[J m HofMarN]

My point with that, if you're failing to get it, was that presenting largely idealized situations based on our fantasies/hopes, while ignoring reality, is just not something that has a place in a debate. I don't believe it would be good if President Castro became a capitalist. You do. But since we're dealing with a wildly theoretical and impossible situation, there is nothing I can do to counter your argument.

If your thesis for Cuba's future involves the impossible, it's not a very good thesis. You're welcome to come tell me what Cuba should become under your certainly not US dominated new government, but you have to say how this will come about in logical terms, so that I can debate the point.

For instance, you can say "Cuban exiles should return and take over the centers of government, installing a new capitalist regime"

I can reply by pointing out that the slaughter of leftists and suspected leftists would be ridiculous. that US corporations would take over industries that once kept money in Cuba and begin shipping those monies and resources to the US, and that the US would be more likely to be able to keep their torture and execution facilities at Guantanamo going without nationalist pressure from Cuba.

But when you say "Cuba should become capitalist when Adam Smith sprinkles fairy dust on it" I cant really say much.

[Deucaon]

Even if Castro is a hardline socialist, I doubt he can manage Cuba's economy in the way his brother did much longer without outside help.

[J m HofMarN]

Upon what are you basing this assumption? Raul actually studied communism more fervently than Fidel, and he was the first of the brothers to become a Party member. Besides, one man doesnt manage the entire economy in a planned economic model. There is JUCEPLAN, SOCMIN, and various other ministries and comittees set up. The Cuban economy is pretty much unchanged despite the change in leadership, and even if Raul was somehow solely responsible for the economic direction of Cuba I think he's perfectly capable.