One Castro down, one to go.
So what happens to Cuba going forward?
His little brother is supposedly set to take the wheel.
He says he wants to make “structural” changes in Cuba.
I have no idea what that means - but I bet it would be a safe assumption that it will remain a communist country.
I wouldn’t doubt for even a second that Fidel won’t still have a significant influence.
Work towards normalizing relations.
An interesting comparison can be made among the statements of the three major candidates:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MTljMTUzYzcyY2Q5Mzk2NGNhN2NkZmJlZDNiZDQ0YTc=
[i]The Candidates On Castro [Byron York]
The three major presidential candidates have released statements on the retirement of Fidel Castro. The Democrats’ statements are vague and high-minded; John McCain’s is specific and hard-headed. First, Hillary Clinton:
[quote] As you know, Fidel Castro announced that he is stepping down as Cuba’s leader after 58 years of one-man rule. The new leadership in Cuba will face a stark choice�??continue with the failed policies of the past that have stifled democratic freedoms and stunted economic growth�??or take a historic step to bring Cuba into the community of democratic nations. The people of Cuba want to seize this opportunity for real change and so must we.
I would say to the new leadership, the people of the United States are ready to meet you if you move forward towards the path of democracy, with real, substantial reforms. The people of Cuba yearn for the opportunity to get out from under the weight of this authoritarian regime, which has held back 11 million talented and hardworking citizens of the Americas. The new government should take this opportunity to release political prisoners and to take serious steps towards democracy that give their people a real voice in their government.
The American people have been on the side in the Cuban people's struggle for freedom and democracy in the past and we will be on their side for democracy in the future.
As President, I will engage our partners in Latin America and Europe who have a strong stake in seeing a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba, and who want very much for the United States to play a constructive role to that end. The United States must pursue an active policy that does everything possible to advance the cause of freedom, democracy and opportunity in Cuba.
The events of the past three days, including elections in Pakistan and Kosovo's declaration of independence, are a vivid illustration of people around the world yearning for democracy and opportunity. We need a President with the experience to recognize and seize these opportunities to advance America�??s values and interests around the world. I will be that President.[/quote]
Next, Barack Obama:
[quote]Today should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba.
Cuba's future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime. The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released.
If the Cuban leadership begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change, the United States must be prepared to begin taking steps to normalize relations and to ease the embargo of the last five decades. The freedom of the Cuban people is a cause that should bring Americans together.[/quote]
Finally, John McCain:
[quote] Today�??s resignation of Fidel Castro is nearly half a century overdue. For decades, Castro oversaw an apparatus of repression that denied liberty to the people who suffered under his dictatorship.
Yet freedom for the Cuban people is not yet at hand, and the Castro brothers clearly intend to maintain their grip on power. That is why we must press the Cuban regime to release all political prisoners unconditionally, to legalize all political parties, labor unions and free media, and to schedule internationally monitored elections.
Cuba's transition to democracy is inevitable; it is a matter of when �?? not if. With the resignation of Fidel Castro, the Cuban people have an opportunity to move forward and continue pushing for the moment that they will truly be free. America can and should help hasten the sparking of freedom in Cuba. The Cuban people have waited long enough.[/i][/quote]
[quote]Sloth wrote:
Work towards normalizing relations.[/quote]
Eh? Are we living in the same world?
The Florida crowd will never allow that to happen.
Castro retires, Castro takes over.
Does this mean we can trade with them again?
I know a lot of people who like the cigars. And no one is better at fostering democracy than McDonalds and Nike.
[quote]lixy wrote:
Sloth wrote:
Work towards normalizing relations.
Eh? Are we living in the same world?
The Florida crowd will never allow that to happen. [/quote]
The Florida crowd is about 80% cuban. Can you say, “lixy is an idiot talking out of her ass”?
[quote]rainjack wrote:
lixy wrote:
Sloth wrote:
Work towards normalizing relations.
Eh? Are we living in the same world?
The Florida crowd will never allow that to happen.
The Florida crowd is about 80% cuban. Can you say, “lixy is an idiot talking out of her ass”? [/quote]
Maybe in Miami and little Havana (Tampa) those statistics work but not in the pan-handle.
[quote]rainjack wrote:
lixy wrote:
Sloth wrote:
Work towards normalizing relations.
Eh? Are we living in the same world?
The Florida crowd will never allow that to happen.
The Florida crowd is about 80% cuban. Can you say, “lixy is an idiot talking out of her ass”? [/quote]
As usual. As soon as Castro II is out of the picture and real reform takes place the “Florida crowd” is going to push for normalization as fast as possible. They just know not to bother with a totalitarian government in charge.
[quote]LIFTICVSMAXIMVS wrote:
rainjack wrote:
lixy wrote:
Sloth wrote:
Work towards normalizing relations.
Eh? Are we living in the same world?
The Florida crowd will never allow that to happen.
The Florida crowd is about 80% cuban. Can you say, “lixy is an idiot talking out of her ass”?
Maybe in Miami and little Havana (Tampa) those statistics work but not in the pan-handle.[/quote]
Isn’t the So. Fl. crowd the only possible “crowd” she could be talking about?
I highly doubt the average panhandler gives a crap any more than someone from SE Alabama.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
They just know not to bother with a totalitarian government in charge. [/quote]
“Not to bother”? Do you realize kids are dying because of the embargo?
[quote]lixy wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
They just know not to bother with a totalitarian government in charge.
“Not to bother”? Do you realize kids are dying because of the embargo?[/quote]
sooo we can’t police the world but you want us to rescue every starving person in the world?
So let me get this straight. We get involved and it’s our fault, we do nothing and it’s our fault. Got it, so it’s always our fault whenever something bad happens, why didn’t I think of that before?
[quote]lixy wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
They just know not to bother with a totalitarian government in charge.
“Not to bother”? Do you realize kids are dying because of the embargo?[/quote]
You do realize that people are dying on the open sea trying to get away from that totalitarian regime don’t you?
You realize where they are trying to come don’t you?
[quote]lixy wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
They just know not to bother with a totalitarian government in charge.
“Not to bother”? Do you realize kids are dying because of the embargo?[/quote]
How many? Can you cite a source where you get this information?
[quote]rainjack wrote:
lixy wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
They just know not to bother with a totalitarian government in charge.
“Not to bother”? Do you realize kids are dying because of the embargo?
How many? Can you cite a source where you get this information? [/quote]
Yes, I’d be interested in that one. Fidel kept those people poor and starving. That’s why they are trying to escape. They could have the oil wealth of saudi arabia and the common folk wouldn’t see a dime. Castro and his cronies, never had an issue eating.
[quote]hedo wrote:
One Castro down, one to go.
So what happens to Cuba going forward?[/quote]
Nothing, it will stay status quo. His brother is as big an asshole as he is. This transition was carefully planned so that nothing Castro doesn’t want to happen will happen. Even is Raul wanted to make a change he wouldn’t be able to do it until his brother crokes, which I hope will be soon.
What is the point of the embargo, again?
[quote]CrewPierce wrote:
So let me get this straight. We get involved and it’s our fault, we do nothing and it’s our fault. [/quote]
Imposing an embargo is not exactly doing “nothing”, now is it? And as far getting “involved” is concerned, you can do far better than blowing people up.