Good for Castro! I hope he lives to be 100.

Fidel Castro is a relic of the Krushev cold war. He reminds me of the American made cars from the '40s and 50's that still drive the streets of Cuba.

@Charles the Hammerhead #1.2 Yep. Damn tough old autos. Much like Castro. He's tough as nails. I hope He enjoys good health and lives to be 150. He damn sure never let fear enter into His thinking. I like the hell outta Him.

Could be anything. They have National Health Care. He could well live to be 100.

He is a miserable old SOB. He would have nuked the eastern seaboard of America killing millions. I also hope he lives to a 150 in unbearable pain every morning of his filthy life.

@denver bill 2

For starters... He's not being fed by MontSanto. That alone should be enough to add a few more years...

I wish we knew a little bit more about life in CUBA... Not the US govt reports and midia. Not the Cuban Govt Reports and Midia, but a real sit down conversation with someone who lives there.

They gotta do something good if their medicine is their main source of revenue (Med Tourism is HUGE), Life expectancy is higher than in the US, Infant mortality is down etc...

I just wish we could get the real picture...

Castro is a SOB, he should just roll over and croke and quit breathing our precious air.

must be something they grow themselves down there, haha

I hope you die a long and painful death you old bastard. He has kept his power through tyranny and intimidation, not through love of thy neighbor or real respect for his citizens, many who live in devastating poverty. He lives by "kill thy neighbor, torture thy neighbor" if he doesn't believe as "I do".

Castro,

You don't remember what a headache feels like? Ask your wife, I would imagine she has one every night :)

particularly a report from a Spanish newspaper last week that said he had suffered a massive stroke and was in a vegetative state

Ha, the jokes on that paper. He's been in a vegetative state for the last 40 years.

After this report, I think I will continue to stick to my Cuban cigars even more!

mac you must not cuban. if you like him that much why dont you move there.

Protecting Mac's Freedom of Speech I see. If you don't like what he says you tell him to move to another country. Maybe you should read the constitution.

"I don't even remember what a headache is"

That's called alzheimer's.

It sounds like the reports on Castro are accurate. The Premier has a touch of DEMENTIA !

Our CIA should have given him a 5.56mm, copper-jacketed headache a long, long time ago.

Rot in hell when you die, jack-@$$.

Well gillanator why isn't Dave's "freedom of speech" as important as Mac's? All Dave did was ask him a question on why he hasn't taken the opportunity to move if he wants to to that beautiful island and get closer to someone he admires. Now You, Mac, Dave and I all have the same "freedom of speech" isn't it great?

"Castro: I'm so healthy I don't 'even remember what a headache is'"

I have always suspected those Cuban cigars to be anything but cigars....probably more weed than cigars I would say...

Matter of time though dude....plus the fact that he's walking in the woods..not a good sign...you take away that walking stick, and it's all over Cubanos...(The CIA, that's a clue...)

JCB-1236504 @ .. and it's now the U$@ that does the torturing in Cuba now. My how things have changed.

I'll never understand how average americans think what Castro did was wrong.

He used the Soviet Union and their Nukes to PREVENT the US from invading.

It worked.

How was he wrong to do what he did?

nac "He is a miserable old SOB. He would have nuked the eastern seaboard of America killing millions."

um, you do realize we ACTUALLY nuked Japan and killed millions of japanese people right?

You also realize that we've made promises to nuke Iran out of existence if they even BREATHE wrong on Isreal, right?

We're just as evil, if not more...how toasty do you think hell will be for us all?

I mean, WE SUPPORT OUR MILITARY who makes these threats, and follows through on these promises.

WE are the ones who attack/invade/occupy nations that have done nothing to us - most recently Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cuba was right, we would have invaded and taken them over...made them be just like Puerto Rico.

Good on Castro...im sure their people would rather live in poverty, than to be owned by Americans.

Just like the south would rather live in poverty than be owned by China - via our debt.

I really do not understand why people hate Castro without any information on the subject. The actual person they should hate was the puppet the rich people in America supported that kept the Cuban people in poverty before the revolution. With all the sanctions and all they have bettered themselves and the only ones who fled the country are the old regimes people who bled the country to where it became so unbearable the government got overthrown. Those or their descendants are probably wishing a man who freed his people from the shackles of a fat cat who had his foot on the neck of his citizens for years

Like him or not - Castro worked for his people and did good for them.

Why did we bother freeing these third world idiots from their HISPANIC masters only to have HISPANIC/LATINOS thank us by invading the US and stealing from poor Americans.

