Is Castro really alive and well as he's been portrayed in the media?

(This is not the first time I've wondered....)

Fausta Wertz has been doing some fascinating digging, and there's a detailed analysis at Pajamas Media. In particular, French media watchdog Philippe Karsenty makes a compelling argument that there is no proof Castro is alive, and that the "evidence" may be a rehash of old photos and videos showing him with Hugo Chavez.

Here's why I'm inclined to agree with Karsenty and Fausta. I think if Castro were really alive and well, there'd be no need to debate whether the videos were faked or the photos photoshopped. It would be a simple matter for Castro or the Cuban authorities to allow someone to see him.

And I mean someone with credibility, not Hugo Chavez.

On Monday, Fausta blogged about Hugo's claim that he and Fidel were now both green.

That may be true about Hugo in the figurative sense, but I'm wondering whether Fidel might be getting a little green in other ways by now.