinda not liked . Most of them from "democracies" and most of them responsible for more humane sufferings that Castro.
Per

[Peter_K]

You guys that "kinda liked the ol' fart" should not.

What Pipe said...100 times.

I still hope to see he get a taste of his own "paredón". I dream...

Make that 1000 times. Let’s not forget that besides Cuba he and that murderous pervert Che attempted to spread the sick Marxist ideology from Latin America all the way to Africa. They have blood of tens, if not hundreds of thousands of people on their hands.

[David Hilditch]

I doubt there'll be any immediate moves to lift the embargo, sadly. Presumably it'll hang on what reforms follow (if any) and also on who wins in November.

It's pretty ridiculous that the Americans allow trade and investment in numerous other dictatorships and repressive countries (such as China) and don't allow the same in a little country like Cuba. I thought we were always told that trade, commerce and cultural exchanges were the processes which encouraged freedom, political change and freer media. Oh, I see, the anti-Castro community in Florida.

[tds]

I doubt there'll be any immediate moves to lift the embargo, sadly. Presumably it'll hang on what reforms follow (if any) and also on who wins in November.

It's pretty ridiculous that the Americans allow trade and investment in numerous other dictatorships and repressive countries (such as China) and don't allow the same in a little country like Cuba. I thought we were always told that trade, commerce and cultural exchanges were the processes which encouraged freedom, political change and freer media. Oh, I see, the anti-Castro community in Florida.

I couldn't agree more (just to point out - I was commenting on the reality, not approving of it!). The embargo has been a dismal failure on its own terms. It has managed to impoverish the Cubans, but that's about it.

[Ancient Mariner]

I doubt there'll be any immediate moves to lift the embargo, sadly. Presumably it'll hang on what reforms follow (if any) and also on who wins in November.

It's pretty ridiculous that the Americans allow trade and investment in numerous other dictatorships and repressive countries (such as China) and don't allow the same in a little country like Cuba. I thought we were always told that trade, commerce and cultural exchanges were the processes which encouraged freedom, political change and freer media. Oh, I see, the anti-Castro community in Florida.

Politics = logic? No, didn't think so.
Per

[Dmmoore]

I doubt there'll be any immediate moves to lift the embargo, sadly. Presumably it'll hang on what reforms follow (if any) and also on who wins in November.

It's pretty ridiculous that the Americans allow trade and investment in numerous other dictatorships and repressive countries (such as China) and don't allow the same in a little country like Cuba. I thought we were always told that trade, commerce and cultural exchanges were the processes which encouraged freedom, political change and freer media. Oh, I see, the anti-Castro community in Florida.

I agree David. As far as Castro goes, if the US had treated him differently during the early years, his relationship with the U.S. and other countries would have been much different. Batista was a crook and we supported him. Castro wanted a better life for all Cubans. At that time he wasn't communist. He became one after the U.S. refused to help or worse listen to his rational for the revolution.

A similar condition with Ho Chi Min in Vietnam. Ho fought with U.S. during WW II but we supported the French. Later "WE" supported the crooks that got themselves elected in the South. Using our 20/20 hindsight, dumb moves both times.

I don't claim to know what would have happened "IF" the U.S. had done things differently, only that there would be a different result.

[Pipe]

I doubt there'll be any immediate moves to lift the embargo, sadly. Presumably it'll hang on what reforms follow (if any) and also on who wins in November.

It's pretty ridiculous that the Americans allow trade and investment in numerous other dictatorships and repressive countries (such as China) and don't allow the same in a little country like Cuba. I thought we were always told that trade, commerce and cultural exchanges were the processes which encouraged freedom, political change and freer media. Oh, I see, the anti-Castro community in Florida.

I agree David. As far as Castro goes, if the US had treated him differently during the early years, his relationship with the U.S. and other countries would have been much different. Batista was a crook and we supported him. Castro wanted a better life for all Cubans. At that time he wasn't communist. He became one after the U.S. refused to help or worse listen to his rational for the revolution.

A similar condition with Ho Chi Min in Vietnam. Ho fought with U.S. during WW II but we supported the French. Later "WE" supported the crooks that got themselves elected in the South. Using our 20/20 hindsight, dumb moves both times.

I don't claim to know what would have happened "IF" the U.S. had done things differently, only that there would be a different result.

Accurate and frightening history at the same time, isn´t it Don.

May I ask the question what the US have learnt from these events?

Pipe

[Dmmoore]

Accurate and frightening history at the same time, isn´t it Don.

May I ask the question what the US have learnt from these events?

Pipe

Yes it is.
I'm afraid the answer is, not much.

[Peter_K]

Wasn’t Sadat (Egypt) also ready to bend over backward in order to win American friendship going even as far, as bringing the Tutankhamen exhibit on the road to America? He and some other ME leaders were basically pushed right into Brezhnev’s open arms.

[ZilogMan]

I really don't care one way or another...just so long as it doesn't f**k up my vacation next week.

Don't worry, it won't.

[einesellesenie]

You guys that "kinda liked the ol' fart" should not.

What Pipe said...100 times.

I still hope to see he get a taste of his own "paredón". I dream...

Why not, I have a long list of Presidents and Prime Ministers I kinda not liked . Most of them from "democracies" and most of them responsible for more humane sufferings that Castro.
Per

Looks like it is an acquired taste, to kinda like mass murderers... so be it, then...

[Sickbag]

Castro is a great man.

The USA gave the Cuban people a wonderful gift by imposing a economic blockade and side lining the country

long may it continue.