Giantego

I really do not understand why people hate Castro without any information on the subject. The actual person they should hate was the puppet the rich people in America supported that kept the Cuban people in poverty before the revolution. With all the sanctions and all they have bettered themselves and the only ones who fled the country are the old regimes people who bled the country to where it became so unbearable the government got overthrown. Those or their descendants are probably wishing a man who freed his people from the shackles of a fat cat who had his foot on the neck of his citizens for years

YES, Cuba is much better under a communist dictator. I have to admit, he keeps the Mexicans out!

While going to college, I had a rare opportunity in the fact that my Spanish teacher wasn't just from Cuba, he went to the same college where he was studying law that Castro went to. He knew Castro through his girlfriend who knew Castro's girlfriend. According to him, Castro was not about freedom for the people of Cuba, but centralizing control of the people under himself and restricting their freedom. My teacher spent a few years in jail in Cuba for opposing Castro's government after the revolution and escaped fleeing to America with his wife (who was his girlfriend in college) and if I remember correctly, Castro also married his girlfriend from college as well.

Good on Castro...im sure their people would rather live in poverty, than to be owned by Americans.

Then explain the thousands who float across to Florida each year, and they dozens who die trying.

I heard the resorts there are beautiful. I'd like to send my mother-in-law to the one called "Bay of Pigs". She'd feel right at home in the slop.

@ Jessica:

Your above statements are right on target. Bravo for you. The truth is there is no real justification for the U.S. continuing this outdated cold war on Castro. In fact, there is nothing that Castro has ever done to the U.S. that woould cause our government to spew out such hate against the man. Castro fought for his people and beat the U.S. imperialism and greed within Cuba under Batista. He is one of the greatest statesmen ever to live and is a modern-day David who beat Golinth, the super power U.S. Long live Fidel.

Zeeosix; if you are inferring that we should have socialized health care like Cuba (and other places), here the problem. The poor (socialized) care is what the people get; the two-bit dictator probably has his own private medical staff. Just in the same way that if (God forbid) Obama isn't shown the door and his health "care" monstrosity is allowed to be implemented, the officials in our federal government are allowed to opt out, while the rest of us will be penalized if we don't behave like the lemmings Obama views us as and go along with it. That's how things work in a dictatorship.

PJ; if you think Castro acted with the best welfare of his people in mind, then you're more deluded that Zeeosix. He's kept them from growing as a nation during his lifetime.

Jessica; go back and read your history book. What makes you think that the U.S. was going to invade Cuba? There's no evidence of that. President Kennedy acted during one of the most critical times in our history and turned back the Russians from parking more nukes in our back yard. If you think that Castro is the good guy and we are the evil imperialists, then GO LIVE SOMEPLACE ELSE! You're talking like a communist. Makes me sick like you and others (Jean) on this discussion are trashing our great country. There was a time when you could be arrested for being a communist sympathizer. Khan has it right; kudos.

Wow. I think a good many of the posters on this vine weren't around during Fidel's heyday. Before they post again, I would recommend that they read a little of the history that was/is involved with Cuba, the US and Russia. It would be in their best interests to educate themselves on what really happened. Leave out the spin and red herrings, just read the facts.

I remember the time very well when we all huddled under our school desks waiting on the big bang. It was a terrible time. Our very lives were at stake. Those who deny this are living in ignorant darkness. If your schools are unable to teach you, pick up a book and read it!

Also, read the accounts of past and current Cuban refugees. Again, educate yourself--you really, really need to. Fidel Castro is not a hero, nor should he be treated as one. If you have read--in many of the present and past regimes of other countries, thousands upon thousands of people disappeared, never to be seen alive again. They are still digging up the mass graves in Serbia, Iraq, Libya, Rwanda, etc. When the spade goes into the soil anywhere in Cuba, expect bones--lots of them.

@NavyCheif:

You know how hypocritical you sound. You bad-mouth Cuba's "socialized health-care" while receiving it your whole career while in the military. Too funny.

Well gillanator why isn't Dave's "freedom of speech" as important as Mac's?

I don't think that Mac told dave to move to Cuba.

All Dave did was ask him a question on why he hasn't taken the opportunity to move if he wants to to that beautiful island and get closer to someone he admires.

Amazing that you read all of that into the following statement:

if you like him that much why dont you move there.

I don't see anything about an opportunity to move to a beautiful island, which changes the whole tone of the statement. Yea...it's a comprehension thing.

Renegadeone. You are giving all rednecks a bad name as if it wasn't bad enough. Fact is, soon there will be more Latinos in the US then any other race. So in other words North America will be Latin America the 2nd. Also putting all Latinos in the same catagory as Mexicans is silly considering Puerto Rico is common wealth (and soon will be a full state). The world is changing kid, deal with it, or kill yourself. I prefer the latter.

