NationStates Jolt Archive

Actually 2 articles on the subject.

HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro has broken a five-week silence with an essay in which he calls President Barack Obama 'honest' in his ideas.

The ailing 82-year-old former leader met Wednesday with Argentine President Cristina Fernandez.

Castro wrote in a statement posted on a government Web site hours later that he "did not have the slightest doubt of the honesty of Obama ... when he expresses his ideas."

The meeting and essay dispelled rumors that Castro's health had taken a turn for the worse.

He normally published his ruminations a few times a week but had not released an essay since Dec. 15, fueling speculation he could have lapsed into a coma.
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HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro watched the U.S. inauguration on television and said Wednesday that Barack Obama seems "like a man who is absolutely sincere," Argentina's president said after meeting with the ailing Cuban icon.

"Fidel believes in Obama," Cristina Fernandez said.

The meeting with Fernandez, just before she ended a four-day visit to Cuba, dispelled persistent rumors that the 82-year-old Castro had suffered a stroke or lapsed into a coma in recent days.

"I was with Fidel about an hour or more," she told reporters at the airport as she left. "We were chatting, conversing. He looked good."

Fernandez said Castro wore the track suit that has become his trademark since he fell ill in July 2006 and vanished from public view. A spokesman said the two met alone.

"He told me he had followed the inauguration of Barack Obama very closely, that he had watched the inauguration on television all day," Fernandez said. "He had a very good perception of President Obama."

Fernandez said Castro called Obama "a man who seems absolutely sincere," who believes strongly in his ideas "and who hopefully can carry them out."

Raul Castro, who took over the presidency from his brother, appeared with Fernandez, scoffing at the rumors about his brother's health.

"Do you think if he were really gravely ill that I'd be smiling here?" Raul Castro said. "Soon I'm going to take a trip to Europe. You guys think I could leave here if Fidel were really in grave condition?"

Castro, 77, said his older brother spends his days "thinking a lot, reading a lot, advising me, helping me."

The rumors about Castro's health were fanned by the fact that he hasn't written a newspaper column in more than a month and hadn't held a confirmed meeting with a foreign leader since Nov. 28. The presidents of Panama and Ecuador visited this month but left without saying they had seen the elder Castro.

"Now you know that Fidel is fine, and not like the rumors around here," Raul Castro said.

Earlier Wednesday, Raul Castro said Obama "seemed like a good man" and wished him luck.

Obama has pledged to ease limits on Cuban-Americans' visits to the island and on how much money they can send home to relatives. He has also offered to negotiate personally with Raul Castro, though he has said he won't push Congress to lift the U.S. trade embargo, at least not right away.

Cubans see those as important steps in improving U.S.-Cuba relations. Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, tightened sanctions on the communist-governed country.

The comments by the Castro brothers contrast with those of their ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose government took exception to Obama's characterization of Chavez as "a destructive force in the region." Obama made the comments in an interview with the Univision television network.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Nicolas Maduro said he hoped Obama would "rectify" the comments, which he said showed his "total ignorance" about Latin America.

"President Chavez has won 12 of the 14 elections in the past 10 years," the state-run Bolivarian News Agency quoted Maduro as saying. "He is the legitimate president."
I imagine thousands of Neocons are going "See we told you he's a Evil Socialist!!11!"
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Link (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gh3HOPD2ujNfXplmi3mkFeVCm-nAD95RVK880)

So even Fidel Castro is being an Obama fan. (Or at least pretending to.)

Which puts Chavez in an awkward position since he Chavez was bashing him just a few days ago.
This just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

I feel this is going to be a very interesting year in the US's foreign policy.

Which puts Chavez in an awkward position since he Chavez was bashing him just a few days ago.


What did Chavez say?

It's probably because now there's a reasonable chance that the embargo will be loosened, or even better outright lifted. Fidel might be a communist, but the truth is that in a lot of cases those communist leaders were shrewder businessmen than their counterparts in capitalist states...lifting the embargo on Cuba would basically trigger a massive economic boom in Cuba that would basically render them a friendly-neutral nation in the region. Venezuela's only real attraction for Cuba is its free oil and their mutual opposition to the US.

What did Chavez say?

The comments by the Castro brothers contrast with those of their ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, whose government took exception to Obama's characterization of Chavez as "a destructive force in the region." Obama made the comments in an interview with the Univision television network.

