The Briefing Room
General Category => National/Breaking News => Topic started by: mystery-ak on July 01, 2015, 03:23:03 pm
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/01/obama-announces-opening-embassy-in-cuba/ (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/01/obama-announces-opening-embassy-in-cuba/)
Published July 01, 2015FoxNews.com
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President Obama formally announced on Wednesday that the United States and Cuba have both agreed to open embassies in each other’s capitals following more than a half-century of hostilities between the two nations.
"This is an historic step," Obama said.
The U.S. Embassy in Havana is scheduled to open on July 20.
The U.S. and Cuba have been negotiating the re-establishment of embassies following a surprise announcement in December that secret talks between the global foes had led to a landmark agreement.
Not everyone is on board with the U.S.-Cuba thaw.
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has vowed to oppose the confirmation of an ambassador unless “substantive progress is made” on human rights issues that have dogged Cuba for decades.
“Establishing diplomatic relations with the Castro regime without verified improvements in the [human rights] situation faced by the Cuban people would not be consistent with our values as a nation and the intent of the U.S. Congress, as codified in law,” Rubio wrote in a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry.
While the president has power over establishing embassies, nominations for ambassador must go through a Senate confirmation vote.
That would not stop the reopening of the embassies, which would, in such a case, be headed by a "mission chief" instead of "ambassador." The duties, however, would be largely similar, William LeoGrande, a professor of government at the American University School of Public Affairs and a former staff member of the U.S. Senate Democratic Policy Committee, told Fox News Latino.
LeoGrande, author of “Back Channel to Cuba: The Hidden History of Negotiations between Washington and Havana,” called the announcement a “major step” toward normalizing relations between the two long-time adversaries.
The U.S. had imposed sanctions and then broke off diplomatic relations entirely with Fidel Castro’s communist regime in the early 1960s.
In the decades that followed, the U.S. actively tried to either overthrow the Cuban government or isolate the island altogether through tough economic sanctions first put in place by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
President George W. Bush’s administration increased travel restrictions and tightened the embargo with Cuba, but when Obama took office in 2009 he loosened them. Obama took it even further in 2011 when he undid even more Bush-era restrictions, which led to Americans being able to communicate more freely with friends and loved ones in Cuba as well as travel there for educational and religious purposes.
Obama has long argued that freezing out Cuba, a communist island 90 miles off the coast of Florida, has been ineffective.
Since the 1970s, the U.S. and Cuba have operated diplomatic missions -- called interests sections -- in each other’s capitals. The missions are technically under the protection of Switzerland but don’t enjoy the same status as embassies.
Not everyone is onboard with the U.S.-Cuba thaw.
Rep. Illeana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., said that opening a U.S. Embassy in Cuba misses the mark and “will do nothing to help the Cuban people and is just another trivial attempt for President Obama to go legacy shopping.”
The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Ben Cardin of Maryland, said even though opening the embassies was part of a “common sense approach to Cuba,” that the U.S. must be cautious about the move. He called on Cuba to admit to being out of step with the international community on human rights. He also said Cuba must stop its “arrests and detention of dissidents” and said “genuine political pluralism is long overdue.”
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Since Nixon went to China decades ago, opening relations with Cuba is long overdue.
Wait until collectors in America start bidding on some of those 1950's automobile beauties. That alone should boost their GDP.
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Obama Announces Renewed Diplomatic Ties With Cuba
President calls for Congress to lift embargo, says U.S. will continue to raise human-rights concerns (http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-cuban-embassies-to-reopen-july-20-havana-says-1435762387)
Another article, with video of Obama statement (http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/01/politics/obama-note-to-castro-reestablish-ties/)
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Cruz calls Cuba move 'a serious mistake'
Rebecca Elliott
Houston Chronicle
July 1, 2015
Sen. Ted Cruz criticized the Obama administration's decision to reopen U.S. and Cuban embassies in the countries' respective capitals Wednesday, calling the move "a serious mistake."
Cruz's comments followed President Barack Obama's announcement Wednesday that the United States formally will restore diplomatic ties with Cuba.
