Normalizing relations with Cuba

[Michchamp]

Exchanging ambassadors. I figured it would happen eventually, although the timing was unexpected.

Fox News and Right-wing blowhards to start whining and stomping their feet in 3... 2... 1... (until a large US corporation that owns a chunk of their network opens a Cuban subsidiary, and then they'll quiet down just as quickly).

 

[Gulo Blue]

I wonder if they could get a one-time boost to the economy letting US car collectors go on a buying spree.

 

[Thumb]

Cuban cigars for everyone!

 

[Michchamp]

I wonder if they could get a one-time boost to the economy letting US car collectors go on a buying spree.

I'd go see the Hemingway House. I'd also buy a set of those stylish fatigues Fidel wears.

their cigars will have some novelty for a while too.

I wonder how their political-social-economic systems will change? I've read commentary that expects Cuba to become a mafia state if/when Communism collapses. Though, perhaps they'll slowly liberalize industry & gradually allow free enterprise to develop, like China has.

 

[Michchamp]

Cuban cigars for everyone!

people make a big deal about these, even in Michigan, without realizing you can just cross the Blue Water Bridge to Sarnia, or the Detroit River to Windsor and smoke them to your heart's content. It would also be probably pretty easy to bring a box back with you.

tho I've heard the border crossing has been tightened up a bit since I last made it (circa winter 2002). They just waved us through without even checking IDs when they saw the skis on our car.

"From Michigan, eh?"
"Yes."
"Goin' skiing then, eh?"
"Yes."

 

[byco42]

Perhaps Michael Corelone makes the deal with Hyman Roth now.

 

[Mitchrapp]

I never thought deals with dictatorships were any good .. but whatever.

 

[Thumb]

I never thought deals with dictatorships were any good .. but whatever.

What deal?

It was stupid to hold out diplomatic relations with Cuba for this long, if at all.

We deal with plenty of other dictatorships all the time.

 

[byco42]

I hope the last two responses were not related to mine ...

 

[Thumb]

I hope the last two responses were not related to mine ...

Never takes sides against the family again

 

[Mitchrapp]

What deal?

It was stupid to hold out diplomatic relations with Cuba for this long, if at all.

We deal with plenty of other dictatorships all the time.

Diplomatic relations..that's what deal. So Cuban American's can see their families..how about letting people in Cuba leave without being shot. Or imprisoned..

And it was not stupid. Dealing with Castro, SCORE!!!

 

[Michchamp]

you know Castro is practically dead of old age now, right? His regime lasted as long as his health allowed, and his brother is in power now.

Those sanctions really worked well...

 

[Mitchrapp]

you know Castro is practically dead of old age now, right? His regime lasted as long as his health allowed, and his brother is in power now.

Those sanctions really worked well...

Yeah the brother is a nice guy :nuts:

He's the worse one yet..

 

[byco42]

you know Castro is practically dead of old age now, right? His regime lasted as long as his health allowed, and his brother is in power now.

Those sanctions really worked well...

Yes, they did. Fidel made sure he got his, but the people suffered immensely. Who's at fault for that?

 

[Michchamp]

Yes, they did. Fidel made sure he got his, but the people suffered immensely. Who's at fault for that?

I don't know. plenty of blame to go around.

It's not like Communist revolutions take place in happy, egalitarian societies...

 

[tinselwolverine]

people make a big deal about these, even in Michigan, without realizing you can just cross the Blue Water Bridge to Sarnia, or the Detroit River to Windsor and smoke them to your heart's content...

[/I]

Actually though...

You really can't.

Sure, any old Joe can get a cigar that was rolled in Cuba in another country...but it's probably made with tobacco imported to Cuba from elsewhere.

That tiny ass island just doesn't produce enough tobacco itself to meet the world wide demand.

Saudi princes, and European nobility, and African kings, and mafia bosses, and your garden variety billionaires - those are the ones who get the good cigars; the ones rolled with tobacco from Cuba itself.

 

[Michchamp]

wow, I didn't know that.

 

[tinselwolverine]

wow, I didn't know that.

Almost nobody does. I sold cigars for a while, that's how I meant it.

 

[byco42]

I don't know. plenty of blame to go around.

It's not like Communist revolutions take place in happy, egalitarian societies...

They try to infiltrate them, though.

 

[Michchamp]

Yes, they did. Fidel made sure he got his, but the people suffered immensely. Who's at fault for that?

hey, supposedly the Pope played some role in this move toward detente with Cuba. Another reason to hate that bleeding-heart liberal in the Vatican, right?

Last Christmas (I think it was) my uncle was all up in arms over his comments criticising the rich & business leaders. This might finally push him to leave the Catholic Church (he converted to marry my aunt)...

I don't think he can go back to Episcopalianism because of the gay Bishop they have now, so, maybe he'll become a Southern Baptist or join one of those Wal-mart-esque Non-denonmenational Megachurches.