Obama to Ease Cuba-Travel Ban

[babylonsister]

U.S. Said to Plan Easing Rules for Travel to Cuba

Franklin Reyes/Associated Press

American trapeze artists Samuel Sion and Sylvia Friedman, also known as the Rose duo, prepared backstage before performing at the Circuba Festival in Havana last week.

By GINGER THOMPSON
Published: August 16, 2010


WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is planning to expand opportunities for Americans to travel to Cuba, the latest step aimed at encouraging more contact between people in both countries, while leaving intact the decades-old embargo against the island’s Communist government, according to Congressional and administration officials.

The officials, who asked not to be identified because they had not been authorized to discuss the policy before it was announced, said it was meant to loosen restrictions on academic, religious and cultural groups that were adopted under President George W. Bush, and return to the “people to people” policies followed under President Bill Clinton.

Those policies, officials said, fostered robust exchanges between the United States and Cuba, allowing groups — including universities, sports teams, museums and chambers of commerce — to share expertise as well as life experiences.

Policy analysts said the intended changes would mark a significant shift in Cuba policy. In early 2009, President Obama lifted restrictions on travel and remittances only for Americans with relatives on the island.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/17/world/americas/17cuba.html?_r=2&hp

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I like this idea...

Can you see McCain doing it?

Nope, me neither.

Recommended.

[babylonsister]

2. 'Morning, Peggy!

Are you up early or are you staying up late? :rofl: And no, McCain would never have done this!

:hi:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Alas, I could not sleep!

So I'm up for the moment...

Hopefully I'll be able to sleep.....eventually...

Good morning to you!

:hi:

[Billy Burnett]

4. Just what Cuba needs. US Chambers of Commerce.

Then Cuba needs US business schools to send over some Milton Friedman economists.
Then Cuba needs US medical schools to send over some health care experts.
Then Cuba needs US US style charter schools to get Cuba's education systems up to snuff.


Yes, Mr Obama, these are just what Cuba needs. :sarcasm:


Meanwhile ... the rest of America remains travel banned by the US government, and cannot see for themselves what Cuba has and hasn't.

More of the same, imo. --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OjOQ6xz1b8

[babylonsister]

5. So you disapprove of diplomacy? Personally, I'd love to go

to Cuba, and think it's past time for improved relations.

[Billy Burnett]

11. Of course I approve of real diplomacy. But the Chamber doesn't represent the US.

How will you get to go? Are you on the board of The Chamber?

Of course you want to go to Cuba. Many Americans do. But this "easing" of US restrictions doesn't include ordinary Americans. It only includes specially approved corporate reps and groups.

Same goes for travel the other way. The US will continue to deny travel visas for Cubans too - unless they are US gov specially approved corporate reps and groups.

Aside from these elite and approved special interests, the US travel ban on Americans and Cubans is still on.

I approve of and encourage unrestricted diplomacy between Cubans and Americans - not just US government approved special interest select groups, some of whom do not represent the (interests of the) American people or the Cuban people.

[eridani]

6. It's a start

Why not keep up the lobbying for ending the ban?

[Billy Burnett]

12. Getting rid of the ban will nullify the need for lobbying.

Do you understand how American political campaigns are funded?

No hot button issues = no campaign dollars from interested parties.

No US trade/travel sanctions on Cuba = no pro/con sanctions campaign support.

It is about money. Period. Always has been.

A convenient cover for all of this is to scapegoat the radical RW Miamicubano exiles in Miami (after all, they're not at all lovable or sensible).

There is a VERY strong lobby for maintaining the sanctions. The impetus of this is funding by the US gov - in the form of funding for the very lucrative anti Castro industry in S Florida and Washington (hundreds of millions of dollars per year to a wide swath of activities and "free Cuba" foundations). This industry has no interest in Cubans in Cuba. That's their stage act. Their interest is the perpetuation of the US taxpayer financed anti Castro industry. No Castro = no industry (that feeds campaign coffers, both pro and con).

The US government has created this hot button issue, and elected representatives do well by maintaining it. So, status quo rules. It sucks. It is the American system of campaign funding that is part cause of the entire 50+ year US standoff against Cuba.

[eridani]

14. Eventually the old farts are going to die off

I hear that younger Cubans tend not to give a shit. Hopefully this will remain so.

[seattleblue]

7. From the OP link Senator Menendez is leading the fight against any changes.

"Mr. Menendez, in a statement, objected to the anticipated changes. “This is not the time to ease pressure on the Castro regime,” he said, referring to President Raúl Castro of Cuba, who took office in 2006 after his brother, Fidel, fell ill. Mr. Menendez added that promoting travel would give Havana a “much needed infusion of dollars that will only allow the Castro brothers to extend their reign of oppression.”

[vaberella]

8. Goddamned these Democrats. Shit, we can't win with these people around.

This is Obama's biggest obstacle, the freakin' democratic party.

[KingFlorez]

9. It's overdue

We have normal relations with China and even owe them money, yet they are huge oppressors, so why not do something as minor as reduce travel restrictions on Cuba? Cuba isn't anywhere as bad as China when it comes to human rights.

[besdayz]

10. a

how can these people look at themselves in the mirror supporting a obviously failed policy.

just a sick fear tactic where people are beholden to a small vocal elderly cuban population....and the seniors who lived through that era.


its too bad young people have to wait until all the discredited and bitter elders die off before expecting progress....and by then you get old and probably are bitter that progress wasn't happening in your time, and then you take it out on the next generation....cycle

[Billy Burnett]

13. The old Cubans in Miami are a convenient scapegoat for the larger issue.

See my post #12 in this thread.