Ailing Castro throws first punch at Obama

[Zorro]

Source: AP

Fidel Castro on Thursday threw his first punch at President Barack Obama after several weeks of praise for the new leader, demanding the U.S. return Guantanamo Bay military base to Cuba and criticizing the U.S. defense of Israel.

Castro's latest essay, published on an official Web site, came one week after he called Obama "intelligent and noble" and said he would cut back on his writings to prevent interfering with Cuban government decisions.

The missive Thursday raised new questions about what role he maintains in policy-making, especially coming while his brother, President Raul Castro, was in Moscow on an official visit.

The ailing 82-year-old former president wrote that if the U.S. doesn't give the U.S. base at Guantanamo back to Cuba, it will be a violation of international law and an abuse of American power against a small country.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090130/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_cuba_us_2

[Idealism]

1. How is that a punch? He's fucking right

[subsuelo]

45. Hey it's AP. Expect trashy gossip n/t

[MADem]

2. What? He's not dead? Every few months, the rumor comes out that he's dead.

And I guess Chavez saying that we wouldn't be hearing from him anymore was a bit, er, premature...

Unless Raul wrote the essay.

Cuba made a shitty deal when it came to Gitmo. Oh well. It's a handy base. He might pull a Panama with it, but I'd be a bit surprised if he did.

[Mika]

3. In the left corner, wearing red .... Fidel "Sugar Rey"Castro.

Fidel Castro comes out swinging with his famous
vicious left hook to the jaw in the 1st round

:rofl:

[leftstreet]

15. LOL

:rofl:

[dipsydoodle]

35. You rascal you

:rofl:

[Mika]

42. Seriously. Can you believe the headline in the OP? Castrophobia to the max.

Fidel Castro demonstrating his sharp repeated jabbing
technique that take their toll on any and all opponents

---

Looks like its gonna be a bloody knock-down drag-out 15 rounder.

Lets hope Mr Obama is in good shape, in his weight class, and can finally pound the crap outta this well trained A-1 top shape monster and his evil island.

And if our brave new prezident finally leads our nation to bring Cuba to its knees - to give up and cry "uncle" - or go for the knockout - we will be able to declare a glorious VICTORY to the world.

We will then be able to proudly declare that "we have brought down Cuba!".

:sarcasm:

[Sebass1271]

4. I really don't want Obama to get into a hum hum with Castro

that guy is crazy and might use Obama as a puppet for his endless war against the Cuban americans in Miami which Obama gained huuuge support in the last election.

Bill Clinton fell for it with the Elian Gonzalez fiasco and the Cuban American Community who is MAJORITY in Miami, the LARGEST city in Florida voted AGAINST Gore just because he was a friend of Bill Clinton.

I dont want Obama to go there. He should ignore Castro.

[Sebass1271]

6. Castro is irrelevant Anyway. Once he passes, Obama

should establish some sort of diplomatic relations with whomever will be charge at that time.

[EFerrari]

10. Yes, it was a shame to see Obama kissing up to the right wing nutcases

at CANF. They are ugly, ugly people.

[Mika]

11. "his endless war against the Cuban americans in Miami"

Um. What kind of swill are you pushing?

Its the other way around.

Castro never invaded any bays in Florida. The Miami exiles (with CIA help) invaded Cuba.

Castro never blew up Miami bound airliners. The CANF blew up an airliner bound for Cuba.

Castro sent no bombers to blow up Miami hotels. The CANF sent bombers to Cuba.

[Still Sensible]

5. Not the right thing to do

if he wants a positive response.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Right on both counts!

All Cubans, even the Miami cabal, will agree that US should close the naval base at Guantanamo. Fidel criticized US defence of the Gaza slaughter by Israel.

[Sebass1271]

8. The assassin Fidel? He has no moral authority to criticize

Israel. He should shut the fuck up. He is murderer just like Israel and just like Hamas.

[provis99]

48. thank you, ghost of Batista.

now go away.

[Mika]

9. Love the way the US media leaves the official statement a mystery. Link here.

DUers, don't rely on the US media on anything about Cuba or Castro.

Go to the source..

DESCIFRANDO EL PENSAMIENTO DEL NUEVO PRESIDENTE DE ESTADOS UNIDOS
http://www.cuba.cu/gobierno/reflexiones/2009/esp/f290109e.html

No es demasiado difícil. Después de su toma de posesión, Barack Obama declaró que la devolución del territorio ocupado por la Base Naval de Guantánamo a su legítimo dueño debía sopesar, en primer término, si afectaba o no en lo más mínimo, la capacidad defensiva de Estados Unidos.

