Let Cuba be what Cuba is going to be. Lifting the silly and cruel travel ban would be part of the evolution. There are things we could learn from Cuba, and vice versa.

Also… do the Batista-esque Cuban exile crowd drive anyone else nuts like they do me? Everytime I hear them I get this picture of them rushing back into a democratized Cuba to reclaim their lost “property”. They can’t wait to start building grand Carribean resorts and dooming the native population to a future of hotel work and taxi driving. If I was a Cuban, I might prefer poverty, literacy, and healthcare, over just plain old poverty.

Speaking of being driven nuts… I could do without politicians seeking national office cowtowing to the Cuban exiles in Florida. Way too much influence there.

about time, the policy toward cuba was a failure in itself.

don’t let the hard right old cuban dictate our U.S. policies. The younger generations feel far different than there grandfathers.

The ban should be lifted. America needs to take a trip to Cuba and see with their own eyes what Cuba is all about. Cuba is truly suffering and most American’s are unaware of this. I don’t understand why and how they can seek refuge here, but not allowed to visit their family. It doesn’t make since.

One more comment, these people that left Cuba should understand also – they left Cuba for specific reason(s) why should they want to go back? Is it because of family or is it simply because they feel that Cuba has changed?

I feel like the ban should be lifted because this means that we can see the world that we were missing. This country has so much to offer from food to music.

This just goes to show that deep down, Obama is a socialist and a communist sympathizer.

US policy has stated for years, “Free trade is necessary for democracy to develop in China”. Wouldn’t this be true for Cuba?

It is way past time to lift the embargo on Cuba.

It should never have been done in the first place.

Why are you not having a Congressperson FOR lifitng the ban on the show?

What political persusaion is the Miami Herald?

And AP?

And, please, do not tell me they are neutral.

Are any of your guests in favor of lifting the embargo?

Are any of your guests pro Cuban?

Thanks

Sheila Parks, Ed.D.

I have wanted to visit Cuba for years. Yet, I respect the law enough to not go illegally. How can it be that we are the only people in the world not able to visit a country a few miles from our shores. Let’s move on. Way too much attention has been paid to the “exiles”, time to move on. I can’t wait to go legally.

Let’s be frank, the anti-Castro Cubans fall into two categories:

1. Those who (or their forebears) worked for the Batista regime, and are bitter over “their” guy losing.

2. Those who (or their forebears) owned plantations, factories or other businesses that took advantage of the Cuban poor by paying extremely low wages which helped the revolution flourish.

It isn’t like Castro overthrew a peaceful, democratically elected government. He overthrew an oppressive dictator who was in power to make as much money for himself and his cronies as possible.

Give it up. This is the oldest most embarrassing family feud on this hemisphere. Our presence there will help the Cuban’s change – they can’t get over themselves until we do.

If human-rights violation is the yardstick by which America measures a country’s trade-worthiness, then we shouldn’t be trading with China either. In fact, using that standard, America shouldn’t even be trading with itself.

I am born Cuban, the Castro clan blaims the misery of the cuban nation on the embargo, while it has been receiving help from other sources. It’s time that a democratic president realizes the mistake in calculating the manipulating abilities and stamina of a schizophrenic mind another democratic president (Kennedy) made. The embargo has proven that the Cuban people, the ultimate to pay the consecuences, has been able to manage under the most cruel circumnstances the comunist regimen has imposed on them and endure hunger, starvation and Scarcity. Restriction in travel to Cuba has given more power to the errogant brothers and helped to bring the power of the american dollar down to say the list. What is the american government waiting for to stop the Castro Charade, either peacefully or else?

I am in my late 60s, will probably never get to Cuba as I don’t have money for travel, but I think that all barriers to travel and trade should be lifted. How hypocritical are we? We trade (big time) with China and other Communist countries, and travel isn’t restricted.

Who suffers? The people.

PS: someone made a comment several weeks ago that the people in Cuba must be beside themselves with our cash for clunkers program as they have cars from the 40s and 50s that they keep running.

I agree with that caller, because America really doesn’t know the true history of Fidel/Cuba and the relation with America and also, our human rights has been violated as well – keeping us from visiting Cuba. People really need to research Cuba’s history and why Fidel became who he was. America played a big hand in making him who he was.

Congressman Pasquel’s arguments are foolish, to say the least. To justify the travel ban based on human rights abuses is absolutely ignorant, as is Congressman Pasquel. When he justifies a travel ban and trade embargo with China, Viet Nam, Iraq, etc, then I will support his position, but until then he is just being dumb.

