Is Castro dead?

[cardaway]

I'm not sure what you mean about it not being your opinion.

You posted "is not the same thing". I disagree.

Like I said, it's all about who is doing the celebrating and who died. It's a real good bet people feel very differently about people we consider good people. They consider our leaders as evil as you and I consider Castro. When those people die there will be celebrations.

Are you going to think their celebration is OK or will you look down on it as a sick thing that is totally innapropriate?

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't have it in me to celebrate the death of anyone. I just see life and death as sacred and even the death of a horrible person is a solemn event (for me). I don't expect others to see it this way, just explaining how I see it.

Now, I can understand that people are celebrating, but I agree with Miss Jasmine, I think it is the idea of the changes that will take place. Or at least that is what I would be celebrating if I were Cuban.

I've watched a whole lot of people die. In fact, I joke about how I quit hospice because I was tired of answering, "I watch people die," every time someone asked me what I did for a living. And I still see people die at work. The concepts of birth and death are deep for me, but I think that is an entirely different thing.

There cannot be a celebration of the hope for better times for the cuban people cannot happen UNLESS Castro dies. So, that's why everyone is glad he's dead.

 

[Geoff_M]

Is Castro dead? Not based on what I've heard the Cuban government say so far... But if they start saying things like "He's up on the roof", or "He went to go live with Grandpa and Grandma on the farm", then I'll become suspicious!

 

[Cool-Beans]

You posted "is not the same thing". I disagree.

Like I said, it's all about who is doing the celebrating and who died. It's a real good bet people feel very differently about people we consider good people. They consider our leaders as evil as you and I consider Castro. When those people die there will be celebrations.

Are you going to think their celebration is OK or will you look down on it as a sick thing that is totally innapropriate?

Well, I see your point.

No, I don't think our soldiers are the equivalent of Fidel.

And I don't think any American President has been his equivalent, either. When we have one, I'll be celebrating his/her death along with everyone else.

 

[poohandwendy]

There cannot be a celebration of the hope for better times for the cuban people cannot happen UNLESS Castro dies. So, that's why everyone is glad he's dead.

I think that was sort of what I was saying. I wouldn't be celebrating the death of the man...but the changes that will take place. I think there is a difference.

 

[cardaway]

No, I don't think our soldiers are the equivalent of Fidel.

And I don't think any American President has been his equivalent, either. When we have one, I'll be celebrating his/her death along with everyone else.

I don't think they are the same either. My point was that others do feel they are the same and will celebrate their deaths. We have already seen people saying the celebration of others (in Iraq) were wrong. IMO all the celebrations of death are wrong, that's all.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Could someone please PM me and tell me why there is such a hoopla over Elian Gonzales. I was not a member at that time so I don't know why that case can't be discussed.

I can see why the Cubans /Cuban Americans living here in the US are rejoicing and hopeful that they will be able to be reunited with their loved ones if Castro is dead or if his brother would open up the borders.

 

[salmoneous]

I can see why the Cubans /Cuban Americans living here in the US are rejoicing and hopeful that they will be able to be reunited with their loved ones if Castro is dead or if his brother would open up the borders.

Note - the borders of Cuba are perfectly open. Cuba sure hasn't closed them.

However, the US (with a couple of narrow exceptions) bans US citizens from visiting. As with the economic boycott of Cuba, the official intention is to punish Castro and drive him from power. If fact, it has only punished the Cuban people and helped keep Castro in power long after other such communists have fallen. A horrible, stupid policy.

I don't image that Castro's brother will be much different from Fidel. But the change does give the US the opportunity to change it's policy, without having to admit its flaws. While a different Castro probably won't make much of a difference in Cuba, openness may just do the trick.

 

[eclectics]

Note - the borders of Cuba are perfectly open. Cuba sure hasn't closed them.

However, the US (with a couple of narrow exceptions) bans US citizens from visiting. As with the economic boycott of Cuba, the official intention is to punish Castro and drive him from power. If fact, it has only punished the Cuban people and helped keep Castro in power long after other such communists have fallen. A horrible, stupid policy.