Añadía de inmediato, que respecto a la devolución a Cuba del territorio ocupado por la misma, debía considerar bajo qué concesiones la parte cubana accedería a esa solución, lo cual equivale a la exigencia de un cambio en su sistema político, un precio contra el cual Cuba ha luchado durante medio siglo.

Mantener una base militar en Cuba contra la voluntad de nuestro pueblo, viola los más elementales principios del derecho internacional. Es una facultad del Presidente de Estados Unidos acatar esa norma sin condición alguna. No respetarla constituye un acto de soberbia y un abuso de su inmenso poder contra un pequeño país.

Si se desea comprender mejor el carácter abusivo del poder del imperio debe tomarse en cuenta las declaraciones publicadas en el sitio oficial de Internet por el gobierno de Estados Unidos el 22 de enero de 2009, después del acceso al mando, de Barack Obama. Biden y Obama deciden apoyar resueltamente la relación entre Estados Unidos e Israel, y consideran que el incontrovertible compromiso en Oriente Medio debe ser la seguridad de Israel, el principal aliado de Estados Unidos en la región.
Estados Unidos nunca se distanciará de Israel y su presidente y vicepresidente “creen resueltamente en el derecho de Israel de proteger sus ciudadanos”, asegura la declaración de principios, que retoma en esos puntos la política seguida por el gobierno del predecesor de Obama, George W. Bush.

Es el modo de compartir el genocidio contra los palestinos en que ha caído nuestro amigo Obama. Edulcorantes similares ofrece a Rusia, China, Europa, América Latina y el resto del mundo, después que Estados Unidos convirtió a Israel en una importante potencia nuclear que absorbe cada año una parte significativa de las exportaciones de la próspera industria militar del imperio, con lo cual amenaza, con una violencia extrema, a la población de todos los países de fe musulmana.

Ejemplos parecidos abundan, no hace falta ser adivino. Léase, para más ilustración, las declaraciones del nuevo Jefe del Pentágono, experto en asuntos bélicos.


Fidel Castro Ruz
29 de enero de 2009
6 y 17 p.m.

Here's a syntactically bad babelfish translation (I don't have the time to do a clean translation), but the point can still be determined.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?doit=done&tt=url&intl=1&fr=bf-home&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cuba.cu%2Fgobierno%2Freflexiones%2F2009%2Fesp%2Ff290109e.html&lp=es_en&btnTrUrl=Translate

DECIPHERING THE THOUGHT OF THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

It is not too difficult. After its taking of possession, Barack Obama declared that the return of the territory occupied by Naval Base of Guantánamo to its legitimate owner had to heft, in first term, if it affected or not in minimum, the defense capabilities of the United States.

It added immediately, that with respect to the return to Cuba of the territory occupied by the same, had to consider under what concessions the Cuban part would accede to that solution, which is equivalent to the exigency of a change in its political system, a price against which Cuba has fought during half century.

To maintain a military base in Cuba against the will of our town, violates the most elementary principles of the international right. It is a faculty of the President of the United States to accept that norm without condition some. Not to respect constitutes it an act of pride and an abuse of its immense one to be able against a small country.

If it is desired to include/understand better the abusive character of the power of the empire must be taken into account the declarations published in the official site from Internet by the government from the United States the 22 from January from 2009, after the access to the control, of Barack Obama. Biden and Obama decide to resolutely support the relation between the United States and Israel, and consider that the incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be the security of Israel, the main ally of the United States in the region.

The United States never will be distanced of Israel and their president and vice-president “resolutely create in the right of Israel to protect their citizens”, assures the declaration principles, that the policy followed by the government of the predecessor of Obama retakes in those points, George W. Bush.

It is the way to share the genocide against the Palestinians in which our Obama friend has fallen. Similar sweeteners offer to Russia, China, Europe, Latin America and the rest of the world, after the United States turned to Israel into an important nuclear power that it absorbs every year a part significant of the exports of the prosperous war industry of the empire, consequently threatens, with an extreme violence, to the population of all the countries of Muslim faith.

Similar examples abound, does not make lack be fortune teller. It is read, for more illustration, the declarations of the new Head of the Pentagon, expert in warlike subjects.


Fidel Castro Ruz
29 of January of 2009
6 and 17 p.m.

[Idealism]

13. That translation is god-awful, Mika!

It hurt my head trying to peace together what they were trying to say :(

DU is quickly becoming xenophobic when it comes to foreign actors, with few exceptions.

[Mika]

19. I know. Sorry 'bout that.

But my brain and my fingers are just too sore to do it.

xenophobic? Like post #16? Yikes.

[Idealism]

23. That wasn't even the worst post on this thread, imo!

#16 is only a 3/10 on the DU-xenophobe-scale.

Too many threads on here are met with ignorant posts of " are coming to kill us!" or " is ran by a dictator who eats babies, we should kill him!"

