There’s an article in today’s Miami Herald, “Recovering Cuban leader now writing for posterity” wherein experts ponder the significance of fidel castro’s new career as a writer.
Excerpt, my emphasis:
Nearly a year since he last stood before a throng of thousands for one of his usual hourslong speeches, Fidel Castro has found something to replace his podium: his pen.
Castro has written more than a dozen articles in the past two months, in what experts view as a move to position himself as an ombudsman of world affairs. More than half of his essays take on global energy issues such as ethanol, but they never tackle Cuba’s myriad domestic problems.
Others have been reflective or even melancholic. Some meander in incoherent directions.
Castro is writing for posterity now, experts say, creating a paper trail to show that though he’s still recovering from a life-threatening illness, he’s alive.
”You have to hand it to him. Above all, Fidel is a ham actor, and this is the corniest, longest-running death scene ever!” said Alfredo Estrada, author of Havana: Autobiography of a City. “It’s quite a show, but no one is applauding.”
Castro, 80, fell ill in July, handing over power to his brother Raúl after announcing that he required intestinal surgery. Since then, he’s been seen only in orchestrated photos and videos.
GHOSTWRITER DEBATE
The articles seem to be carefully sourced and researched and cite detailed statistics, suggesting help from his staff, experts said.
”I don’t think he’s the one writing them,” said Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a University of Nebraska Cuba expert. “They sound like the stuff coming out of the mouths of the energy analysts I met last time I was there. I’m also hearing the MINFAR [Defense Ministry] briefing.”
Other paragraphs, he said, ring of Castro’s son Fidelito, an energy expert.
Estrada disagrees: “If they’d been ghost-written, they’d be better crafted.”
Experts agreed that it matters little who writes them. What’s important is that Castro is trying to establish himself as a global thinker who is alert and aware of current affairs.
Let me get this straight; the articles are the only proof that fidel castro is alive but it doesn’t matter who is writing them? I think this Herald article unintentionally summarizes the bizarre relationship between castro and the media, the truth has never mattered, only the existence of fidel, their idol.
Read the whole sick thing here.
I just don’t get it. In January Mini-Me said fifo was “almost jogging.” In April Garcia Marquez said he was the same as ever and posed for a picture with him. Geez, I just don’t get why castro is being shy and has taken to writing. I mean, if the dude was “almost jogging” one would think he’d have made an appearance- at least on May 1st.
Why does the public swallow so much of this garbage?? Are they THAT stupid? Or are we just wayyyy smarter?
Claudia
The answer to your questions is: yes.
George:
heh, heh.
Claudia
Isn’t the Miami Herald great? That’s why I write for them. It’s less than two months before the 26th of July, when our glorious leader will make his reappearance at the Plaza of the Revolution after a one year absence. Just wait and see!
Marifea, I didn’t know you believed in ghosts, and believe me I predict that is the only sighting possible of your gory leader.
Claudia,
Mini-Me didn’t say that Castro was almost jogging, he said that Castro was RUNNING FOR MILES AND MILES through country fields at night! LOL! It sounded really bizarre! I mean, someone with so much energy should show up to at least one state function, right?
What really strikes though is how the mainstream media just accepts for a fact that these articles are written by Castro. I mean, this is the same hard-nosed, cynical and vicious media that will not think twice about eviscerating a republican president or conservative congressman, etc…, yet, they become little naives when it comes to the Cuban government’s lame stories about Castro writing blogs and editorials and not having time to be photographed because he hasn’t cut his beard in such a long time!