Castro Resigns
While, as an American, I'm bubbling with glee, I would like to get everyone else's thoughts on the situation.
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Castro Resigns
While, as an American, I'm bubbling with glee, I would like to get everyone else's thoughts on the situation.
My favorite living ego-maniacal Commie tyrant fades into the sunset. :cuba:
Castro. Castro. Hmmm...
Who does he pitch for? Boston?
He's probably getting ready to move to Florida.
Doesn't he own a motor oil company? (I agree)Quote:
Originally Posted by KukriKhan
~:doh: That was the line I was going to use. On to Plan B.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Muslim terrorists have got to be happy inFidel Castro's resignation.
Not sure Cuba will love the change. Everyone's favourite ego-maniac, as Beirut put it, fades out?
GAH, I miss the old times when everyone was a legend. :no:
Yay! Bush outlasted him! That means he wins!
~;p
CR
Not even close. Seven years vs. about fifty. One impoverished El Presidente with a population eating lawn grass and driving bicycles and `55 Chevy`s outlasted everything the CIA could throw at him, and blew through Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, and right into the last year of W`s second term.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
There`s no mistake who won this fight. :sunny:
That's not important in the whole Fidel vs American Presidents contest.
It's a personal match-up between Fidel and each President. He won most, but could not outlast Bush. He couldn't survive the gauntlet. QED - Bush won.:beam:
CR
I've thought for ages that the US embargo vs Cuba is stupid, but how anyone can take any glee from a situation where the population, as you said it, is 'eating lawn grass' is beyond me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
None of those administrations lost a damn thing, Beirut. Castro won and the Cubans lost. That's basically what you're applauding, face it.
Father Time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
Bush gauntletified Cuba? Sounds nearly impossibilistic. But who knowefies, eh?Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
There are no more old school dictators left. He was the youngest of his generation, and he is the last one to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
Maybe if the embargo is lifted and cuban doctors go to work in the US, the US will have a competitive medical system at last.
I'm with Beirut. Only Keith Richards and Fidel could have smoked cigars for 50 years and live to tell. Only Fidel could win a war, rule a country and smoke cigars for 50 years.
I`m not glorifying anything, really. I simply enjoy observing the oddities of the world, including the dynamics of politics and perception. This weirdness predates all the present players and will outlive them as well. I like watching it because it`s as inane as pro wrestling yet as stimulating as a chess match.Quote:
Originally Posted by Proletariat
Didn't Queen Victoria do that too?Quote:
Originally Posted by SwordsMaster
Did she smoke cigars? Or is that a pun? :inquisitive:Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregoshi
If his brother takes over, I'm not so sure anything gets resolved.
Except here the pawns actually do suffer, inane or not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
CR
Cubans have been so thrilled with Castro's victories that they've been coming to the US by the boatloads for decades so as to really rub our noses in it. :laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Proletariat
Does this mean our embargo might be lifted?
Is that why he had to see Spanish doctors? :inquisitive:Quote:
Originally Posted by SwordsMaster
An era has ended.
Now on to new things, make it a democratic dictatorship like the rest of the west and then everybody will be happy. ~D
One of them was a dictatorial el Presidente who took a formerly rich country and ran it into the ground, and the other one's Fidel Castro.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
Unlikely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jkarinen
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/...tro/index.html
How is that related to the general corruption, robbery and general crappiness of the american healthcare system?Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Spain has private clinics, sure, but it also has a national welfare system.
My point was that when the embargo is lifted US doctors will have to face tougher competition, and therefore lower costs. Cubans don't have to pay off ridiculous college loans, and therefore will be cheaper.
As a side effect, perhaps the ridiculous college fees might be curbed also.
We have idiots for economic leaders dont we?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pannonian
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
You want to talk corruption?Quote:
Originally Posted by SwordsMaster
Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we just make an exact duplicate of Britain's NHS?
Are you serious? How many people flock to Cuba, Spain, and the UK for treatment? How was East Germany doing before reunification?
You'd be surprised. And at least in the UK, Cuba and Spain it's available to all citizens. Sure it isn't perfect, but doctors are there when you're sick and can't work, not just when you're healthy enough to work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Besides, what are you trying to prove, that the US system is not overpriced through the roof? Or that it couldn't benefit from competition? Or is it specifically cuban competition you don't like?
