U.S. to shift Cuba policy, normalize relations (1 Viewer)

[Bucky86]

I can see that there would be some good reasons (family, friends, personal) for some good people to be absolutely against this BUT for those with no vested interested this is a no brainer.

Win, win for Cuba and for America. This should go way above politics.

This would be like being against the Berlin Wall coming down or the end of the Cold War.

I've never agreed with anything you've ever said, but I agree with all of this.

Somebody forgot to log out of their alias.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

I can see that there would be some good reasons (family, friends, personal) for some good people to be absolutely against this BUT for those with no vested interested this is a no brainer.

Win, win for Cuba and for America. This should go way above politics.

This would be like being against the Berlin Wall coming down or the end of the Cold War.

Again, I'm for it on the face of things, but when the Wall came down people flooded across the border. - So Cubans will be able to come here unimpeded? And Americans go there unimpeded? And they will be transforming like East Germany? Hope that's the case.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Baby steps with a country that is 90 miles away that we haven't talked to in 50+ years

 

[Gatorman]

The response here doesn't surprise me. Everybody seems to agree. So why wasn't it done before now? My guess is because Florida is a swing state and nobody wanted to piss off the Miami Cubans. About 17 years ago we recognized Vietnam and opened up trade with them. The entire Vietnamese community here in Orange County (known as "Little Saigon") went ape####. They staged protests, wrote to Congressmen, etc. but California isn't a swing state and the Vietnamese, who vote Republican like the rest of Orange County, don't have any clout. The Miami Cubans had clout, and they hated Fidel. But most of them are dying off now.

This might remain to be seen, children and grandchildren feel very strongly about it.

Actually, we don't. Most second and third generation cuban americans believe the embargo was a failed policy. Also, many of them are not staunch republicans. The people who hate this happening are the same people who would never vote for a democrat in any case, so Obama can simply ignore them and make a deal the rest of the country (and a lot of hispanics, just not "old cubans") would look at favorably.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The response here doesn't surprise me. Everybody seems to agree. So why wasn't it done before now? My guess is because Florida is a swing state and nobody wanted to piss off the Miami Cubans. About 17 years ago we recognized Vietnam and opened up trade with them. The entire Vietnamese community here in Orange County (known as "Little Saigon") went ape####. They staged protests, wrote to Congressmen, etc. but California isn't a swing state and the Vietnamese, who vote Republican like the rest of Orange County, don't have any clout. The Miami Cubans had clout, and they hated Fidel. But most of them are dying off now.

This might remain to be seen, children and grandchildren feel very strongly about it.

Actually, we don't. Most second and third generation cuban americans believe the embargo was a failed policy. Also, many of them are not staunch republicans. The people who hate this happening are the same people who would never vote for a democrat in any case, so Obama can simply ignore them and make a deal the rest of the country (and a lot of hispanics, just not "old cubans") would look at favorably.

Yeah ok, maybe you and Tim are right. Good insight from the source on your part by the sound of it.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/12/17/371411659/polls-show-cuban-american-view-on-u-s-cuba-relations-is-nuanced

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Yeah I wasn't sure of the politics either, thanks.

 

[Lutherman2112]

Menendez is a huge idiot.

Was he the guy that got busted for prostitutes or something like that?

Yeah. And he has more stuff coming down the scandal rails.

The "scandal" was completely fabricated. I can't stand the man, but for cripes sake, at least show a slight bit of intellectual curiosity for the truth.

Huh?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-robert-menendez-seeks-probe-of-alleged-cuban-plot-to-smear-him/2014/07/07/e9ba25a0-efe8-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html?hpid=z1

That sounds worse than the scandal. Cuba setting up and extorting a US Senator?

It wasn't really Cuba.

The Daily Caller’s story on Menendez and the Dominican prostitutes long ago passed beyond salvation. The initial flimsiness, the recantation and then the national police investigation — it’s more than enough evidence to issue a retraction and apology to readers and Menendez. Expecting the Daily Caller to do so would be like expecting the Environmental Protection Agency to hire 230,000 new employees.

