NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14126537/

could this really be the day that we see the end of Fidel Castro? I cant even tell you how happy i would be if Castro were out of power. The world doesnt need an oppressive dictator. Im not wishing death on the man, but i just hope this is really the end of castro's cuba.

My brother looked like Fidel Castro a few weeks ago, 'cause of his beard... Just to let you know...

He does have a weird beard. I mean, look how it sticks out!

These dictators have the best facial hair...:(

My brother looked like Fidel Castro a few weeks ago, 'cause of his beard... Just to let you know...


really...huh. cool

He does have a weird beard. I mean, look how it sticks out!

These dictators have the bast facial hair...:(


and did you see saddam when they took him out of the spider hole, that is some classic beardage there.

Is it just me or does Raul look like Walter Matthau?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14126537/

could this really be the day that we see the end of Fidel Castro? I cant even tell you how happy i would be if Castro were out of power. The world doesnt need an oppressive dictator. Im not wishing death on the man, but i just hope this is really the end of castro's cuba.
It isn't that bad. I've been there.

I've heard that he was a fairly popular leader, for a dictator.

And, anyways, this is only temporary, Raoul is still in charge.

Liasia']It isn't that bad. I've been there.


well he might not be oppressive, i dont really know much so i shoudnt jump to conclusions, but his politics are terrible. the man suggested, during the cuban missile crisis, that kruschev launch the missiles. he is just a horrible guy and the world is safer with him out of power.

We all know he is not going to be ruling Cuba forever. He himself stated that he isn't going to rule past his 100th birthday.

We will just have to wait and see what happens but I do not think that his brother will be ruling for long.

Castro is unique. I don't agree with his politics. I don't agree with his strongarm tactics. I don't agree with his personal grooming habits. :p

But he ran a small caribbean country a hell of a lot better and longer than anyone else has. :)

But he ran a small caribbean country a hell of a lot better and longer than anyone else has. :)

Hey, in Civ 3 I ruled as leader of the Mayans for 5,000 years. I challenge Castro to beat that record.

Hey, in Civ 3 I ruled as leader of the Mayans for 5,000 years. I challenge Castro to beat that record.
I... I don't think that quite counts. But congratulations!

Hey, in Civ 3 I ruled as leader of the Mayans for 5,000 years. I challenge Castro to beat that record.
If I rember right I ruled tropico for a LONG time as well lol

But...but...when Castro dies...that...means...they...lift...the embargo against importing Cuban goods into the US! That means the cigar makers will increase output at the expense of quality! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

well he might not be oppressive, i dont really know much so i shoudnt jump to conclusions, but his politics are terrible. the man suggested, during the cuban missile crisis, that kruschev launch the missiles. he is just a horrible guy and the world is safer with him out of power.
The World is hardly trembling in the Presence of Cuba.. They're hardly that dangerous.

I think he's done a pretty damn good job leading Cuba.

But...but...when Castro dies...that...means...they...lift...the embargo against importing Cuban goods into the US! That means the cigar makers will increase output at the expense of quality! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

DOes it really matter how well made the burning turd between your lips is?

;)

I gotta say, I really don't agree with his policies, but his system does have a great healthcare system and he does somewhat care for his people, unlike a lot of other tinpot dictators out there. And I really don't know if it would be for the better if he died. It could possibly destabilize Cuba, and then we'd have more problems south of our borders.

I hope he at least lives long enough to appoint a good, more liberal (capitalistic) replacement. Having another destablized country to worry/stage coups in, is the last thing America, and Cuba, needs.

But...but...when Castro dies..that...means...they...lift...the embargo against importing Cuban goods into the US! That means the cigar makers will increase output at the expense of quality! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I would be more afraid about Cuba being swamped by American tourists.

DOes it really matter how well made the burning turd between your lips is?

;)
Well, not between my lips, but I know a guy who postulated that theory once.

Fidel Castro will turn 80 in less than two weeks and Cuba has never been so stable as now, it is about time he made provisions and did some testing for turning over the reins.

well he might not be oppressive, i dont really know much so i shoudnt jump to conclusions, but his politics are terrible. the man suggested, during the cuban missile crisis, that kruschev launch the missiles. he is just a horrible guy and the world is safer with him out of power.
Those were different times.

Cuba is by far the safest, most impressive country I've seen in Latin America. What impresses me most is the total lack of poverty (comparing Cuba to the rest of Latin America here, not to the US or Canada).

And for a dictatorship, the people have an impressive amount of real political power.

Fidel Castro will turn 80 in less than two weeks and Cuba has never been so stable as now, it is about time he made provisions and did some testing for turning over the reins.
Raul is not a spring chicken.

There are already other, younger people in government, poised to take over and continue Castro's policies. There was quite a bit of lively debate over who would take the reins once Castro steps down or dies.

Raul is not a spring chicken.

