Cuba wants to donate baseball winnings to Katrina victims

[donsu]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/americas/03/24/us.cuba.baseball.money.reut/index.html


U.S. thrown a curve; Cuba cries foul
Cuba wants to donate baseball winnings to Katrina victims


Cuba's prize money from the first World Baseball Classic has become collateral damage in the four-decade battle between President Fidel Castro and the United States.

Castro said he wanted to donate the money to victims of Hurricane Katrina, but U.S. officials say Cuba isn't getting any prize money.

Cuba finished second in the 16-nation competition, and the runner-up was entitled to 7 percent of the tournament's profits. But under the 1962 U.S. trade embargo, Havana had to forfeit its cut to get U.S. approval to play.

Castro, welcoming Cuba's players home as champions despite their 10-6 loss to Japan in Monday's championship game in San Diego, California, said on Tuesday that the Cuban prize money would be donated to Katrina victims.
-snip-
-------------------------------

our snippity bushmilhousegang said:

"Cuba doesn't have a cut of the proceeds of the tournament, and there is nothing for Cuba to donate," MLB spokesman Patrick Courtney said by telephone from New York.

If there are any unassigned net revenues, MLB would consider a donation to an as-yet-undetermined charitable or humanitarian cause, he said.
---------

they have probably already divvied up Cuba's share and stuffed it in their pockets

america is a crime scene

[LynnTheDem]

1. Is it possible to make us look more childish, belligerant, immature

small-minded & ignorant than we already do???

[TomInTib]

3. If you think of any new ways, send them to the WH. Looks like..

they are running out of dumb ideas.

[Lefty48197]

2. Give it up Castro, you're no Hugo Chavez.

.

[donsu]

4. goodness, where did you come from

nt

[LynnTheDem]

5. You're missing out on a lot of facts.

Such as the FACT that Fidel Castro has been offering help to many nations, including the USA, for many things for many years.

[Judi Lynn]

7. And what have we offered them? Over 45 years of unrelieved terrorism

with absolutely no end in sight.

It seems people have to go out of their way to remain in the dark about US policy toward Cuba.

I'm sure you knew when it happened, but some people don't, Cuba offered use of its airports the very day 9/11 happened, in case it could help in rerouting essential traffic. It offered use of its hospitals, doctors, nurses, etc. which was ignored.

One of Cuba's most world-famous jazz musicians, Chucho Valdez was in Los Angeles on 9/ll to attend the Latin American Grammies, for which he was nominated, and stayed there, even though the program was cancelled, until he and his musicians had all donated blood, before he returned to Cuba.

What has _Bush done in return? He has closed down even the yearly trips to Cuba open to Cuban immigrants here, making it once every 3 years, with no exceptions for illness or other family emergencies. He has cancelled visas to visiting Cuban academics, (the exchange between Cuban and American teachers, scientists, doctors, union workers, church people had been significant during Clinton's Presidency, at least) and others, and he forbade the Cuban baseball team to participate in a Puerto Rico world tournament, and didn't back down until the Baseball Commissioner got involved, etc., etc., etc.

You're right, the offering of help from Cuba goes back a very long, long way. It has been mocked.

[LynnTheDem]

8. Canada & the UK are on very good terms w Castro & Cuba.

In fact Cuba is the #1 vacation spot of Brits, and in the top 5 for Canadians.

It's funny listening to a Canadian or Brit speaking of Cuba/Castro compared to most Americans.

It isn't just bush on this one; the US gov and "media" have been demonizing Cuba & Caastro for many decades. Just another area where most Americans remain conned, duped, wrong.

[Lefty48197]

13. What is the number one vacation spot for Cubans?

It's Cuba, because Castro won't let them leave. That's called kidnapping in my book.

[LynnTheDem]

14. Bullshit.

"All Cubans are allowed to travel if they can pay for it, and if the government approves their applications"
http://www.denverpost.com/travel/ci_0002595550

"Restrictions on travel outside Cuba continued to be applied to the most prominent dissidents"
http://web.amnesty.org/report2004/cub-summary-eng

The way bush refuses to let prominent bush dissidents into the USA? Or the way the US gov refuses to allow Americans to go to Cuba?

