http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/02/19/castro/index.html

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba and commander-in-chief of Cuba's military on Tuesday, according to a letter published in the state-run newspaper, Granma.

50 years to replace one dictator with another, I don't think his brother is going to do much better in his place.



Oh, and I passed 2000 posts, yay to me.

My first reaction is: "wow".

Given Castro's age and recent health issues, his resignation is not a total surprise, but if asked, most folks probably expected him to die in office.

May his passing the reigns bring about a change in the manner Cuba and the rest of the world relate to one another.

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens next.

It is way past time we normalized relations with Cuba.

It is way past time we normalized relations with Cuba.
I agree.

However, I don't have high hopes for anything changing.

Well from what I understand his brother was just as bad as Castro.

So I doubt anything is going to change.

Well from what I understand his brother was just as bad as Castro.

His brother is Castro. :p

His brother is Castro. :p

i c wht u did there

At one time Cuba was a premier tourist destination.
Great beaches and loads of fun until '69.. (I think)
even when our own stupid people & laws (PROHIBITION) became the rule of thumb..
ever since ... foreign policy would dictate trade and tourism.. and we became victims of our own ignorance..:confused:
and here we are today..SSDD

Well from what I understand his brother was just as bad as Castro.

So I doubt anything is going to change.
They have problems associated with communism but mostly totalitarian rule and human rights violations via the dictator..
Again here we are because of a lack of communication..aka diplomacy..

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz..clinton/albright... or worse bush/rice
when will the electorate learn the best path is thru diplomacy?
"If you you're not with us you're against us ." Is a blockade not a path..

If you don't talk with the enemy how can you hope to understand them and move past the problem of being an enemy?

My first reaction is: "wow".

Given Castro's age and recent health issues, his resignation is not a total surprise, but if asked, most folks probably expected him to die in office.

May his passing the reigns bring about a change in the manner Cuba and the rest of the world relate to one another.
es I think the rest of the world gets on just fine with Cuba.

Doing some good holiday deals there these days.

As regards Fidel, I believe this is the start of the end of the Communist regime.

It will definitely be interesting to see what happens next.

True. I'd like to see US/Cuba relations normalized immediately.

It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.

It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.


Yeah, that's why so many have died trying to leave from under his wing.




http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2339/castrozg7.png (http://www.allforums.net/)

It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.
#1 he is not dead yet...

#2 he is no "great world leader" He was the self-assigned leader of a third world island off the coat of Florida. People would try to "float" to the US from this hell-hole of a country (and many died trying)... you should try to go there yourself... I'm sure that they would love to have a anti-American such as you come and live there. Make sure to bring your 1950's Chevrolet... we all want you to "fit in".

Jesus, you ARE a dumbass.

It is unrealistic to expect a sudden conversion to a capitalist democracy, but it is fair to infer there will be a gradual loosening of regulations and more prominent liberalism in Cuba in the coming years. It is therefore safe to foresee a flourishing democracy down the road.

Ultimately, Cuba has been an interesting case study of communism for longer than most of us can remember. This is why those interested in politics and international relations are so curious to see how Cuba emerges from these uncharted waters.

Hopefully the U.S. — with its penchant for unilateralism — has learned from its mistakes elsewhere in Central America and will not prop up its own political candidates. Democracy and political candidates are only endearing when they rise in a nation organically, rather than being forced from the outside.

One worries that an easing of domestic policy will mean hordes of Cubans leave the country, in a brain drain of epic proportions.
However, many Cubans already do seasonal work in the US or Canada, and while virtually every Cuban has a relative that lives elsewhere in North America, most Latin Americans are proud of their heritage.

We should hope that positive change — even if gradual — is enticing and concrete enough to justify the optimism of Cuban citizens.

Fidel Castro. Maybe the most successful dictator in modern history.

Continues to inspire a line of political change in Latin America to this day.

Successfully survived hundreds of assassination attempts by the CIA and
anti-communists based in Metro/Dade and surrounding area.

Gave the US war machine its first taste of defeat, long before Vietnam.

Fidel Castro, love him or loath him, has for 50 years, along with Ernesto Guevara been the faces of change around the world.

True. I'd like to see US/Cuba relations normalized immediately. Here Here!


It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.
Uh, no..not gone and not "a great world leader" .. alot of Cubans in Miami would beg to differ..
but we have our own evil despot.. aka "W"

#1 he is not dead yet...

