Fidel Castro died this week.

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   jackclee lmposted 8 years ago

   What are your thoughts if any. Please share your personal experiences.

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   colorfuloneposted 8 years ago

   The news of Fidel Castro's death sent American- Cubans into the street to dance and party all night long in Miami's 'Little Havana'.  Castro was a horrific dictator.  I learned about him from my Dad when I was young. I have read many reports about that evil man.  I rejoice with those who rejoice and hope for a better future without that communist Castro. 
   
   To hear about Obama praising such a terrible dictator is more than despicable.  I hope his legacy does not include the rewriting of Castro's history because everyone deserves to know the truth as terrible as it is...not Imama Obama's misleading deceptions.  What a liar!

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      Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Well, Jack, we meet again.
      
      I will share a brief story, in 1959 Castro came to Harlem to a parade crowd of black faces, the white cops were upset and angry wondering why all this black adulation for this Communist Dictator? When one black reveler was asked, he said, 'Yeah, man we dig Fidel the most, any man that can kick wh*tey's ass is ok with us'.
      
      I remember the anger of AMERICAN multinational having economically exploited Cuba during the Batista years, being either expelled or having their businesses nationalized. We were exploiting other countries in Central America during the 50's, nothing new.
      
      So, Black folks being practical slaves in many ways in the AMERICAN culture during this time, were we not going to be natural allies with exploited people of color in other parts of the hemisphere? We were more concerned about that then this Communist scare.
      
      The point is we see things differently and for the forseeable future we always will.

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         jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for that first hand account. I always learn from these stories and give it more weight then news or here-say.
         Here is my first hand account on Castro and Cuba.
         
         I just immigrated to the US from Taiwan in 1961. In my 5th grade class, sitting next to me was a cuban refugee name Jose. He told us that his parents nada successful small business in Havana. When Castro took over, his parents escaped to the US with only the shirts on their back. Many of their relatives were arrested and jailed and killed. That is a true story.

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            Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

            I never met Castro, Jack, and neither did you. You can't say that the opinion of a 10 year old child can really be one with which I would give a great deal of validity. Surely, you can't think that his account takes in the entire picture?

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               Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               There was a numerous amount of places and countries that have rejected US like Cuban and many South America countries, along with most Muslims countries. So the Americans proganda machine will demonize everywhere they can't own or control.

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                  jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Sure, we have done all that. But we also helped many nations including Taiwan, where I grew up and have first hand knowledge. In world politics, sometimes you have to side with the lesser of two evils. That is why we supported the Shah or Iran and even Saddam at one time. Unfortunately, the world is full of evil tyrants. We are a few of the free democracy.

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                     Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     Saddam was hang without 40 years of a pensions from the CIA agency.  There are 20 countries ranked higher in freedom than the US.  An as an artist and nature environmentist, I'm leaving North America for more
                     Free and Healthier place right now.

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               jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               No, I use common sense. A ten year old has no political agenda. He was telling me his family story just as I shared my immigrant story. We became friends because we stood out in a class in Queens back in the 1960s. His story and others has been told many times. You can choose to not belief but that is why we have a free country. At least you can decide. Under communist nations, you have no choice. You are brainwashed. Look at mondern day North Korea.

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                  Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Don't compare North Korea to Cuban , don't know anyone who says they enjoyed the tourist trip to North Korea.
                  
                  Don't send people to hell you don't like, send them to North Korea or Detroit.

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                     jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     I'm not sure there is tourism to north Korea. Even visitors are accompanied by handlers where ever they go.

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                        Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        When I was an athlete visiting USSR , they followed me everywhere. That is what it is feeling like in America in airports, buildings and boarders always needing your papers.

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                  Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Jack, you believe that George Washington cut down the cherry tree? You really believe AMERICA is as it is described in a Walt Disney documentary. You just take IT all in, don't you ever question anything?

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                     Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     Lol

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                     jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     Good question. I believe that America is a noble nation and the founding of it was with divine guidance. I don't think America is perfect but more perfect than other nations. That is why we are exceptional. I wrote a hub on that recently. I make these decisions based on my experience and my study and reading of history. I also make these judgement based on my understanding of human nature. In the short history of our nation, ee have landed man on the moon and we have cured many diseases and we have created wealth for so many people. By comparison, no other nation in history can even come close. Yes, there have been many groups that were miss treated along our history. Every immigrant groups have undgone discrimination and bogotry. As a nation, we have corrected many past mistakes and have rid our government of institutional racism.
                     I would ask you this. What other country do you think we should fashion our government after? If you think we are not up to par.

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                        Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                        Yes, AMERICA has been extrordinary in doing incredible things, but its failings are almost as dramatic.
                        
                        The point is that we must continue to improve  by setting the positive example for the world, rather than being its terror. Do as i say and not as I do is fitting only for children, if then. And depending upon your perspective, all of us are not ready to heap on piles of praise, while ignoring the darker side of AMERICAN history and culture. Yes, this is better than North Korea or Nazi Germany, but there are other societies that manage to be even more harmonious than we. Let's look at the higher bar instead of being content to compare ourselves with those on the low road.

