The W
June 7, 2009 - birthdaybritney.jpg
Views: 178998670
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Calendar | Color chart | Log in for more!
28.3.24 0728
The W - Current Events & Politics - Fidel Castro ill, relinquishes power "temporarily"
This thread has 2 referrals leading to it
Register and log in to post!
Thread rated: 4.89
Pages: 1
(604 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (17 total)
Eddie Famous
Andouille








Since: 11.12.01
From: Catlin IL

Since last post: 2620 days
Last activity: 2161 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.06

According to the AP, Raul has taken over the reins at least for now.

Could this be the start of something new for Cuba? Or more of the same?



As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004
OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005
OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005
OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005
As of 2/27/06: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight"
As of 7/31/06: 224 pounds
Promote this thread!
rinberg
Boudin rouge








Since: 30.1.02
From: South Georgia

Since last post: 4461 days
Last activity: 743 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.96
Cuban-Americans are throwing a party celebrating Fidel's ill health a little prematurely, IMO. I'm kinda scared to find out what will happen if he lives....



"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." --Rick Cook


kaynart. Get yours at flagrantdisregard.com/flickr
AWArulz
Scrapple








Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 99 days
Last activity: 99 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.69
    Originally posted by rinberg
    Cuban-Americans are throwing a party celebrating Fidel's ill health a little prematurely, IMO. I'm kinda scared to find out what will happen if he lives....


Well, he's not coming to Miami to take 'em out - I think we discussed that here


(edited by AWArulz on 1.8.06 1004)

Signature
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
rinberg
Boudin rouge








Since: 30.1.02
From: South Georgia

Since last post: 4461 days
Last activity: 743 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.96
Actually, I was envisioning riots throughout Little Cuba, but I didn't make clear whom I was afraid of. Sorry 'bout that.



"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning." --Rick Cook


kaynart. Get yours at flagrantdisregard.com/flickr
TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.42
    Originally posted by rinberg
    Cuban-Americans are throwing a party celebrating Fidel's ill health a little prematurely, IMO. I'm kinda scared to find out what will happen if he lives....


I wonder, if/when he dies, there will be a mass exodus of Cubans back to the island and what effect (if any) that sort of migration would have on Florida?

Also, on a completely unrelated tangent, might the death of Castro (and possible subsequent lifting of the embargo) swing Florida Democratic? It's been my understanding that the issue keeping a huge number of Florida's Hispanics voting Republican is the GOP's refusal to lift the embargo (a stance which Castro haters fall in line with). What kind of changes (if any) might Raul bring? Also, who will replace Raul?



I would not be a bit surprised if the individuals on the team from your area were sexually attracted to members of their own gender. That is how ineffective they are on the field of battle.
DrDirt
Banger








Since: 8.10.03
From: flyover country

Since last post: 2346 days
Last activity: 2248 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.02
Our stance with Castro for over 40 years positions us poorly re Cuba when he goes. What will happen seems up in the air to many experts. I doubt Raul will have the hold Fidel does. Remember, as in the USSR, this isn't communism but a cult of personality.



Perception is reality
pieman
As young as
he feels








Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 120 days
Last activity: 6 days
ICQ:  
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.80


    Originally posted by DrDirt
    this isn't communism but a cult of personality.
I always liked that song.





Gabba Gabba Hey!
Eddie Famous
Andouille








Since: 11.12.01
From: Catlin IL

Since last post: 2620 days
Last activity: 2161 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.06

    Originally posted by DrDirt
    Remember, as in the USSR, this isn't communism but a cult of personality.



The USSR was a cult of personality? Whose?



As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004
OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005
OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005
OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005
As of 2/27/06: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight"
As of 7/31/06: 224 pounds
jentos
Cotto








Since: 16.12.02
From: Minneapolis

Since last post: 5403 days
Last activity: 3705 days
ICQ:  
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.79
Stalin's of course, as told by Khruschev. Also to the smaller extent Lenin's.
AWArulz
Scrapple








Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 99 days
Last activity: 99 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.69
Clearly, both the USSR and Chinese PRC states were at one time cults of personality. I think you can see that from the HUGE posters, statues and images of Lenin, Stalin, Mao and others. Of course, Saddam used that. Lenin laid in public for like 50 years after he died, visible.

Not so much in later years. Brezzie tried to put his mug up, but it wasn't the same - same with Choi en Lai.



Signature
We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
MoeGates
Boudin blanc








Since: 6.1.02
From: Brooklyn, NY

Since last post: 23 days
Last activity: 23 hours
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.36
The funny thing is, Fidel actually doesn't have anything named for him or any statues or anything. You want a real cult of personality, check out this guy:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/31/60minutes/main590913.shtml

Jose Marti, Che, Cienfuegos, and pretty much any other dead Cuban National Hero is what stuff gets named for over there.

As for Cubans returning? You've got to be kidding me. Visit, sure. Start up businesses, sure. Retire there? Maybe. Live there? Not a chance.




Man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe.
-
Euripides


TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.42
    Originally posted by MoeGates
    As for Cubans returning? You've got to be kidding me. Visit, sure. Start up businesses, sure. Retire there? Maybe. Live there? Not a chance.



I personally know at least three Cubans living in South Florida whose families would like to return to the island under less oppressive circumstances. I have no idea how accurate a reflection that is on all the state's Cuban population, but lived in South Florida for nearly two decades until recently and met many, many Cubans who spoke fondly of their native land but had nasty things to say about its ruler.

EDIT: None of this is to say Fidel's removal, by death or otherwise, would all of a sudden make Cuba home to freedom and combatent of oppression. I know a little bit about Raul, but more important that that, given Raul's age, is who follows him.

