PBH / Off Topic: do your thing / Forums (active)

67% of Americans favor allowing all Americans to travel to Cuba.

Couple days ago I received this email.

Dear ,

At CheapTickets we believe passionately in the power of travel to transform lives. And we believe that people should have the freedom to travel wherever they choose.

Americans today have the right to travel to any country in the world except Cuba. Recently, we put our support behind OpenCuba.org, a campaign that gives people a way to petition U.S. leaders to end the 50-year Cuba travel ban and give all Americans the freedom to travel to Cuba.

159 Congressmen and 29 Senators recently sponsored the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, which seeks to open up travel to Cuba for all U.S. citizens. The opportunity to end the 50-year ban hangs in the balance. Be part of the movement to give Americans the right to travel wherever they choose by signing the petition.

The momentum behind this issue is growing. A recent Ipsos poll shows that 67% of Americans favor allowing all Americans to travel to Cuba.

http://www.OpenCuba.org

By Monpirri on Aug 30, 2009, 07:20 in Off Topic.

marlydog1812 says on Aug 30, 2009, 07:24:

I agree....Im interested in going to Cuba from Colombia, does anyone know the cost and where the flights are from? ty

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cpchester says on Aug 30, 2009, 07:52:

What great strides has Cuba made in the last 30 years that we should consider removing the embargo??

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Cheers Terry says on Aug 30, 2009, 08:12:

"... What great strides has Cuba made in the last 30 years that we should consider removing the embargo??..."

=================================================================

The real question is: What has Cuba done on the last 30 years to deserve the Embargo?

Cheers,
Terry

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greg says on Aug 30, 2009, 08:19:

The real question is: What has Cuba done on the last 30 years to deserve the Embargo?

Cheers,
Terry

Agree!. As long as Americans can`t visit Cuba i don`t consider the U.S. as the land of the free!

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theflatline says on Aug 30, 2009, 08:24:

1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Pretty close to nuclear war as we have come.

Legaleez for Complete Morons - A book for gringos in Colombia for who think they understand the nature of the law in a country where they cannot speak the language.

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Cheers Terry says on Aug 30, 2009, 08:40:

theflatline,

So something that happened over 45 years ago still makes Cuba such a big, bad, scary place today that they deserve the distinction of being the only place on Planet Earth that the US Government makes it illegal for American citizens to visit? (Unless you're Cuban American, of course.)

Do you really think Cuba is worse than hellholes like North Korea, Somalia, Congo, Sudan, etc?...

Cheers,
Terry

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miamimike says on Aug 30, 2009, 09:13:

China is the world's worst oppressive regime, communist yet we do business and travel there no problem. Why can't we travel to some harmless island 90 miles off the southern US Shore? The Cuban Government's biggest problem today is that they cannot even supply their population with Toilet Paper. The Trade Embargo and travel ban have to be two of the dumbest things known to man.

Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte después Bésame, bésame mucho Como si fuera esta noche La última vez Bésame, bésame mucho Que tengo miedo a perderte Perderte de

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aztec says on Aug 30, 2009, 09:15:

Have a Cuban friend living here in the States whose families property, some on the coast, was expropriated. They are waiting for a time when they might have recourse in a court of law. I just wonder what will happen to all that untitled and confiscated property when the rightful owners stake a claim in a court.

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Cheers Terry says on Aug 30, 2009, 09:37:

Most of the original owners of the expropriated property are dead. The ones who are still alive are mostly very old and (like Castro) will all be dead in the near future. It'll be a non issue shortly.

Cheers,
Terry

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miamimike says on Aug 30, 2009, 10:26:

aztec says on Aug 30, 2009, 09:15 (today): flag

Have a Cuban friend living here in the States whose families property, some on the coast, was expropriated. They are waiting for a time when they might have recourse in a court of law. I just wonder what will happen to all that untitled and confiscated property when the rightful owners stake a claim in a court.
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Aztec--too bad your Cuban Friend and his Father, Uncles ect ( and many like) didn't remain behind in Cuba 40 years ago and fight for their way of life and Property instead of rolling over for Castro. I have absolutely no sympathy for those Cubans who did this and run off to places like Miami. What would have happened to the US if we had not stood up and held our ground and waged War against those who wanted to take our Freedom and way of life? What happened to the Cubans is their own Damn Fault...I laugh when they(miami cubans) start advising the Venezuelans on what to do as far as their fight against Chavez ; they are the last people to advise anyone on fighting for freedom ,,,

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Cheers Terry says on Aug 30, 2009, 10:40:

Azunoman, you're right of course, corporation never die, I was referring to the old Miami nutbars.

