PILOT SPIN
Spin Zone => Spin Zone => Topic started by: FastEddieB on March 20, 2016, 07:23:17 PM
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Karen and I both think it's about time to heal old wounds, and we're eager to vacation there when it becomes feasible.
Don't much care for Obama in general, but we think this is the right move at the right time.
Flame suit on!
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Karen and I both think it's about time to heal old wounds, and we're eager to vacation there when it becomes feasible.
Don't much care for Obama in general, but we think this is the right move at the right time.
Flame suit on!
The embargo has been beyond stupid and has accomplished nothing.
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I'm not gonna flame you but I do think it is disgraceful that the President of the United States visits a country that hours before his arrival rounds up dissidents, to add to the other dissidents in its' prison, there for no other reason than they oppose the existing power structure that has victimized the people of Cuba for 50-60 years now.
Normalizing relations with the Castro's did nothing for the US, provides a massive PR coup for the Castro's, and does actual damage to the cause of freedom in Cuba.
I believe it is the worst form of naivete being executed by the same hapless and ideologically driven Department of State that had to be goaded into declaring ISIS a genocidal threat and took James Fucking Taylor to sing You've Got A Friend after terrorist attacks in Paris.
'Gimp
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Karen and I both think it's about time to heal old wounds, and we're eager to vacation there when it becomes feasible.
Don't much care for Obama in general, but we think this is the right move at the right time.
Flame suit on!
You could always volunteer for the Gitmo resort.
Just kidding.
It is my humble opinion that B.O. will try to find a way to give Gitmo to Castro before he leaves office. That wouldn't be legal, but that kind of thing has never stopped him.
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So let's pay homage to a totalitarian, abusive, corrupt, communist regime instead of taking a trip to Israel. Old wounds? Then maybe they should treat their people better.
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So let's pay homage to a totalitarian, abusive, corrupt, communist regime instead of taking a trip to Israel. Old wounds? Then maybe they should treat their people better.
But yet the US does massive trade with a totalitarian, corrupt,communist regime in China. Oh wait, they buy our debt, must be OK!
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Karen and I both think it's about time to heal old wounds, and we're eager to vacation there when it becomes feasible.
Don't much care for Obama in general, but we think this is the right move at the right time.
Flame suit on!
No flame suit needed! It is time for this.
Gary
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But yet the US does massive trade with a totalitarian, corrupt,communist regime in China. Oh wait, they buy our debt, must be OK!
I'm not saying that is right either. We have sold our soul to the devil for cheap labor, and to sustain an unsustainable lifestyle. Cuba has no importance to us beyond its proximity. They are no longer a threat as the Russians don't do much with them anymore. Obama was snubbed by Castro. He was greeted by some lower level underling, while the Pope got the full treatment. Why?
Why does Cuba matter? The best cigars are made elsewhere now anyway.
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I'm all for normalizing relations, but if we are going to negotiate a deal, we should get something in return.
And it was a little bothersome that when Obama landed in Cuba, Raul couldn't be bothered to meet him at the airport, like he meets dignitaries from other countries. If I were Obama, I may have climbed back aboard AF1 and returned home.
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Wondering why Raul can't be bothered? He doesn't live by the same standards as the civilized world.
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I'm all for normalizing relations, but if we are going to negotiate a deal, we should get something in return.
Right.
This is the core of Trump's campaign.
And it was a little bothersome that when Obama landed in Cuba, Raul couldn't be bothered to meet him at the airport, like he meets dignitaries from other countries. If I were Obama, I may have climbed back aboard AF1 and returned home.
LOL. Obama was just miffed that he couldn't bow deeply to Castro at the foot of the AF1 ladder, as he had rehearsed.
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No flame suit needed! It is time for this.
Gary
Why? Not being sarcastic. I really want to know.
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Why? Not being sarcastic. I really want to know.
I think having open trade and travel to and from Cuba would raise their standard of living, and open up a beautiful island to US travelers and maybe even ex-patriots wanting to move to what could be an island paradise. I further think once Cubans see the benefits of even incremental capitalism, they'll be ready to move slowly, or not so slowly, in that direction.
Always unintended consequences, but I think it would be a vast improvement over the status quo.
In my opinion.
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I think having open trade and travel to and from Cuba would raise their standard of living, and open up a beautiful island to US travelers and maybe even ex-patriots wanting to move to what could be an island paradise. I further think once Cubans see the benefits of even incremental capitalism, they'll be ready to move slowly, or not so slowly, in that direction.
Always unintended consequences, but I think it would be a vast improvement over the status quo.
In my opinion.
Super.
So how much is this "paradise" going to cost US?
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Super.
So how much is this "paradise" going to cost US?