More, with reader comments (http://www.chron.com/news/politics/us/article/Cruz-calls-Cuba-move-a-serious-mistake-6360821.php)
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Cruz: Cuba embassy a 'slap in the face' to Israel
Jordain Carney
The Hill
July 1, 2015
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) slammed Obama's decision to reopen the U.S. embassy in Cuba, suggesting that it was a "slap in the face" to Israel.
The administration announced on Wednesday that it has told lawmakers that a deal has been reached to re-establish diplomatic ties with Cuba and reopen embassies.
Cruz, who is running for president, called Obama's announcement "unacceptable and a slap in the face of a close ally that the United States will have an embassy in Havana before one in Jerusalem."
More, with reader comments (http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/246657-cruz-cuba-embassy-a-slap-in-the-face-to-israel)
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There seems to be no dictator or murderous regime Obama doesn't love.
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There seems to be no dictator or murderous regime Obama doesn't love.
Except Putin, but he did kind of put Obama in his place.
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Except Putin, but he did kind of put Obama in his place.
Actually, when it comes to Obama vs. Putin, I definitely root for Putin. I would root for Iran against Obama except they are on the same side.
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Actually, when it comes to Obama vs. Putin, I definitely root for Putin. I would root for Iran against Obama except they are on the same side.
Same here.
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Geesh....who didn't see this coming? :whistle:
I am dumbfounded by the lack of perception when it comes to 'seeing' these Commies for what they are.
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At least Putin respects Russia's religious tradition... Zero, not so much.
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At least Putin respects Russia's religious tradition... Zero, not so much.
Not only that, I think Putin does love his country.
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DCPatriot wrote above:
[[ I am dumbfounded by the lack of perception when it comes to 'seeing' these Commies for what they are. ]]
There is absolutely NO "lack of perception" amongst the administration when it comes to "seeing these commies for what they are".
They see them, they understand them, they know them.
Because they ARE them.
Fellow travelers...
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DCPatriot wrote above:
[[ I am dumbfounded by the lack of perception when it comes to 'seeing' these Commies for what they are. ]]
There is absolutely NO "lack of perception" amongst the administration when it comes to "seeing these commies for what they are".
They see them, they understand them, they know them.
Because they ARE them.
Fellow travelers...
EXACTLY right my friend! :beer:
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warroom @warroom · 9h9 hours ago
Obama treats Cuba better than Israel. Why not? They're both communist. Did we GET anything for this? #CubaPolicy
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We have diplomatic relations with other communist countries, you know.
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We have diplomatic relations with other communist countries, you know.
Name them.
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Vietnam, China.
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What has been the benefit of the US attempting to isolate Cuba for over 50 years accomplished for us, or for the people of Cuba?
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Vietnam, China.
Neither country is Communist..
From Forbes, March 25, 2013:
On a brilliant morning last October Dong Khoi Street, the premier commercial thoroughfare in Saigon, was closed for nearly two hours to celebrate the opening of Vincom Center A, a precisely, if infelicitously, named shopping center. The development was remarkable, not just for its scale (410,000 square feet of commercial space; three floors of underground parking; a 300-room, five-star hotel) or for its high-end tenants (Versace, Hermès, Dior) but simply because it was opening at all. Vietnam’s real estate market had been frozen hard since crashing in 2011, with at least 13.5% of the country’s $10 billion in real estate loans having gone bad.
But Pham Nhat Vuong, the man most responsible for this $500 million commercial triumph in the heart of what is still officially called Ho Chi Minh City, wasn’t drinking any champagne, cutting any ribbons or giving any speeches. Rather, the 44-year-old quietly watched the ceremony from a front-row seat. “I prefer sipping happiness by myself,” Pham explains later, in a rare interview from his elegant new offices in Hanoi’s Vincom Village, another of his projects.
Pham’s given name translates as “prosperity,” and he is often described as the Vietnamese Donald Trump. He’s now also the first billionaire in the history of Vietnam
Real estate billionaires in a Communist country?
