So Castro has said to Bush...

[p_p_man]

'Stop trying to impose Nazi like restrictions on the world', or words to that effect...

Yay go Fidel, go!!

 

[SleepingWarrior]

Yes, Castro should know it only works if you impose those restrictions on 1 or a few countries.

 

[p_p_man]

Yes, Castro should know it only works if you impose those restrictions on 1 or a few countries.

Bush just loves telling other countries how they should run themselves. Which is ludicrous really when he can't even run his own.

Castro's speech was in direct response to Bush declaring that 'Cuba must become democratic' before the trade blockade is lifted.

Cheeky, arrogant bastard...

Some people are born to greatness, some people achieve greatness, some people have greatness thrust upon them but there is only one Bush...

Will he go down in history as 'Bush the Loser'

ppman

 

[SleepingWarrior]

Bush just loves telling other countries how they should run themselves. Which is ludicrous really when he can't even run his own.

Castro's speech was in direct response to Bush declaring that 'Cuba must become democratic' before the trade blockade is lifted.

Cheeky, arrogant bastard...

Some people are born to greatness, some people achieve greatness, some people have greatness thrust upon them but there is only one Bush...

Will he go down in history as 'Bush the Loser'

ppman

I think Bush will go down in history as a man who tries to do good but doesn't know the best ways to achieve his goals.

And Cuba should at least make a show of going democratic, even if that means Castro and the hired thugs making sure Castro wins.

 

[p_p_man]

And Cuba should at least make a show of going democratic

Why?

That's exactly the type of comment I can't readily come to terms with.

For the good of Bush? For the good of the Cubans? For the good of Castro?

And who are we to say it's for the good of anyone?

ppman

 

[Cheyenne]

For the good of the Cubans.

Gee, I wonder if there are any of them at Lit who could speak up and tell us what they think about Castro?

Are they allowed to have computers and access to the internet?

 

[SleepingWarrior]

Why?

That's exactly the type of comment I can't readily come to terms with.

For the good of Bush? For the good of the Cubans? For the good of Castro?

And who are we to say it's for the good of anyone?

ppman

Because the US says so, thats why.

Now to be serious... If they want aid and our business from us they must at least try to come to terms with what we expect. Is that a harsh policy? Yes, it is. I don't doubt in the least that if a terrible disaster befell the people of Cuba the US would send aid. But if the 'disaster' is brought on by one man or a corrupt government we won't send aid so easily. I make no qualms about my support of my government but don't mistake that for blind following, if the government does wrong (and it is proven in court or my eyes) I will stand up and say I don't agree with the government.

 

[p_p_man]

Because the US says so, thats why.

Now to be serious... If they want aid and our business from us they must at least try to come to terms with what we expect. Is that a harsh policy? Yes, it is. I don't doubt in the least that if a terrible disaster befell the people of Cuba the US would send aid. But if the 'disaster' is brought on by one man or a corrupt government we won't send aid so easily. I make no qualms about my support of my government but don't mistake that for blind following, if the government does wrong (and it is proven in court or my eyes) I will stand up and say I don't agree with the government.

But you're talking about humanitarian aid. No country usually holds back in supplying that.

But to receive economic aid from the States Cuba has to become democratic. and as we all know that doesn't seem to apply to China or Vietnam.

It's just one other example of the double standards of America's leaders (be they Democrats or Republicans) giving cause to the rest of the world to look at your country with a much jaundiced eye and not a little mistrust,.

ppman

 

[SleepingWarrior]

Without talking more of politically taught thinking I'll shoot it straight.

The US won't deal with Castro period. The government doesn't like him nor does a large segment of the US population. We tried to oust him, kill him and starve him (monetarily) and the old guy doesn't give in. I'll stop short of saying we fear him, but I will say that alot of this stems from the nuclear crisis of the 60's and the fear that put into the populous.

Add to that the large number of Cuban-American votes in Florida, which can make or break an election, and you, as a politician, are stuck in the political muck.

 

[p_p_man]

Add to that the large number of Cuban-American votes in Florida, which can make or break an election, and you, as a politician, are stuck in the political muck.

That's the real reason for Bush's rhetoric.

The rest is just flannel...

ppman

 

[SleepingWarrior]

That's the real reason for Bush's rhetoric.

The rest is just flannel...

ppman

It isn't just Bush who puts forth that rhetoric, its usually any sitting US president.

 

[Ishmael]

'Stop trying to impose Nazi like restrictions on the world', or words to that effect...

Yay go Fidel, go!!

Yep, good old Fidel. His management style has certainly made him a star.

Ishmael

 

[p p man]

The issue is not the embargo but rather almost 50 years of the Cuban people living under the thumb of Castro, who consistently shows no compassion for the fate of his subjects. AN island filled with vibrant culture, wonderful history, and an inherent charm is reduced to squalor and suffering. While the embargo may hinder the development of Cuba's economy. They should be able to develop a far more advanced society considering only one country has an embargo intact. The reason for the Cuban situation is castro, not Bush or any other American president. Some day in the future we will all be privy to the Cubans and we will wonder what we were missing for so long.

 

[Daultonnz]

I think alot of you are probably under the false opinion that Cuba is a stinking hole of poverty and facism. While it is a dictatorship and people certainly lack the freedom of expression that most western countries enjoy, it is in many respects a very successful country, and other poorer countries could possibly (and I do stress possibly) learn alot from it. It has recently been praised by the world bank (or possibly the IMF, I forget) for turning it's economy around and bringing it back from the brink of collapse to a respectable strength. And it has done it mostly without trade with larger countries, which is almost certainly at least a major factor in why it has been so successful. I saw a programme (It was either 60 minutes or 2020, the New Zealand versions, but this story was taken from the American programme of the same name, whichever one it was) in which they asked Cubans off the street if they would like to move to the US (Florida more specifically) and they all said no, and stated reasons along the lines of "People are too false there." (I believe, I may have remembered that part wrong.) And please, don't reply with comments about how they said that because they were afraid of getting thrown in prison etc. It's simply not true, the situation is not that bad there.
They have very good public health care, and they are even conducting research into cures for diseases that are present largely in poor countries, and in which the rich pharmaceutical companies of the west are thus not interested in because there is no money to be made.
Once again, I am not holding up Cuba as the model on which all countries should base themselves, but it is not the hell-hole I think alot of you may believe it is, and there is probably much to be learned from studying it.

As for Bush and his statements, I think one of the clearest examples of his hypocrisy is denouncing Cuba for being undemocratic while at the same time getting very friendly with the government of Indonesia. The US supports dictatorships and thugs when it suits their economic purposes, and chastises them when they have nothing to gain from doing otherwise. Indonesia is only one example, but a strong one.

 

[p_p_man]

For the good of the Cubans.

Gee, I wonder if there are any of them at Lit who could speak up and tell us what they think about Castro?

Are they allowed to have computers and access to the internet?

Really Cheyenne you must get out of the habit of passing on misinformation by insinuation...

Cuban Web Directory

ppman