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                           jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                           Which country do you have in mind? I'm open to that? I am willing to examine the actions and the economic  and politcal system of any country you choose.

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                              Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                              I am American, a Yankee Doodle dandy, all the way. If I care about the society in which I live, I haveto call her to improvement and be critical....
                              
                              There is no foreign society that is better in a composite way. What you ask is difficult and depends upon what you would consider 'better', verses what I consider better.

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                                 jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                 There you go, you can't come up with one. I want things to be better too. Why do you think I write the hubs? My goal is to educate our youth about the goodness of conservatism and our Constitution. I try to instill self reliance as the best way to prosperity.

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                                    Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                    But without provided your 'pupils' with information that reveals the shortcomings of Conservatism, a la
                                    Trump, you merely proselytise instead of being objective and allowing people to come to their own conclusion based upon impartial presentation. But again, that is a progressive approach, conservatives are content with indoctrination....

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                                       jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                       No indoctrination when you teach the Constitution. Also, if you follow my writings this past year, you know that I am not a Trump supporter and he is not a conservative. It is funny how the media portray him as a conservative vs. Hillary the centrist. In fact, both are not what the media wants you to think.
                                       Here is my articles on the election of 2016 -
                                       http://hubpages.com/politics/The-Bigger … s-Election
                                       
                                       http://hubpages.com/politics/My-Reserva … Presidency

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                                          Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                          I agree

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                                          Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

                                          I will check these articles out and see how you separate your conservatism from that of the incoming Trump regime.....

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   Live to Learnposted 8 years ago

   May he rest in peace.
   
   No first hand stories. Sorry.

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      jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks. I will use this opportunity to add something in response to credence2.
      This event is one example where it is not a race related problem. When one looks at life through a race lens, the results are distorted.
      In this case, there is a dictator who were brutal to his own people to maintain power for 60 years. After his death, we are asked to comment. A person who is unbiased will condemn this tyrant for the evil that he was. A person, credence2, who from previous engagement, is black, looks at this and use it to comment about how blacks were miss treated as slaves in distant past and how Castro was on their side kicking the white asses and therefore he must be a good guy...
      
      Unfortunately, they don't realize it is not about race. Many things in life are not a race issue. As much as some people wishes it, it does not have any relevance in many conflicts or social problems.
      I just wish, some will remove their race colored glasses and treat each case on its own merit. We will make more progress IMHO.

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         jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I was going to write a hub on Castro but I found this excellent hub already exist -
         
         http://hubpages.com/literature/Fidel-Ca … Revolution

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            PhoenixVposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Wasnt Fidel a vampire according to the WSJ?

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               jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               A statement by the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. -
               The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of former Cuban President Fidel Castro:
               
               “It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President.
               
               “Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation.
               
               “While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro’s supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for “el Comandante”.
               
               “I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba.
               
               “On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.”

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                  PhoenixVposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Jill Stein - Fidel Castro was a symbol of the struggle for justice ...
                  
                  
                  I guess if you drain the blood completely out of your victims before you shoot them, so you can sell it. You have firing squads and no elections, who would dare to say anything but nice things.

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                  PhoenixVposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Let us remember Jack the Ripper as a great benefactor who worked tirelessly to get female prostitutes off the streets. #trudeaueulogies

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                  PhoenixVposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  “While a controversial figure, both John Gacy’s supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous talent as a clown. Entertaining children at birthdays and liberating the lives of others.

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         Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         I do take a little offense at your comment about an unbiased person condemning him for the evil that he was. The man is dead. He wasn't evil. He isn't now. You are looking at him through the eyes of dissidents. That is bound to be a less than rosey picture. There are more sides than one to every story.

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            jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Wow, you are more willing to give him the benefit of doubt.
            He has killed thousands of his own people.
            What do you consider evil if not him?
            Can you make the same argument about Stalin, Mao and Pot?

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               Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

               I think each of us believe were we in charge, things would be better. We'd probably all make some horrendous mistakes were we driven to revolution by tyranny, won, and moved to forge a new country out of those ashes.
               
               I'm not attempting to defend anyone's actions just thinking the man is dead and starting a thread in 'Celebrations' and declaring him evil is in poor taste.

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                  jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                  Really, poor taste to celebrate a murderer and a dictator. Did you know his own daughter denounce him years ago? I am a Christian and belief in forgiveness. I draw the line at celebrating even at death. He is human and a sinner as we all are sinners. His judgement will be with God, not me. However, I cannot praise him.

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                     Live to Learnposted 8 years agoin reply to this

                     If you draw the line at celebrating death you choose a poor category to start this thread.
                     
                     I'm not praising the guy. But I'm not going to sit in judgment either. The Cuban people are the only ones who can tell us if the bad outweighed the good.

