So is Cuba really that much of a threat for us anymore? Yes, I understand the roots going back to when Fidel was in power, and the Russians (now defunct) were his main allies, but is there really anything to fear from a country that has a fleet of vehicles that were essentially new when "Leave it to Beaver" was a first run sit com?

I know, they're communist, and such, but we do business with a lot of communist countries. In today's environment, what interest does it serve to exclude Cuba as a trading partner? We do business with China. Why would we not choose to do business with Cuba, other than the fact that they have been our enemies since Kennedy was in office?

Just wondering. Must be one hell of a grudge.

do you understand the amount of Pot and Coke come out of Cuba?.......


THATS why...


you cant kick people out like Mexico and stuff from trade, as it would start holy hell... but you sure as hell dont have to let someone that is that far up in the chain , be part of the group if you dont want... they are already banned... if you want more drugs, change it....

I'd think that there are tons of drugs coming out of other countries that makes what transits through Cuba look like a trickle.

If Florida was not a swing state Americans would be vacationing there now, just as Canadians have been dong for years. And if we had more normal relations with Cuba we could work with them to slow the drug trade there, which as Dogfish said pales in comparison to other countries with which we have full diplomatic relations.

Just think of all those consumers in China to be wooed. We can do
without the consumer in Cuba. It won't always be that way. Hell any
country that considers Che' a national hero has lots of screwballs on the local citizen lists that support the concept. 'sides, where could one
go for all that wonderful, cheap medical care that Cuba provides the
likes of Chavez and others? If we kiss and make up with the Cubanas
the price of medical care will go out the window for them.

There was a story on one of the cable news channels a while ago produced by a Cuban American reporter. It showed how we do ship weekly to Cuba and they would starve without us.
The other part of the story was about all the Cuban families wanting their property back that Castro stole from them once relations are normalized.
If we trade and travel to Viet Nam, Russia, and China, why shouldn't we with Cuba?

Bearing in mind that when the communists took over in 1959, I think it was, much private property was seized, people were executed and other people were deported or had/chose to flee.
This anti-Castro group has not forgotten.
Even a baseball skipper in 2012 gets skewered when he crosses these folks.

As the old guard dies off one would expect that relations would gradually improve.

No, I don't smoke Ceegars. It just kind of seems senseless to continue this grudge of 50+ years, especially when a number of our neighbors have open relations with them.

I read where Obama was shunned for the US stance on Cuba at the meeting of the America's. He didn't create the policy, he is only furthering what has been in place for decades. He's done a few good things while in office, and I don't see what normalizing relations with Cuba would hurt. It would be an opportune time to make peace with a neighbor. Things can't get better if there isn't dialogue.

I have travelled in Cuba. It is a beautiful country with very poor people that bear us no ill will and would love to see Castro and communism go. I think the more we interact with them the better they can see what a mess Castro made of things.

When I was there TV were scarce. Every time I saw a TV there would be a crowd watching - unless Castro was on then no one wanted to watch.

I had locals invite me into their home just to get a chance to talk to an American. The Cubans I met were very gracious and kind people. Every kid had a beat up old baseball glove. There were ball parks in every tiny village. Those neat old cars looked good from a distance but up close most were in very sad shape.

Dave,
Did you get to fish while in Cuba?
I talked with a guy from Canada while waiting for a flight. He was returning from there and the pictures he showed me of the fish and scenery really peaked my interest in maybe one day visiting and fishing there.

He echoed your comments as well about how friendly the people were to him.

Yep,

I was there fishing. We fished an area offshore from Jucaro called the Islas de Jardines. We caught bonefish mostly but did have shots at permit.

I got to accompany our tour guide on a 75 mile drive to Cienfuegos. Saw a lot of really pooor people, in really beautiful country.

Saw many soldiers. None had guns. I asked why and was told "We can't afford rifles for all our soldiers."

I fished with an old man who told me he guided Joe brooks before the embargo. I thought that was very cool.

This was my first ever bonefish. The guy holding it is the one who said he guided Joe brooks. His nickname was Feyo.

Ahh Cuba. Where hi grade Cigars are roll between the knees of 14
year old virgins. Even Hemingway loved Cuba.
Trouble is, if you live there and hiss off some government official the
ACLU won't help you. It is a Communist state after all.

Ozzie Didn't take him long to piss off a few CA's.

I did see fine cigars rolled, but they were done by old looking women. They were allowed to smoke all they wanted. I'm told few lived past 50.

We did piss off some traffic cops by speeding a LOT. We got a ticket. I bet that's still outstanding.

Thanks KK. I wondered how long it would take a cunning linguist such as you to translate the name. I bet you are the only one old enough to know who Joe Brooks was too.

That water is super clear.

Ding ding ding! Winner!

Dave,
Thanks for the info.

Joe Brooks...tying "in the round". Stuff of legends, I must be old.

+1

Fish on...

Todd

I will be in Florida this November but not till after the election.