Fidel Castro Resigns

[Fash]

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080219/D8UTDPT00.html

HAVANA (AP) - An ailing, 81-year-old Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president Tuesday after nearly a half-century in power, saying he will not accept a new term when parliament meets Sunday.

The end of Castro's rule - the longest in the world for a head of government - frees his 76-year-old brother Raul to implement reforms he has hinted at since taking over as acting president when Fidel Castro fell ill in July 2006. President Bush said he hopes the resignation signals the beginning of a democratic transition.

"My wishes have always been to discharge my duties to my last breath," Castro wrote in a letter published Tuesday in the online edition of the Communist Party daily Granma. But, he wrote, "it would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer."

In the pre-dawn hours, most Cubans were unaware of Castro's message, and Havana's streets were quiet. It wasn't until 5 a.m., several hours after Castro's message was posted on the internet, that official radio began reading the missive to early risers.

By sunrise, most people headed to work in Havana seemed to have heard the news, which they appeared to accept without obvious signs of emotion. There were no tears or smiles as Cubans went about their usual business.

"He will continue to be my commander in chief, he will continue to be my president," said Miriam, a 50-year-old boat worker waiting for the bus to Havana port. "But I'm not sad because he isn't leaving, and after 49 years he is finally resting a bit."

Castro temporarily ceded his powers to his brother on July 31, 2006, when he announced that he had undergone intestinal surgery. Since then, the elder Castro has not been seen in public, appearing only sporadically in official photographs and videotapes and publishing dense essays about mostly international themes as his younger brother has consolidated his rule.

There had been widespread speculation about whether Castro would continue as president when the new National Assembly meets Sunday to pick the country's top leadership. Castro has been Cuba's unchallenged leader since 1959 - monarchs excepted, he was the world's longest ruling head of state.

Castro said Cuban officials had wanted him to remain in power after his surgery.

"It was an uncomfortable situation for me vis-a-vis an adversary that had done everything possible to get rid of me, and I felt reluctant to comply," he said in a reference to the United States.

Castro remains a member of parliament and is likely to be elected to the 31-member Council of State on Sunday, though he will no longer be its president. Raul Castro's wife, Vilma Espin, maintained her council seat until her death last year even though she was too sick to attend meetings for many months.

Castro also retains his powerful post as first secretary of Cuba's Communist Party. The party leadership posts generally are renewed at party congresses, and the last one was held in 1997.

The resignation opens the path for Raul Castro's succession to the presidency, and the full autonomy he has lacked in leading a caretaker government. The younger Castro has raised expectations among Cubans for modest economic and other reforms, stating last year that the country requires unspecified "structural changes" and acknowledging that government wages that average about $19 a month do not satisfy basic needs.

As first vice president of Cuba's Council of State, Raul Castro was his brother's constitutionally designated successor and appears to be a shoo-in for the presidential post when the council meets Sunday. More uncertain is who will be chosen as Raul's new successor, although 56-year-old council Vice President Carlos Lage, who is Cuba's de facto prime minister, is a strong possibility.

"Raul is also old," allowed Isabel, a 61-year-old Havana street sweeper, who listened to Castro's message being read on state radio with other fellow workers. "As a Cuban, I am thinking that Carlos Lage, or (Foreign Minister) Felipe Perez Roque, or another younger person with new eyes" could follow the younger Castro brother, she added.

Bush, traveling in Rwanda, pledged to "help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty."

"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy," he said. "Eventually, this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections - and I mean free, and I mean fair - not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as true democracy."

The United States built a detailed plan in 2005 for American assistance to ensure a democratic transition on the island of 11.2 million people after Castro's death. But Cuban officials have insisted that the island's socialist political and economic systems will outlive Castro.

"The adversary to be defeated is extremely strong," Castro wrote Tuesday. "However, we have been able to keep it at bay for half a century."

Castro rose to power on New Year's Day 1959 and reshaped Cuba into a communist state 90 miles from U.S. shores. The fiery guerrilla leader survived assassination attempts, a CIA-backed invasion and a missile crisis that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Ten U.S. administrations tried to topple him, most famously in the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961.

His ironclad rule ensured Cuba remained communist long after the breakup of the Soviet Union and the collapse of communism across Eastern Europe.

