Bush Cuba Policy In Eye Of Storm

[True_Blue]

TAMPA - Opponents of President Bush's Cuba travel and aid restrictions see hurricane damage as a fresh opportunity to go after Bush and other Republicans on an issue that's especially hot in Florida.
Democrats hope to peel away some of the Republicans' Cuban-American support. Bush backers and others say that support remains solid.

Cuban-Americans represent about 60 percent of Florida's 850,000 Hispanic votes, a segment with clout in a state that is crucial to the presidential race.

Bush triggered restrictions June 30 limiting visits to Cuba to once every three years and curtailing supplies that can be sent to the island. The goal is a tight economic squeeze on dictator Fidel Castro, but critics say Cuban families feel the pain.

more....
http://www.tampatrib.com/News/MGBT96NZ4ZD.html

[Djinn]

1. I really don't understand the Cuba thing

If the US can trade with (and it's citizen's can visit) China, Russia, Vietnam what is the justification for refusing it with regards to Cuba?

[CHIMO]

3. Requires The Right Frame Of Mind

I believe it goes back to spheres of influence. I am no expert on this but if one does some googling for "munroe document" it may help. Here is one that I turned up

http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/coldwar/interviews/episode-18/clarridge1.html

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Well, The US Special Status In Cuba Is Gone

Well, the days of the US' special status in Cuba is gone. Thanks to right-wing Cuban kleptocratic exile-backed policies, even if Fidel keels over tomorrow, it looks like Cuba is drifting solidly into the economic orbit of the European Union, not the US. I expect that the post-Marxist-Leninist/Socialist deal-making will be with European countries who've ignored US sanctions and who have provided foreign aid while the kleptocrats and their home-grown "Amurrican" right-wing exiles were trying to put the screws to the Cuban economy.

In the short term, though, Cuba still seems to be saddled with a "centralist" economy with only a token private sector.

[Djinn]

7. I know what the Monroe Doctrine is

but still don't see how this applies to banning travel to Cuba. Cuba could hardly be called a colony of Europe - particularly since the demise of the Societ Union, and the Societ "system of government" was never "planted" in Cuba.

Even IF the Soviet Union were still supporting and trading with Cuba I don't see how banning people taking a holiday in Cuba makes any sense.

[izzie]

6. The Cubans living here I guess.

And they seem to always call them self 'Cubans living in America' not one of us for some reason.I think they are just waiting to go back. And they want the money they lost to be re-turned. I never hear that from others they came to this country.

[Crunchy Frog]

2. I think that Cuban-Americans

should have exactly the same travel rights as other Americans do. If they don't like not being able to visit their families, they should either stay in Cuba, or else lobby the government allow Cuban travel for everybody.

They are the ones who have been pushing all these restrictions. I am simply unable to muster up any sympathy at this point.

(Not meaning that I don't have sympathy for Cuban hurricane victims, just to clarify.)

[Judi Lynn]

4. This situation is getting interesting. Joe Garcia, former CANF spokesman

has come out in opposition to _Bush's new Cuba bright ideas, and seems to actually look more moderate, whereas he has been allied with the most intense Cuban right-wing "exile" hardliners.

People who have been watching US-Cuba relations realize only something REALLY odd could have pried him away from the hard core Cuban "exile" extremists."

Betty Castor, running for Florida Senator Bob Graham's seat should be able to gain some Cuban "exile" votes as she advocates a more moderate position to a group of people starting to see _Bush has revealed himself who simply couldn't care less about them and their relatives.

Hope the results will show _Bush in his attempt to pander to the most virulent "exiles" has managed to shoot himself in the foot.


Havana

[NewYorkerfromMass]

8. Kerry will win Florida

if the vote is fair.