PBH / off topic: do your thing (active forums more▼ | ) / post

Castro criticizes Obama Plan

HAVANA — Former President Fidel Castro says Sen. Barack Obama's plan to maintain Washington's trade embargo against Cuba will cause suffering on the island.

In a Monday column published by government-run newspapers, Castro said Obama was "the most-advanced candidate in the presidential race," but noted that he has not dared to call for altering U.S. policy toward Cuba.

"Obama's speech can be translated as a formula for hunger for the country," Castro wrote

Obama said he would maintain the nearly fifty-year-old trade sanctions against Cuba as leverage to push for democratic change on the island. But he also vowed to ease restrictions on Cuban Americans traveling to Cuba and sending money to relatives.

Castro said Obama's proposals for letting well-off Cuban Americans help poorer relatives on the island amounted to "propaganda for consumerism and a way of life that is unsustainable."

He complained that Obama's description of Cuba as "undemocratic" and "lacking in respect for liberty and human rights" was the same argument previous U.S. administrations "have used to justify their crimes against our homeland."

Obama's calls for direct talks with Cuban leaders differ sharply from a more hardline policy favored by current President Bush and Republican presidential candidate John McCain, whom Castro also has criticized.

Associated Press 2008

By CatGirl on May 26, 2008, 11:36 in Off Topic.

CatGirl says on May 26, 2008, 11:37:

Hump

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on May 26, 2008, 17:22:

Castro criticizes Obama Plan
===================================================

That's a good sign! CG-Obama gave a Talk in front of the CANF(cuban Am nat'l foundation) and he was given Standing ovations several times because he came and didn't talk the same old tired lines "Fidel is the Devil Bla Bla Bla" He also didn't buy a Guaybrera(McCain did) or make a fool out of himself by sitting down and playing the Bongo Drums as most of these other Candidates have done. He was a Breath of Fresh Air and scored well amongst the Younger(and growing) body of younger, educated Cuban voters who want a Candidate who talks about mainstream american issues(healthcare, iraq, high fuel prices) instead of the Tired old "Fidel is the Devil"Line of BS. They want a Candidate who is more then a "One Trick Pony" McCain may be in for a Big Surprise, NO MATTER EVEN IF HE WEARS HIS NEW GUAYBRERA Shirt for his little habana visits; what worked in the past may not be in play this year,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on May 26, 2008, 21:10:

To those like aztec who claim that Obama is the pied piper telling us what we want to hear...Guess what? I'm with Castro on this one and not Obama. Not because I agree with Castro's politics, but because I disagree with the efficacy of the embargo. Still, overall, Obama easily wins my vote over McCain.

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Lcacique says on May 26, 2008, 21:12:

Thanks for posting this Cat...

Hoy se nota en la floresta un ambiente de alegría. ¡Y el rumor de ranchería es mas dulce y sabe a fiesta!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

CatGirl says on May 26, 2008, 23:13:

;))

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on May 27, 2008, 06:03:

Actually, here in Miami those pandering to the Cuban Vote telling the Calle 8 Cubans the tired old lines(that never work) are the ones acting like the Pied Piper. So far it failed, 1st for Rudy G and now McCain tells 'em the same. Obama told 'em the truth, not something that hasn't worked for the last 40 years,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

christobeldawg says on May 28, 2008, 21:49:

I am not taking sides so much on the race for the White House, though I do have to say that Obama is very impressive overall, and in saying that, I do also cringe in general about the agenda, and tax raising, of the democrats, but I am only now feeling hope that Obama will not be shot by some right wing rascist type.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

0 funny, 0 helpful.