America will never stop trading with China. America receives China’s labor and products cheaper by the dozen. But… if we are trading with China we should do the same with Cuba. People have no earthly idea how poor the Cuban’s are. Research people on how Cuba became the Cuba today and why America placed the ban on travel back and forth to Cuba.

I have been to Cuba and what I found was a well educated people who want desperately to have the embargo lifted. Also I found people who would like to keep socialism and have their self determination respected. They would love to see changes in many areas of life. In talking to people they were amazed at the cost Americans pay for education and healthcare. Mostly the people were wonderful, and a government that will always be wary of America as well they should be. America will never be happy until they have annexed Cuba. This is something that NO Cuban wants. It is their country and it is the way they want to keep it. THEY WILL MAKE THEIR OWN CHANGES AS THEY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST.

One last point how many of the people who are arrested are American financed spies? This has always been the history of American Cuban relations. When the U.S. ran Cuba through puppet leaders the human rights were appalling this is the reason Castro came to power to begin with.

There are many extraordinary things in Cuba and many not so wonderful things, just as here in America.

I don’t understand why we are so concerned about Cuba’s oppressive regime, yet a more massive communist and oppressive country, China, is our # 1 trading partner. It’s hypocritical of us to continue to require Cuba to make changes before we trade with them.

What a joke, claiming that a country that has intimate reltions with human rights violators such as China, the mid-east countries including Israel, India, Guatemala, and on and on is concerned about the one country that has a philosophy of the people owning the resources of the country. And lets not forget that the US government rfused to take sanctions against South Africa, claiming that its aparthid government was a democratic alhough admittedly with a couple of flaws, like the fact tha 90% of thev population was denied all human rights.

We all know why there is a ban on Cuba and it ain’t because of human rights violations.

Lift the ban.

The Cuban people has nothing against the American People. We should stop this Econimic sanction!

The cold war is over.

Cuba is about Salsa, Cuban antique cars, pretty women,fresh air,Health Care is almost better than America.

I don’t understand the American government they support dictator like Marcos for 25 years,gave Saddam chemical weapons (By Rumsfield, gave weapons to the Afghanistan.

Cuba

Europeans, Canadians, etc. have been visiting as tourists for years now.

Human Rights!!!

American Police officers beat and racial profile minorities like Hispanics and Blacks. We want Cuba to have human rights!!!! please

Human rights!!! Fidel never killed thousands of Cuban
never invaded America like the bay of pigs, They don’t occupy Guantanamo bay which really belong to Cuba

Human Rights!!!

Many years ago I had the opportunity to visit the environs of Mexico City and, then, Havana and some other parts of Cuba. One would have had to be insane to think that life in Mexico was better — without question, the lowest Cubans on the pecking order were far, far better off than a large portion of Mexico’s population. Cuba’s conditions have worsened since then — but, the conditions in Mexico probably have as well. It all leaves me with a different worry about suffering: when/if Cuba is restored to the free-market zealots, the lives of millions of Cubans will be sent into true misery and deprivation.

The embargo and travel ban are preposterous, counterproductive, immoral, and bigoted.

You can go to Cuba Via Dominican Republic.
The Cuban government will not stamp your Passport in Cuba. they will stamp your passporte in Dominican

Travel Channel went there several times. the country is so beautiful.

AGAIN CASTRO HAS NEVER BEEN A CRUEL DICTATOR. COMPARED TO MARCOS. I PREFER CASTRO THAN FERDINAND MARCOS WAS THE PUPPET OF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT.

It would be helpful to see the United States alter its policies toward the Caribbean in general. Some of the poorest countries in the world live within our sphere of immediate influence. If we put a tenth of our trade activity we resort to with China into this region, a lot of the political oppression, poverty and unrest would cease to exist.
It would also be nice if we Americans remembered that not only did our government support the previous oppressive regime – that of Batista – but that when we helped free Cuba from Spanish rule, we took over Cuba and did not let their revolution proceed as they wished it to. Instead, we occupied the island and eventually helped impose a “friendly” regime. Remember FDR’s quote about Batista; “He’s a bastard…but he’s OUR bastard.”

The travel ban and almost 50 years of US foreign policy has not altered Cuban socio-economic and government structures. But the purpose of US Cuban foreign policies was, and never has been intended to bring democracy to the island nation. The purpose of US foreign policy remains the same: maintain social stability whether through Cuban proxy or military, determine the terms of their socio-economic organization, and ensure an open, preferred access for US goods and services. Hence, the Fidel governments have not wanted to play in the ballpark that the US dictates.

