Fidel Castro Resigns!

[confused04 14]

Might as well take advantage of being awakened by my roommates who have told me the Castro has indicated that he is stepping down.

BBC

CNN

Guess it could be a good thing...could be a bad thing... could be a "doesn't change jack" thing...

[BurroDiablo 222]

This won't change anything... the Cuban Politburo is pretty large and will always have leaders to fill in the space when one resigns, although, they really should get a more competent leader other than Raul, I don't really care what their political stance is. If Castro dies soon, I can expect his face to be put up everywhere in Cuba along with Guevara leading to some compulsary nationalism... just like Lenin in the USSR and Mao in China.

[Geronimo 4]

After outlasting nine American presidents (many of them trying to kill him) and ruled Cuba for 49 years, what else can I say than: Good work mate!

Now, lets see if the Revolution will outlast Castro, or if McDonalds are taking over....

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

Actually, part of the Cuban missile crisis settlement was that we'd never try to assassinate him. Good riddance, things should change for the better now.

[Geronimo 4]

Originally posted by: manticorefan Actually, part of the Cuban missile crisis settlement was that we'd never try to assassinate him. Good riddance, things should change for the better now.quote>

 

CIA`s plans for assassination as part of Operation Mongroose is an example of that. At least five plans were draw up, including poisoning, explosives in the pool, etc. 

They tried, but failed

[NMUSpidey 3,956]

Wow, such a thing to be proud of: outlasting five elected officials because your brutal regime wouldn't allow people to choose who they wanted to lead them, and jailing/killing/torturing those who disagreed with you. Way to go, Castro.

[Simtastico 0]

I thought that guy would never get old..

[Somebody 12]

well it's about time!! this might change things momentously or not at all. we can't tell yet. we could speculate on it, but we won't be sure

[Mr. Monorail Man 3]

I heard that his brother is going to take control of Cuba. His bro. said that when he is in control, no more communism in Cuba.

[patriots_1228 51]

score 1 for the red white and blue.

[krbe 193]

Don't worry, the Cuban ambassador assured everyone that "the revolution will continue", while Fidel retreats to the role as "elder statesman".

[KingTitan 6]

Glad he is gone... But who will take his place... More than likely his brother if I am correct on that. I am sure his brother has something to do with it on top of Castros ill health. But good riddens.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Cuba will always be there to defy the US, no matter if it means another 50 years of Communism. As I said, this will change nothing. The last time a leader tried to change a Communist regime, it lead to a coup and its ultimate collapse... but since Cuba doesn't have an empire to take care of, it may just end in some bloody violence for a few years untill somebody emerges the victor.

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 score 1 for the red white and blue.quote>

He's been in power for nearly half a century... its taken Ill health to oust him, not embargo's or international pressure. If anybodys scoring points its Castro.

[JanYpe 17]

NAA NA

NA NA NAA NA

HEY HEEEYYYY

score 1 for the red white and blue.quote>

Eh, how? The US hasn't done anything, hasn't gained anything and hasn't improved anything for Cuba. Score 1 for the stars and stripes once that ridiculous embargo gets lifted maybe.

[Frankie_Grove 33]

Originally posted by: El Burro Cuba will always be there to defy the US, no matter if it means another 50 years of Communism.quote>

It's interesting that Cuba continues to show so much animosity to the US. Perhaps they are still angry because we wouldn't let them become a state? (hey tried to join several times, all petitions were rejected). We helped them gain their independence, and well, it would seem that we shouldn't have.

[Geronimo 4]

Originally posted by: JanYpe

score 1 for the red white and blue.quote>

Eh, how? The US hasn't done anything, hasn't gained anything and hasn't improved anything for Cuba. Score 1 for the stars and stripes once that ridiculous embargo gets lifted maybe.quote>

 

 !!!

