Some Cubans Plan to Fete Castro's B-Day

[Judi Lynn]

Some Cubans Plan to Fete Castro's B-Day
By VANESSA ARRINGTON , 08.12.2006, 03:32 AM

Fidel Castro's 80th birthday on Sunday had been expected to trigger days of parties, concerts and conferences on his legacy. Instead, the communist leader will likely spend the day in bed, recovering from surgery for intestinal bleeding.

Still, some Cubans planned to mark the occasion even without a public appearance by Castro, with musicians of all ages feting him on Saturday night.

Cubans have cultivated a myth over the last half-century that Castro is invincible, but they now must confront the fact he is an octogenarian - and frail like other elderly mortals.

A few Cubans say it won't be long before Castro is giving five-hour speeches once again, but many believe he will never be quite the same.
(snip/...)

http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/entremgmt/feeds/ap/2006/08/12/ap2945204.html

[rudeboy666]

1. sad legacy

The fact that a whole society(system) seems to hang on one person is a reminder of the poverty of dictatorships.

[Oversea Visitor]

2. Sometimes I think it is good

more work done, less politicaling.

Even in my country our politician spend more time quarreling then working.

[Vidar]

4. Good point, however, that has not been the case in the present

American dictatorship.

[Oversea Visitor]

5. Last I heard America was a democracy

A new kind, bush democracy.

Bottomline is A bad Leader under whatever form of goverments will always has trouble.

So looking at Cuba it has been very stable for a while.
Maybe bush need to look at what Castro doing so right hey.

[Mika]

6. Wrong

We still celebrate Washington's birthday in the US.

Fact is - Mr Castro is Cuba's living revolutionary hero.

[NewSpectrum]

15. "Mr Castro is Cuba's living revolutionary hero"

....... time to vomit.

[NewSpectrum]

14. Good Observation...

.. (reply #1)

[Vidar]

3. Happy, or at least, painless birthday to Fidel. I'm glad Cubans

are celebrating.

[bluestateguy]

7. Castro is just an asshole

Some of those Cubans have an adoration for their Leader that seems comparable to that of American fundamentalist Christians' sycophancy for George W. Bush.

Some people just like living under a dictatorship.

[otohara]

13. 39%

so I hear?

[NewSpectrum]

17. "Castro is just an asshole"

Another Good Observation... (reply #7)

[robcon]

8. JUST ONCE, I'd like to see an opposition demonstration...

without mass arrests. What Cuba needs is a symbol of opposition, like Hu Yaobing (whose death started the Tienanmen Square demos.) That kind of demonstration could rally the people, and could be turned into an anti-despot demonstation in a few days.

[Mika]

12. And where would you see that?

Do you really think that the anti Castro US media would actually show America a demonstration in Cuba that isn't cracked down on? (Which, btw, happens quite regularly.)

I think that you're confused, and that you are talking about the mass arrests at US demonstrations.

The mass arrests at demonstrations occurs in the USA. Remember when the no-war-in-Iraq global demonstrations happened prior to the US invasion of Iraq that the US had HUGE numbers of arrests, when there were few if any arrests in most all other countries that had demonstrations.

Or.. Think - Miami FTAA demonstrations.

[Akim]

9. Fidel's Greatness As Defined by Alicia Alonso

If he (Fidel) only knew how great he was, he would be crushed by the weight of his greatness. — Alicia Alonso

[Akim]

10. The Ruby that Shines From the Mountains

"Un Fidel que brilla en la montaña, un rubí, cinco franjas y una estrella." Popular Cuban song of the 1950s

[Say_What]

11. Great pics as usual, Judi!! n/t

[Judi Lynn]

21. Those people look as if they're shaking in their boots, don't they?

So scary! They're living on borrowed time!

[NewSpectrum]

16. A Birthday Card for Fidel......

[Judi Lynn]

18. Recovering ahead of birthday

Recovering ahead of birthday
Source: CCTV.com
08-13-2006 10:15

Cuban President Fidel Castro is sitting up, walking, talking and being briefed. That's according to a statement published in the Communist Party daily, Granma. The good news comes a day before Castro's 80th birthday. It is the most optimistic report on the Cuban leader, since his July 31 announcement that he had undergone intestinal surgery. Since that time he has been temporarily ceding his powers to his brother, Raul.

The headline of the newspaper article reads "Firm Like a Caguairan", comparing Castro to a hardwood tropical tree native to eastern Cuba and famed for its hardy nature.

The Cuban people expressed their joy and relief after hearing that their leader is recovering.

Carriage driver Alejandro Rodriguez said:"We are so lucky that his spirits are up and he's getting better, like the newspaper says. The Caguairan is up. We hope he gets up and walks and then runs with all of us behind him. That is what is necessary."
(snip/...)

http://www.cctv.com/english/20060813/100594.shtml

[Judi Lynn]

19. CASTRO RECUPERATING

CASTRO RECUPERATING
13.8.2006. 10:48:38

Cuba's official Communist Party newspaper has reported that revolutionary leader Fidel Castro is sitting, walking and even working following intestinal surgery that forced him to temporarily step aside as president.

More optimism from close friend and political ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez who said his will travel to Havana today to celebrate Fidel Castro's 80th birthday.

The newspaper report is the most detailed statement from the Cuban government since it announced on July 31 that Fidel was temporarily handing over power to his younger brother, Raul.

The news prompted speculation among Cuba critics that Fidel Castro was possibly dying or already dead.
(snip/)

http://www9.sbs.com.au/theworldnews/region.php?id=130737®ion=4

[Judi Lynn]

20. Just heard on Fox Radio News at 6:00 a.m., EST. that there are photos

of Fidel Castro in his hospital room in Cuban newspapers today.

Something should be available internationally later today, no doubt.

[Mika]

22. I just saw some pics of Castro on local TV

Sitting in a hospital bed reading the latest edition of Granma, and another of him talking on the phone.

Looks a little haggard from surgery, but OK.

[Judi Lynn]

23. Ha ha. That really has to really burn some people in Miami!

You're the first one to report it.

Makes those people galloping up and down the streets, beating pans with metal spoons look a little goofy. What a shame!

[Mika]

24. Just posted a thread w/pics

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2453856&mesg_id=2453856

[Judi Lynn]

28. That's an exceptional thread, Mika. The best. n/t

[0007]

25. Happy Birthday and many more ......

A true Countryman.

[Akim]

26. "Éstas Son Las Mañanitas" (Traditional Hispanic Birthday Song)

http://www.piano-bar.com/pages/mananita.htm

[0007]

27. Beautiful!

[Judi Lynn]

29. Wonderful! n/t