Here’s what the news wires said:
Cuba shows first video of ailing Castro

The video, further evidence that Castro is recovering from surgery for intestinal bleeding about two weeks ago, showed a bed-ridden but alert Castro talking and smiling with Chavez on his 80th birthday on Sunday.

But here’s what someone who actually saw the video said:

Honestly, I have never seen anything like this before. At 6 PM this evening Cuban TV showed a video of the meeting yesterday between Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez with Castro and his brother Raul. The entire video lasts about 7 minutes and is a declaration of love by Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez to the Cuban dictator.

In the video he tells Castro: “This is the most important visit of my life. Even more important than when I went to visit my first girlfriend.” He grabs Castro’s hands and they hold hands like they were a couple in love. Then he tells Castro that he was trying to paint his picture to bring it as a birthday gift, but that he gave up because Castro’s nose was too difficult to draw. “It is a straight line and then it ends like a ‘tomatico’ (little tomato),” Chavez tells Castro.

Most of the video was Chavez talking. At the end, you could see that Castro was saying something but the Cuban TV played music on top of it and you could not hear what he was trying to say. Castro is heard saying a few words at the beginning of the video. He never gets out of bed and doesn’t even try to sit down.

If you’ve got Windows Media Player, you can see a clip on CNN.

Or, if you would rather see Fidel Castro in a Stroh’s beer commercial, just watch this:

(If you don’t see a video here, that’s because YouTube is down for repairs. Sorry.)

Following up on yesterday’s release of four dubious pictures, it seems the Cuban overlords have posted a whole gallery of new photos of Fidel Castro in a hospital bed. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez visited his chum, and the two shared what Granma called an “unforgettable afternoon between brothers,” engaging in “three hours of tender intercourse.” (Hat tip: Stef)

See the article: Tarde inolvidable entre hermanos
And the photo gallery: Tres horas de emotivo intercambio

WHAT’S WITH THE NOTE-PASSING?

The photos seem to show Fidel and Hugo writing notes to each other on a little tablet. I thought, perhaps Fidel was writing because he has lost his voice. But then, why is Hugo writing back? Has Fidel gone deaf too? Or perhaps they had secret matters to discuss, and couldn’t mention them aloud with Raul in the room.

WHO ARE THESE LITTLE FELLAS?

Behind Chavez on the nightstand, are two little figurines. I’m just wondering, who are they? One resembles Castro himself. The other looks like a red-headed Hitler. Just wondering, is all.

UPDATING TO ADD: So, I reckon the old scumbag might not be dead. To be fair, he did warn us just yesterday to “be ready to face any adverse news.” I’d say this qualifies.

DID YOU SAY YOU WANTED VIDEO? They aired video tonight.