Thoughts on opening diplomatic channels?. I always found it kind of stupid we were willing to trade with China but kept the sanctions on Cuba. This one was way past due.

Long overdue. I'd like a new Caribbean island to visit while on vacation.

I agree. Capitalism is the cure for communism and socialism. Get the Cuban people to see how sh-tty their system is and there will be revolution.

MLB needs to put a team in Havana.

What the heck......... lets conquer Cuba and make them a state!

Tell any of the disgruntled regime in Cuba that they can go to Puerto Rico and install communism there.

Puerto Rico is a wasteland!

I have a feeling we are doing this with one eye on Russia.

(12-17-2014 02:29 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  MLB needs to put a team in Havana.

I am more open to one in Japan first. Then the DR

(12-17-2014 03:26 PM)john01992 Wrote:  

(12-17-2014 02:29 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  MLB needs to put a team in Havana.

I am more open to one in Japan first. Then the DR

Pretty sure the hotel chains are salivating right about now.

Communist gov'ts getting along. Is this news? Thank Obama. :-(

The main thing I don't like here is we will get to hear how courageous and historic Obama is as a president for doing this.

As if there's any real political cost for Obama or the democrats for this anymore.

(12-17-2014 02:29 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  MLB needs to put a team in Havana.

The NHL will put a team in Havana instead of putting another team in Toronto.

(12-17-2014 03:38 PM)EigenEagle Wrote:  The main thing I don't like here is we will get to hear how courageous and historic Obama is as a president for doing this.

As if there's any real political cost for Obama or the democrats for this anymore.

The thing is if it were so easy to do, why didn't somebody else do it?

This will totally change tourism in the region and Florida's economy. The Cuban regime will probably fall in 5-10 years.

Topic contents: C (too many other things to worry about right now)

Grammar: F (Hey, someone had to be the ass hole)

From what I was reading earlier, this does not open Cuba up to tourism.

The Cuban Refugees in Miami Are Pissed. Should tell You something. Castro Brothers Win

What about medical tourism? Since Obabacare was based on Cuba's great medical system.

(12-17-2014 03:25 PM)VA49er Wrote:  I have a feeling we are doing this with one eye on Russia.

More of an opening to test the waters with Cuba. I really don't think Russia really has much to offer Cuba. And with their colony in Venezuela collapsing, they might be open to making a deal.

Besides I don't think Obama wants 1 million Cubans fleeing to Florida in the next Mariel boat lift. Here's a clue too - neither does the GOP. They're about as likely to be Republicans as the Marielitos have been (mainly Democrats). Because in the event of an economic collapse in Cuba, were going to be paying for it, one way or another.

All Obama is doing right now is opening an embassy and talking. No issues with that.

(12-17-2014 04:22 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  From what I was reading earlier, this does not open Cuba up to tourism.

It doesn't. All it does is open an embassy (actually we've had an embassy - oops not an embassy - for years there). And adds a couple of hundred bucks to the amount of money authorized visitors to Cuba can spend there.

The travel ban will have to be repealed by Congress.

(12-17-2014 04:41 PM)NIUAlum90 Wrote:  What about medical tourism? Since Obabacare was based on Cuba's great medical system.

Based on Romney Care.

(12-17-2014 04:48 PM)Tom in Lazybrook Wrote:  

(12-17-2014 04:22 PM)BleedsHuskieRed Wrote:  From what I was reading earlier, this does not open Cuba up to tourism.

It doesn't. All it does is open an embassy (actually we've had an embassy - oops not an embassy - for years there). And adds a couple of hundred bucks to the amount of money authorized visitors to Cuba can spend there.

The travel ban will have to be repealed by Congress.

Unfettered American travel and tourism to Cuba (and vice versa) is inevitable.

Randomly, for the first time in my life just yesterday I saw a Cuban passport. A little old lady was sitting by me on a flight from Grand Rapids MI to Chicago. I tried a little small talk but she spoke very little English. Basically, we agreed it was cold out....

Man, life is odd.

I desperately wanted to take a look into that passport, checking out the format and the design etc.

Well, anyone looking to Buy a Vintage VW Bug will find thousands of Them in Cuba