Obama's pointing out that Hugo is an obnoxious troll who's dragging everything around him down and that upsets El Presidente.

Obama's pointing out that Hugo is an obnoxious troll who's dragging everything around him down and that upsets El Presidente.

Considering Cuba's been stable economically and politically for over 50 years despite the collapse of the USSR while Venezuela's falling apart after 10 years of Hugie's mismanagement, I could see why Castro would be bailing from that half-assed leaky barge.

Change even Fidel Castro can believe in!

Considering Cuba's been stable economically and politically for over 50 years despite the collapse of the USSR while Venezuela's falling apart after 10 years of Hugie's mismanagement, I could see why Castro would be bailing from that half-assed leaky barge.

If Obama wasn't so committed to change, diplomacy and openness, a comment from him that Hugo Chavez is dragging down Venezuela the way Shrub nearly tanked the U.S. would be dynamite epic lulz.

If Obama wasn't so committed to change, diplomacy and openness, a comment from him that Hugo Chavez is dragging down Venezuela the way Shrub nearly tanked the U.S. would be dynamite epic lulz.

Maybe he's hinting at it through some of his preliminary policy moves. Plus, there's the fact that Chavez's anti-US statements will soon start to sound as stale as a Monica Lewinsky joke circa 2002 now that Barack and the Democrats are cleaning house.

Maybe he's hinting at it through some of his preliminary policy moves. Plus, there's the fact that Chavez's anti-US statements will soon start to sound as stale as a Monica Lewinsky joke circa 2002 now that Barack and the Democrats are cleaning house.
Yes doubt he'll be able to pull the "Satan in the UN building" trick again.

He based his entire world image on hating George Bush.

No Bush leaves Chavez up to dry.

Heck that leaves several up to dry.

What did Chavez say?

"Look at me! Look at me! I want to be in the headlines!"

"Look at me! Look at me! I want to be in the headlines!"
How true. Chavez is such an attention whore.

"Look at me! Look at me! I want to be in the headlines!"

I was hoping for something more specific, but I guess that'll do.

Change even Fidel Castro can believe in!

:D

After so many decades of irrational opposition from US Presidents, it must be hard indeed for Castro to believe it will really change.

I say they sit down over a nice bottle of rum and a few cigars, and toss a coin.

If Obama wins, the US gets Cuba as a State. If Castro wins, Cuba gets Florida. It's a win, either way.

:D

After so many decades of irrational opposition from US Presidents, it must be hard indeed for Castro to believe it will really change.


No change other then we stop yelling at each other.
Cuban Americans hate castro, and they live in a swing state. no one wants to start the next election guaranteed to lose Florida.

I was hoping for something more specific, but I guess that'll do.

"Give me a headline of I'll shoot this bunny" ?

"Give me a headline of I'll shoot this bunny" ?

Read all about it:
Clown Holds Bunny Hostage! Children Around the World Traumatized!

Read all about it:
Clown Holds Bunny Hostage! Children Around the World Traumatized!

But they are only traumatized because your putting it on the news,
and its only on the news because they are traumatized. :headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang:

But they are only traumatized because your putting it on the news,
and its only on the news because they are traumatized. :headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang:

Its win win. Traumatized Children make excellent news... and excellent news traumatizes children! MWHAHAHAH!

Read all about it:
Clown Holds Bunny Hostage! Children Around the World Traumatized!

Oh please! If every time a clown held a bunny at gunpoint made the papers, there wouldn't even be any room for crossword puzzles!

Oh please! If every time a clown held a bunny at gunpoint made the papers, there wouldn't even be any room for crossword puzzles!

Well my newspaper doesn't have a crossword puzzle so there :p!

And therein lies the difference in comedic styles between me and LG.

LG is smart.

I am a smartass.

HAVANA (AP) — Fidel Castro watched the U.S. inauguration on television and said Wednesday that Barack Obama seems "like a man who is absolutely sincere," Argentina's president said after meeting with the ailing Cuban icon.

"Fidel believes in Obama," Cristina Fernandez said.

