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U.S., Cuba to restore diplomatic relations after 50 years

vesper said:
Congress had already amended the travel restrictions in 2010 for Americans to travel to Cuba.
Congress had already been working on legislation to open a new embassy in Havana.
Congress had already started discussions in opening up banking in Cuba.

Obama made it sound like there was nothing being done to reach those goals. There is a divide on both sides of the aisle on how to proceed with Cuba. And for good reason. The Cuban-American population is very unhappy with Obama at the moment. They know this does nothing to bring freedom to the Cuban people. Only getting rid of Castro and his regime will.

I question the timing of Obama's latest E.O. You see Russia is a big trade partner and friend with Cuba. The Ruble tanked yesterday. Venezuela is a big trade partner with Cuba. Venzuala's economy is on the skids as well. You think Obama could have done a better deal getting the two Americans back, neither one spies but were unjustly imprisoned without releasing 3 Cuban spies who killed 4 Americans. Cuba is hurting economically because of its partners. But then again it's not surprising considering he was willing to release several vicious terrorists from Gitmo in exchange for one U.S. deserter.

Edit- And Obama stated in his announcement this afternoon that sanctions don't work. So why the Hell does he keep piling them on in Iran, in North Korea and Russia at the moment?
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Interesting perspective. I haven't really contemplated this much outside of cigars and baseball players. You have prompted me to look into this with some more attention to detail.
 
tres borrachos said:
How many passports do you have? And how come I only have one!

I've been to the Dominican and love it. If Cuba is half as good, I need to go there sometime. Your prospective trip sounds like my fantasy.
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I got an Irish dual citizenship about 10 years ago, nice to have, EU citizenship, I can also go to Brazil without paying $170 and waiting for a visa. Quite legal, even got hired with the State dept with dual citizenship...though I didn't take the job ultimately (offered 1 year after interviews and background checks). For Irish citizenship, you need a parent, or grandparent born in Ireland.
 
Moot said:
If Corker wants to know what Cuba has to say why doesn't he just listen to Raul Castro's speech like everyone else? It's funny and sad how the public seems to know more the congressmen.


Rubio might be relevant to his constituents, but not so much to the rest of the country or even to the GOP for that matter. They dumped him like a lead balloon because of his stance immigration. That's when he noticeably started saying what he thought the GOP wanted to hear instead of what he really believed, but it was too late, he was damaged goods. Imo, he made himself irrelevant when he turned to mush and didn't fight back.
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Better yet.....what will the Demos have to say after Menendez is done denouncing this publicly.

Yeah he took the hit on immigration.....but then for some reason. Those in Iowa have been quite interested in hearing what he had to say.

He should have learned from Hillary.....that one cannot say just what people want to hear, and only for the moment. As it always comes back to haunt one. Just like it has with Hillary.
 
vesper said:
Congress had already amended the travel restrictions in 2010 for Americans to travel to Cuba.
Congress had already been working on legislation to open a new embassy in Havana.
Congress had already started discussions in opening up banking in Cuba.
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Then why is congress so surprised by Obama's announcement? And why are they vowing to fight lifting the restrictions ?

Obama made it sound like there was nothing being done to reach those goals. There is a divide on both sides of the aisle on how to proceed with Cuba. And for good reason. The Cuban-American population is very unhappy with Obama at the moment. They know this does nothing to bring freedom to the Cuban people. Only getting rid of Castro and his regime will.
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Normalizing diplomatic relations is a good start.

I question the timing of Obama's latest E.O. You see Russia is a big trade partner and friend with Cuba. The Ruble tanked yesterday. Venezuela is a big trade partner with Cuba. Venzuala's economy is on the skids as well. You think Obama could have done a better deal getting the two Americans back, neither one spies but were unjustly imprisoned without releasing 3 Cuban spies who killed 4 Americans. Cuba is hurting economically because of its partners. But then again it's not surprising considering he was willing to release several vicious terrorists from Gitmo in exchange for one U.S. deserter.
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If Russia and Venuzuala's economies are hurting because of the sanctions then it shows they are working. While they are weak seems like the best time for the US to negotiate with them.
Edit- And Obama stated in his announcement this afternoon that sanctions don't work. So why the Hell does he keep piling them on in Iran, in North Korea and Russia at the moment?
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Sanctions may not have worked in Cuba but they do seem to be working in Russia and helping to contain N. Korea.
 