Possession is still 9/10th of the law though, and expropriations that happened more than half century ago - during a time of revolution no less - I can't imagine will ever even be arbitrated, let alone returned. That horse has long since left the barn...

Cheers,
Terry

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Lcacique says on Aug 30, 2009, 13:00:

It is not as if Cuba did not have a reason for allowing Russia to place missiles on the island. I do believe we attempted to incite a revolution there and planned all sorts of tactics to assassinate Castro. So, why in the hell wouldn't a tiny island - accustomed to foreign aggression and influence - look for a means of protecting itself? And the Russian's wouldn't have been dying to place the missiles in our hemisphere had we not had missiles in Turkey pointed at them.

I do not like Castro's leadership; however, there are far worse countries in the world that American's are in bed with politically and economically, and nothing is stopping American tourists from vacationing in these countries. The embargo is a complete joke and the ban on tourism is silly for a country that supposedly believes in freedom.

"Es fácil vivir con los ojos cerrados interpretando todo lo que se ve mal..." ~ J. Lennon

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greg says on Aug 30, 2009, 14:02:

Lcacique says
The embargo is a complete joke and the ban on tourism is silly for a country that supposedly believes in freedom.

Agree

MiamiMike says
The Trade Embargo and travel ban have to be two of the dumbest things known to man.

Agree

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miamimike says on Aug 30, 2009, 14:29:

Lcacique says "I do not like Castro's leadership; however, there are far worse countries in the world that American's are in bed with politically and economically"
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Saudia Arabia is but ONE good example of one of those "Worse countries" we deal with. Where did most of the 9/11 Terrorists come from? Where did the only family come from that was allowed to depart by Plane the Day after 9/11? Saudi Arabia ,,,

Saudi Arabia is one of a number of countries where courts continue to impose corporal punishment, including amputations of hands and feet for robbery, and flogging for lesser crimes such as "sexual deviance" and drunkenness. The number of lashes is not clearly prescribed by law and is varied according to the discretion of judges, and ranges from dozens of lashes to several thousand, usually applied over a period of weeks or months.

In 2004, the United Nations Committee against Torture criticized Saudi Arabia over the amputations and floggings it carries out under Sharia. The Saudi delegation responded defending "legal traditions" held since the inception of Islam 1,400 years ago and rejected interference in its legal system.

Saudi Arabia remains the only country in the world where it is illegal for women to drive cars.[20] However, some do so on rural roads illegally

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Saudi_Arabia

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miamimike says on Aug 30, 2009, 21:39:

Azunoman--Not correct what you post. For starters, Americans of Non Cuban Ancestory cannot even get a Tourist Visa for Legit Travel to Cuba from the US. So yes, our Government in effect says we cannot go. How can you go legally if you cannot secure a Visa? The Law is "if you want to legally travel to Cuba, you need a Visa issued by the US government". Nothing in the law about the remote possibility of legal travel by an American thru a 3rd country. Actually this law is discriminatory because it now Allows Cuban Americans Unlimited travel to Cuba. So,,,only Americans(non cuban type) are NOT allowed to travel to Cuba. Next--The US Govt also says you cannot spend funds if you are in Cuba which is a Moot Point since if you cannot get a tourist visa to travel, how can you spend money there? Yet Cuban Americans who can legally travel there are also allowed to Spend Money while in Cuba. They(cubans) claim these now frequent trips are for Family visits but in Reality, the Cuban Guys going there are going for "Fun in the SUN" with the Cuban Ladies. Party Central,,, If you go on say, a church sponsered trip, they are to supposed to fully fund your expenses(meals, hotel ect) I doubt this is even enforced.

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Cheers Terry says on Aug 30, 2009, 21:51:

Azunoman, here's a thumbnail sketch of the situation that I explain to my American crews who are going to Cuba...

1.) First of all, Americans are welcomed with open arms in Cuba and they always have been. The problem has always been with the US government, not the Cubans.