Yes - we all know Obama won out of a single vote in Florida. It was Fidel's vote, he disguised himself as a cuban expatriate, registered as Republican and voted for Obama! AYEEEE!!! COMMIES! COMMIES! :rolleyes: :D

Anyway, who knows? Maybe after putting Gitmo trials on hold, Obama might even begin lifting the blockade, at least partially.

You guys don't get it, at all.

If the coin toss goes for Cuba, then Floridans don't get to vote in the next US election. They're Cubans now, and may or may not get to vote for the National Assembly.

If the toss goes for the US, the Cuban Americans have their dream come true: Fidel reduced from dictator to talk show host on cable (well, he'd have to get some personal kickback, his own channel isn't out of the ballpark), family reunions etc.

The icing on the cake is that the citizens of the new State (Cuba) wouldn't get to vote in the next election. So Obama gets Florida for sure, without having to campaign in Cuba at all.

I think that's how it goes with admission of new states. Mighty constitutional lawyer that I am

*big drag on Cuban cigar*

I wonder how many assassination attempts on Castro there will be during Obama's term?

"Fidel believes in Obama,"

someone needs to tell Fidel that Obama's not the tooth fairy or Santa Claus. YOu don't need to 'believe' in him to make him real.

I wonder how many assassination attempts on Castro there will be during Obama's term?

I give up. How many?

i give up. How many?

10.93

I give up. How many?

I am not at liberty to disclose that information to people without the correct security clearance.

I am not at liberty to disclose that information to people without the correct security clearance.

Come now, not even to me?

No change other then we stop yelling at each other.
Cuban Americans hate castro, and they live in a swing state. no one wants to start the next election guaranteed to lose Florida.

Actually, this is untrue.

A majority of Cuban Americans do not (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4B273S20081203?virtualBrandChannel=10112) support the embargo.

However, I don't think Obama will be in a rush to end the embargo, either.

Mr Obama has said that he would lift restrictions on family travel and remittances to Cuba, but maintain the US trade embargo to press for changes in the Communist-run country.

Linky (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7772459.stm).

Anyway, who knows? Maybe after putting Gitmo trials on hold, Obama might even begin lifting the blockade, at least partially.

Not likely, So long as Cuban American hate Castro and live in a swing state the embargo will not end, after all no one wants to start the election with Florida already lost.

also its an embargo, a blockade implies our navy is out there blocking all ships from leaving the island.

Actually, this is untrue.

A majority of Cuban Americans do not (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4B273S20081203?virtualBrandChannel=10112) support the embargo.

However, I don't think Obama will be in a rush to end the embargo, either.



By your link the majority in Florida do support the embargo. (which happen to be the ones i am talking about)

Not likely, So long as Cuban American hate Castro and live in a swing state the embargo will not end, after all no one wants to start the election with Florida already lost.

Cuban Americans aren't pro the embargo. They're just against Fidel and his regime.

also its an embargo, a blockade implies our navy is out there blocking all ships from leaving the island.

Don't delllude yourself. The US isn't the only nation with power to trade with Cuba. There are other nations that do so. The embargo makes it difficult, but the Island survives, so do its people.

Don't delllude yourself. The US isn't the only nation with power to trade with Cuba. There are other nations that do so. The embargo makes it difficult, but the Island survives, so do its people.

and ??? he called it a blockade. A blockade is our navy blocking all ships.
that only briefly happened during the Cuban missile crisis.
An embargo is just our refusal to trade.
So what was your point ?

and ??? he called it a blockade. A blockade is our navy blocking all ships.
that only briefly happened during the Cuban missile crisis.
An embargo is just our refusal to trade.
So what was your point ?

Read this (http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/cuba/1775.html) and then assume Cuban-Americans are Pro embargo.:rolleyes:

Read this (http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/americas/cuba/1775.html) and then assume Cuban-Americans are Pro embargo.:rolleyes:

sounds like your article uses the same numbers the other guy posted.
As mentioned elsewhere Cuban Americans in Florida.
read the other guys post. pay attention to Cuban Americans in Miami-dade (all intensive purposes Cuban Americans in Florida) and notice it shows a minority opposing lifting the embargo(implied majority for keeping if poll only had 2 options).

Cubans outside of Florida do not concern me because they do not make up a voting block large enough to shift a states red or blue status.

