NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070131/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_castro

Stinks for all you who thought he was dead!

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to postpone my vacation for a few years...

So he's not dead. Just dying.

Party time! Excellent!

the man is 80. its just a matter of time.

Not exactly cause de celebre, if you ask me.

Damn. Now what do I do with the clown I rented?

This is really off-topic, but how do you edit your public profile?

:rolleyes: (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12270000&postcount=71)
(click it)

AchillesLastStand, there should be a user CP (control panel) button on the top left hand corner ish. :) (if thats what you meant..)

Whew. We're not f*cked.

Yet...

I hate to wish death on anyone, and so I will not say that this is a bad thing for Fidel Castro. However, it is a bad thing for the people of Cuba.

:rolleyes: (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12270000&postcount=71)
(click it)

AchillesLastStand, there should be a user CP (control panel) button on the top left hand corner ish. :) (if thats what you meant..)

Thanks a million.

NOOO!!!1one I had the drinks and party hats and everything!:(

that is just a communist robot in disguise of castro !!!

I hate to wish death on anyone, and so I will not say that this is a bad thing for Fidel Castro. However, it is a bad thing for the people of Cuba.

Based on how little Cuba seems to have changed since Raul took over the day-to-day, I don't see how Fidel's eventual death will have much of an effect.

Based on how little Cuba seems to have changed since Raul took over the day-to-day, I don't see how Fidel's eventual death will have much of an effect.
The embargo could end.

The embargo could end.

I don't see that happening under Bush even if Fidel were to spontaneously combust on world wide television.

Based on how little Cuba seems to have changed since Raul took over the day-to-day, I don't see how Fidel's eventual death will have much of an effect.

I can't claim to be an expert on Cuban politics, but I would not be suprised if, after Fidel ceased to be an influence on Cuban government, Raul lost a large portion of his power. He certainly doesn't have the cult of personality that Fidel has depended on in the past.

I can't claim to be an expert on Cuban politics, but I would not be suprised if, after Fidel ceased to be an influence on Cuban government, Raul lost a large portion of his power. He certainly doesn't have the cult of personality that Fidel has depended on in the past.
I'm certainly no expert either, but it seems to me that Fidel didn't stay in power for all these years simply on the power of his personality. He's got a massive infrastructure in place now, and that shold keep rolling for a while, even after Raul is gone.

I don't see that happening under Bush even if Fidel were to spontaneously combust on world wide television.

But he only has two years left, and I seriously doubt anyone else is committed to keeping this blockade in place. I mean, it's not like we do business with any other regimes that violate human rights or anything like that.

But he only has two years left, and I seriously doubt anyone else is committed to keeping this blockade in place. I mean, it's not like we do business with any other regimes that violate human rights or anything like that.I learned a long time ago to never underestimate the power of the Cuban lobby in Congress. At least now, since they're so tied up with the Republicans and really aren't up for grabs in national elections, there's no need for the Democrats to try to pander to them, so we might see some movement after that.

I learned a long time ago to never underestimate the power of the Cuban lobby in Congress. At least now, since they're so tied up with the Republicans and really aren't up for grabs in national elections, there's no need for the Democrats to try to pander to them, so we might see some movement after that.

True. This ridiculous blockade needs to come down because it's denying Cuba its right to trade freely with the United States; not to mention the fact that their sugar and other agricultural industries have been pretty badly ruined because of the blockade and the massive amount of money we spend subsidizing our sugar producers.

The US is punishing Cuba for nothing, really.

True. This ridiculous blockade needs to come down because it's denying Cuba its right to trade freely with the United States; not to mention the fact that their sugar and other agricultural industries have been pretty badly ruined because of the blockade and the massive amount of money we spend subsidizing our sugar producers.

The US is punishing Cuba for nothing, really.

With all due respect Vetalia, the cuban government trades with Canada, The EU Nations, China, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, and others and despite the remaining USA embargo sanctions, the Cuban government buys agricultural goods from the USA each year on a COD basis, Cash as you buy basis.

Fidel has been punishing Cuba for over 48 years with a dictatorship government that organizes pro government mobs against political dissidents
for disagreeing with government laws and policys, the Cuban American community seems to be the only ones in the world that cares. the world leaders are very comfortrable doing business as usual with dictators Fidel and Raul for life.

Put yourselfs in our shoes, if you were living in another nation because your native nation is a dictatorship would you all want your host nation to trade and have full economic, political and social relations with your native nations
dictatorship government.

...the Cuban American community seems to be the only ones in the world that cares...
No, the Cuban American community is just one of many interest groups on this issue. They all care, it's just that not all of them agree with your particular view on things.