The truth as to whether Cuban intelligence was involved in spreading this story may never get nailed down. Yet the mere suggestion of a Havana connection may well suffice to scare the Daily Caller away from any future anono-attacks on prominent Democrats. It’d be one thing, after all, if this conservative Web site was duped by some really sleazy anti-Menendez operatives here in the United States; it’s quite another to be duped by the Castro regime. The Daily Caller bills itself as a “24-hour news publication providing its audience with original reporting, in-depth investigations, thought-provoking commentary and breaking news” — not as a communist propaganda organ.

 

[SWC]

mr castro and mr obama if you seek peace if you seek prosperity for cuba the come here and tear down these false barriers take that to the bank brohans cue up the winds of change and lets make it happen

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Menendez is a huge idiot.

Was he the guy that got busted for prostitutes or something like that?

Yeah. And he has more stuff coming down the scandal rails.

The "scandal" was completely fabricated. I can't stand the man, but for cripes sake, at least show a slight bit of intellectual curiosity for the truth.

Huh?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-robert-menendez-seeks-probe-of-alleged-cuban-plot-to-smear-him/2014/07/07/e9ba25a0-efe8-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html?hpid=z1

That sounds worse than the scandal. Cuba setting up and extorting a US Senator?

It wasn't really Cuba.

The Daily Caller’s story on Menendez and the Dominican prostitutes long ago passed beyond salvation. The initial flimsiness, the recantation and then the national police investigation — it’s more than enough evidence to issue a retraction and apology to readers and Menendez. Expecting the Daily Caller to do so would be like expecting the Environmental Protection Agency to hire 230,000 new employees.

The truth as to whether Cuban intelligence was involved in spreading this story may never get nailed down. Yet the mere suggestion of a Havana connection may well suffice to scare the Daily Caller away from any future anono-attacks on prominent Democrats. It’d be one thing, after all, if this conservative Web site was duped by some really sleazy anti-Menendez operatives here in the United States; it’s quite another to be duped by the Castro regime. The Daily Caller bills itself as a “24-hour news publication providing its audience with original reporting, in-depth investigations, thought-provoking commentary and breaking news” — not as a communist propaganda organ.

It doesn't exactly say that it wasn't Cuba either, but `nough said the scandal was false and apparently a plant by someone.

 

[njherdfan]

Was he the guy that got busted for prostitutes or something like that?

Huh?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-robert-menendez-seeks-probe-of-alleged-cuban-plot-to-smear-him/2014/07/07/e9ba25a0-efe8-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html?hpid=z1

That sounds worse than the scandal. Cuba setting up and extorting a US Senator?

It wasn't really Cuba.

The Daily Caller’s story on Menendez and the Dominican prostitutes long ago passed beyond salvation. The initial flimsiness, the recantation and then the national police investigation — it’s more than enough evidence to issue a retraction and apology to readers and Menendez. Expecting the Daily Caller to do so would be like expecting the Environmental Protection Agency to hire 230,000 new employees.

The truth as to whether Cuban intelligence was involved in spreading this story may never get nailed down. Yet the mere suggestion of a Havana connection may well suffice to scare the Daily Caller away from any future anono-attacks on prominent Democrats. It’d be one thing, after all, if this conservative Web site was duped by some really sleazy anti-Menendez operatives here in the United States; it’s quite another to be duped by the Castro regime. The Daily Caller bills itself as a “24-hour news publication providing its audience with original reporting, in-depth investigations, thought-provoking commentary and breaking news” — not as a communist propaganda organ.

It doesn't exactly say that it wasn't Cuba either, but `nough said the scandal was false and apparently a plant by someone.

That seems like the same sort of logic that the Daily Caller used when they reported that Cory Booker didn't actually live in Newark. When it was pointed out that the story was a complete lie, Chuck Johnson pointed out that he never said anything about Cory Booker, and he was just reporting what neighbors said. And besides, maybe he actually didn't live in Newark! On to the next story!!!

 

[fatness]

How the hell are we supposed to fight the Cold War now?