Marlen, Post 1.1 and Mac, Post 1.3 -

The repressed and impoverished people of Cuba probably couldn't disagree with you more.

For those Castro haters, his predecessor, President Baptista, was no peach, either. But like other dictators that the United States has supported, he was our dictator. According to Wikipedia, Arthur Schlesinger said of the Baptista regime, "The corruption of the Government, the brutality of the police, the regime's indifference to the needs of the people for education, medical care, housing, for social justice and economic justice ... is an open invitation to revolution." Anyone what to talk about organized crime in Cuba during the Baptista regime?

I can't believe that some people on here are actually supporting a Communist Dictator.

"you do realize we ACTUALLY nuked Japan and killed millions of japanese people right?"

We had 2 choices:

1. Nuke Japan, killing only Japanese citizens.

2. Invade Japan with American troops knowing that there would be Japanese AND American casualties.

We saved a lot of American lives by nuking Japan. Castro would fire nukes on America if he wanted to. The only reason he didn't was because the U.S. would fire missiles back at them. And to the people that say Castro loved his people, you are unbelievably wrong. Fidel Castro only cared about power, nothing else.

Doggone it, DP188706, you beat me to it!!!!!

And Scubadude222: the Bloke's name is Batista or Bautista, not Batptista and I dislike BOTH of the filpping autocratic buzzards.

Average wage in Cuba $16.70 an month, in 2005. 80,000 have die trying to get out. To say he has been good for the people is truly sad. True the health care in Cuba is about the same as in USA. But that is a low bar. He will soon be rubbing elbows with Osama bin Laden in hell. The bastard ask Russia to nuke the untied states, his letter have been realised. Hati people make $100 per month which is considered absolute poverty, below $2 per day. That 5 time average wage in Cuba. Puerto Ricans had median household income of $18,314 for 2009. No one died trying to get out. I sure the people got screw by Castro. It might be worth noting that GDP is $9000 per person, so it appears they have a rich element in Cuba too.

Bottom Line re: Castro's good Health today:

Castro would not have stepped down from his Dictatorship since the early 1959, (he forced Batista out), if he was not well.

Most likely, he has Alzheimers, Total Dementia. Would anyone call that Healthy?

Maybe he had a brain transplant that went bad. Transferring power to his brother, Raoul who is supposedly a lesser Communist than he, says this Dictator is still crazy.

"Cuba Si, Cuba, No"., or "Cuba Si, Nixon No".

@NavyChief24 "If you think that Castro is the good guy and we are the evil imperialists, then GO LIVE SOMEPLACE ELSE! You're talking like a communist. Makes me sick like you and others (Jean) on this discussion are trashing our great country. There was a time when you could be arrested for being a communist sympathizer."

Care to remind me what the top tax rate was at that time? 70-90%. And what is it now? You really want to talk about Communism? Why is this country in such financial trouble? Do not say spending since we have been spending for over 30 years now. Who lowered the top tax rate and ballooned our debt back in 1982?

If this country has 100,000 in currency (for example) then the most someone could ever posses at one time is 100,000 (or 100k). If there are 1000 people the average would be $100 per person. If someone is making a thousand times more then what others are making, what effect does that have on the other people in THAT SAME SYSTEM? Would it force them to make more or less? LESS. The only way for that person to make 1000 times more then others in that same 100k system is for 999 people to make $50 instead of $100. That way that one person makes $50,000 instead of $100. Therefore, WTF IS SO GREAT ABOUT CAPITALISM AND WHAT MAKES COMMUNISM SO BAD? If in a capitalist system only 0.1% of the population can win or make 1000 times what others make WHY IS THAT SO GREAT? If we limited to ratio to 10 to 1 then 10% of the population can win.

WTF DO YOU THINK 70-90% TAXES RATES DID? Limit how much money rich people could acquire. Limit their power so they do not have as much money to buy, lobby, and influence our government. How do you think they got the tax rates changed in the first place? You want to talk about "while the rest of us will be penalized if we don't behave like the lemmings"? And then say "There was a time when you could be arrested for being a communist sympathizer.". So it is ok to be a lemming when it comes to capitalism or as long as it agrees with what you believe in, but if they disagree with you then they should be arrested?

This country USED TO BE GREAT before we let the super rich come into power. Who could vote back then? Not me. Who let the super rich get away with shipping our jobs overseas? Not me. Who is trying to fix this crap? Me. I get tired of people making excuses for this country about why it cannot be great again. "Go live somewhere else instead of trying to make this country a BETTER PLACE"...WTF? That is exactly what the people in charge want. They do not want people to challenge them or their authority THEY WANT LEMMINGS. Since you served in the military I will refrain from calling you any names, but please stop. You might mean well, but you are nothing more then a lemming yourself as long as you support a system that only lets 0.1% of the population win.

