George W. Bush was predicting — or praying for — the death of Cuban president Fidel Castro yesterday. At an appearance at the U.S. Naval War College, Bush said, “One day, the good Lord will take Fidel Castro away,” to a cheering audience. According to the Washington Post, Dubya seemed to realize that this was an unsavory remark and began saying “No, no, no…” A White House spokesperson later said that the President was commenting on “an inevitable event”.

As was to be expected, Fidel had something to say about this little comment. In an article published yesterday in Cuba’s Granma newspaper, Castro wrote:

“…the spokesman of the White House National Security Council, Gordon Johndroe, when asked whether Bush was hoping for Castro’s death, replied: “The President was speaking about an inevitable event.” It would appear that the brilliant official and his boss are going to live for thousands of years.

Now I understand why I’ve survived the plans laid by Bush and the presidents who ordered my assassination: the Good Lord has protected me.”

I’m not sure why the Bush administration insists on making statements that only allow their foes — Castro and Hugo Chavez for example — to strike back and bolster their support among Bush haters.

Via / Washington Post and Granma.cu