BS: Cuba

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: Airto
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 02:34 PM

Thanks for mentioning the other thread, Spaw, I've had a look. It seems nobody around this place has a good word to say for the sanctions.

You say many Americans, not just the Government and displaced Cubans, hold a grudge against Cuba and that it will take 25 years for feelings to subside. Speaking as an outsider, I find it hard to understand how such a small island continues to draw such antagonism.

It is so ironic that the "land of the free" imposes Iron Curtain-style travel restrictions on its people in the name of democratic values.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 02:23 PM

The moral is, never beat anyone bigger than yourself, or they'll never forgive you.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 01:31 PM

We should normalize relations with Cuba, and name Ry Cooder as our Ambassador. They can send Ibrahim Ferrer as their Ambassador to the US (until he retires, and Elian can take his place).

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 01:29 PM

I got thrashed for saying this in another thread, but I'm a glutton for punishment. Let me preface this with the fact that I too think the entire attitude toward Cuba is complete crap and Bush has made it worse, not better. So........

As I said before, there is not going to be any major change in the US "Cuban Policy" or attitude until a few generations die off. There is still too much hostility and the government does hold a grudge.....as well do many Americans and displaced Cubans. With any luck, in another 25 years we might see the change, but it ain't gonna' happen now folks!

Thrash away........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 01:15 PM

But there's no problem with having the Olympics in China? Or with any Americans going and having their holidays there.

Still, I suppose Bush may feel a certain affinity with the Chinese government.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 01:06 PM

I'm with you on this -- our (US) policy towards Cuba is ridiculous. It hurts Cubans, it hurts us, and it doesn't help anyone. What's the point?

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 12:42 PM

Uncle Sam does seem to hold a grudge. What is the US government waiting for to patch the relationship with Cuba? What are they waiting for Castro to do? Give Havana back to the Mob? Apologise? Die?

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: Kim C
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 12:17 PM

Maybe I am naive but I think the whole Cuba thing is stupid. It isn't like they are a threat to the US anymore, if they ever were to begin with. They no longer have the Soviets to back them up. I think there are more important things to worry about than who wants to go to Cuba.

Anyway it ain't hard to get there if you go to Jamaica first.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuba
From: LoopySanchez
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 12:12 PM

I'm sure none of the gov't officials endorsing this crackdown have a single Cuban cigar in their humidor, right?

Subject: Cuba
From: Airto
Date: 26 Jul 01 - 12:05 PM

I've copied below the first few paragraphs of an article from the frommers.com website. The author is not impressed. Is anybody else?

Editorial: A Critical Look at the Cuba Crackdown

By Victoria Hallett, Editorial Assistant

They tan on Cuba's silky beaches and sip mochitos. After long nights of jubilant dancing, they return to cozy casa particulares, where they rest up for another day of adventure on this island of bustling villages and extraordinary historical sights. But these are not mere tourists. According to the U.S. government, they're criminals.

For four decades, the U.S. has heavily restricted American travel to Cuba. Cuban-Americans can make the trip once every year, but others may only go on a journalist visa or as part of a government-approved delegation. In recent years, more determined types have managed to bypass these regulations (not so legally) by routing their vacations via Canada or Mexico, thus joining the hundreds of thousands of Europeans and Canadians who enjoy Cuban vacations each year. But there's trouble in paradise--namely, the Bush administration.

Friday, July 13, Bush ordered the Treasury Department to crack down on these lawbreakers, requesting additional funds for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to improve its ability to monitor Cuban travel. "It is important that we uphold and enforce the law to the fullest extent with a view toward preventing unlicensed and excessive travel, enforcing limits on remittances and ensuring humanitarian and cultural exchanges actually reach pro-democracy activists in Cuba," Bush wrote in a statement.