Am anxiously awaiting to see if sailing to Cuba will now be allowed. Having been at the university of Miami back in 1961 i recall all my fraternity brothers stories of the pre Castro Cuba. I would love to make the trip next year and see for myself.
Cuba
- Thread starter Terry in Naples
- Start date
This gets into political discussion, but I wouldn't go there. It seems to me that all tourism, no matter who participates, is restricted. Proceeds benefit an oppressive regime. Why would you want to support their government when your tourism does nothing to support the people of that land? Where you stay and spend your money is directed by an oppressive government. You have no freedoms when you go there.
Terms such as "enclave tourism", "tourism apartheid" were derived for a reason. Cuban citizens are still harassed by the police if they associate with tourists. Sex tourism (underage) is a means for Cubans to attempt to earn a living. It would make me feel dirty to be a tourist in a land where citizens don't have the same freedom or opportunity to earn a living as me. It would be like going to a sort of zoo, where I'm free but the inhabitants are figuratively caged. It's not for me. But if you can look past those issues to enjoy a pretty beach, go for it.
Guys,
I don't think this is the place for such a discussion! I, as a Canadian, am extremely pleased that two of our friends are trying to bury the war axe. Both nations have good points and bad points: let's hope the better of both rubs off on the other.
Pierre
I don't think this is the place for such a discussion! I, as a Canadian, am extremely pleased that two of our friends are trying to bury the war axe. Both nations have good points and bad points: let's hope the better of both rubs off on the other.
Pierre
By keeping a long unjustified embargo you are promoting these things you claim to be against. It is now and has been for some years mostly propaganda. Times have changed and there is a new generation of Cubans that are now being courted again by Mr. Putin of Russia. In the past sailors going to Cuba have been unduly harassed by the USCG and the State Department with no charges filed, just a relentless harassment. What about their rights? Still hope to sail into Havana one of this days. That was a cheap shot about saying that Canadians only visit Cuba for the Sex Trade. The US is a lot closer and they can just drive into any of our cities for that. Do some traveling man.
Terry you have been there and you might not know it. Miami in the 60's became Pre-Castro Cuba. There was hardly any middle class in Cuba, just the rich minority and the poor. Social unrest sparked the revolution and rich left and transported their way of life to Miami. It is true that the sleepy town of Miami was transformed into the vibrant city of today by the Cubans. Not going to go into the political debate that created the Embargo but got to say that it only seems to have benefited the Castro regime by helping them stay in power. The circumstances have changed and a new generation of people is being punished perhaps by the sins of their fathers. Listen to the Canadian that says it is good to see both of his friends reconciling.
Scott: I have been in over 40 countries and sounds like you would not have enjoyed being military for 21 years! Happy Holidays! Chief
Chief, I'm not exactly sure how you interpret what I wrote or what you mean by what you say ... but, no, I never considered the military an option. I'm a little bit sad that it simply was never even a consideration. My dad was a 20 year old Ensign on a PT boat in the Pacific when WW2 ended. He already earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University, having graduated just a few months earlier, and he had played football AND baseball in the Big 10. Everybody grew up very young in those days (and he died very young as well). He never even suggested to me that I should serve. He never even ever spoke about it that I can remember. I put the pieces of his life together after he died when I was just 22.
For this to happen, Congress will have to nullify existing laws which fully include clear requirements placed upon the Castro Brothers and their political successors before such nullification can occur.
This just isnt going to happen during the remaining lifetimes of the Castro Brothers.
Whoever wrote these laws brilliantly anticipated less than forthright future US political alterations and maneuvering to modify and skirt this law.
This just isnt going to happen during the remaining lifetimes of the Castro Brothers.
Whoever wrote these laws brilliantly anticipated less than forthright future US political alterations and maneuvering to modify and skirt this law.
FINALLY! I JUST saw the news.
I have been amazed that I could (and did) visit China, but not Cuba. Looks like this starts some planning for Jill and I. :dance:
Greg
Scott, I think Rich has a point, at least in regards to the "less than forthright" maneuverings in evidence today.
And while looking over my supposed "world" news feeds, I'm hard-pressed to spot a non US-based source.
Some guy named "Pope" is all over this Cuba thing, too.
And while looking over my supposed "world" news feeds, I'm hard-pressed to spot a non US-based source.
Some guy named "Pope" is all over this Cuba thing, too.
Woodster, I'll never know ...
I was too shallow to have any interest when I was young, and my parents have been gone for such a long time now.
For all I know, my dad may not have ever spoken about it because he may have been ashamed that he entered the war so late. Thousands of men younger than him had already died in battle while he enjoyed college life during the war. My grandfather was an influential industry executive and my dad was always a brilliant student (he completed HS in 3 years and college in 3 years), so he was to be groomed as an officer. Still, my mom said that he had earned a medal of some sort for bravery during war time (I wish I knew where it was), even though I never saw it displayed. When the war ended, he, like so many others, was dismissed virtually overnight.
I was too shallow to have any interest when I was young, and my parents have been gone for such a long time now.