2.) With the obvious exception of Cuban Americans the ONLY way for an American to legally visit Cuba is under license from the US Treasury Department, and tourist travel is NOT licenseable under ANY circumstances. There are no loopholes or exceptions. The, "not illegal to travel there, it's only illegal to spend money" is an urban myth. There is no way for an American tourist to be fully hosted or for you to purchase an all-inclusive package outside of Cuba so you're not spending any money there.

It is illegal for any American citizen - and in fact for anyone even residing in the US no matter what their citizenship - to visit Cuba as a tourist. You're breaking the law, period.

3.) To get around the travel restriction American tourists visiting Cuba illegally must fly there via a third country like Canada, Mexico, Bahamas, Jamaica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Colombia, etc. This is common practise for tens upon thousands of Americans every year. If done properly the risks of getting caught are very low. The risk of getting into any real legal trouble is zero.

Let's consider the worst case scenario...

Imagine you completely lose your mind and upon returning home admit to US Customs and Border Protection that you visited Cuba or that you were stupid enough to somehow give US CBP irrefutable proof that you went to Cuba.

What would happen?... You'd negotiate a settlement of $250 - $1,000 with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), pay the fine and forget about the entire episode. No trial. No prosecution. No criminal record. NOTHING.

I applaud all the Americans who travel to Cuba in spite of the ridiculous US Embargo. More power to them for ignoring this embarrassing and immoral piece of US foreign policy.

If you ever want to go, drop me a line and I'll set you up. The first couple of dozen mojitos are on me...

Cheers,
Terry

By the way... there's no weird paperwork, visas, etc. for you to visit Cuba. All you require is your US Passport and a Tourist Card which will be provided for you when you depart from any of the countries listed above.

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miamimike says on Aug 30, 2009, 22:50:

CT--very good detailed Post. There is a lot of incorrect Info about visiting this country for Americans and this should clear it up. BTW, there are Americans(of non-cuban ancestory) as well as Cuban Americans who are retired in Cuba today.

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Cheers Terry says on Aug 31, 2009, 09:13:

Azunoman, here are some of my mojito mixers...

Cheers,
Terry

Photobucket

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Lcacique says on Aug 31, 2009, 11:56:

I don't look forward to the transformation that is probably in store. As I stated, I am not happy with the way that Castro has led the country; however, the last thing Cuba needs is a return to its pre-Castro days.

"Es fácil vivir con los ojos cerrados interpretando todo lo que se ve mal..." ~ J. Lennon

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miamimike says on Aug 31, 2009, 12:58:

The Worst thing that can happen to Cuba in the future would be allowing these Miami Cuban Exiles to return to Cuba and open up Businesses. They are a Crooked Amoral Unethical Bunch and in NO time a new Cuba would resemble a Batista Like Cuba of Old with its Mafia control, Gambling, Large scale Prostitution --all the elements that allowwed Castro to come into power as easy as he did. People like Ricardo Alacron in the current Cuban Government Heirarchy says "This will never happen" that is, the miami cuban exiles being allowed to return and I hope he holds to his word. BTW, are you aware of the fact that the two Congressmen Brothers, the Diaz Balarts who represent Miami, are Nephews of the last Dictator, Fulgencio Batista? Batista Wrecked Cuba and his two nephews are doing their best to do the same here in Miami. Look at the current Medicare Fraud taking place in Miami as an Example,,,Castro has to be splitting a Gut in Laughter over what has been allowed in Miami.

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Lcacique says on Aug 31, 2009, 13:24:

Commie loving countries, azunoman? You mean the US? We sure love China!!! Maybe they should quit buying our debt, sell off the bonds that they have purchased, and pump money into Cuba instead, hahahaha.

I don't care about US business investment in Cuba as long as that does not translate to US control or powerful influence over the government.

I didn't know that about Batista's nephews, MM. He was a pathetic piece of excrement.

"Es fácil vivir con los ojos cerrados interpretando todo lo que se ve mal..." ~ J. Lennon

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miamimike says on Aug 31, 2009, 17:42:

Lcacique===I erred in saying the two Diaz Balart Boys(congressmen republicans) are Batista Nephews. They are not, they are Fidel Castro's Nephews. lol

Regarding Representative Diaz-Balart’s father:

Rafael Lincoln Diaz-Balart rose to become an important politician in the Republic (of Cuba). He would be majority leader in the House of Representatives (in Cuba). But first he was a friend, comrade, and roommate of Fidel Castro. One fatal thing the boys’ (Lincoln and Mario) father did was introduce Castro to his sister Mirta, whom Castro married in 1948.

