[Cincinatus' Wife]

It's the communism, stupid.

Fidel Castro - Cuba

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Cuba - Saddam and Fidel are birds of a feather*** Despite existing half a world apart, Iraqis and Cubans have many things in common. Both are ruled by autocratic tyrants, both are poor and hungry, both must watch what they say about their leaders and both are denied ordinary human rights.

With the world's attention focused on the war in Iraq, Fidel Castro appears to be taking the opportunity to make life even more difficult for Cubans who don't agree with him. In recent days he has been clamping down on their activities and making dozens of nighttime arrests on trumped-up charges.

Pro-democracy dissidents, journalists and intellectuals are being seized at gunpoint and their homes searched. Some face 20-year sentences for their alleged crimes. Castro has also forbidden U.S. diplomats to travel freely about the island. ***

[Michael.SF.]

Although Marquetty lives in a dreary Old Havana building, these gifts mean she can sometimes afford to eat at a restaurant.

Let's see. I am worried where my next meal is going to come from and my family sends me a few bucks. Great!!

Now I can go to MacDonald's!!

What load of crap.