Batista another dictator we supported against the will of the people... How many dictators have we supported over the years when the people of those countries want a democracy like we have? Do as I say not as I do. I wonder why they had a revolution and Castro came into power in the first place? Maybe had the economy not been so bad and the leaders actually listened to the needs of the people it would not have happened. Just like if the leaders of this country who own us would pull their heads out of their butts before it is to late and a war breaks out here.

I can't believe that some people on here are actually supporting a Communist Dictator.

I find it interesting that people make a statement like this, and turn a blind eye or support the outsourcing of American jobs to a communist country like China. The process has weakened the US and strengthened the Chinese Communist Government and the country. But keep on ranting about Cuba.

Average wage in Cuba $16.70 an month, in 2005. 80,000 have die trying to get out.

I imagine the US embargo on Cuba might have a large impact on that.

@gillanator: Thanks for having my back my Friend. I was almost grown when "Fidel" came to power. After He allied with the USSR I was indeed afraid of Him, especially during the Missile crisis. Afterward though, I began to really study Him. As time passed and I learned more about Him, Cuba's history, and our history with Cuba, I began to understand and respect Him. The US has brought more harm to Cuba than Fidel Castro, and all Its leaders before Him. Fact, Castro is the greatest and most stable leader that island nation ever had. I have learned to really like and respect "Fidel Castro". Be a better world if there were more like Him. I hope the gwaddamned fools in this country will soon see the light and extend an honest hand of Friendship to the Cuban Government and Her people. Damn!, what an enlightened and resolved people, especially after having to live the way they have had to because of the ignorance and cowardly fear of this Country. Viva Cuba! Viva Fidel! Regards my Friend

"I find it interesting that people make a statement like this, and turn a blind eye or support the outsourcing of American jobs to a communist country like China."

In case you have not noticed, China is more of a Capitalist country. A communist country doesn't have any rich people except for politicians- China has all kinds of rich businessmen.

Mac, you need to realize that Communism always leads to Dictatorships. People think that under a Communist government, everyone is equal, but that statement is wrong. A very small group of people, the politicians, have much more wealth and power than anybody else in a Communist country. The only people who like Communism are young radicals who don't have any experience in life. Tell me Mac, are you one of those radicals?

In case you have not noticed, China is more of a Capitalist country.

Really? How many political parties does China have? What happens to people who speak out against the government in China, or the oppression of the Chinese people? Can anyone run for government office in China? Take a look at your statement again.

In case you have not noticed, China is more of a Capitalist country.

So according to you, as long as they can practice Capitalism then the treatment of the people is irrelevant? Unimportant. You just displayed right wing values of today. You showed that you think the government is in place to support the corporations. I believe the government is here to support the people. How many Chinese can go from dirt poor to extremely rich? If you look you will see that the Chinese government is communist. But the only thing that is important to the right these days is their economy. Thanks for the display.

"Really? How many political parties does China have? What happens to people who speak out against the government in China, or the oppression of the Chinese people? Can anyone run for government office in China? Take a look at your statement again."

Gill, Communism is an economic policy, not a type of government. China has a Totalitarian government where people can't criticize the government. Communism is an economic policy where everyone is the same. You don't seem to know the difference between Communism and Totalitarianism.

"I believe the government is here to support the people."

Our founding Fathers and JFK would disagree with you. Thomas Jefferson even said that he predicted future happiness for America if the government could prevent itself from helping people.

China has a Totalitarian government where people can't criticize the government. Communism is an economic policy where everyone is the same.

Communism:

a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

So China seems to be an interesting hybrid doesn't it? Whereby it's economy may follow a capitalistic model, but by definition the social activity would be classified as a communist state. But once again, the difference in what we focus on. And the selection of this society in which to outsource American jobs.

Thomas Jefferson even said that he predicted future happiness for America if the government could prevent itself from helping people

That is a logical statement. If the country has positioned itself properly the need for government help would be unnecessary.

So to take this a step further. Let's take a look at Cuba and why they turned to communism. Because of some evil or because of the exploitation of the Cuban people, by America? So since you referenced Kennedy...

"I believe that there is no country in the world including any and all the countries under colonial domination, where economic colonization, humiliation and exploitation were worse than in Cuba, in part owing to my country's policies during the Batista regime. I approved the proclamation which Fidel Castro made in the Sierra Maestra, when he justifiably called for justice and especially yearned to rid Cuba of corruption. I will even go further: to some extent it is as though Batista was the incarnation of a number of sins on the part of the United States. Now we shall have to pay for those sins. In the matter of the Batista regime, I am in agreement with the first Cuban revolutionaries. That is perfectly clear."