The travel ban should go. Let the Cubans determine how many US tourista it can handle. The impact of just one year of US tourista would undo the 50 years of failed US policies.

My parents left Cuba after the revolution. They will never return as long as the Castros are in power. Their many tears and deep wrinkles of their lost country and starting from nothing is not lost on this writer. I have a deep respect for their positions. I have returned twice and would encourage others to visit a wonderful people and their country.

Lift the ban. It’s outdated and serves no purpose. It’s a new day and the world has changed.

Why is there not an outcry from the American people about our rights being denied to travel wherever we choose? Does not the travel ban infringe upon our “freedom”?

Louise,

Try making an argument, ANY argument, instead of JUST calling President Obama names. I think you can do it.

By the way, his is a failed presidency. (just thought I’d get that out of the way for you!)

How about Myanmar? Same situation as Cuba of human rights abuses, same logic of people suffering. Yet, most who are in favor of lifting embargo on Cuba would be gung-ho for strict restrictions on Myanmar. Why the inconsistency?

I think Cuba citizens need all the influences American’s can give them. People are born into an already social constructed culture and are not free to choose their own understanding of the world; People are intrinsically motivated to build on experiences of their particular culture. I am not sure on this issue with intervening on another’s cultural practices that devalue and harm people. With my experience and knowledge partial to early childhood education & human development, I can only say what I think & feel as an individual; In regards to opening tours, I think it would have to depend on the people of Cuba. If the people are already interested in having American come into their country & all the infouences that come with American tourism, then great, let’s tour Cuba. I think people are partial to the propaganda that surrounds the castro family. I think the world knows that the Catro family is caught up in trying to save their power, but not realizing the pain & suffering that comes with that power. If the Castro family knows of this pain & suffering, then that is inhuman, and Americans need to travel to Cuba to influence a better tomorrow. Even then, that is stepping over boundaries because those people will either rebuke or open their arms to “us” Americans. I am sure as I heard on the radio that Cubans are wanting to know everything about Americans, but Cuban’s have learned from infancy that human rights are not valued, so my impression is that Cuban’s might have misapprehensions about the devaluing human rights practices that Cuban’s may think is good for the whole country. Then again Cuban’s might rebuke…Americans are not trying to piece together an alien nation with Americanized techniques of “breaking the horse.” I think tourism is the backdoor. Who are we Americans, to think we can bully a country into surrendering Castro’s reign? Just because we have a thumb, we have to be using it. Human rights of that culture are devalued and harmed beyond belief. So, I think there needed to be a half-revolution of some sort, but not a full revolutionary (turn back around) war that stripped the peoples’ culture down to nothing; Sort of what the government does to soldiers here in the US, to prepare them for combat. In the army, soldiers are pushed almost to the breaking point and then built up the way the government wants them to be. This form of reward and punishment system only works when there is a judge watching at all times. The US cannot be watching a whole nation all the time; we should have been a little bit more constructive and show the people to be morally autonomous.

What should have been done was to implement social programs that does not impede on the overall power of the Castro family. Tourism is just the beginning of that reciprical friendship with the Castro Family. Americans need to be sensitive to the needs and wants of that nation & take into account the Castro Family as monarchs. Bring power back to the people by sending in social workers to implement some sort of agreement, common practices, and bring back humanity to the people. I know it would take longer, but the tourism tactic only solves the immediate problem, not the nation’s endless destructive practices of devaluing human rights. The US is stepping in the right direction in opening its tourist doors to the many wonderful people of Cuba. We could say, “If there is not a change in social policies that protect humanity from such atrocities, then we as American’s will open our doors for those Cuban’s who seek asylum, whom seek policies that will protect them.” The people of America should be informed of the inhumanity; this will enable us to think of our own grandparents, parents, children, family, who faought hard for our “Freedom” in some sort. In turn we will embrace Cuban’s with open arms. Here we are, sticking our thumb down on a whole nation, when we could have set an example of compassion, and a willingness to change our social policies to fit the needs of a nation, and opening the tourism is great.

There is a film available on DVD called The Power Of Community that concerns itself with “the Special Period” in Cuba’s history. That was in the early 1990’s when all outside help from the Soviet Union stopped after the Cold War and the resignation of the Soviet Government. The Special Period created new forms of production and ingenuity from which we can learn.

I cannot say better than what was said up at the top of these comments which describes the old regime ready to reclaim property and build a tourist mecca for rich Americans. This is the subtext of the discussion I have read here.

On the contrary, Cuba does not need old ladies in floppy hats looking for slot machines.

