GWB Tightens Pressure on Castro

[Jenny AU-92 0]

I actually disagree wtih President Bush on this one. I think the best way to "overthrow" Castro is to lift the embargo, lift the travel ban, and let Americans, American culture, and American goods absolutely FLOOD that country. Cuban people will want those same things, which they can't afford on $3 a month, and the revolution will happen from within, without a shot being fired. Happened in Russia!!! There's porn and DirectTV in Iraq now!!! Castro doesn't stand a chance against Levi jeans, Gameboys, MTV, McDonald's and I-Pods.

I also agree that this is an election year thing, trying to get votes in south Florida - but I imagine the libs will be singing the very same song. They can't afford to piss off the Miami Cuban community either. It totally disgusts me, how much power the anti-Castro community has in south Florida. They just want his grey bearded head on a platter and don't care what damage they do in the meantime.

Bush Tightens Up on Castro

[TitanTiger 20,472]

All I want is consistency. If we're going to trade with one human-rights-abusing, communist nation (China), then we should do the same with the other (Cuba). If we think embargos and travel bans are the way to deal with these types of regimes, then we should employ that method against China.

Not that Bush is the first to continue this bi-polar way of dealing with these countries. He's just the latest.

[Tiger Al 0]

I've never really understood the rationale of the sanctions against Cuba. Initially, I'm sure they made sense but after a while it seems somebody would've realized they weren't getting the desired effect. Does anyone know if any other countries refuse to trade with Cuba? It can't be that many.

I do find it strange that Americans are told what places they can and can't visit legally.

[rexbo 104]

I do find it strange that Americans are told what places they can and can't visit legally.

From my understanding you can visit Cuba, you can not "trade" with Cuba. The problem is you have to buy a visa to enter Cuba, and that's where they get you. It is hard to show you have visited, have a stamp in your passport, and then try and convince the State Department the Cubans let you in for free. Exchanging currency for goods or vice versa is something our Government has power over.

[Tiger Al 0]

I do find it strange that Americans are told what places they can and can't visit legally.

From my understanding you can visit Cuba, you can not "trade" with Cuba. The problem is you have to buy a visa to enter Cuba, and that's where they get you. It is hard to show you have visited, have a stamp in your passport, and then try and convince the State Department the Cubans let you in for free. Exchanging currency for goods or vice versa is something our Government has power over.

This from the article about the speech he gave today:

"U.S. law forbids Americans to travel to Cuba for pleasure," Bush said. "That law is on the books and it must be enforced."

[rexbo 104]

This from the article about the speech he gave today:

"U.S. law forbids Americans to travel to Cuba for pleasure," Bush said. "That law is on the books and it must be enforced."

Yes, exactly, you cannot travel to Cuba for pleasure and engage in trade. You can go for educational or news purposes and engage in trade, with permission from the US Govt. Oh, but I guess since he didn't explain precisely the title and article of the law in his speech, you think he is lying...

[rexbo 104]

I actually disagree wtih President Bush on this one...

I understand the hatred the Cuban community has for Castro, and their fear that if US tourist dollars were pouring into Cuba, Castro would just be padding his own Swiss bank accounts. He does have a stranglehold on Cuba, and the Canadian and European tourists that are flocking there now are kept well away from the rest of the islanders.

But I agree with you Jenny, some President is going to have to take the short term damage with the southern Florida vote, in the long term hope that Americans and their dollars flooding in will result in Castro finally being removed.

[Tiger Al 0]

This from the article about the speech he gave today:

"U.S. law forbids Americans to travel to Cuba for pleasure," Bush said. "That law is on the books and it must be enforced."

Yes, exactly, you cannot travel to Cuba for pleasure and engage in trade. You can go for educational or news purposes and engage in trade, with permission from the US Govt. Oh, but I guess since he didn't explain precisely the title and article of the law in his speech, you think he is lying...

I never said or thought he was lying...not about this, anyway. I just think it's odd that our government can dictate where we can and can't go for vacation, etc.

[rexbo 104]

I never said or thought he was lying...not about this, anyway. I just think it's odd that our government can dictate where we can and can't go for vacation, etc.

I questioned the same thing TigerAl, and then did a little reading. After understanding the trade issue, I understood how they have this power. It would be just like if you wanted to buy some sugar from Cuba, you cannot because of the embargo. The same thing applies to doing business with the hotels and travel industries in Cuba.

If you could somehow convince the Cubans to give you a free vacation in Cuba, without spending a sent or providing them some kind of value in return, I am sure your lawyer could get you off.