[Boggy1 45]

Maybe I'm going to be lynched for saying this, but I'm kinda sorry to see him go. Sure, his human rights policy hasn't been all that good, but Cuba is one of the most sucessful communist states on the planet. They have some of the best healthcare and education in the entire world. The United State's ridiculous and disgusting stance on Cuba and communism in general is appaling. The trade embargo is making lives for the Cubans far far worse, they are still using 1960s technology for day to day things for instance. Maybe if the USA would grow up and not start trying to force regime changes on everything just because it would be good for their own interests, then Cuba might really start to prosper.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: Boggy1 Maybe I'm going to be lynched for saying this, but I'm kinda sorry to see him go. Sure, his human rights policy hasn't been all that good, but Cuba is one of the most sucessful communist states on the planet. They have some of the best healthcare and education in the entire world. The United States ridiculous and disgusting stance on Cuba and communism in general is appaling. The trade embargo is making lives for the Cubans far far worse, they are still using 1960s technology for day to day things for instance. Maybe if the USA would grow up and not start trying to force regime changes on everything just because it would be good for their own interests, then Cuba might really start to prosper.quote>

I agree with that... but maybe not the most successful... China kinda takes the Gold for that.

[Geronimo 4]

Originally posted by: Boggy1 Maybe I'm going to be lynched for saying this, but I'm kinda sorry to see him go. Sure, his human rights policy hasn't been all that good, but Cuba is one of the most sucessful communist states on the planet. They have some of the best healthcare and education in the entire world. The United State's ridiculous and disgusting stance on Cuba and communism in general is appaling. The trade embargo is making lives for the Cubans far far worse, they are still using 1960s technology for day to day things for instance. Maybe if the USA would grow up and not start trying to force regime changes on everything just because it would be good for their own interests, then Cuba might really start to prosper.quote>

 

Well pointed out there! I support you on that...

[nazaguy 0]

Now maybe they will step back in line! jk

[Jerebannus XVI 7]

Originally posted by: El Burro

Originally posted by: Boggy1 Maybe I'm going to be lynched for saying this, but I'm kinda sorry to see him go. Sure, his human rights policy hasn't been all that good, but Cuba is one of the most sucessful communist states on the planet. They have some of the best healthcare and education in the entire world. The United States ridiculous and disgusting stance on Cuba and communism in general is appaling. The trade embargo is making lives for the Cubans far far worse, they are still using 1960s technology for day to day things for instance. Maybe if the USA would grow up and not start trying to force regime changes on everything just because it would be good for their own interests, then Cuba might really start to prosper.quote>

I agree with that... but maybe not the most successful... China kinda takes the Gold for that.quote>

Yeah but China is effectively a capitalist state with a Communist facade, inequality in China is just as bas as it is in most developing countries, whereas Cuba is an egalitarian state. Cuba is perhaps the closest thing to pure Communism that we'll ever get to see, if it wasn't for that despicable American embargo on ideology then maybe there would be many more successful Socialist states as they would have Cuba to look to as a role model to follow. I have one more thing to add, Castro's departure means nothing, he was the catalyst that brought about the revolution, under his leadership as a guerrilla fighter he was successful in overthrowing the corrupt American-backed regime of Flugencio Batista and that's how the revolution came about. Castro is not the revolution, the revolution lives on in the hearts of Cubans...

[Haljackey 17,325]

Retiring at 81 eh? Hope he enjoys the rest of his days!

Canada hasn't had a problem with Castro's Cuba, and I bet relations could possibly improve if a new leader is elected. Who knows, maybe the US will lift their embargo in the coming months if things progress nicely!

[DuskTrooper 314]

Now, we're just waiting until the day comes when Satan smokes this Cuban...

[patriots_1228 51]

I know. Its digusting that we would place an embargo on a country that was prepared to nuke most of our major cities. [/sarcasm]

nuclear weapons...you can't live with em, you can't live without em

[Boggy1 45]

patriots_1228: Funny, I didn't think that the entire population of Cuba threatened the USA? In fact, wasn't it the Soviets who installed the misiles on Cuba? All of which were under Soviet control? So..again..why is there still an embargo on Cuba?