(Summary: Lincoln and Mario’s father introduced his sister, their aunt, to Castro to whom she later married.)

According to Lincoln Diaz-Balart, his mother always hated Castro, even when the young rabble-rouser was best friends with her husband. She never trusted Castro, and she was appalled at the way he treated Mirta, her sister-in-law.

From [url=http://www.Cuban-Exile.com]http://www.Cuban-Exile.com[/url]
Regarding Mirtha Mirta Diaz Balart

Her brother (father of Lincoln and Mario) Raphael [Rafael] Diaz Balart; an ardent Batistiano, who was undersecretary to Ramon Hermida, a minister of the interior to Batista.

From WashingtonPost.com

The Diaz-Balart family was very well connected to Cuba’s government before the communist revolution. Diaz-Balart’s father, Rafael L. Diaz-Balart, served as majority leader of the Cuban House of Representatives from 1954 to 1958, and was elected to the Cuban Senate in 1958.

Rafael L. Diaz-Balart later served as the Economic and Commercial Advisor to the president of Costa Rica. Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s grandfather was elected to the Cuban House of Representatives in 1936. An aunt, Mirta Diaz-Balart, was Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s first wife. His brother, Mario Diaz-Balart, also is a member of Congress from Florida.

***(So, Fidel Castro’s first wife is the Aunt of Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart.) ****

Tio Fidel

http://havanajournal.com/cuban_americans/entry/lincoln_rafael_diaz_bal...

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Lcacique says on Aug 31, 2009, 18:12:

Walmart does pretty well, azunoman, and it is pretty much a Chinese outlet center. We were always lied to about China, just as we were always lied to about Cuba.

Okay, MM. I didn't know about Castro's nephews either.

"Es fácil vivir con los ojos cerrados interpretando todo lo que se ve mal..." ~ J. Lennon

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Lcacique says on Aug 31, 2009, 19:22:

To be fair, they aren't the only store filled with crap from China.

"Es fácil vivir con los ojos cerrados interpretando todo lo que se ve mal..." ~ J. Lennon

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miamimike says on Aug 31, 2009, 20:24:

Actually in the Walmart Tool section I have found US made tools & Tools made in Mexico. Kmart, Target and the many of the other Big Box stores carry about the same amount of Made in China merchandise. I really look at the labels and if I can buy something made in one of the Americas, I'll buy it instead of made in china products. Surprisingly I bought a load of socks recently at Walgreens and Sports authority and they were made in the US. A Novara Safari Bike I bought recently(originally bought at REI in Seattle, Wa) retailed for around $1000 new. I bought it used but with only a few miles on it. Since I bought it, I have had to replace the Bottom Bracket which was made out of cheap plastic with a good metal bracket made in the USA. Then a week later, the Chain stretched beyond use so that had to be replaced. The Made in China Bike is not holding up well and will be put up for sale soon befor some other component fails .And Cheap(price) it was not,,,My next Bike will be a US made Bike, a Cannondale or Bike Friday,,,

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Lcacique says on Aug 31, 2009, 23:06:

I am sure that you are right, MM. Personally, I don't care if we trade with China. I just brought it up because azunoman referred to communist loving countries and it seems to me that we are a communist loving country in the sense that we have a pretty close relationship with China.

"Es fácil vivir con los ojos cerrados interpretando todo lo que se ve mal..." ~ J. Lennon

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miamimike says on Sep 1, 2009, 00:27:

Close Relaionship,,,More then that, they own us!

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robbie1 says on Sep 1, 2009, 21:08:

Off topic a little (a lot), but if you need running shoes and want to buy a "Made in US" brand, a lot of men's New Balance RUNNING shoes are made in the US. Just look under the shoe tongue for country of manufacture. Most higher end New Balance are made in the US, not China.

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miamimike says on Sep 1, 2009, 23:45:

Robbie--Thx for the Tip on NB. I've had their running shoes in the past and always had super luck with the NB brand. Years back in Pusan Korea, I bought what turned out to be nice looking "Knock-Off NB Runners" made locally, lasted maybe a month.

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