U.S. congressman appeals for change in Cuba policy

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Xinhua

U.S. congressman appeals for change in Cuba policy
Mar 19,2014

HAVANA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Democratic Congressman James McGovern on Tuesday urged the U.S. government to normalize relations with Cuba and called on President Barack Obama to change its policy toward the island country.

"I cannot imagine that there is any reason in the world why the United States and Cuba cannot have normal relations ," McGovern told reporters in Havana.

The Massachusetts Democrat, along with a delegation of the U.S. Finca Vigia Foundation, traveled to the island to renew an agreement with the Council of Cultural Heritage of Cuba to preserve the legacy of the American writer Ernest Hemingway in the Caribbean nation.

He visited Hemingway's former home, Finca Vigia, outside the Cuban capital, which now houses a museum.

"I keep urging President Obama to change policy," said McGovern, adding that the U.S. government should remove travel restrictions and begin to normalize trade relations between the two countries.

Read more: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=207426

[Lucky Luciano]

1. This is such a no-brainer...and screw the Cuban RW in Florida...

...they need to catch up to the 21st century.

[NYtoBush-Drop Dead]

3. Cubans in Florida overwhelmingly voted for...

Obama in 2012. Enough said. End the madness. Let us go to Cuba.

[delrem]

2. I was recently told, on DU LA forum, that Cuba was a slaver state. nt

[Nitram]

4. It's about freaking time!

I'm so tired of Cold War dinosaurs running U.S. foreign policy.

[Zorra]

5. The US won't normalize relations because Cuba refuses to recognize Banksters as their Overlords. nt

[freebrew]

6. Having 2nd thoughts...

after seeing a documentary on the beautiful southern side of the island. The narrator seemed to convey that this area was still pristine as a result of the U.S. embargo. Otherwise, there would be tourist attractions and hotels built. Can't say that I disagree with him. It's not for nothing we are known as ugly Americans.

[geek tragedy]

7. Not really true. Canadians and Europeans have been free to travel to Cuba

for decades now. And their tourists are pretty much as ugly/pretty as US tourists.

[freebrew]

8. I suppose,

though I've seen many wondrous and mythical things that careless, greedy and stupid people have destroyed.

[geek tragedy]

9. that is the story of humanity. nt

[Xolodno]

10. Disagree.

The Cuban Government doesn't have US corporations lobbying them like hell to "develop" with the promise of boat loads of cash. Resort developers are probably salivating like fierce wolves at the prospect of mega resorts in Cuba.

As the comedian Carlos Mencia once stated "...you have no idea how hard we are going to fuck you...just wait until we have a Wal Mart in your country..."

[geek tragedy]

11. Spanish hotel conglomerates are the worst offenders, Spain isn't embargoing is it?

Riu committed an absolute atrocity in Costa Rica. Sol Melia bribed Mexican government officials to get permission to bulldoze the sea turtle sanctuary at Xcacel.

And just wait until the Chinese start playing--look at what they did to their own country's environment and wildlife.

It's unrealistic to think that the US is the source of all degradation, greed, and exploitation.

[Xolodno]

13. No...but we seemed to have perfected it.

Nor did I say the US was unique in this regard.

But US Corporations usually have the force of government behind them...and its usually not just "resorts" but every other industry as well. Oil companies get into every country they want no matter what the situation or level of corruption. Got to ask yourself...what the fuck is Taco Bell doing in Cancun? Many American corporations are extremely aggressive...they have to be due to the pressure to "perform" on Wall Street. The US may not have the monopoly on maximizing opportunity of corrupt foreign government..but it does have a controlling market share.

[hack89]

12. This is a no brainer

the embargo does nothing other than placate a voting bloc that is perceived to be important to winning Florida. I think that time has passed and with a younger generation of voters in Miami, it is time to be bold and move beyond this cold war relic.