Fidel Castro announced that he is to stand down today. Yes, I know, you hadn't heard this under-reported bit of news that the liberal news media is keeping from you: Well I'm here to give you the skinny comrade!

Anyway, in t'Grauniad's coverage they say this:

"With the exception of monarchs, his resignation will bring to an end the world's longest reign in power."

Seems a bit of an odd exception to make, don't you think? "With the exception of other people who declare themselves rulers for life, he is one of the longest ruling rulers in the history of rulers and rulerdom"

But that's OK, clearly no one had time to think this through before it was put on the front page of a leading national newspaper.

The terrifying part comes later, when another man who has enjoyed years of supreme executive power despite not being elected to that postion spoke at a press conference in Rwanda, where he's currently showing his compassionate conservatism to better effect than it would if he had to stay in the US and sound like he could stand John McCain.

I think I have discovered the 4* most worrying words in the English language. As soon as you hear them, you know that large numbers of people are going to die, and you can't help but get a hollow feeling in the pit of your stomach.




"we're going to help."




*I'm not sure if contractions count as one word or two but I thought I'd go for the minimum. 

ETA: This is my new favourite picture!
 










Did Raul buy him that for xmas and make him promise to wear it?