Easing relations with Cuba

[PaloAltoCougar]

Does anyone here oppose the idea? I've liked the idea for many years, but until recently, it seemed impossible.

An important element of the opposition is reflected a CNN piece this afternoon which includes the following: Cuban-American members of Congress, in particular, have voiced outrage over the easing of relations. Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, who was born in Cuba, doesn't want to see changes to the embargo. "Having tourists on Cuban beaches is not going to achieve democratic change in Cuba," Martinez has said. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/...vel/index.html

I think he's absolutely wrong. Hasn't every relaxation of inter-country tension resulted in the more dictatorial regime moving toward democracy and free enterprise? I'd really like to hear a good argument against dropping the barriers to Cuba; thus far, I haven't.

I want to vacation in Havana while I'm still mobile.

[SCcoug]

I think he is wrong too. Unleash the Cuban-American population to do business with Cuba and we'll see Cuba open up economically and politically. Nothing gets a country in the mode for democracy more than rising incomes.

[CardiacCoug]

I think he's absolutely wrong. Hasn't every relaxation of inter-country tension resulted in the more dictatorial regime moving toward democracy and free enterprise? I'd really like to hear a good argument against dropping the barriers to Cuba; thus far, I haven't.

I want to vacation in Havana while I'm still mobile.

I'm with you on that.

Cuba was a threat when it was allied with a hostile Soviet Union during the Cold War. It made sense at that time to keep Cuba poor to limit Fidel's capabilities.

But now that the threat of Soviet-Sponsored Communism taking over the world is over, the embargo is pointless. It hurts Cuban citizens and has little effect on Fidel or on U.S. security interests.

[wuapinmon]

The moment the restrictions are lifted, I'm ready to announce a study abroad trip about beisbol and Alejo Carpentier.

[Hazzard]

Does anyone here oppose the idea? I've liked the idea for many years, but until recently, it seemed impossible.

An important element of the opposition is reflected a CNN piece this afternoon which includes the following: Cuban-American members of Congress, in particular, have voiced outrage over the easing of relations. Florida Republican Sen. Mel Martinez, who was born in Cuba, doesn't want to see changes to the embargo. "Having tourists on Cuban beaches is not going to achieve democratic change in Cuba," Martinez has said. http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/...vel/index.html

I think he's absolutely wrong. Hasn't every relaxation of inter-country tension resulted in the more dictatorial regime moving toward democracy and free enterprise? I'd really like to hear a good argument against dropping the barriers to Cuba; thus far, I haven't.

I want to vacation in Havana while I'm still mobile.

Can't you travel to Cuba by taking a flight from Canada? Or is that illegal? Seems like I know an American kid who did that.

[New Mexican Disaster]

It may be that the only two groups that don't want this to happen are the Castro brothers and the insane Cuban's that live in Miami. The Castro's crackdown everytime there seems to be a thaw in relations, and it seems that it may be a part of their calculus for maintaining power.

As for the Miami Cubanos, well they are a rightfully aggrieved party that, like some victims wears out the patience of everyone around them by screaming for their pound of flesh.

[TripletDaddy]

The moment the restrictions are lifted, I'm ready to announce a study abroad trip about beisbol and Alejo Carpentier.

You can also swing by and see the huge Che monument.

[il Padrino Ute]

Should Cuba open, what will Michael Moore do when the free market ruins the wonderful health care in Havana?

[landpoke]

Can't you travel to Cuba by taking a flight from Canada? Or is that illegal? Seems like I know an American kid who did that.

Or Mexico or pretty much any other country in the world. My dad, stepmom, brother and his girlfriend went last May. Outside of the few resorts they've set up for foreigners they said it was pretty rustic.

[wuapinmon]

As for the Miami Cubanos, well they are a rightfully aggrieved party that, like some victims wears out the patience of everyone around them by screaming for their pound of flesh.

The face of the Miami Cuban:



The face of the Cuba Cuban:


I don't think the children of the Miami Cubans will want to go back. They won't fit in.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Or Mexico or pretty much any other country in the world. My dad, stepmom, brother and his girlfriend went last May. Outside of the few resorts they've set up for foreigners they said it was pretty rustic.

I've heard it's not too difficult for Americans to get there, but that it's technically illegal. Were your kinfolk subjected to any penalties, rebukes or other negatives for having made the trip?

It sounds sort of like the alleged prohibition on Mormons attending R-rated movies; no real penalties, but the more religious (or patriotic, as the case may be) feel guilty for having gone.

[landpoke]

I've heard it's not too difficult for Americans to get there, but that it's technically illegal. Were your kinfolk subjected to any penalties, rebukes or other negatives for having made the trip?

It sounds sort of like the alleged prohibition on Mormons attending R-rated movies; no real penalties, but the more religious (or patriotic, as the case may be) feel guilty for having gone.

Nary a slap on the wrist. They had to break their flights up by staying in Mexico overnight so that the leg from Mexico to Cuba didn't appear on their US itinerary. Also the Cubans didn't stamp their passport. So basically it didn't look like they'd been anywhere but Mexico. My brother spent some time researching whether they'd be arrested upon their return and found that while it is illegal, there's really no enforcement. So yes, what you said about the movies and such.

[BlueHair]

On an unrelated note, I've smoked 3 Cuban cigars. They aren't that great.

[venkman]

I'm not really against the embargo being lifted, but I would like to know what if anything should be required of Cuba as far as restitution for the land and property they stole from American citizens and businesses.

[PaloAltoCougar]

On an unrelated note, I've smoked 3 Cuban cigars. They aren't that great.

That reminds me of when Seinfeld got three Cubans...

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