Castro: Socialism Will Survive in Cuba

Times Daily ^ | 12/5/2003 | ANDREA RODRIGUEZ - AP

[yonif]

President Fidel Castro insisted Friday that his socialist system will survive him, as he celebrated the 10th birthday of Elian Gonzalez - the shipwrecked boy who was the center of a fierce international custody battle.

Castro characterized as "idiots" those who believe that socialist rule on the island will end with his death.

"This revolution does not depend on one individual, or two, or three," Castro declared in a speech of more than two hours at a birthday celebration in the courtyard of Elian's school in the child's hometown of Cardenas, about 85 miles east of Havana.

Speaking about a meeting he said occurred earlier Friday in Washington between Cuban Americans and U.S. officials, Castro said "that group of idiots ... would die of bitterness, of frustration and even shock to see how this country has resisted 45 years of blockade."

Castro was referring to the U.S. embargo against the Caribbean country, a policy supported by his vociferous enemies in the Cuban-American community and imposed more than four decades ago to force his government to abandon its left-wing policies.

The 77-year-old leader, who will celebrate 45 years in power this New Year's Day, also joked about his "longevity genes." His father, Angel Castro, was in his early 80s when he died October 1956, two years before the triumph of the Jan. 1, 1959 revolution.

Castro's death and its effect on Cuba's future are a constant source of speculation at home and abroad.

The bearded revolutionary, who favors olive green uniforms, is the world's longest ruling head of government and leader of only four remaining socialist countries in the world.

During his speech Friday night, Castro characterized the U.S. government as "monstrous."

But he said he didn't put the American people in that same category. "No one can blame them for the system they live in," Castro said.

It was precisely the American people Castro appealed to four years ago when Elian Gonzalez was thrust to the center of an international custody battle after he was found clinging to an inner tube in the waters off Florida's coast.

During the birthday celebration, Castro helped Elian blow out the candles on a big white cake.

He also lambasted the Cuban Adjustment Act, a 1966 law that communist officials say encourage Cubans to take risky sea journeys - as Elian's mother did - because they can get legal U.S. residency after one year if they reach American shores.

Elian's mother and most of the other passengers traveling illegally from Cuba to the United States in November 1999 died when their boat capsized.

The boy was placed with relatives in Miami who, backed by other Cuban exiles, fought to keep him in the United States.

Castro organized nearly daily rallies to demand that Elian be returned and reunited with his father.

Elian returned to Cuba on June 28, 2000, after a legal battle that went to the U.S. Supreme Court.

[BerniesFriend]

You know there are people today in Iraq who are enjoying incredible freedom..no more rape rooms..no more mass graves...wonder what cubans would react if they had the same freedoms..it is time for castro to go..blockade or open killing of that murderer would suffice...imho

[Post Toasties]

President Fidel Castro insisted Friday that his socialist system will survive him, as he celebrated the 10th birthday of Elian Gonzalez

Sounds like he's already suffering from an advanced case of Alzheimers Disease.

[Mr. Morals]

Turkmenistan?

[RandallFlagg]

Castro: Socialism Will Survive in Cuba

But will Cubans survive socialism?

I doubt it.

[GladesGuru]

Uhhh, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea.. And?

And Florida???


How 'bout the Sheeples Republic of FloriDUH? Let's not forget that the Sheeple voted for a perpetual land grab which just one year alone resulted in 1,250,000 acres of land being taken off the tax rolls and becoming state "lands".

Perhaps the defining characteristic of Socialism is government ownership of land.

And let's not forget the 8.5 Square Mile Area issue wherein the Cubans who voted for, and were critical to President Bush's election, were rewarded with having their homes and businesses grabbed. Grabbed for no scientific reason, either.

If you think I am overstating this, ask Rep. Don Young about this. But stand back when you do, as he still is unhappy about this sleazy chapter in American history.

Don't bother worrying about Cuba or Castro - watch out for America and our home grown Castro wanna-bes.

[FairOpinion]

"President Fidel Castro insisted Friday that his socialist system will survive him, as he celebrated the 10th birthday of Elian Gonzalez"

===

Poor Elian! Happy Birthday, as much as it can be happy in that prison.

Castro should have invited Clinton, after all, Clinton handed Elian back to Castro on a silver platter.