MMC said:
Better yet.....what will the Demos have to say after Menendez is done denouncing this publicly.

Yeah he took the hit on immigration.....but then for some reason. Those in Iowa have been quite interested in hearing what he had to say.

He should have learned from Hillary.....that one cannot say just what people want to hear, and only for the moment. As it always comes back to haunt one. Just like it has with Hillary.
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Are you talking about Rubio or Menendenz?
 
Moot said:
Are you talking about Rubio or Menendenz?
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Rubio, Learning those ongoing issues with Hillary.

Menendez will speak out anyways, as he has nothing to lose.
 
Lutherf said:
U.S., Cuba to restore diplomatic relations after 50 years | Reuters

I'm actually cautiously optimistic about this. We've had a rather odd relationship with Cuba ever since their fight for independence 100+ years ago but simple proximity makes some kind of normalization a matter of practicality.
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has anyone considered the political aspect?

OK, they claim the door was opened by the release of an American, but negotiations through the Vatican and Canada started 18 months ago or April of 2012.

What led to that? I wonder about the Latino vote, as with "amnesty" this sets up a solid Latino bloc for them doesn't it? Especially in EC vote rich Florida.
 
Fearandloathing said:
has anyone considered the political aspect?

OK, they claim the door was opened by the release of an American, but negotiations through the Vatican and Canada started 18 months ago or April of 2012.

What led to that? I wonder about the Latino vote, as with "amnesty" this sets up a solid Latino bloc for them doesn't it? Especially in EC vote rich Florida.
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I don't think Cubans that escaped the regime and are living in the US are too pleased about this.
 
zimmer said:
Not smart... as brutal regimes could see this as an opportunity to use Americans as "bargaining chips".
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Obama's too stupid to realize this. He hasn't learned a damn thing since the Bergdahl mess.
 
I'm not an expert on this issue, but won't this only strengthen the Castro brothers hold and power as well as legitimize their regime to the rest of the non-communist world?
 
zimmer said:
I don't think Cubans that escaped the regime and are living in the US are too pleased about this.
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Do you know any?

From being in Cuba I know many would like to reunite with their families and send money back home which is illegal.

I suspect it will be embraced heartily
 
JoeTrumps said:
I'm not an expert on this issue, but won't this only strengthen the Castro brothers hold and power as well as legitimize their regime to the rest of the non-communist world?
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Diplomatic relations to be restored. Shortly after which, US tourists will be spending their bucks in Cuba.

How long do you think the Cuban's will be able to remain communist? I'm thinking not all that long. Even hardened communist China soften from this to their present hybrid system, which continues to erode the Communist's influence and control, and Cuba is vastly smaller both in land mass and people.
 
Fearandloathing said:
Which is why I oppose this. US investment and tourism will ruin it.
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What a stupid comment.

New wealth will flow in, all the better for the Cuban people.

eohrnberger said:
Diplomatic relations to be restored. Shortly after which, US tourists will be spending their bucks in Cuba.

How long do you think the Cuban's will be able to remain communist? I'm thinking not all that long. Even hardened communist China soften from this to their present hybrid system, which continues to erode the Communist's influence and control, and Cuba is vastly smaller both in land mass and people.
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China smartened up and gave up on that communist drivel years ago, it's just communist in name alone. I'd expect a similar thing for Cuba as things improve for them.

I remember reading about Raul trying to open things up in Cuba economically even before this.
 
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We should have just done this with Polpot, Ho Chi Minh, Osama bin Laden, and Adolph Hitler.

It would have been so much easier.

By the way, Cubans here in the US are pissed off about this.
 