Castro's supporters admired his ability to provide a high level of health care and education for citizens while remaining fully independent of the United States. His detractors called him a dictator whose totalitarian government systematically denied individual freedoms and civil liberties such as speech, movement and assembly.

The United States was the first country to recognize Castro's government, but the countries soon clashed as Castro seized American property and invited Soviet aid.

On April 16, 1961, Castro declared his revolution to be socialist. A day later, he defeated the CIA-backed Bay of Pigs invasion. The United States squeezed Cuba's economy and the CIA plotted to kill Castro. Hostility reached its peak with the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

The collapse of the Soviet Union sent Cuba into economic crisis, but the economy recovered in the late 1990s with a tourism boom.

[Asheran Mojomaster]

Great, the guy needed to go though I don't know if his brother will be much better...and goddamn it Bush, stay the fuck out of there! And end the damn trade embargo! No reason we shouldn't be able to smoke a cigar from time to time if we feel like it.

[Canelek]

Sweet, now we can finaly build that bridge(sort of like the one between Denmark and Sweden).

[Toshira]

Thanks for posting without any personal commentary. It's nice to know I can just go straight to VV for HQ news instead of wasting time with those other crappy online sources.

[Aardor]

What was the point in continuing the trade embargo after the Cold War ended?

Thanks for posting without any personal commentary. It's nice to know I can just go straight to VV for HQ news instead of wasting time with those other crappy online sources.

Thank you for providing valuable content on this board.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Thanks for posting without any personal commentary. It's nice to know I can just go straight to VV for HQ news instead of wasting time with those other crappy online sources.

Go fuck yourself.

[Funkmasterr]

lol, toshira.. always cracks me up how people will not post here in months on end and come back to say something fucking stupid like that.

[Truant]

What was the point in continuing the trade embargo after the Cold War ended?

To cause Cuba's government to collapse so that we can try to set up a democracy.

[Aardor]

What was the point in continuing the trade embargo after the Cold War ended?

To cause Cuba's government to collapse so that we can try to set up a democracy.

I guess we just decided to start overthrowing them after that failed?

But seriously, what purpose did it serve...Has Cuba done anything "bad" since the USSR collapsed?

[Nick]

I'm surprised the pack rats of Mid/Funk etc etc aren't jizzing all over each others asses in glee over this one and instead have chosen to attack a board member who's been around this community about 10 times as long as they have.

[Sueven]

But seriously, what purpose did it serve...Has Cuba done anything "bad" since the USSR collapsed?

Depends on whether you consider "being communist" to be "doing something bad."

[Fash]

I'm surprised the pack rats of Mid/Funk etc etc aren't jizzing all over each others asses in glee over this one and instead have chosen to attack a board member who's been around this community about 10 times as long as they have.

I don't think anyone here really cares about Castro, and I've explained more than once why I will not always add 'personal commentary,' most recently in response to Miir.

and Nick, you're really one to talk... all you do is attack... and cry.

Besides, look at the account creation dates that are easily visible... Mid, Funk, Tosh, and myself all joined the same month... Tosh being the newest of the 4. So yeah he's been around 10 times longer, where longer means less, and 10 times means ~15 days. Here's a tissue.

[Aardor]

I'm surprised the pack rats of Mid/Funk etc etc aren't jizzing all over each others asses in glee over this one and instead have chosen to attack a board member who's been around this community about 10 times as long as they have.

What the fuck is up with you lately? You're becoming as much of a troll as those you attack.

They all registered within 8 days of each other, not to mention Midnyte is more famous (infamous?) in this community than Toshira, by leaps and bounds. Oh, and also Toshira was attacking Fash for posting an article that actually stirred discussion, because Fash chose not to voice his opinion on it.

[Sueven]

Although (not that this is AT ALL a worthwhile conversation) this community predates the existence of VV. Toshira was around back in the EQVault days. I have no idea if the others were or not.

[Aardor]

Although (not that this is AT ALL a worthwhile conversation) this community predates the existence of VV. Toshira was around back in the EQVault days. I have no idea if the others were or not.

Yeah, I thought of that, but how long did EQVault days exist before VV? Couldn't have been more than 3 years (1999 release of game, 2002 VV register date), so saying 10 times is absolutely incorrect, even if it was exaggeration. Also, I seem to remember midnyte being around during the EQVault days, at least. Also, wasn't the EQVault community much different than what the VV community has become (and has been for a long time)? I do not remember many current events posts on EQVault, but that was a long time ago, so I could be incorrect.

