Raul Castro takes the reigns in Cuba

Cuba attempted to whistle in the dark today, pretending all was normal on the first day in 47 years without Fidel Castro running the show. A Cuban official insisted Castro's final moment was "very far away," despite his handing over power to his brother after surgery.

Parliament Speaker Ricardo Alarcon said the Cuban leader is known for fighting to the very end and that his "final moment is still very far away," the government's Prensa Latina news service reported.

Raul Castro, the island's acting president, was nowhere to be seen as Cubans began to worry about what comes next and exiles in Miami celebrated a development they hoped signaled the death of a dictator. Cuban dissidents kept a low profile while watching for signs of Castro's condition.

Not everyone knows that Raul is the spooky one in the family. Don't bet on any riots breaking out while he holds the reigns of power. While Fidel will reason with dissenters first and then kill them, Raul apparently kills first and doesn't bother asking questions. . .

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