 

[roadkill1292]

Sanctions are so last century. The best weapon we can use now is the internet. Expose the average Jose to sports betting, online pron and cat gifs and then let's see if the tyrants can keep freedom from spreading.

 

[Sabertooth]

Can't wait to vacation there.

 

[jon_mx]

Does this mean we can finally start sending drones in there and bombing people we don't like?

 

[pantherclub]

Why am I not surprised to hear Hannity railing against this decision yesterday?

Good God that dude is insane

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Does this mean we can finally start sending drones in there and bombing people we don't like?

No, but we will be installing our own strongman again.

 

[D_House]

Menendez is a huge idiot.

Was he the guy that got busted for prostitutes or something like that?

Yeah. And he has more stuff coming down the scandal rails.

The "scandal" was completely fabricated. I can't stand the man, but for cripes sake, at least show a slight bit of intellectual curiosity for the truth.

Huh?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-robert-menendez-seeks-probe-of-alleged-cuban-plot-to-smear-him/2014/07/07/e9ba25a0-efe8-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html?hpid=z1

Ah you assumed. Well you know what happens when you do that. I wasn't talking about that story.

what prostitution story were you talking about?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Sanctions are so last century. The best weapon we can use now is the internet. Expose the average Jose to sports betting, online pron and cat gifs and then let's see if the tyrants can keep freedom from spreading.

Russia's kind of taking a tumble, aren't they? And Iran is negotiating their nukes?

It would be nice if Cuba loosened up their internet and tv and radio, are they doing that as part of this deal?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

 

[roadkill1292]

Sanctions are so last century. The best weapon we can use now is the internet. Expose the average Jose to sports betting, online pron and cat gifs and then let's see if the tyrants can keep freedom from spreading.

Russia's kind of taking a tumble, aren't they? And Iran is negotiating their nukes?

It would be nice if Cuba loosened up their internet and tv and radio, are they doing that as part of this deal?

The immediacy of the deal isn't nearly as important as the long time exposure to our values and vices. Sanctions have kept us from them as much as they've kept them from us. We'll wear 'em down. Just having the ability to interact with them on a regular basis spells doom for their authoritarian government. Which is not the same thing as saying they're going to shuck all the aspects of socialism; I think they like some of those.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Menendez is a huge idiot.

Was he the guy that got busted for prostitutes or something like that?

Yeah. And he has more stuff coming down the scandal rails.

The "scandal" was completely fabricated. I can't stand the man, but for cripes sake, at least show a slight bit of intellectual curiosity for the truth.

Huh?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-robert-menendez-seeks-probe-of-alleged-cuban-plot-to-smear-him/2014/07/07/e9ba25a0-efe8-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html?hpid=z1

Ah you assumed. Well you know what happens when you do that. I wasn't talking about that story.

what prostitution story were you talking about?

I wasn't. But since it isn't midnight anymore I see the confusion. The prostitution story wasn't what I was referring to with the new scandal that could come down. It's more an abuse of power thing.

 

[Two Deep]

Why am I not surprised to hear Hannity railing against this decision yesterday?

Good God that dude is insane

and a very frightened man.

 

[Fennis]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

None that I know of.

Also, so far every 2016 GOP candidate is against it.

 

[Spanky267]

The one sticking point for me is Fidel and his brother, who I hate to see rewarded with the funds that will surely come, but if we get our grubby capitalistic paws back on that island we will never let it go again.

My grandfather and at least one of his brothers first emigrated to Cuba from Spain and lived there for a while. Cuba was also a big deal to NO's economy.

I've changed my view on this.- I say we move in, flood it with cash, overthrow the bastards and take it over like we used to. And let's get that private property back in the hands of the true owners, maybe starting with Bacardi but going right down to the last arpent. Let's do this.

My grandfather emigrated to Cuba from Spain as well. He moved there as a teenager in the 1920's. When Castro took over he used his Spanish citizenship to get himself and my Grandmother off the island. It took a few years but they were finally able to leave. They had to give up the most of their possessions and the family run grocery store. What part of Spain did your Grandfather and Great Uncle come from? Mine came from Asturias.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

The one sticking point for me is Fidel and his brother, who I hate to see rewarded with the funds that will surely come, but if we get our grubby capitalistic paws back on that island we will never let it go again.

