R.I.P., Fidel Castro-- A Giant Among Puny Leaders

Not establishment guys

Last night, just as I was going to bed, I learned that Fidel Castro, age 90, had died. I remember how excited I was, as a small child learning how he had freed his country from the fascist grasp of the U.S.-backed dictator. I wanted to dedicate my bar mitzvah to him but my mother had the rabbi talk me out of it. In later years, like many of his earliest admirers, I was aghast at some of the decisions he made that took him down from the perch I had constructed in my mind for him. He turned out to be nearly as bad as other political leaders, reminding me at the time of one of my favorite Bob Dylan songs. (No, that's not my rabbi in the background, but he was someone I shared a jail cell with one day after a huge anti-draft protest.)



At first, Trump didn't have much to say about the passing of the longest serving world leader-- a 4 word tweet with an exclamation point. Donna Edwards' response was more to the point:

Later Trump's office released the official El Presidente-elect Señor Trumpanzee response, more in line with the hate-filled Republican Party party line.

Today, the world marks the passing of a brutal dictator who oppressed his own people for nearly six decades. Fidel Castro’s legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights.

While Cuba remains a totalitarian island, it is my hope that today marks a move away from the horrors endured for too long, and toward a future in which the wonderful Cuban people finally live in the freedom they so richly deserve.

Though the tragedies, deaths and pain caused by Fidel Castro cannot be erased, our administration will do all it can to ensure the Cuban people can finally begin their journey toward prosperity and liberty. I join the many Cuban Americans who supported me so greatly in the presidential campaign, including the Brigade 2506 Veterans Association that endorsed me, with the hope of one day soon seeing a free Cuba.

Obama's official statement was more decent, more anodyne... and more diplomatic:

At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans-- in Cuba and in the United States-- with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.

‎ For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends-- bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.

Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.

Other leaders around the world had more fitting statements. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, traveling in Madagascar said that "It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba’s longest serving President.

"Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation.

"While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro’s supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for 'el Comandante.'

"I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba.

"On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader."

While far right American politicians like Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen could barely hide their glee, most people were more mournful and respectful.

Castro was lionized by Latin America's populist leaders like leaders Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and Rafael Correa of Ecuador and even anti-populists like Enrique Peña Nieto of Mexico had the sense to mark Castro's passing respectfully. Other international leaders:

• French President François Hollande: "Fidel Castro was a towering figure of the 20th century. He incarnated the Cuban revolution, in both its hopes and subsequent disillusionments. France, which condemned human rights abuses in Cuba, had equally challenged the US embargo on Cuba, and France was glad to see the two countries re-establish dialogue and open ties between themselves."

• Russian President Vladimir Putin: "The name of this distinguished statesman is rightly considered the symbol of an era in modern world history; Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia... [He built] a free and independent Cuba that became an influential member of the international community and served as an inspiration for many countries and peoples... strong and wise person who always looked to the future with confidence... his memory will forever remain in the hearts of the citizens of Russia."

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi: "Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend. I extend my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace."

• Chinese President Xi Jinxing: "The Chinese people have lost a good and true comrade. Comrade Castro will live forever... a great man of our time."

My favorite tribute, though, came from U.K. Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn:

Unwanted Endorsements From Crazy People & War Criminals

Barack, just say no

I was glad to see Senator Obama reject the unsought endorsement of Louis Farrakhan, as well as the implied endorsement from some group of nuts in the Middle East. It's a damn shame McCain put so much effort into pursuing endorsements from religionist fanatics and hatemongers like Rod Parsely, Jerry Falwell, John Hagee and a whole slew of others, some of whom he's already-- post-primary season-- repudiated and others who he will as their crazed statements come out. I'm wondering if he will also reject the implied endorsement he was given yesterday by Fidel Castro when Castro denounced Obama. But we'll leave it up to McCain to figure out the timings for rejecting the various crooked lobbyists, fascist dictators and crackpot snakehandlers who make up his base of support. Today it's Barack Obama who we are calling on to reject an endorsement.

This is someone who has done far more damage to America-- in the real sense-- than Jeremiah Wright ever would or could. I was revolted today to read that Obama was endorsed by neocon maniac Francis Fukuyama, one of the kooks who persuaded Bush that he needed to spread "democracy."

But Francis Fukuyama, the author of The End of History and Professor of International Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University, is now a sharp critic of US President George W Bush and has even come out as a supporter of Democrat frontrunner Barack Obama for president.

Professor Fukuyama is particularly scathing about the Bush policy in Iraq but he says that regardless of who is elected to lead it next, the United States is about to undergo a significant transformation.

