Cuba

sailingrose · April 15, 2009

Yes, they could use the $$ but who's pocket would it be lining...........

Longboysfan · April 15, 2009

Yes, they could use the $$ but who's pocket would it be lining...........

Exactly. The government would have a large hand in everything done in that direction.

KeithnRita · April 15, 2009

Since we trade with and borrow money from the largest Communist country, then what's the big deal with Cuba? Of course I do not agree with trading and borrowing from China, however I don't believe we should be hypocrites.

deb1220 · April 16, 2009

Since we trade with and borrow money from the largest Communist country, then what's the big deal with Cuba? Of course I do not agree with trading and borrowing from China, however I don't believe we should be hypocrites.

:thumbup:

coloradocruisers · April 16, 2009

Since we trade with and borrow money from the largest Communist country, then what's the big deal with Cuba? Of course I do not agree with trading and borrowing from China, however I don't believe we should be hypocrites.

Very good point Keith! My biggest concern is normalization of diplomatic relations. I worry about how an American arrested in Cuba would be treated; but then, I'm one of the guys who said the cruise lines ought to drop Jamaica til they clean up their act.

JoeyandDavid · April 16, 2009

My biggest concern is normalization of diplomatic relations. I worry about how an American arrested in Cuba would be treated;

Kevin I would like to think at least as good as we treat our own detainees here.. hmmmmmm thats a good thing right?

however I don't believe we should be hypocrites.

Keith, I think your statement was a grand-slam.. Great observation

MrsAmanda7 · April 16, 2009

Yes, foreign relations is a big deal. However, I would really love to visit Cuba one day. My dad tells me stories of when his parents visited there. They had nothing but great things to say about the destination. They thought it was a beautiful country. Then one day, they weren't allowed to visit...

coloradocruisers · April 16, 2009

My biggest concern is normalization of diplomatic relations. I worry about how an American arrested in Cuba would be treated;

Kevin I would like to think at least as good as we treat our own detainees here.. hmmmmmm thats a good thing right?

We'd all like to think that Joey, but I seriously doubt it.

mercedes · April 16, 2009

U.S. Government to Lift Some Cuba Travel Restrictions

During White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' Monday briefing he announced several steps that the Obama administration is planning to take to promote greater contact between separated family members in the US and Cuba and increase the flow of money and information to the Cuban people. In making the announcement Gibbs noted that "There are no better ambassadors for freedom than Cuban Americans".

According to the White House, the Obama administration will lift all restrictions on family visits to Cuba including the current limitations on the frequency of visits, the duration of a visit, and the 44 pound limitation on accompanied baggage. In addison the White House announced that it will remove the limitations on the amount of money that can be sent to a relative's family in Cuba in an attempt to increase Cuban's access to resources.

Most of the changes announced today effectively reverse a series of stiffer restrictions that were implemented by the Bush administration in 2004.

One new change specifically developed by the Obama administration authorizes greater telecommunications links with Cuba to help advance interaction between the two countries at no additional cost to the U.S. government. To accomplish this, the administration will authorize U.S. telecommunications network providers to enter into agreements to establish fiber optic cable and satellite facilities connecting the two countries.

When pressed about whether these moves were "...a prelude to further normalization in Cuba?" Gibbs answered "No" and then moved on to a different subject. So, for now, cruise lines and cruise passengers who were hoping that the Obama administration might lift the sanctions that currently prevent U.S.-based cruise ships from calling at Cuban ports will have to continue waiting.