[EFerrari]

24. The really funny part is comparing the posts to the sig lines.

If I were Obama or DFA, I'd sue!

[Idealism]

26. There is some serious defamation of character by association

going on in some sig lines :rofl:

[Wednesdays]

40. I think Google translation is better

THOUGHT OF THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
http://www.cuba.cu/gobierno/reflexiones/2009/esp/f29010 ...

It is not too difficult. After his inauguration, Barack Obama stated that the return of the territory occupied by the Guantanamo Naval Base to its rightful owner should weigh in first, whether or not affected at all, the defensive capabilities of the United States.

Added immediately, with respect to returning to Cuba from the territory occupied by it, should consider the concessions under which Cuba agreed to that solution, which is equivalent to requiring a change in its political system, against which a price Cuba has struggled for half a century.

Maintain a military base in Cuba against the will of our people, violating the most elementary principles of international law. It is a prerogative of the President of the United States comply with this standard without any conditions. Respect is not an act of arrogance and an abuse of its immense power against a small country.

If you want to better understand the unfairness of the rule of power should be taken into account the statements published on the official site of the Internet by the U.S. government on January 22, 2009, after the access to the command of Barack Obama. Biden and Obama decide to strongly support the relationship between the U.S. and Israel and see the incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be the security of Israel, the main U.S. allies in the region.
America will never be away from Israel and its president and vice president "believes strongly in Israel's right to protect its citizens," says the statement of principles, which takes up these points in the policy pursued by the government of the predecessor Obama, George W . Bush.

Is the share of the genocide against the Palestinians has fallen into our friend Obama. Similar offers sweeteners to Russia, China, Europe, Latin America and the rest of the world after the U.S. became Israel in a major nuclear power that every year a significant portion of exports from the thriving industry of military rule, thus threatening, with an extreme violence, the population of all countries of Muslim faith.

Similar examples abound, it does not take a soothsayer. Read, for illustration, the statements by the new head of the Pentagon, an expert in matters of war.


Fidel Castro Ruz
29 January 2009
6 and 17 p.m.

[Jim Sagle]

12. Fidel ain't nuthin' but shit.

[Mika]

14. Well, there we have it folks. The definitive analysis of the statement..

.. by another from DU's ranks of experienced Cuba "experts*".


* - I'm actually being sarcastic here,
because 99.9% of DU's Cuba "experts"
have never set foot on Cuban soil nor
have they done even remedial research
on Cuba, yet feel the need to make
grandious and sweeping ignorant
statements and pronouncements
about a place they know nothing about.

-

Well done, Jim Sagle. Well done. You represent your nation well. :patriot:

{sarcasm off}

[Hardrada]

21. I think it's a case of Old Trotskyite vs. Old Stalinist.

The neocons of this world are a UNIVERSAL pain!

[w4rma]

16. Shut up, Castro. Cuba will get their land back when we get some time to do it. (nt)

[Mika]

17. Goddam uppity Caribs and Latin Americans.

Shut up and wait till we're good and goddam ready!

:sarcasm:

[naaman fletcher]

18. is this the same castro..

who rounds up homosexuals with aids and segregates them? People here like him because?

[EFerrari]

20. Do you have a source for that? Thanks.

[Mika]

22. Nope. (Ho hum, yet another Cuba "expert*".)

This is Fidel Castro former president of Cuba, a nation with the lowest AIDS/HIV transmission rate due to their UN and WHO award winning national prevention and prophylaxis education programs.

Cuba has approved sexual reassignment surgery as part of their healthcare system.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=4653650#4654004

This year the National Assembly has taken up a gay marriage bill, likely to be approved

The president's daughter, Mariela Castro, is the leading advocate for GLBT rights in Cuba as the head of Cuba's National Center for Sex Education.

http://www.thegully.com/essays/cuba/010621gay_cuba.html
JUNE 21, 2001. A few hours before floats, rainbow flags, and a sea of humanity filled Sao Paulo's central Avenida Paulista last Sunday for Latin America's biggest ever Pride Parade, Agence France Presse reported that, in Cuba, two gay male couples also made history by publicly holding the first gay wedding there.


When it comes to gay rights, is Cuba inching ahead of USA?
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/02/post_72.html

Cuba: Celebrations of advancing gay rights
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/760/39274


Mariela Castro
"In the early years of the
revolution much of the
world was homophobic.
It was the same here in
Cuba and led to acts
which I consider unjust."

I've shaken hands with this amazing woman in the late 90's when she addressed, in place of her uncle, a H-C seminar that I attended.

Cuba has never been perfect. Never will be. GLBT-phobia and mistreatment is unconscionable, but we (Americans and Cubans) are evolving.

