All Things Cuba (Castro, politics, etc.)

[Edward Campbell]

It is not normal protocol for heads of state or even heads of government to greet visiting heads of state/government on the tarmac on arrival. That duty is normally assigned to a junior minister or even an official. The general protocol is that the visiting head of state/government arrives, and then calls on the host head of state/government at his/her office on the first or second day and is, then, hosted by the host head of state/government at a big, glitzy, formal dinner.

 

[cupper]

It is not normal protocol for heads of state or even heads of government to greet visiting heads of state/government on the tarmac on arrival. That duty is normally assigned to a junior minister or even an official. The general protocol is that the visiting head of state/government arrives, and then calls on the host head of state/government at his/her office on the first or second day and is, then, hosted by the host head of state/government at a big, glitzy, formal dinner.

See, now you've ruined it for the GOP Presidential candidates and the anti-Obamites. What are they going to be able to complain about now?

 

[CougarKing]

That's no "hand embrace"! That's simply Raul deflecting Obama's attempted hand shake.  ;D

Yahoo Daily Buzz

What’s the deal with Obama and Castro’s awkward hand embrace?

Daily Buzz
March 21, 2016

[Cuban President Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama hold a joint news conference at the Palace of the Revolution, Monday, March 21, 2016, in Havana, Cuba. AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa]

It’s been 88 years since a meeting between the leaders of Cuba and the U.S., so it’s only natural that things got a little awkward.

U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro are working on patching up relations between the two nations during an historic visit by the American leader.

(...SNIPPED)

At the end of a news conference Monday, where Castro tussled with reporters over political prisoners, a handshake – or should we say embrace – between the two ends in a bizarre flop.

In the clip, the U.S. president’s left arm goes limp as Castro lifts it up. We aren’t really sure what to make of the moment between the two leaders but the Internet sure had a lot to say.

(...SNIPPED)

Hello Canada via Yahoo News

Malia Obama acts as dad Barack Obama's translator in Cuba

hello-canada

March 21, 2016

While on visit to Cuba, President Barack Obama traded the world's top translators for someone closer to his heart - daughter Malia, who has been helping him communicate with locals. The 17-year-old acted as Spanish interpreter while the family went through the historic trip, the first time a sitting US president has been to Cuba since the 1959 revolution.

A photo shared on President Obama's official Facebook page shows the father-daughter duo laughing with a local restaurateur during a meeting on Sunday. The teenager appears confident and happy to be helping her father, as she put her high school Spanish education into use.

(...SNIPPED)

 

[cupper]

The opening up of relations with Cuba may have benefits come November when US citizens need an alternate place to relocate when Trump wins.

 

[cavalryman]

The opening up of relations with Cuba may have benefits come November when US citizens need an alternate place to relocate when Trump wins.

Meaning they won't come here.  Cool.  I can dig that.  [

 

[ueo]

Meaning the Canso Causeway is safe for a while longer.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Not from General Sir John Cabot Trail, of the Cape Breton Liberation Army  [

"Down with the Causeway!!!"

 

[CougarKing]

Castro and his old guard still have a firm grip on power despite the recent conciliatory moves with Washington and more open links with the US:

Associated Press

Cuba's aging leaders to remain in power years longer
Michael Weissenstein, The Associated Press
April 20, 2016

HAVANA - The former guerrilla fighters who founded Cuba's single-party government will hold power for years to come after a twice-a-decade Communist Party congress kept President Raul Castro and his hardline deputy in the top leadership positions.

Fidel Castro, who held power for nearly five decades before ill health led him to make way for his brother, delivered a valedictory speech to the congress Tuesday and called on it to fight for his communist ideals despite the fact that he is nearing the end of his life.

"I'll be 90 years old soon," Castro said in his most extensive public appearance in years. "Soon I'll be like all the others. The time will come for all of us, but the ideas of the Cuban Communists will remain as proof on this planet that if they are worked at with fervour and dignity, they can produce the material and cultural goods that human beings need, and we need to fight without a truce to obtain them."

