When Castro dies, Miami will party like it's 1959

[caudio51]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/01/29/castro.party/index.html

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- A Miami official said his idea of holding an event at the Orange Bowl when Fidel Castro dies has been misconstrued.

"It's not a party. It's not going to be a conga line, I promise you," said Miami city commissioner Tomás Regalado.
"People are seeing this as the city pandering to a group of Cubans that want to celebrate Fidel's death and dance over Fidel's grave. That isn't the case."
The commission has approved the use of the Orange Bowl as an organized "gathering place" to help offset the chaotic street parties that have broken out when there is news about Castro's health's deteriorating, Regalado said.
Miami is home to tens of thousands of Cuban-Americans who have been very vocal about their desire to say goodbye to the 80-year-old leader of Cuba.
Born in Havana, Regalado came to Miami when he was 9 years old as part of Operation Peter Pan. Coordinated by the Roman Catholic Church and the U.S. government, it brought thousands of Cuban children to the United States in the early 1960s.
Castro came to power in 1959 after leading a revolution overthrowing Fulgencio Batista.
A place with meaning

The city of Miami owns the Orange Bowl, Regalado said, so taxpayers will pay no extra cost to host the event.
The city is already working with police to make sure enough law enforcement is in place to handle all the impromptu parties that will spring up.
"It's the responsibility of the city to direct people to one signature place, one safe place," he said. "People are going to celebrate and there's nothing we can do about that. All we want is a little order."
The Orange Bowl has special significance to Cuban-Americans, Regalado stressed.
President John Kennedy gave a speech in 1961 there promising a free Cuba. And in the 1980s, refugees stayed at the Orange Bowl who had arrived in Miami as part of the Mariel boatlift.
The commissioner said there will be a "platform" for speakers though none have been booked and he has no one in particular in mind.
He also said there will be musical performers but the entertainment would be more on the subdued side.
"The music could be hymns," he said.
Castro has not been seen in public since July 2006, when he handed power over to his 75-year-old brother Raul and underwent intestinal surgery.
Although the Cuban government has been tight-lipped about his condition, reports have indicated Castro has been struggling through complications relating to the surgery.
Those who have seen or spoken to him, such as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, insist he is recovering.

 

[goin' fer smoke]

And free cuban cigars will be handed out ot everyone!!!

 

[tobby4]

That is actually pretty funny that they would do it... Oh well

 

[Jwrussell]

Seems a little over the top to me, but what the hey. Hope they enjoy themselves. I'll just sit back and smoke me a nice stogie.

 

[caudio51]

Celebrations in third world countries usually are....

 

[cvm4]

I doubt it will play out like the way he thinks.

 

[CWS]

The are hoping to some what control the celebration. Good luck.

 

[caudio51]

They will certainly need luck

I hear gunfire into the sky, fires and looting.

 

[CWS]

The paper said they were not trying to tell people where to celebrate only trying to build a place to attract and organize. I think little havana will go berserk.

 

[caudio51]

I think you're right

 

[Rank_Tyro]

Maybe someone could clue me in a bit to Cuban politics?

Why is it the United States still has a trade embargo with Cuba? I know about the whole Cuban Missile Crisis thing, but that was a long time ago, wasn't it?

Now China, on the other hand, sent a couple of million soldiers into North Korea and pushed the USMC and the USA back to the 38th Parallel, killing and wounding THOUSANDS of Americans, yet we let them have "Most favored nation" status and trade with them.

What am I missing here? Help a brother out, if you can.

 

[cvm4]

China holds more of the US debt than Cuba. Also, Cuba can't produce cheap mini-toys for Walmart to buy.

 

[Greg]

Fidel will live another 10 years.

 

[MithShrike]

Not to mention that China and Russia weren't exactly friendly during the Cold War.

 

[RX2010]

China also has a billion people and good technology... not a good country to piss off

 

[Greg]

Anybody see that movie Weekend at Bernies?

That's what Fidel is, and might be for the next dozen years.

 

[CWS]

Anybody seen Mr. Lincoln at Disney World. Thats what I think Castro is today.

 

[cvm4]

Hah, I bet they'd love to do that.

 

[caudio51]

Anybody see that movie Weekend at Bernies?

That's what Fidel is, and might be for the next dozen years.

:rofl:

That's funny

 

[Boppa-Wasch]

Yep!!!!