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Cuba's President Castro Sends Positive Signals to the New Obama Administration

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If we keep going in the direction we are now going we proably will; be broke and not be able to get out from under it. It happened to Russia and we look to be headed the same way. Health Care and Social Security are very important, bailing out those who made BAD buys and now can not pay their own way,when they AND the lenders knew full well they could NOT afford what they were getting, is NOT (in my opinon )the way to go. I feel we will go though a super infaltion whichI am not sure we will be able to get out of without falling on VERY hard times.
I see the new president has already started to take apart our Defence Department (Little Known, but there) and if he and congress continue we will be a Thrid World Country and with the number of countries in the world that DO NOT LIKE US WE ARE IN BIG trouble

E Carpenter of AZ 9:35PM February 23, 2009

History shows Fidel Castro's communist revolution ejected the petty bousequoise, organized crime syndicates and Cuban elites/wealthy and installed a backward system of communism that has kept its people impoverished and under tight control. Can we just forgive and forget? Does the U.S. really need Cuba for anything besides great cigars (so we hear)? Would opening the borders and dialogue do much to change Cuba - and should we care? Why do we fear communism when everywhere its been tried, it sucks (China changed to a socialist/capitalist hybrid that is an abbrogation from Marxism). I don't see that we have much to lose or gain from official engagement, however we must keep a vigilate eye on potential importation of terrorists who could use Cuba as a new insertion point if we become too relaxed.

Tony Lee of CA 6:08PM February 23, 2009

The current leaders of Cuba are still the same as the leaders of the cuban missal adventure,Fidel Castro is still alive and he has done much to sabotage the democratic spirit in latin america and is still doing it.....it was he who authorized the russians to build a missal site against the united States in the sixtys and he still has not paid the price for his aggressiveness....it looks as though cooperation and good will with Cuba may depend on the relative health of Fidel Castro....cordially.....

Steve Roisman of CA 4:13PM February 22, 2009

It is fitting that we embrace Cuba as a nation and as our neighbor. The idea of the Wild Wild West mentality is not working and should be sacked. America stands for "Doing what’s right." The first step to showing the world that we are a nation of civilized people who like all others is to open free travel to Cuba. The next step is to asked the current government of Cuba to do the same for her people. Followed with an invitation to the Castro brothers to visit Washington DC for a meeting with our President. We can only begin to mend the wounds when we start talking with those who might not see life as we see it.
Mr. President, bring down those ideas of the old and staled by now! God Bless America!

Kelvin of GA 7:34AM February 22, 2009

Unless you were around during all the time that led up to the embargo, maybe do a little bit of research, rather than taking your own isolated experience and assuming you know everything. My ancestors immigrated to the U.S. a generation ago and are the most patriotic Americans I've ever met. They know what it's like outside the US and are thankful for how we are protected here. Secondly, if we you love that culture and apparently think our nation sucks, why are you living here? It never ceases to amaze me when people who have no understanding of history or world economics over-simplify things and vilify the very entity that gives them the freedom to speak their minds. My wife's close friend spoke recently to her grandmother...an immigrant from Cuba. She remembers the day that your buddy Fidel convinced all the people 'how evil guns are' and got them to turn in their firearms to government-designated locations. Shortly after is when the tanks rolled in took control over the country. The movie "The Patriot" with Harrison Ford is a very realistic account of what actually freed our nation. Do you know what the term "militia" means? It's the people of the country (citizens) that own guns. If it weren't for the right for 'good', law abiding citizens to be armed, a government that goes 'bad' (and that happens throughout civilization) has nothing to keep them in check.
So go to Cuba and do some research. Oh, while you're there, talk to some of the people who are related to those who took up boats (or just about anything that floats) to take the dangerous journey in ocean waters to get to the US - away from Cuba-risking their very lives in the process. Are we a perfect nation? Far from it...but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
One last thought: it's people that are always outspoken against our own nation that fuels nations (eg: communist Soviet Union of the past, China, North Korea) to spread negative propoganda throughout the world against the US. Ever heard of the word 'loyalty'? That's what keeps strong entities together - whether it's families, friends, or whatever. I'm not saying to be blind to truth. What I am saying is don't turn your back on what gave you what you have today. I would go so far as to say that's being a traitor.
Question: what do the following have in common: a) Berlin Wall, b) Wall of China, c) Cuban Government. They were/are designed to keep people "in", not out. Hey, when you think about it, even our illegal friends crossing the border from Mexico are trying to take advantage of our capitalistic way of life (working to earn your food and comforts for your family).
The idea is to NOT send mixed messages. When you punish your children and tell them there are consequences to their actions you are not a bad person, even if some idiot sees only the punishment and thinks you're cruel, and then calls child protective services.
Yes, it's sad that the people of Cuba suffer - so blame their government, not ours.