(all intensive purposes Cuban Americans in Florida)

For all intents and purposes, not intensive purposes. The latter is bordering gibberish. Pet peeve of mine, carry on. I know nothing about Cuba really so this discussion interests me even if I can't contribute.

For all intents and purposes, not intensive purposes. The latter is bordering gibberish. Pet peeve of mine, carry on. I know nothing about Cuba really so this discussion interests me even if I can't contribute.

i like the intensive way better, sounds better and rolls of the tongue nicely.

sounds like your article uses the same numbers the other guy posted.
As mentioned elsewhere Cuban Americans in Florida.

And the article is about Cuban-Americans in FL. What's your point?

read the other guys post. pay attention to Cuban Americans in Miami-dade (all intensive purposes Cuban Americans in Florida) and notice it shows a minority opposing lifting the embargo(implied majority for keeping if poll only had 2 options).

You know, as well as I do that this is not the reality anymore.

Cubans outside of Florida do not concern me because they do not make up a voting block large enough to shift a states red or blue status.

No one's mentioning Cubans outside of the US or FL for that matter. What matters is that, on the last few years, the opinion of Cubans in FL has changed dramatically and the majority no longer leans towards maintaining the embargo.

Besides, if there's something more unjust happening right now is the US's embargo on Cuba. It's been what, 40-50 years? Its enough.

It's been what, 40-50 years? Its enough.I think the only reason it's still in place is because we've forgotten how to get there, it has been so long.

If and when trade resumes, we'll need to hire Cuban-American immigrants to show us the way back. :D

Not likely, So long as Cuban American hate Castro and live in a swing state the embargo will not end, after all no one wants to start the election with Florida already lost.
Do cuban emigrates support the embargo? Dunno. Actually, eliminating the embargo MIGHT be a subtler strategy to cut the grass under the Castros' feets.

also its an embargo, a blockade implies our navy is out there blocking all ships from leaving the island.

Ok, embargo it is.

I think the only reason it's still in place is because we've forgotten how to get there, it has been so long.

I think the reason why it remains is because the US dislikes being proven wrong. Fidel Castro didn't turn out to be the monster the US government made him to be. Now, embargo as a spiteful punishment.

I wonder how many assassination attempts on Castro there will be during Obama's term?

One. By the brutal, silent, and fickle assassin known only as "Time".

I think the reason why it remains is because the US dislikes being proven wrong. Fidel Castro didn't turn out to be the monster the US government made him to be. Now, embargo as a spiteful punishment.He never digivolved past Castromon, the poor little fella. But at least we never tried to inva-...oh, wait.

In all seriousness, it's quite unfortunate that Cuba remains cut off from the United States, despite the rather tame nature of our relations these days. It's a beautiful country, but the fact that I had to fly through something stupid like Toronto (sorry, Canadians!) to get there is ridiculous.

Hopefully these good wishes on the part of the ruling elite are a sign of better things to come, although it's impossible to predict the course of the next four years from a couple of communiques and some warm sentiments.

i like the intensive way better, sounds better and rolls of the tongue nicely.

The same could be said of vomitus.

"Intensive purposes" has no meaning. If you are happy to sound off well and roll your tongue nicely, I suggest cheerleading might be a better use of your time than debating.

I think the reason why it remains is because the US dislikes being proven wrong. Fidel Castro didn't turn out to be the monster the US government made him to be. Now, embargo as a spiteful punishment.

I always wondered how the "FREE TRADE FUCK YEAH" USA cope with keeping a sovereing country under embargo.

Then again, the "FREE TRADE FUCK YEAH" USA also raised a 100% import tarif on mineral waters. The US government hates San Pellegrino.

By your link the majority in Florida do support the embargo. (which happen to be the ones i am talking about)

No. You are wrong. The majority in the Miami-Dade county area support the embargo.

The majority of Cuban-Americans in Florida oppose the embargo.

MIAMI (Reuters) - In a dramatic shift, a new poll shows most Cuban-Americans in Florida favor lifting the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.

Fifty-five percent of participants in the poll, which signals hope for better U.S.-Cuba relations, said they oppose continuing the embargo that the United States has maintained against the communist-ruled island for nearly five decades....

In an FIU poll last year, only 42 percent of respondents in the Miami-Dade County area, the traditional heartland of exile opposition to Fidel Castro, said they opposed continuing the embargo.