[Lefty48197]

15. "...if the government approves their applications..." LMAO

that's a good one! Why is it that people tie their children to innertubes and float them to the USA? Because Fidel is a good guy? Or is it because they are willing to risk death for their child, because they know that's the only F'ing way they're going to get out?

[LynnTheDem]

16. How many requests in 2005 and how many refused?

Don't know, do you. Google it. It'll surprise you.

You really are into that "black-white" mindthing. It's not a good way to be coz in fact the facts are not black-white. Neither is the world.

See I never said ALL Cubans can travel anywhere they like. Fact is MOST can.

That's seeing FACTS versus your black-white no-fact crap.

Have a nice day! :)

[Lefty48197]

26. Asking to leave Cuba can get you tossed in jail.

Don't think there aren't thousands that would apply if the threat weren't hanging over their head. Speaking of facts....

[Judi Lynn]

27. Observations from the CIA: Most Cubans loyal to homeland

CIA: Most Cubans loyal to homeland
Agency believes various ties to island bind the majority
By Robert Windrem
NBC NEWS PRODUCER

NEW YORK, April 12 <2000> — Cuban-American exile leaders — and many Republicans in Congress — believe that no Cuban, including Juan Miguel Gonzalez, could withstand the blandishments of a suburban American lifestyle, that he and all other Cubans would gladly trade their “miserable” lives in Cuba for the prosperity of the United States — if only given the chance. Witness House Minority Leader Dick Armey’s invitation to Gonzalez, offering him a tour of a local supermarket. But U.S. intelligence suggests otherwise.

THE CIA has long believed that while 1 million to 3 million Cubans would leave the island if they had the opportunity, the rest of the nation’s 11 million people would stay behind.

While an extraordinarily high number, there are still 8 million to 10 million Cubans happy to remain on the island.
(snip)

The CIA believes there are many reasons Cubans are content to remain in their homeland. Some don’t want to be separated from home, family and friends. Some fear they would never be able to return, and still others just fear change in general. Officials also say there is a reservoir of loyalty to Fidel Castro and, as in the case of Juan Miguel Gonzalez, to the Communist Party.

U.S. officials say they no longer regard Cuba as a totalitarian state with aggressive policies toward its people, but instead an authoritarian state, where the public can operate within certain bounds — just not push the envelope.

More important, Cuban media and Cuban culture long ago raised the banner of nationalism above that of Marxism. The intelligence community says the battle over Elian has presented Castro with a “unique opportunity” to enhance that nationalism.

There is no indication, U.S. officials say, of any nascent rebellion about to spill into the streets, no great outpouring of support for human rights activists in prison. In fact, there are fewer than 100 activists on the island and a support group of perhaps 1,000 more, according to U.S. officials.
(snip/...)

http://members.allstream.net/~dchris/CubaFAQ019.html

[Lefty48197]

28. The CIA says between 1 and 3 MILLION Cubans would leave if they could

Here's the quote from your post: "THE CIA has long believed that while 1 million to 3 million Cubans would leave the island if they had the opportunity, the rest of the nation’s 11 million people would stay behind." That's like somewhere between 25 and 75 million residents of the USA wishing they could leave.

That's a heck of a record Castro has. Somewhere between 9.1% and 27.3% of Cubans would leave Cuba, "if they had the opportunity".

Weren't you trying to make the point that they DON'T want to leave?

[Judi Lynn]

29. So it's the same CIA which arranged the Bay of Pigs, and which has

hired lots Cuban "exiles" to run raids on Cuba over the years, conduct acts of terrorism for decades, to involve themselves in Viet Nam, in Iran Contra, in assassinating "leftists" in 26 countries, even right on the streets of Washington D.C., bagging a U.N. diplomat the coward's way, with, of course, car bombs, in New York, blowing up a Cuban airliner with 73 people on board, etc., etc., etc.

Any estimates they give concerning the ones ready to leave the country may easily be guessed as INFLATED. I believe I was responding to your remark stating asking to leave Cuba can get you tossed in jail. That would be incorrect. I felt the article had enough interesting points made to be worth posting.