applefritter2715 of CA 12:56AM February 22, 2009

I traveled to Cuba several years ago and I was filled with rage that my government, the USA, a supposed democracy, could deny me the right to travel to this neighboring country. The cold war ended years ago and yet, the US continues this most juvenile policy towards our neighbor. It's time to grow up, America, and return to us those rights guaranteed by our constitution.
And let us get it clear, Cuba is also American.I loved being there and being among warm and friendly people. I enjoyed so much of Cuban culture and was awed by their system of universal health care, one of the best in the world, despite a visious US embargo

Suzanne Hedrick of ME 4:05PM February 18, 2009

It is the right of all US citizens. However,closing the door to Cuban Americans to visit their families is criminal and agaist all principles of democracy and freedom. As a Cuban American who has lived in this country, worked and paid taxes for over 30 years, I urge Congress and President Obama to lift the embargo and all restrictions on travel to Cuba immediately.
As one who has supported the candidacy of President Obama from the very beginning, I urge the President to stand by his word and allow American citizens to travel to Cuba.
In traveling to Cuba, American citizens are going to experience the advantages of communication from people to people. We have things that the Cubans can learn from us, but as Americans we can also learn many things from the Cubans.
Travel to Cuba should not be used in the style of Senator Toricelli's track 2.

Jose A. Moreno, Ph.D, of PA 11:09PM February 17, 2009

The Obama Administration is in the midst of a major review of US policy toward Cuba. That is a good thing and could lead to significant initiatives in many areas before the President attends the Summit of the Americas on April 17th.
At the same time, President Obama has not yet implemented his campaign pledge to immediately allow unlimited Cuban American travel and remittances.
This should happen even while the policy review is taking place. Deaths and illnesses and family milestones do not wait for the resolution of political and strategic arguments in Washington.
Moreover, this is not the only travel decision the Administration will make. The President must decide soon whether to undo politically motivated Bush restrictions of 2004. He can authorizes in a non-discriminatory manner general licenses for twelve categories of non-tourist travel: family, educational, humanitarian, religious, cultural, sports, "support for the Cuban people", etc.
An on-line letter to the President calling for non-tourist travel is approaching 1200 signers, many with individual comments. www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamacuba/

John McAuliff of NY 11:00PM February 12, 2009

Let the people of the U.S.go to Cuba and see what a beautiful yet poor place it is.The Cubans listen to the tourists and all their stories of freedom etc.
This is the best way to help the cuban people and their plight for complete freedom.

David Edwards 7:44PM February 12, 2009

If Americans were "free" to visit Cuba, they would see a country filled with highly educated and motivated people, living in desperation inside a giant prison. In my recent trip to visit a gravely ill brother, I did not see anywhere, a magazine, a newspaper, or when watching Cuba's television I did not hear much information as to what is going on outside their walls.
History will judge the American Embargo against Cuba as a black mark on Democracy. Forcing Democracy upon people who do not know what Democracy is, does not work. I KNOW. One learns what Democracy is all about by seeing it, experiencing it, feeling it, and living with it to fully understand it, embrace it, and be willing to die for it.
The Embargo has achieved two things: isolation for the island nation and its people, and the destruction of the Cuban family. The only beneficiary of the Embargo is Fidel Castro. His legacy has been cemented in the history books of the world. He should have been a "splash in the pan" in the annals of Cuba's history books.
The role this great nation has to play to bring about Democracy or some semblance of it in my native country is to behave as a strong but benevolent parent, who is willing to teach, and to guide without pre-conditions. Then open the invisible iron gates that have divided us for far too long, and let us all in. THAT will bring about the desperate change all Cubans in Cuba prey for each minute of their desperate lives.
Obama, you promised change, start with Cuba!

martha m. torres of CT 6:01PM February 12, 2009