An American presidential election can make for some pretty strange bedfellows. Apparently Barry has a new ally as we march toward the November election. And, I suppose, it should come as no surprise that this ally comes to Barry in the person of fellow socialist, Fidel Castro. You see according to AP and Glenn Beck's website, THE BLAZE, old Fidel has come out and lambasted the Republican presidential race, calling it "the greatest competition of “idiocy and ignorance” the world has ever seen." Don't sugar coat it Fidel, tell us how you really feel. His "opinion" came by way of a column published by Cuba's official state-controlled media just two days after Republican presidential hopefuls while at a recent debate in Florida presented some pretty hard-line stances on what to do about the Communist-run island. Barry's Caribbean buddy also took a few pot shots at the news media and numerous foreign governments for seizing on the death of a Cuban prisoner in order to demand greater respect for human rights. But I thought liberals claim that Cuba is a utopian success story.
It's pretty common knowledge, or should be, that the issue of Cuba is becoming increasingly important as the candidates continue to court Florida’s influential Cuban-American community in an effort to win the biggest electoral prize yet in this primary season. And being ever the political genius, having faced so many elections himself, old Fidel said he that he always assumed the candidates would eventually try to outdo each other on the issue of Cuba, but that he was nonetheless appalled by the level of debate. Spewing his typical drivel, the "retired" Cuban leader wrote, “The selection of a Republican candidate for the presidency of this globalized and expansive empire is – and I mean this seriously – the greatest competition of idiocy and ignorance that has ever been.” Fidel also took issue with numerous international media accounts regarding the January 19 death of Wilman Villar, a 31-year-old Cuban prisoner, saying the man was not a dissident and not on a 50-day hunger strike as human rights groups and the island’s opposition claim. Well, enough said on that issue, after all Fidel wouldn't lie to us.
Castro reiterated the government’s contention that Villar was nothing more than a common criminal sent to prison for domestic violence, and that he received the "best medical attention" possible. And why do we know that to be true? Well, wasn't it Michael Moore, who said that the United States needed use the healthcare system as the model for our own system here at home? Washington and several European governments have condemned Cuba for his death, and Amnesty International says it was about to put Villar on a global list of prisoners of conscience. Villar has become a cause celebre for opponents of the Cuban government, but he was not a well known figure, even among island dissidents, before his death. Republican candidate Mitt Romney said during Monday’s debate that Villar died “fighting for democracy” and that his death highlighted the need to remain firm on Cuba. Washington has maintained a near-50-year trade and travel embargo on Cuba. But any number of liberal Hollywood loon have made the pilgrimage to pay homage to the great Fidel Castro.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, has gone so far as to say that he would authorize increased covert operations to bring down the Cuban government. Now while am no fan of the Cuban dictator, I think for Gingrich to make such a proclamation comes across as being just what it is, an obvious attempt and pandering for the Cuban-American vote. And at another moment of Monday’s debate, Romney and Gingrich sparred over whether Castro’s soul would go to heaven or hell. Who cares? How is something even relevant? When asked what he would do as president if he found out Castro had died, Romney said he would first “thank Heavens” that the bearded revolutionary had finally “returned to his maker,“ to which Gingrich replied ”I don‘t think Fidel’s going to meet his maker. I think he’s going to go to the other place.” Again, who cares? Dead or alive, the people of Cuba will continue to suffer as long as the regime is in place. At this point in time he has become nothing more than a figurehead anyway. And I'm sure there are any number of younger versions waiting in the wings to take over.
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