Viva Fidel!

[poliphilo]

OK, I hate dictators, but allow me this one little inconsistency: I have a weakness for Fidel.

I like the way he's stood his ground against the superpower that's been breathing down his neck for the past half century.

And I like it that he's something like a real socialist.

And then there's the aesthetics of him. The beard, the cigars, the cap. That guy knows everything there is to be known about being an icon. In a world full of bland, image-conscious, be-suited politicians, he's the only world leader still standing who's full-flavour and caffeine-rich.

Comments

[akirlu.livejournal.com]

I have a weakness for Fidel.

I know what you mean. And, fwiw, he's one of the few holdovers from my childhood, when titans walked the earth. Most of the iconic figures are gone now, replaced by undistinguished suits who mostly exemplify the banality of evil. Castro is still a broad stroke kinda guy.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

To be a world leader is to have blood on your hands. Fidel is no exception, but....I like his style.

[four-thorns.livejournal.com]

i agree. i sort of prefer his openly dictatorial style to bush's buck-passing of responsibility for the bloodshed in iraq and his behind-the-back subversions of due process.

[idahoswede.livejournal.com]

I gotta agree with you as well, especially for the refusal to bow down and kiss U.S. butt, but it is about time for a bit of a make-over, fashion-wise. YOu know, a little Grecian formula for those grey hairs, some trimming around the brows, maybe another color - olive green is SO harsh to ageing skins.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I don't think he's going to be with us much longer. And then his brother- a dull looking little 75 year old takes over. It won't be the same.

[upasaka.livejournal.com]

Despite having known a fair number of cubans who came to the USA for political refuge, I have to agree with you. Fidel is genuine, if nothing else. The rest of today's leaders all seem plastic by comparison.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

He has a political vision and he's pursued it without deviating.

[solar-diablo.livejournal.com]

I suppose one might look on him as a colorful figure in the way you never would Hitler or Stalin, since his influence in the world is limited and the number of people who've suffered and died under his regime don't come close to the Nazi and Soviet horrors.

He's fortunate to have been of little strategic value to the US after the missile crisis effectively isolated and neutered him, allowing him to remain the tinpot dictator of a economically destitute island all these years.

Sorry, I know this post was tongue in cheek. It's just that Castro seems rather the opposite to me: a bland anachronism who was incapable of doing little real harm to anyone but his own people, and so was allowed to linger.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to defend the Cuban regime. I know my feelings about it are steeped in lefty romanticism and probably bear little relation to the reality on the ground.

But the legend is powerful and rather beautiful and, as the editor in the John Ford movie said, when truth collides with legend, print the legend!

[qatsi.livejournal.com]

I do find it distasteful the way Cuban ex-pats are reportedly dancing on his grave. I understand that they might not shed many tears when the time comes, but I find it difficult to believe that Castro doesn't enjoy some degree of popular support in Cuba. After all, he's survived being in charge for more than 50 years.