FIDDLING FOR FIDEL. Out of my sense of respect for those people suffering great loss, I didn't comment on the Castro situation in Cuba a few days ago . I'm sure you will all noticed how upset the BBC was at the news that one of their (non) American idols had exited stage left. But now that the grieving process has started in full the BBC is now rushing out contrived articles of pure PR such as "Castro relishes chance to rest"

The night before, I slept better than ever," he writes in Cuban Communist Party newspaper Granma, three days after announcing his retirement. My conscience was clear and I promised myself a vacation."

If you force yourself to read the entire article, it smacks of pro-Castro propaganda, finishing with a flourish - an attack on the USA. Losing Fidel has been a mighty blow to the US-hating communist-thug worshipping element at the BBC and I think Castro will continue to get very positive media treatment from his dear fans at the Beeb.