[JanYpe 17]

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 I know. Its digusting that we would place an embargo on a country that was prepared to nuke most of our major cities. [/sarcasm]

quote>

Nearly fifty years ago...

In the middle of the Cold War...

After a spade of US assassination attempts and the Bay of Pigs invasion...

You know who else would have gladly nuked most of your major cities? Japan. Another island enemy that's being kept from entering the free market. [/more sarcasm]

The embargo on Cuba stopped being a reasonable measure a long long time ago. Now it's just a grudge policy kept in place by nearly fossilized senators and loud Cubans in exile.

Originally posted by: Frankie_Grove

It's interesting that Cuba continues to show so much animosity to the US. Perhaps they are still angry because we wouldn't let them become a state? (hey tried to join several times, all petitions were rejected). We helped them gain their independence, and well, it would seem that we shouldn't have.quote>

Wasn't the last bid for Cuban statehood around the time Teddy Roosevelt paid a little visit? Because that's been a while.

[belfastuniguy 18]

I'm glad to see him go. He must be congratulated for his health and education polices which in a surreal way actually allows for Cubans to live longer than most Americans and has one of the worlds highest literacy rates.

So he must be praised for that however, his record on human rights is a total disgrace. The denial of many basic human rights, state supported homophobia, spy's placed in residential districts and countless other flagrant breaches of internationally accepted human rights. I do agree with the lifting of the embargo it is somewhat childish to continue with it. However I don't see much changing, but I would like to see human rights improved in Cuba for its people.

[Micah 16]

Maybe I'm going to be lynched for saying this, but I'm kinda sorry to see him go. Sure, his human rights policy hasn't been all that good, but Cuba is one of the most sucessful communist states on the planet. They have some of the best healthcare and education in the entire world. The United State's ridiculous and disgusting stance on Cuba and communism in general is appaling. The trade embargo is making lives for the Cubans far far worse, they are still using 1960s technology for day to day things for instance. Maybe if the USA would grow up and not start trying to force regime changes on everything just because it would be good for their own interests, then Cuba might really start to prosper. quote>

This argument comes up all the time. If Cuba is so great, why does the US Coast Guard constantly have to deal with fleeing refugees trying to enter Florida? I'd imagine if it was so great, people would want to stay there, not trying to escape.

[ilikehotdogsalot 308]

Originally posted by: Boggy1 Maybe I'm going to be lynched for saying this, but I'm kinda sorry to see him go. Sure, his human rights policy hasn't been all that good, but Cuba is one of the most sucessful communist states on the planet. They have some of the best healthcare and education in the entire world. The United State's ridiculous and disgusting stance on Cuba and communism in general is appaling. The trade embargo is making lives for the Cubans far far worse, they are still using 1960s technology for day to day things for instance. Maybe if the USA would grow up and not start trying to force regime changes on everything just because it would be good for their own interests, then Cuba might really start to prosper.quote>

Are you serious? Living in South Florida, all you see is Cubans. Many have had their family members tortured, killed, even brutally attacked. My mom's co-worker used to live in Cuba and he had to bike ride 50 miles and back just to go to a medical school. There is almost no food in Cuba, a simple Coca Cola costs 10 dollars! [well, 5 euros. You'll go to jail if you take dollars to Cuba, since it's banned]. I remember during the Pan American Games in Brazil, some Cuban sports players would not go back to the plane back to Cuba. Don't get me started on the immigration of Cubans to the United States The embargo is silly now, but back when they were going to nuke our cities it seemed like a good idea. I do agree it should be lifted now though.

[The_Dalai_Llama 15]

This changes nothing, really. Until a new leader emerges that doesn't affiliate themselves with Castro or the Communist Party, things will stay the same... the status quo, if you will.