Like many news stories, the most interesting aspect of Castro's death isn't his life (most of us know about Castro and have firm opinions on him), but rather how people have eulogized him.
First, a basic eulogy...
Reuters:
U.S. President Barack Obama in a statement on Saturday offered his condolences to Fidel Castro's family and added that history would judge Castro's impact on Cuba and around the world.
"At this time of Fidel Castro's passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people," Obama said.
"History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him." Obama added that during his presidency he had worked to "put the past behind us," while working on a future that was built on those things that were in common.Fairly tasteful and diplomatic. Nothing to see here folks.
But then we go north of the border...
CNN:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's tribute complimenting Fidel Castro as "remarkable" and a "larger than life leader who served his people" drew criticism and derision.Apparently, Trudeau wasn't the only Leftist in mourning...
Commentators viewed Trudeau's statement as gushing and tone-deaf -- one that ignored the Cuban leader's human rights abuses and record of political oppression. It inspired parody tributes with the hashtag #TrudeauEulogies.
In his statement, Trudeau expressed "deep sorrow" after learning of "the death of Cuba's longest serving president."
"Fidel Castro was a larger than life leader who served his people for almost half a century. A legendary revolutionary and orator, Mr. Castro made significant improvements to the education and healthcare of his island nation."
"While a controversial figure, both Mr. Castro's supporters and detractors recognized his tremendous dedication and love for the Cuban people who had a deep and lasting affection for 'el Comandante'."
Heatstreet:
The Black Lives Matter movement has come out in support of Fidel Castro, following his death on Friday, saying they must “come to the defense of El Comandante” and thanking him for safeguarding Assata Shakur, who’s on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list.
The movement penned an article on Sunday titled “Lessons from Fidel: Black Lives Matter and the Transition of El Comandante” on the Medium platform where they eulogized the passing of the Cuban dictator. The article, which was not bylined, was Tweeted out by the closest thing there is to an official Black Lives Matter account and also posted on the movement’s semi-official Facebook page.
The article claims Castro’s death has caused “an overwhelming sense of loss, complicated by fear and anxiety.”
“Although no leader is without their flaws, we must push back against the rhetoric of the right and come to the defense of El Comandante,” it added.
The article continues by portraying Castro as a model freedom fighter, who Black Lives Matter should strive to follow and emulate. It said: “As Fidel ascends to the realm of the ancestors, we summon his guidance, strength, and power as we recommit ourselves to the struggle for universal freedom. Fidel Vive!”
The movement then thanked the Cuban dictator for hiding criminals and domestic terrorists from the U.S government, such as Michael Finney, Ralph Goodwin, and Charles Hill — who hijacked an airplane from Albuquerque while being sought for the 1972 murder of New Mexico State Trooper Robert Rosenbloom.In summary, we have Obama taking advantage of the situation for diplomatic gain, Trudeau playing the "useful idiot", and Black Lives Matter showing they are actually rebels, not protesters.
This is important to notice because it separates BLM from the Civil Rights movement of Martin Luther King and into the realm of communist revolutionaries like Castro. "Universal freedom" is a communist dog whistle for "enslavement to the state". To groups like BLM, there are no criminals when they disapprove of the state, like the U.S. But all is forgiven when the state is Leftist, like Cuba.
On the other hand, some people are just idiots...
Miami Herald:
Please click on the link above to read this editorial about writer Armando Salguero's confrontation with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick over Fidel Castro, from last week (prior to Castro's death).
Fortunately, Kaepernick paid for his stupidity:
Miami Herald:
Armando Salguero's follow-up to the editorial above is a satisfying "Kaepernick got what was coming", where a second-generation Cuban playing linebacker in Miami had a great game against Kaepernick, as San Francisco was dealt their 10th consecutive loss.
Kaepernick reminds me of the old Billy Joel song Angry Young Man:
Give a moment or two to the angry young man
With his foot in his mouth and his heart in his hand
He's been stabbed in the back, he's been misunderstood
It's a comfort to know his intentions are good
And he sits in a room with a lock on the door
With his maps and his medals laid out on the floor
And he likes to be known as the angry young man
...And there's always a place for the angry young man
With his fist in the air and his head in the sand
And he's never been able to learn from mistakes
So he can't understand why his heart always breaks
But his honor is pure and his courage as well
And he's fair and he's true and he's boring as hell
And he'll go to the grave as an angry old man
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