Bearded Spanish leader resigns after protracted battle with Americans......

[serious14]

No, it's not Rafa Benitez. 

Castro has stepped down after 49 years in power, momentous day in World Politics if you ask me.  LOL at Bush already coming out with his "now is the time for Cuba to embrace Democracy" bit.  Idiot. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/02/19/castro/index.html

"HAVANA, Cuba (CNN)  -- Fidel Castro announced his resignation as president of Cuba and commander in chief of Cuba's military Tuesday, according to a letter published in the state-run newspaper.

The resignation ends nearly a half-century of iron-fisted rule that inspired revolutionaries but frustrated 10 U.S. presidents.

Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said the U.S. embargo on Cuba will not be lifted in the near term.

Castro revealed his plans without notice by publishing a letter in the middle of the night in state-run newspaper Granma."

 

[Jorome Alexander Bennett]

In what way is Castro Spanish?

 

[serious14]

In what way is Castro Spanish?

Both his parents were Galician, a traditional region in North West Spain.  Thus, Spanish mother and Spanish father.

 

[Omni]

That is a pretty monumentus day in world politics!

 

[kevrenor]

In what way is Castro Spanish?

Both his parents were Galician, a traditional region in North West Spain.  Thus, Spanish mother and Spanish father.

Don't tell the Galicians they are Spanish, even allowing for Franco

 

[serious14]

Good point Kev - actually, is there anyone from any region in Spain that we can actually _is_ Spanish without offending them??   

 

[Omni]

Madrid?

 

[adz]

Madrid?

Who's that? Does he work at Coles?

 

[voice of reason]

Can the Yanquis now get over there 50 year long hissy fit..?

 

[serious14]

Madrid?

Yeah, _aside_ from them.  That's just obvious. 

 

[Jesus]

Can the Yanquis now get over there 50 year long hissy fit..?

Unlikely. Former presidents such as ford have long tried to mend the rift.

Nothing has or probably will ever humiliate our yankee government friends like every day of Castro's life.

A shame he is in poor health. What he has done for education and healthcare, not just in cuba, but south america can not be overstated.

Say about him what you will, without an embargo from the yanks, and allies, cuba would not be as poor as it is.

Cuba's investment in knowledge, and education puts all us westerners to shame. If we were to take the same approach, and invest as much in it... if only.

Rant over

Ps. Love the beard.

Pps. Love the game tropico! haha

 

[Omni]

US have said they won't be lifting the embargos.

 

[dibo]

complete repression of political opposition is not cool, no matter how much social infrastructure you bring with it. socialism without democracy is just totalitarianism with better schools and hospitals.

 

[kevrenor]

complete repression of political opposition is not cool, no matter how much social infrastructure you bring with it. socialism without democracy is just totalitarianism with better schools and hospitals.

Mate, you mean that with a corrupt political system and no opposition NSW can now get better schools and hospitals?

 

[dibo]

complete repression of political opposition is not cool, no matter how much social infrastructure you bring with it. socialism without democracy is just totalitarianism with better schools and hospitals.

Mate, you mean that with a corrupt political system and no opposition NSW can now get better schools and hospitals?

only if we start jailing smartarses.   

 

[Omni]

I'm sure Morris has thought about it!

 

[Jesus]

Castro didnt get in power less legit than bush.
Nothing that happens in cuba doesnt happen in yankland. Yet alone here.

What happened to senate hearings when howard got control of the senate? "complete repression of political opposition"

But what did we get for it? My wages went down, and my education costs went up.

Bring on cuba!

 

[Jesus]

I'm sure Morris has thought about it!

Haha, he needs it

 

[serious14]

I agree Jesus - I've been reading "My Life - Fidel Castro" over the last few months.  Very enlightening as to what really went on on the other side of the embargo, not just the censored US version.  The USA has a lot to answer for if you ask me.......

 

[dibo]

Castro didnt get in power less legit than bush.
Nothing that happens in cuba doesnt happen in yankland. Yet alone here.

What happened to senate hearings when howard got control of the senate? "complete repression of political opposition"

But what did we get for it? My wages went down, and my education costs went up.

Bring on cuba!

and yet i'm an active member of an opposing political party and i wasn't thrown in jail. howard's regime wasn't exactly tea and scones, but we had the right to get rid of them. this isn't a luxury that cubans have with their government.