Fidel Castro announced his resignation from his “Maximum Leadership” role in a letter dated February 18, 2008, stating that he would no longer accept the position at Cuba’s soon approaching national assembly. This unexpected announcement comes two years after he ceded his power to his brother, Raul, in what was claimed to be “temporary” amount of time following several of Fidel’s surgeries. Cuba begins the process of selecting a new president this weekend at the National Assembly. Cuban spirits seem strong, many giving a fond farewell to their leader and others looking forward to possible new and long-needed changes in their government. There seem to be few to no fears of a governmental collapse. There has been no published response by the United States government despite the several assassination attempts that have been made in the past fifty years.
Castro’s resignation has several elements of news. It is timely because it happened this week. It has proximity because of Cuba’s location near the United States. It is prominent not only because it is an international public leader stepping down but also because it is a leader that has had a very turbulent relationship with the United States. It also brings about a chance for a change in a Communist government for the first time in almost half a century. It has impact on the people of Cuba as well as the people of the United States because with a new leader could come a lift of an embargo between the two countries (Newsday, p.A6, 02/20/08).
The most interesting story this week was a very local story that originates on Hofstra’s own campus. There was an article about the site in Queens that Hofstra uses as their archaeological excavation site and a speech to be given on the topic of Long Island slavery in honor of black history month. The site is focused on “giving a voice” to those slaves that worked on the manor as a representation of Long Island slaves. I found this interesting not only because my second major is Archaeology, but also because Professor Christopher Matthews was my favorite professor last semester. This article performs a service as well as having human interest because it announces a time at which those interested in the site can hear presentations and take tours of the excavation (Newsday, p.A16, 02/20/08).
Six dead in Nothern Illinois State Shooting (Newsday, p.A7, 02/16/08)… Texas and Ohio crucial to Democratic primaries (Newsday, p.A5, 02/15/08)…Bush refuses to put base in Africa (Newsday, p.A24, 02/21/08)…Missle hits dying satellite, unsure of success (Newsday, p.A22, 02/21/08)...Arrest made in fatal hit-run accident involving beloved Long Island doctor (Newsday, p.A5, 02/21/08).