Lutherf said:
U.S., Cuba to restore diplomatic relations after 50 years | Reuters

I'm actually cautiously optimistic about this. We've had a rather odd relationship with Cuba ever since their fight for independence 100+ years ago but simple proximity makes some kind of normalization a matter of practicality.
Click to expand...

Not to be the party pooper here, but doesn't the US have legislation and congressional action in place from previous administrations? How is it that the President decides, on his own, that all goes in the trash without any consultation or congressional action?

It matters little to me - Canada has a fairly open relationship with Cuba and they basically provide Canada with nothing with the exception of a cheap Caribbean island to visit with one star accommodations. No big deal.

As an aside, seems to me that Obama is basically that unpopular kid in highschool who takes pleasure out of being an a-one asshole just to irritate everyone else. If you don't like him, he'll show you. You're going to have two years of this childishness. Get used to it.
 
Van Basten said:
What a stupid comment.

New wealth will flow in, all the better for the Cuban people.



China smartened up and gave up on that communist drivel years ago, it's just communist in name alone. I'd expect a similar thing for Cuba as things improve for them.

I remember reading about Raul trying to open things up in Cuba economically even before this.
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Thank you for that useless observation. YOU may want Disney****inglands and McPoison's all over the place, but I do not.

And thank you for that stupid and arrogant comment. have a nice day
 
Fearandloathing said:
Thank you for that useless observation. YOU may want Disney****inglands and McPoison's all over the place, but I do not.

And thank you for that stupid and arrogant comment. have a nice day
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:2rofll:
Nobody cares what you want.

The Cuban people should exploit their resources to their benefit while working with American/foreign investors, it's very simple and not hard to understand. Your comment just wreaks of self-righteous, anti-American nonsense. Get over yourself, what is wrong with you? You have a great day too. :lamo

Lmao, it's like I'm on a youtube comment section. Good lord.

Erod said:
We should have just done this with Polpot, Ho Chi Minh, Osama bin Laden, and Adolph Hitler.

It would have been so much easier.

By the way, Cubans here in the US are pissed off about this.
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While Cuba is caught in the totalitarian grip of the Castro regime, to compare them to Hitler or Polpot is way too much. Cuba is one of the least worst dictatorships in the world -- I know it's not a high bar being set, but still. We deal with far worse people.

Cuban-Americans down in here in South Florida are more split than you'd assume.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/cuban-a...st-evenly-split-on-lifting-embargo-1403035243
 
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Oh lord, Ted Cruz on CNN now...what an asshat. He is pulling out every dogwhistle baloney statement....

Wolf is burning him on why he supports the US trading with China...
 
Not sure if it was done the right way. This is sure to cause some real problems within the Cuban American community. But it IS the right end result. The best way to help the poor and oppressed in Cuba is to expand their economic opportunities and expose them to greater opportunities for financial gain. Long term win.
 
Lutherf said:
Interesting perspective. I haven't really contemplated this much outside of cigars and baseball players. You have prompted me to look into this with some more attention to detail.
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Like I stated earlier, Senator Rubio blasted Obama's actions and showed just how disingenuous he was in making it out that Congress was not working on issues with Cuba. Today we also heard from Senator Medendez on the left. He is livid over Obama's actions.

Menendez on Obama Cuba deal: 'I think it stinks' | NJ.com

Obama waited till Congress convened for the holidays to pull his latest E.O. move and left them totally off guard. This man is dangerous. There is no other way to put it.
 
MMC said:
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Indeed....Let us Normalize those relations.
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The only thing to fear is fear itself.
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After Cuban women, Cuban food and cigars are my favorites.
 
vesper said:
Like I stated earlier, Senator Rubio blasted Obama's actions and showed just how disingenuous he was in making it out that Congress was not working on issues with Cuba. Today we also heard from Senator Medendez on the left. He is livid over Obama's actions.

Menendez on Obama Cuba deal: 'I think it stinks' | NJ.com

Obama waited till Congress convened for the holidays to pull his latest E.O. move and left them totally off guard. This man is dangerous. There is no other way to put it.
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I dont think most people appreciate just how bad the Cuban commies have made life for people there.
 
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