By Paul HavenSource: Yahoo News, by Paul Haven

HAVANA – Fidel Castro told a visiting American journalist that Cuba’s communist economic model doesn’t work, a rare comment on domestic affairs from a man who has conspicuously steered clear of local issues since stepping down four years ago.

The fact that things are not working efficiently on this cash-strapped Caribbean island is hardly news. Fidel’s brother Raul, the country’s president, has said the same thing repeatedly. But the blunt assessment by the father of Cuba’s 1959 revolution is sure to raise eyebrows.

Jeffrey Goldberg, a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine, asked if Cuba’s economic system was still worth exporting to other countries, and Castro replied: “The Cuban model doesn’t even work for us anymore” Goldberg wrote Wednesday in a post on his Atlantic blog.

He said Castro made the comment casually over lunch following a long talk about the Middle East, and did not elaborate. The Cuban government had no immediate comment on Goldberg’s account.

Since stepping down from power in 2006, the ex-president has focused almost entirely on international affairs and said very little about Cuba and its politics, perhaps to limit the perception he is stepping on his brother’s toes.

Goldberg, who traveled to Cuba at Castro’s invitation last week to discuss a recent Atlantic article he wrote about Iran’s nuclear program, also reported on Tuesday that Castro questioned his own actions during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, including his recommendation to Soviet leaders that they use nuclear weapons against the United States.

Even after the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba has clung to its communist system.

The state controls well over 90 percent of the economy, paying workers salaries of about $20 a month in return for free health care and education, and nearly free transportation and housing. At least a portion of every citizen’s food needs are sold to them through ration books at heavily subsidized prices.

President Raul Castro and others have instituted a series of limited economic reforms, and have warned Cubans that they need to start working harder and expecting less from the government. But the president has also made it clear he has no desire to depart from Cuba’s socialist system or embrace capitalism.

Fidel Castro stepped down temporarily in July 2006 due to a serious illness that nearly killed him.

He resigned permanently two years later, but remains head of the Communist Party. After staying almost entirely out of the spotlight for four years, he re-emerged in July and now speaks frequently about international affairs. He has been warning for weeks of the threat of a nuclear war over Iran.

Castro’s interview with Goldberg is the only one he has given to an American journalist since he left office.

Comment by American Grand Jury:

In a rare interview given to an American journalist Castro acts like he is trying to seek redemption. Never going to happen. Castro is a “stone cold” killer. Cuba will remain in poverty as long as Castro is alive.

Ask a Cuban immigrant what they think of Castro? Hold your ears if you have sensitive feelings.

Socialism never works — maybe Castro could tell ZERO that! On second thought, what a joke that such would ever happen!

By James SimpsonSource: American Thinker, story James Simpson

Please note: this story is much longer and gives the author’s impression of the interview.. you should visit American Thinker if you want to read the entire article..

I only posted the interview portion — which is dynamite in my opinion:

Simpson: Colonel West, you did not sign Americans for Tax Reform’s Taxpayer Protection Pledge. How do you answer people who may be concerned that you are unwilling to commit to no new taxes?

West: As I told Grover Norquist, [President of ATR] On July 31, 1982, I took a pledge to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and have put my life on the line since then to demonstrate that commitment. Many politicians sign pledges then go to Washington and do whatever they want anyway. The American people need to elect candidates they can trust - people who keep their word. I have been keeping my word to the American people for over 28 years.

I am in favor of lowering taxes and reforming the tax code, preferably to a flat tax. I might also support moving to a national sales tax (the “Fair Tax,”) but only if the 16th Amendment were repealed first. Otherwise, the Fair Tax will just become another new tax.

Simpson: I agree. In fact I wrote an article against the Fair Tax back in 2006 when the idea was getting a lot of play. Many politicians would find the added revenues of a national sales tax too tempting if it were not first preceded by a repeal of the 16th. We would simply get more taxes. Do you believe our current tax system is unconstitutional?

West: I oppose the current “progressive” tax scheme. It contradicts the spirit if not the letter of the Constitution by seeking equality of results rather than equality of opportunity. It accomplishes neither. Instead it creates destructive class warfare, with an ever-growing dependent class feeding off an increasingly overburdened productive class. This is wrong. Everyone needs to have skin in the game.

Simpson: Can’t argue with that. Why do you believe the Democrats persist in promoting this class warfare?

West: As long as people have no skin in the game they will keep voting themselves raises, and the Democrats are all too willing to demonize the productive class to deliver those raises for votes. However, if the Democrats achieve their ultimate goal, they will not benefit the welfare class, despite all their rhetoric about saving the poor and oppressed. Their real strategy is to throw the country into Socialism, and that will be the downfall of this country.

Simpson: You have enthusiastic support from Tea Partiers. After that answer, it is not hard to see why. What is your opinion of the Tea Party movement?

West: The American people are smart. They get it. The Democrat agenda will turn this country upside down, and they know it. I know it too. I have read Alinsky, the Communist Manifesto, I know about the Cloward-Piven strategy.

Simpson: Wow. You may well be the only GOP politician out there who knows about these things, at least this is the first time I have heard a Republican politician mention them.

