Do you like Fidel Castro?

Let's not get carried away here. Fidel Castro is not a democrat and the Cuban economy is in a mess. Unlike the "Communist" in China and North Korea who are "Communist" in name only, Fidel actually believes in a philosophy that most sane people have long discridited. Once in a while, he opens up the Cuban economy to let people earn enough to eat but he quickly closes everything once he's had enough. Cuba is to put it not to crudely, a basket case of a place to live in. And that's before we even mention the secret police and other charming characters. Having said that, you have to admire the man for his ability to survive inspite of being hobbled by the world's greatest power at his door step. EL Comandante is genuine in his political talents. His speeches are well delivered and spoken. He did genuinely lead his revolution from the front and to make matters worse for American politician, El Comandante has actually done some good things. Healthcare and education are but two of his achievements. The other has actually been in his foriegn policy. While the West supported apathied South Africa's movements into the rest of the continent, Cuba actually helped Black Africa stand up to a regime that was inherently racist. You have to hand it to the old dog. Castro for all his failings had made a mockery out of US forign policy and lived to tell the tale. He'll die in old age long after George Bush has left office. No American President will have the guts to lift a pointless embargo against Cuba and El Comandante will die with a smile and prayer for the Gringo's who kept him in power for so long.

Don't be mad i'm only expressing my opinion.In every struggle someone maybe hurt like your husbands family because that is politics.He {Castro} believes in his ideals,your husband believe in his ideals,now if Castro is doing bad for his country it will reflect on the condition of Cuba.True Cuba is not a rich country,but with the embargo and anti Castro American media its amazing how he manages to have a free education in medicine and the people are eating three times a day.Is that bad when you are harassed by the Americans in terms of economy.Even American nationals are going to Cuba to study medicine for free,and the media are hiding that fact.

It's not about Western media.. my husband is CUBAN and I can tell you Fidel Castro is nothing but a bloodsucking leach living off the people. There is nothing good about this man at all, it just shows that although you sit and say you pity people, it is you that needs to be pitied.

Fidel Castro is a dictator ,so I don't know what freedom of speech are you talking about. I don't know what lies you are talking about because I lived in Cuba and it was a terrible experience. Try to go there and say something against the government ,and you'll see a bunch of communist coming towards you to beat you with a baseball bat. You may even end up in jail or worst. Most people in Cuba are against the government ,but they are scared to speak out.

Thanks Queen, I don't understand these people either. Makes me crazy !!

I understand what you are saying as well, but I have to say, my husband has been here for 12 years now and they took away the "libreta" before he left. And the "libreta" entitled an entire family to 1lb of rice, 1lb of beans, etc. They were never given enough to eat. ANd I have spoken with his family members that are here (cousins)and they told me about how the father had to go out and steal a chicken from a neghbor to be able to feed his son that was crying because he was so hungry. I know it may not be the worst country in the world, but there is no reason to glorify it ( I am not saying you are, but others do) or want it to stay the same just to avoid Americanization. I do not know how things may have been in Havan when you were there, but the area my husband is from ,there is no Governmental aid in the form of "libretas" or anything else.