Castro sees Bush hand in bin Laden video

[mindfulNJ]

Cuban leader questions timing ahead of election


The Associated Press
Updated: 11:02 a.m. ET Nov. 18, 2004HAVANA - Fidel Castro says the emergence of an Osama bin Laden videotape just ahead of the U.S. presidential election seemed to have been “arranged” to help President Bush.
In his first public comments about Bush’s re-election, the Cuban leader said, “We have seen too much ... trickery and shamelessness to sustain the belief that this wasn’t something arranged.”

Speaking Tuesday on the communist-run island’s nightly televised “Mesa Redonda” discussion program, Castro added, “Bin Laden makes the documentaries that decide elections.”






http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6521189/

[pdx_prog]

1. Fidel ole' buddy....of course it was.....duh....

[shrike]

2. Hate to say it, but Fidel might be on to something

Never thought I'd live to see the day ...

[knight_of_the_star]

8. Ditto

I didn't think that I would be agreeing with Castro on anything, but wow I guess that day has come.

[Mika]

39. So, let's see

I didn't think that I would be agreeing with Castro on anything, but wow I guess that day has come.

So.. you disagree with high quality and accessible universal health care and universal education then?

[eowyn_of_rohan]

37. Right there in front of our faces...

Was it not the most nonsensical binladen tape yet? and it had sort of an inert, hollow ring to it... his mention of Bush reading the goat book stuck out oddly, seemed contrived. And all that blather about it not mattering whether we picked Bush or Kerry, it was up to the states...huh? I wondered if the "goat" part was to make it look like he was coming down on Bush, while the "state" part was to create confusion which might lead to fear, and fear would lead more to vote for bush than Kerry...

I wonder if that even was binladen. Other times I wonder if he and bush are in this together. :tinfoilhat:

[DIKB]

3. So much for all

the repugs that wouldn't let Michael Moore influence their vote, they chose to let Bin Laden influence it instead. Good for you. DUMBASSES !!!!!!

[gWbush is Mabus]

4. OBL is a CIA asset (IS, not WAS)

[ElectroPrincess]

10. Yah, his movements reminded me of seeing the Abraham Lincoln

mannequin presenting in a theater in Disneyland. <eg> Didn't that one hand raise up quite often and jjjeerrky?

FAKE! And not even a good one at that but the translators and talking heads were briefed to claim authenticity.

This stuff would be hilarious for us who happen to be well read and aware IF it were not true, i.e., we're becoming a Dictatorship. :(

[Carni]

35. I don't know if you are kidding...

But I am not kidding... when I say, that I believe, that he is one!

Truth is stranger than fiction and the Bush admin knows that the public will dismiss the obvious as tin foil.

[ElectroPrincess]

40. Nope, I concur with puddyTat ooops make that puddyCat

I believe that the whole enchilada was "created" and like our 2nd favorite terrorist "to hate" Zarkowi, Osama Bin Laden is DEAD.

Too funny how these neo-con freaks tend to revive these Terrorist Players from the Crypt when they need to *frighten* the sheeple. Damn, as a group we're Stooo-Pid. :P

No tin hat here - I'm a believer that these "Bogey men" have been created to give the populace a focus to vent their HATE.

[Surikat]

5. LOL!

I see Castro is getting a bit stir crazy after that fall he took a few weeks back. If he wasn't in a cast he'd probably be checking under the beds for counterrevolutionaries again.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. He still speaks English better than Bush

probably thinks a lot better too.

[George_S]

47. Or go to the zoo...

... and see if the chimps there are related. Maybe he was infiltrated.

[Blue_Tires]

7. can't argue with that

a lot of good this does us after the election, though

[donkeyotay]

9. It's true, Fidel, our gummit has very little credibility left

Consider that Saddam Hussein was, apparently, telling the truth, while our government was lying to us.

[puddycat]

11. Its possible the video was computer generated

With the extremely high tech programs available, I do believe its possible that the Bin Laden tape was a complete forgery, using a combination of real video and computer simulation.

[Goldmund]

12. So then, why doesn't the real Bin Laden...

...make a tape and say "that other tape was shyte" and drop it off at Al Jazeera?

[bif]

13. For a milti-millionaire, bin Laden sure has crappy video equipment

That's what I've always thought.

[Occulus]

41. Aren't his Saudi assets frozen?

On further thought- yeah RIGHT they are....

[ladjf]

14. He might be dead.

[Mokito]

16. Because, even when completely fake,...

it played in Bin Ladens favor.

[Goldmund]

20. So if that's the case,

why wouldn't he have made the tape to begin with?

[ElectroPrincess]

17. Sh*t ! IMHO it wasn't even a good simulation to the trained eye.

[bushisanidiot]

36. Yep, Forrest Gump Didn't meet JFK except on the big screen

I'm sure they could put "bin laden" in any setting they wanted and "translate" whatever he says into what they want him to say.

[Mika]

15. Do you think that Bush could handle a round table discussion on TV?

I've seen many of these round table shows in Cuba. When on the show, President Castro fields telephone questions from Cubans of all ilk. He does it with intelligence, style, and integrity.