Come now, don't you realize that water tastes better when it costs TEN DOLLARS?

He never digivolved past Castromon, the poor little fella. But at least we never tried to inva-...oh, wait.

Roflmfao!:D

In all seriousness, it's quite unfortunate that Cuba remains cut off from the United States, despite the rather tame nature of our relations these days. It's a beautiful country, but the fact that I had to fly through something stupid like Toronto (sorry, Canadians!) to get there is ridiculous.

I know what you mean. My grandparents, who live in Puerto Rico, when they went to Cuba for the eye surgery of my nephew, had to travel to the Dominican Republic, then off to Haiti and then, finally to Cuba.

Hopefully these good wishes on the part of the ruling elite are a sign of better things to come, although it's impossible to predict the course of the next four years from a couple of communiques and some warm sentiments.

I share your optimism.

I always wondered how the "FREE TRADE FUCK YEAH" USA cope with keeping a sovereing country under embargo.

I do too. And the UN has brought this up on more than one ocassion but the embargo endures.

Then again, the "FREE TRADE FUCK YEAH" USA also raised a 100% import tarif on mineral waters. The US government hates San Pellegrino.

If it ain't Perrier... I personally like San Pellegrino way better than that poor, French sewer water. Put a lot of lemon on it and a dash of sugar. OMG> Yummy!

sounds like your article uses the same numbers the other guy posted.
As mentioned elsewhere Cuban Americans in Florida.
read the other guys post. pay attention to Cuban Americans in Miami-dade (all intensive purposes Cuban Americans in Florida) and notice it shows a minority opposing lifting the embargo(implied majority for keeping if poll only had 2 options).

Cubans outside of Florida do not concern me because they do not make up a voting block large enough to shift a states red or blue status.

If a minority oppose lifting the embargo, then a majority support lifting the embargo.

Your own words make your claims false.

If a minority oppose lifting the embargo, then a majority support lifting the embargo.

Your own words make your claims false.

Well, in theory a majority could simply be apathetic, but I've a strong feeling that in this case you're right.

And, as regards the rolling of "intensive purposes" off the tongue, seems like simply not using the term, at all, would be even better if your aim is oral comfort rather than correct and intelligent terminology. ;)

I would doubt very much that Obama lifts the embargo on Cuba. Out of all the things I emailed the campaign about, that was the one that they never answered (when the did in fact decide to answer me)

I would doubt very much that Obama lifts the embargo on Cuba. Out of all the things I emailed the campaign about, that was the one that they never answered (when the did in fact decide to answer me)

He would break ground if he actually were to lift the embrago on Cuba.

I like Castro.

I always wondered how the "FREE TRADE FUCK YEAH" USA cope with keeping a sovereing country under embargo.



It's because Castro made the US cranky back in the day, and like all massive bureaucracies, changing the embargo is f'ing difficult--especially since it's transcended administrations and parties, it just is.

Seriously, though, the US embargo of Cuba is driven not by any antipathy towards the island, rather, by the fact that bureaucratic inertia keeps it alive.

Maybe he's hinting at it through some of his preliminary policy moves. Plus, there's the fact that Chavez's anti-US statements will soon start to sound as stale as a Monica Lewinsky joke circa 2002 now that Barack and the Democrats are cleaning house.

Yeah, they sounded stale as soon as they came out of his mouth. But now people will know it, so so much the better.

I 'believe' that we should nuke Cuba. And Russia.

Viva el capitalismo!

I 'believe' that we should nuke Cuba. And Russia.

Viva el capitalismo!

I think that you forgot Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Siria, China and Gaza.

Oh my god, it's the end of the world!!

I think that you forgot Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Siria, China and Gaza.

Oh my god, it's the end of the world!!

I'm definitely gunna call BS on China. Just because you call a duck a dog doesn't mean it is one.

Wouldn't stop the Chinese from eating it though. Either way.

China is a nation where capitalism runs rampant under the watchful gaze of the CCP. While I was living there, I experienced nigh-unrestricted capitalism alongside blatant bribery, counterfeiting, corruption and human rights abuses.

There aren't many countries where you can walk out of the Oriental Plaza Megamall munching on creampuffs and sipping a Starbucks latte, then witness a dozen North Koreans being beaten by Chinese police outside of the German embassy.