My grandfather and at least one of his brothers first emigrated to Cuba from Spain and lived there for a while. Cuba was also a big deal to NO's economy.

I've changed my view on this.- I say we move in, flood it with cash, overthrow the bastards and take it over like we used to. And let's get that private property back in the hands of the true owners, maybe starting with Bacardi but going right down to the last arpent. Let's do this.

My grandfather emigrated to Cuba from Spain as well. He moved there as a teenager in the 1920's. When Castro took over he used his Spanish citizenship to get himself and my Grandmother off the island. It took a few years but they were finally able to leave. They had to give up the most of their possessions and the family run grocery store. What part of Spain did your Grandfather and Great Uncle come from? Mine came from Asturias.

Galicia (mother's side only btw), so right next door. Most of my family (he was one of 15) is still over there. Actually that's where Castro's people come from as well, he's Galician (his father emigrated from there). My grandfather started out working in tobacco where his uncle was a partner. He was in Cuba, then Tampa, then here. That was all pre-Castro though.

 

[SWC]

i enjoy hearing your family histories related to cuba and so on it is actually very cool

 

[trogg78]

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Take that to the bank, comrades.

 

[Gary Coal Man]

Sanctions are so last century. The best weapon we can use now is the internet. Expose the average Jose to sports betting, online pron and cat gifs and then let's see if the tyrants can keep freedom from spreading.

Infiltrating the other nation's hip-hop scene is the other hip weapon of the day...

US Tries to Destabilize Cuba by Infiltrating Hip-Hop Scene
Newly released documents reveal USAID efforts to infiltrate the Cuban hip-hop scene to build a social network of young people seeking social change.
An investigation conducted by The Associated Press revealed an covertr plan by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to destabilize the Cuban government by infiltrating Cuba’s underground hip-hop scene.

A number of documents, including contracts, e-mails, chats transcripts, budgets, expense reports, power point documents, photographs, and passports were obtained by the AP, which revealed that USAID, through the Washington D.C.-based company Creative Associates International, financed for over two years a program to create a subversive rap and hip-hop movement against the Cuban government.

The operation was first run in 2009 in Cuba by a Serbian contractor named Rajko Bozic, who recruited the famous Cuban hip-hop duo “Los Aldeanos,” which is well-known on the Island for its protest lyrics and very respected by Cuban youth.

The U.S. contractor wanted to recruit as many underground artists as possible to fund anti-government music projects in order to create a movement among fans, disguised as a cultural movement, to challenge the government and to build a network of young people seeking “social change."

The USAID inspired its hip-hop destabilization program on the protest hip-hop and rap concerts in Serbia, which eventually led to the outset of the former President Slobodan Milosevic in 2000. Bozic took part in the Serbian protests.

According to the documents, Creative Associates International funded a TV show starring Los Aldeanos and distributed on DVD to avoid Cuban censorship. The U.S. company used a Panamanian company and a bank in Lichtenstein to fund the TV show and other initiatives without being traced by the Cuban government.

Other initiatives pushed by the infiltrators were to fund music festivals in Cuba for Los Aldeanos to play alongside other artists, and according to the reports, to train the hip-hop duo “to focus them a little more on their role as agents of social mobilization."

The documents also reveal that in September 2009, when the Colombian musician Juanes announced he was going to give a concert in Cuba, Creative Associates held a meeting to gather ideas to persuade Juanes to let Los Aldeanos perform with him. Although, Los Aldeanos didn’t perform at Juanes concert, they were photographed with him after the concert; and the contractors were pleased with the photograph because the support of a “major celebrity” would protect Los Aldeanos from state pressure.

Another USAID initiative revealed by the documents was the founding and creation of “Zunzuneo,” a secret online platform commonly regarded as the “Cuban twitter."

