Castro Nearly Faints!

The ClubHouse: General Archives: June - July Archives: Castro Nearly Faints!

Grooch

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 12:08 pm Click here to edit this post
Castro Appears to Faint During Speech

HAVANA (AP) - Fidel Castro appeared to faint during a live televised speech before tens of thousands Saturday, and was helped off the stage by aides. He returned to the podium within a few minutes to assure his audience that he was fine, but said he needed some rest.

The 74-year-old Cuban leader, wearing his traditional long-sleeved uniform and heavy black boots, was addressing the crowd under the bright sun with temperatures in the mid-80s when his body suddenly began listing off to the side.

Government cameras suddenly pulled away and concentrated on the crowd.

People at the rally said that the president never fell, and was immediately helped off the stage by uniformed members of his security staff.

``Calmness and courage, we lift our flag,'' Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said, taking the microphone immediately after Castro appeared to faint.

``Companero Fidel obviously has had in the middle of the heat ... a momentary fall,'' Perez Roque said.

The foreign minister indicated that the leader recently had kept a busy schedule, speaking Friday night at the opening of new ballet school, then staying up to prepare for the Saturday morning speech.

Castro had also made several other lengthy speeches over the past week.

Less than 10 minutes later, Castro was back behind the podium, asking the crowd not to worry, that he was merely tired and would return in the evening to finish his speech.

``Let me rest, sleep a few hours,'' Castro told the crowd. ``Last night I did not sleep at all. I am fine. We will see you tonight.''

Castro has always kept a busy work schedule that would exhaust the average young person, giving several lengthy speeches every week, and reportedly sleeping only a few hours a day - if at all.

Highlander

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 12:35 pm Click here to edit this post
Boy, he and Ari Fleischer must suffer from the same malady. lol

Tess

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 04:32 pm Click here to edit this post
I just saw that about Ari Fleischer on the news. He was looking a little worn. Methinks they should all learn to take a little break now and again.

Flint

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 04:46 pm Click here to edit this post
Hopefully Castro is ok.

Highlander

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 05:08 pm Click here to edit this post
LOL Flint!!! You are killing me. Dont you care abour Ari Fleischer. ROFL

Flint

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 05:42 pm Click here to edit this post
I don't now who Ari Fleiscjer is, so it is hard to care one way or the other. On the other hand, Castro was one of the first World Leaders to pay homage to Pierre Elliot Trudeau when he died, and gave him more honours than any other country, and some provinces, including our greatest trading partner. It is hard to forget when someone pays that sort of respect to one of your countries greatest leaders and personalities.

Tess

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 05:55 pm Click here to edit this post
I'm pretty sure that Ari Fleischer is the White House Press Secretary.

Flint

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 05:57 pm Click here to edit this post
Ah...then i care even less who he is because he is associted with george Dubyah! ;)

Tess

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 07:24 pm Click here to edit this post
there ya go!

Flint

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 08:00 pm Click here to edit this post
:)

Zeb

Saturday, June 23, 2001 - 09:46 pm Click here to edit this post
That would have been a tragedy if he had fainted on his cigar box. What a waste.

Danzdol

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 11:11 am Click here to edit this post
Flint, I rarely get upset about online comments BUT as A Cuban born who migrated to this country to find freedom and human rights I can't believe that after everything that Castro has done to his people and how he has violated zillions of human right laws you can support him because he once paid homage to someone you admire.

Of course I take it more personal than other people who are not as close to the situation as I have been all of my life.

As far as I am concerned he should die a violent death and that in itself would still not be enough to bring closure to the many people he has assasinated, persecuted, violated and brainwashed (starting with the Cuban youth who are brought up to believe that the"yankees" as he calls Americans
are pure idealists ). I know this sounds barbaric BUT you would only understand if you were as close to the issue as I am.

He trash talks and makes fun of the United States to his entire country. I don't know exactly why there is so much red tape in this country when it comes to Cuba. When it comes to other countries the US is the first to be there and defend and when it comes to Cuba the US sits back and watches.I guess we will find out one day soon.

The best thing my parents ever did is bring me to this country. I am now a United States citizen and I do not have to be persecuted or afraid to speak my mind.I have a career and family and I lead my life as I please and not as anyone tells me to. I am free and I stand behind the United States as my country. As much as I wish the best for Cuba (my native country) I am seriously opposed to Castro and everything he stands for.

Your comment really raised some concern in me. I hope that not a lot of people think like you.

I really don't know you so please don't take this personal but I hope that I misunderstood your comment.

Highlander

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 11:53 am Click here to edit this post
Maybe Canadians have good relations with Castro because his favorite baseball team is the Toronto Blue Jays.

Danzdol

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:12 pm Click here to edit this post
:)

Flint

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:27 pm Click here to edit this post
Danzdol;

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Your experiences and bias affect yours as much as mine affect me.