"available" can be a relative term....Quote:
Originally Posted by SwordsMaster
Someone's taking my comments a bit too seriously.
Of course they do. And what is it I can do about it except observe and comment? I've mentioned several times that Castro is a shmuck, and I don't see anyone crying over his loss of power. But from a political point of view, he does provide a fascinating example of the inherent weirdness of world politics.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
If you want a thousand word dissertation on the criminality of the Cuban regime, I'm sure I can pop one out for you, but for right now I'm just looking at the dark humour of the story of Castro's survival.
Besides, the Cubans suffer just as Canadians do in Canada and Americans do in the US. Our governmental systems may wind the democratic clock to a higher degree of accuracy than the Cuban system does, but are any of us free from suffering? Is there not desperate poverty and crime and hopelessness and sickness and inequity and injustice in both our countries as well? And isn't it a worse crime that we, as stinking rich countries, should allow that to exist?
Personally, I think the Cubans must look at the both of us and wonder how we messed it up so bad.
nvm
This thread is depressing. Seriously, can we hold off on the grandiose speculations for a bit?
Errrr....lots and lots Vladimir , havn't you heard of health tourism , its that thing where Americans go to places like Mexico , India and Canada to see doctors , I suppose more would go to Cuba if there wasn't problems with travelling there , but still its a good place for American medical students to go to learn their trade isn't it .:idea2:Quote:
Are you serious? How many people flock to Cuba, Spain, and the UK for treatment?
So your point was ..what exactly ?:laugh4: :laugh4:
Which is why they're always fleeing here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Beirut
Exactly how many go to Canada, tribesy? Can you provide a source?Quote:
Errrr....lots and lots Vladimir , havn't you heard of health tourism , its that thing where Americans go to places like Mexico , India and Canada to see doctors , I suppose more would go to Cuba if there wasn't problems with travelling there , but still its a good place for American medical students to go to learn their trade isn't it .
I'm skeptical, see, since Canada has a national healthcare system, doesn't really allow private doctors outside of that system, and I don't see Canada as allowing visitors to use their national healthcare system. It seems like it wouldn't legally be possible.
Actually, I live near Canada,and the stories I read about are people coming to the US because they're sick of waiting for treatment in the US.
CR
Don't get me wrong, I'm not silly enough to think they have it better than us, I'm just saying we should be careful about throwing stones at other people's pooor dumb tyrannical governments while our own rich dumb democratic governments lay waste to our advantages.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Anyway, on the Crazed Maniacal Dictator scale, Castro probably ranks well below a lot of guys both our countries hopped into bed with.
You're a lucky guy! :sunny:Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Fair enough, I suppose.
But I'm really lucky, because I live close to BC (ski resorts huzzah!) but not quite in Canada. The best of both worlds.
CR
Anybody in the NCR interested?
http://www.heritage.org/press/events/ev022608b.cfm
I'm really lucky, too, because I live close to Vermont (whisky & Vermonters huzzah!) but not quite in the US. The best of both worlds indeedely-doodely.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
I'm a little sorry to see him go. I mean, as a moderate-right wing monarchist, I'm about as far away from his idealogy as I can get. However, the man lasted fifty years with the most powerful nation on earth trying to kill him, recieving no trade from the closest major power, and managed to instate one of the world's best healthcare systems.
The man had style. My respects. :2thumbsup:
Yep, not everyone can survive 600 odd assasination attempts by the CIA...
They should send him a congratulatory cigar commemorating his 49 years in power.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwordsMaster
When you fall from power I shall construct a fitting monument:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribesman
:laugh4:
:laugh4: :laugh4:
:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:
:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:
:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:
That's part true part false. Though it's true that this era in Cuba was mostly defined by the policies of a single party which head was our proverbial man, it's also true that the beacon has been passed to a new generation of ruthless rulers, I've always known Castro's brother as the "worst of two evils".Quote:
Originally Posted by Husar
I think the era has just transformed into another version of itself with its most important characteristcs strengthned.
snagging that for my sigQuote:
Originally Posted by Vladimir
Well see its like this , Canada worked out that with the large market in health tourism it would be silly not to grab a slice of the pie.:idea2: ....(though they left it too late in the year to get the full accreditation) (but the next round is in March)Quote:
I'm skeptical, see, since Canada has a national healthcare system, doesn't really allow private doctors outside of that system, and I don't see Canada as allowing visitors to use their national healthcare system. It seems like it wouldn't legally be possible.