West: I don’t consider myself a “politician.” People are sick of politicians. I think we are called to be statesmen, leaders, and that is what I am. As a leader I have always believed it is important to understand history, tactics, etc. Sun Tzu said “…if you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a thousand battles…”

Simpson: Amen. You received 76.6 percent of the primary vote against your challenger, David Brady. Congratulations. I hold nothing against anyone who decides they want to seek public office, but it seemed to me he was tilting at windmills given your significant momentum in the race and national recognition. What was his story?

West: Brady didn’t qualify to get his name on the ballot until April of 2010. Despite no name recognition he was able to collect 4,742 signatures in March [Ed. note: 4,647 were required for Brady to have his name on the ballot]. He spent no money, never filed an FEC report and no one had ever heard of him. We think that perhaps the opposition was trying to distract us, but we handled it.

Simpson: You had a debate with Brady before the primary on the Joyce Kaufman Show. It drew some clear distinctions between yourself and your opponent, especially with regard to illegal immigration and the Arizona law. Can you talk some about your views on illegal immigration and Arizona’s SB 1070?

West: As I said then, I fully support the Arizona law and hope we can get a similar law passed here in Florida. Illegal immigration is about the rule of law. If we don’t have the rule of law then we don’t have a republic. Article 1 Section 8 and Article 4 Section 4 both talk about the federal government’s responsibility in repelling invasion, and that is what we have. We have to secure our borders. It is a national security issue. The number one language being learned by terrorists right now is Spanish, and we are finding prayer rugs and translation books all along the border. It is also an economic issue, a healthcare issue, an education issue and a criminality issue. But Obama and the Democrats think it is more important to get 12 to 15 million new voters than protect our borders, so it is up to us to take care of matters ourselves. The Tenth Amendment provides for this and I strongly support the Arizona law.

Simpson: I believe you also support making English the official language of the US, correct?

West: I do. Making American culture subservient to others is a dangerous consequence of political correctness. Multiculturalism is stripping us of our culture and American exceptionalism. When tolerance becomes a one way street, it leads to cultural suicide. English should be the official language of the US.

Simpson: How do you feel about Obama’s healthcare bill? Are you on board for repeal?

West: Yes. And if we don’t have the support necessary to repeal it then we simply shouldn’t fund it. I would support real reform, such as health savings accounts, more competition and liability reform.

Simpson: I believe this administration is engaged in a war with the American people, or more accurately, our Constitutional republican form of government. I believe all of their legislation is directed to that effort, in other words, there is nothing worthwhile in the legislation passed since President Obama was elected. Would you support repeal of other legislation, for example, the financial “reform” passed this July?

West: I would absolutely support repealing all of Obama-passed legislation.

Simpson: Now if we can only find 289 more Congressmen and 67 Senators of similar mind and backbone, we might be able to save the Republic. I won’t be holding my breath… What about criminal investigations? This administration has engaged in many activities that are questionable at best.

West: There is so much. We have seen stimulus monies earmarked for blue states, TARP monies showing up in foreign bank accounts, the administration providing taxpayer dollars to support a Soros-owned oil exploration company drilling off the Brazilian coast while he shuts down drilling in the Gulf… it boggles the mind.

I would support investigations into the many unconstitutional Czars this administration has appointed aimed at revealing the kinds of activities they have engaged in. I would support investigations into this administration’s interactions with Wall Street cronies, unions, ACORN and the SEIU.

Simpson: What do you think of Eric Holder?

West: Ever since he called America a “nation of cowards,” I have had no regard and no respect for the man. He is pursuing a nefarious “social justice” agenda, and, especially with regard to the Black Panther voter intimidation case, it is unconscionable what he has been doing.

Simpson: What do you think of this administration?

West: This administration, Reid and Pelosi are all about making people wedded to the federal government.

Simpson: What do you think of President Obama?

West: A community organizer is nothing more than a low level Socialist agitator and that is what we have sitting in the White House.

Simpson: Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Unfortunately time ran out before I could discuss Iraq, Afghanistan and other issues with Col. West. But his message is pretty straightforward. It resonates because he speaks the truth, powerfully, articulately and unapologetically. This is the kind of leadership America has been dying for, the same need that has inspired the spontaneous explosion of the Tea Party movement. As Col. West said, he is not interested in being a politician, but a statesman, a leader.

Godspeed Col. West.

For those interested, his website is www.allenwestforcongress.com.

Comment by American Grand Jury:

My kind of man. Allen West will make a great Statesman in Congress!

MP3 download is now available to replay the interview

Barry Farber conducted an interview with Lt. Col. Lakin and Paul Jensen, his attorney, on September 3rd. I just downloaded the file and listening to it now. It is very good.

If you would like to hear the interview go here and download the file. Right-click save it to a folder on your computer if you like.