Cuba offered help during the collapse of the levies in New Orleans. That help was refused. It would surprise me greatly if help, when needed, was offered again.

The end of the embargo with Cuba must begin with an apology.

And while we are talking about political prisoners in Cuba, let’s talk about the injustice done to the “Cuban Five” who thought they were doing their patriotic duty to tell the FBI that terrorists were plotting to harm Cuba.
I admire your excellent style of interviewing, and would like to ask you to follow up with a show on the double standard which allows Posada Carillo to not be extradited for his documented terrorist acts, and the “Five” who only wanted to prevent terrorist acts from occurring.
Thanks again for a riveting show.

IT IS TIME TO LIFE THIS RIDICULOUS TRAVEL BAN! I travelled extensively throughout Eastern Europe during the Cold War as well as China, Vietnam and other communist countries — restricting US citizens’ travel is an infringement on OUR democracy — and it is RIDICULOUS! Those of who enjoy travelling around the world are held hostage by a small number of Flordian ex-pat Cubans!!!!

The travel ban is unconstitutional. It has not worked and it will not work. I travel to Cuba, every year via Mexico. The people there know there system sucks. We should ban together I say 500 people plus in protest and plan a trip to Cuba,to let our government know they have no right banning Americans from visiting Cuba.

Why do you have a show on Cuba and invite no Cuban-American intellectuals- of which there are plenty?

One note:

That female guest’s comment/comparison to Haiti is specious. That’s like saying that a massacre of 20,000 people is “not so bad” because it’s not as bad as Auschwitz.

Universal literacy an achievement? What a joke!

A for Autonomy
B for Bourgeoisie
C for Communism….

That’s literally how “literacy” was imparted shortly after Castro took power!

I’ve been to Cuba a dozen times in recent years. The Cubans beleive that Castro uses the embargo in his favor. Without it, Castro no longer has an excuse for his failed economic policies and human rights violations. http://talkingcuba.wordpress.com/

Baltasar,

Please refute the following points:

1. Cuba has a higher rate of literacy than we have in America.

2. Cuba has a lower infant mortality rate than America.

3. Cuba has universal healthcare with doctors still making housecalls. Cuba also sends doctors and nurses abroad to help other impoverished nations.

Thanks for your time!

Seen and linked by Cubanoscope, Cuba in real time:
http://twitter.com/cubanoscope/status/6039921855

I just listened to this report and there was one vital point that I did not hear made: tourists from other countries have been frequenting Cuba for years and therefore simply opening up Cuba to American tourists is not necessarily going to mean shocking changes for the Cuban people.

Given, logistically, the ease at which Americans could get to Cuba would mean that the number of tourists would sky rocket, but I went to Havana from Montreal a few years back and the plane was full of sun-seeking Canadians heading to Cuba on vacation. Likewise, there were quite a few elegant and established tourist hotels in Havana and the old district was crawling with Germans and Brits.

I think it’s important that we remember that the Cuban people have been exposed to Westernized people for years and therefore having Americans in Cuba will not necessarily be a dramatic shock for the Cuban people.

Everyone I talked to while I was there was incredibly warm and friendly. It seemed to me that the economy needed the tourism dollars and that the people were only too happy to have people visiting, regardless of their nationality.

I’m embarrassed that Rep Bill Pascrell is a democrat.
He didn’t really respond to the argument. But it is up to Obama to get his act together and start taking some leadership risks.

The decision to lift the travel ban has nothing to do with human rights, Cuban politics or American foreign policy. Rather, the issue is whether our government, or any government, has the authority to limit the free movement of its citizens. If I want to travel to Cuba or Myanmar, I should be able to do so.

Indeed, I can travel freely to China, a country run ruthlessly by the Chinese Communist Party, a country with a despicable human rights record.

This double standard exists because we have for years let the vocal Cuban exile community determine this country’s relationship with Cuba. In serving their interests, and their interests alone, Cuban exiles have limited the freedom of all Americans and kept the two countries from establishing mutually beneficial economic and cultural links.

And it is these ties — not isolation and embargo — that will ultimately cause the Castro regime to collapse.

Why does Cuba need USA trade? They can trade with the rest of the world so there is no need to trade with us.

Francisco,

Spot on, my friend! The next mohito is on me!

I don’t favor the travel ban but also do not want to see Castro’s crimes whitewashed. Anyone remember the 1994 tugboat massacre?

The on line version ends at 46 minutes as Anita Snow is in mid-sentence. Can we hear the rest of an excellent program?