And yeah, this conversation is not worthwhile at all.

[Ashur]

His brother's older than McCain would be after his first term!

[Fash]

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id ... _article=1

WASHINGTON (AP) - Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said Tuesday the United States will not soon lift its embargo on Cuba despite Fidel Castro's resignation.

Asked by reporters at the State Department if Washington planned to change its Cuba policy now that Castro has stepped down, Negroponte replied: "I can't imagine that happening anytime soon." He declined further comment.

The centerpiece of American policy toward Cuba has been the economic embargo, first instituted in limited form in 1960 and strengthened in Castro persistently called the trade embargo "criminal," and claimed that its economic impact on the island ran well into the tens of billions of dollars.

In Rwanda, President Bush expressed hope that the end of Fidel Castro's presidency will launch a transition to democracy in Cuba after nearly 50 years of ironclad, communist rule.

Long a target of U.S. criticism and sanctions, the ailing Castro, 81, announced he would not accept a new term.

"What does this mean for the people in Cuba?" Bush said at a news conference during his trip to Africa. "They're the ones who suffered under Fidel Castro. They're the ones who were put in prison because of their beliefs. They're the ones who have been denied their right to live in a free society. So I view this as a period of transition and it should be the beginning of the democratic transition in Cuba."

Tom Casey, deputy spokesman at the State Department, expressed hope for change in Cuba, but said the U.S. remains skeptical.

"We would hope that the departure from the scene of Cuba's long-ruling dictator Fidel Castro would allow for a democratic transition. ... We would hope that his departure would begin this transition," Casey told reporters.

But he added that the United States is troubled by signs that Cuba's leadership envisions this as a "transfer of authority and power from dictator to dictator light—from Fidel to Raul."

Still, he said the Bush administration remains willing to help support the Cuban people in a true transition to democracy.

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Miami-area Republican who was born in Havana, said Castro's resignation was irrelevant because his regime had already "done great harm to the suffering Cuban people."

"It matters nothing at all whether Fidel, Raul or any other thug is named head of anything in Cuba," she said. "What the people want is freedom to vote in multiparty elections that are internationally supervised and freedom to express their dissent from the oppressive regime. The Communist machinery is enslaving them so it doesn't matter who the thug of the moment will be."

Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., who is of Cuban descent, said Castro's resignation "is not the cause for celebration that some would believe."

"This does not represent the replacement of totalitarianism with democracy. Instead, it is the replacement of one dictator with another," he said in a statement.

The Coast Guard, meanwhile, has not added any additional patrols in light of Castro's resignation, said Coast Guard spokesman Chris O'Neil.

O'Neil, speaking from Florida, said there have been no indications or warnings of a mass migration. "The threat has not changed," O'Neil said.

Bush said he anticipates debate about Cuba's future, and that some people will say "Let's promote stability."

"In the meantime, political prisoners will rot in prison and the human condition will remain pathetic in many cases," he said.

Bush noted that he had met with the families of some of prisoners, and that their release should be the first step of any transition to democracy.

"It just breaks your heart to realize that people have been thrown in prisons because they dare speak out," he said.

While Bush expressed hope for democratic change, Castro's decision appeared to position his brother, Raul, 76, to succeed him as president.

"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy," Bush said.

"Eventually, this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections—and I mean free, and I mean fair—not these kind of staged elections that the Castro brothers try to foist off as true democracy," Bush said.

"The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty," Bush said.

Back on topic.. the U.S. is holding out hope for a democratic cuba... I don't understand our inability to just let a country be and conduct trade with them. Why the campaign, emperor?

[Funkmasterr]

Although (not that this is AT ALL a worthwhile conversation) this community predates the existence of VV. Toshira was around back in the EQVault days. I have no idea if the others were or not.

I find it amusing that even a few posts were used to discuss it. I posted on eqvault for at least a year to a year and a half before VV, Not that I was surprised to see nick display his complete lack of real factual knowledge for the umpteenth time.

Castro is gone, this is a good thing, but as others stated his replacement may not be any better. I don't feel the need to go into detail about any of this because it's been common knowledge for decades.

