[Sickboy]

For those interested (central time zone?) a Fidel Castro special just started on PBS. 8pm CST. Late notice, but maybe you can catch it, it looks interesting.

 

[Jeff]

Missed it last night. How was it? How did they portray him?

 

[Churchlady]

I found it interesting. Didn't get to see much of the beginnning, but the end was accurate, I think... What I've always been interested in is how he continues to call himself a revolutionary, when he is the one who is in power?!?

Classic case of senior management not updating itself with the changing world.

 

[Sickboy]

I thought it was very informative and interesting. I never realized how committed he was to sticking to the ideals of socialism, even to the point of distancing himself from Gorbachev's (spelling?) glasnost stance. The guy is really a unique individual. I was pretty young when he was at his most influential internationally, but I never realized the work he did with 3rd world countries like Uganda. Pretty neat.

 

[Nely]

I thought it was very informative and interesting. I never realized how committed he was to sticking to the ideals of socialism, even to the point of distancing himself from Gorbachev's (spelling?) glasnost stance. The guy is really a unique individual. I was pretty young when he was at his most influential internationally, but I never realized the work he did with 3rd world countries like Uganda. Pretty neat.

I did not see this documentary but Fidel has been obsessed with socialism/communism for a very long time,up to the point that he has forced his country into becoming a 3rd world country. He calls himself a revolutionary cause he is truly the only one that has kept his crazy socialist/communist ideologies in America. Yes he has helped a bit with some of his doctors and teachers in Uganda,Utopia, Nicaragua. But these are professionals being forced to go on this mission. Guess what? If you don't go you are no longer a doctor, or a teacher,and you get to spend some pretty time in jail, cause you will be considered an anti-revolutionary, and the next thing you can do to put some food in the table is hussling in the streets. How's that for neat. Again I did not see this documentary, but most of them leave out a big chunk of what this guy truly is. And that is, a mad man willing to kill women and children to impose his ideas on other people. I think that's very unique.

 

[cookieboy364]

was he smoking a havana?

 

[miketafc]

was he smoking a havana?

Believe it or not Fidel no longer smokes cigars. (In puplic anyway).

He stopped many years ago falling under the same pressures our politicians have.

 

[MocoBird]

I did not see this documentary but Fidel has been obsessed with socialism/communism for a very long time,up to the point that he has forced his country into becoming a 3rd world country. He calls himself a revolutionary cause he is truly the only one that has kept his crazy socialist/communist ideologies in America. Yes he has helped a bit with some of his doctors and teachers in Uganda,Utopia, Nicaragua. But these are professionals being forced to go on this mission. Guess what? If you don't go you are no longer a doctor, or a teacher,and you get to spend some pretty time in jail, cause you will be considered an anti-revolutionary, and the next thing you can do to put some food in the table is hussling in the streets. How's that for neat. Again I did not see this documentary, but most of them leave out a big chunk of what this guy truly is. And that is, a mad man willing to kill women and children to impose his ideas on other people. I think that's very unique.

He's a very very bad man!!!!

Repeat after me...."Fidel Sucks, Fidel Sucks,Fidel Sucks, Fidel Sucks........."

 

[TheSmokingHiker]

I was in my local cigar shop this morning, and Eddie, the owner, was telling me that he saw it. Funny how that works.

 

[Sickboy]

I did not see this documentary but Fidel has been obsessed with socialism/communism for a very long time,up to the point that he has forced his country into becoming a 3rd world country. He calls himself a revolutionary cause he is truly the only one that has kept his crazy socialist/communist ideologies in America. Yes he has helped a bit with some of his doctors and teachers in Uganda,Utopia, Nicaragua. But these are professionals being forced to go on this mission. Guess what? If you don't go you are no longer a doctor, or a teacher,and you get to spend some pretty time in jail, cause you will be considered an anti-revolutionary, and the next thing you can do to put some food in the table is hussling in the streets. How's that for neat. Again I did not see this documentary, but most of them leave out a big chunk of what this guy truly is. And that is, a mad man willing to kill women and children to impose his ideas on other people. I think that's very unique.

