The United States will normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba, open embassy in Havana

[Metalhead]

Found this kind of neat. Step in the right direction imo.

 

 

In a speech at the White House on Wednesday, President Obama announced that the United States will restore full diplomatic relations with Cuba and open an embassy in Havana for the first time in more than 50 years.

"We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests," Obama said. The president pointed out that the U.S. has relations with China as well as Vietnam, "where we fought a war that claimed more Americans than any Cold War confrontation." The policy, he claimed, was "rooted in events that took place before most of us were born." He said that what had stood in the way for him doing more to change relations with Cuba was "the wrongful imprisonment" of U.S. contractor Alan Gross, who was released from jail today after five years.

The president also said his administration will look into changing the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, which was applied by the Reagan administration.

On Tuesday, Obama spoke to Raul Castro for 45 minutes to discuss the historic announcement. It's the first phone call between the leaders of the U.S. and Cuba in decades.

As part of the diplomatic thaw, the U.S. will ease restrictions on remittances, travel, and banking relations regarding Cuba.

"We're authorizing as much travel as we can within the constraint of the legislation," a senior administration official told reporters before Obama spoke. The embargo will still stay in place pending Congressional action. Americans will be permitted to use debit and credit cards in Cuba, and Americans will be able to bring back Cuban cigars legally for the first time in over 50 years.

In return for an American intelligence agent held for nearly 20 years, the U.S. sent back three Cuban spies held since 2001. (Cuba will also release 53 political prisoners.)

The secret U.S.-Cuba negotiations took place over a period of 18 months, hosted mostly by Canada and encouraged by Pope Francis from the outset of his papacy.

 

 

[musicman]

Growing up in Miami (and eating their food and drinking their coffee) I've always been interested in US/Cuba history and diplomatic relations.

Though I'm a bit soured that a Cuban immigrant my father took pity on and helped become a citizen and employed for 17yrs embezzled $2 million from my parents, effectively shuttering a 103 year old family business and decimating their retirement plans. Not to mention years of fraudulent tax filings leaving my parents $900k in debt to the IRS.

Her punishment? A $30k dollar civil penalty made payable to my parents. No jail time or probation.

I'm not bitter.


Sorry... that's still a rough subject for me. I love the Cuban culture, music, and food, but now I can't help but feel a little sting as I think of those events.

Sorry... shutting up now.

[maroonandwhite]

Cuban cigars are legal!!!

[mikegideon]

Cuban cigars are legal!!!

 

That's a biggie! I had my hands on some last week while I was in Mexico, but knew I couldn't get them thru customs legally. Who knows when you will be able to get them for a decent price.

[peejman]

Interesting.  I thought Castro Jr. was even more of an anti-American wacko than his dad. 

[maroonandwhite]

That's a biggie! I had my hands on some last week while I was in Mexico, but knew I couldn't get them thru customs legally. Who knows when you will be able to get them for a decent price.

Maybe that will take the focus off of .22lr.

[Hozzie]

Never understood the big deal with Cuban cigars.  I have had quite a few and still prefer a Dominican tobacco.  I don't smoke them much anymore, but I think it is simply about "forbidden Fruit" vs actually being any better.

 

I am ok with this in general as long as we don't start adding them to the payroll like the rest of the world.

[mikegideon]

Never understood the big deal with Cuban cigars.  I have had quite a few and still prefer a Dominican tobacco.  I don't smoke them much anymore, but I think it is simply about "forbidden Fruit" vs actually being any better.

 

I am ok with this in general as long as we don't start adding them to the payroll like the rest of the world.

 

I have had some GREAT Cubans. Wasn't a forbidden fruit thing in my case. I keep Partagas Dominicans in more than one size. Not saying I've never had a Cuban stinker.

[Grand Torino]

Cuban cigars are legal!!!

First thing I thought about. :)

[mikegideon]

First thing I thought about. :)

 

Dumbass me... I didn't buy any last week because they weren't in a humidor. Fact is, those parts of Mexico are one big humidor. For once I can say, thanks Obungo for doing something constructive, even tho you were just buddying up with some fellow commies.

[gun sane]

No matter what you're smoking, we'll suffer in the long run from this deal.  If you lie down with dogs, you rise up with fleas.

[E4 No More]

No matter what you're smoking, we'll suffer in the long run from this deal.  If you lie down with dogs, you rise up with fleas.

Not if you use Frontline! :)

[Oh Shoot]

Interesting.  I thought Castro Jr. was even more of an anti-American wacko than his dad. 

 

Guess you mean Raul, the current prez?  He is Fidel's brother.

 

- OS

[maroonandwhite]

No matter what you're smoking, we'll suffer in the long run from this deal.  If you lie down with dogs, you rise up with fleas.

Won't the cigar smoke keep them off of you?

[mikegideon]

No matter what you're smoking, we'll suffer in the long run from this deal.  If you lie down with dogs, you rise up with fleas.

 

Obama is our president. How much more flea bitten can we get? :)

[Oh Shoot]

Both Cruz and Rubio have denounced the deal.

 

- OS

[peejman]

Guess you mean Raul, the current prez?  He is Fidel's brother.

 

- OS

 

 

That's him, couldn't think of his name.  His brother... I was close. 

[E4 No More]

Obama is our president. How much more flea bitten can we get? :)

Do ya really want to find out? :)

[Oh Shoot]

That's him, couldn't think of his name.  His brother... I was close. 

 

Yeah, well, he is a lot younger than Fidel at only 83, so I get how you could think that. ;)

 

- OS

[A.J. Holst]

Not sure how any prez can do this without Congress since it was Congress who passed the law in '59 and signed by Eisenhower.

[mikegideon]

Both Cruz and Rubio have denounced the deal.

 

- OS

 

I just listened to Rubio. He's right. But, if Obama is gonna step on his pecker anyway, we might as well get some good cigars in the deal.

[battleop]

Never understood the big deal with Cuban cigars.  I have had quite a few and still prefer a Dominican tobacco.  I don't smoke them much anymore, but I think it is simply about "forbidden Fruit" vs actually being any better.

 

I am ok with this in general as long as we don't start adding them to the payroll like the rest of the world.

 

It's only appeal is that it's the forbidden fruit.   It's not really that much better or worse than cigars made elsewhere.

[Grayfox54]

I don't see what's in it for the U.S.? After 50 odd years of communism, Cuba is nothing more than a third world dung heap. 

I'm bettin' there's some big money to be made in this somewhere and that most of it will be under the table and at U.S. tax payer expense. 

[peejman]

A dung heap with nice beaches, good cigars, and hot women.

[VERO1]

I was just watching the news here in South Florida, the majority of the Cubans interviewed were vehemently against the move. Their general consensus was the U.S. was giving recognition to a thug dictatorship.