Cuban boy Elian Gonzalez looks on as President Fidel Castro sits behind him during his 10th birthday celebration at his school in Cardenas, December 5, 2003. Elian is the shipwrecked boy who was traveling illegally with his mother and other passengers from Cuba to the U.S in November 1999. His mother and most of the others died when their boat capsized and Elian was placed with family members in Miami. He finally returned to his father in Cuba on June 28, 2000, after a fierce international custody battle. PICTURE TAKEN DECEMBER 5 REUTERS/Claudia Daut

[FairOpinion]

Fidel Castro, Cuban President, left, helps Elian Gonzalez-the shipwrecked boy who was the center of a fierce international custody battle four years ago- center, blow out the candle on a cake, during a party to celebrate the 10th birthday of Elian in Cardenas, about 140 km at East of Havana on Friday December 5, 2003, in Matanzas, Cuba. The party was celebrated in the Elian's school. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

[Toddsterpatriot]

Uhhh, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea.. And?

Massachusetts. Or is it Vermont?

[FairOpinion]

Elian Gonzalez-the shipwrecked boy who was the center of a fierce international custody battle four years ago- center, listens to Cuban President Fidel Castro's speech, during the celebration of Elian's 10th birthday at the Elian's school in Cardenas, about 140 km at East of Havana on Friday December 5, 2003, in Matanzas, Cuba. With Elian, his class partners. (AP Photo/Cristobal Herrera)

Do you think Elian is thinking back to what things might have been, if he had been allowed to stay in the US?

[FairOpinion]

Elian Gonzalez (L) and his schoolmates listen to the speech of President Fidel Castro during Elian's 10th birthday at his school in Cardenas, December 5, 2003. Elian is the shipwrecked boy who was traveling illegally with his mother and other passengers from Cuba to the U.S in November 1999. His mother and most of the others died when their boat capsized and Elian was placed with family members in Miami. He finally returned to his father in Cuba on June 28, 2000, after a fierce international custody battle. Picture taken December 5, 2003. REUTERS/Claudia Daut

[Moonman62]

Elian is the shipwrecked boy who was traveling illegally with his mother and other passengers from Cuba to the U.S in November 1999.

Oh sure, when it's Elian, it's illegal. Everyone else is undocumented. Thanks Reuters.

[FairOpinion]

[FairOpinion]

[Luis Gonzalez]

As recently as last week, there was a comment directed at me about Elián Gonzalez, and how shameful it was to see this child used as a political tool by the Cuban-American community of Miami-Dade County.

This person thought that the right thing to do was to allow his father to take him back to Cuba so that he would not be used as a political trophy of sorts.

Then I see this.

Would Elián's birthday been celebrated by the entire nation here?

Would he have been pictured on his birthday celebration with the Nation's leader seated behind him?

Does Elián's father have the right to say "no" to a politicized celebration of his son's birthday in Cuba, as he would surely have here?

Who is truly using Elián as a political tool?

[FairOpinion]

"As recently as last week, there was a comment directed at me about Elián Gonzalez, and how shameful it was to see this child used as a political tool by the Cuban-American community of Miami-Dade County. "

===

Show that person these pictures.

Some people are clueless, and the only way to describe them, IS that they are indeed "useful idiots" for the communists.

[george wythe]

Historical destiny and messianic complex are two of the pillars of Marxism-Leninism, a quasi-religious philosophy.

Fortunately, most of the Marxist-Leninist predictions have been found to be incorrect.

Castro predicted that Cuba will become a paradise under his leadership, and so far, Cuba went from being at the top of Latin American standard of living to being at the economic bottom.

I'm sure that Castro's predictions are good as the Jamaican psychic on ripoff informertials.

[Rome2000]

"No one can blame them for the system they live in," Castro said

Castro may be yucking it up with his trophy today (courtesy of Clinton/Reno), but we'll see who laughs last.

[MHGinTN]

Tool? ... Elian is Castro's 'lucky charm'!

[CounterCounterCulture]

Oh sure, when it's Elian, it's illegal. Everyone else is undocumented. Thanks Reuters.

Good catch.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Uhhh, Cuba, Vietnam, North Korea.. And?

San Francisco.