If Fidel is well enough to talk, think, write articles for Granma, to be seen by certain world leaders why is Fidel not well enough to be seen by the Cuban people, 100 % of which are supposed to love and adore thier leader for life and by the world?

The Cuban government did not show a video nor even a picture of Fidel with or without the President of Argentina.

If Fidel is well enough why is he not well enough to officially govern?

Perhaps Fidel wil meet with President Obama without preconditions. So President Obama can tell Fidel and Raul the pre conditions. They will surely reject and lol about in private.

Thats what President Obama said he would do if he met with Fidel or Raul.

The Cuban dictatorship government for life has no intentions of changing its dictatorship ways President Obama or not. I that sense of the word I dont blame them, they are a dictatorship nation that will not change unless they actually have too and even then who knows.

Whatever you may think of me and my views, have I made any good points (comments) here or not?

There aren't many countries where you can walk out of the Oriental Plaza Megamall munching on creampuffs and sipping a Starbucks latte, then witness a dozen North Koreans being beaten by Chinese police outside of the German embassy.
I know. It's great innit? You get you coffee and a show!
I do so miss China some times...

If Fidel is well enough to talk, think, write articles for Granma, to be seen by certain world leaders why is Fidel not well enough to be seen by the Cuban people, 100 % of which are supposed to love and adore thier leader for life and by the world?

The Cuban government did not show a video nor even a picture of Fidel with or without the President of Argentina.

If Fidel is well enough why is he not well enough to officially govern?

Perhaps Fidel wil meet with President Obama without preconditions. So President Obama can tell Fidel and Raul the pre conditions. They will surely reject and lol about in private.

Thats what President Obama said he would do if he met with Fidel or Raul.

The Cuban dictatorship government for life has no intentions of changing its dictatorship ways President Obama or not. I that sense of the word I dont blame them, they are a dictatorship nation that will not change unless they actually have too and even then who knows.

Whatever you may think of me and my views, have I made any good points (comments) here or not?

Throughout the 2008 campaign, you've made it clear that you would support McCain and Caribou Barbie over Obama entirely over a single trivial issue. And now that Obama won despite your hopes and is the President of the United States, you're saying that Cuba wouldn't have budged anyways?

You can't have your cake and eat it too, flip-flopper.

:rolleyes:

Throughout the 2008 campaign, you've made it clear that you would support McCain and Caribou Barbie over Obama entirely over a single trivial issue. And now that Obama won despite your hopes and is the President of the United States, you're saying that Cuba wouldn't have budged anyways?

You can't have your cake and eat it too, flip-flopper

:rolleyes:

That is not a flip-flop. President Obama has never cared about pre conditions for lifting the embargo until he ran for president so I did not beleive him. I can support lifting the travel time restrictions but not unilaterrally without anything in return as Obama claims he will do.

Cuban Americans can send up to $ 300 dollars every 4 months, up to $1200 dollars per year.

I supported McCain for wanting to bring troops home back with honor and victory not bring the troops home at any cost. I support a strong pro American foreign policy, Defense policy, lower taxes, ect, ect, ect. Not just one trivial issue that is where you are wrong.

That Fidel and Raul will not budge of course not they are dictators for life.

That is not a flip-flop. President Obama has never cared about pre conditions for lifting the embargo until he ran for president so I did not beleive him. I can support lifting the travel time restrictions but not unilaterrally without anything in return as Obama claims he will do.

I supported McCain for wanting to bring troops home back with honor and victory not bring the troops home at any cost. I support a strong pro American foreign policy, Defense policy, lower taxes, ect, ect, ect. Not just one trivial issue that is where you are wrong.

That Fidel and Raul will not budge of course not they are dictators for life.

How can you be pro-America when the Republicans hate our freedoms?

How can you be pro-America when the Republicans hate our freedoms?
That is your view not my view. what I will never understand are posters who claim to be anti dictators but are pro relations with Fidel and Raul without preconditions of democratic reforms in Cuba.

If Bush were a real dictator President Obama would never have been allowed to win the election.

Have I made any sense here?

Constructive engagement with the government dictatorship of Fidel or Raul will not change the dictatorhsip ways of the Cuban government President Obama or not. Just as constructive engagement by Canada, the EU nations with the Cuban dictatorship has not changed the Cuban government's dictatorship ways with the Cuban people.

what I will never understand are posters who claim to be anti dictators but are pro relations with Fidel and Raul without preconditions of democratic reforms in Cuba.