When you manage to write something that doesn't fall apart at the first glance perhaps you can attempt to start building something .Quote:
When you fall from power I shall construct a fitting monument:
hey how about ......nice story , now that wouldn't be the ex-military aicraft under the control of a wanted terrorist , operating out of a military base , who after numerous warnings for violation of airspace and acts of aggression (and lots of requests to both the US and UN for intervention) finally got unlucky .:inquisitive:Quote:
Anybody in the NCR interested?
Does this mean he'll continue to sit as a member of parliament?Quote:
Originally Posted by Castro's Letter
No, it was a UFO from Roswell New Mexico. Those Cubans and their clever doctors found a way to get past its shield and down the craft. The missionary story is a cover-up. :sneaky:Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribesman
Wow, kinda sad when you think about it. Fifty years in power, and he leaves on his own terms, with his own cronies taking the helm. This didn't work out well for us.
We gotta think more carefully about how we try to get rid of dictators ...
As similar nations have descended further into chaos and third world services, Castro has made Cuba's education and healthcare systems the envy of the world.
Now, I do not believe in revolutionary socialism and I am a liberal so I clearly have my serious differences with what Castro has done, but some truths are clearly evident, even with the continual whining of right wingers everywhere.
Take your time, please.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemur
Yeah, and a worker get paid 8 dollars per month. Lovely, isnt it?Quote:
As similar nations have descended further into chaos and third world services, Castro has made Cuba's education and healthcare systems the envy of the world
But does your calculation take into account that 8 dollars in Cuba could buy a lot more than 8 dollars can buy in the US? :laugh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Caius
Yes, I knew that shlin. But anyway. 8 dollars!
All in all a horrible dictactor-commie. But ill be damn lucky if my life's achievements ever go near his.
You do realize that a large part of why Cuba is that poor is because of the American embargo, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Caius
Yes, we've all heard the rhetoric. Here's a solution: trade with any country other than America.Quote:
Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars
I do agree though the embargo is a load of a crap. If I want to buy Cuban Cigars, I should be able to. I don't need to government telling me not to.
Well, the third world I suppose.Quote:
Originally Posted by JAG
CR
America is the closest rich trading partner to Cuba. Cuba does trade with other countries than America, and is getting aid from places such as Brazil, but being that close to America, they need American trade.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ice
Thats not a solution since the act contained clauses that penalised other countries that did trade with Cuba .Quote:
Yes, we've all heard the rhetoric. Here's a solution: trade with any country other than America.
And since EMFM mentioned this......the act was recently used to screw a massive Brazilian/Cuban deal .Quote:
Cuba does trade with other countries than America, and is getting aid from places such as Brazil,
So Ice when you write.......since it is your government why not write to them letting them know you think its a load of crap .:idea2: (or was that just rhetoric we've all heard)Quote:
I do agree though the embargo is a load of a crap.
Simply because I don't feel like it. My voice to my respected representative wouldn't make much of a difference. It's not really high to do on my list of things I need to accomplish. I may in the future. Thanks for caring though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tribesman
What, you mean this?Quote:
Thats not a solution since the act contained clauses that penalised other countries that did trade with Cuba .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helms-Burton_ActQuote:
International Sanctions against the Castro Government. Economic embargo, any non-US company that deals economically with Cuba can be subjected to legal action and that company's leadership can be barred from entry into the United States. Sanctions may be applied to non-U.S. companies trading with Cuba. This means that internationally operating companies have to choose between Cuba and the US, which is a much larger market.
I didn't actually know that. Kind of makes me dislike the embargo even more.
Isnt the whole point of an embargo to hurt the economy?
Yes, but hurting the economy was suppose to make the Castro Regime fold and hopefully usher in democracy. So far that hasn't worked to well, and it will never work.Quote:
Originally Posted by Strike For The South
Besides, if I want to trade with a communist dictator, I should be allowed to.
Its made Cuba poor though? We held up our end of the bargin. If the Cubans like being the best of the worst let themQuote:
Originally Posted by Ice
And by trading with him you make him a capitalistic dictator... so isn't that a step in the right direction?
