US/Cuba to Begin Talks

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

That is totally right. This is something Cubans should sort out, not the ruling power who screwed up everything in the first place.

I agree. Though I can understand why the United States interfered back than.

As Lito thoroughly explained, it acts within its interests, not morality or ideology.

[Scomagia]

I agree. Though I can understand why the United States interfered back than.

As Lito thoroughly explained, it acts within its interests, not morality or ideology.

That's generally how most nations operate, no?

[Calimera II]

I agree. Though I can understand why the United States interfered back than.

As Lito thoroughly explained, it acts within its interests, not morality or ideology.

At the end of the day, every country acts within its interests.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

As Lito thoroughly explained, it acts within its interests, not morality or ideology.

That's generally how most nations operate, no?

Oh, the Soviet Union was clearly active in its attempt to export ideology.

[Eastern Equestria]

I'm happy with the idea and I am happy that the US isn't trying to force Cuba to become a capitalist country but I am worried that Cuba may become capitalist in the future.

Cuba is a pretty bad example of socialist government. I'm not sure why Cuban transition to a more capitalistic system would be cause for worry (for anyone other than yourself, having one less nation to hang your ideological hat on) since it would actually benefit Cuba's government and citizenry.

[Eagalya]

I agree. Though I can understand why the United States interfered back than.

As Lito thoroughly explained, it acts within its interests, not morality or ideology.

Not necessarily always the case. There are plenty of interests in which the US, often in concert with the EU, Canada, etc and international institutions influenced by the US (World Bank, etc) act with morality and ideology in mind. Such as instances where they impose sanctions on regimes solely for passing statutes which violate universal human rights.

[Degenerate Heart of HetRio]

Not necessarily always the case. There are plenty of interests in which the US, often in concert with the EU, Canada, etc and international institutions influenced by the US (World Bank, etc) act with morality and ideology in mind. Such as instances where they impose sanctions on regimes solely for passing statutes which violate universal human rights.

A card that was never pulled [consistently] with fellow American countries.

[Eastern Equestria]

It won't fall within 10 years, but it might become less authoritarian very soon.

Market pressure means the island will globalize, and thus outside influence will make it hard for the government to excuse its actions.

Many people here seem to be keen on meddling in that islands internal affairs. Remember, how this all started. The revolution they had over 50 years ago included putting a stop to a certain neighboring nation which was busy interfering in there internal affairs.

People overlook the fact that Castro aligned himself with the Soviet Union in very large part because of his hatred and disgust for American foreign policy in Cuba (throwing bones to dictators, sponsoring corrupt politicians while Cuba was still democratic, etc.). I'm not excusing his many offenses by any means, but it should have come as no shock that he tried to distance his regime as far as possible from the United States. And if his regime is toppled, the United States should have nothing to do with it.

[Eagalya]

Not necessarily always the case. There are plenty of interests in which the US, often in concert with the EU, Canada, etc and international institutions influenced by the US (World Bank, etc) act with morality and ideology in mind. Such as instances where they impose sanctions on regimes solely for passing statutes which violate universal human rights.

A card that was never pulled [consistently] with fellow American countries.

I was simply pointing out that the blanket statement was incorrect. While the US may act with in interests in mind when it comes to most actions, there are plenty of times where it has acted with ideology or morality in mind.

[Teemant]

That's generally how most nations operate, no?

Oh, the Soviet Union was clearly active in its attempt to export ideology.

Bullsh*t.

[Zakuvia]

Oh, the Soviet Union was clearly active in its attempt to export ideology.

Bullsh*t.

Agreed, who could forget when the North Koreans repelled the US invasion forces with their proprietary Korean-made guns and jets? And the industrious Vietnamese who fought the States with their Vietnam-produced firearms and local advisors? Why, I was disgusted when the Norweigans invaded Afghanistan in the 80's. Rocky IV's use of a Belgian killing Apollo and fighting Rocky in that patriotic final fight was pretty brilliant, though.

[Alien Space Bats]

Does anyone here think the Cuban government will fall from power (or change to a multi party government nation) one way or another during President Obama's two or so years left in office? Or how many years from now? Thank you for your point of view pro or con.

I think Cuba will undergo a political transformation of some sort after Fidel dies and Raoul gets too old to remain in power. This will happen regardless of whether the U.S. is still trying to cripple Cuba through an embargo or not.

That's why I want to see the embargo lifted: It isn't doing anything to bring about change in Cuba, but it IS screwing up our relations with the rest of Latin America; consequently, ending it is in the best interests of America and its people.

[Greater Miami Shores]

This post is a result of a promise to Yumyumsuppertime after back and forth secret TGs between Yumyumsuppertime and I, now not so secret as I have blown our cover.

Fair and Balanced: I found this long (boring) interesting speech of Fidel, as early as June 30 1961: " Within the Revolution everything, outside the revolution nothing"

http://lanic.utexas.edu/project/castro/ ... 10630.html

Raúl Castro, as well, has called for more open self criticism of the press, government and the revolution:

Raul Castro tackles Cuba's shortcomings

By Anthony Boadle
Sat Dec 23, 12:40 PM ET

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's interim leader Raul Castro urged greater honesty in dealing with chronic shortages of housing and public transport, the biggest complaints in the communist state, Cuban state media reported on Saturday.

"Tell it as it is," he told the first session of the National Assembly since brother Fidel Castro ceded power to him in July after undergoing emergency surgery.

"Tell the truth, without justifications, because we are tired of justifications in this revolution," the newspaper Juventud Rebelde reported Defense Minister Raul Castro as saying on Friday.

Raul Castro, who is considered more of a practical administrator than his more ideological brother, said he encouraged a series of recent newspaper articles criticizing bureaucracy and corruption in the food supply system.