But when it comes to health issues (namely AIDS/HIV), Cuba has never been discriminatory in its treatment of all people. Unlike during the Reagan era, when RR wouldn't even utter the word or acknowledge AIDS as it was wiping out wide swaths of Americans, Cuba dealt with the unknown epidemic (at that time) that could have overwhelmed their health care system. They did this head-on with treatment, care and development of successful treatment and prevention strategies.

I was there. I saw it with my own eyes.

[dipsydoodle]

36. Oh

[Karenina]

46. I SO snatched that image!

:spray:

[fujiyama]

25. Castro is not particularly relevant

That said...

The US should close Guantonimo and give Cuba back its land. The military base is basically a colonial outpost.

I thought Obama pledged to ease travel and trade restrictions during the campaign?

Maybe I'm mistaken. He should though. That would be a good start...as well as establishing some diplomatic relations.

And I think our support of Israel regardless of its actions is wrong, but this is between the US and Israel. And I know Castro's buddy Chavez is way too friendly with that nutcase Ahmedenijad so I'm not exactly expecting Fidel to have an unbiased view on this situation. And regardless maybe Cuba should focus on its own human rights violations first.

[Mika]

27. Obama pledged to ease travel restrictions for Cuban exiles only. The rest of us = 2nd class citizens

Obama says that Miamicuban exiles are the best ambassadors of democracy :rofl:

Here's some examples of their commitment to democratic principles..

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/content/printVersion/241091

The following list of violent incidents I compiled from a variety of databases and news sources (a few come from personal experience). It is incomplete, especially in Miami's trademark category of bomb threats. Nor does it include dozens of acts of violence and murder committed by Cuban exiles in other U.S. cities and at least sixteen foreign countries. But completeness isn't the point. The point is to face the truth, no matter how difficult that may be. If Miami's Cuban exiles confront this shameful past -- and resolutely disavow it -- they will go a long way toward easing their neighbors' anxiety about a peaceful future.

1968 From MacArthur Causeway, pediatrician Orlando Bosch fires bazooka at a Polish freighter. (City of Miami later declares "Orlando Bosch Day." Federal agents will jail him in 1988.)

1972 Julio Iglesias, performing at a local nightclub, says he wouldn't mind "singing in front of Cubans." Audience erupts in anger. Singer requires police escort. Most radio stations drop Iglesias from playlists. One that doesn't, Radio Alegre, receives bomb threats.

1974 Exile leader José Elias de la Torriente murdered in his Coral Gables home after failing to carry out a planned invasion of Cuba.

1974 Bomb blast guts the office of Spanish-language magazine Replica.

1974 Several small Cuban businesses, citing threats, stop selling Replica.

1974 Three bombs explode near a Spanish-language radio station.

1974 Hector Diaz Limonta and Arturo Rodriguez Vives murdered in internecine exile power struggles.

1975 Luciano Nieves murdered after advocating peaceful coexistence with Cuba.

1975 Another bomb damages Replica's office.

1976 Rolando Masferrer and Ramon Donestevez murdered in internecine exile power struggles.

1976 Car bomb blows off legs of WQBA-AM news director Emilio Milian after he publicly condemns exile violence.

1977 Juan José Peruyero murdered in internecine exile power struggles.

1979 Cuban film Memories of Underdevelopment interrupted by gunfire and physical violence instigated by two exile groups.

1979 Bomb discovered at Padron Cigars, whose owner helped negotiate release of 3600 Cuban political prisoners.

1979 Bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1980 Another bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1980 Powerful anti-personnel bomb discovered at American Airways Charter, which arranges flights to Cuba.

1981 Bomb explodes at Mexican Consulate on Brickell Avenue in protest of relations with Cuba.

1981 Replica's office again damaged by a bomb.

1982 Two outlets of Hispania Interamericana, which ships medicine to Cuba, attacked by gunfire.

1982 Bomb explodes at Venezuelan Consulate in downtown Miami in protest of relations with Cuba.

1982 Bomb discovered at Nicaraguan Consulate.

1982 Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre defends $10,000 grant to exile commando group Alpha 66 by noting that the organization "has never been accused of terrorist activities inside the United States."

1983 Another bomb discovered at Replica.

1983 Another bomb explodes at Padron Cigars.

1983 Bomb explodes at Paradise International, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1983 Bomb explodes at Little Havana office of Continental National Bank, one of whose executives, Bernardo Benes, helped negotiate release of 3600 Cuban political prisoners.

1983 Miami City Commissioner Demetrio Perez seeks to honor exile terrorist Juan Felipe de la Cruz, accidentally killed while assembling a bomb. (Perez is now a member of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board and owner of the Lincoln-Martí private school where Elian Gonzalez is enrolled.)

