Fidel Castro Announces Retirement

[Luke]

Castro To Step Down As Cuban President (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7252109.stm)

Discuss.

[Phantom Duck]

It was just a matter of time. Considering that the whole Cuba thing was mostly Fidel and people just following blindly instead of participating in it, the regime will probably collapse. Which is a bad thing, in my opinion, so I hope I'll be proven wrong.

Also, it will be quite a mistake if it's Raul replacing him, I hate nepotism. Hopefully, the new elected people at the assembly will lift the ban on travelling abroad, but unless the whole thing changes drastically it's going to be the same, essentially. Socialism is hard enough to exist in one small country, turning it into state "capitalism" just makes things worse. Fidel is a huge personality, but he's still just a person, the power is in the people's hands.

[+ / –]

I just hope the US doesn't come in and fuck things up. Seriously. Cuba is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and there's a reason why. No fuckin' industry or tourism.

[Rachel]

So a bit of humor: when I slept not only did the Blu-ray fucking win the battle of the new formats, but Fidel fuckin Castro resigned?

I wonder how Satan likes his snowmen.

Serious time: I'm happy that Fidel stepped down in regards to his health. The poor man just looks worn out, and it's not reassuring to the people to see that. However, while I agree with Phantom Duck that the regime may die, I think Cuba is so used to this sort of government and they seem relatively happy with it, so maybe something similar will take its place. And maybe America can stop trying to commercialize every nation we get our grubby little hands on.

[Timothy]

I guess Raul will take his place since he's been the acting president ever since Fidel became ill, anyway. That being the case, I don't think much will change. Does anyone think this will have any influence on the U.S. governments pointless embargo on Cuba, possibly ending it?

...I'm guessing, no. :lol:

[Dr. Octogonapus]

Won't do a damn thing to change the country in all liklihood. That's like saying if we killed Bin Laden it would get rid of the Taliban.

Not that I have anything against Cuba, I think it's bullshit that the U.S. refuses to have anything to do with Cuba but we trade freely with Vietnam and China. Apparently communism isn't bad, it's only bad when the countries who adhere to it are less than an ocean away. :roll:

[Todd]

Won't do a damn thing to change the country in all liklihood. That's like saying if we killed Bin Laden it would get rid of the Taliban.

Not that I have anything against Cuba, I think it's bullshit that the U.S. refuses to have anything to do with Cuba but we trade freely with Vietnam and China. Apparently communism isn't bad, it's only bad when the countries who adhere to it are less than an ocean away. :roll:

It is bullshit. And it's only hurting the people of Cuba who have no control over whether not not the government is communist or not. Do you think the US's lack of economic support from tourism and trade is really making the government of Cuba strapped for cash and is it really preventing them from getting goods they need? I don't think so. It's only hurting the people whose businesses we will never be able to buy products from

[Phantom Duck]

Not that I have anything against Cuba, I think it's bullshit that the U.S. refuses to have anything to do with Cuba but we trade freely with Vietnam and China. Apparently communism isn't bad, it's only bad when the countries who adhere to it are less than an ocean away. :roll:

Haha, actually China (and I'll take a guess about Vietnam too since they follow the same political planning as China) is what I'd call a terrifying rape of socialism/ communism. Nothing to do with what it's meant to be, I'd actually call it totalitarian state capitalism.

Cuba, on the other hand, is the most successful socialist country, in terms of people's prosperity (basically health and education). Go figure :lol:

[Christopher]

Haha, actually China (and I'll take a guess about Vietnam too since they follow the same political planning as China) is what I'd call a terrifying rape of socialism/ communism. Nothing to do with what it's meant to be, I'd actually call it totalitarian state capitalism.

Cuba, on the other hand, is the most successful socialist country, in terms of people's prosperity (basically health and education). Go figure :lol:

Exactly.

Although, I don't agree with Fidel Castro's way of handling things and I think they really leaned towards a dictatorship. I guess he got close to communism, but real communism doesn't exist.

edit: I'm following the news reports on tv and I got to say.

He just said he bought his first weapons in Belgium.

[Dean]

Exactly.

Although, I don't agree with Fidel Castro's way of handling things and I think they really leaned towards a dictatorship. I guess he got close to communism, but real communism doesn't exist.

edit: I'm following the news reports on tv and I got to say.

He just said he bought his first weapons in Belgium.
communism doesn't necessarily mean a dictatorship if thats what you're saying.

[Christopher]

communism doesn't necessarily mean a dictatorship if thats what you're saying.

That's not what I'm saying, although, I'm pretty sure you can't find a good example of a succesful communist country that wasn't a dictatorship, those don't last.

[No Ace, Just You]

Although he's been ot for 18 months, I think it's one of the steps towards the world changing big time soon.

Sure, he hasn't exactly been active, but I think things like this could be small steps towards massive changes on our planet, politically speaking.

Only time will tell, but it is only a feeling.

[NofxPants]

The USA will launch a "War Against Cuba-nism." It's bound to happen.

You'll see.

...But in all honesty, there hasn't been news about Fidel since he was sick and hospitalized, needless to say I thought he died and Cuba was pulling off a whole "Big Brother" sort of ordeal.

[Agent O]

Given that the new president is Fidel Castro's own brother, I'm pretty sure he'll follow Castro's philosophy and continue with the dictatorship.

[Harlz]

Doesn't seem like it's gonna change anything...

But what's so bad about Cuba anyway?
Communism almost seems to work there.