What does everyone think of Cuba? They've been under US embargo for 40 years or so now. In my opinion, their government would have collapsed long ago without the embargo. It merely strengthens Fidels revolutionary stance. What did they ever do to us anyway? So a bunch of mobsters and suger moguls lost some money years ago? So what? Get over it. My bet is that the government is just waiting for Fidel to die to see if the whole thing collapses without him. If it doesn't crumble; then, depending on the nature of the next leader (ours and theirs), they will probably establish some type of trade. How many countries take part in the embargo? Does yours? I wonder what a Cuban cigar tastes like? God, I bet they're good. What do you think?
Well I know we ( the netherlands) dont have any such embargo. And its great fun going on vacation to a idealic caribean island under the old socialistic rule ( It's the last one, so its a bit; must see), and its cheap. They have a young demographic make-up, giving the place a vibrant feel. All in all a trully bohemian place. All I can see after that is VIVA CASTRO, VIVA LA REVOLUTION.
Do the people really like Castro there? Could you get a good idea? Or is it forced upon them? I saw the move Fidel a couple of months ago. It showed him as benevolent in the beginning but become corrupted and almost insane (or senile) towards the end. I think he failed his people in not allowing elections. If that movie is to be trusted, part of his original revolution was about free elections. How were the cigars? Don't tell me you don't smoke.
They love him, they trully do. And as sigars go they are great. But seeing as I'm a sigarette smoker, I probably didn't appreciate them enough
The Bush campaign needs Florida to swing their way like never before, and Right-wing Cuban Florida voters are a no-brainer base the Republicans must keep firmly at heel, even while they still chafe that their long-anticipated triumphal invasion remains in limbo- even in this brief neoimperialist era, because Cuba doesn't interest the oilmen and the zionists in the least. They would have done much better to have knocked over Cuba instead of Iraq, though, (obviously). General American weirdness about Cuba, including the bizarre embargo is just holdover coldwar hate. It will disappear with Fidelissimo soon, and then of course the hotels will shoot upward much faster than the fortunes of everyday Cubans.
It's not just the bush campaign, although they are the most recent beneficiaries of the windfall from cuba's expat's. The anti-castro cubans (all american-cubans basically) in florida are fairly well organized and very vocal. Democrat or republican, party affiliation doesn't really affect this. It's just to risky for any party to change the status quo involving cuba while castro remains in power. There is no political or financial incentive for anyone except the cubans themselves of course but no one cares about them. Cuba has nothing the US needs, aside from baseball players and cigars. Now that I think about it it is weird that the US hasn't just invaded them and gotten it over with, I mean communists... right next door! They're weak and the US could actually do some good there. It would be like taking candy from a baby as well as offering democracy to the masses, yet iraq was taken. I think it's an interesting insight into the motives behind the present war.
Exactly. Weren't we taught that communism is evil when we went to school? I guess Iraq was more evil. Just as well, it's a great cheap vacation spot without the infestation of American tourists. And it’s great for Canadian businesses contrabanding Cuban vacations and cigars to Americans.
Didn't even make it a full page before Iraq popped up... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I saw a post the other day talking about more variety, so I tried... Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
The embargo is asinine. First ... there's no such thing as a poor dictator. Insofar as a unilateral embargo is effective, imposing it does nothing but impoverish the people, which in turn, makes it that much easier for Castro to use the suffering caused by the United States to distract Cuba's attention from the suffering he has caused. Second ... if we can't trade with Cuba, on account of them being evil Commie ratfucks, then why don't we apply the same standard to China? Wellborn ... I wouldn't go so far as to say they love him. There's a Cuban film, Guantanamera, which criticizes Castro for clinging to an outdated, failed ideology as well as for restricting the freedoms of the Cubans. While I don't think Castro would ever suffer the fate of Mussolini and Ceausescu, I don't think the people love him.
Yup it's a bit of a giggle. I took a package tour to Cuba a few years ago. It cost less than an equivalent holiday in the US and it offered a chance to experience a different perspective. (not that you could tell). You Americans should try it. Oh sorry I forgot, your not allowed to. Land of the free? Dee Cee
The Cuban missile crisis is what Cuba done to the US, although it was entirely provoked as the US had missiles on the USSR's doorstep in turkey. What does it matter anyway, it was years ago. Embargoing medicine, food etc is inhumane even if they believe Castro's system is. When Castro dies I think the American Cubans will go over and try to cause a revelution to capitalism (and I think theyll succeed, after all with the finacial backing of America, how could it fail?) , after this is done either: American corporations will move in and start building and buying up the land - meanwhile ordinary cubans will remain poor. Or, decendants or even people that lost the land and buildings in the first place will try to claim them back, meanwhile ordinary cubans staying poor. Meanwhile, eitherway, Cuba will lose its charm and what makes it special, but where there is a free market then who really cares about something like that? Cuba does have elections, but with only one communist party candidate and 95% of the people vote.
Poverty, yes... charming. It's always nice to have a place just around the corner when you want to enjoy a cheap vaction and gawk at the poor people. "Look honey, street urchins! how quaint. quick, get the camera!"
You know thats not what I meant. If I wanted to gawk at poor people I could go to any 3rd world country. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
If you want to gawk at poor people, look closer at your respective country, you wont have to look long or har,. And overall the cubans are a happy lot. Not all support fidel, but most think he's done alright..
Yeh, I agree with you wellborn. The Cuban embargo is illegal, the UN has condemned the ambargo many, many times, every country in the world except 3 (Uzbekistan, Israel and America) has condemed the embargo ie. voted against the embargo. As far as Im aware, an embargo is used against an enemy that your at war against so this must mean that America is at war with Cuba. Cuba is next to no threat to America, so why have they been invaded many times and various attempts made on Castro's life? Because they are a communist country? America trades with other communist countries. I believe that the embargo is helping destroy the cuban economy, ok, I admit that it isnt the sole reason of cuba's failing economy but it must be an attributing factor. I dont understand or sympathise with the logic or reasoning with this embargo and I think its all about politics. The cubans in exile in Florida are a large proportion of voters, any party that shows signs of sympathy or relaxation of the hard stance against Cuba will lose their votes because the exiled cubans hate the castro regime. They hate the regime for various reasons: poverty (helped by the American embargo) or they haved lost property or assets during the 50s revelution that was a contributing factor of the previous poverty during the last corrupt regime. Losing their votes could damage a parties chances. Thats what I think of the embargo.
If the Cubans liked it so much they wouldnt be trying to leave all the time. Cuba is in the economic shits. Im sure when Fidel dies we will end the embargo. Besides the whole Cuban missle thing (which was a pretty big deal) im thinking that Fidel did something else to really piss us off.
You know before Cuba legalised the use of the Dollar again, it was supposedly quite an egalitarian nation, so perhaps the system isnt so failed after all.
Cuba's healthcare is apparently still one of the better ones in the general area of the americas. Maybe it is a poor country but it has some good priorities. That said, it is time that Fidel went away.
Cuba has never been our enemy. By far, we're our own worst enemy (9/11 and many others). I don't agree with everything Castro, although it's certainly been a whole lot better off than under the Barcardi mafiosa rule. http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=38370 Barcardi buys governments, even the American government