Viva Cuba!

[xultar]

18. In the MOSH video when the background was pulled away from OBL

* & Dick were back there talking.

[alittlelark]

19. That image said it all

MOSH

[xultar]

26. I didn't notice it until the re-release with the new ending. Have you

seen MOSH with the new ending?

[Sequoia]

21. * needs Osama

and my CT mind always had a nugget of them two planning lots of things together. When Osama is no longer needed * will betray him and bring him in.

[truthisfreedom]

22. i think i saw osama in a grilled cheese sandwich...

but i ate it so fast that i can't be sure.

[Stinky The Clown]

23. Hahahahahahaha

Go Fidel, You tell 'em!

Hahahahahahaha

[murray hill farm]

24. Castro and the world!

The USA and the illusion of democracy and choice is believed only by those in the USA!

[bushisanidiot]

25. Did "Produced by KKKarl Rove" in the credits give it away?

er.. duh, Fidel!

[patcox2]

27. When the OBL vid came out, I was cursed, reviled, disparaged

For daring to suggest that it would boost Bush. Now it appears that it might have done so; at least, everyone posting on this thread seems to buy the logic of Castro's statement; if Bush was behind the video, why else would he do it but to assist in his re-election.

But you should have seen the cursing, the viciousness, the accusations that I was a freeper and stupid and negative, just for suggesting that the video would help Bush by energizing his followers, who at that time seemed pretty listless.

Back in the spring, their were numerous anonymous quotes in the press from Bush administration officials and campaign officials, saying that they were "certain" there would be another terrorist attack, and that this would guarantee Bush's re-election. The meme was "the american people won't be craven cowards like the spanish, we will re-elect our president."

Then, a week before our election, we get a supposed OBL video that reads like a Kerry endorsement. It breaks with the recent pattern of OBL tapes (there hasn't been video of OBL since Tora Bora). It stinks on ice, and Castro is probably right, this was what they pulled out of their hat when the attack they (the Bushies) were all hoping for didn't materialize.

No wonder they don't go after OBL (or hide the fact that they already have him); they need this bogyman to wave in front of the american people on occasion.

But back when it happened, noone here could bring themselves to see that it would hurt Kerry, and this willfull ignorance (born of understandable desire to see Kerry elected and denial of anything contradicting this desire) prevented the appropriate response. Kerry just went all wimp on the issue, said this is not a political issue, we all stand together on this one, a miniature replay of the democartic party's mass cave in 2001 and 2002, instead of going nuclear, screaming at the top of his lungs, this is why you should elect me, because this incompetent chimp can't even catch this guy.

Pitiful.

[Mika]

28. I guess that...

.. Castro is a freeper too. ;)


:hi:

[cliss]

29. The most important point about all this

is that we can't trust Bush and his government. No matter WHAT happens, in particular at a sensitive time like right before the election, everyone is going to be suspicious that it's some media ploy to play into Bush's hands.

Anything happens = more bush votes

That's how he's taught us to distrust him and his henchmen. Even Castro has no faith in him.

My thoughts:
I personally believe that Bin Laden wants to take down Bush. I read his entire speech. It's not rocket science. Bin Laden despises Bush and everything he stands for. He wants the US out of the muslim holy lands. Bin Laden timed his tape to give US voters something to think about. It was a very clear threat. = Vote this guy in, and suffer the consequences.

The Rotpublicans knew exactly what this tape meant, but they instantly turned it around to a "victory celebration".

[dkofos]

30. Maybe I should add Cuba to my list of places to move to.

I'm sure it can't be as bad as they say it is.

[smiley_glad_hands]

31. I'm not believing Castro's propaganda either.

Personally, I think Osama is still alive, is not a CIA asset, and will strike again. I don't think W is really up to the job of protecting our country. He is too willing to play politics with our national security, and that fact is what disturbs me about this administration.

On edit: castro is a sorry son of a bitch, and should just die. He is a dictator just like W wants to be, you cannot logically hate W and love castro at the same time. This is one of the reasons why redstaters can't connect to liberals.

[ElectroPrincess]

42. Yeah, I respect your opinion, but suggest that

TODAY Our "Dorothy" in the "Wizzard of Oz" would PRESENTLY exclaim,

"Todo it seems like we're in Kansas forever more!"

Yikes! Cracks me up ... dark humor rings true.

[Carni]

32. Castro is hip to Bush's crap because they are birds of a feather

I am sure Saddam could also tell us exactly how they rigged the last election --it takes one to know one!

[Mika]

38. Sure. Whatever.

"Castro is hip to Bush's crap because they are birds of a feather"
Posted by Carni

Brilliant. :eyes:


Everyone knows that President Castro led a revolution that was determined to end universal health care and education in Cuba. :crazy:

[CanSocDem]

43. No Kidding!!

"Brilliant.
Everyone knows that President Castro led a revolution that was determined to end universal health care and education in Cuba."

No Kidding!!

...and all those pre-emptive attacks on the Florida beaches. What a scoundrel!!