In his interview he explained why he doesn't want to see McCain win and why he doesn't think Hillary would be any good and why he feels that Obama is the one. Here's a registered Republican who feels Obama will solve the problems his own advice to Bush helped cause. It's a big shift but he says he's not the only one making it.

"I think a number of people are doing that this year because I think the world is different at this juncture and we need a different foreign policy and there is this larger question about in American politics, I do think that we are at the end of a long generational cycle that began with Reagan's election back in 1980 and I think unless you have a degree of competition and alternation in power, certain ideas and habits are going to get too entrenched."

CIA, MAFIA, CASTRO, JFK, GOP...

I hate conspiracy theories and conspiracy theory buffs. But in light of the CIA publishing-- being forced to pulish-- over 700 pages of documents, The Family Jewels, pertaining to, among other nefarious undertakings of our government, the plot to assasinate Cuban President Fidel Castro in 1960, does anyone think maybe we should get some competent investigators to look into who exactly did kill JFK?

The mass media hasn't exactly jumped all over this, but I found a report in the Chicago Tribune today, probably because of the Mafia connection. The report trivializes the attempted assasination of Castro (and the successful assasination of Congolese President Patrice Lumumba, the effects of which are still being felt today in that most unfortunate of countries).

Some disclosures, such as the CIA's ill-fated attempts to enlist Chicago Mafia boss Sam Giancana to arrange the assassination of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, by hiring someone to slip CIA-manufactured poison pills in Castro's "food or drink," have become the stuff of popular legend and even the subject of movies.

An aside to the plot against Castro was Giancana's concern that his then-companion, singer Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Systers, was seeing comedian Dan Rowan on the side while both were appearing at the same Las Vegas hotel. Giancana persuaded the CIA to send one of its technicians to bug Rowan's hotel room, but the technician was surprised in the act and arrested.

The U.S. Justice Department signalled its intention to prosecute the technician and also Robert Maheu, the Las Vegas public relations executive who had served as liaison between the CIA and the Mafia, the CIA intervened and "at our request, the prosecution was dropped."

The papers describe the CIA's man to work with on the assasination of Castro as "the chieftain of the Cosa Nostra and the successor to Al Capone." The attempt failed but there are those who think it... inspired the assasination of JFK.

According to an account in the Guardian the plot to kill Castro started in 1960 because he was judged to be a "Soviet stooge."

The documents released yesterday describe how a CIA officer, Richard Bissell, approached the CIA's Office of Security to establish whether it had "assets that may assist in a sensitive mission requiring gangster-type action. The mission target was Fidel Castro."

The dossier continues: "Because of its extreme sensitivity, only a small group was made privy to the project. The DCI (Director of Central Intelligence Allen Welsh Dulles) was briefed and gave his approval."

Following the meeting with the Office of Security, Bissell employed a go-between, Robert Maheu, and asked him to make contact with "gangster elements." Maheu subsequently reported an approach to Johnny Roselli in Las Vegas. Roselli is described as "a high-ranking member of the 'syndicate' (who) controlled all the ice-making machines on the (Las Vegas) Strip and (who) undoubtedly had connections leading into the Cuban gambling interests."

The CIA is careful to cover its tracks. According to the dossier, Maheu told Roselli that he (Maheu) has been retained by international businesses suffering "heavy financial losses in Cuba as a result of Castro's action. They were convinced that Castro's removal was the answer to their problem and were willing to pay the price of $150,000 (£75,000) for its successful accomplishment."

Roselli was also told that the US government was not, and must not become aware of the operation.

Roselli in turn led the CIA to a friend, known as Sam Gold. In September 1960, Maheu was introduced to Gold and his associate, known as Joe. In a development that appears to underscore the amateurishness of the whole operation, Maheu subsequently accidentally spotted photographs of "Sam and Joe" in Parade magazine.

Gold was in fact Momo Salvatore Giancana, "the chieftain of Cosa Nostra (the mafia) and the successor to Al Capone." Joe was actually Santos Trafficante, Cosa Nostra boss of Cuban operations.

At a meeting at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Gold/Giancana suggested that rather than try to shoot or blow up Mr Castro, "some type of potent pill that could be placed in Castro's food or drink would be much more effective."

He said a corrupt Cuban official, named as Juan Orta, who was in debt to the syndicate and had access to the Cuban leader, would carry out the poisoning. The CIA subsequently obtained and supplied "six pills of high lethal content" to Orta but after several weeks of abortive attempts, Orta demanded "out" of the operation.

Ah... today's Washington Post has a column on the story with an interesting ending I had forgotten about: "Roselli later told columnist Jack Anderson about the plot after the CIA refused to help him fight deportation. He disappeared shortly after testifying to the Church Committee. His body was later found in a 55-gallon oil drum near the coastline of North Miami Beach."