How true. But then, I have not seen anyone suggest that he is dead, genius.

He has, however, passed out of power and out of the position of president.

#2 he is no "great world leader"

We disagree.

you should try to go there yourself...

I would love to. But the ConservaFascist leadership in America is so terrified of Cuba that they have made it illegal for US citizens to visit there.

Originally Posted by Freethinker
It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.


Yeah, that's why so many have died trying to leave from under his wing.


They left because of the living conditions and the lack of availability for economic betterment.

And both of those conditions can be attributed in large part to this country having brutally held its foot on Cuba's neck for decades, and you know it.

For over 40 years, the Cuban people have suffered a brutal economic, commercial and financial blockade designed to crush their resistance and force it to renounce its right to sovereignty and independence. The B*sh administration has continued this genocidal policy towards Cuba nad has taken it to unprecedented extremes. It is little wonder that the common people want out from under such a blockade.

Yes I know some people who have vacated in Cuba.
Beautiful location,friendly people.

There is terrible poverty sure, tho I wonder how bad it would be if the childish attitude in Washington had been more positive with its neighbour.

It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.

When someone says "passes" it usually means you think he is dead... dumbass.

There is terrible poverty sure, tho I wonder how bad it would be if the childish attitude in Washington had been more positive with its neighbour.

There's nothing we have they can't get from anyone else, so I don't think we're the problem. I bet they could even get parts for 50 year old American cars from Mexico or Canada.

How true. But then, I have not seen anyone suggest that he is dead, genius.

He has, however, passed out of power and out of the position of president.



We disagree.



I would love to. But the ConservaFascist leadership in America is so terrified of Cuba that they have made it illegal for US citizens to visit there.


You can take a direct flight out of Canada --A lot of US travelers do it --We have no travel restrictions.
--They even have US dollar only shops down there .

When someone says "passes" it usually means you think he is dead... dumbass.
wishful thinking?....otoh, FT's heroes giving up power normally requires a funeral.

There's nothing we have they can't get from anyone else, so I don't think we're the problem. I bet they could even get parts for 50 year old American cars from Mexico or Canada.

Apart from maybe business links. And trade of course.

It is unrealistic to expect a sudden conversion to a capitalist democracy, but it is fair to infer there will be a gradual loosening of regulations and more prominent liberalism in Cuba in the coming years. It is therefore safe to foresee a flourishing democracy down the road.
I can't agree more. Alright so the news reported for two days after resigning that Castro resigned. And speculated the future with a combination of "experts" and random people on the street, is simply ridicious. We simply have no idea whats going to happen, mostly since America in general is just too ignorant to go over there and even attempt to make relations.

Whats the worst that can happen?

Whats the worst that can happen?
All those Canadians and Euroweenies sunbathing look on as the Marines charge the beach :)

When someone says "passes" it usually means you think he is dead... dumbass.

*Usually means* does not equate to *always means*.

Since in this case it was a matter of common knowledge that he was still alive, it seems obvious that the term 'passing of a great leader' would have communicated to most people (well, to those who are not idiots) simply that he had 'passed' the reins of political power.

Have a nice day, Einstein.

You can take a direct flight out of Canada --A lot of US travelers do it .

That does not alter the fact that the "kinder, gentler" Conservafascist faction that runs America has made it illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba.

What are they so terrified of, that they would pass such a law? Hmmmmmm??

True. I'd like to see US/Cuba relations normalized immediately.

It is sad to see the passing of such a great world leader.

Had to laugh at ft when i saw this.

If this is the standard of a great leader imagine what he thinks of bush!:woohoo:

Mr Castillo, 50, a journalist who wrote articles critical of the regime, told The Sunday Telegraph: "It was terrible. It was like being in a desert in which sometimes there is no water, there is no food, you are tortured and you are abused.

"This was not torture in the textbook way with electric prods, but it was cruel and degrading. They would beat you for no reason even when you were in hospital.

"At other times they would search you for no reason, stripping you bare and humiliating you. There was one particular commander at a jail in Santa Clara who seemed to take delight in handing out beatings to the prisoners."

Mr Castillo, who claims he was denied proper medical aid for diabetes and heart problems, added: "We are nothing more than a reflection of the human cost of the fight being waged by the Cuban people."

While the dissidents tasted freedom, 58 of the original 75 jailed for long terms in 2003 are still behind bars.

