DramatistDreamer

People have been brushing off a lot of what Castro said even before he stepped down in 2006. His criticisms of Obama, he said them but his heart wasn't really in it. Even he knew that time marches on and changes had to happen, which is why he was pretty silent on the opening of diplomatic relations, the embassy and lifting restrictions on travel to and from the island, looking the other way while Cuban families opened business on their properties (which technically was illegal). Castro has a complex legacy and I knew personally that many Cubans (in Cuba) are disillusioned in the failure of the Revolution to live up to its ideals but many also take a dim view of the exile community who they worry are lying in wait to usurp the land and make it another Miami. It is also true that Cuba and Castro is revered in other Caribbean countries for what they see as promoting pan-Caribbean solidarity and standing up to what they see as an imperial power. Like @AdelaideCate007 mentioned, many people saw his stance against apartheid as not only championing the cause of the oppressed underclass but also putting the U.S. and Great Britain under a microscope for their hypocrisy in supporting the apartheid regime, even in the face of calls to divest itself of South Africa. Ironically, Castro also went to the Dominican Republic to help with the effort to vanquish another dictator, Rafael Trujillo (ever heard of him?) who was slaughtering Haitians and Dominicans in droves (mostly Haitians). In my family, there are Cuban trained doctors and Cuban trained doctors have the highest regard, so highly that President Obama praised them in how they dealt with the ebola crisis in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The U.S. government was roundly criticized when it was discovered that they were trying to poach Cuban doctors in the middle of a health crisis. Castro could be ruthless and brutal in the way his regime dealt with detractors and enemies- both real and imagined. Even as HIV+ patients got better care than what many got in the U.S., many were locked away for years in sanitariums. And many speaking on behalf and part of the LGBT community were dealt with as harshly as the pro-democracy advocates. The sad fact is also that the U.S. unfortunately, enabled the Batista regime before him and that eventually paved the way for Castro's entry into the Cuban political arena in the first place. The Batista regime was utterly corrupt and so disliked that when Castro and his band of fighters rode into Havana, they were welcomed with open arms by the people. It would be more than a year before people actually began to question Castro's political agenda. Prior to Obama (only Carter was the exception), U.S. leadership only strengthened Castro's hand by giving him an excuse to rule with an iron fist, claiming to be a little island going up against a mighty imperial power, casting himself as a pugnacious underdog. Perhaps if other U.S. presidents had approached Cuba the way Obama did, Cuba would have had no other choice but to do likewise. Who knows? I'm sparing a thought for the people on the island who are cautious of what the future will bring. I'm side eyeing people who voted for Trump (who has despotic dreams) but rail about Castro's fiery speeches and suppression of personal rights and freedoms. The same people who try to repeal Roe v. Wade every single year. I'm also reminded that as long as Castro lasted (is it 10 U.S. Presidents come and gone?), he in fact is still just a mortal man and passes away like any other mortal man.

Yesterday, I watched a couple episodes from 1988 just as Margo ran off after she discovers that she's pregnant with Hal's kid and I couldn't help but think Taylor might have come in handy story-wise. I recognize the complaints about Taylor coming off as a bland blueblood which really makes me question the logic of how she and Casey could have possibly gotten together in the first place, given their personalities. Having Shannon and Tom dance around each other didn't do much for me though. There never seemed any possibility of it going anywhere romantic. They always seemed destined to remain helpful, platonic friends-this aspect had an air of unchangeable inevitability about it. As bland as Taylor might have been, there was the possibility, at least, of her roping a vulnerable Tom into a relationship. Margo even recognized this when she was still with Hal but drawn to Tom. It's pretty much what pushed her back in Tom's direction (remember the "Tie" scenes?).

That is a funny picture. All I can say about that image is... one hustler recognizes another hustler. So now I'm reading that Trump has stock in the company that is building the Dakota Access pipeline!! Yes, that Dakota Access pipeline that is drawing the protests. It just gets worse and worse.

Some interesting and valid points being presented here. A good summary of the reasons why the two sides cannot connect and what must be sorted out. Bernie Sanders — and many Democrats — keep confusing identity politics with tokenism

Jill Stein Can’t ‘Guarantee’ Money Will Go to Recount, Changes $$$ Goal Who didn't see this coming?

