Raul Castro and Barack Obama Shook Hands At Nelson Mandela Memorial

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U.S. president Barack Obama shakes hands with Cuba's president Raul Castro at Nelson Mandela's memorial service on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa

President Barack Obama briefly shook hands with Cuban President Raul Castro on Tuesday as the two shared a stage for the late Nelson Mandela’s memorial service in South Africa — and the Internet went crazy, with everything from genuine outrage and sarcastic needling with an occasional side of actual approval.

we know Obama shook Castro's hand…but what did he say to him?

— Jelza (@jelza_jf) December 10, 2013

Holy cow! #Barack #Obama shook hands with #Raul #Castro. I knew he was a #Muslim communist. I just knew it… #MANDELA

— Drazen Jorgic (@Draz_DJ) December 10, 2013

Obama shakes hands with Cuba's Castro. Obama shook hands with Hugo Chavez. But he didn't go to Margaret Thatcher's funeral.

— Razor (@hale_razor) December 10, 2013

Wondered why I woke up under Communism. Then saw that Obama had shaken Castro's hand.

— Matt Duss (@mattduss) December 10, 2013

All I'm saying is that Obama should have punched Castro in the mouth, screamed "Capitalism!!" and then eaten a Big Mac.

— William K. Wolfrum (@Wolfrum) December 10, 2013

Obama, Castro shake hands. And the right goes crazy in 3…2…1…

— Brandon Savage (@brandonsavage) December 10, 2013

I can't even imagine the outrage-gasm happening at Fox News right now over this Obama-Castro handshake

— Michael Cohen (@speechboy71) December 10, 2013

I still can't believe Obama and Castro greeted each other.

— Riky (@riccadoo) December 10, 2013

I mean really, what's this World coming to? Obama actually acted like a polite, respectful human being to Raúl Castro! Also, he should lead!

— J-S Poupart (@jspoupart) December 10, 2013

Obama shakes hand with President Castro. A reminder that this day belongs to #Mandela. Believe in #reconciliation. Believe in #freedom

— Donna Brazile (@donnabrazile) December 10, 2013

See how happy Raul Castro was for that Obama shake. Obama's charm is just too infectious.

— raphaEL (@iDURalph) December 10, 2013

These wicked scribes(MEDIA) want to persecute Pres Obama for shaking hands with Pres Castro. What are civilized people supposed to do?

— Sammie Muhammad (@eliznjloc) December 10, 2013

https://twitter.com/fhenriques/status/410370238505840640

Traitor. "@ThomasErdbrink: Obama shakes hands with Castro at Mandela's funeral today, pic.twitter.com/z8x4FNmbJb"

— Spoonman (@Michaelocalypse) December 10, 2013

One voice of reason was lost in the madness.

Yes, it is very exciting that Obama shook Raul Castro's hand. But not unprecedented. Clinton shook Fidel's: http://t.co/zZD9aFNkAx

— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) December 10, 2013

Time.com

Barack Obama

Here’s 14 People Freaking Out On Twitter After Barack Obama and Raul Castro Shook Hands