There are already other, younger people in government, poised to take over and continue Castro's policies. There was quite a bit of lively debate over who would take the reins once Castro steps down or dies.

Just because they want to, doesn't mean they can. It is no mean feat to run a country like cuba without a revolt or coup. *nod*

Those were different times.

Yeah, back then he had Che Guevera leaning over, whispering into his ear "kill everybody, do it now, kill everyone..."

Nowadays he's a classic dictator, giving the people just enough to distract them from the fact that he rules the country with an iron fist.

Amazing isn't it? I didn't expect to see this in my lifetime (i.e. born 1983) so this is amazing.

Just because they want to, doesn't mean they can. It is no mean feat to run a country like cuba without a revolt or coup. *nod*....And Raul Castro is a pretty cool name for a dictator... I mean if you can't be Fidel you might as well be Raul.

Just because they want to, doesn't mean they can. It is no mean feat to run a country like cuba without a revolt or coup. *nod*
Do you honestly think Castro has held on this long, with a higly educated populace, and not using 'strongarm tactics' as claimed (such as disappearances, torture, etc) simply on personality alone? People in Cuba aren't stupid, they can see what they have in comparison to other nations. Many Cubans have been to other countries as social workers or medical staff, and bring their stories back...you talk to the average Cuban, and they will complain about a lack of certain items, but they don't want to end up with some living in mansions, and a great deal of others living in shantytowns like you see throughout most of Latin America.

I honestly don't see much changing for Cuba other than the US finally having a legitimate reason to get rid of the embargo.

Yeah, back then he had Che Guevera leaning over, whispering into his ear "kill everybody, do it now, kill everyone..."

Nowadays he's a classic dictator, giving the people just enough to distract them from the fact that he rules the country with an iron fist.
Describe that iron fist for me...but only if you didn't have five shots of that swill:)

Yeah, back then he had Che Guevera leaning over, whispering into his ear "kill everybody, do it now, kill everyone..."

Nowadays he's a classic dictator, giving the people just enough to distract them from the fact that he rules the country with an iron fist.

There's honestly nothing wrong with running a country with an iron fist. As long as you know what the hell you're doing. Honestly, fair dictators would get things done much faster, much better for their populace, and with less idiocy than even the best democracies. Actually, the best democracies would probably take years just to decide which type of new chairs they want on in the parliament buildings.

Dictators would just getting everyone the nice comfy black LazyBoys and make everyone deal with it.

Castro's no Somoza, Pinochet or Suharto.

Which makes him bad, because all were for neoliberalism and big business.

Describe that iron fist for me...but only if you didn't have five shots of that swill:)
Jailing of librarians, one party rule, state security services, relocations. It's got a soft exterior because most of the Cubans have learned how to live under the system. And some of them have even bought into the quasi-religious personality cult that exists around Castro. Sociologically it's very interesting.

And I'm not touching the Jaeger tonight. I realized that it would be better spent by drinking it with friends.

Jailing of librarians, one party rule, state security services, relocations. It's got a soft exterior because most of the Cubans have learned how to live under the system. And some of them have even bought into the quasi-religious personality cult that exists around Castro. Sociologically it's very interesting.

And I'm not touching the Jaeger tonight. I realized that it would be better spent by drinking it with friends.
Good choice:)

One party rule. Well, one party, but many candidates. Meaning, who you elect, represents YOU not the party. I don't know about you, but I don't get to vote for a representative...I get to vote for a party. And people hold their representatives to their promises in Cuba...re-elections and recalls are common, at every level. Castro himself has to be elected in his riding...of course he is, and who is to say what he would do if he actually lost...but there it is. I don't see it as any more of a farce than our elections in Canada.

Quasi-religious cult, oh there are certainly some...but there are many who don't care for him personally, though they support the system (or not, in certain ways). The young especially hold him in less high esteem...patting their shoulders and referring to 'el jefe' in a sort of sarcastic, resigned tone. They want the jeans, the shoes, the CDs, the cars...for sure. But they also want to keep the education, the health care, and the other social systems. So what to do? They aren't sure...they admire many things about the US, but also despise a lot of it. They'd like it...a lo cubano...according to their style. I hope they can do it.

Castro has cracked down at various times over the years, for sure. Even executed hijackers. People also attempt to leave Cuba in dangerous ways. The lure of greener pastures is not something Cubans are all immune to. But there are also many, many more that leave the country with permission, and do not 'defect'. How do you account for that?

Cuba isn't perfect, but it's ahead of many other nations in a lot of ways. It is also under a lot of external pressures...pressures that have literally ruined other nations, and taken wealth directly out of the hands of the many, and put it in the hands of the few. I guess it comes down to priorities. I would prefer that all had the necessities of life guaranteed to them, regardless of their earning power, to the kind of economic disparity seen in even the developed nations. Things do not equal quality of life. Not to me.

Wouldn't he just be replaced by his brother? Who'll 99.9% rule the country in the same freaking way?