1983 Gunfire shatters windows of three Little Havana businesses linked to Cuba.

1986 South Florida Peace Coalition members physically attacked in downtown Miami while demonstrating against Nicaraguan contra war.

1987 Bomb explodes at Cuba Envios, which ships packages to Cuba.

1987 Bomb explodes at Almacen El Español, which ships packages to Cuba.

1987 Bomb explodes at Cubanacan, which ships packages to Cuba.

1987 Car belonging to Bay of Pigs veteran is firebombed.

1987 Bomb explodes at Machi Viajes a Cuba, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1987 Bomb explodes outside Va Cuba, which ships packages to Cuba.

1988 Bomb explodes at Miami Cuba, which ships medical supplies to Cuba.

1988 Bomb threat against Iberia Airlines in protest of Spain's relations with Cuba.

1988 Bomb explodes outside Cuban Museum of Art and Culture after auction of paintings by Cuban artists.

1988 Bomb explodes outside home of Maria Cristina Herrera, organizer of a conference on U.S.-Cuba relations.

1988 Bomb threat against WQBA-AM after commentator denounces Herrera bombing.

1988 Bomb threat at local office of Immigration and Naturalization Service in protest of terrorist Orlando Bosch being jailed.

1988 Bomb explodes near home of Griselda Hidalgo, advocate of unrestricted travel to Cuba.

1988 Bomb damages Bele Cuba Express, which ships packages to Cuba.

1989 Another bomb discovered at Almacen El Español, which ships packages to Cuba.

1989 Two bombs explode at Marazul Charters, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1990 Another, more powerful, bomb explodes outside the Cuban Museum of Art and Culture.

1991 Using crowbars and hammers, exile crowd rips out and urinates on Calle Ocho "Walk of Fame" star of Mexican actress Veronica Castro, who had visited Cuba.

1992 Union Radio employee beaten and station vandalized by exiles looking for Francisco Aruca, who advocates an end to U.S. embargo.

1992 Cuban American National Foundation mounts campaign against the Miami Herald, whose executives then receive death threats and whose newsracks are defaced and smeared with feces.

1992 Americas Watch releases report stating that hard-line Miami exiles have created an environment in which "moderation can be a dangerous position."

1993 Inflamed by Radio Mambí commentator Armando Perez-Roura, Cuban exiles physically assault demonstrators lawfully protesting against U.S. embargo. Two police officers injured, sixteen arrests made. Miami City Commissioner Miriam Alonso then seeks to silence anti-embargo demonstrators: "We have to look at the legalities of whether the City of Miami can prevent them from expressing themselves."

1994 Human Rights Watch/Americas Group issues report stating that Miami exiles do not tolerate dissident opinions, that Spanish-language radio promotes aggression, and that local government leaders refuse to denounce acts of intimidation.

1994 Two firebombs explode at Replica magazine's office.

1994 Bomb threat to law office of Magda Montiel Davis following her videotaped exchange with Fidel Castro.

1996 Music promoter receives threatening calls, cancels local appearance of Cuba's La Orquesta Aragon.

1996 Patrons attending concert by Cuban jazz pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba physically assaulted by 200 exile protesters. Transportation for exiles arranged by Dade County Commissioner Javier Souto.

1996 Firebomb explodes at Little Havana's Centro Vasco restaurant preceding concert by Cuban singer Rosita Fornes.

1996 Firebomb explodes at Marazul Charters, which arranges travel to Cuba.

1996 Arson committed at Tu Familia Shipping, which ships packages to Cuba.

1997 Bomb threats, death threats received by radio station WRTO-FM following its short-lived decision to include in its playlist songs by Cuban musicians.

1998 Bomb threat empties concert hall at MIDEM music conference during performance by 91-year-old Cuban musician Compay Segundo.

1998 Bomb threat received by Amnesia nightclub in Miami Beach preceding performance by Cuban musician Orlando "Maraca" Valle.

1998 Firebomb explodes at Amnesia nightclub preceding performance by Cuban singer Manolín.

1999 Violent protest at Miami Arena performance of Cuban band Los Van Van leaves one person injured, eleven arrested.

1999 Bomb threat received by Seville Hotel in Miami Beach preceding performance by Cuban singer Rosita Fornes. Hotel cancels concert.

January 26, 2000 Outside Miami Beach home of Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin, protester displays sign reading, "Stop the deaths at sea. Repeal the Cuban Adjustment Act," then is physically assaulted by nearby exile crowd before police come to rescue.

April 11, 2000 Outside home of Elian Gonzalez's Miami relatives, radio talk show host Scot Piasant of Portland, Oregon, displays T-shirt reading, "Send the boy home" and "A father's rights," then is physically assaulted by nearby exile crowd before police come to rescue.

For this, they (radical RW Cuban-Americans and Cuban resident aliens) deserve to be endowed with full fledged constitutional rights, they will be free to travel the world, including Cuba.