From CNBC, March 5, 2014:
A new report from London real estate firm Knight Frank says the number of multimillionaires in the world will surge by more than 25 percent over the next decade. But that's much slower growth than the past decade, when the pace of multimillionaire growth topped 50 percent.
The report, conducted with WealthInsight, found that there are now 167,000 people worldwide worth $30 million or more, up 59 percent since 2003. There are 37,104 people worth $100 million or more (up 62 percent since 2003) and 1,682 billionaires (up 82 percent over the same period).
In 2023, the report predicts there will be 215,113 people in the world worth $30 million or more, up 29 percent. The ranks of those worth $100 million or more will grow 31 percent, to 48,473, while the number of billionaires will grow 38 percent, to 2,315.
Asia and emerging markets will drive much of the growth. The report said the country expected to see the fastest growth in millionaires is Vietnam, with a projected growth rate for $30 million-plus residents of 166 percent.
Communism doesn't allow for rich people outside government.
China, List of richest Chinese by net worth:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Chinese_by_net_worth
China is not a Communist nation, hasn't been one in a long time.
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What has been the benefit of the US attempting to isolate Cuba for over 50 years accomplished for us, or for the people of Cuba?
Other than the fact that they haven't stuck the US with massive bad debt like they did the rest of the world?
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China is not a Communist nation, hasn't been one in a long time.
Do you feel that way about Russia too?
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Do you feel that way about Russia too?
"Feel"?
Opinions are not emotional reactions.
Or at least not in my case.
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"Feel"?
Opinions are not emotional reactions.
Or at least not in my case.
You didn't answer my question.
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What's the problem here?
President calls for Congress to lift embargo, says U.S. will continue to raise human-rights concerns
Given how Bambi always keeps his word that's enough reassurance for me.
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You didn't answer my question.
I absolutely did.
Now, if you ask me what I THINK about Russia, I may respond to that.
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I absolutely did.
Now, if you ask me what I THINK about Russia, I may respond to that.
You know exactly what I meant so I feel no need to reiterate. Feel free to answer the question I already asked if you would like to have a conversation.
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You know exactly what I meant so I feel no need to reiterate. Feel free to answer the question I already asked if you would like to have a conversation.
Actually, no.
I take the difference between the two very seriously.
I get to make the choice to draw a distinction between thinking/reasoning and emoting.
It's OK if you don't, but that's my choice.
I took the time to list the private wealth growth in what once were countries that, because of their Communist government, did not allow any level of private wealth to exist.
So, I didn't "feel" that Vietnam and China weren't Communist, I gave a response and backed up my reasoning with the data that I based my opinion/response on.
Then you asked me how I felt about Russia.
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As far as I can see, there are no strings attached. None. What the hell is that? I'll bet Obama will be driving around in a classic Cadillac with Michelle after his Presidency.
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Other than the fact that they haven't stuck the US with massive bad debt like they did the rest of the world?
That is a good benefit, for us.
Have their been any other benefits for the US, or for Cubans, of the embargo and diplomatic distance?
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That is a good benefit, for us.
Have their been any other benefits for the US, or for Cubans, of the embargo and diplomatic distance?
I know this is going to sound strange, coming from me and all, but why should US policy be crafted to benefit anyone other than Americans?
Just so you understand, there is no embargo. There's been no embargo for quite some time.
We are, and have been for quite some time, one of Cuba's largest trading partners, but they must pay cash.
The "establishing relations" meme is simply a puff of smoke hiding the true intent of the people behind this move to open embassies and crap like that. Their true intent is to have sales to Cuba guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank, and ultimately, the US taxpayer as guarantors to Cuba's debt.
Cuba isn't Communist. Cuba is a plantation, and so long as there are no direct business and trade abilities between private citizens of the two countries, there will be no benefits for Cubans.
US firms however, will be able to negotiate with the Cuban government for labor for their hotels and manufacturing facilities in Cuba. The way that works is that the Cuban government will guarantee the foreign firm X number of workers for $X, with the monies going to the Cuban government who will then pay those workers 7-10% of the $X that the foreign firms contracted them for.