Capitalism and wealthier people tend to lead to democracy. Lack of wealth for most tends to lead to communism.
Yes.Quote:
So far that hasn't worked to well, and it will never work.
-US President: Cuba wont give up. I'll press the End Button and we will see, Cuba!
*hits end button*
6 months later.
-Us President: Cuba didnt give up. I'll press the end Button again and we will see.
Quite a vague and unfair response really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit
Let me put it this way;
I live in the US, and I would much rather be treated here than have to be treated as an ordinary Cuban. After all, only a few get the Cuban system that Castro shows off. Most are stuck with the hospitals not toured by celebrities.
Heck, I'd much rather be treated in the US than by any hospital in Cuba.
CR
JAG, have you ever held a conversation with anyone who's lived in Cuba?
Yes. Another point is that everyone who enter Cuba CAN'T leave it.Quote:
Heck, I'd much rather be treated in the US than by any hospital in Cuba.
That comment puzzles me a bit. People who enter Cuba certainly can leave it again (lots of tourists can probably confirm this).Quote:
Originally Posted by Caius
Or are you referring to the people who actually live there?
It is a little known fact that Jose Marti airport only has an arrivals lounge , the lack of a departure lounge has caused problems with a massive buildup of airliners on the apron , the decline in Cuban agriculture can be directly linked to the practice of taking fields out of production and concreting them to park all the planes on .:book:Quote:
That comment puzzles me a bit.
I say this due a well known case of an Argentinian doctor that went to Cuba, but Argentina had to start diplomatic negociations with Cuba to let her come back to Argentina.Quote:
People who enter Cuba certainly can leave it again (lots of tourists can probably confirm this).
Or are you referring to the people who actually live there?
That sounds like a misinterpretation, or the doctor committed a crime of some sort.Quote:
Originally Posted by Caius
Really, tourists from all over the world except America go to Cuba. :rolleyes:
Do I speak chinese?Quote:
That sounds like a misinterpretation, or the doctor committed a crime of some sort
She could not get back to Argentina, I think.
Yes, and I'm saying, did she commit a crime of some sort in Cuba?Quote:
Originally Posted by Caius
Nonetheless, "link or it didn't happen."
(Article in Spanish):http://128.11.143.113/spanish/archiv...12-16-15-1.cfm
Hmm, it wasnt an Argentinan doctor, but oh well.
Cuban Doc would be finding asilum in Argentinan Empassy
Doctora Cubana Buscaría Asilo en Embajada Argentina
thursday, 16th December 2004
jueves, 16 diciembre 2004
Argentinan Press has informed that one cuban dissident has been looking for refugy in the Argentinian embassy in La Habana.
La prensa en Argentina ha informado que una disidente cubana ha buscado refugio en la embajada argentina en La Habana.
The newspaper La Nación of Argentina informed this thursday that the renombred neurosurgeon(?) Hilda Molina and her mother of 84 years entered to the embassy to ask for political assylum
El diario La Nación de Buenos Aires informa este jueves que la renombrada neurocirujana Hilda Molina y su madre de 84 años ingresaron a la embajada para pedir asilo político.
Doctor Molina has been asking to the cuban government that allows her to travel to Argentina to see his son, who lives in the exilio in that southamerican country
La doctora Molina ha estado pidiendo al gobierno cubano que le permita viajar a Argentina para ver a su hijo, quien vive en el exilio en ese país sudamericano.
In the beggining of this month, the argentinian president Néstor Kirchner (little :daisy:), wrote to the cuban governant Fidel Castro asking for permission to allow the Doc visit Argentina
A comienzos de este mes, el presidente argentino, Néstor Kirchner, escribió al gobernante cubano Fidel Castro al que le pidió que permita que la doctora Molina visite Argentina.
Castro replied that Molina Family WILL HAVE TO visit her in Cuba.
Castro respondió que la familia de Molina debería visitarla a ella en Cuba.
Well, that's completely different then, isn't it?
Yes, but I still find it disturbing. Any country that doesn't let it's citizens leave has issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Evil_Maniac From Mars
America has issues in it won't let me travel to Cuba. I really would love to go their on vacation.