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         Credence2posted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Cmon, Jack let's get real here. You asked for my story, I have never met Castro, but I did meet Eldridge Cleaver, author of 'Soul on Ice' when these people were on the college lecture circuit during the 1970's. In his book was where the account of the meeting with Castro was actually written. I agree with that assessment and had I been living in Harlem at the time and were old enough to be aware of the issues involved, I would have been reveling as well.
         
         No, it is not about race, but about greed and exploitation foisrered on Latin America by AMERICAN multinationals. It also speaks to the vestiges of imperialism too often buttressed by AMERICAN foreign policy. Do you read your history, what was going on in that regard during the 1950's and before? So, whose side do you think that I am on, this all ties to colonialism practices on AMERICAN soil toward certain groups of people. There is only one side that I can be on.....
         
         So between 1959 and 2016' the AMERICAN government has been engaged in this 'pi**ing contest with Cuba. Meanwhile, we have had diplomatic relations with tyrants and dictators that made Castro look like a teddy bear, in comparison.
         
         He was no worse or no better in the big picture against other regimes with which we have found 'common ground', with no problem.
         
         Your need to take off your Crimson colored glasses, rub your eyes and take a better look  recognizing that there is reason to support Castro within the big picture, that has nothing to do with race.
         
         After all, you are the one that started the thread and asks the question, right? All you really prepared for all manner of answer to the question, or is this just another showcase of rightwing neocolonialism?

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            jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            Yes, I am ready as always. I can debate any issue you want to take on. I do not have rose colored glasses. I am a realist and a pragmatist. I chose to deal with reality along with human failings and human nature. That is why the utopia society you seek does not exist and will not exist until Christ returns. Your criticism of the USA is fair but you fail to understand the world we live in. Do you think everything will be fine and dandy if the USA disappear? I believe the world will be much worse off.
            Let the debate begin... you pick a topic and let me know when you want to start.

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   Castlepalomaposted 8 years ago

   Cuba has no homeless better overall heath care and education than America. Then Cuba has been low in war history, very little crime and higher on the happiness rank countries in the world than US. Best Olympics athletic record south of the boarder including south America.
   
   Castor was not so bad.

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      jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Have you been to Cuba? It was stuck in the 1950s. The myth about healthcare and education is just a myth. They exported terror all over the world and they sent criminals and the insane to the US with the Mariel boatlift... I could go on but what's the point. The liberal elite treats Castro as a hero because he is a thorn at our side for 60 years. Please go and visit there before making statements that are propaganda.

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         Castlepalomaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         Once did because was very interested Cuban fine art. From a dozen Canadian people that tour in Cuba I know, everyone of them enjoyed that place most. If you want serious and cheap heathcare or dentist work it will more than pay for your trip.
         
         I think Castor did more good than harm. No where near a comparable to insanity of Mao or Stalin. I never go to travel places of insanity.
         
         Can point out far more pros than cons for cannabis.

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   colorfuloneposted 8 years ago

   "Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights.
   
   While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.
   
   Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba."
   
   Donald J. Trump
   
   For many Cuban-Americans, they now have closure for the evil deeds Castro imposed upon them and loved ones.  I can't begin to imagine what that feels like, but it manifested in dancing and joy in Little Havana.   "Rejoice with those who rejoice.." - Romans 12:15

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   RTalloniposted 8 years ago

   After listening to stunning reports of people calling Castro a good guy as well as new reports on the atrocities he committed against his own and other people I pondered the fact that he was a terrorist and that he was a terrorist to me when in early elementary school. 
   
   Living in Central Florida in the early 60s I, along with other school children throughout the southeast, had to tote gallons of water to school on a regular basis because we might be trapped there should Castro attack.   As little children we practiced hiding under our desks in case of an air attack.  It's laughable now for I think of how useless that would have been in a direct bombing, but it might have been some help if not directly bombed. 
   
   I think of the international human trafficking of women and children he was involved in and his involvement in terrorism in other places–Bogota, 1948; Moncada Garrison, 1953; beginning KGB and Leonov fascist establishment, 1955; the underreported numbers of murders in Cuba (renamed liberations), 1952-1958; drug running into the US since 1961; trying to align himself with Khrushchev for a 1962 nuclear attack against the US; providing armory and troops to Syria, 1973, his record of aligning himself with other terrorists who desire to use biological weapons–and I understand why people risked everything to flee his grip.

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      jackclee lmposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Here is bernie sanders on Castro cuba -
      https://www.democracynow.org/2016/11/29 … e_life_and
      
      And he ran for President under the democratic party...

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         PhoenixVposted 8 years agoin reply to this

         A lot of positive things that can be said. Their healthcare system, for a Third World country, is quite good. -Bernie Sanders
         
         Especially for the thousands that were stood up against the wall and given " lead supplement " therapy.
         
         The thing about liberals is not whether you have executed a thousand people or drained them of their blood and then shot them. It is whether or not you have hurt rosie odonnells feelings.

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            colorfuloneposted 8 years agoin reply to this

            

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