uhhhhhh... So, today Alarcón actually issued a statement that the rumors are not true. That's a little alarming, for a couple of reasons.

Eso (el rumor) no tiene ni pies ni cabeza. Él mismo ha hecho muchas bromas varias veces sobre que el día que sea verdad nadie lo va a creer, porque a cada rato sale el cuento ese. La única realidad objetiva que está ahí y que va a quedar para la historia es exactamente al revés, que Fidel Castro tiene ese privilegio: ser un hombre extraordinariamente saludable.

Rough translation: this rumor doesn't have any basis in truth...Fidel himself has often joked that when it actually IS true nobody will believe it because it has been untrue so many times before...the only REAL truth is that Fidel is very privileged to be a man of extraordinary health. Etc, etc.

Look, I realize that I'm extra paranoid and am perhaps looking for trouble...but coupled with Alarcón's recent erratic behavior, I can't help but wonder if this is a perfect example of the Homer Simpson doctrine. Remember the recent episode when Bart gets kidnapped by an overly-maternal monkey?

Marge: Where's Bart? I haven't seen him since you came home.

Homer: (amusingly indignant) Ohhhh! You haven't seen Bart for a few hours, so you AUTOMATICALLY assume I let something TERRIBLE happen!

Marge: I didn't say that!

Homer: I know what you think. When stupid Homer wasn't looking, Bart got kidnapped by a monkey!

Marge: (appalled) I would never think something like that!

Homer: And now I'm using sarcasm to confess the whole thing, so later I can say that I already told you!

Marge: (walking away) Sorry I asked.


I'm just sayin'. It's just a little suspicious is all.  ¶ 7:33 PM