Many years from now, I wonder how the Left will describe North Korea’s Kim Jong-un when he passes away because from what we saw when Cuba’s Fidel Castro died, you’d think he was Mother Theresa. The Cuban dictator died early Saturday morning at the age of 90. His brother, Raul, on state television, announced his death. Moreover, President Obama showed us once again that he sees no evil…anywhere. Here’s the White House statement on Castro’s death:
At this time of Fidel Castro’s passing, we extend a hand of friendship to the Cuban people. We know that this moment fills Cubans - in Cuba and in the United States - with powerful emotions, recalling the countless ways in which Fidel Castro altered the course of individual lives, families, and of the Cuban nation. History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.For nearly six decades, the relationship between the United States and Cuba was marked by discord and profound political disagreements. During my presidency, we have worked hard to put the past behind us, pursuing a future in which the relationship between our two countries is defined not by our differences but by the many things that we share as neighbors and friends - bonds of family, culture, commerce, and common humanity. This engagement includes the contributions of Cuban Americans, who have done so much for our country and who care deeply about their loved ones in Cuba.
Today, we offer condolences to Fidel Castro's family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Cuban people. In the days ahead, they will recall the past and also look to the future. As they do, the Cuban people must know that they have a friend and partner in the United States of America.
Obama's statement on Fidel is so anodyne that it sanitizes his atrocities and terrible place in history pic.twitter.com/jeDhI9sDbS
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) November 26, 2016
Politico’s Marc Caputo noted how these remarks go out of the way to make sure no one was offended. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was even worse with his remarks:
“It is with deep sorrow that I learned today 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”.
“I know my father was very proud to call him a friend and I had the opportunity to meet Fidel when my father passed away. It was also a real honour to meet his three sons and his brother President Raúl Castro during my recent visit to Cuba.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends and many, many supporters of Mr. Castro. We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.”
Let’s not kid ourselves here: Castro was a brutal dictator and no one should be sad that he’s dead. Even ABC News’ Tom Llamas, whose parents fled Cuba, said that Castro “was a tyrant. He was a killer. He was a liar.”
People tend to get caught up w/ manufactured emotion when world leaders die. Nothing romantic about Fidel Castro's revolution or reign.
— Tom Llamas (@TomLlamasABC) November 26, 2016
The Miami Herald published a history of Castro, noting how the tyrant’s gains in certain areas of social policy are overshadowed by hos atrocious human rights record:
He ended American domination of the island’s economy, swept away the old political system and the traditional army, nationalized large and small land holdings and brought reforms in education and healthcare.He also was a ruthless dictator, the Maximum Leader who reneged on his promise of free elections, executed thousands of opponents, imprisoned tens of thousands, installed a Communist regime and made his island a pawn in the Cold War. His alliance with the Soviet Union brought the world to the brink of nuclear war in 1962.
[…]
His revolution made undeniable gains in education and health care, raising literacy and slashing infant mortality. But his critics note that other Latin American nations like Costa Rica made improvements, too, without sacrificing their economies or their civil liberties.
It’s okay to go the route of Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL) or Tom Cotton (R-AR), where both slammed Castro—with the latter pretty much saying that Castro is burning in hell. President Obama is incapable of describing members of the Islamic State as adherents to radical Islam. With this statement on Castro’s death, President Obama shows us how idiotic you can make yourself look when you shy away from calling things what they are to avoid hurting people’s feelings.