According to Obama's Cuba policy announcements so far, the rest of us can fuck off. Apparently, we Americans need to set off some bombs or somesuch violence to become as fully endowed under the US constitution as Cuban exiles.

God help the poor Cubans who live in Cuba.

[EFerrari]

28. I know this must be tedious for you, but I always learn from your posts.

[Mika]

29. Not at all. I'm paid per post directly by Fidel.

At least, that's what some of the "experts*" here have said. :eyes:

-

Actually, someone needs to hammer on the hypocrisy of US/Cuba and US Latin America policy. There are too few of us, here on DU, to represent the progressive perspective on these issues.

I've been to Cuba. I love Cuba and my many Cuban friends and in-laws there. My heart breaks, especially in these dark days of late for me, that I can't go to visit and heal my soul - simply because of RW intransigent ignorance and bull headed BS policy based on .. what?.. hate?

Sorry about the rant. Can't sleep. Broken heart pounding.

[EFerrari]

30. I'm sorry, Mika.

:hug:

[Mika]

31. Thanx for the sympathies.

:hug:

edit

:hug:

[EFerrari]

32. I know. The photos I got to see were so lovely.

It doesn't make sense, any kind of sense.

I'm so sorry.

[Billy Burnett]

33. Dude. If you're still up - answer your phone!

Check the message I left you.

I come over here to read some red baiting and see this message?

Take tomorrow off and get yer ass to Texas dammit! We're playing in Austin Sat.
Come with us and live the high life for a weekend ;) You have my cell #
These kids are a gas. You'll hear some good Ry Cooder stories too. B-)
Serious dude. I'll pick you up. You should take a break from the wallowing.
Come on! You know you'll have some fun. I guarantee it. :smoke:

[Mika]

34. I'll call tomorrow.

Too fucked up now. :beer:

Later.

[EFerrari]

50. No, wait -- Ry Cooder? You guys better share!

:)

[Mika]

64. Heard a couple already.

They involve rum. Cuban rum. :beer:

Looking forward to tonight.

Live from Austin..

This is the DU member formerly known as, currently known as, and always will be known as Mika.

[blindpig]

37. Link to Granma English translation here:

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/enero/juev29/05Obama-i.html

[Bacchus39]

43. no, here is the link to the translation. Castro says Obama is sharing in the genocide

of Palestinians.

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/enero/vier30/o6reflex-i.html

[blindpig]

44. I stand corrected on the link.

Fidel is right on the mark.

[Vogon_Glory]

38. I'd Hoped Diplomatic Relations Would Improve Even While Fidel Was Alive, But

I'd hoped that diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba would improve even while Fidel Castro still lived, but it looks like that ain't gonna happen. Whatever horrors that might have occurred at Camp Xray and other places during George GTT Bush's regime, as a Yanqui nationalist, I fail to see why the US should hand over the US base at Guantanamo because an aged Cuban control-freak retiree demands it.

Unlike most of DU's claque of 'Sandalistas,' I don't see the current Havana regime as being either eternal or enduring. Considering Cuba's geographic position as an ideal springboard for smuggling drugs and contraband into the US and considering what narco-traffickers have done to OTHER Caribbean governments (I include the Central American and South American mainland), I don't see it in the US' interest to give in to what's-his-name's demands. A post-Castro Cuban state might prove every bit as troubled as Guatemala after the military dictatorship ended in the '90's or Haiti after Dubya's intervention ended--and both states are now playgrounds for narco-traffickers.

I hope that President Obama shows some of that Chicago political toughness that his enemies accused him of having during the campaign season, and I hope that President Obama says no. I see no gain for President Obama to be seen as weenie; GOP reactionaries would be quick to portray him as such if he did what Fidel demanded. If that means that US--Cuban diplomatic relations have to remain in the deep-freeze, so (alas) be it.

[Zorro]

39. I agree

I seriously doubt Obama will give consideration to giving up the base, especially since Fidel is flapping his gums and demanding it.

I think this may be an attempt by Fidel to muzzle a growing appreciation for Obama in Cuba (which he may have slightly encouraged) by resurrecting a contentious issue.

Fidel's just as big an attention whore as his wannabe-disciple Hugo, and Obama's positive press is probably grating his ego.

[EFerrari]

52. LOL! This thread just gets better and better.

Why would you disseminate this article if you believe Castro is an "attention whore"?

Doesn't that make you an attention pimp?

:rofl:

[Zorro]

58. Actually it makes me an educator

But based on your numerous vapid and content-free posts in this thread, you obviously haven't learned your lesson yet.

