Cuba Libre? Not Yet, Amigo! Castro Survives; Millions Mourn
When word finally passed the lips of the communist regime in Cuba that Fidel Castro might be on his way to where his enemigos would like to see him go, Cubans in and out of the island nation celebrated. Then word began to trickle out of the party faithful that the damnable dictator survived colon surgery and the fiestas began to wind down like toy figures with batteries that are running out of juice.
The Cubanos long-cherished dream of Libertad Para Cuba would have to wait, in the lingo of the locals, until m?s tarde.
Imagine the bully man's feat. He rules for 47 years, during which all corridors to commendable behavior invite his circumspection. Yet, at or near the end of his opportunity to be the beloved founder of a free and prosperous nation, he ends up so loathed that millions erupt with glee at even the rumor of his anxiously awaited demise.
Of course, there are Cubans who adore the tyrannical assassin of many of his fellow countrymen, a number, we read, who even consider him the revered founder of his current country, dilapidated as it is, especially compared to how prosperous it would be as a freedom-loving vacation haven only 90 miles off the coast of Florida.
Among his most faithful admirers and lackeys, we find his squirrel-faced and evasive brother, Raul, who is now being touted as the man who, in the event of Fidel's final knell, can guide the isle with a sure hand toward a future as lamentable as his gonzo brother managed to make its last 47 years.
But, while we excoriate the heavy-handed dictator, let us take a moment to acknowledge one positive thing he has done, even for cynical reasons. He exported thousands of Cuban doctors to provide free healthcare in underdeveloped nations.
But did it primarily because, in his own words, which he let fly this July, "These programs make us stronger, since it is not easy for the empire to destroy a people giving back vision to millions of Latin Americans." Notice the swipe at the US, which, if it wasn't for Fidel's folly, would be the island's principal benefactor.
We must also note that the majority of the shock docs are in Venezuela, which in turn ships Cuba about 98,000 barrels of oil a day for cheap.
Meanwhile, George Bush, dismissing the confrontations his precipitous shoulder-to-the-wheel-of-change expostulation might precipitate, affirmed, "The United States is committed to supporting the Cuban people's aspirations for democracy and freedom.... We will support you in your effort to build a transitional government in Cuba committed to democracy, and we will take note of those in the current Cuban regime who obstruct your desire for a free Cuba."
When will the man learn you can't move the world toward anything like you move earth with a spade, in this case, the queen of spades, or the card of death?
On the other hand, maybe the would-be foilers of Fidel's regime who look on cautiously within the anachronistically communist isle, will be able to make their sentiment effervesce into a new national spirit.
But, until Castro finally lights up his final cigar, we're afraid the free spirit of the isle will remain under the heavy butt of its widely demonized dictator.
Till the reliably lauded day the last ash falls from his stogie, it looks as if, shaky as Fidel's grip is, the communist regime subservient to him will somehow remain in power.
But hope springs even at the sight of the rising smoke rings. Obviously, Fidel is not well, and the time cannot be that far distant when he goes his buried way.
Then perhaps there will be an electrifying movement, in and out of the ill-dominated isle, toward Cuba libre! Cuba libre finalmente!
Then we might all pack our swimsuits and pop over to enjoy the first vacaciones of our lives in a land that, not so long ago, was home to American revelers and anglers, most famously, Ernesto Hemingway.
Or, in terms of the hope that may finally allow us to make our ways there, our first opportunity to to enjoy some tiempo libre! And, given how hard most of us labor in the land of the gringo in these frantic and troubled times, we could all use some tiempo libre finalmente
Critics have called his writing "delightfully funny," "witty," with "great humor and ebullience" and "good, genuine laughs."
Computer In The Shop? What Do You Do Now?
Have you ever had one of those days when you just feel like something is missing? ? something just doesn't feel right? like you should be doing something but you can't remember what? Well, I had one of those days recently? my computer was in the shop for a minor repair. Ahhhhh! What was I going to do? Ok, so I planned to take my computer in for the repair. Then I would go shopping for my daughter's birthday present and have lunch with my husband. But, that still left half a day. No problem.