Here is the website address:

SafeguardOurConstitution main websiteSource: Safeguard Our Constitution main website link

or, just click this link — direct link to the MP3 file:

Direct link to MP3 file..Source: Click this link — a download should start on your computer — Terry Lakin/Barry Farber interview

Comment by American Grand Jury:

The only issue that really concerns me is the argument by the defense attorney that BO’s “birth certificate” is all that is required to clear the matter up. Not so! The challenge to Obama is not his birth certificate, it is his citizenship. He is not a “natural born” citizen. The birth certificate would shed light on the fact that Obama’s father was not a US citizen which in turn proves BO is not natural born. The defense for Lakin needs to challenge this and I believe many knowledgeable people and legal minds have tried to tell Paul Jensen this. Yes, if they can get discovery it will open the door, but it does not by any means challenge Obama on the fraud whereby he usurped the presidency. Obama MUST prove “natural born” citizenship. THAT is the important challenge here.

Please go to this website and sign the Petition if you haven’t already done so. GrassFire Nation is a very large and well-respected Patriot organization. It takes only a couple of minutes — they don’t ask you for money — you can check/uncheck boxes to receive no return email if you wish.

GRASSFIRE NATION: Petition against the GROUND ZERO “Victory” MOSQUE

by Dr. Hal ScherzSource: WSJ, posted by Dr. Hal Scherz

Don’t believe Democrats who promise to fix the bill once they’re re-elected.

Facing a nationwide backlash, Democratic congressional candidates have a new message for voters: We know you don’t like ObamaCare, so we’ll fix it.

This was the line offered by Democrat Mark Critz, who won a special election in Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district after expressing opposition to the law and promising to mend it—but not to repeal it. As a doctor I know something about unexpected recoveries, and this latest attempt to rescue ObamaCare from repeal needs to be taken seriously.

For Democrats who voted for ObamaCare, this tactic is an escape route, a chance to distance themselves from the president with a vague promise to fix health-care reform in the next Congress.

To counter this election-year ruse, my colleagues and I at Docs4PatientCare are enlisting thousands of doctors in an unorthodox and unprecedented action. Our patients have always expected a certain standard of care from their doctors, which includes providing them with pertinent information that may affect their quality of life. Because the issue this election is so stark—literally life and death for millions of Americans in the years ahead—we are this week posting a “Dear Patient” letter in our waiting rooms.

The letter states in unambiguous language what the new law means:

“Dear Patient: Section 1311 of the new health care legislation gives the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and her appointees the power to establish care guidelines that your doctor must abide by or face penalties and fines. In making doctors answerable in the federal bureaucracy this bill effectively makes them government employees and means that you and your doctor are no longer in charge of your health care decisions. This new law politicizes medicine and in my opinion destroys the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship that makes the American health care system the best in the world.”

Our doctor’s letter points out that, in addition to “badly exacerbating the current doctor shortage,” ObamaCare will bring “major cost increases, rising insurance premiums, higher taxes, a decline in new medical techniques, a fall-off in the development of miracle drugs as well as rationing by government panels and by bureaucrats like passionate rationing advocate Donald Berwick that will force delays of months or sometimes years for hospitalization or surgery.”

We cite the brute facts of ObamaCare’s passage:

“Despite countless protests by doctors and overwhelming public opposition—up to 60% of Americans opposed this bill—the current party in control of Congress pushed this bill through with legal bribes and Chicago style threats and is determined now to resist any ‘repeal and replace’ efforts. This doctor’s office is non-partisan—always has been, always will be. But the fact is that every Republican voted against this bad bill while the Democratic Party leadership and the White House completely dismissed the will of the people in ruthlessly pushing through this legislation.”

Then we address the Democrats’ evasive campaign maneuver:

“In the face of voter anger some Democratic candidates are now trying to make a cosmetic retreat, calling for minor modifications or pretending they are opposed to government-run medicine. Once the election is over, however, they will vote with their party bosses against repealing this bill.”

The letter’s final lines are the most important:

“Please remember when you vote this November that unless the Democratic Party receives a strong negative message about this power grab our health care system will never be fixed and the doctor patient relationship will be ruined forever.”

This message is going out to an electorate that is already frustrated over what they see happening to health care. Missouri voters rejected ObamaCare overwhelmingly in August, voting by a margin of 71%-29% to reject the federal requirement that all individuals purchase health insurance. Democratic pollster Douglas Schoen has assessed that ObamaCare is “a disaster” for Democrats. And around the country many little-noticed primaries have reflected voter rage—including the Republican primary victory of surgeon, political newcomer, and advocate of repeal Daniel Benishek in Michigan’s first district.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration’s damage-control efforts have fallen flat. The latest round of pro-ObamaCare television spots targeting the elderly and starring veteran actor Andy Griffith have not only failed to move the polling numbers. They have caused five U.S. Senators to ask for an investigation of the ads as a violation of federal laws barring the use of tax dollars ($750,000) for campaign purposes.

America’s doctors have millions of personal interactions each week with patients. We have political power. And we intend to use it by working to defeat those who have disrupted and gravely endangered the best health-care system in the world.

Dr. Scherz, a pediatric urological surgeon at Georgia Urology and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, serves on the faculty of Emory University Medical School and is president and cofounder of Docs4PatientCare.

Comment by American Grand Jury:

Interesting. I am happy to see the Doctors take a stand on this. This sounds like a really aggressive way of getting out the vote AGAINST ObamaCare! Another good reason to “stick it to the Democrats” come 11-2010..