And there is a potential problem. BHO will be eager to get out the Treasury checkbook and start writing big checks to Cuba in the form of "foreign aid". They are already costing us millions taking in their refugees.
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I think having open trade and travel to and from Cuba would raise their standard of living, and open up a beautiful island to US travelers and maybe even ex-patriots wanting to move to what could be an island paradise. I further think once Cubans see the benefits of even incremental capitalism, they'll be ready to move slowly, or not so slowly, in that direction.
Always unintended consequences, but I think it would be a vast improvement over the status quo.
In my opinion.
Eddie, it's a freaking Communist country. The money goes to those in power, not to the citizens. They only get arrested. Have you not seen the video of the ladies in their white dresses being arrested coming out of church yesterday?
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I'm all for normalizing relations, but if we are going to negotiate a deal, we should get something in return.
What would you ask for?
And it was a little bothersome that when Obama landed in Cuba, Raul couldn't be bothered to meet him at the airport, like he meets dignitaries from other countries. If I were Obama, I may have climbed back aboard AF1 and returned home.
Ehhhh, maybe, hard for me to criticize that, our President doesn't always go to the airport to meet foreign dignitaries. The President arrived in a low key way, his call. They did have a pretty good ceremony today, pomp, bands, and lots of photo ops. Guess we will see what comes of it. Think that the arresting of the protestors was a bad move on the part of the Cuban government.
Gary
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I'm not saying that is right either. We have sold our soul to the devil for cheap labor, and to sustain an unsustainable lifestyle. Cuba has no importance to us beyond its proximity. They are no longer a threat as the Russians don't do much with them anymore. Obama was snubbed by Castro. He was greeted by some lower level underling, while the Pope got the full treatment. Why?
Why does Cuba matter? The best cigars are made elsewhere now anyway.
And I put the embargo at front and center of why Cuba and its repressive Communist system has been isolated and diminished. That's not a bad thing.
I noticed that Obama was seen in front of a mural of Che Guevara in the "Plaza de la Revolucion" today, apparently celebrating the victories of this vicious executioner in his role of overturning a pro-US government. I'm positive that Obama couldn't contain his excitement at that notion, given his hatred of American exceptionalism.
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Why? Not being sarcastic. I really want to know.
I never take your posts as sarcastic, unless you designate them as so.. ;D
Eddie touched on a couple of points already. For the last 50 years or so, Fidel, and now Raul sort of advanced their country. But it took massive infusions of aid from the USSR and pretty much free oil from Venezuela to make that happen. That's gone and their economy is really struggling. You are correct that they are not a huge national strategic value to us, but, there is some history (mostly bad) that lifting the embargo could help with. I don't see where our past policies have done much of anything for us or the Cubans. Raul is on the way out, he is the past and someone else will be Cuba's future. I see no downside to encouraging their development and improving their economy. I think that will help the people of Cuba and will eventually lead to a more self sustaining form of government.
Gary
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Obama posed for a rather poignant picture.
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What would you ask for?
Well for one thing, I would ask (demand) that they not allow China, or anyone to drill for oil in the Gulf Stream. Any leaks will be immediately disbursed along our shore.
Ehhhh, maybe, hard for me to criticize that, our President doesn't always go to the airport to meet foreign dignitaries.
Gary
Perhaps you are right and Obama doesn't deserve that respect. But regardless of what I think of him, I want other countries to show our President respect.
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And there is a potential problem. BHO will be eager to get out the Treasury checkbook and start writing big checks to Cuba in the form of "foreign aid". They are already costing us millions taking in their refugees.
When all of the exiles start seeking "reparations", who do you think is getting the bill?
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When all of the exiles start seeking "reparations", who do you think is getting the bill?
The US taxpayer, of course.
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Obama posed for a rather poignant picture.
There are only two excuses for this posed picture:
1) Obama has no idea who that guy is up on the wall; or
2) Obama knows precisely who that guy is up on the wall.
Is there a bright side here for the United States?
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There are only two excuses for this posed picture:
1) Obama has no idea who that guy is up on the wall; or
2) Obama knows precisely who that guy is up on the wall.
Is there a bright side here for the United States?
Yes.
January 20, 2017.
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What would you ask for?
Ehhhh, maybe, hard for me to criticize that, our President doesn't always go to the airport to meet foreign dignitaries. The President arrived in a low key way, his call. They did have a pretty good ceremony today, pomp, bands, and lots of photo ops. Guess we will see what comes of it. Think that the arresting of the protestors was a bad move on the part of the Cuban government.
Gary
The current president goes out of his way to antagonize our allies and jump in bed with our enemies. That should give any thinking adult a difficult moment. Castro (either or both) are poisonous, toxic, totalitarian terrorists that seek only person power and profit.
Obama seems to gravitate towards towards these types, because, I believe, he desperately wants to be one.