Representative Pascrell received $2000 in the 2008 cycle from the hard line Miami funded US-Cuba Democracy PAC. In his case that may have been more an appreciation than an inducement. The list should be perused to see how money shapes politics:
http://www.uscubanormalization.blogspot.com/2009/11/democratic-representatives-sign-anti.html

The dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez called strongly for ending US travel restrictions:
http://www.thehavananote.com/2009/11/_president_obama_was_very_1.html

John McAuliff
Fund for Reconciliation and Development

I have traveled to Cuba six times over the last few years on a US religious license. This has given me the opportunity to experience Cuba and interact with Cubans in a personal way. The people despise their government yet still assign some blame to the US restrictions.The only effect of the travel ban and the embargo in general is to continue to provide the Castro’s an excuse for the failure of their controlled economy and the necessity to use oppression to save themselves from the “evil government” to the north. Take away Castro’s excuses. Lift the travel ban and the embargo.

The on line version ends at 46 minutes as Anita Snow is in mid-sentence. Can we hear the rest of an excellent program?

Representative Pascrell received $2000 in the 2008 cycle from the hard line Miami funded US-Cuba Democracy PAC. In his case that may have been more an appreciation than an inducement. The list should be perused to see how money shapes politics:
http://uscubanormalization.blogspot.com/2009/11/democratic-representatives-sign-anti.html

The dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez called strongly for ending US travel restrictions:
http://thehavananote.com/2009/11/_president_obama_was_very_1.html

John McAuliff
Fund for Reconciliation and Development

Like many other governments – the Cuban government has special units whose sole purpose is to monitor chats/blogs on the net and neutralize anti-Castro comments on the one hand- and plant soft “feel good” stories on the other. And that’s not even counting the loads of useful fool posters who kvell after getting shown in Potemkin village-fashion while visiting with some “I’m sooo progressive”-NGO-type organization.

How can anyone be so naive as to believe the statistics put out by the Cuban government in the first place? Oh- I forgot- they have a democracy down there and high voter participation (99.9 percent).

in south africa,those who suffered the most from the divestment cried out the loudest for divestment.this is not the case in cuba.the american goverment assumes to punish a people into submission in order to assume ecomomic domination over that country.it is not that the american gov fears only that a competing economic system would shine,but that this system may possibly be contagiuos.these fears hav long proven to be false,but the machine rolls on at a great toll to basic humanity and morality. has castro been directly resposible for political screw ups in the ideal world?i am sure he has,and if u or loved one hav ever been victim, i am sure u must hav empathy for the victims of any ones abuse.abuse must be totaly unacceptable. abuse of the innocents began with abuse of the guilty.however ,let us take a step into the real world.let us line up and comepare the abuses of the castro regime with other western countries,america,north- south,asian, middle eastern,african.you would be suprized at the out come. some myphs dispelled………. all rich people did not leave cuba cubans hav returned to cuba,not able to make it in america the biggest problem with food shortages in cuba is not a castro policy.america does not allow for the cubans to hav acces to the fertilizers and chemicals neccesary for mass production of foods.their organic program is a world model.the little fertilizers they can get are reserved for basic stables such as rice. more than 50,000 americans a yr visit cuba the travel ban(not being able to spend money in cuba) is based on a war time act.when were we at war with cuba? political dissent is allowed in cuba.if ur dissent is suspected of being of u s in origin or influence it may be delt with harshly.the u s harbors terroist that hav blown up civilian cuban airliner,nite clubs and other civilian targets.hundreds of u s based assasination attempts on castro.no excuse for abuse of authority, good reason for a homeland security profile. cubans hold little malice toward americans dispite the embargo.they dislike american gov policy. i do not think most americans whom support the embargo, know its extent.micro glance……..no aspirin,insulin,denial of parts to basic medical items such as pacemakers,chemicals to sanitize drinking water,basic building supplies. distancing ourselves from cuba,will not help the cuban people,if that is the objective.engagment with cuba will help the cuban peole ,if that is the objective. enough said about problems.some possible sollutions; america accepts as assylum all deemed political prisoners, posibly a political prisoner exchange. unilateral council set up to deal with potential reprerations to the miami boys who lost property to the revolution,and the miami boys payment to all indigenous people with claims of stolen or swindled property by miami boys. lift u s travel ban .keep in mind there are already problems with easing of travel .one jewish community is concerned that visitors will go to the beach instead of to the religous institutions.already cuban run hotels with diverse ethnic staff are being replaced with out side investment non diverse staff.there is no practile reason for americns not to be able to travel to cuba.