Fidel Castro resigns as President of Cuba. It is the end of an era, but not the end of totalitarian government in Cuba, as Fidel's brother Raoul will continue his family's rule of that island nation. Having said that, I will try to maintain my optimistic belief that all people desire freedom and that, as a consequence, the people of Cuba will someday throw off the yoke of totalitarianism.

The split among European nations widens over Kosovo. The Serbs and Russians refuse to recognize the move, while the U.S., Britain, Germany and others welcome Kosovo into the fold of nations. In the past a small spark in the Balkans like this one has been known to ignite a larger conflagration. We shall see if we have moved beyond such primitive practices.

President Musharraf's party loses big in the elections in Pakistan. I guess this means the elections weren't rigged, but now I bet Musharraf wishes they had been.

Here on the home front, Michael Barone has a state-by-state analysis of the upcoming Democratic primaries and caucuses. He believes there is a scenario for a Clinton victory. Ben Smith at Politico also believes Hillary can win. One writer thinks Hillary's last stand might be in Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, many in the feminist movement are vexed by the fact that Hillary is being beaten by a man who, they believe, has less substance.

Is John McCain the Manchurian Conservative? The headline compelled me to read the piece, and it's humorous style made it worth reading. At the Washington Post, Eugene Robinson believes McCain is the on the wrong side of nearly every issue of importance to the American people. Of course, that's why we have elections, so pundits can be proved right or wrong.