I think what we're going to do with this is cement in place the position of Cuban workers as chattel to be rented by the Cuban government to foreign firms.
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Their true intent is to have sales to Cuba guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank, and ultimately, the US taxpayer as guarantors to Cuba's debt.
Cuba isn't Communist. Cuba is a plantation, and so long as there are no direct business and trade abilities between private citizens of the two countries, there will be no benefits for Cubans.
US firms however, will be able to negotiate with the Cuban government for labor for their hotels and manufacturing facilities in Cuba. The way that works is that the Cuban government will guarantee the foreign firm X number of workers for $X, with the monies going to the Cuban government who will then pay those workers 7-10% of the $X that the foreign firms contracted them for.
I think what we're going to do with this is cement in place the position of Cuban workers as chattel to be rented by the Cuban government to foreign firms.
Is commerce done that way with China and Vietnam? What about looking into the future, after Obama and the Castro brothers?
I'm thinking perhaps in the medium term, the US and Cuba will get back to a mutually friendly and beneficial situation, including human rights.
(My wife's uncle, an immigrant from Italy, gained legal entry to the US in the early 1950s via Cuba, when he did not have a basis for direct entry, since his fiancée was an Italian like himself. I don't know the details, but he was proud to be an American by legal immigration. His fiancée was studying medicine at USC in Lost Angeles.)
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Goodbye. Hello Russian spy center. Russian submarine base. Chinese airport facilities, ala the Spratleys.
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Oops. Make that Goodbye GITMO
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I wish someone would tell the Chinese their country is not Communist. After all their own Constitution states,
Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, the Chinese people of all nationalities will continue to adhere to the people's democratic dictatorship and the socialist road, steadily improve socialist institutions, develop socialist democracy, improve the socialist legal system, and work hard and self-reliantly to modernize the country's industry, agriculture, national defense and science and technology step by step to turn China into a socialist country with a high level of culture and democracy.
http://www.hkhrm.org.hk/english/law/const01.html
The Communist are in charge, make no mistake. They may, for the time being, allow a certain degree of private ownership and entrepeneurship, but that can be changed whenever the Party decides it no longer serves its purposes. The situation in today's China is little different than that under Lenin when he adopted the New Economic Policy (NEP) in order to stave off complete collapse of the Soviet economy. Lenin was followed by Stalin who abandoned the policy and imposed a strict collectivization. The same could happen in China tomorrow.
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Is commerce done that way with China and Vietnam? What about looking into the future, after Obama and the Castro brothers?
I'm thinking perhaps in the medium term, the US and Cuba will get back to a mutually friendly and beneficial situation, including human rights.
(My wife's uncle, an immigrant from Italy, gained legal entry to the US in the early 1950s via Cuba, when he did not have a basis for direct entry, since his fiancée was an Italian like himself. I don't know the details, but he was proud to be an American by legal immigration. His fiancée was studying medicine at USC in Lost Angeles.)
I'm not one of those guys who believes that wrong is right because we're already doing it wrong.
I'm thinking that strongmen governments like the one in Cuba have to be dug out of holes and hung because they don't normally give up their hold and power out of the goodness of their hearts.
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I wish someone would tell the Chinese their country is not Communist. After all their own Constitution states,
http://www.hkhrm.org.hk/english/law/const01.html
The Communist are in charge, make no mistake. They may, for the time being, allow a certain degree of private ownership and entrepeneurship, but that can be changed whenever the Party decides it no longer serves its purposes. The situation in today's China is little different than that under Lenin when he adopted the New Economic Policy (NEP) in order to stave off complete collapse of the Soviet economy. Lenin was followed by Stalin who abandoned the policy and imposed a strict collectivization. The same could happen in China tomorrow.
The same could happen anywhere, here included, but the point is that the cornerstone of Communism is joint ownership of the means of production and the denial of private ownership, so when you have China, Vietnam, and Russia with a significant number of non-government individuals accumulating huge amounts of personal wealth due to the loosening of that idea of no private means of production, then you have to understand that (at least for the time being) these countries are not Communist nations.