Constructive engagement with the government dictatorship of Fidel or Raul will not change the dictatorhsip ways of the Cuban government President Obama or not. Just as constructive engagement by Canada, the EU nations with the Cuban dictatorship has not changed the Cuban government's dictatorship ways with the Cuban people.

The fifty year old embargo has done nothing to to change Cuba's government's ways. Constructive engagement has the possibility of lifting the embargo. Increased trade has the distinct ability of changing the ways of Cuba's government in the long term, and in the short term it will improve the living standards of the citizens of Cuba.

Meh, I think we should open relations with Cuba...Hell, Id like a real Cuban Cigar....

I mean, we trade with China...Im sure China's just as bad as Cuba, so whats the point?...


Chavez is the real problem anyway nowadays, Fidel and Raul are almost a footnote these days....

The fifty year old embargo has done nothing to to change Cuba's government's ways. Constructive engagement has the possibility of lifting the embargo. Increased trade has the distinct ability of changing the ways of Cuba's government in the long term, and in the short term it will improve the living standards of the citizens of Cuba.

Which, If Russia is anything to go by, usually fuels new government...everytime the Russians started getting better, theyd throw on a Revolution...

That is your view not my view. what I will never understand are posters who claim to be anti dictators but are pro relations with Fidel and Raul without preconditions of democratic reforms in Cuba.

If Bush were a real dictator President Obama would never have been allowed to win the election.

Have I made any sense here?

Meh. I suppose I need to save my charming wit for more reactionary individuals.

When has embargo or any sort of sanction worked? We learned about this one in my Intro to IR course freshman year.

Never.

The threat of one is usually pretty effective, but the actual act has never worked.

The fifty year old embargo has done nothing to to change Cuba's government's ways. Constructive engagement has the possibility of lifting the embargo. Increased trade has the distinct ability of changing the ways of Cuba's government in the long term, and in the short term it will improve the living standards of the citizens of Cuba.

has Cuban government (dictatorship) economic, political and social relations with Canada, the EU nations, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and others changed the dictatorship ways of the Cuban government, I say no.

Why dictatorship, that is what you all dont seem to understand or dont care to understand.

If I or anyone of us are the dictator for life of any nation. And we have excellent economic relations with Canada, the EU Nations, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the USA and others we wont make any democratic reforms, we dont need too.

Cuba is visited by over 2,000,000 tourists a year mostly Canadians and Europeans that has done nothing to change the dictatorship except give it $ money.

Lets adopt your policy with every dictatorship on earth, in time they will change, you all wish that policy with Cuba but not with other nations.

The Cuban government trades with Canada, EU, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and many other nations. Buys agricultural products from the USA on a Cash basis.

Raul has stated he is willing to talk with President Obama, his solution to releasing Cuban political dissident prisoners is OK we will send them all to the USA with their familys. End of contructive engagement Why because they are dictators that is what you all dont seem to understand or dont want to understand, then you all call Cuban Americans Hardliners. The only Hardliners is the Cuban dictatorship government that call itself for life, tells it to the Cuban people and the world. That is not just Propaganda that is government policy.

Have I made any sense here?

has Cuban government (dictatorship) economic, political and social relations with Canada, the EU nations, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and others changed the dictatorship ways of the Cuban government, I say no.

Why dictatorship, that is what you all dont seem to understand or dont care to understand.

If I or anyone of us are the dictator for life of any nation. And we have excellent economic relations with Canada, the EU Nations, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the USA and others we wont make any democratic reforms, we dont need too.

Cuba is visited by over 2,000,000 tourists a year mostly Canadians and Europeans that has done nothing to change the dictatorship except give it $ money.

Lets adopt your policy with every dictatorship on earth, in time they will change, you all wish that policy with Cuba but not with other nations.

The Cuban government trades with Canada, EU, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and many other nations. Buys agricultural products from the USA on a Cash basis.

Raul has stated he is willing to talk with President Obama, his solution to releasing Cuban political dissident prisoners is OK we will send them all to the USA with their familys. End of contructive engagement Why because they are dictators that is what you all dont seem to understand or dont want to understand, then you all call Cuban Americans Hardliners. The only Hardliners is the Cuban dictatorship government that call itself for life, tells it to the Cuban people and the world. That is not just Propaganda that is government policy.

