[Doofy]

Ken plans Trafalgar Square street party to celebrate 50 years of Castro | the Daily Mail

Ken Livingstone is planning a "massive festival" across London to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution.

The event, to be staged in 2009, will involve street parties, sports venues and some of London's leading museums as well as the closure of Trafalgar Square.

Although the Mayor's office refused to provide budget estimates, it could cost up to £2 million.

The festival was agreed on the Mayor's controversial trip to Cuba last month. But Mr Livingstone's lavishing of public money to honour one of the last dictatorships in Latin America was condemned today.

"Forking out to celebrate a totalitarian regime is a choice that most Londoners will find bizarre," said Angie Bray, leader of the Conservative group on the London Assembly.

"The Mayor associates himself with some of the most odious people around and it's Londoners who are being asked to pay out. Sooner or later, there will be a reckoning."

Speaking at a recent public meeting at Central Hall, Westminster, Mr Livingstone said: "We've got the backing of the Cuban government for a massive festival to celebrate 50 years of justice in Cuba."

Just when I think I've seen it all, along comes something like this. Using tax dollar to celebrate a violent communist revolution which brought a tyrannical asshole to power in another country?



And what's even more weird is that I can think of at least one London NNer who will probably defend Livingstone's plans just for the chance of a pop at me and/or the article source.

[Dakar²]

This guy a registered communist or what?

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Dakar² 

This guy a registered communist or what?

His nickname is "Red Ken". So what do you think?

[Dakar²]

At least he's honest.

(But seriously, public funds for an event with no national significance?)

[macintologist]

Whatever.

The embargo should be lifted and anyone wanting to trade with Cubans should be able to. If Castro is the one embargoing his country from the outside, then he becomes the sole one to blame for their abysmal economic status.

[Pendergast]

That is one weird idea, and one really crazy mayor!

Unless he's looking for a lot of female latin dancers?

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by macintologist 

The embargo should be lifted and anyone wanting to trade with Cubans should be able to. If Castro is the one embargoing his country from the outside, then he becomes the sole one to blame for their abysmal economic status.

Oh come on, give credit where credit is due... ...don't forget Marx and Engels' contribution to the fantastic Cuban economy.

[lpkmckenna]

Mayorships the world over seem to be easy pickings for nut-bars, London clearly included.

[nath]

Originally Posted by macintologist 

Whatever.

The embargo should be lifted and anyone wanting to trade with Cubans should be able to. If Castro is the one embargoing his country from the outside, then he becomes the sole one to blame for their abysmal economic status.

edit: p.s. anyone visting north london would do well to visit Cuba Libre in Angel. Fantastic food and 2 for 1 cocktails between 5 and 8pm!

Cuba Libre & Havana Bar�London - Restaurant Review and Information

[subego]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

LondoNNer

Fixed.

[Blasphemy]

He's probably in tears over Saddam's passing

[Kevin]

I cried some. I admit it. But I am a big girl that way.

[moodymonster]

Livingstone - good for:

briefly sticking it to bliar (to the best of my knowledge in a non sexual sense only)

travelcards

bad for:

parties and stairs - BBC NEWS | UK Politics | Livingstone denies 'scuffle' claims

most other things