TresSugar

Loco? US Lawmakers Meet With Fidel Castro

CitizenSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:30:39 -0700

It's not quite time to break out the cigars, but it looks like the US and Cuba may soon be friendlier neighbors.

US members of Congress met with longtime Cuban dictator Fidel Castro yesterday in Havana, sending a signal that we might see a drastic shift in US-Cuban relations. On Monday, the same members of the Black Caucus met with Castro's brother, and current Cuban leader, Raúl. The Congress members, including Barbara Lee of California, were in town visiting the Latin American School of Medicine.

A while back, 80 percent of you said you'd like to see Obama lift the embargo on Cuba. How do you feel about US leaders meeting with Fidel Castro?

Fidel Castro's Resignation Marks an End of an Era

LibertySugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:00:11 -0800

Here's one more look at the resignation of Fidel Castro. It marks the end of an era, which has lasted since the communist rebel took power in 1959. Castro outlasted nine US presidents.

View 10 Photos ›

Castro survived several US backed assassination attempts, an economic embargo by the US, and the collapse of the Soviet Union. Given the history of Cuba shown in these fabulous vintage pictures, I wonder what is in store for his younger brother Raul, who officially took over Sunday.
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Headline: Raul Castro Takes Over as Cuba's New President

CitizenSugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 07:19:37 -0800

Following Fidel Castro's resignation last week, Cuba's National Assembly has named Fidel's brother, Raul, to be Cuba's new president. Yesterday, the National Assembly that is Cuba's 614-member legislature cast secret ballots to choose the 31-member Council of State, which acts as the Assembly when it is not in session. The vote included Raul Castro's new job.

Raul Castro conspired with his brother to plan the 1950's uprising that sparked the Cuban revolution, and installed Fidel Castro in power cementing the first communist nation in the Western Hemisphere.

Though Fidel Castro's daughter, who opposes her father's regime, thinks that her uncle taking charge ensures more of the same, Raul Castro once told reporters, "Is there going to be a transition here toward something? Yes, toward a better form of socialism and - here's something you'll like - toward a more democratic society."

I don't know, but I think it would be pretty hard to start a job like this at 76. . .

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Headline: Fidel Castro Resigns as President of Cuba

CitizenSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:51:33 -0800

Fidel Castro, 81, this morning ended one of the longest tenures as one of the most well-known communist heads of state.

Citing ill health, Castro said in a letter to the nation posted on the Granma website:

“I will not aspire to neither will I accept - I repeat I will not aspire to neither will I accept - the position of President of the Council of State and Commander in chief."

"It would betray my conscience to occupy a responsibility that requires mobility and the total commitment that I am not in the physical condition to offer.”

Hearing the news of Castro's retirement while on his trip through Africa, President Bush said, “The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty,” adding that this is a new beginning and chance for a democratic transition.

As one known for his omnipresent military-garb, Castro added in the letter, "“I am not saying goodbye to you. I only wish to fight as a soldier of ideas.”

For more about the history of Castro's time in office, read more.

Castro grasped power in January 1959 after waging a hard-fought guerrilla war against the dictator Fulgencio Batista. He promised to reinstate the Cuban constitution, then hold elections.

Soon after assuming power, he shunned those democratic ideals and fostered a totalitarian brand of communism. He allied Cuba with the Soviet Union, bringing the world to the brink of nuclear war in the Fall of 1962. This happened by allowing Russia to build missile launching sites fewer than 100 miles from American shores.

He's a colorful leader to be sure. What do you think will happen in Cuba now? Will they move toward democracy, or is the United States misguided in thinking that democracy is right for every country?

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Cubans Now Allowed to Build Homes With Their Own Money

LibertySugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

Ever since he assumed power from his brother Fidel last year, Raul Castro, has rolled out some symbolic economic efforts that are changing the face of Cuba. The latest move allows Cubans to build their own homes using private money. It may sound like a basic right, but it's a big step for the country and aims to alleviate a housing shortage that was made worse with last year's devastating hurricane, which wrecked more than 1 million homes.

Up until now the construction of homes has been the responsibility of the government, but the state hasn't been fulfilling its yearly goal of building 100,000 new homes.

There is a catch to the new freedom, which Castro announced during a televised address, as there will be strict guidelines for the dimensions of proposed new dwellings. A shortage of building materials will also limit the number of people who are actually able to take advantage of the law change. Cement is offered for sale by the state, but other materials like stone and iron are only available on the black market.

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Cuba Hopes Obama Will Lift Embargo: Do You?

LibertySugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

Leading up to the US presidential elections, 90 miles off the coast of Florida most people were rooting for Barack Obama. Now that he's won, Cubans hope that the new president will take steps to soften the 46-year-old US-Cuba trade embargo.

Way back in August 2007, then long-shot Obama got heat for saying he would meet personally with Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Obama also called for unrestricted rights of Cuban Americans to travel and send money to Cuba. Rival Hillary Clinton said that policy should remain the same until a post-Castro government changes course.

Since President Bush made the embargo even more strident, Cubans would probably welcome even a modest retreat from the current policy.

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Front Page: Blagojevich Announces Pick for Obama Seat

LibertySugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 08:10:04 -0800

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's selection of former state Attorney General Roland Burris to Barack Obama's Senate seat brings race into the drama surrounding the embattled governor, who is facing impeachment for trying to sell the Obama seat. With Obama out, Burris would be the only African American in the Senate. - Chicago Sun Times
Israel has rejected the proposal of a 48-hour cease-fire in Gaza after five straight days of air attacks. The country didn't rule out future diplomacy and is open to ways of increasing humanitarian aid. - New York Times
A militant arrested in Pakistan has confessed involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks in November and is giving investigators details of the plot. - AP
On Thursday, Cuba will mark the 50th anniversary of the revolution that turned the country into a communist state and Cold War hot spot. The country is currently facing economic gloom and the poor health of former leader Fidel Castro. - Reuters
President-elect Barack Obama plans to move to Washington this weekend, and begin meetings next week on reviving the economy. Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia, also start classes Monday at Sidwell Friends School. - Boston Globe

Briefing Book! Knowing Is Half the Battle . . .

LibertySugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:30:59 -0700

Oil: Borrow money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf? The Pentagon uses as much oil as the entire country of Greece. - Politico
Castro: Is Fidel on the ticket? McCain campaign running Obama-Castro Ad. - Huffington Post
War Criminals: Better than extreme makeover? Bosnian Serb Radovan Karadzic's disguise was low tech and effective. - The Lede
Smoking: Can $500 million end smoking for good? Mike Bloomberg and Bill Gates team up to raise the price of cigarettes in poor countries. - Radar
Gitmo: A Time to Detain Indefinitely? The feel-good Gitmo detainee trial of the summer. - 23/6

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Front Page: Alaska's Ted Stevens Loses Tight Reelection Bid

LibertySugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:00:55 -0800

Alaskan Senator Ted Stevens has officially lost his reelection bid, bringing the Democrats only two seats away from a filibuster-proof 60-seat majority. Stevens was the longest serving Republican ever to serve in the Senate, and his recent federal corruption conviction led to his fall from power. - New York Times
China's president Hu Jinato visited Cuba yesterday bringing hope of Chinese aid to the island and closer trade ties. Hu also visited ailing former president Fidel Castro. - AFP

In a new audio message al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri attacks Barack Obama going as far as using a racial epithet implying that Obama does the bidding of whites. The leader wants to convince Muslims and Arabs that Obama does not represent change. - AP
Ashley Dupre, the prostitute who brought down former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has sat down with Diane Sawyer. Her interview will air on Friday's 20/20 at 10 pm EST/PST. - ABC News

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Radical Raul? Cuba Commutes Death Sentences

LibertySugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:00:48 -0700

Raul Castro has commuted all but three death sentences handed down in Cuba. Every death-row inmate, besides three convicted terrorists, will now face 30 years in prison, instead of death by firing squad.

Raul, who officially took over for his brother Fidel Castro this past February, said that humanitarian concerns, not international pressure, motivated his decision. He quickly maintained that the death penalty still remains on the books.

Raul, who also announced the first Communist Congress in over a decade, has been showing signs of pragmatism and reform since taking power. He lifted a ban on electronics sales, and Cubans can now stay in hotels designated for tourists. Many other freedoms, such as the right to own property, are still forbidden.

The US has found itself in a curious position with its North American neighbors when it comes to the death penalty. To see how, read more.

Suspected murders sometimes flee to Mexico or Canada, because those countries will not extradite suspects unless the death penalty is taken off the table. A recent example? Marine Cesar Laurean, accused of killing his pregnant girlfriend and fellow Marine, fled to Mexico and therefore saved himself from a death sentence.

Now Cuba, a country the US criticizes for its human-rights record, has decided to join the majority of countries that reject execution. Does this latest development shine Cuba's human-rights image, while bruising America's? Do you think humanitarian concerns or international pressure, could ever motivate America to reconsider death sentences?

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