Growing up sufficiently enough years past the bay of pigs scare I don't have any emotional attachment to the cuban embargo. My mother can remember being afraid of a nuclear attack during that time period but I can't. I am much more worried about non state threats than I am about terrorism, war, or commies. Famine and oil shortages which cause wars worry me more than communism. In that sense... I say yes... lift the embargo. Ive never been to cuba nor talked to anyone within the country who may be fighting for democracy and free market economy. My background is limited because of that fact. I often wonder what Gary Brecher the "War Nerd" would think in times like these. Or Seymour Hersh. Hey Seymor!... whats your take?
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-cuba-travel1-2009apr01,0,4526770.story
"Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) strongly opposes the measure. He warned that flooding Cuba with tourists and dollars would only sustain the Castro regime. Having tourists on Cuban beaches is not going to change the equation of how to create the opportunity for democratic institutions in Cuba," Martinez said. "It's only going to enrich those who are oppressing the Cuban people and provide them with more economic means with which to do that."
Dorgan and fellow sponsors sense an opportunity to change U.S. policy now that President Obama has replaced George W. Bush in the White House and Castro has turned power over to his brother, Raul Castro.
Obama has ordered a review of U.S. policy on Cuba and last month loosened restrictions to let Cuban Americans visit relatives. Journalists can travel to Cuba, as can people on humanitarian missions.
This is another article challenging the wisdom of the policy change.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/columns/Sunday_Reflections/How-not-to-promote-democracy-in-Cuba-and-at-home-42469192.html
Posts