It is estimated another 250 political prisoners languish in Cuban prisons. Mr Castillo was not hopeful that the departure of El Comandante from the helm of power would bring great changes.

"Nothing will change with the resignation of Castro. He will still be manipulat

That does not alter the fact that the "kinder, gentler" Conservafascist faction that runs America has made it illegal for US citizens to visit Cuba.

What are they so terrified of, that they would pass such a law? Hmmmmmm??

Because America stands for something.Rewarding Cuba by allowing
ease of stay would only make it easier for Castro to remain in power.
Fidel has been damn near bankrupt for years.He's barely eeking by.
He's spent much of his Country's money on paying for his own
security and hush money.America doesn't abide corrupt Dictators who
live to keep a Country's people under the yoke of repression.
Plus even if Raoul does decide to GO democratic,there's all those
Miami cubans who''l want their property back.A daunting task in the
least.

Sure-the present and only policy has worked real well :roleyes:

I wonder, will the same admiration be expressed when Kim Jong-il (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1131421.stm) finally throws in the towel? That country has been under the same family dictatorship since the late 1940's. It has been yet another shining example of communist rule.

Apart from maybe business links. And trade of course.

What do you mean? They can't have business links and trade with Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, Africa, etc., etc.? There are plenty of successful companies that do just fine without trading with the U.S. I don't know why the same wouldn't apply to Cuba.

None of which should be interpreted as me thinking the embargo is a good idea. I just don't think we have much to do with Cuba's economic situation.

What do you mean? They can't have business links and trade with Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, Africa, etc., etc.? There are plenty of successful companies that do just fine without trading with the U.S. I don't know why the same wouldn't apply to Cuba.

None of which should be interpreted as me thinking the embargo is a good idea. I just don't think we have much to do with Cuba's economic situation.
Why can they not have business links to the above, because there is an embargo. Tourism is one of the main stays of the Cuban economy.

As for not having much to do with Cuba's economic situation.
Isnt that what the whole embargo is/was about.
90 miles from the worlds biggest market, may as well be 90,000 miles.

I wonder, will the same admiration be expressed when Kim Jong-il (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/country_profiles/1131421.stm) finally throws in the towel? That country has been under the same family dictatorship since the late 1940's. It has been yet another shining example of communist rule.
Noit wont.
That Korean done zero for his people, and has hid behind the word Communism since day one.

Noit wont.
That Korean done zero for his people, and has hid behind the word Communism since day one.
replace Korean with Cuban, and you have Cuba's story too.

Why can they not have business links to the above, because there is an embargo. Tourism is one of the main stays of the Cuban economy.

The embargo only affects tourism with us, not anyone else. And even then there is supposedly large amounts of cash flowing from ex-pats in this country to Cuba.

Maybe the fact that tourism is one of the mainstays of the Cuban economy is part of their problem?

As for not having much to do with Cuba's economic situation.
Isnt that what the whole embargo is/was about.
90 miles from the worlds biggest market, may as well be 90,000 miles.

I'm not saying they wouldn't be making more money if the U.S. market was available to them, but there is plenty of money to be made trading with other countries and for some reason they're not doing it. In this day and age, geography has little to do with it.

replace Korean with Cuban, and you have Cuba's story too.No it wouldnt.

The embargo only affects tourism with us, not anyone else. And even then there is supposedly large amounts of cash flowing from ex-pats in this country to Cuba.

Maybe the fact that tourism is one of the mainstays of the Cuban economy is part of their problem?



I'm not saying they wouldn't be making more money if the U.S. market was available to them, but there is plenty of money to be made trading with other countries and for some reason they're not doing it. In this day and age, geography has little to do with it.
Obviously its everything to do with it. 90 miles we're talking here.

Oh and of course the fact irts a communist regime doesnt help.


Id say both Cuba and the US looses out from the embargo.

No it wouldnt.
yes it would.

My turn-no it wo..........

N.Korea plowed all its resources into turning itself into a military camp. Cuba did not.

Cuba has one of the finest healthcare programs in the third world. However as was seen in East Europe, the collective process kills ambition, add that to the fact the worlds biggest market refuses to trade with them, you have what you see today. An impoverished island, depending on tourism, and some tobacco exporting, Im surprised they've lasted as long as they have.

Oh and of course the fact irts a communist regime doesnt help.

Yes! My point exactly!