Gentleman Start Your Lighters!

Thats right, Cuban "President" Fidel Castro is bringing his half a century long rule to an end.

Ok, well he's not dead, but in his farewell address Castro told Granma (Thats the Cuban Newspaper), "I will not aspire to or accept the positions of president of the Council of State and commander-in-chief."

I guess he meant he would not aspire or accept it again... or... any longer... I mean... would you even consider what they do voting?

We go live to posts from across the blogosphere for coverage of this historical event...

Metulj from KnoxViews reports:
"By giving Castro menacing looks for 35 years, the American Conservative movement has brought down this evil dictatorship using the time-honored tactic of old age. Once again, a historical moment occurs under the steady hand of George W. Bush. Democrats reacted with horror as their ideal state has started to collapse to be replaced with big box retailers and market-based health care."

Thank you Metulj, perhaps now we will be able increase the inflow of cigars, rum, pajamas to the United States. Or at least, Wal-Mart will be able to open a half dozen new locations.

For more, we check in with Dane Bramage who reported:
"Fidel Castro announced that he would step down as ruler of Cuba today. The aging communist seized power before I was born (I'm 48). So he has been in charge of Cuba forever as far as I'm concerned. Well we can't have a dictator step down without some digs at the good ole U.S.A. I mean after all we need universal healthcare just like Cuba's. Nevermind that a U.S. system would have to cover 27 times the number of people Cuba's does. Cuba is a happy helthcare haven and model for the rest of the world to emmulate. Doesn't it bother anybody that part of the price Cubans paid for their "high level of health care" is their freedom? Is living under the boot of a dictator a good trade off? Can anyone raised in this country answer authoritatively?"

Ya know Dane... I don't think they do. Haven't you seen the movie Sicko? It seems that Micheal Moore and perhaps many other Americans would be willing to trade liberty for health care.

Finally, Celebrity Oops reports:
"Celebrity dictator Fidel Castro has finally stepped down as the fascist leader of Cuba. In a letter published in the middle of the night in the state run newspaper Granma (not to be confused with my Grandma or yo Mama), Castro stated that he was stepping down so that he could continue to smoke that big, fat Havana cigar and be taken care of by his wife, Dalia Soto del Valle. Castro has stated his desire to step down from ruling his cowering country with an iron fist because of health reasons. Could it be that the mysterious stomach ailment of two years ago has come back to haunt the haughty dictator? But, the people of Cuba are not singing “Ding dong the witch is dead” just yet. There is that Mini-Me brother Raul to consider."

So, will Castro's exit lead to change? Probably Not... but hopefully during the confusion we can get some Cigars across the border

Meanwhile on the other side of the world...

Pervez Musharraf today faced calls for his removal as president of Pakistan after as his political allies conceded defeat after being routed in parliamentary elections.

Supporters of Nawaz Sharif celebrate looming victory at the end of polling in Rawalpindi "The result also restored some faith in the electoral process as the poll was broadly deemed to be fair. Mr Musharraf's political survival now depends on his ability to forge a power-sharing deal with Miss Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, the co-chairman of her Pakistan's People's Party (PPP)."

As luck would have it...

The CIA recently took out Abu Laith al-Libi, a senior al-Qaeda commander and a man who had repeatedly eluded the CIA's dragnet. "Having requested the Pakistani government's official permission for such strikes on previous occasions, only to be put off or turned down, this time the U.S. spy agency did not seek approval."

I guess it does not matter who wins the elections... as obviously the United States still has full control of predator strikes within the country.

Also in the Middle East (or that general area)

It would appear that beggars, vagabonds and the mentally disabled are at risk of being used as human bombs. The country has decided to round up these people from the streets in Baghdad to prevent them from being used by insurgents. Apparently, the decision was made "after a series of suicide attacks, including two female bombers who struck pet markets in Baghdad on Feb. 1, killing nearly 100 people. Iraqi and U.S. officials have said the women were mentally disabled and apparently unwitting bombers."

I'm am sure the interview after their death confirmed that they did it entirely against their will.

And for something completely different

A church in Florida is challenging its members to have more sex... in fact, to have sex every day. Paster Paul Wirthof the Relevant Church, beliefs "the marathon undertaking could help cut high divorce rates."

I don't know about you... but I for one could always use more sex.