Whoa Nely....I'm no Fidel apologist. I think you would agree that Bonapart, Lenin and Pol Phot are all interesting guys. Doesn't mean I'm wearing their jersey on the weekend. Sometimes the most demented people in this world ARE the most unique. I just found the whole program to be informative.....I wasn't cheering as I watched it.

 

[El Rey del Mundo]

Believe it or not Fidel no longer smokes cigars. (In puplic anyway).

He stopped many years ago falling under the same pressures our politicians have.

He stopped smoking in 1985. His doctors got worried about his health.
And he said (quote):"The cigars are good for my country but not for my health!"

He smoked Cohiba Lanceros if I remembered it correct...

 

[Jeff]

He is an interesting figure in history. Whether you agree with his politics or not, the man has accomplished a lot in his time. Also, there aren't many nations, let alone tiny island ones, that can resist American influence. I hope to visit Cuba sometime before the embargo ends because I think their culture will rapidly change once Starbucks, Walmart, Hollywood, McDonalds, etc. all invade. :ms

 

[AAlmeter]

He is an interesting figure in history. Whether you agree with his politics or not, the man has accomplished a lot in his time. Also, there aren't many nations, let alone tiny island ones, that can resist American influence. I hope to visit Cuba sometime before the embargo ends because I think their culture will rapidly change once Starbucks, Walmart, Hollywood, McDonalds, etc. all invade. :ms

The nation isnt resisting, the regime is. The nation is floating over to America on makeshift rafts. Though mom and pop shops sure are quaint, when you have nothing....and it looks like you will stay with nothing for quite a while...a Walmart is one hell of a good sight. Hollywood...thats a different story.

 

[Jeff]

Tell that to the numerous local independant stores which have been wiped out of business by the corps. Its not just the owners who are affected, but their family, employees, local tax revenue lost, and so on. Ask anbody if a minumum wage job at Starbucks in going to answer their families financial needs? I think not. Of course there are many tradeoffs with our two systems, but right about now, free healthcare sounds pretty damn good to me. I don't know too many students who can afford health insurance unless their parents pay for it. I don't know about the rest of you, but I would rather give up a few of our luxuries for free healthcare, education. etc.

 

[Uniputt]

Interesting thread. And one that will quickly deteriorate into a heated political debate!! I, for one, shall not participate in such!!

However, I do have two question regarding the subject of Fidel Castro

1) How's his health?



2) Are we getting closer to the end of the embargo?

 

[Jeff]

I'm in agreement with you Uniputt, this topic is getting too political. Time to take a deep breath.

I don't think the embargo will be lifted until Castro passes away, or there is a Democratic Congress and President.

 

[Nely]

Whoa Nely....I'm no Fidel apologist. I think you would agree that Bonapart, Lenin and Pol Phot are all interesting guys. Doesn't mean I'm wearing their jersey on the weekend. Sometimes the most demented people in this world ARE the most unique. I just found the whole program to be informative.....I wasn't cheering as I watched it.

You are right, I'm sorry for the strong post. I'm just used to having my guard up regarding this man cause there are a lot of ignorant people that actually admire this psychopath.

 

[Uniputt]

I don't think the embargo will be lifted until Castro passes away.....

...Which is why I asked how his health was.....sorry for being so morbid!!

 

[Sickboy]

No hard feelings Nely.
I'm not sure about his health Uniputt, last I heard he wasn't doing so hot. As far as the embargo, I've often wondered about that. Maybe one of his underlings will continue on and the embargo will stay in place. If history repeats, there will be some new faction ready to spearhead a revolution. Maybe then the embargo will be lifted. The US will probably work hard to install some puppet regime.

 

[AAlmeter]

I'm in agreement with you Uniputt, this topic is getting too political. Time to take a deep breath.

I don't think the embargo will be lifted until Castro passes away, or there is a Democratic Congress and President.

Until the Cuban vote in Florida become a non-issue, the embargo will stay.