President John F. Kennedy

@Random pennsylvanian#1.45: You need to learn more about what Karl Marx meant with such a system. Generally what has happened has been "oppressive Totalitarian Regime's" adopting, and, operating under a Communist economic system. This has made communism look quite harsh, which as an economic system, it is not, especially for backward, underdeveloped, and poorly resourced nations. My preference is our original "representative democracy" type government with a well regulated "capitalistic system" of economics. Additionally, and respectfully, your comments about China are ripe with piss poor rationalizations and naivete. China remains a very harsh totalitarian regime governing a very small segment of Its population an allowance of wealth(less than 1.5%) with all, under some form of absoluteness to the government. Think you are confusing their "Mercantile" economic system with some form of our original Capitalism. Not the same.

Fidel Castro is a prolific writer and speech giver - for those who despise him because of American propaganda - your minds will never be changed, try and find a report from Amnesty International or the International Red Cross that Fidel has killed dissidents, etc... - you won't find it.

If you read any of his books, you will realize that the Cuban Missile Crisis resulted because of a double cross by Khrushchev on Castro - it was Castro who asked that the Missiles be taken off the island!

On September 8, 2000 a the Riverside Church in Harlem - Fidel gave a speech, I'm only going to give a highlight - but history will "absolve" Castro from all the vicious rumours spread by a ticked off US government and the extremely rich Cubans in Miami!

Fidel Castro: "One of our most sacred principles is that of solidarity, so we are well aware of the tragedies facing the world. Those who do not believe in humankind, in its potential for noble sentiments, in its capacity for goodness and altruism, will never understand that we do not only hurt for every Cuban child who suffers or dies but also for every child in Haiti, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Africa and every country in the world. It cannot be claimed that the human species has attained a maximum of consciousness while it is incapable of feeling the suffering of others.

Humanity will attain its greatest consciousness and potential qualities when people feel the same sorrow for the death of any family's child as they would for their own child or other close relative."

If more thought like Castro - we would not be involved in so many wars when our own countrymen are suffering - there would be no war....

Excerpt taken from the book: War, Racism and Economic Injustice, Fidel Castro, 2002, Ocean Press.

He is not even a human being!

666: Dial CASTRO!

I'm sure you and others are proud of the fact that the country has been "impoverished" during Castro's entire dictatorship.

...foolish comment, from someone who has no idea how the history of communism has destroyed peoples lives and souls. ....Yes you must be very proud of Fidel and his henchmen. ...brilliant commentary. I cant wait for your next post ---

@Wayfarer....but "tio fidel " is such an inspiration to the left .....He is the epitome of everything they stand for .....A hero in fact ....

@PValdes -

Um, no, he's hardly a hero or "epitome of everything they stand for" to the left. He's a Soviet-era communist dictator, a.k.a Bad News.

You can be impressed with his survival and resiliance without liking or agreeing with him, in largely the same way that we're impressed by the ability of cockroaches to survive everything thrown at them.

Castro was only able to survive and stand up to the USA because he was backed by Russia's nuclear threat. He an Cuba are both seen as irrelevant today and it just a matter of time before he is dead and Cuba once again enjoys the status of Carribean vacation paradise.

The only even vaguely thing close to a concept of freedom in Cuba have come since his brother took over.

Guys i have to say that you should be cuban to know how terrible is living in Cuba at this time. I was living in Cuba for 28 year. Castro was the president of course and nothing worse could happen to me in my life. No elections, No choises. Only one party "Comunist". Absolutely illogical and retrograde. One of the worse economy of the world. The lowest salaries of the universe. Frankly sad. All this is his fault of course. He is the only guilty cause he decided to be the president forever, blaming US all the time and he has been the only problem for my country.

Michael is right.

Wayfarer - it's not communism that has caused such poverty in Cuba, it's the fact that nations like the US and many in Europe have black listed Cuba, and wont do any business with them.

We, however, dont do this with Communist Russia, Communist China, and many other communist nations. And all those communist nations have robust economies - despite their penchant for Communism.

Pat yourself on the back for having no clue!

Keep parroting "communism is bad, mkay"

Doug - dont you think it's really christian of us to punish the people of Cuba, because Castro found a bigger bully than the US to stand with them against our bullying?

You said it, once Castro dies...magically the US will open the doors to cuba, and their communist nation will thrive.

Or, maybe we wont, to keep up the false illusion that it's communism keeping them poor...not the fact that all the major economic capitalist nations have blacklisted Cuba from playing in the economy.

Michael-3842950

Castro is an incredible figure in history. He stood up to the US and prevailed. A tiny, impoverished country in Latin America has been a thorn in our side for almost 60 years, and survived all the plots that a super power could bring against him.

