Raul Castro becomes Cuba's leader

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Nearly 50 years of rule by Fidel Castro ended in Cuba on Sunday as parliament chose his brother Raul to replace him — a transition that leaves the island's communist system unshaken.


The new president proposed consulting with the ailing 81-year-old Fidel on all major decisions of state, and parliament approved the proposal.

The vote came five days after Fidel said he was retiring, capping a career in which he frustrated efforts by 10 U.S. presidents to oust him.

The transition was not likely to bring a major shift in policies of the communist government that have put it at odds with the United States. But many Cubans were hoping it would open the door to modest economic reforms and improvement in their daily lives

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080224/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cuba_leadership

[jmondine]

1. See, that's what makes this country an oppressive regime...

When a person is "appointed" leader of the country just because he's related to a former, uh, leader... oops! :P

[ohio2007]

2. looks like the torch was passed to the next generation......

LOL


NOT

;)

no no
Raul

It's I'm # 1 from now on

[bemildred]

6. Looks like a dangerous radical leftist to me.

:rofl::rofl:

[New Dawn]

4. Unlike Bush...

Raul Castro actually participated in a revolution. He has been active in politics all his life basically. I do not think any other members of the Castro family are politically active like the two Castro brothers are.

[The Croquist]

14. Wow! I didn't see that coming

"Surprise, surprise, surprise!"

PS: If you get it, you're old too.

[tavalon]

18. Sadly, I hear it in the exact tone of Gomer Pyle

I don't think of myself as old, certainly middle aged.

[tavalon]

17. I think it's time for you to go to the reorientation camp

[Journeyman]

3. At least it wasn't his idiot son, Fidel W. Castro. . .

[Benhurst]

5. ...

:rofl:

[YDogg]

11. Heh!

[superconnected]

7. I'm not buying the free elections thing.

[veracity]

8. Hey, Raul, find those Cuban Oil Reserves!!!

Wanna lift nearly five decades of embargo? Wanna make the US your best friend? Wanna take photos of you and Georgie holding hands and smiling like lovers? Get those oil reserves on record, Raul. Time’s a-wasting.

Fidel’s a done deal. He’s old and sick and done for. As Brother Raul, you’re in charge and the barbs are out. Every US presidential candidate will take the Bush lead and aim at your brutal rule, your political prisoners, your embrace of communism, and your refusal to follow our extraordinary example of democracy and freedom.. And, for the record, Florida has a sizable number of electoral votes in play, Raul. Deal with it.

Better still, repent and be loved.

Take a lesson from the Saudis. They’re our best friends, Raul....

CONTINUED HERE: http://tinyurl.com/3bec5q

[robcon]

9. He freed some prisoners from the gulag the other day.

Let's see if Raul can make a difference before we judge him - he couldn't be worse than Fidel, could he?

[Flanker]

10. I think him being a GWB is an unlikely possibility

nm

[stox]

12. Fidel's death to be announced Tuesday

IMHO, he's dead already. Now that the succession is taken care of, he will finally die. Nobody will know any better.

[daleo]

13. He's almost as old as McCain! n/t

[jmowreader]

15. Fuck, man, he's almost as old as Fidel!

[PSPS]

16. Oh, come on. 76-year-old Raul is only two years older than Ralph Nader!

... and only four years older than John McCain!

[daleo]

19. Don't forget 77 year old Reagan (when he left office)

I think it is widely agreed now that Reagan was beginning to show the early signs of dementia.