Castro denies Parkinson's diagnosis

[sabra]

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17285827%255E1702,00.html


Castro denies Parkinson's diagnosis


CUBAN President Fidel Castro has denied having Parkinson's disease, after a report that the CIA was sure he had the disease.

"I feel better than ever," Castro, 79, said during a three-hour speech at the University of Havana.

...

In the same speech, Castro scored Washington for the use of white phosphorus in Iraq and for reported secret prisons where terror suspects are allegedly subjected to torture.

"White phosphorus in Fallujah - - that is a weapon prohibited among international weapons," he said in the speech that marked the 60th anniversary of his entry into the Havana university.

[VegasRomigi]

1. Either way....

I don't think he has much longer to live. I mean the guy's like 80 years old almost. He'll be out of power within the coming decade.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

2. Thing is most of the fascist Cubans that hoped he would die...

are now dead themselves.

[IndianaGreen]

3. BBC: Castro mocks Parkinson's report

The CIA said that Fidel had Parkinson's. The CIA said that it does not have off-the-books torture facilities. The CIA said Saddam had WMD. The CIA lies all the time!

Castro mocks Parkinson's report
By Stephen Gibbs
BBC News, Havana

Cuban President Fidel Castro has portrayed as wishful thinking reports from the United States that he is suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

In a speech lasting over five hours, he said he felt fine and remarked that his ideological enemies had declared him dead on several previous occasions.

On Wednesday, a Miami newspaper said the CIA recently concluded that Mr Castro is showing signs of Parkinson's.

<snip>

In front of a group of Havana University students, Fidel Castro, looking fit and in good spirits, mocked the latest reports that he is suffering from a debilitating illness.

He said he had never felt better and although he did not issue an outright denial that he had Parkinson's disease, the fact that he stood and delivered a wide-ranging speech for several hours appeared to be designed to make a point.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4448048.stm

[Judi Lynn]

6. Fit as any 79 year old man will be, as it seems!

Castro made his point during a
trademark marathon speech

He looks very robust. He also has enough good sense to not dye his hair jet black like Ronald Reagan.



U.S. Congressfolks, governors, etc. have all spent time in Havana as his guests, and many of them describe long evenings lasting six hours, in which he speaks with them with great animation throughout.We used to get reports like this frequently before _Bush stole office and started trying to strangle all remaining interchange with Cuba.

[truthisfreedom]

4. it's weird that he's so normal after all these years.

i've seen video... and i have not seen any shakes.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Bush is the one with the shakes

and they are not Parkinson's related.

[Eurobabe]

7. Fidel, that's okay, our own pResident has DTs from

years of cocaine and alcohol abuse. At least yours is a medically induced conditions, don't beat yourself up.

[Mika]

8. I talked to a friend in Cuba last night on the phone, who said..

.. that Mr. Castro's speech was televised. My friend said that it was a blistering speech in praise of all Cubans in their compassion and dedication to worldwide aid & relief, to their unflagging dedication to the children of not only their own nation, but to other nations also. He then railed against BushCrime's imperialist warring, torture, and use of banned weapons especially on unarmed civilians and most horrifically - against children. His speech would be a much lauded post if it were to be put up here by a DUer. Mr. Castro started out slowly, with many considered pauses, but then true to form he started to gather momentum. I was told that his speech was, as usual, a work of carefully and patiently crafted art. Other than his age, he showed no signs of illness.

[Mika]

10. Follow-up link: Fit-Looking Castro Makes Appearance

Fit-Looking Castro Makes Appearance
http://www.wpbfnews.com/news/5354429/detail.html

HAVANA -- Fidel Castro is looking cheerful and fit, despite recent reports saying his health is failing.

The 79-year-old communist leader was seen at the University of Havana hugging and chatting with student leaders from Cuban colleges.

His appearance was part of a celebration to mark the start of Castro's law studies 60 years ago.

[brainshrub]

9. Castro is immortal. 300 years from now, he'll still be alive.

[Judi Lynn]

11. NBC's story on Fidel Castro's health:

By Mary Murray
Producer
NBC News
Updated: 9:30 a.m. ET Nov. 18, 2005


Mary Murray
Producer
HAVANA — Fidel Castro was in his element Thursday night. He not only had a room full of college students, his preferred audience, but lots of fresh material from his nemesis to the north to poke fun at.

A few days earlier, a U.S. official leaked an intelligence report on Castro’s health, suggesting that the aging Cuban leader suffers from Parkinson’s disease. A flurry of world press reports ensued, from Miami to London, quoting Havana watchers, who warned that an incapacitated Castro who held on to power would spell turmoil for the island.

Castro stood at the podium for more than five hours, his posture alone belying the CIA assessment that his health was failing. Lucid and animated, Castro exhibited no Parkinson’s symptoms of tremors or shaking. Instead, as the night wore on, the Cuban leader became more energetic.
(snip)

"They’ve killed me so many times," he joked. "They kill me every day. The day that I really die, nobody will believe me."
(snip)

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10096310/