And he has the blood of innocent Cubans on his hands to show how wonderful he is. You must admire Hitler and Stalin too!

@ Jessica:

Again, you have stated the whole truth. Great post. Bravo!

The only reason he has survived is because he used the Soviet Union to create a conflict that was not in the best interest of the United States. Later the United States realized Cuba nas nothing(Oil, Gold, etc) of interest to the U.S. that they decided to leave Castro alone. He should have been killed long time ago.

While the ethics of using the atomic bombs can be argued, the tactical use cannot.

The statement :

"you do realize we ACTUALLY nuked Japan and killed millions of japanese people right?"

is not accurate. The largest estimate of the death total in both Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined is around 250,000. If we had invaded the death toll estimates were about 800,000 for allied troops and about 2,000,000 (that's millions) for Japanese, of which almost 1,000,000 (again millions ) would have been civilians. It is also estimated that the war would have lasted another 1-2 years. The economy of the US would have been stretched to the limits and the Japanese mainland would have been devestated. So, all in all, the trade-off for using the bomb was worth it.

With the hindsight that 50 plus years of history gives us, it is easy to see that Batista's Regime was not good. He was like most corrupt dictators in Latin America during the 20th century. The U.S. SHOULD have done more to pressure him regarding human rights, poverty, and social issues. But that hardly means that 50 years of repressive communism has been the right reaction to the bad things that Batista did. And make no mistake about it, Cuban communism has been and still is very repressive.

Sure, everyone has some access to schools & some form of health care, but most of my Cuban immigrant friends have told me that outside of some of Havanna's show piece schools & hospitals...the rest of the country's school & medical facilities are crumbling. What use is it that everyone is literate if the only thing you are allowed to read are the Communist Party's publications?

You all realize that in Cuba, you wouldn't even be allowed to participate in this online discourse. They don't allow average citizens access to most basic internet news sites...and heaven forbid you are caught reading, publishing, or discussing unapproved materials. And it is well known that those tourists who do visit Cuba are kept in certain areas of the island where they interact with only approved people. They don't allow tourists of any kind to interact with average Cuban citizens. It was even illegal up until the late 90's for ordinary Cubans to have contact with outside foreigners.

The party does not allow for public dissent or other political parties to participate in government. If you disagree with the party publically, then you go to prison. The jails in Cuba are full of writers, musicians, poets, & artists of all kinds who dared to think differently than the party leaders. Just look at incidents like "the Black Spring" in recent Cuban history to get an idea of what intellectual or artistic life would be like in Cuba. According to Human Rights Watch, Cuba ranks second right behind China internationally in numbers of imprisoned journalists. Yeah...I'm sure Cuba is a great place to live.

And one thing you could say about prior regimes in Cuba, at least the country produced enough food to support itself. Today, there are regular food shortages. In a land with a climate where produce will grow if you simply plant it, they cannot produce enough food to feed themselves. They have to import as much as 80% of their food supplies annually. And sugar cane, which used to be a huge cash crop export, production has fallen from being the world's largest single producer at 35% to less than 10% of sugar produced in the world annually.

If Cuba did not have their current deal in place with Venezuela, they'd be even worse off than they are now...which already is the highest level of poverty and the worst economy in the Western Hemisphere.

So say what you want about Castro...and his longevity and ability to survive. But don't talk about what a great place he created for his people. The standard of living is generally considered to be worse now than it was with Batista and it is certainly as repressive.

Perhaps Raul and some younger members of the party will be successful in some of their planned reforms. For the sake of the Cuban people, we can only hope.

Ghengis Khan.....i couldn't say it better myself in such an educated way...i get crried out by passion only because i have lived there and you are certainly well informed. On a small note I can only try to correct that Cuba is not the poorest country of Latin America; it is in second place as it is Haiti the poorest country but as far as everything else you hit it right on the money..thank you for your clarifications; it looks there are always good to have well informed persons from time to time to fight back sheer ignorance.

For those of you who have stated that the Castro government ONLY lasted because of help from the Soviets - you are completely mistaken... When the Soviet Union collapsed - all new countries and Russia put sanctions on Cuba - Cuba has endured this double embargo for many years!

Cuba had no relations to the Soviet block when the revolution triumphed over the barbaric, dictator Baptista - "We bought the fist weapons from Belgium and Italy - some tens of thousands of automatic rifles in Belgium and some cannon it Italy." Despite being bought, most of the weapons never reached Cuba or if they did, there was no ammunition, as the US intercepted these shipments....

Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba traded sugar for Soviet oil at favorable prices, after the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia and the former Eastern Block countries embargoed Cuba. Cuba faced double sanctions from the worlds most far reaching countries...yet - each child was guaranteed a liter of milk a day, free education, there are no homeless in Cuba and the country has continually maintained a 100% literacy rate - far better than that of the US empire.

Jeff, you are insane. Obama makes me want to go insane. The guy is a crook. Romney and Ryan are very well outspoken. Obama loves his uhhmmm uhhh ummmms way too much. Not to mention his lies are disgusting and his destroying our nation is getting old.

Obviously your not listening either.

"Obviously your not listening either."

LMFAO...good one !!

Learn the difference between your and you're before you post.

We did invade Cuba, or rather the mob & cia did, bay of pigs. Kennedy did not send air support like he had agreed to do because Russia warned him off. That why Hoffa killed him, come on where are the nut jobs. Oh guess I am here. On 18 August 1960, President Eisenhower approved a budget of $13 million for the operation. Actually Kennedy was lied to by the cia, and never authorized any bombing of Cuba. But he did try to send Castro exploding cigars.

Soon to be worm food on his farm ....not soon enough.....

Why would God bless him? He's a commie atheist.

Oh really? What country has Castro attacked? Which country has accused Castro of causing violence in their country? What government has Castro overthrown besides that evil puppet Batista? Oh yeah...right...the sound of crickets.

Charles, spoken like a youngster with no knowledge of history.

Countries that Castro or Che attacked:

Bolivia

Mozambique

El Salvedor

Congo

Zambia

Supported the Kemar in Cambodia

Supplied Arms to Black September

Supplied arms to the following terror goup

BLA

Black Septemeber

hamas

Alegirian Front

Shining Path

Lords Army

If you would look up and research BEFORE opening your mouth you would sound a bit smarter and less like an idiot!

Always chasing US terrorism - you might add.

@charlesjones.....

for starters..Castro tried to export his "revolutionary thinking and doctrines" to Bolivia, sendin Ernesto "CHE" Guevara, one of his main leutenants, Commander of his revolution, to do the "deeds" there, where CHE was denied support, hunted down and killed there for his "guerrilla" actions...read...google!!

later on in History..just look at Venezuela with that "Licour store manager" Chavez as president, trying to perpetrate himself in power by any means, even if changing the constitution to stay in power...Chavez breathe and and eat the @!$%#e Castro dispose of...

Last but surely not even f***ing least...look at our own Country ole USA run by that Red Marxist we all call our President; trying and flying the same pig under the rug (congress) with his "political" agenda...did you know he has studied all commies of our century? did you know that he wants to change our constitution? (and he is doing it, baby steps at the time)..throwing away fundamental rights, saying those rights are not nessesarily the same today as they were 200 years ago when they were written?...look at the liberal bought media and all major TV Networks; what "information" they air, or should I say "Mis-information"?... creating division amoungt us....politicians in both major parties putting up a show to distract the public from the truth devastation taking place while congress looks the other way...did you know your president (because it sre he is not mine)...like you, admires Castro?...respects him and even agrees with him..and with Chavez and with Karls Marx, JF Engels and so on, so on? Doing all the magic work under your f**ing nose with signed treaties with foreign nations, to disarm us first (first stage for the dark curtain of the communist control to fall) and governments on our behalf...do you know how much is the result of 2+2? you ignorant F**ck? because with these accounts, which by the way are all out there if you would know how to read and use google, after you grow a brain..2+2=7!!....something is not right eh? do you know anything about living in Hell from day start to day's end? like millions of people who do not even have a place like this one to stand up to POS like yourself with all the LIES and the CONTROL AGENDAS, just like those commies you so much are defending?

It is sad to see that few days away from election we have people like you to come here and defend any actions and glorify such a person like Castro. You do not know about all those killed and jailed and thrown out of their country, separated from their families just because they think and embrace freedom..to come here and speak highly of people like Castro makes me sick !!

Castro is an old man today...good health or bad he will never pay not even in eternity for all the evil ha have done to his people...good intentions or bad..it does not matter...done is done. History is generous and wise to give us a man like Castro and a tiny island like Cuba for the free world to learn and not to follow the same path, making the same mistakes, instead, people comes here to celebrate castro's good health? tell that to the thousands fallen by his famous "Revolutionary Death Squad" which Ernesto "Che" Guevara, was in charge by the way, back in the early revolutions years !!....Is that what you wish for America??....the stages are kind of set up and operational...look and read about the FEMA camps...go on denie it...tell me that for "National Desasters Refugies" concentration style camps with tall concertina wire fences and lookup towers are required !!