(...SNIPPED)

 

[The Bread Guy]

This from Agence France-Presse:

Cuba's historic revolutionary leader Fidel Castro died Friday aged 90, after defying the United States during a half-century of iron-fisted rule and surviving the eclipse of global communism.

One of the world's longest-serving rulers and modern history's most singular characters, Castro defied 11 US administrations and hundreds of assassination attempts.

His younger brother, President Raul Castro, announced the news shortly after midnight (0500 GMT Saturday) but gave no details of the cause of death.

Fidel Castro crushed opposition at home from the moment he took power in 1959 to lead the communist Caribbean island through the Cold War. He stepped aside only in 2006 after intestinal surgery.

For defenders of the revolution, Castro was a hero who defended the ordinary people against capitalist domination.

For his opponents, including thousands of Cubans resident in the United States, he was a cruel tyrant ...

More via Google News here.

 

[jollyjacktar]

I'm sure the celebrations have commenced in the Cuban community of south Florida.

 

[dimsum]

I'm sure the celebrations have commenced in the Cuban community of south Florida.

Yep.  CBC was interviewing some of them.

 

[PanaEng]

I'm sure the celebrations have commenced in the Cuban community of south Florida.

I'm sure also in some places in Cuba - probably very quietly as the neighbourhood goons are still on watch...

 

[George Wallace]

Well....Raul is still in power, and then there are Fidel's three sons, so change will still be slow.

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2016/11/26/statement-prime-minister-canada-death-former-cuban-president-fidel-castro

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I suppose Fidel was a good enough guy- unless you had the temerity to disagree with him. Then you got to experience a prison cell in Havana.

So- our PM likes dictators. What's next- a statement extolling Kim Jung Il's love of the arts?

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

In view of the expected attendance of numerous world leaders at the funeral and the resulting time constraints, Fidel was asked to keep his own self-eulogy to six hours or less.


;D

 

[Chispa]

Fidel Castro, Cuba's leader of revolution, dies at 90...

Cuba's former president Fidel Castro, one of the world's longest-serving and most iconic leaders, has died aged 90.
His younger brother and successor as president Raul Castro announced the news on state television.

Castro toppled the government in 1959, introducing a Communist revolution. He defied the US for decades, surviving many assassination plots.

His supporters said he had given Cuba back to the people. Critics saw him as a dictator. Ashen and grave, President Castro told the nation in an
unexpected late night broadcast on state television that Fidel Castro had died and would be cremated later on Saturday.

"The commander in chief of the Cuban revolution died at 22:29 hours this evening (03:29 GMT Saturday)," he said. "Towards victory, always!"
he added, using a revolutionary slogan.

A period of official mourning has been declared on the island until 4 December, when his ashes will be laid to rest in the south-eastern city of
Santiago.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38114953

Countless of Cuban exiles are now celebrating...Viva la Revolución  contra Castro!


C.U.


Ok that's where it went, did not see the thread... 8)

.

 

[dapaterson]

Check out #trudeaueulogies on Twitter...

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Wow. Trudeau is getting killed right now on Twitter...

 

 

[PuckChaser]

Check out #trudeaueulogies on Twitter...

For those who don't user twitter much: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23trudeaueulogies&src=typd

 

[George Wallace]

Wow. Trudeau is getting killed right now on Twitter...

 

For some not on Twitter or not going to visit, a snapshot:

15 new results
Andrew CoyneVerified account ‏@acoyne  52m52 minutes ago
“While a controversial figure, even detractors recognize Pol Pot encouraged renewed contact between city and countryside.” #trudeaueulogies

Andrew CoyneVerified account ‏@acoyne  46m46 minutes ago
“While a controversial figure, General Tojo brought America into World War II and ultimately helped shorten the war.” #trudeaueulogies

Alberta View ‏@UWork4It  2h2 hours ago
#trudeaueulogies "As you know Mr. Hitler's life has come to an end, he was known as a dog lover and a strong supporter of his race" #cdnpoli

Mike ‏@MISinYEG  37m37 minutes ago
"While a controversial figure, Kim Jong-il's commitment to minimizing N. Korea's greenhouse gas emissions was admirable." #trudeaueulogies

