Fidel Castro is in the hospital

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Yes, he is, and was officially excommunicated by the Catholic church even. Although Cuba did lift most of its restrictions on religion in the early 90s.

[© tweed]

Elian Gonzalez (who likely won Florida for Bush in 2000...) also wishes Fidel well.

Not to go too far off topic, but didn't the CIA believe that Saddam was/is an atheist?

[??????????]

Wouldn't it be interesting if Chavez organized some sort of military takeover of Cuba upon Fidels death. Those two are way way to close for any freedom lover to not be concerned.

[MODU]

Still no sign of Fidel or his brother since the transfer of power.

[minionofmidas]

Chavez: Castro in 'Great Battle for Life

One thing I found interesting that Chavez said:

"From here, let's pray to God for Fidel and his recovery, and he's fighting a great battle."

Isn't Fidel an atheist, at least officially?  If so, I doubt Hugo's kind words will be any aid, but you never know.

This kind of reminds me of some thing I recently read.
Portugal under the dictatorship felt itself to be too Catholic and too anti-Communist to even have official diplomatic relations with any Communist country.
Except Cuba. For reasons unbeknown, they always maintained official diplomatic relations with Castro.

[Michael Z]

Still no sign of Fidel or his brother since the transfer of power.

He's probably dead and they simply haven't publicised the news. It could spark some unrest in the country (ie. a revolution) - it was mainly his popularity (or rather cult status) with the people that kept the government in power. If he's gone, the government will probably go too. That's probably why they're being so secretive about it.

I suspect the same will happen in NK once Kim Jong Il pops his clogs.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

He's probably dead and they simply haven't publicised the news.

Ala Khomeni?

[WMS]

Still no sign of Fidel or his brother since the transfer of power.

Stratfor thinks it's all a trap to draw out any potential dissidents by Raul and company. It seems like there's internal weakness, but in reality the torture chambers are getting prepped...

[MaC]

well, it's today.  Happy birthday if you aren't already dead, Castro.

[minionofmidas]

They've released a photo apparently.

[??????????]

They've released a photo apparently.

Yes and Chavez landed at the airport in Havana today as well.

[MODU]

They've released a photo apparently.

Have you seen this photo?  Sorry, but it looks too doctored to be legit.

[John Dibble]

They've released a photo apparently.

Have you seen this photo?  Sorry, but it looks too doctored to be legit.

Yeah, it does. The paper in particular stands out.

[??????????]

That doesn't even look like Fidel, does he have look alikes?

[ag]

Looks ok to me. It's staged, of course, to show he's alive on the day. But staged does not mean fake. He looks sick and weak, which is appropriate. You wouldn't look much like your usual self if they raise you out of your sick bed, prop you up, stick a newspaper into your hands and shoot the scene as many times as needed so that you look semi-presentable in a photo or two.  Of course, can't be stated w/ certainty, but to me he looks more alive than dead.

[© tweed]

Why is he wearing an Adidas windbreaker/jacket?  Isn't that anti-communist in some sort of way?  If they in fact doctored the photo they should have at least taken that out.

[minionofmidas]

Why is he wearing an Adidas windbreaker/jacket?  Isn't that anti-communist in some sort of way?  If they in fact doctored the photo they should have at least taken that out.

Adidas is European, and therefore socialist. Haven't you had your dose of FOX medication today?

[??????????]

Why is he wearing an Adidas windbreaker/jacket?  Isn't that anti-communist in some sort of way?  If they in fact doctored the photo they should have at least taken that out.

Rich people are allowed to buy whatever property they want in Cuba. Doctors are allowed to bring back whatever they buy overseas back with them when the come home.

[MODU]

The new photo's out this morning of Fidel and Hugo together look more realistic, and Fidel is not as "lively" as in the picture I posted above.

[??????????]

Three nutjobs in a room at one time. Where is the US with a cruise missle?