[Nick]

^^^ You probably don't even know why your'e meant to dislike Castro: except that its been drummed into your thick head so many times you just do it to be in whatever classification retard version of neo-con zeitgeist is currently doing the rounds. (and no, I'm not pro Castro, but I'm substantially less Anti-Castro than I am Anti-Neo conservative US Administration - sue me - At least Castro can teach people how to read)

As for why I'm "trolling" Aardor (BTW, you clearly don't know the definition of trolling, since it would actually be "counter-trolling to the trolls who are consistantly on the intellectual level of pro-creationist/9/11 WAS A CONSPIRAXOR people") ...it's really simply not worth communicating with some of the morons I attack on any level beyond insult - they have proven time and again and beyond all doubt their inability to understand the difference between a logical argument and trite unintellectual bullshit, lack even the most simplistic level of rationality unless it directly involves quoting people like Ann Fucking Coulter, and finally, wouldn't be able to act with any common sense that isn't 100% self serving circle jerking even if someone had a gun to their head.

This mucky little group of cowardly reprobates can suck my fucking hoop to be honest. And if you, Aardor, don't like that, you're free to do the same whilst appeasing these little twats in an effort to be a bi-partisan poster/pussy until the board literally explodes from idiotic overload.

And for those who are brain dead enough to assume that I'm "just like them except on the otherside", you're simply violently misinformed and appear to have forgotten how to judge correctly, grats?

[Kilmoll the Sexy]

We should just build a bridge from Mexico to Cuba. BLAM! Two birds with one stone.

[Nick]

We should just build a bridge from Mexico to Cuba. BLAM! Two birds with one stone.

At least this is kinda funny

[Aardor]

You probably don't even know why you dislike Castro except that its been drummed into your thick head so many times you just do it to be in whatever the retard version of "vogue" passes for.

As for why I'm "trolling" (BTW, you clearly don't know the definition of trolling, since it would actually be "counter-trolling to the trolls", fuckhead)...it's really not worth worth communicating with some of the fuckwits here, they have proven beyond all doubt their inability to understand the difference between a logical argument and trite unintellectual bullshit, lack even the most simplistic level of rationality unless it directly involves quoting people like Ann Fucking Coulter, and finally, wouldn't be able to act with any common sense that isn't 100% self serving circle jerking even if someone had a gun to their head.

This mucky little group of cowardly reprobates can suck my fucking hoop to be honest. And if you, Aardor, don't like that, you're free to do the same whilst appeasing these little twats in an effort to be a bi-partisan poster/pussy until the board literally explodes from idiotic overload.

And for those who are brain dead enough to assume that I'm "just like them except on the otherside", you're simply wrong.

I think trolling would be attacking the poster (which both you and Toshira did) while not remaining on the subject posted (which both you and Toshira did), and also making up information (unless you want to back up your statement about how Toshira was 10x more involved in the community than Midnyte, Fash, and Funk). You're entirely right that it's not worth communicating with fuckwits here. I have one of those fuckwits on ignore for that very reason, it did not provide anything useful, and attempted to degrade any real discussion. I also agree with most of your reasoning as to why debating with them is futile.

However, I still don't see the point in flaming Fash for posting a news article that was supposed to generate discussion, especially when we have been over that worthless issue already, not to mention Fash does generally read the article, bold specific lines, and comment at the end. I further don't see the point in you defending the person who trolled them, with completely made up reasoning (unless you're going to argue with what we said about the history of VV and EQVault).

As to appeasing to these these "little twats," and being bi-partisan: I am pretty sure I have flamed and argued with each of the twats on different occasions (mainly Midnyte), and I don't understand how i'm being bi-partisan in this thread. If you mean about the Fidel Castro Resignation, from everything I have read, there is no real reason to continue on the embargo, and thus I asked about it on this thread (i.e. I currently have no stance, but I am leaning towards "the us has no reason to continue the embargo except for stubbornness"). If you mean being bi-partisan on the issue of people ruining the board with their garbage, I would have to say you're wrong about where I stand on that.

I also don't think you are just like them except on the other side. What I was saying is: in this specific thread, you are trolling like they do. Your counter-troll argument doesn't hold up (in this specific thread) because the they (and myself also) were counter-trolling a troll from a member who posts once every 5 months, and never on subject.

So in conclusion: counter troll them when they are actually trolling, and don't make shit up in your counter-trolling attempt. You are much too intelligent to do that.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

What was the point in continuing the trade embargo after the Cold War ended?