No, the Cuban American community is just one of many interest groups on this issue. They all care, it's just that not all of them agree with your particular view on things.
Thanks for your care Neu Leonstein.

But the way many of us Cuban Americans see it,
an embargo by the USA alone has not worked and
cant work, but trade and diplomatic relations by
most of the world has not worked either, to change
the dictatorship ways the Cuban government treats
its own citizens living in Cuba today, right now.

Because the Cuban dictatorship government does
not want to reform itself, like we can change our
NS dictatorship nations by answering issues in
a reform like way.

Those crazy Cuban Americans like myself are tired
of non support from the democratic governments of
Canada and European nations for over 48 years now.

I dont know how else to put it then using the same material
over and over again, that is why I post like a broken record.

It's the US who has pushed Cuba into a corner with invasion, blockade, embargo, assassination and political pressure. Fact remains that despite all this Fidel has established a cradle to the grave social and medical support system for every single one of his people, something the US has never got close to. Now people can moan all they like about the country being in economic ruin, but the fact remains it's a fallacy, and it's what they said in 1963 too for propaganda reasons.

http://www.quaylargo.com/Transformation/McCelvey.html

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to postpone my vacation for a few years...

I still find it amazing that the American government restricts the freedom of movement of American citizens by forbidding them from going to Cuba.

I went to Cuba a year and a half ago. Wonderful experience.

Put yourselfs in our shoes, if you were living in another nation because your native nation is a dictatorship would you all want your host nation to trade and have full economic, political and social relations with your native nations
dictatorship government. So basicly Screw those you left behind right? Let them suffer both a dictatorship AND an Embargo. How nice of you.

I heard he was waiting for Saturday night so he could cause riots in Miami during the Super Bowl.

I wonder how great the party in Miami will be? I wish I could be there.

I'm certainly no expert either, but it seems to me that Fidel didn't stay in power for all these years simply on the power of his personality. He's got a massive infrastructure in place now, and that shold keep rolling for a while, even after Raul is gone.

Since Raul started taking care of the country, things have opened up culturally and socially.

Raul surprised Cubans by encouraging greater discussion on government policies and more transparent state management. He said the country was tired of excuses and criticized delays in paying private farmers who provide 60 percent of its produce.

"Raul has made a point of abandoning Fidel's practice of scapegoating others. Instead, he is admitting that the revolution's problems are serious and home grown," said Brian Latell, a former CIA analyst and author of "After Fidel."

"The good thing about Raul is that he listens," said a Cuban economist who asked not to be named. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/31/AR2007013100441.html)

There are three words that Fidel Castro could say that would end the embargo faster than we could say "Cuban cigar":

"We found oil."

That is all.

With all due respect Vetalia, the cuban government trades with Canada, The EU Nations, China, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, and others and despite the remaining USA embargo sanctions, the Cuban government buys agricultural goods from the USA each year on a COD basis, Cash as you buy basis.

Yes, but they're also being denied access to much of the $13 trillion dollar economy to the north of them. That's a lot of economic potential for their country, especially given the proximity between us and Cuba. That's like having the entire EU 80 miles north of you.

Fidel has been punishing Cuba for over 48 years with a dictatorship government that organizes pro government mobs against political dissidents
for disagreeing with government laws and policys, the Cuban American community seems to be the only ones in the world that cares. the world leaders are very comfortrable doing business as usual with dictators Fidel and Raul for life.

Oh, I don't argue that Fidel isn't an oppressive dictator. However, that dictatorship isn't going anywhere as long as we continue to isolate them; that kind of proximity to the US would have a huge effect on their nation if they were open to trade and conduct business with us.

Put yourselfs in our shoes, if you were living in another nation because your native nation is a dictatorship would you all want your host nation to trade and have full economic, political and social relations with your native nations dictatorship government.

I imagine it would depend on if by doing so we could bring a swifter end to that dictatorship. Trade is one of the few ways that we can undermine a totalitarian regime; isolating it from us isn't going to make them collapse any time soon.

So basicly Screw those you left behind right? Let them suffer both a dictatorship AND an Embargo. How nice of you.

What I want for Cuba is no embargo and
no dictatorship,
what many of you want for Cuba is no embargo
and dictatorship,
I give you credit for admitting it is a dictatorship,
many of our fellow nations deny, defend and excuse
the dictatorship.

That is Also what many world leaders including the
democratic leaders of Canada and European nations want
for Cuba no embargo and dictatorship forever.

Yes, but they're also being denied access to much of the $13 trillion dollar economy to the north of them. That's a lot of economic potential for their country, especially given the proximity between us and Cuba. That's like having the entire EU 80 miles north of you.