Scott Robinson ‏@ScottRo32599415  5m5 minutes ago Rothesay, New Brunswick
Though considered by some to be a bit moody, Joseph Stalin was known to be a terrific advocate for the farming community. #trudeaueulogies

Josh Hood ‏@ncpack2010  5m5 minutes ago
I am sad to hear of the death of Heinrich Himmler, he was a very successful chicken farmer who had an impact on millions #trudeaueulogies

Alberta View ‏@UWork4It  5m5 minutes ago
#TrudeauEulogies "Saddam Hussein, a stabalizing influence in Iraqi politics, he loved to vacation in Kuwait & was proud of his sons hobbies"

Don MacLeod ‏@DonWMacleod  6m6 minutes ago
Today we bid farewell to Genghis Khan, the former Mongolian leader best known for opening new trade routes to China. #trudeaueulogies

Dave Williams ‏@WilliamsDave  6m6 minutes ago
Dave Williams Retweeted Andrew Coyne
Though he died tragically with Eva Braun, his masterpiece "Mein Kampff" was a critically acclaimed bestseller. #trudeaueulogies Dave Williams added,

Andrew Coyne @acoyne
“While a controversial figure, General Tojo brought America into World War II and ultimately helped shorten the war.” #trudeaueulogies

Adam H. Condra ‏@Condrarian  6m6 minutes ago
"While a controversial figure, Ceausescu's desire to learn English displayed an admirable urge for self-improvement." #TrudeauEulogies

MLMcRae ‏@mloumcrae  7m7 minutes ago
Just waiting for one about Pinochet or any of the right wing dictators propped up by the West. #trudeaueulogies

Curtis ‏@OarPlay  8m8 minutes ago
#trudeaueulogies Late Emperor Caligula,a man of the people,will be deeply missed by his mother/sister, uncle/father but mostly his horse..

Wayne J. Sharko ‏@icyleaseroads  9m9 minutes ago
Moa and his Great LEAP Forward effort to industrialize China was an effective population control measure. #trudeaueulogies
 
Elana Fric Shamji ‏@ElanaFricShamji  22m22 minutes ago
Saddened about the passing of Sauron who, while heavy-handed, did advocate for open borders and usher in industrial era.  #trudeaueulogies

PM Turdeau ‏@turdeau  26m26 minutes ago
While a controversial figure, Gaddafi brought much attention to the Libyan fashion scene.  #trudeaueulogies

Andrew CoyneVerified account ‏@acoyne  30m30 minutes ago
“While a controversial figure, gruff, hearty Uncle Joe Stalin spared untold millions from indiscriminate slaughter.” #trudeaueulogies

Josh Hood ‏@ncpack2010  32m32 minutes ago
While Emperor Nero made some mistakes, he still ensured that of streets of the great city of Rome had adequate lighting #trudeaueulogies

Josh Hood ‏@ncpack2010  37m37 minutes ago
I offer my condolences to the family of Genghis Khan, a controversial figure but also created a bond between East and West  #trudeaueulogies

David AkinVerified account ‏@davidakin  42m42 minutes ago
Much amusement on Twitter this hour via #TrudeauEulogies

Damian Penny ‏@damianpenny  42m42 minutes ago Halifax, Nova Scotia
"While a controversial figure, Mr. Simpson revolutionized the game with his legendary 2,000 yard rushing season." #trudeaueulogies


Dan Fraser ‏@FraserFraserdw  2h2 hours ago
Today we say farewell to Adi Amin who help so many non African Ugandans immigrate to Canada #trudeaueulogies

Alberta View ‏@UWork4It  2h2 hours ago
Alberta View Retweeted J.J. McCullough
#trudeaueulogies "I'm saddened to hear of supreme leader of N Korea Kim Jong-il passing, he fought childhood obesity like no other" #cdnpoliAlberta View added,

J.J. McCullough @JJ_McCullough
#trudeaueulogies “Today we say goodbye to Mr. Mussolini, the former Italian prime minister best known for his competent train-management.”

J.J. McCullough ‏@JJ_McCullough  3h3 hours ago
#trudeaueulogies “Today we say goodbye to Mr. Mussolini, the former Italian prime minister best known for his competent train-management.”