Obama raised from being a "masses instigator" from his district to politics.. to congress to "changer and savior of the poor and middle class from the evil and uncontrolable rich or 1 percent"...He forgot to mention that it is the 1% pouring money for him to be re-elected because the true form of communism is the equal re-distribution of missery...while the "controling body" or "government" or "1%" whatever you want to call it, swins in abundance...while everyone suffers....just like Cuba...with Castro!!

Castro had the exact same plan for Cuba back in 59' as Obama has today for USA..Castro got to power in very similar circunstances as Obama have done; with people fed up with a bad republican government, wanting change..they trust him with the promisses he made and he proped himself into history with a ruthless system that have done nothing but destroy a whole country and set back its people 50 years in time...you call that progress?....then you must be a F****ing liberal communist like half of those who today are amoungt our midst..

The one "mistake" Castro did? He enforced mandatory EDUCATION for all the citizens; teach them how to read and write...openned the road for the cultive of the mind and the grow of intelect, something that is still in need to be done here in the USA...that is why the Cubans who decide to be productive and of use, are unstopable, that is why there are Cubans today high in politics in USA more than any other ethnic group...it is ironic but it is also bacause Castro...Cubans are not different than any other Latin-America group, but Cuba have been always different as in no other country in the region have been someone like Castro ruling...

Castro have exported his ideals in form of "help" to needing countries such as Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Mexico....sending teachers, medical personel, sport teams and socio-cultural groups to these places. I have never known of a person who have told me that this is a bad thing...people tends to overlook the hidden message..up until it is too late...

I could go on and on...ultimately things are the way they are and no amount of reason can be done to any extremist liberal lefty POS to make them see...worst than being blind is the lack of vision, that is why people will vote wrong way and if we are no careful and get a grip of f88ing google and inform ourselves in history lessons before we vote we will have a bigger CUBA right here in USA...Castro will be indeed alive to flavor that victory.. to have "invaded his strongest enemy" without even firing a shot !!...just like Obama will do to us..change the whole country into his plans of "equal distribution of wealth" "forward" and all that communist crap without even having to go to civil war; just doing it with the intelect...like it have been done all over the world from centuries with communist states, which after in power are very difficult to thrown out !!! just ask Castro, he will tell you !!!

lots of people need a lesson in history...and a brain; last i knew brains are in especial at Walmart because the elections...go get one before they run out !!

Rock addict, you have to stop smoking crack cocaine. Your brain is so fried that you can't even put your pants on without a mirror. You know nothing and appear to be proud of that fact. Even worse you like being stupid and revel in it.

Try talking to a Cuban that escaped the Cuban prison and then, if your regain your sanity, post something coherent.

jsnap..

I am a former Cuban who escaped Cuban prison and was there for 30 years so why don't you stfu and hide your head in the sand with the rest of your liberals commies scums?

My facts are straight as I did not invented them it is what has happenned and it is all over the place only if an ignoranimus s**t head like you would look you would find it. The truth burns your inside eh? typical liberal f**head you are the one on crack cocaine, POS!

"Fool's rush in - where wisemen fear to thread."

Kool it, the 'Old man (((kicked))) ass on the Great Satan - and you know it!

Hey Tealibanian, I read your other post down at #20. I think you should start posting your tealibanian thoughts on each and every board you find. You are an inspiration to your tealibanian/republican party associates.

Yes, Raul's daughter stated Cuba supported the election of President Obama, Chavez said he would vote for Obama if he were a citizen of the U.S. and Putin stated that Obama could ensure better working relations with Russia. Also Obama got the endorsement of Honey Boo Boo on the Jimmy Kimmel show on Oct. 12 2012, how could one not vote for someone with Honey Boo Boo's endorsement.

Actually, Fidel Castro wrote a book called: Obama and the Empire, 2012, Ocean Press.

It is a rather scathing criticism - pointing out promises made and then broken, among other things. Castro points to many speeches the President has made overseas as well as in the US - and how what the President says and what is the truth or what is the US government going to do to to make these "promises" come true have simply not happened. Castro does not personally condemn Obama or the US Presidents before Obama, he merely points out the facts...fact after fact after fact. Castro does say that Obama makes "audacious" speeches which he then reneges on a week later.

Except to the people of Cuba. About 1,200,000 of whom live in Fl and will vote Republican. We have them to thank for W. Castro first choice was the United States, he talk with Kennedy and did not become a communist until 3 years into reign. Cubans in Fl are still mad at Kennedy for the bay of pigs. http://www.hispanic.cc/why_cubans_vote_republican.htm They don't know that the cia lied to them, about air support for the invasion. It is also funny that the Mormon Banker were the money changer for the mob in Vegas. Employees of Romney Family's Secret Bank Tied to Fraud, Money Laundering and Drug Cartels. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=274520 A tie to Iran–Contra affair.