Obama push to normalize Cuban relations

[Revmitchell]

The historic plan announced by President Obama on Wednesday to normalize relations with Cuba was met with heavy bipartisan resistance on Capitol Hill, raising questions of whether Congress will even consider easing a more than 50-year trade embargo against the communist state -- let alone end it.

Obama said the United States will cease what he called an “outdated approach” with Cuba, and take steps to normalize diplomatic relations -- including opening an embassy in Havana -- after American Alan Gross was released from the country following five years in prison as part of an agreement that also included the release of three Cubans jailed in the U.S.

Obama also called on Congress to have an "honest and serious debate" about lifting the trade embargo, which has been in place since 1962.

But Republicans, and even some Democrats, pushed back strongly, with some GOP heavy hitters calling Obama's plan “another concession to tyranny.”

“These changes will lead to legitimacy for a government that shamelessly continuously abuses human rights but it will not lead to assistance for those whose rights are being abused,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said Wednesday.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...oss-released-from-cuban-prison-official-says/

 

[carpro]

Obama hasn't found an oppressive regime yet that was so low he couldn't kiss their toes and call it "negotiating".

 

[church mouse guy]

The Cubans can buy what they want if they can pay cash, which they can if they want to.

Venezuela is being hurt by the Saudis so Cuba is hurting, too.

When Fidel dies, Raul becomes Queen of Cuba according to Fidel's will

Fidel, Raul, and Obama all have the same DNA.

 

[righteousdude2]

Another DISGRACEFUL Act of Hope and Change?

The historic plan announced by President Obama on Wednesday to normalize relations with Cuba was met with heavy bipartisan resistance on Capitol Hill, raising questions of whether Congress will even consider easing a more than 50-year trade embargo against the communist state -- let alone end it.

Obama said the United States will cease what he called an “outdated approach” with Cuba, and take steps to normalize diplomatic relations -- including opening an embassy in Havana -- after American Alan Gross was released from the country following five years in prison as part of an agreement that also included the release of three Cubans jailed in the U.S.

Obama also called on Congress to have an "honest and serious debate" about lifting the trade embargo, which has been in place since 1962.

But Republicans, and even some Democrats, pushed back strongly, with some GOP heavy hitters calling Obama's plan “another concession to tyranny.”

“These changes will lead to legitimacy for a government that shamelessly continuously abuses human rights but it will not lead to assistance for those whose rights are being abused,” Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said Wednesday.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...oss-released-from-cuban-prison-official-says/

Once again, Emporer Obama has waved his hand and made yet one more move without the support of Congress or the majority of American people.

To me, this move to normalize relations with Cooba is akin to normalize relations with let's say, North Korea. At least if we did this, North Korea, Sony could feel less pressure to release their new movie. :smilewinkgrin:

 

[annsni]

The Cubans can buy what they want if they can pay cash, which they can if they want to.

Except that they have no money.

Yes, there is an open "black market" capitalist system that is in place in Cuba and it is the only reason the country is really still surviving but the bottom line is that most people make so little money that, even if something is available, they cannot get it because they don't have enough money.

My daughter was there in August and the group that went (4 young women, an older woman and our missions pastor) bring enough money to pay for the food themselves so that they don't have to burden the local church/people they are working with. Food is usually crackers with a mayo-like spread for breakfast and then lunch and dinner are rice and beans and fried plantains. It seems my daughter couldn't eat the rice and beans and fortunately I had sent her with some freeze-dried foods and protein bars so she was able to eat something. They tried to find some other kind of food and amazingly enough (because they are hard to get), the whole week they were there, the cook was able to get some eggs each day! So Nicole ate fried plantains, eggs, protein bars and freeze dried chicken, fruits and veggies. This was more than the locals could ever hope to get!

I have spoken to a number of Cubans here as well as our missions pastor who has been in Cuba numerous times a year for 12 years, working with the local pastors and they all say the same thing - this is ridiculously stupid. I cannot believe that our president is even thinking this is a good idea. I love the arrogance thinking that the US opening it's doors to Cuba will now miraculously make things SO much better for the Cuban people - all while ignoring the reason things are broken there. It's not because of the US's decision to close our doors to Cuba.

 

[Rolfe]

Perhaps I have missed something, but how does this benefit the U.S.? It seems that all we would be doing is bolstering an oppressive government.

 

[Revmitchell]

Perhaps I have missed something, but how does this benefit the U.S.? It seems that all we would be doing is bolstering an oppressive government.

Good question, doubtful anyone could give an answer.

 

[blackbird]

Once again, Emporer Obama has waved his hand and made yet one more move without the support of Congress or the majority of American people.

To me, this move to normalize relations with Cooba is akin to normalize relations with let's say, North Korea. At least if we did this, North Korea, Sony could feel less pressure to release their new movie. :smilewinkgrin:

We've kept our powder dry for the last 50 years------suddenly O wants to "negotiate"???

I would call it more along the lines of collaboration with the enemy----of course, such a fine upstanding muslim/communist/Marxist/Christian man as O------he HAS no enemies:flower::flower::flower:

 

[church mouse guy]

Except that they have no money.

Yes, there is an open "black market" capitalist system that is in place in Cuba and it is the only reason the country is really still surviving but the bottom line is that most people make so little money that, even if something is available, they cannot get it because they don't have enough money.