[Mika]

45. Don't forget about the booby trapped cigars Fidel sent 10 US preznits

n/t

[Carni]

51. So I guess you're saying Cubans have never wanted to oust Castro?

My point was that a dictator would understand the tactics of another dictator, but according to you Castro isn't a dictator?
(I know bush is one)

Whether Castro is a dictator, or not (and I really don't give a damn one way or another)you could try being at least semi-polite.

If your goal is to educate people regarding popular misconceptions about Cuba and Castro, then perhaps insinuating someone is a dumb ass isn't the best approach to take.

[Mika]

52. I guess that I could respond the same way as you

.. but, I won't.

Where did I say that anyone is a "dumb ass"?


I was just commenting that they (Bush and Castro) are not birds of a feather... and if you don't care if Castro is or isn't, it certainly is not reflected in your post where you call W and Castro "birds of a feather".

Sorry if you took my post personally.


:hi:

---

<polite mode = on>

Here are some of the major political parties in Cuba. The union parties hold the majority of seats in the Assembly.

http://www.gksoft.com/govt/en/cu.html

* Partido Comunista de Cuba (PCC) {Communist Party of Cuba}
* Partido Demócrata Cristiano de Cuba (PDC) {Christian Democratic Party of Cuba} - Oswaldo Paya's Catholic party
* Partido Solidaridad Democrática (PSD) {Democratic Solidarity Party}
* Partido Social Revolucionario Democrático Cubano {Cuban Social Revolutionary Democratic Party}
* Coordinadora Social Demócrata de Cuba (CSDC) {Social Democratic Coordination of Cuba}
* Unión Liberal Cubana {Cuban Liberal Union}

Plenty of info on this long thread,
http://www.democraticunderground.com/cgi-bin/duforum/duboard.cgi?az=show_thread&om=6300&forum=DCForumID70


http://www.poptel.org.uk/cuba-solidarity/democracy.htm

This system in Cuba is based upon universal adult suffrage for all those aged 16 and over. Nobody is excluded from voting, except convicted criminals or those who have left the country. Voter turnouts have usually been in the region of 95% of those eligible .

There are direct elections to municipal, provincial and national assemblies, the latter represent Cuba's parliament.

Electoral candidates are not chosen by small committees of political parties. No political party, including the Communist Party, is permitted to nominate or campaign for any given candidates.

--

Representative Fidel Castro was elected to the National Assembly as a representative of District #7 Santiago de Cuba.
He is one of the elected 607 representatives in the Cuban National Assembly. It is from that body that the head of state is nominated and then elected. Raul Castro, Carlos Large, and Ricardo Alarcon and others were among the nominated last year. President Castro has been elected to that position since 1976.

http://www.bartleby.com/65/do/Dorticos.html

Dorticós Torrado, Osvaldo

1919–83, president of Cuba (1959–76). A prosperous lawyer, he participated in Fidel Castro’s revolutionary movement and was imprisoned (1958). He escaped and fled to Mexico, returning to Cuba after Castro’s triumph (1959). As minister of laws (1959) he helped to formulate Cuban policies. He was appointed president in 1959. Intelligent and competent, he wielded considerable influence. In 1976 the Cuban government was reorganized, and Castro assumed the title of president; Dorticós was named a member of the council of state.

The Cuban government was reorganized (approved by popular vote) into a variant parliamentary system in 1976.

You can read a short version of the Cuban system here,
http://members.allstream.net/~dchris/CubaFAQDemocracy.html

Or a long and detailed version here,
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0968508405/qid=1053879619/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/102-8821757-1670550?v=glance&s=books

[NashVegas]

33. Funny How Fidel Points Out What Our Corporate Media Refused To

In all the handringing after November 2nd, how many commentators did you hear, or read, mention the video? Hmmmmm? No, they were hung up on morals.

[sabra]

34. Didn't a Bush Advisor Call the Video a "gift" for the president?

[Candide]

44. Walter Cronkite

seems to agree? mentioned it on Larry King

http://news.bostonherald.com/election/view.bg?articleid=51918

[celestia671]

46. Ooookay!

When Fidel Castro is calling the Bush regime corrupt, you know we're in trouble!

[Pacifist Patriot]

48. Wow, when a dictator deplores your suspected behavior...

you've really reached bottom.

[bunny planet]

50. Did anyone on this thread actually read the complete transcript

of this latest Bin Laden tape. We only heard a short piece of it here in the US media (what a surprise). The entire tape's transcript was much more damaging to Bush than the edited version. It didn't seem as if it was something the Bushies engineered because it was way negative for him, especially before the election. They had the complete transcript up on Al-Jazeera, I might have copied and printed it but I didn't bookmark the link.

[Pacifist Patriot]

53. I'm not commenting on the tape.

Just Castro's take on it.

[bunny planet]

54. that'll teach me not to read the whole thread through before posting.

Sorry!

[Pacifist Patriot]

55. Glad to see I'm not the only one who has done that. Cheers.

[Minstrel Boy]

49. "I like Fidel Castro, and his beard!"

- Bob Dylan, Motorpsycho Nightmare

And I do. So sue me; I'm Canadian.