The one-day session discussed high food prices and deficiencies in housing and public transport, the three main complaints among Cubans.

Cubans stand for hours waiting for packed buses, some of them wagons pulled by trucks, and many live in dilapidated houses, often crowded with more than one family.

Raul Castro said it was "inexplicable" how bureaucratic hurdles had held up payments to peasant cooperatives that produce 65 percent of Cuba's food.

The younger Castro has criticized state inefficiencies in the past, but now he is effectively running the country. He is said to favor reforms easing state controls over the economy.

Raul Castro said his brother was continuing to recover from an undisclosed illness.

Fidel Castro, in power since a 1959 revolution, has not been seen in public since July 26. His prolonged absence has fueled speculation that he is dying and uncertainty about Cuba's future.

The low-key Raul Castro, who has spent most of his life in the shadow of his larger-than-life brother, said he will govern in a more collegiate way.

Last week, in an address to university student leaders, he stressed the need for debate and disagreement to improve decision-making.

There is also a difference in style between the two men.

The low-key Raul Castro's practical approach to Cuba's economic problems contrasted with that of his more famous brother, who ran Cuba with hours-long meandering speeches that focused less on solving domestic problems and more on attacking his ideological enemy the United States and defending the rights of Third World countries.

Raul Castro also called for more debate and self-criticism to deal with the many problems facing the country and said the state-run press had an important role to play, the ruling Communist Party newspaper Granma reported.

Cuba posted a record 12.5 percent growth rate for the year, using a unique method of calculation that adds free education, medical care and other social services provided by the state.

But officials said the island nation of 11 million has still not recovered fully from the severe crisis it suffered since the collapse of its benefactor the Soviet Union in 1991.

[MERIZoC]

Oh, the Soviet Union was clearly active in its attempt to export ideology.

Bullsh*t.

Kidding me? The USSR tried to spread its ideology all around the globe, just like the US.

[Calimera II]

Bullsh*t.

Kidding me? The USSR tried to spread its ideology all around the globe, just like the US.

Out of self-interest.

[Greater Miami Shores]

IAPA calls for respect of human rights, freedom of expression and of the press in Cuba to be part of negotiations, lol. While I agree with IAPA, lol. They (IAPA) have been calling for freedom of the press in Cuba for years, lol.

MIAMI, Florida (December 26, 2014)—The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) today urged that respect for freedom of expression and of the press in Cuba be a key part in the talks between the governments of Raúl Castro and Barack Obama following the announcement of normalization of diplomatic relations after 53 years.

IAPA President Gustavo Mohme declared, “This good gesture between the two governments carries with it the great opportunity for Cuba to be required to respect human rights, freedom of expression and press freedom, that it release jailed independent journalists and comply with what is stipulated about these issues in international treaties.”

Mohme warned that “the initiation of new relations cannot remain in just a political agreement on the exchange of spies, but involve all human rights, which makes necessary the release of journalists and everyone jailed for their way of thinking.”

The Castro government is keeping imprisoned three journalists: Yoennis de Jesús Guerra García, Ángel Santiesteban-Prats and José Antonio Torres. Juliet Micheleba Díaz, arrested on April 7, was released on November 14. “To them we express our deep solidarity and we will work on insisting on their release,” Mohme added.

“Any attempt at dialogue will be doomed to failure if there does not exist a will to guarantee individual and collective freedoms and transparency nor respect for the work of journalists and the public’s right to information,” declared Mohme, editor of the Lima, Peru, newspaper La República.

“In this dialogue freedom of expression and of the press should be an essential part. The government of Cuba must assume great responsibilities at this time of opening.”

The text of the IAPA’s most recent report on Cuba can be found at the following link:

http://www.sipiapa.org/iapa-calls-on-cu ... s-freedom/

http://www.editorsweblog.org/2008/03/31 ... -venezuela

[Greater Miami Shores]

Found this of interest. This article with a few of my comments might explain better what happend.

Cuban Citizen Tania Bruguera an artist of sorts. Called for a performance of sorts on Dec 30 2014 at the Plaza of the Revolution. Where Cuban citizens could talk on an open microphone for one minute about what kind of changes and what kind of Cuba they want. Including those who favor Cuba as is. Tania asked the Cuban Arts Council for the permit. The permit was denied and she was warned of personal repercussions. Cuban media the Jiribilla, a legally registered non governmental cultural magazine, lol. Published her request and arcticles disaproving.

La Jiribilla, notice how it makes reference to the triumph of the revolution 1959. I would say that says it all about the loyalty and independence of this NGO:

Dijo el poeta: “la claridad empieza el alumbramiento más horroroso, la claridad empieza a parir claridad”. Y ese parteaguas que significó en la historia de Cuba el triunfo revolucionario de 1959, también asumió sin tardanza sus partos difíciles aunque impostergables para la refundación de la nación.
Pro Cuban government bloggers attacked her as a CIA agent and counter Revolutionary. She was briefly detained, her Cuban passport cancelled and taken from her. Warned that she could face fines and or prision time. The first effect of many to come of President Obama's so called new approach that hasnt worked.

My personal point of view is, that the Cuban government of Raúl Castro only understands and respects force, not unilateral financial $ , economic $ , political and tourist relations $.

Change We Can Believe In.

Who is Tania Bruguera? A Cuban citizen. An artist. Studied in Cuba and Chicago. Lives in New York, Cuba, all over Europe. Daughter of a now (late) Cuban government Ambassador.

Tania Bruguera:


Cuban American, Fabiola Santiago Collum:

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/n ... 63742.html




http://www.lajiribilla.cu/articulo/9454 ... -plasticas

Hope all these links work properly. I think I have made my points of view, will move on to other less personal thread issues and subjects.