I could get into a long historical and political argument comparing Cuba and America. Looking at the atrocities each country committed in the name of whatever, of the stupiduty of things each country has done, but it wouldn't really solve anything. It wouldn't change your perceptions

Of course he trash talks about the US. Just like a lot of Yanks trash talk about Cuba. I would be very surprised if the leader of a country DIDN'T berate a country that has tried to destroy them economincally. And for all of his rhetoric, it gets dialed up just as high by Americans. Actually, the Helms-Burton Act takes it even further, trying to dictate what people in other countries can do in regards to Cuba. That is promoting human rights and freedoms? There is a reason why Americans aren't looked on that favourably in other countries, and not all of it is related to right-left wing BS.

That doesn't even get into the US created problem spots in the world. Remember a little dictator and suppressor of human rights named Saddam Hussein? Who armed his forces and trained them, and basically helped him maintain his control of Iraq? Why gee, the United States of America. Why? He was anti-Russia and anti-Iran. So, it is fine to condone a despot, as long as it serves US policy. How about the problem in Somalia with the various warlords, who helped create them? Right again, the USA. That does't even get into past events in Central and South America. Castro is no angel, but then again, neither is the USA.

A lot of people think the US policies towards Cuba are outdated and more worthy of a bully than a country that considers itself The World's Greatest Democracy. Odds are if weren't for some of these policies Communism in Cuba would have gone the way of Russia. Instead, it gives Castro and the Cuban people something to point to, a cause to rally behind. Little wonder Castro has more popular support in his country than George W. Bush has in his own.

When it comes to Cuba, my country doesn't hold the grudge against it that the US does. We don't try dictating to them when dealing with them, or destroying them when we disagree. Just as we don't try telling other countries how they should deal with them, or try to punish them for having civil relations with them. Which is probably why if/when we have a problem with something they have done we can actually talk to them about it, voice our displeasure, and sometimes get results.

My hoping he is ok and not seriously ill doesn't mean that I condone any atrocity that was committed. Just like my agreeing with some US actions doesn't mean I condone everything they have ever done. I don't know whether you misunderstood what I said or not. It does seem to me like your hatred could blind you to reality though. Not to exacerbate things, but it does make we wonder if you are this upset with China and the weak US response to them over Human Rights? I don't see the Cuban-American community clamouring for China to be denied Most Favoured Nation trading status, being admitted into the World Trade Organization, or decrying the fact the US still trades with them.

Anyway, so much for a short response. :) You are welcome to your feelings and views on Cuba and Castro. Just keep in mind that no country or leader is perfect, and yes that includes Canada, and when it comes to human rights violations the US has a hard time taking the high ground. Feel free to reply to this as long as it is a discussion, and not just vitriol or rhetoric.

As always this is just ...

My 2 cents.

Flint

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:27 pm Click here to edit this post
Highlander;

Canada has baseball teams?

Highlander

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:34 pm Click here to edit this post
Sure does Flint, and Castro thinks you have the best!!!!! Now as for what I think........

Highlander

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:38 pm Click here to edit this post
I pretty much am in agreement with you Flint. But then again I am considered by most a bleeding hearted left wing liberal (a badge I wear proudly I might add). LOL

Grod

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:40 pm Click here to edit this post
I believe in the democratic freeworld where we enjoy different rights and freedom of speech - we should accept that other countries in the world make their own choices. Cuba may be deemed to have committed atrocities against some of their people, but Americans committed atrocities against Blacks, for that matter since the conversation is about Canada also. Canada has committed atrocities on their Native people.

No country is perfect and no country is less than perfect. All countries are struggling just to do the best they can in accordance with their beliefs.

Highlander

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:43 pm Click here to edit this post
You are right Grod. Even in a great Republic elections can be stolen. LOL. Now I am going to sneak away.

Flint

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 12:48 pm Click here to edit this post
I tend to be more of a centrist. Which is why I am considered a Liberal in Canada. In Canada, being a Liberal has a different meaning than in the US. It means being more of a centrist, trying to find what works and go with that, instead of being stuck on a right or left wing ideology. Whereas, in the US being a Liberal is sometimes seen as a dirty word. Although, when it comes to crime and punishment I am fairly right wing. :)

Bijoux

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 01:04 pm Click here to edit this post
Flint - you can also add the arming of the Taliban in Afghanistan to your list of US support gone astray.

Bijoux

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 02:48 pm Click here to edit this post
While the United States has made many questionable (at best) alliances, it is also in a thankless position. As an adult I've live in Europe and Africa and the prevailing attitude is that the United States, being the "strongest" nation has a duty to defend "weaker" nations. No one expects Togo to support Taiwan against an invasion by China or Malaysia to resolve the Congolese war. The Canadian foreign minister is just as qualified as the US Secretary of State to be sent to try and broker a peace agreement in Northern Ireland or the Mideast but I don't hear any world wide condemnation of Canada for not being in the forefront of brokering peace in Northern Ireland. There are many valid objections to US foreign policy (and Flint brought up many of them) but it's also a lot easier to stand on the sidelines and criticize decisions made by others than to be called upon to make hard decisions.

Wcv63

Tuesday, June 26, 2001 - 03:18 pm Click here to edit this post
Amen Bijoux.

Danzdol

Wednesday, June 27, 2001 - 07:13 am Click here to edit this post
Ok Flint -fair enough-I will agree to disagree...It's all good.....:)