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/US-Tries-to-Destabilize-Cuba-by-Infiltrating-Hip-Hop-Scene-20141211-0021.html

 

[Sabertooth]

Does this mean we can finally start sending drones in there and bombing people we don't like?

No, but we will be installing our own strongman again.

The Rock?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was what Sires' (D-NJ) pointed out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

 

[pantherclub]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was Sires' (D-NJ) pointed this out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

Hannity or Rush fan?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was Sires' (D-NJ) pointed this out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

Hannity or Rush fan?

Sires is a Democrat, heard him on NPR (WWNO) this morning, so no.

 

[QuizGuy66]

How long before Cuba has a MLB team?

How long is the least in Tampa?

-QG

 

[Yankee23Fan]

It's a short sighting opinion. Yeah, the corrupt and powerful own everything down there right now so they are going to get richer faster. So what? The only way for that to not happen is for either another revolution or we just invade and take over the country. Option 1 isn't happening without a lot of bloodshed and option 2 is worse.

This is a good thing. The cuban american community needs to get over themselves and calm down a little about this and use it now as a tool to change Cuban society over the next 20 or so years. It won't be easy or clean but it will happen. And then after a generation they can start complaining again about all the American rich people that are warping their culture and taking their country and how the government is just a puppet of the United States and maybe the people should take over their country and........

 

[QuizGuy66]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

None that I know of.

Also, so far every 2016 GOP candidate is against it.

Paul is for it: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_2016_PAUL_CUBA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

-QG

 

[DaVinci]

Does this mean we can finally start sending drones in there and bombing people we don't like?

No, but we will be installing our own strongman again.

The Rock?

What's Spanish for 'jabroni'?

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

It's a short sighting opinion. Yeah, the corrupt and powerful own everything down there right now so they are going to get richer faster. So what? The only way for that to not happen is for either another revolution or we just invade and take over the country. Option 1 isn't happening without a lot of bloodshed and option 2 is worse.

This is a good thing. The cuban american community needs to get over themselves and calm down a little about this and use it now as a tool to change Cuban society over the next 20 or so years. It won't be easy or clean but it will happen. And then after a generation they can start complaining again about all the American rich people that are warping their culture and taking their country and how the government is just a puppet of the United States and maybe the people should take over their country and........

I agree and I agree with the deal by the way, I just think it's good to be honest about what's going to happen. This is going to take a long time and in the meantime we aren't going to see free travel, we aren't going to see all of Cuba opened up to our business, property is not going to be returned to its owners, and we're going to continue to see extreme corruption and repression.

So up above Gatorman has an interesting insight into what 2nd and 3rd generation Cuban-Americans might think about this, and yet the Cuban-American politicians - Democratic & Republican - are all lining up against it (at least it's 4 for 4 against from both parties, from what I've seen so far). These pols are doing this for a reason, maybe it's just how they feel personally, maybe they're older so they're just reflecting the 1st generation mindset, but I also think they must think somehow this is what their constituency wants and expects, ie to oppose the deal. Considerable Cuban-American voting populations in several electorates in and outside of Florida. The threat has always been that the Cuban electorate would not be happy about such a deal, one way or the other, pro or con, this will play a part in 2016.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was what Sires' (D-NJ) pointed out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

I meant that when it comes to foreign policy/diplomatic relations/trade we really don't give a #### when it comes to "human rights records". We have a long and storied history of keep strange bed-fellows.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was what Sires' (D-NJ) pointed out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

I meant that, when it comes to foreign policy/diplomatic relations/trade we really don't give a #### when it comes to "human rights records". We have a long and storied history of keep strange bed-fellows.

This... is true.

 

[Gr00vus]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was what Sires' (D-NJ) pointed out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

I meant that, when it comes to foreign policy/diplomatic relations/trade we really don't give a #### when it comes to "human rights records". We have a long and storied history of keep strange bed-fellows.

This... is true.

According to the U.S. State Department there are currently 3 countries we do not have diplomatic relations with: Bhutan, Iran, North Korea.