(edited by TheBucsFan on 4.8.06 0152)


I would not be a bit surprised if the individuals on the team from your area were sexually attracted to members of their own gender. That is how ineffective they are on the field of battle.
CHAPLOW
Morcilla








Since: 14.5.04
From: right behind you

Since last post: 3572 days
Last activity: 2809 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.80
then again, TheBucsFan- Fidel was really old... 20 years ago, so; who knows if Raul doesnt have half a century of rule in him. Then again, we dont know if he wont get knocked out of power the first week Fidel is gone.



"...He eats what he wants, and if he wants to eat Rey Mysterio- he will!" -JBL on Mark Henry
TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.42
    Originally posted by WhoTookMyHonor?
    then again, TheBucsFan- Fidel was really old... 20 years ago, so; who knows if Raul doesnt have half a century of rule in him. Then again, we dont know if he wont get knocked out of power the first week Fidel is gone.


Raul is 75, Fidel is a week shy of his 80th birthday, so I really don't think we need to worry about Raul staying in power for long (assuming he does become the head of state after Fidel). A much more likely scenario, I'd think, would be Raul not being able to maintain peace or the trust of the Cuban people.

Incidently, the AP released a story on life in Cuba that I thought was pretty good. It points out some of the good things Cubans enjoy that keep them there, including free health care and education and a stable government.

On the other hand, it doesn't offer much of a dissident view, make casual but off-hand comments that "some" think the idea of Cuba as a democracy is a joke while allowing a Havana park cleaner who admits to sleeping in the shed where he keeps his tools to criticize a capitlist society where some have to work two jobs to get by. So take from the story what you will, I just thought it made me see the country in a very slightly different light.

I mention it more because these quotes make me think that Fidel's death, when it happens, will bring a *very* trying time to Cuba:


    "There is only one Fidel Castro," said (Havana park cleaner Froilan Mezquia). "He is the one who was born with the ideals that made Cuba."

    ...

    "Raul Castro will give no speeches until Fidel Castro decides it's time," Mezquia said. "I think even after he dies, Fidel Castro will still be in charge."


(edited by TheBucsFan on 7.8.06 1556)


I would not be a bit surprised if the individuals on the team from your area were sexually attracted to members of their own gender. That is how ineffective they are on the field of battle.
Corajudo
Frankfurter








Since: 7.11.02
From: Dallas, TX

Since last post: 3550 days
Last activity: 3053 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.73
No worries, Cuba's health system is so good that Fidel will live to be 140, according to Cuban doctors. Here's the story: http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2028979&page=1

And, if you have "free" health care (sorry for the scare quotes, but you're using free in a different context than I understand), an education and a stable government, how could there possibly be any dissidents?

I go agree on one point--it will be pretty crazy and could potentially be chaotic when Castro does die (whether it is soon or in 60 years). A colleague of mine is from the USSR, and she said that when Stalin died, the general sentiment was 'what do we do now?' And, the people who were happy about it kept that joy to themselves, needless to say.



"Teach children that they have great potential because they are human." -Warrior
TheBucsFan
TheChiefsFan








Since: 2.1.02

Since last post: 3516 days
Last activity: 3516 days
#16 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.42
    Originally posted by Corajudo
    And, if you have "free" health care (sorry for the scare quotes, but you're using free in a different context than I understand), an education and a stable government, how could there possibly be any dissidents?


Well it's a question of what you value more: health care and education or freedom of speech and the right to protest. I don't think the two are necessarily mutually exclusive, but in the case of Cuba, citizens are given outstanding doses of one and virtually none of the other. It's not really a trade I would make, but if I was had throat cancer and the prospect of free treatment like the guy in the story I quoted, I might be a bit more inclined to reconsider.

The story mentions the stability of Cuba's communist system; I think there really is something to be said for that. Now the only way you get the kind of stability Cuba "enjoys" is by having the same ruling party for half a century, and you generally don't get the same rulers for 50 years via political discourse and the democratic process. So again, it's a tradeoff I wouldn't want, and can't even really understand (giving up individual rights for the comfort of knowing what they're waking up to every morning), but hey whatever works for them. Besides, after 50 years, it's not like these people know what life without Castro in charge is like anyway, right?



I would not be a bit surprised if the individuals on the team from your area were sexually attracted to members of their own gender. That is how ineffective they are on the field of battle.
CHAPLOW
Morcilla








Since: 14.5.04
From: right behind you

Since last post: 3572 days
Last activity: 2809 days
#17 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.80
Hrm, srry TheBucsFan- I guess I didnt really know Raul was that old (tee-hee?) well, in any case- we can agree that his rule; if it comes to be- will not last. Im thinking he will have to flee from attempts on his life; he is not nearlly the icon that Fidel is, and the people will surely not have him.

On a slightly unrelated note;
I wonder how Fidel Castro will be seen once he's just an entry in the history books... not just by the U.S. but by the Cubans themselves.



"...He eats what he wants, and if he wants to eat Rey Mysterio- he will!" -JBL on Mark Henry
Thread rated: 4.89
Pages: 1
Thread ahead: Mike Wallace interviews President Ahmadinejad
Next thread: Lieberman Loses Primary, Running as Independent
Previous thread: The most costly piece of punctuation in Canada
(604 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
Larry Flynt Dem 14,673 Gary Coleman Ind 12,195 Mary "Mary Carey" Cook Ind 9,461 If the Midget Porn industry had put aside their differences and gotten their act together, they could have garnered 36,329 votes (2,214 more if they recruited Ange...
- The Sham, Recall by the Numbers (2003)
The W - Current Events & Politics - Fidel Castro ill, relinquishes power "temporarily"Register and log in to post!

The W™ message board

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim

This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.174 seconds.