I don't image that Castro's brother will be much different from Fidel. But the change does give the US the opportunity to change it's policy, without having to admit its flaws. While a different Castro probably won't make much of a difference in Cuba, openness may just do the trick.

ITA . If our fear of losing face is the deciding factor, now would be the perfect time to extend the olive branch. Will it be done in an election year? Highly doubtful.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Note - the borders of Cuba are perfectly open.

Tell that to the Cubans who risk their very lives out in the middle of the ocean on rafts trying to escape it and get here.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Note - the borders of Cuba are perfectly open. Cuba sure hasn't closed them.

However, the US (with a couple of narrow exceptions) bans US citizens from visiting. As with the economic boycott of Cuba, the official intention is to punish Castro and drive him from power. If fact, it has only punished the Cuban people and helped keep Castro in power long after other such communists have fallen. A horrible, stupid policy.

I don't image that Castro's brother will be much different from Fidel. But the change does give the US the opportunity to change it's policy, without having to admit its flaws. While a different Castro probably won't make much of a difference in Cuba, openness may just do the trick.

If Cubas borders are open then why do they risk their lives trying to leave instead of getting on a airplane and flying to wherever they want to go. I am possibly missing something and I'll admit I don't know too much in regards to Cuba.

 

[Snowysmom]

I think Fidel is still alive at this point, anyway. Unfortunately, when he does die, Chavez from Venezuela will be there to "help" Raul take care of Cuba. I am not sure that is much better. Raul is supposedly more personable than Fidel but more brutal on his enemies. Interesting comparison.

 

[eclectics]

Tell that to the Cubans who risk their very lives out in the middle of the ocean on rafts trying to escape it and get here.

I took that sentence to mean Cuba is open to incoming non-American tourists and visitors. I guess you took it differently. I can only speculate as to it's intention though, because I did not write it.

 

[momof2inPA]

Canadians vacation in Cuba. Some U.S. citizens vacation there via Canada or did until Bush tightened restrictions.

I don't think he's dead, yet, but does it matter? If his brother takes over, won't that be the same thing?

 

[salmoneous]

If Cubas borders are open then why do they risk their lives trying to leave instead of getting on a airplane and flying to wherever they want to go. I am possibly missing something and I'll admit I don't know too much in regards to Cuba.

Sorry - I thought we were talking about people wanting to visit their relatives in Cuba, not the other way around.

 

[RitaZ.]

If his brother takes over, won't that be the same thing?

I think that we're about to find out, he is the one "in charge" right now.

Things that I know about Raul Castro: he is not a good public speaker and he has a drinking problem, he has always preferred to be in the background. I don't know how effective he will be as a leader. Like I said, we'll soon find out.

 

[momof2inPA]

The way I see it, China has a similar government to Cuba's, yet we openly trade with China, support their leaders, and don't interfere with their way of government. What's the difference? How can Cuban-Americans act so disgusted with Castro while they go out and spend their money on Chinese TV's and computers? Either you abhor repressive regimes, or you support them.

 

[PixieDust32]

Fuera Castro!! Cuba Libre.

 

[poohandwendy]

Castro has made a statement that he is fine...via a spokesperson:
http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?cat=GENERAL&fn=/2006/08/01/446939.html&cvqh=itn_castro

 

[njcarita]

Does that mean they're not going back if Cuba becomes a free country?

My personal opinion is most would not go backto live permanantely.
The Us has been there home longer than Cuba.

MY parents for example came here in their 20's and have been here since 1963.
My Great Aunts have been in NYC since the 40's.

But I know my parents long to see where they grew up, went to school , got married etc and I'm in tears thinking about for them.

3 of my 4 grandparents have died waiting to go back "HOME"-- I just hope that my 89 year old grandma will have the opportunity and I know that will be some family reunion on that island!!!!

I have to go cry for a while.
BTW I was the first person in my family born here --