It's nice to see at least this one to help balance it out:
Cuban dictator Fidel Castro dies at 90
Fidel Castro, the Cuban dictator who helped bring the world to the brink of nuclear war, tormented 11 American presidents and exerted almost total control over the last remaining communist government in the Western Hemisphere, has died. He was 90.
President Raúl Castro delivered a statement on Cuban television to confirm his brother's death:
“With profound pain I appear to inform our people and the friends of the Americas and of the world, that today, November 25, at 10:29 pm, the Commander in Chief of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro Ruz died. In compliance with the expressed will of the Companion Fidel, his remains will be cremated. In the early hours of Saturday the 26th, the funeral organizing committee will provide our people with detailed information on the organization of the posthumous tribute that will be done for the founder of the Cuban Revolution. Ever onward to victory!”
The Cuban government will observe nine days of mourning for Fidel Castro. After two days of observances in Revolution Plaza in Havana, Castro’s ashes will be transported across the country to the eastern city of Santiago. The final mass and ceremony will take place on Dec. 4, and his ashes will be interred in the cemetery of Santa Ifigenia.
I always viewed Fidel in the abstract -- with my not really knowing him I suppose I had mixed feelings, but never wishing him dead.
Almost everyone of my English relatives have visited Cuba once or twice for vacation over the past few decades. They seemed to enjoy their time there and have never had harsh words about its leader. If I were better off financially I would have no problems making plans for a visit. The sunny climes of Key West were always great in February and I suspect Cuba would be as nice -- and better.
Japanese, Vietnamese, and German leaders hurt us much worse than Castro yet the US has strong ties to all of them at this time. What's wrong with a better relationship with Cuba at this point? There's a ton of profit to be made and corporate America will surely want a piece of the pie.
I can see it now -- how long will it take before the TRUMP / IberoStar Parque Central Hotel will have its ground breaking ceremony? Sooner than later, I bet.
“In a world whose absurdity appears to be so impenetrable, we simply must reach a greater degree of understanding among us, a greater sincerity.”