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I don't see where our past policies have done much of anything for us or the Cubans. Raul is on the way out, he is the past and someone else will be Cuba's future. I see no downside to encouraging their development and improving their economy. I think that will help the people of Cuba and will eventually lead to a more self sustaining form of government.
Gary
Well said. Raul and Fidel will be dead within the decade. Yes, they did everything they could to destroy their country and their people, but they're soon to be relics. Start rebuilding relations now with the hope that the nation will be able to prosper soon.
If we can make a part of the world a better place at no cost, why wouldn't we?
For those who talk about us giving them foreign aid - I'm against that too. But as far as opening trade relations - there's just no down side.
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Cuba will be a boom to items previously manufactured in the US. US companies will be able to outsource to Cuba where labor will be but a small percent of what they pay here, plus no onerous EPA regulations, no OSHA, no health insurance, etc, etc.
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Well said. Raul and Fidel will be dead within the decade. Yes, they did everything they could to destroy their country and their people, but they're soon to be relics. Start rebuilding relations now with the hope that the nation will be able to prosper soon.
If we can make a part of the world a better place at no cost, why wouldn't we?
For those who talk about us giving them foreign aid - I'm against that too. But as far as opening trade relations - there's just no down side.
Well, except for giving the totalitarian communist regime cash to fund itself, cash to build its military, and cash to fund other totalitarian Communist regimes in our hemisphere like Venezuela.
But other than that, no down side.
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Well, except for giving the totalitarian communist regime cash to fund itself, cash to build its military, and cash to fund other totalitarian Communist regimes in our hemisphere like Venezuela.
But other than that, no down side.
It sounds like you're saying we would give Cuba so much money that they would start giving money to Venzuela and other countries? I hope that's not what you're saying.
But again, I suspect they won't have a dictator more than just another couple of years.
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It sounds like you're saying we would give Cuba so much money that they would start giving money to Venzuela and other countries? I hope that's not what you're saying.
But again, I suspect they won't have a dictator more than just another couple of years.
Well, I am concerned about that. What do you think Iran is doing with their $150 billion. Making plow shares and alleviating poverty?
But I am also concerned with increased trade with Cuba. Trade generates capital. Where will that capital go? To "the people"? Not a chance. It will go to the regime. And what will they do with it?
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"Obama Goes Limp" :o
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/03/obama-goes-limp.php
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"Obama Goes Limp" :o
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2016/03/obama-goes-limp.php
He must have injured himself hitting that Cuban reset button.
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That photo has been corrected:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeFR2ilVIAEOM3x.jpg)
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That photo has been corrected:
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CeFR2ilVIAEOM3x.jpg)
Ok, that's funny right there.
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The current president goes out of his way to antagonize our allies and jump in bed with our enemies. That should give any thinking adult a difficult moment. Castro (either or both) are poisonous, toxic, totalitarian terrorists that seek only person power and profit.
Obama seems to gravitate towards towards these types, because, I believe, he desperately wants to be one.
Transformation is Fundamental.
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Why is he focused on MEANINGLESS CUBA when there are other parts of the world that are much more important?
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Why is he focused on MEANINGLESS CUBA when there are other parts of the world that are much more important?
Probably because it's not meaningless and it is not his sole focus.
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What did Cuba not have before we opened things up? There was no one else they couldn't trade with to my knowledge. All we've done is legitimize a murderous Communist regime.
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Well, except for giving the totalitarian communist regime cash to fund itself, cash to build its military, and cash to fund other totalitarian Communist regimes in our hemisphere like Venezuela.
But other than that, no down side.
I just read where we gave Iran 2 Billion, with more to come. I'd argue more on this thread but I now believe there is no end to the stupid things our government will do.
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I just read where we gave Iran 2 Billion, with more to come. I'd argue more on this thread but I now believe there is no end to the stupid things our government will do.
I think the Iran "deal" calls for $150 billion. And that's what the government admitted.
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I think the Iran "deal" calls for $150 billion. And that's what the government admitted.
No way I'm defending the deal, or Iran, but wasn't that $150B their money?
Of course, I would be happier if we just confiscated it. But they are not Republicans, so they will be treated favorably.
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No way I'm defending the deal, or Iran, but wasn't that $150B their money?
Of course, I would be happier if we just confiscated it. But they are not Republicans, so they will be treated favorably.
It was, assets that the US and other countries froze. There does seem to be a lot of uncertainty as to the actual cash value since physical assets were froze as well.
Gary
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No way I'm defending the deal, or Iran, but wasn't that $150B their money?
Of course, I would be happier if we just confiscated it. But they are not Republicans, so they will be treated favorably.
We should keep it and have the world's largest pig roast with the money.
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We should keep it and have the world's largest pig roast with the money.
Roger that. Wisconsin will bring the beer.