To cause Cuba's government to collapse so that we can try to set up a democracy.

I guess we just decided to start overthrowing them after that failed?

But seriously, what purpose did it serve...Has Cuba done anything "bad" since the USSR collapsed?

If their people could speak freely, you might be able to find out. Until then, I gues the fact that thousands of them risk death every year to leave Cuba and start a new life in the terrible US of A, might tell you a little something about Cuba. Let's all hope that a new regime will bring great change for Cuba and it's people.

[Fash]

So in conclusion: counter troll them when they are actually trolling, and don't make shit up in your counter-trolling attempt. You are much too intelligent to do that.

Except, he isn't. He can't even comprehend what discussion is anymore... We're all 'fuckwits' who aren't worth even talking to, because we don't feel exactly as he does. That's not discussion, agreeing with Nick all the time... Discussion is people coming from all sorts of different angles and perspectives on a topic, and talking about them. Nick is exactly the type of person who hurts this forum rather than helping it, aside from monetary contribution.

edit: and to call us cowardly is funny... here we are explaining our thoughts, and there he is calling us idiots and implying he knows everything we think and why. who is actually the coward here? who has added to the conversation and who hasn't?

[Noysyrump]

i think nick's off his meds.

seriosly where the fuk did all that come from?

i hate shift keys.

castro was bad because he sided with our enemy. period.

the cold war is over, castro is/will be gone, hurray. open border agreement would be nice.

call your congressman and let him know. that is after all what representation is all about.

count the CIV refrences.~

[Funkmasterr]

i think nick's off his meds.

seriosly where the fuk did all that come from?

i hate shift keys.

castro was bad because he sided with our enemy. period.

the cold war is over, castro is/will be gone, hurray. open border agreement would be nice.

call your congressman and let him know. that is after all what representation is all about.

count the CIV refrences.~

for real though its really funny to say that the people who continue to share their very unpopular opinions knowing full well they are going to get attacked about it every time sure are cowards they should all just fucking die because americans are mostly scum and fash midnyte and i are all perfect examples of exactly how bad america is i hope we all fucking choke on our tongues punctuation fuck punctuation i dont need it

[Nick]

fash midnyte and i are all perfect examples of exactly how bad america is i hope we all fucking choke on our tongues punctuation fuck punctuation i dont need it

I finally agree with the little dipshit.

Although in fairness, Fash isn't on the level of the other two. It has nothing to do with "differing opinions" - You see, back in reality, two opinions only hold equal weight when they both have a similiar level of logic applied to them, hence why I get pissed off at idiotic comments from people like Funk, who fail to think about a goddamn thing...ever.

[Funkmasterr]

fash midnyte and i are all perfect examples of exactly how bad america is i hope we all fucking choke on our tongues punctuation fuck punctuation i dont need it

I finally agree with the little dipshit.

Although in fairness, Fash isn't on the level of the other two. It has nothing to do with "differing opinions" - You see, back in reality, two opinions only hold equal weight when they both have a similiar level of logic applied to them, hence why I get pissed off at idiotic comments from people like Funk, who fail to think about a goddamn thing...ever.

See , you can't even make a true statement about something as simple as this. You are such an angry little prick that you don't even take a step back to get the scope of things. If you were to look at the few times I have actually taken the time to go into detail/site opinions/facts on why I feel the way I do - it is almost completely ignored, I think I have actually only gotten one response which was from sueven, and it wasn't a negative response.

So, then looking at it from my standpoint - when I just make quick remarks about the topic or completely off topic (there isn't any difference in the end result the two produce) I am attacked by angry little pricks like you, when I take my time to make a well thought out, long post it gets almost entirely ignored. So why bother reinforcing my opinions with facts for people like that? What benefit does it pose to me? Are you going to stop being an angry prick and making shitty, skewed, assholish comments left and right for no sound reason? More than likely not.

Take that however you want, nick. But even people that you are chummy with here have told me that you are young and angry and your comments usually reflect both of those characteristics. You are the stereotypical "I hate America" Euro dude and for that I have zero tolerance or respect for you from the jump.

The sad thing is I'm sure I'd get along with you if we were just doing something like playing EQ. I'm just not sure why you find it so necessary to be such a prick about everything, especially considering your logic is nowhere near as sound as you seem to think it is.

