Debate: A Cuban American can't go to CUBA to see dead relative

[goclark]

They are debating this on CSPAN right now!

I saw a report about this on TV a few nights ago.

Help me understand why I would have to wait three years to see my ill family members.

[dogday]

1. This is about a Soldier who has two children, one sick

and wants to go to Cuba to visit them. Government said he can't go but they would bring the kids to him. Since one is sick, that did not sound good to the Dad.

[goclark]

2. The story that I saw on TV

Was about an elderly cousin who visited his aunts/family in Cuba.

Since he can only go every three years, if that,he will never be able to see his family again.

This hurts me because my cousin is very close to me. We are near the same age.
I would be so upset if I could not visit him in a similar situation.

[getmeouttahere]

3. Can someone explain to me how it is that...

we are free to travel to communist China but not Cuba?

[GeekMonkey]

4. Wall Mart doesn't import from Cuba

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. It makes no sense at all

especially since Cuban "refugees" WERE free to travel back and forth until just last year. In fact, the people who had left because it was supposed to be so awful there went back and forth freely and were, in fact, the only people who were allowed to do so.

What I gather from people who have been there is this:

1) Cuba is not a military threat to the U.S. It can't even take over the Guantanamo Naval Base. (Imagine a Soviet naval base on U.S. soil during the Cold War.)

2) The people are poorer than in the U.S., but not any worse off than people in a lot of other Latin American countries. They're actually better off than the inhabitants of most of the Central American countries that are considered U.S. allies.

3) The government has its repressive aspects, but on a world-wide scale, it's not as bad as some of the countries that the U.S. counts among its allies.

4) It's a really interesting place to visit, with history, natural beauty, and a fascinating mix of Spanish, African, and Native cultures.

[goclark]

9. Then its all about the NEOCONS

and their bully mentality.

They could care less if we go to China but they hate that Castro bullies them right back. And, Castro STILL stands.

If they could, they would go over there and bomb him out of there but they dare not!

[goclark]

16. China not Cuba is a real question!

We kiss China's ass all day long.

[bluedog]

5. No.....I know for a fact

my daughter in laws aunt died.she and her mother wanted to attend the funeral.........they could not get permission to go.........we are in Florida.....and they have other relatives in Miami....all tried to get to Cuba...all denied..........they had one chance to do so .....go to Canada and fly out.I guess it was too costly to do so.......so this family was denied to pay the proper respect to a family member,,,


It broke my heart to see how tore up these people were........and I do hold the US government responsible for this stupid tit for tat bull shit.

[goclark]

6. Seems like BUSHCO is determined to not care a bit

about "family values."

It is all about controlling Castro and they haven't been able to do it in all these years.

It's cruel IMO but I am new to the issue.

[grumpy old fart]

8. It's all about swing votes in Florida. Period. Always has been.

IMHO

[goclark]

10. Is it also about the CUBAN $$$$Americans

that hate Castro and pay big bucks to the Regressives.

[grumpy old fart]

11. Remember, Clinton didn't do anything on this issue either.....

it cuts across party lines. It's just pandering to a bloc of votes in Florida. Though you're right, they are overwhlemingly Republican votes, nither party seems willing to mess with 'em.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Too true. Cowardly polticians abound in both parties.

[goclark]

14. Money talks for either party

Rangel wants yes!!

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. Well, Cuba is such a huge threat to 'murka, you know.

I mean, they might flood us with doctors and teachers and yummy black beans and rice. Not to mention baseball players and great music.

[goclark]

15. Rangel is trying to get that point across

but they keep calling Castro a dictator.

Now they are talking about "the BLACK people' and it is making Barbara Lee and Rangel mad!
Turn on CSPAN