Obama just shook hands with RAUL CASTRO....

[MADem]

184. Yes, and I think they might still admire (a la Limbaugh) his ability to be tough and

have absolute power, they only wish he would exercise said power in the service of corporate interests. Because he doesn't do this, then he's baaaaaad. The same person, doing the same things, who lined up with the GOP economic worldview would be "excused" and even the lack of genuine franchise in the country would be explained away as "Oh, the people aren't quite ready for it yet." Or "They LIKE the system, it's representative enough...for THEM" (ironically, an excuse that is made even today by those who pretend Cuba is some kind of worker's paradise, which it isn't--they've got issues).

He was no choir boy, certainly. But then, most people who seize and are able to retain power aren't. Regardless, it's past time that we have some measure of conversation with our neighbor. It doesn't have to be "full-bore kumbayah" yet, I don't think anyone's quite prepared for that, but a measured and steady outreach and conversation would not go amiss. These two "Castro lads" aren't going to live forever (I do think they are the major impediment to change, for whatever reasons)--and we might as well know a few of the players when they do finally shuffle off this mortal coil. It will make it easier to fully normalize.