They don't toss people in jail for "asking to leave." That would be disinformation.

[Bridget Burke]

21. Because they want the "special" immigration treatment....

That they will get if they reach the US. Unlike the Mexicans, who also take risks.

These are not the Cubans who cannot afford to travel. What are the numbers?

[Judi Lynn]

25. You've got it. If other immigrants were offered the benfits available

to Cubans through the Cuban Adjustment Act, instant legal status (no deportation once they arrive on dry land under their own power), instant green card, US taxpayer-supported Section 8 HOUSING, social security, food stamps, medical treatment, financial assistance for education, etc., etc., this country would have been packed from shore to shore with immigrants a long time ago. We wouldn't have enough room to move around by now!

As it is, hundreds from Latin America coming through Mexico, and Mexicans die ANNUALLY trying to cross the border from California to Texas, die in the ocean traveling by boat from the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, trying to get to Puerto Rico, Bahamas, and other islands. There are also Haitians who head for Cuba, where there is a sizeable community already.

A little research would help put things in perspective for some of these posters. Propaganda only spreads lies, and people imagine they are informed when they buy it.

[Bridget Burke]

20. No, Cubans can travel.

Some years ago, I met a number of Cuban artists who visited for a seminar. And to exhibit their art. & sell some. Then they went home.

Bush has closed down most of the "Cultural" exchange. So the Cubans are probably visiting Mexico, Venezuela, etc.

[Lefty48197]

12. He's also held an island nation in virtual prison for nearly 50 years

Excuse me for not seeing the virtue in that.

[LynnTheDem]

17. Exit permits to visit relatives abroad are issued almost automatically

for Cubans over 60 years of age. Younger Cubans may visit their relatives abroad only in emergency situations such as illness or death. Although most professionals eventually obtain temporary exit permits allowing them to travel abroad when they are invited by organizations located abroad, young men generally have to complete their obligatory military service before they can obtain an exit permit.

http://www.cidh.oas.org/countryrep/Cuba83eng/chap.8.htm

[MrMonk]

18. How does this help your case?

Even the recently "liberalized" rules seem to discourage people from leaving Cuba, unless they are less than 60 years of age. Cuba's requirements for allowing people to leave that island seem to be much more restrictive than many countries' rules for entering their respective jurisdictions.

[LynnTheDem]

19. I don't have a "case" to need help with.

I just prefer facts over black-white rhetoric. :)

[0007]

22. Om goodness, what a dumb thing to say!

[PetraPooh]

6. Well, then why doesn't the USA donate it on behalf of Cuba instead

of putting in the pockets of the MLB.

[LynnTheDem]

9. You can't be series!!11!!1

The MLB needs that money for...well they just do!

:eyes:

[lwcon]

10. With apologies to Howard Jones...

You can play the Classic but you're not allowed to win
Or give money to Katrina victims, that would be a sin
It seems so weird
That the guy who wears a beard
Has more interest in New Orleans victims
Than the guy SCOTUS put in
Georgie won't help
And you can't help
Fi-del, Fi-i-del
Even you put
Bush to shame
___

Hey, the liberal light is always on at the Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy. Please stop by and say "hi!"

[Judi Lynn]

11. Cuba offered its cut of the proceeds before ever going to Puerto Rico

to the tournament. When they went there, they were satisfied that that was the agreement.

It's really odd that the Hurricane Katrina victems gift is being rejected by the _Bush administration. Looks like _Bush fears it might give Cubans some decent publicity.

[Minnesota Libra]

23. OMG, you mean to tell me this country..................

......could get some of our money back that goes overseas??:wow: A communist country does what our own country can't or won't do.:cry: This is what we've come to under the boy king.:cry:

[Bake]

24. Isn't it waay past TIME?

Time to drop the stupid embargo and treat Cuba like the rest of the world does? Canada and UK deal with Cuba, why don't we either drop the ridiculous embargo or be consistent and cut off everybody else who trades with Cuba? What the hell does the embargo accomplish anyway? I've never heard a good explanation of that.

Bake