Cuba

[Bengalzona]

(03-24-2016, 08:42 PM)Rotobeast Wrote: Don't forget, the mob was none too happy about losing their casinos.

True.
 

(03-24-2016, 09:51 PM)jason Wrote: Batista was also one of "our bastards" too.  American playboys loved his island.  The people of Cuba weren't so keen on him.  When Castro overthrew him, he actually flew to the US, and just showed up at the White House.  He was offended by the way he was received.  Shortly after that he drifted closer and closer to the USSR.  The US always sent him rent checks for Gitmo.  He never cashed them.


Fun fact (that may not be true anymore)...  Cubans have a higher life expectancy, higher literacy rate, and a lower infant mortality rate than Americans do.  That may have changed over the last 20 years or so, but I found that amazing in college.

Truth.


We actually helped him oust Batista in his early days. The Eisenhower Admin saw him as someone who was young and naive and whom they could work. Unfortunately, he came to realize that and resent it. He realized that he would need a patron, and back then there were only two choices which could support nation-building: the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. The Soviets were more than happy to help him. It gave them a dagger to point at our southern underbelly. Both sides wanted something in return for their patronage. But the Soviets were thousands of miles away and, therefore, less likely to invade if they didn't get everything they wanted from him. Plus, he had a lot of left-leaning intelligentsia among his rebel coalition (such as Che). And ultimately, he didn't really care if the government was in the guise of democracy or communism because he planned on being a dictator anyway.

[RICHMONDBENGAL_07]

Very interesting points by every one. I am hoping that by simply changing our position that it will ultimately bring a better quality of life to the Cuban people. All though I agree change would probably be slow. Gotta admit our previous policy got us or them no where.

I know most of you know I'm fairly liberal, but to a certain extent. I've not been a fan of everything that Obama's done (Obamacare), but I do think this will be one of the more positive things he has done.

[fredtoast]

(03-24-2016, 09:56 PM)jason Wrote: They never had it.

American tourism was a major portion of the Cuban economy before the revolution.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

(03-25-2016, 01:51 PM)fredtoast Wrote: American tourism was a major portion of the Cuban economy before the revolution.

Plus sugar which could be again. The lack of and high price of sugar is the reason why high fructose corn syrup was made and natural sugar could be a nice cash crop for Cuba.

Then again, I could be wrong.

[Bengalzona]

(03-25-2016, 04:08 PM)Nebuchadnezzar Wrote: Plus sugar which could be again. The lack of and high price of sugar is the reason why high fructose corn syrup was made and natural sugar could be a nice cash crop for Cuba.

Then again, I could be wrong.

The industry built around high fructose corn syrup isn't real interested in seeing that scenario occur.

[Nebuchadnezzar]

(03-25-2016, 06:00 PM)Bengalzona Wrote: The industry built around high fructose corn syrup isn't real interested in seeing that scenario occur.

Oh I know, but it would be good that it did.

[xxlt]

(03-24-2016, 01:44 PM)RICHMONDBENGAL_07 Wrote: Surprised nobody started a thread or even seems interested in this historic event.  First President since Coolidge to visit the island nation.  So what do you guys think?  Good, bad...indifferent?

A day late and a dollar short. It shows leadership in a way that every President before him failed to show it, but it is a little late in coming. On the other hand, JFK, so maybe the other guys were smart and Barry has a death wish.

I do think we should have normalized relations a long time ago, and in fact think we never should have isolated Cuba. Cuba policy was just another in a long line of bad foreign policy choices, but one that seemed destined to live forever.

[RICHMONDBENGAL_07]

(03-26-2016, 04:32 PM)xxlt Wrote: A day late and a dollar short. It shows leadership in a way that every President before him failed to show it, but it is a little late in coming. On the other hand, JFK, so maybe the other guys were smart and Barry has a death wish.

I do think we should have normalized relations a long time ago, and in fact think we never should have isolated Cuba. Cuba policy was just another in a long line of bad foreign policy choices, but one that seemed destined to live forever.

Better late than never...
Meh...I think it's a good step forward.  I agree it should've happened long ago.

[NATI BENGALS]

We should lead the charge and make North and South America a closer group. Why do we need the problems of China Russia Africa and a religious war that never ends?

High speed rail from Canada to the bottom of south America would be way better than figuring out how to build a high speed system b/w here and europe.

Screw a super power china and russia. Do our own thing over here.


As for the main post. Obama carries himself how a real president should

[xxlt]

(03-27-2016, 02:47 AM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: We should lead the charge and make North and South America a closer group. Why do we need the problems of China Russia Africa and a religious war that never ends?

High speed rail from Canada to the bottom of south America would be way better than figuring out how to build a high speed system b/w here and europe.

Screw a super power china and russia. Do our own thing over here.


As for the main post. Obama carries himself how a real president should

There is a powerful idea there - a railway that follows the Pan-American Highway.

Nice post. Pay no attention to the people poking voodoo dolls of you due to the last line.

[Bengalzona]

(03-27-2016, 02:47 AM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: High speed rail from Canada to the bottom of south America would be way better than figuring out how to build a high speed system b/w here and europe.

A chill went up the spine of every "build-a-wall" supporter in America.