On the stepping down of Fidel Castro

Much of America is turned against Fidel Castro. The propaganda machine has done a remarkable job, because many who don't know anything about US international relations history are able to recite a few negative things about Fidel. It's almost like a US cultural literacy test. But here's the thing... I agree with some of the criticisms of Castro. But I also agree with some of the good things that he did. So I was talking about it with AL, I asked her where would she rate him on a scale of world leaders. Hitler and Gandhi being the extremes. Mostly good or mostly bad? She said mostly good and that's where I'm at too.

The thing that Castro achieved in Cuba was that he set the floor. He set the floor for Cuba so that all leaders that follow cannot go under that floor. I hope Literacy and Health Care will be his legacy to Cuba. I mean a teacher climbs a mogote twice a week in Vinales to teach one student. Castro brought inclusion of the campesinos into society. In comparison to other neighboring Caribbean countries there is less crass disparity. No one is starving to death, city folk are hustling...but no one is starving. People in the country and the city look healthy. Castro has done a lot improve the general quality of life for the greatest number of people.

The problem is the ceiling. It's too low and the floor's too high. And the doors are closed to the building and they won't let you out. This can completely stifle the creative nature of people. Beto wants to travel to Brazil and dance in the Carnaval parade, but he never will under the present Castro/post-Castro regime.

Don't nationalize shit! Or if you do, know that the corporations and their US government sponsors are going to try and get you. Mohammad Mossadeq nationalized Anglo Iranian oil and he got the Showtime at the Apollo hook from the Dulles brothers. Castro took some shit from US corporations. It was on Cuban soil and was the riches of the country. But those Fruit people mean business and I am so serious.

It's not like Castro invaded and occupied a foreign country either. He was born and bred in Cuba and the scope of his power was largely confined to Cuba. He didn't have the out of area capability that the US has.

Castro. He did a lot of fucked up things and a lot of good things. But all in all, I'd say he did more good than bad.