Have I made any sense here?

Not much. The embargo on Cuba did not force change on Cuba. Embargoes have poor track records on changing the policies of totalitarian states. Increased wealth for the population as a whole on the other hand creates a dispersal power as well as a more demanding citizenry. Dictatorships tend to democratize some time after a strong middle class develops.

I think that you forgot Venezuela, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Siria, China and Gaza.

Oh my god, it's the end of the world!!

I think he forgot France (surrender monkeys, I guess), Germany (nazi sissies, I guess), Italy (damn wops, I guess), Canada (let's take North America back in America, I guess), Sweden (fuck Ikea, I guess) and Britain (payback for Bunker Hill, I guess). And also Andorra, because he feels like that, I guess.

:rolleyes:

If Bush were a real dictator President Obama would never have been allowed to win the election.

Have I made any sense here?

Yes, that's what I always said about Milosevic.

If Milosevic had been a real dictator, the opposition would have never been allowed to rule 40% of the Yugoslav municipalities.

has Cuban government (dictatorship) economic, political and social relations with Canada, the EU nations, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and others changed the dictatorship ways of the Cuban government, I say no.

Why dictatorship, that is what you all dont seem to understand or dont care to understand.

If I or anyone of us are the dictator for life of any nation. And we have excellent economic relations with Canada, the EU Nations, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the USA and others we wont make any democratic reforms, we dont need too.

Cuba is visited by over 2,000,000 tourists a year mostly Canadians and Europeans that has done nothing to change the dictatorship except give it $ money.

Lets adopt your policy with every dictatorship on earth, in time they will change, you all wish that policy with Cuba but not with other nations.

The Cuban government trades with Canada, EU, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and many other nations. Buys agricultural products from the USA on a Cash basis.

Raul has stated he is willing to talk with President Obama, his solution to releasing Cuban political dissident prisoners is OK we will send them all to the USA with their familys. End of contructive engagement Why because they are dictators that is what you all dont seem to understand or dont want to understand, then you all call Cuban Americans Hardliners. The only Hardliners is the Cuban dictatorship government that call itself for life, tells it to the Cuban people and the world. That is not just Propaganda that is government policy.

Have I made any sense here?

Yes. You mean that everyone have to cut their relations with China, isn't it?

I understand your view points from your perspectives yet all that constructive engagement and trade your all talking about is and has been taking place in Cuba for years and the dictatorship has not changed its ways for obvious reasons.

The fact is Dictator for life Fidel or Raul will never allow the release of Cuban political prisoners within Cuba with democratic reforms, only exile. Multi political party elections to the National Asssembly Parliment.

Freedoms of the press and assembly.

As President Obama has stated he would tell fidel and Raul if he met with them without preconditions for full relations with the USA.

With excellent economic relations with all the nations I have mentioned and others including buying agricultural products from the USA on a cash basis and Cuban American family remittance up to $1200 dollars per year right now, not to even mention full relations with the USA.

As dictators for life I dont blame them, I would not either and neither would you if you were them.

So the argentinan president said Fidel likes Obama? OMG but I thought he was going out with the Chilean president!!!! OMG, that SKANK, like omigawwwwwd!

Come now, not even to me?

Ah, a women's body and words whispered in the ear, can break me down. But it could only be you Nanatsu. :wink:

Considering Cuba's been stable economically and politically for over 50 years despite the collapse of the USSR while Venezuela's falling apart after 10 years of Hugie's mismanagement, I could see why Castro would be bailing from that half-assed leaky barge.
You are so wrong. The Cubans had a hell of a time of it in the 1990s. The "Special Period" wasn't especially good, you know.

After the East European Soviet Union Empire of satelite nations fell apart what Saved Fidel was trade, tourists, diplomatic relations with Canada and the EU. Making the USA dollar legal in so called Dollar $ stores, provided by Cuban Americans so thier family members could purchase most items in a currency they do not earn, now CUC $ Stores.

When has embargo or any sort of sanction worked?
Italy post-Etheopia. Made the regime try to show how great it was, and in doing so, failed and died on its arse.