International Herald Tribune: Excerpts from Castro's letter [...] For many years I have occupied the honorable position of President. On February 15, 1976 the Socialist Constitution was approved with the free, direct and secret vote of over 95% of the people with the right to cast a vote.

What a fuckin' loaded comment that is. Even so, it is a leader that out lasted nine Presidents - all of which he was able to annoy in some way - and never relented to external pressure from non-allies...

Gotta admire that kind of tenacity, even if you do condemn his politics and treatment of his citizens. Or not - makes you wonder if we'll be lifting an embargo any time soon.

Cigars and baseball players anyone?