[EFerrari]

59. You're a master at what you do, I can't deny that. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

60. I've heard people can go blind from that! n/t

[Zorro]

62. Perhaps I should change my identity to Zatoichi

since so many posters can't seem to translate the word Zorro.

[Billy Burnett]

41. I see you're working that old tired cold war era strategery.

Cuba is scary. :scared:

Once Castro is gone the country will melt down and become a drug lord haven of danger. :scared:

Be afraid, you brave Americans. Be very Afraid.

Cuba is coming to get you and your women and your children, and when it does ... hoo boy ... they'll torture them with health care and a good education.

Man the ramparts. Castro is dying and then THE CUBANS ARE COMING THE CUBANS ARE COMING!

:sarcasm:


You Cubaphobes are just too much. :rofl:

[Vogon_Glory]

57. Meanwhile, Outside the Sandalistas' Magic Circle

Meanwhile, outside the Sandalistas' magic circle, progressives have been familiarizing themselves with genuine Cold Warrior rhetoric involving Cuba and the flights of fancy held by the Cuban Liberty Council and other far-right organizations.

Ever heard of the right-wing Cuban emigres' slogan 'No Castro, no problem!'? That seems to be the hardliners' position and to even SUGGEST that a post-Castro Cuban government might have problems with the drug cartels seems to be as tabu on the far right as it is among the Sandalistas.

The rest of us have seen 'that old tired cold war strategery' put into place in Iraq by George GTT Bush. The rest of us have watched law and order fail to coalesce in Afghanistan after the Taliban was ousted and also how forcefully the well-armed and well-financed narco-traffickers are challenging the Mexican state. So at least some of the rest of us feel we have every bit as much reason to be concerned as to what could possibly happen in Cuba, despite DU's Sandalistas' rosy reassurances.

[provis99]

49. Guantanamo isn't US territory; its Cuban

have you figured that out? Maybe if we want to keep Guantanamo under illegal occupation, we should give the Cubans something in return. I suggest giving them Miami.

[Dave From Canada]

63. America does give Cuba something in return. Money. And according to a longstanding agreement, that

goes way back, as long as America pays for the use of Guantanimo, there's nothing Cuba can do to prevent it. It's no illegal occupation at all. Read history.

[Judi Lynn]

66. America doesn't give Cuba anything it wants, or uses. It doesn't cash the $2,000.00 check

it gets annually, never has since 1959, when its new government was created.

The first U.S. presence on Guantánamo Bay was a Marine battalion that camped there on June 10 1898, and the first American casualties of the Spanish-Cuban-American War were two marines killed there the following day.

Five years later, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt signed an agreement with Cuba's new government, leasing the bay for 2,000 gold coins per year. The agreement was forced on the new Cuban government through the Platt Amendment, which gave the U.S. authority to interfere in Cuban affairs.

The Lease Agreement signed on February 16 1903, granted the U.S. "the right to use and occupy the waters adjacent to said areas of land and water… and generally to do any and all things necessary to fit the premises for use as coaling or naval stations only, and for no other purpose."

On July 2 1906, (just before the 2nd U.S. military intervention) a new lease was signed in Havana for Guantánamo Bay and Bahía Honda, for which the U.S. would pay $2,000 per year.

The U.S. Naval Base at Guantánamo Bay, the oldest existing U.S. military base outside U.S. territory, sits on a 45-square-mile area (117.6 square kilometers) about the size of Manhattan Island.

After the Platt Amendment was annulled in 1934, a new lease was negotiated between the Roosevelt administration and a Cuban government that included Fulgencio Batista as one of three signatories. Batista emerged as the strong man on the island over the next twenty-five years.

When the Revolution triumphed in 1959, the U.S. banned its soldiers stationed at the bay from entering Cuban territory. The Cuban government asserts that Guantánamo should have been returned to Cuba at this time.

"It's no secret," wrote Rafael Hernández Rodriquez in Subject to Solution: Problems in Cuban-U.S. Relations, "that the main mission of the naval bases in this area of the Gulf is to control, police and spy on Cuba."

During a speech in Chile on December 3 1971, Castro said, "that base is there just to humiliate Cuba; just like a knife stuck in the heart of Cuba's dignity and sovereignty… But from a military standpoint, the base is completely useless."

On January 11 1985, in a speech during a visit to Nicaragua, Castro addressed the potential use of military violence to recover this territory. "What interest can we have in waging a war with our neighbors?" he said. "In our country we have a military base against the will of our people. It has been there throughout the twenty-six years of the revolution, and it is being occupied by force. We have the moral and legal right to demand its return. We have made the claim in the moral and legal way. We do not intend to recover it with the use of arms. It is part of our territory being occupied by a U.S. military base. Never has anyone, a revolutionary cadre, a revolutionary leader, or a fellow citizen, had the idea of recovering the piece of our territory by the use of force. If some day it will be ours, it will not be by the use of force, but the advance of the consciousness of justice in the world."

