Dictators and Longevity

Published on August 13, 2004 By Stroughzer In Current Events

There's an article in USA Today about Fidel Castro, saying that he could live to be 120 years old. Is it just me or do cruel oppressive dictators seem to live long and happy lives while the common man gets screwed? Some highlights...

"HAVANA — There's a good chance that Fidel Castro, who marks his 78th birthday Friday, could keep going for another 40 years, the Cuban leader's personal physician says.

"It is very possible to live to 120," says Eugenio Selman Housein, the doctor closest to Castro. And Selman says reaching that remarkable age is something that even average Cubans can achieve. The key, he says, is preventive care and attitude. "If you think you can reach 120 years of age, then it's possible," he says.....

Anna Alverez, 78, lives in a modest apartment near Havana's main university. She supplements her $8-a-month pension by teaching Spanish to foreign visitors. She groans at the thought of living to 120. "We can barely live now," she says.

Alverez would not be a good candidate for the 120-Year Club because of the importance it places on attitude. Cuban officials say the same revolutionary zeal that has driven nearly five decades of socialism can overcome the ravages of time."

Comments

kingbee

on Aug 13, 2004

this just in. francisco franco is still dead

historyishere

on Aug 13, 2004

Are you going to tell a dictator they aren't going to live a long time? I certainly wouldn't.

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