Fidel Castro

hillbillyhunter1 · 03-10-2006, 09:13 AM

Somebody mentioned in another thread about Fidel and Saddam sharing the same cell as a joke type response--which was fine.

but it got me thinking

Although I have never been to Cuba ( I do know some fisherman that went there via Mexico) I'd have to say that generally, I have a certain amount of respect for ol Fidel.

Before you get too upset--the respect is not based upon his politics, rather because he has survived this close to the U.S. without any assistance or cooperation from us. I mean think about it. He was there when Kennedy was in office.He has got stamina. His government has lasted a lot longer than those govs that supported him (USSR). Have to give him a little credit I would think.

Also, he doesn't appear to be one of those dictators that lives lavishly (like Saddam)while his people suffer. He seems to genuinely care about his constituency. I would assume that although he has inflicted harch penalties on his opposition, thatit wasn't as whimsical (like with other dictators) and more policy based but am unsure about that.
The fisherman I knew said they had a great time there.

Thoughts?

PiedmontPete · 03-10-2006, 02:21 PM

I've heard persistent speculation the next world record largemouth bass may come from Cuba. One of my buddies did mission work there and said it was absolutely beautiful.

Sooneror laterCastro will kick the bucket and the US will normalize relations w/ Cuba. Hopefully sooner rather than later b/c I'd love to pack up my fish pole and head down there some time.

bawanajim · 03-10-2006, 02:59 PM

If we could just get Fidel to wack one more Kennedy!

But when he diesit will open a whole newmarket of old Harleys & Chevies.

tangozulu · 03-10-2006, 04:06 PM

I thought the US had trade embargos against Cuba because they are Communists. I can't get my head around the 300 billion dollar trade inballance with China.

cameronmclain · 03-10-2006, 04:47 PM

hillbilly- It was I who mentioned Fidel and Saddam in the same jail cell. And it was a joke. I don't know anything about Fidel or his operations politically or financially. You're probably right- I haven't heard anything about him living lavishly either.

I guess I don't know anything about him because they don't teach anything abou him in the schools. I am interested in the subject though. Guess I shouldn't imply he's a criminal when I don't know anything about him. I truly was joking.

hillbillyhunter1 · 03-10-2006, 04:57 PM

I'm not sure tango. Perhaps Castro would be as much of an opponent to open trade as age old US policy towards him.The guys Iknow that went fishing there went during the Clinton administration andhave said that policies ofthecurrent administration would make it harder for them to go without legal penalty (which would be a consideration as cuba is theoretically off-limits to casual americans). I saw an old "60 minutes" episode where they went down and interviewed Fidel and from what I can recall it seemed like his perception washe didn't want American political and economic influence to affectwhat he considered to be a well-working society. (shoulder shrug)

Those guys said that theCubans sure were hospitable. (second should shrug)

hillbillyhunter1 · 03-10-2006, 05:08 PM

I know it was a joke cameron and no problem. I think many would just lump Castro in with all other crazy dictators, but I find him more interesting because

1) he and his society have survived for so long while thumbing their nose at the US government. kind of implying (in my mind) "we'll be just fine w/o you"

2) He doesn't seem to be the same crazy, selfish, and corrupt individual like you see in so many African-type dictatorships----- (another shoulder shrug)

I would like to learn more about him. He seemed well spoken and inteligent from what I can remember of his interview.

If open trade and communication has continued only because of a stubborn US foreign policy on this matter, then I think that is probably a shame. Maybe--maybe not--I don't know--I was hoping to glean some opinions of the more enlightened on this one issue, if there are any out there. ????????????????

AlaskaMagnum · 03-10-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: PiedmontPete

Sooneror laterCastro will kick the bucket and the US will normalize relations w/ Cuba. Hopefully sooner rather than later b/c I'd love to pack up my fish pole and head down there some time.

I certianly hope he dies within the next two years so Bush will have the chance to normalize realations. He has done such a fine job with Iraq, China, North Korea, Iran,

cameronmclain · 03-11-2006, 08:50 PM

I agree with you alaska- no telling what will happen if the libs get control before he kicks the bucket. I hope Bushy gets that job as well...

DougMD · 03-12-2006, 01:00 PM

Yeah, Bush hasn't done as much to aid North Korea in developing nukes as Clinton did, that's for sure!

And let's not kid ourselves, the only reason France, Russia and Germany didn't back enforcing resolution 1441 is because of their oil for food scam money, illegal arms sales and oil deals. Not one of those countries claimed Saddam didn't have WMD. Democrats want to subordinate our national interests to the economic interests of foreign countries.

Maybe that's why they aren't gaining any traction when Bush's poll numbers drop.