August 14, 2006

On the occasion of Castro's birthday -- a testimonial written by Alexandre Trudeau, son of Pierre.
posted by Capt. Renault 17 years ago
  • Alex forgot to mention the part about Castro jailing all those innocent people and the whole dictator thing. I guess it is only bad when American politicans warm up to dictators. Nothing wrong with a Canadian PM doing it.
  • Every time I watch Team America I get all warm and fuzzy over Kim Jong-il. How cute! Context is everything.
  • Interesting factoid about Castro: in addition to inventing (and giving his name to) the medical procedure known as "castration", the story of his life was made into a very popular Japanese TV cartoon show in the 70s, "Castroboy". The catchy theme song - "flying high in the sky, he may be small but not in revolutionary zeal - castroboy, castroboy ... (etc) - actually turned Japan gay for a whole week in 1975.
  • Not to mention Castrol, the Official Motor Oil of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
  • I hadn't realised the younger Trudeau had served as ambassador to Arslikhan. Castro versus Herzog was probably the greatest fight I have ever seen, or can hope to see. I believe you can take a cable car to lip of the crater to this day.
  • Yes, but what a week! Am I right, peopaaaaalllllll!!?!?
  • With the possible exception of Nelson Mandela, already well into retirement, Fidel is the last of the global patriarchs. yes, that's right, Nelson Mandela = Fidel Castro. What is the price of pineapples these days in Arslikhan? One is curious to find out.
  • You know Alex... fuck the patriarchy. With broken glass. Etc. But at least, unlike Justin, Alex isn't just famous for being the son of a paranoid jackass.
  • I've been a guest of Mr. Castro and his government several times in Cuba. Those who haven't been there and know the country only from nonsense U.S. propaganda would be wise to hold their tongues when wishing to comment on that which they know nothing. Alexandre states the truth here -- Mr. Castro is one of the most intelligent leaders the world has and surpasses anyone elected in the rest of the Americas in that regard for a very long time.
  • Well he could have had chosen better parents.
  • I've had my doubts about Mr Castro, kelenkye, in spite of not being exposed to much in the way of nonsense US propaganda. But I was very favourably impressed by the news that in the event of his illness or death, power passed naturally to his brother. As a loyal subject myself, I feel that the adoption of the hereditary principle bespeaks a noble nature and an enlightened political outlook; one not likely to be appreciated by those who think some booby is somehow made fit to rule merely because a lot of other boobies have put a cross against his name. Long live Mr Castro!
  • I've been a guest of Mr Castro many, many, many times, and I can tell you his thighs are tremenjous.
  • Mr. Castro is one of the most intelligent leaders the world has and surpasses anyone elected in the rest of the Americas I've no quarrel with that. No doubt he's done what's best for Castro, and his longevity in power attests to that. Cuba, on the other hand, hasn't done so well.
  • would be wise to hold their tongues Well, I'll tell you what: why don't you come over here and hold my tongue for me, Pinko? Hell, I might even brush my teeth for the occasion.
  • Hands off my teeth.
  • My impression is that this Castro feller is somewhere in between the jolly, avuncular figure of Alex's halcyon boyhood and the fire-breathing, baby-eating demon of conventional USian wisdom. I'd like to see relations resumed in my lifetime. I think it'd be good for both our countries.
  • Cuba under Castro had many remarkable successes in health care, education and sustainable agriculture but the costs have been a repressive regime and limited personal freedom. Had the revolution not succeeded and the government been one more palatable to U.S. interests, it is likely however that much of Cuba's wealth would have been concentrated in relatively few (and foreign) hands and ordinary people would not be much better off financially than they are now. One hopes that in coming years Castro's achievements will be able to stand while a more open economy and social arrangement evolve. Given the inevitable pressure from the U.S. and others to exploit the situation, Cuba faces many perils in the near future. And while Sacha may not have been able to choose his parents he should at least try to choose a good editor.
  • I'd like to see relations resumed in my lifetime. I remember saying this once, and she laughed in my face.
  • Nicely said, islander. I see Alexandre's article more as a piece about the man himself, not the dictator and his practices. I am convinced that Alexandre is well aware of human rights abuses -- his standing up against Hassan Almrei's indefinite detention on a CSIS Security Certificate suggests he knows a fair deal about human rights, and is willing to act on them as well.
  • In Mark Kurlansky's book 1968 he talks about a time when Castro was very popular in the US, even had a big arena tour with opening bands Black Sabbath & Herman's Hermits. (Okay I made up the part about the bands, but the rest of it is as-I-read-it)
  • I am convinced that Alexandre is well aware of human rights abuses... Cognitive dissonance, anyone?
  • I am convinced that Alexandre is well aware of human rights abuse... Hmmm. okay, so this makes him not so much ignorant as a hypocrite?
  • That was a little snarky on my part. So ignore my last post and check this out instead. Human Rights Watch article on Guantanamo and Cuban Prisons.