Oh, I don't argue that Fidel isn't an oppressive dictator. However, that dictatorship isn't going anywhere as long as we continue to isolate them; that kind of proximity to the US would have a huge effect on their nation if they were open to trade and conduct business with us.

I imagine it would depend on if by doing so we could bring a swifter end to that dictatorship. Trade is one of the few ways that we can undermine a totalitarian regime; isolating it from us isn't going to make them collapse any time soon.

Vetalia with all due respect to you, your post sounds logical, but the Cuban government trades with Canada, the EU Nations, China, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, and other nations, even buys agricultural goods from the USA each year on a Cod, cash as you buy basis.

can buy medicines it chooses not too, Cuban Americans send thier family members in Cuba family remittances $, care packages, communicate with thier family members in cuba through letters, phone calls, and limited time family visits despite some remaining sanctions of the so-called embargo.

What the Cuban government lacks are American tourist & American loans and credits, while it receives loans and credits from other nations of which it owes billions of dollars worth $ to those nations.

Over two million tourists mostly from Canada and Europe visit Cuba each year.

all this trade and contacts, and the Cuban dictatorship does not want to reform itself, all these contacts and nothing has changed.

A one nation alone USA embargo has not worked and cant work,
but trade, tourists, diplomatic relations and dialogue have not worked either.

I know I post like a broken record, but these are the facts.

Vetalia with all due respect to you, your post sounds logical, but the Cuban government trades with Canada, the EU Nations, China, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, and other nations, even buys agricultural goods from the USA each year on a Cod, cash as you buy basis.

can buy medicines it chooses not too, Cuban Americans send thier family members in Cuba family remittances $, care packages, communicate with thier family members in cuba through letters, phone calls, and limited time family visits despite some remaining sanctions of the so-called embargo.

What the Cuban government lacks are American tourist & American loans and credits, while it receives loans and credits from other nations of which it owes billions of dollars worth $ to those nations.

Over two million tourists mostly from Canada and Europe visit Cuba each year.

all this trade and contacts, and the Cuban dictatorship does not want to reform itself, all these contacts and nothing has changed.

A one nation alone USA embargo has not worked and cant work,
but trade, tourists, diplomatic relations and dialogue have not worked either.

I know I post like a broken record, but these are the facts.

but it's ok to trade openly with China which is not changing it's totalitarian government why?...because US corporations are making billions and americans love inexpensive consumer goods...

Vetalia with all due respect to you, your post sounds logical, but the Cuban government trades with Canada, the EU Nations, China, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, and other nations, even buys agricultural goods from the USA each year on a Cod, cash as you buy basis.

can buy medicines it chooses not too, Cuban Americans send thier family members in Cuba family remittances $, care packages, communicate with thier family members in cuba through letters, phone calls, and limited time family visits despite some remaining sanctions of the so-called embargo.

What the Cuban government lacks are American tourist & American loans and credits, while it receives loans and credits from other nations of which it owes billions of dollars worth $ to those nations.

Over two million tourists mostly from Canada and Europe visit Cuba each year.

all this trade and contacts, and the Cuban dictatorship does not want to reform itself, all these contacts and nothing has changed.

A one nation alone USA embargo has not worked and cant work,
but trade, tourists, diplomatic relations and dialogue have not worked either.

I know I post like a broken record, but these are the facts.

And the rest of the world should join America in enforcing this silly embargo why?

Cuba has never acted aggressively towards us, on the contrary, Cuba treats visitors and tourists with respect and contributes significantly to the international community.

Besides, limiting trade can do nothing but harm, while liberalising trade can do nothing but good. If the embargo was lifted, the Cuban middle class would be able to grow and flourish, (and you need a well-to-do middle class in order to challenge tyranny). The embargo does nothing but make life harder for the average Cuban.

I hate to say it, but from this side of the pond the only rationale I can see for the actions of the Cuban Expatriot (deliberate choice of words, they aren't 'exiles', they left of their own accord) Movement is simple pettiness.

Fidel Dies and goes to Heaven :

Fidel dies and goes to heaven. When he gets there, St. Peter tells him
that he is not on the list and that no way in hell, no how, does he belong in heaven. Fidel must go to hell.

So Fidel goes to hell where Satan gives him
a hearty welcome and tells him to make himself at home.

Then Fidel notices that he left his luggage in heaven and tells Satan, who says, "No hay problema, I'll send a couple of little devils to get your stuff."

When the little devils get to heaven they find the gates are locked -
St.Peter is having lunch - and they start debating what to do. Finally,
one comes up with the idea that they should go over the wall and get the luggage.

As they are climbing the wall, two little angels see them, and one angel says to the other, "My goodness! - Godness! Fidel has been in hell no more than ten minutes and we're already getting refugees!"