Florida’s Cuba Contract Ban Blocked by U.S. Appeals Court

[Mika]

FLORIDA’S CUBA CONTRACT BAN BLOCKED BY U.S. APPEALS COURT
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-05-06/florida-s-cuba-contract-ban-blocked-by-u-dot-s-dot-appeals-court-1

[div class="excerpt" style="margin-left: 2em; border: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0.4615em; box-shadow: 3px 3px 3px #999999;"]
Florida lost a court bid to reinstate a law prohibiting state agencies from entering into contracts worth $1 million or more with companies that do business with Cuba.

The U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta said today that the Florida measure “reaches far beyond the federal law in numerous ways and undermines the president’s exercise of the discretion afforded him by Congress.” A three-judge panel upheld a July ruling by a lower court in Miami barring enforcement of the law.

The “Cuba Amendment” legislation was signed on May 1, 2012, by Florida Governor Rick Scott, a Republican, and covers an estimated $8 billion in annual state contracts, the appeals court said. The law, designed to apply economic pressure to the communist regime in Cuba beyond the U.S. government sanctions already in place, was challenged by Odebrecht Construction Inc.
<->
The Florida law “penalizes U.S. companies for the business activities of their foreign parents or their foreign affiliates, no matter how remote the connection,” the appeals court said.

[Demeter]

1. Vindictiveness has no place in diplomacy

And the US doesn't practice diplomacy, probably never has, but it's been much worse, lately.

[Judi Lynn]

2. States don't get to set their own foreign policy, Florida. How stupid is that?

Back to the gusano drawing board.

Rick Scott, great Republican, insufficient human being.

[Mika]

3. It is all about appearances.

He, and the Fla legislators who supported it, fought "the good fight" to ingratiate the insider trader's use of gusano's as cover - just as did the opposition.

The legislation, constitutional or not, was the springboard for many a political campaign, and represented impetus for funding of both advocates and opposition - win/wins all around for the ongoing corruptions.

It's all about the money.

[Judi Lynn]

4. That's so obnoxious. It seems as if they just found another way to exploit this strange critter,

the "hate Cuba industry" which feeds all their campaign chests.

I hadn't even considered that one, Mika. Thanks for the insight.

Glad they lost with this "bright idea," too.

[Daniel537]

5. I'm so glad states can't set their own foreign policy.

Otherwise the Florida National Guard would have probably been dispatched to Havana years ago. The Courts usually aren't friendly to Cuba in these types of issues, but kudos for getting this one right. And a big fuck you to the assholes who voted for this thing and wasted our money trying to uphold it.

[Mika]

6. It goes for both sides.

The opposition uses a bill like this as an opportunity to reap campaign funding against the bill.
One hand washes the other. Each side's candidates reap rewards from the threats of the other side - constitutional or not.
Both sides of this (the legislative representatives) play this corrupt circle jerk. This is why there won't be any resolution regarding US/Cuba relations any time soon. There's money in it for political/funding gains on both sides. Those who play are rewarded.