That being said, Castro was no where near as bad as some people make him out to be (and there has been far worse than him) but he was not good, and I am happy to see him go. I see no reason for the trade embargo to continue but chances are it probably will, it's been going for so damn long at this point I think change is unlikely, which is unfortunate.

I don't know how different his brother will really be, and I am more than sure that Castro will still have quite a strong influence on his brothers decisions as long as he is alive.

[Nick]

Well, I'll place a bet with you then - so you can put your money where your mouth is (and this goes for Midnyte too).

A flameless month long discussion about 6 things you or I feel strongly about.

3 things each.

Mine are:

1. The legitimacy of the Iraq war (from Oil to Fear and beyond) and the importance of acknowledging the dead victims of American imperialism.
2. Iran
3. Climate change - real or DEMORAT PROPOGANDA?!??!

You pick your 3 as well.

One insult, one slip up: and the contest is over and the victim of said insult awarded victory. (Offtopic posts in the thread are considered a slip up.)

There's no real loser, or winner, unless the insults occur, in which cases a year long avatar ownership (by the winner) + 6 month posting ban for the loser comes into effect. Although we can just allow the people of VV to vote, if they promise not to vote on a simple like/dislike basis of before the debate - the same forfeits could be applied.

If anything, it should clarify things for both "sides" (those with and without a brain) - at worst it will earn one of us a nice epeen pissing contest victory, at best you may learn something.

If you're up for it start a thread of your own choice.

[Funkmasterr]

Well, I'll place a bet with you then - so you can put your money where your mouth is (and this goes for Midnyte too).

A flameless month long discussion about 6 things you or I feel strongly about.

3 things each.

Mine are:

1. The legitimacy of the Iraq war (from Oil to Fear and beyond) and the importance of acknowledging the dead victims of American imperialism.
2. Iran
3. Climate change - real or DEMORAT PROPOGANDA?!??!

You pick your 3 as well.

One insult, one slip up: and the contest is over and the victim of said insult awarded victory. (Offtopic posts in the thread are considered a slip up.)

There's no real loser, or winner, unless the insults occur, in which cases a year long avatar ownership (by the winner) + 6 month posting ban for the loser comes into effect. Although we can just allow the people of VV to vote, if they promise not to vote on a simple like/dislike basis of before the debate - the same forfeits could be applied.

If anything, it should clarify things for both "sides" (those with and without a brain) - at worst it will earn one of us a nice epeen pissing contest victory, at best you may learn something.

If you're up for it start a thread of your own choice.

I need clarification before I agree:

1- Does this agreement go for all forums and all topics, whether started by one of the people bound by the agreement or not?

2- Are there any limitations/restrictions/expectations on how frequently we have to post in said topics.

3- Am I absolutely required to pick 3 topics (I know of 1 which matters to me that I think would be pointless for us to discuss which is religion, because I think we basically agree on it in general.)

Once I have this information clarified, I will agree to doing this. In the meantime I will ponder my 3 choices.

[Nick]

1. What forums are barred to you I leave to you - You can make it all forums or just CE.

2. Well, we have lives, so I don't think massive restrictions are feasible, once a week is probably enough, although one a week would go against the "spirit" of the joust.

3. 3.

[Funkmasterr]

1. What forums are barred to you I leave to you - You can make it all forums or just CE.

2. Well, we have lives, so I don't think massive restrictions are feasible, once a week is probably enough, although one a week would go against the "spirit" of the joust.

3. 3.

I'll agree on these terms:

1 - Lets make it all forums besides general (staying on topic there is a feat I'm not sure I am willing to tackle).

2- Ok

3- OK

As long as you agree to my forums restrictions I will have my 3 topics to you by sometime tomorrow morning (possibly sooner.) And I will do my best to start a topic related to one of my three or your three topics sometime tomorrow as well.

Edit: So for clarification, assuming I furnish my 3 topics tomorrow morning that would mean the contest starts tomorrow and is over March 20th.

[Nick]

Go for it.

[Boogahz]

How about someone just creates another forum to banish y'all to until the circle-jerk is over?

[Truant]

How about someone just creates another forum to banish y'all to until the circle-jerk is over?

because then people will cry about the fascist use of moderation and how VV liberties are being taken away.

