Comments on: Fidel Castro Steps Down, Raul Moves In http://newcentrist.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/fidel-castro-steps-down-raul-moves-in/ History, Politics, Society, Cognition Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:19:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Roland Dodds http://newcentrist.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/fidel-castro-steps-down-raul-moves-in/#comment-4054 Roland Dodds Sat, 23 Feb 2008 10:34:33 +0000 http://newcentrist.wordpress.com/?p=618#comment-4054 Like a lot of folks, any kind of change in one of the last remaining Communist nations brings with it hopes for real democratic change. Raul’s history doesn’t inspire me to believe he will do anything remotely liberal, but I also recognize that some of the biggest reforms to Communist societies in the past were made by dyed in the wool adherents. I will continue to hope. In related news, this is how <a href="http://www.babalublog.com/archives/007467.html" rel="nofollow">CNN coached its anchors to treat the Castro’s resignation</a>: “Please note Fidel did bring social reforms to Cuba – namely free education and universal health care, and racial integration. In addition to being criticized for oppressing human rights and freedom of speech.” Like a lot of folks, any kind of change in one of the last remaining Communist nations brings with it hopes for real democratic change. Raul’s history doesn’t inspire me to believe he will do anything remotely liberal, but I also recognize that some of the biggest reforms to Communist societies in the past were made by dyed in the wool adherents. I will continue to hope.

In related news, this is how CNN coached its anchors to treat the Castro’s resignation:

“Please note Fidel did bring social reforms to Cuba – namely free education and universal health care, and racial integration. In addition to being criticized for oppressing human rights and freedom of speech.”

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