My daughter was there in August and the group that went (4 young women, an older woman and our missions pastor) bring enough money to pay for the food themselves so that they don't have to burden the local church/people they are working with. Food is usually crackers with a mayo-like spread for breakfast and then lunch and dinner are rice and beans and fried plantains. It seems my daughter couldn't eat the rice and beans and fortunately I had sent her with some freeze-dried foods and protein bars so she was able to eat something. They tried to find some other kind of food and amazingly enough (because they are hard to get), the whole week they were there, the cook was able to get some eggs each day! So Nicole ate fried plantains, eggs, protein bars and freeze dried chicken, fruits and veggies. This was more than the locals could ever hope to get!

I have spoken to a number of Cubans here as well as our missions pastor who has been in Cuba numerous times a year for 12 years, working with the local pastors and they all say the same thing - this is ridiculously stupid. I cannot believe that our president is even thinking this is a good idea. I love the arrogance thinking that the US opening it's doors to Cuba will now miraculously make things SO much better for the Cuban people - all while ignoring the reason things are broken there. It's not because of the US's decision to close our doors to Cuba.

Well, of course, you are wrong once again, but thanks for the leftist communist propaganda.

The Castros are probably billionaires as a result of their murders.

Cuba just got a 30 billion dollar debt forgiveness from Putin for the re-instatement of a military base.

Venezuela pays Cuba 100,000 barrels of oil a day.

Now Beyoncé won't be the only person to pay the blood-soaked dictators hard cash for tourist luxury.

 

[InTheLight]

Waiting for Michael Moore to announce he's getting his health insurance there.

Also, anyone with vintage cars from the 50's, buy your spare parts now because the prices will be going up.

 

[church mouse guy]

Bowing to the Cuban queen:

 

[blackbird]

Bowing to the Cuban queen:

Just a quick question or two here

1) The Queen looks like a guy----can you clear that up??

2) It appears to be a little smokey in the room----just wondering if the local woods/forest was on fire at the time or might it be that Willy Nelson was playin' in the background somewhere----or was it "You know what!!"---a la Wacky Weed???
:saint::saint::saint:

3) Where's Billy Graham?? Isn't it a tradition that America's pastor travel with the Presidential Party????

 

[church mouse guy]

Just a quick question or two here

1) The Queen looks like a guy----can you clear that up??

2) It appears to be a little smokey in the room----just wondering if the local woods/forest was on fire at the time or might it be that Willy Nelson was playin' in the background somewhere----or was it "You know what!!"---a la Wacky Weed???
:saint::saint::saint:

3) Where's Billy Graham?? Isn't it a tradition that America's pastor travel with the Presidential Party????

1. Raul has a lot of blood on his murdering hands. Cuba is an apartheid state. Most of the people in prison in Cuba are Afro-Cubans.

2. The smoke is clearly from expensive Cuban cigars, although the Castros are narcotrafficers along with Maduro in Venezuela.

3. Billy Graham apparently doesn't do trips to see people who use torture--well, it is not really torture because the Castros don't waterboard but do drown.

 

[annsni]

Well, of course, you are wrong once again, but thanks for the leftist communist propaganda.

The Castros are probably billionaires as a result of their murders.

Cuba just got a 30 billion dollar debt forgiveness from Putin for the re-instatement of a military base.

Venezuela pays Cuba 100,000 barrels of oil a day.

Now Beyoncé won't be the only person to pay the blood-soaked dictators hard cash for tourist luxury.

HUH? Yes, the Castros are probably billionaires but not the common man who is fortunate to make $10-15 a month.

 

[Rolfe]

Good question, doubtful anyone could give an answer.

Cigars, perhaps?

 

[Jedi Knight]

Obama now the Dennis Rodman of Cuba.

 

[righteousdude2]

Obama hasn't found an oppressive regime yet that was so low he couldn't kiss their toes and call it "negotiating".

To be fair to Obama, if America is willing to befriend and normaize relations with Viet Nam, Cuba is not that big of deal!

I lost many good friends in Nam, and that country is still communist and suppressive.

 

[InTheLight]

Perhaps I have missed something, but how does this benefit the U.S.? It seems that all we would be doing is bolstering an oppressive government.

Sell their government food and other items, which they can distribute to their citizenry.

 

[annsni]

Sell their government food and other items, which they can distribute to their citizenry.

Now THAT is funny!!! Do you think that the US is the only country in the world who is able to sell food to Cuba? Because only us and maybe two other small countries have had an embargo against them that they are suffering so unduly because they can't get anything in the country? Are we that prideful that we think that only the US can save a country?

 

[church mouse guy]

Obama hasn't found an oppressive regime yet that was so low he couldn't kiss their toes and call it "negotiating".

Obama lied again when he said that he was negotiating with the Cuban people according to Daniel Greenfield, columnist. He negotiated with the Castros only.

The US trade embargo has nothing to do with the plight of Cuba because everyone else in the world trades with them. Cuba is the way that it is because of the murderous, racist Castros. Besides, long ago, we told the Castros that we would sell them anything that they wanted to pay cash for--they need nothing from us but would like some credit.

Cuba is a terrorist state.

Obama just gave the Castros a clean bill of health and sealed the fate of many prisoners in Latin America.

It is no accident that Obama bowed to Raul. The Castros are rich and Cuba just got forgiven 30 billion dollars in debt by Putin in return for a Russian military base in Cuba and Cuba gets 100,000 barrels of oil per day from Venezuela, as many think that the Castros rule Venezuela, also.