According to Maplecroft's 2014 Human Rights Risk Atlas study, the top 10 countries with the worst human rights records are:

10) Nigeria

9) Yemen

8) Myanmar

7) Iraq

6) Afghanistan

5) Somalia

4) Pakistan

3) Congo

2) Sudan

1) Syria

I think we have official diplomatic relations with all of those, embassies in all but Syria and Somalia - those are absent mainly because of unrest in those countries, not because of any diplomatic statement on our part.

Cuba doesn't even make it into the 30 or so countries in the "Extreme Risk" category (the worst category you can be in for this study). Heck, they rate Mexico lower than Cuba on Human Rights.

I offer this up just to show how much B.S. politicians like these will spew to pander to their perceived base. Actual human rights don't mean guano to them.

 

[Fennis]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

None that I know of.

Also, so far every 2016 GOP candidate is against it.

Paul is for it: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOP_2016_PAUL_CUBA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

-QG

good for him. Glad he finally commented.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Welcome to Cuba Archive’s website

[SIZE=9pt]Cuba Archive’s Truth and Memory Project documents deaths and disappearances resulting from the Cuban revolution and studies transitional issues related to truth, memory and justice. This project seeks to help Cubans attain their rightful freedoms, foster a culture of respect for life and the rule of law, and honor the memory of those who’ve paid the highest price. [/SIZE]

http://cubaarchive.org/home/

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was what Sires' (D-NJ) pointed out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

I meant that, when it comes to foreign policy/diplomatic relations/trade we really don't give a #### when it comes to "human rights records". We have a long and storied history of keep strange bed-fellows.

This... is true.

According to the U.S. State Department there are currently 3 countries we do not have diplomatic relations with: Bhutan, Iran, North Korea.

Why don't we have diplomatic relations with Bhutan? Was it the fact they wrote the lyrics to the Curley Shuffle?

 

[igbomb]

Aw, the tired line about emboldening the terrorists. As if this is a signal to all of the bad guys of the world that just grabbing an American is the ticket to the gravy train.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Cuban-American US Rep Albio Sires (D-NJ) has also come out against the deal. That makes Menendez (D), Diaz-Balart ®, Rubio ®, and Sires (D) all against the deal.

Any Cuban-American Congressmen for the deal?

Meanwhile, Republican Senator Marco Rubio slammed the deal as "inexplicable", adding that it did nothing to address the issues of Cuba's political system and human rights record.

Like we really care.

That was what Sires' (D-NJ) pointed out on NPR this morning too, basically stating that Cuban generals own all the businesses and factories and they will just get extra-mega-rich off of this besides already controlling all the best property anyway. Hey I agree let them put people in jail, tortured, aside from all the people Castro killed going back to the 60s, while these guys get rich, who cares. Hey let's hit la playa.

http://wbaa.org/post/rep-sires-pushes-back-against-obamas-cuba-plans

I meant that, when it comes to foreign policy/diplomatic relations/trade we really don't give a #### when it comes to "human rights records". We have a long and storied history of keep strange bed-fellows.

This... is true.

According to the U.S. State Department there are currently 3 countries we do not have diplomatic relations with: Bhutan, Iran, North Korea.

Why don't we have diplomatic relations with Bhutan? Was it the fact they wrote the lyrics to the Curley Shuffle?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Probably a legend but when it comes to the US and our relations with "brutal regimes" I think FDR summed it up best:

Describing Nicaragua president Anastasio Somoza Garcia* "He's a son of a #####...but he's our son of a #####."

*some claim FDR was talking about the Dominica dictator Trujillo.

 

[Fennis]

Probably a legend but when it comes to the US and our relations with "brutal regimes" I think FDR summed it up best:

Describing Nicaragua president Anastasio Somoza Garcia* "He's a son of a #####...but he's our son of a #####."

*some claim FDR was talking about the Dominica dictator Trujillo.

I thought it was about Earl Weaver

 

[tommyboy]

hey it only took 40 ####in years.

bout time

 

[B-Deep]

i figured the timing was because of this headline

Obama: I had blunt discussion with Raul CastroWe could or would not have done this with Fidel, once Raul was in play the wheels started