In an interview with Soviet journalists in October 1985, U.S. President Ronald Reagan said that the purpose of the base was political: to impose the U.S. presence, even if the Cubans didn't want it.

http://www.historyofcuba.com/history/funfacts/guantan.htm

[EFerrari]

51. LOL! There's no reason to do the right thing if it makes you look like a weenie!

What are you, twelve?

[Vogon_Glory]

54. Sandalistas, Rose-Tinted Glasses, and the Last Thirty Year

Interesting response. I guess it comes from living among like-minded ideologues and never, ever considering that the rest of the world may not agree with you.

In case you didn't notice, former president Carter's image suffered terribly from the all-too-successful Republican attempt to portray him as weak and ineffectual. It wasn't just the Iranian hostage crisis or the turn to Volcker-style economics that did in the Carter presidency, it was Carter's perceived haste to quickly wrap up and deliver the Canal treaty.

Former president Clinton suffered from the same problem. Former Clinton badly wanted to have a legacy of accomplishment (Although slowing down the Radical Right's power grab was a good job), so in his zeal to make trade deals with the Chinese, he also got portrayed as weak and ineffectual.

I see no benefit to President Obama and a good deal of political damage to be done if President Obama raced to turn Guantanamo over to the Havana regime because the control-freak retiree demanded it. In some cases, national dignity, like good cooking, requires a certain measure of time.

Genuine far leftists of 'the worse, the better' school might not object to Barack Obama being a one-term President hamstrung by a large Republican minority in the House, the Senate or both after the 2010 elections, and then being replaced by a ghastly reactionary hand-picked by the Religious Right. The rest of us, particularly those of us who went out and campaigned for President Obama, see no reason for the President to undermine himself by acting in undue haste in regard to the Guantanamo sovereignty issue.

By any chance were you one of those charming people who hung around airports during the late 1960's and early 1970's shouting 'War criminal' at deplaning US servicemen thinking that it was the right thing to do? The Reagan presidency and the nightmare just ended are part of the blow-back from that sort of thinking by far left-wing narcissists.

If you were, the rest of us DON'T thank you for it.

[EFerrari]

56. Oh, bullshit. The Democrat's disarray left a power vacuum and Rayguns waltzed right in.

And nothing that I did in grade school in the 60s and 70s caused that. That's simply mendacity, as is the idea that image trumps accomplishment or that you have to be an ideologue to realize that. Btw, unlike Reagan or the two Bush disasters, Carter and Clinton are still loved around the world. President Carter now enjoys a 60% approval rating at home as well. Have a good night.

[dgibby]

53. Perhaps you'd feel differently if Cuba set up a military base in Fla!

[Vogon_Glory]

61. In A Different Time And Under Different Circumstances

In a different time and should the US and Cuba come into political congruency regarding free speech, freedom of the press, freedom of association, freedom of assembly and other values, I could see myself actually agreeing that Cuba ought to set up a guarda costa-type base on the site of old Homestead AFB.

For that matter, I wouldn't mind if the Federal Republic of Germany would permanently station training squadrons out in eastern New Mexico where their pilots could train in the wide open spaces without troubling millions of NIMBYs. Those folks could stand some financial relief from the phillips-heading they've gotten from Dead-Eye Dick and GTT Bush.

[MellowDem]

47. Bah...

This coming from a guy whose brother is now president, after he himself was president for life! Power to the people and such...

And yes, we should give back Guantanamo.

And yes, Castro is a douchebag.

And yes, I realize that everything that has happened in Cuba is perfectly "legal" and "democratic". I get it, really, I do. Yah.

[bemildred]

55. I see they got the new picture.

I don't see where he attacked Obama.

[awoke_in_2003]

65. While I am for...

re-opening relations with Cuba, I have to say one thing: "Sorry Fidel. You signed a 99 year lease agreement".

[Judi Lynn]

67. Fidel wasn't there in 1903. That was "some other dude."

You may be thinking of Cuba's President Estrada Palma. I can see how someone would confuse them. They both have sat in chairs when their photos were taken, and neither one ever wore those babalu costumes made famous in the U.S. by Desi Arnaz.

http://havanajournal.com.nyud.net:8090/images/uploads/castro-lula-1.jpg http://www.cubaencuentro.com.nyud.net:8090/var/cubaencuentro.com/storage/images/encuentro_en_la_red/opinion/articulos/la_guerrita_de_agosto/tomas_estrada_palma_primer_presidente_de_la_republica/205818-1-esl-ES/tomas_estrada_palma_primer_presidente_de_la_republica.jpg

http://www.indcjournal.com.nyud.net:8090/archives/desi.jpg