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The same could happen anywhere, here included, but the point is that the cornerstone of Communism is joint ownership of the means of production and the denial of private ownership, so when you have China, Vietnam, and Russia with a significant number of non-government individuals accumulating huge amounts of personal wealth due to the loosening of that idea of no private means of production, then you have to understand that (at least for the time being) these countries are not Communist nations.
How many truly communist countries would you say exist in the world today? Based on what you've said so far it sounds to me like the cure for communism is capitalism. If that is the case why would we not restore relations with Cuba?
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How many truly communist countries would you say exist in the world today? Based on what you've said so far it sounds to me like the cure for communism is capitalism. If that is the case why would we not open up our markets to Cuba?
Your markets have been open to Cuba for decades, except for your seemingly endless supply of tourists (Sorry, summer in London, every other person seems American .... ). The only condition they had placed on them was "cash up front."
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Your markets have been open to Cuba for decades, except for your seemingly endless supply of tourists (Sorry, summer in London, every other person seems American .... ). The only condition they had placed on them was "cash up front."
I know how it is; I live in Florida. I don't know why people even come here. It's way too hot and there are way too many people.
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Yes, you will get a lot of our lot, so understand that feeling! :laugh:
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http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/246817-obama-heads-for-showdown-over-cuba-embassy
Obama heads for showdown over Cuba embassy
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http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/246850-now-boarding-jetblue-begins-nyc-to-cuba-direct-flights (http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/246850-now-boarding-jetblue-begins-nyc-to-cuba-direct-flights)
Now boarding: JetBlue begins NYC-to-Cuba direct flights
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How many truly communist countries would you say exist in the world today? Based on what you've said so far it sounds to me like the cure for communism is capitalism. If that is the case why would we not restore relations with Cuba?
Because capitalism can only work when free entities trade with one another. In order for Cubans to benefit from capitalism, Cuban citizens must be allowed to trade with American citizens. Right now the only entity that anyone can engage in trade with in Cuba is the Cuban government.
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Across the Capitol, Republican leadership also opposes Obama’s Cuba moves, with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) saying that “relations with the Castro regime should not be revisited, let alone normalized, until Cubans enjoy freedom – and not one second sooner.”
We're doomed.
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I know this is going to sound strange, coming from me and all, but why should US policy be crafted to benefit anyone other than Americans?
Just so you understand, there is no embargo. There's been no embargo for quite some time.
We are, and have been for quite some time, one of Cuba's largest trading partners, but they must pay cash.
The "establishing relations" meme is simply a puff of smoke hiding the true intent of the people behind this move to open embassies and crap like that. Their true intent is to have sales to Cuba guaranteed by the Export-Import Bank, and ultimately, the US taxpayer as guarantors to Cuba's debt.
Cuba isn't Communist. Cuba is a plantation, and so long as there are no direct business and trade abilities between private citizens of the two countries, there will be no benefits for Cubans.
US firms however, will be able to negotiate with the Cuban government for labor for their hotels and manufacturing facilities in Cuba. The way that works is that the Cuban government will guarantee the foreign firm X number of workers for $X, with the monies going to the Cuban government who will then pay those workers 7-10% of the $X that the foreign firms contracted them for.
I think what we're going to do with this is cement in place the position of Cuban workers as chattel to be rented by the Cuban government to foreign firms.
Because capitalism can only work when free entities trade with one another. In order for Cubans to benefit from capitalism, Cuban citizens must be allowed to trade with American citizens. Right now the only entity that anyone can engage in trade with in Cuba is the Cuban government.
Luis, thanks for reminding me and others that this is not as simple and straightforward as we would like to believe.
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Across the Capitol, Republican leadership also opposes Obama’s Cuba moves, with House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) saying that “relations with the Castro regime should not be revisited, let alone normalized, until Cubans enjoy freedom – and not one second sooner.”
We're doomed.
Now when it comes to politicians like Boehner, I have to roll my eyes. This has nothing to do with concern about human rights and everything to do with mining votes from the block of Cuban-American voters in Florida.
Yes. I'm really that cynical about politicians in general.