That was taken care of as my phone continued to ring even without my computer there. But, the whole time I felt like something was missing. Why are we so dependent on our computers? Why do our routines feel completely out of whack if we don't have our trusty keyboard and mouse?In today's high tech society, a computer is a common site in most homes and nearly all businesses. Everyone and his brother has access to these electronic lifelines and most depend on them to help run their lives smoothly.For...
Computer In The Shop? What Do You Do Now?
Batteries > Computer In The Shop? What Do You Do Now?
It?s That Time of Year Again When Many of Us Wake up Wondering What the Weather will be Like Today. Let Edmund Scientifics Help You Take the Guesswork out of Forecasting to Ensure That You and Your Loved Ones Are Safe and Warm this Winter.
(ContentDesk) November 14, 2004 -- Winter is fast approaching and along with it, the uncertainty of what Mother Nature has in store each day. Have you ever woken up curious about how to dress yourself or your kids, turned on the local news and discovered that the weather segment just ended? Or look outside and see the sun shining just to walk out the door and into to unexpectedly cold temperatures? Yes, ?tis the season for weather uncertainty. Though the typical image of winter is one that includes a snow-covered town somewhere in the north with smoke blowing out of every fireplace, winter certainly means something different to every region of the US. It can be a very calming and beautiful time, but it also has the potential to create some problematic situations. Regardless of the typical winter climate, it is certainly a time to be prepared.
With this in mind, Edmund Scientifics has recently added even more products to its line of weather equipment (
It?s That Time of Year Again When Many of Us Wake up Wondering What the Weather will be Like Today. Let Edmund Scientifics Help You Take the Guesswork out of Forecasting to Ensure That You and Your Loved Ones Are Safe and Warm this Winter.
Batteries > It?s That Time of Year Again When Many of Us Wake up Wondering What the Weather will be Like Today. Let Edmund Scientifics Help You Take the Guesswork out of Forecasting to Ensure That You and Your Loved Ones Are Safe and Warm this Winter.
Back to School; Time to Recharge
The back-to-school shopping is done.
Brand new pencils, colored markers, and notebooks fill my daughter's back pack.
I've cleaned off the refrigerator in preparation for the new onslaught of pictures and class notices.
School's started.
She is excited to be back amongst her friends.
I find myself in the everyday routine of waking up in the dark, fixing breakfast and packing lunches.
Even though my daughter is old enough to drive herself to school this year, I still rush out the door behind her dressed in sweat pants and no makeup.
After a quick work out and a shower, my work day finally begins.
It's good to be back in the routine.
But, back-to-school is also time to recharge the parenting batteries.
The kids are gone until at least 3:00.
The house is quiet.
I actually get some work done for the first time in 3 months.
I've signed up for an art class at the local university.
Batteries > Back to School; Time to Recharge
DXG Makes Move to Take Leadership Position in the Sub $300 Digital Camera Market by Adding Two New Products to Family Line -- Company Maintains Aggressive U.S. Growth as Cameras Continue to Rise in Popularity Among Retailers and Consumers
CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA
August 31, 2004 -? DXG USA, an emerging U.S. brand for digital cameras and one of the world's largest digital camera designers and manufacturers, today announced it continues to grow above first year projections in units shipped as the company's digital camera product line grows in popularity among retailers and consumers.
The latest additions to the DXG product suite include the palm-sized DXG-301V video camera and the DXG-328 ultra slim camera.
With a company focus on the sub $300 market category, DXG now has one of the largest lines in entry-level digital cameras with eight product choices below a street price of $200.One of DXG's newest additions is the compact DXG-301V.
The video camera rivals cameras selling for hundreds of dollars more making it extremely attractive for the casual or amateur videographer and snap-shot taker.
It's the first camera on the market for under $500 featuring 3.2 megapixels using CCD-based...
DXG Makes Move to Take Leadership Position in the Sub $300 Digital Camera Market by Adding Two New Products to Family Line -- Company Maintains Aggressive U.S. Growth as Cameras Continue to Rise in Popularity Among Retailers and Consumers
Batteries > DXG Makes Move to Take Leadership Position in the Sub $300 Digital Camera Market by Adding Two New Products to Family Line -- Company Maintains Aggressive U.S. Growth as Cameras Continue to Rise in Popularity Among Retailers and Consumers