It would've been great to see a variation on this theme for Bob and Kim with subtle tweaks here and there to update the theme and make it fresh. It's truly a shame that the soaps never learned to do this. They always seemed to believe that in order to modernize the show, they had to throw away what came before, even when it worked effectively.

Speaking of disagreements within, supposedly there is a split between those who want Romney and those who want Giuliani as SOS. Who the hell wants Rudy?!

So apparently Trump is dodging his security briefings. Trump turning away intelligence briefers since election win I also read that the UN is trying to make the case for the U.S. not to be the defacto 'head' of the organization come January after Trump is sworn in. Regardless of German elections, I wouldn't be surprised if Merkel's name pops up as an alternative. The word is that while in Peru, many world leaders came to President Obama concerned about the U.S.' place of leadership because of Trump. I think Trump's wild unpredictability bolster's Angela Merkel's case, whereas she previously may have been on shakier ground but other nations will want some sort of predictability and stability. Everyone may not particularly care for Merkel or Germany's lean toward austerity (which I've read that Germany has been re-thinking lately) but leaders know what they are going to get with her, and they may now crave a greater sense of predictability.

Wow, speaking of Thanksgiving and Bob's toast/speech, this one is a real apt one, considering the year we're having and just coming out of this horrid election season. Pretty decent episode but if you only have time to listen to the speech, start at around 36:38.

...and we were just talking about Madison Keys too. Madison Keys Splits From Thomas Hogstedt Following ‘Personality Conflict’

Isn't Amway a kind of pyramid scheme though? I used to respect Ben Carson's "Gifted Hands" until about 8 or 9 years ago, when I became convinced that he had self-lobotomized himself and it all went wrong somehow.

So Hillary Clinton's lead in the popular vote now exceeds 2 million!

I don't think his hair is bad at all.

I wonder if some of this year's honorees are breathing a sigh of relief that they're getting in this year and won't be at risk for being called under the next President. Especially Bruce Springsteen who Republicans love to use his music as a symbol even though Bruce has made it clear that he does not stand with them. Chris Christie must be weeping that it was Obama that is honoring him, instead of a President from the GOP.

I tried to get rid of that gif and it won't go away. Writers use supercouples to prop characters, especially when they have no story planned for one or both characters. I think shows believe they can build excitement despite having nothing interesting in store other than the same formulaic fodder. It is quite lazy. I've seen fans fall for it too. Not on this messageboard but years ago, there was one messageboard, in particular (I won't mention the name), as soon as a casting or spoiler was released some posters were already creating scenarios and starting 'stan wars' assuming who the new character was "for", who he/she would be paired with. I'd be like "Can we get so-and-so a story first?" Gosh.

I thought about it too @Toups especially with all those hacking and DDoS incidents, I had a nervous feeling about voting this year.

By the way, Nate Silver thinks it's 'probably BS'.

ITA. I've been preaching this for years.

People are this G*ddamn stupid?? Fake news gullibility run amok! This Pizzeria Is Not a Child-Trafficking Site

@ReddFoxx People I know would say, "God don't like ugly!" and Duke is ugly on the inside and out. Funny how life works out that way.

Where's my Hillary Bailey Smith? Thanks for posting @DRW50 I wish it were longer. I need Roger Newcomb to start doing some roundtable discussions with these ATWT alums. I bet a Kickstarter would be pretty successful, fans could get a longer form discussion with some "meat". Really Colleen? That was her favorite ATWT story?! Both Ellen and Martha cited their favorite times being during the Marland years. Martha just put it out there "We were a team...we had fun". Speaking to the heart of the matter. This really makes me crave more of something like this-- no major network show, just some ATWT actors on a couple of sofas talking about their characters and the show, discussing specific storylines with a single camera, uploaded on the Internet. I'd love to hear from some writers, especially from those Marland years and maybe Maria Wagner who directed for many years. I feel like after all this time, the actors, writers and directors would be more forthcoming. Serve wine, it'd be even better.