Instapundit is skeptical of fresh reports that the wicked Fidel Castro is about to become El Frito. It’s true, I guess, that they have all the time in the underworld for this murderer. On the other hand, it’s the rest of us, saddled with him in this world, who are impatient for news of his dispatch.

My mother gives lectures about pre-Castro Jewish life in Cuba, which she experienced first-hand, immigrating to this country in 1956. Her family had escaped pre-war Poland, leaving behind hundreds of relatives who did not. Thankfully, they got to Cuba before the fascist regime there starting pulling stunts such as the shame of the St. Louis (one the United States shares). These Jewish Labor Bundists toasted Castro when he fought Batista from the hills; but, utilizing the same radar they employed to get out of Poland in the early ’30’s, they got out of Cuba before the real trouble began. This time all the survivors came, with their “Guantamera” records and a strong attachment to their island home, but looking, and finally finding, safety, liberty and prosperity in America.

And that’s (in part) why I’m a conservative.

Castro was no Hitler, but it wasn’t for lack of trying. It’s mainly a matter of degree, when you’re comparing totalitarians. I’m sure they’ll have a lot to talk about, though. Hopefully, soon.

UPDATE: Naturally, here’s the spot to watch for news on this.

The Los Angeles Times says pretty much all the archives involving presumptive presidential heir Hillary Rodham Clinton’s work while on the White House staff are inaccessible till at least after the 2008 elections.

How convenient. Judicial Watch is suing the National Archive, which ignored its 2006 FOIA request. Now that is one to watch — and it’s a race against time. And who knows what else.

And copy it.

Interesting question: If you do that, will Cambridge Press — which is trying to withdraw the book from publication because of a UK libel suit — sue you?

They have the right to. But it’s hard to imagine that outcome would make Khalid bin Mafouz, the subject of the book, very happy. Perhaps it will work, however, if he becomes a Scientologist. Ach, that could lead to other complications. Via IP.

Not when it comes to open debate or, arguably, the First Amendment.

Shocking?

Ward Churchill has been canned because, according to the University of Colorado, his academic work was riddled with fraud. By all indications, no one cared until he compared the victims of 9/11 to Adolf Eichmann; but that fact should hardly insulate him for the academic crimes he did commit. Nor does that obvious statement mean his lawyer will not say the exact opposite, blaming The Man and his Oppression for dislodging his crooked mediocrity of a client.
And a perfect lawyer he is: We’re talking about one ACLU Special, David Lane (no, not this David Lane). Lane already threatened litigation over this slow-motion firing, which is hardly a surprise. For all his rhetoric, Lane — in interview after statement — resolutely avoids doing one minor thing: Actually rebutting the academic fraud charges in any way. Having neither the facts nor the law on his side, he will burden the taxpayers of Colorado by putting on a show of striking the table that will never end. Meanwhile, Churchill is probably set for life lecturing on the Moonbat Circuit.

Which, of course, raises a thought: As of tonight, there are no reports that Churchill, or his lawyer, had been dragged off to a concentration camp, subjected to torture or simply put down with a bullet to the neck. Based on that, Churchill’s glee that 3,000 “Little Eichmanns” were killed on 9/11 must be redoubled with his realization that that was all the Eichmanns there were. Incredible coincidence.

UPDATE:   More, much more, from NRO (via Glenn).