[Boogahz]

How about someone just creates another forum to banish y'all to until the circle-jerk is over?

because then people will cry about the fascist use of moderation and how VV liberties are being taken away.

I was thinking about a forum nowhere near VV to begin with

[Dregor Thule]

WWCD?

[Aslanna]

He'd call someone fat. And spell it wrong.

[Zamtuk]

lol

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Raul Castro is not the agent of democratic transition hoped for by forward-looking Cubans. Fidel's younger brother, now 76 years old, has lived in the shadows of his flamboyant, domineering elder brother. Yet Raul has wielded immense political and institutional power since the Cuban Revolution took power in 1959. Raul has commanded the Cuban Armed Forces since 1959 and the security (intelligence) services since 1989, and he has shared in Fidel's leadership of the Communist Party, Cuba's only legal party. Cuba's 50,000-plus armed forces remain at the center of its command economy. Serving or former military officers direct an estimated 60 percent of Cuba's business and industry. The Ministry of Interior is still a world-class intelligence service and has become adept at confronting any form of dissent. There is no indication that Raul intends to dismantle any of these support structures.

The human rights situation has not improved since March 2003, when the government cracked down on the peaceful opposition and arrested 75 human rights activists, journalists, and opposition figures, sentencing many of them to prison terms ranging from six to 28 years. The U.S. Department of State writes the following in its 2006 "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices":

The government's human rights record remained poor, and the government continued to commit numerous, serious abuses. The government denied citizens the right to change their government. There were at least 283 political prisoners and detainees at year's end. Thousands of citizens served sentences for "dangerousness," in the absence of any criminal activity.[2]

[Nick]

So what you're saying is that Cuba somehow manages to have less hostages under their control than even the US has in Guantanamo Bay?

That is what you're saying right ? Because you obviously care about the well being of illegally held prisoners right?

Yeah?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

I'm trying to find out where anyone said any of the things you just went on a little hissy fit about and I couldn't find it.

[Kryshade]

Wow, nice tirade there Nick. Your attacks on people are coming across more and more desperate. I'm not sure how you view yourself compared to others, and I'm certainly not going to judge you from your ramblings on an internet message board, but you might want to step back a bit and take a deep breath. From my perspective, you've lost all sense of contribution to this board. I agree that at times Funk/Mid/whoever you choose to hate do come across as hard to understand/reason with at times, but your frustration with them is turning you into the same thing you hate on them for. (Your turning to the dark side Luke!). You rarely (lately?) contribute anything of value other than some hotheaded, profanity laden rant that only serves to further others beliefs that your an angry, pissed off youth. You claim intelligence and from some of your prior posts, I'll grant that you have it, however you throw that to the side in your efforts to oust those you dislike.

Take a step back and look at how your representing yourself lately. I know you'll probably respond with a big "I could care less what you think", but if you want to be angry and hate filled, at least don't let that stop your contributions to this board as you then become what you hate on people for - a worthless poster.

I understand that you don't like Funk/Mid, but at times they do contribute more than just hate and anger and at least post more information/opinion than how much they hate someone else or how wrong that person is.

Chill out a bit and ease up on the pissy attitude before you explode. I'd much rather see some more thought out and well presented opinions that you claim to possess than another fuck filled rant about how stupid others besides yourself are.

[Zamtuk]

I think nick misses kyoukan.

[Aslanna]

I know I do!

[Winnow]

Nick's posts make no sense at all anymore so I skip them. It's just random ranting with no valid points.

[Bagar-]

Nick's posts make no sense at all anymore so I skip them. It's just random ranting with no valid points.

Yet, you read Mid and Funk's?

[Funkmasterr]

1- Space development/research, important or a waste of money?

2- The U.S's role as the world police (should we continue helping/getting involved with conflicts around the world or keep to ourselves.)

3- I didn't have a third that you didn't already cover so - Religion - it's role/effects on society and government (up/downsides).

Also - if we are going to truly try and be civil about this, let's refrain from unfairly skewing things (like climate change - real or DEMORAT PROPOGANDA?!??!)

[Canelek]

He'd call someone fat. And spell it wrong.

[Zamtuk]

2- The U.S's role as the world police (should we continue helping/getting involved with conflicts around the world or keep to ourselves.)

Isn't that what Nick would turn every topic into anyways, regardless of topic?