Cuba and Castro...

Gringos.com had an opportunity to go to Cuba but declined for fear that CC use is not accepted there. Only dollars, but word on the street says Castro is making life difficult for gringos who go to Cuba for women. We would like some clear information on Cuba and if the Cuba-Latinas there are sincere.

[Bill123]

I'm not sure how you would be able to get a woman out of there, what with there being no embassy there!

My belief is the Canadians and Europeans go there for that.

[Miglvoz1113]

I was in Cuba at the beginning of the year. It was my first time and I can't wait to get back there.
I'm not sure is cracking down on americans regarding the women. I didn't have any problems and I have a friend who's been there 7 times without problems. Moreover, I met other americans that go to Cuba on a regular basis.
Yes the Cuban women are sincere. Also, it is the Italians and other Europeans that are over there "snapping up" the Cuban women. The woman I rented a room from has two gorgeous daughters. Both are married to a Bulgarian and Italian. I saw the wedding pictures. They are very happy.
Castro is not the problem. It is that idiot that lives in the white house that is the problem.

[Tinto]

Welcome Migl,

I hope you post a trip report about your time spent in Cuba. I'm sure that it will be an interesting read and a nice addition to the forum.

I have to make a comment though about what you said about Castro. Not wanting to get into a big political discussion about either Castro or Bush, I have to strongly disagree with you. Castro IS the problem with Cuba. Ask one of the many Cubans who fled his country or those persecuted in his dictatorship.

[Lostagain]

Is Castro really the problem or is it the results of a fanatical anti-Castro policy imposed on Cuba for the last 40+ years? Imagine what Cuba would be like now if we had normalized relations with them long ago. There would be a stronger economy, the paranoia in the government would be gone, and they would probably have a multi-party political system. No, the Cuban Embargo backfired and and gave justification to political repression. Remember, from Cuba's point of view vis-a-vi the USA, they are in a virtual state of war. Look at what GW justifies in terms of political prisioners when he says we are in a state of war against terrorism. He wants to throw the constitution out the f*cking window. Arrests without charges are fine, no trials are needed, due process is no more than window dressing, and torture and murder of prisoners has become Bush Administration policy.

Cuba is certainly far from perfect and Fidel Castro is not Jesus, but he has done a heck of a lot for that country on the positive side. Remember Batista and the unspeakable poverty and repression he and his henchmen caused. In Cuba , for example, unlike here, they actually see universal health care as a human right. The same for education. Everyone, no matter what his or her circumstances has the right to as far in school as his or her academic ability permits.

I predict that if we could quit being so paranoid about the S. Fla. Cuban-American lobby, and have the guts to normalize relations with Cuba, Fidel Castro would retire within a year and there would be a renaissance in the Cuban economy. The only down side would be the place would be overrun with gringo tourists.

Oh, what ever happened to Minn. Fats to tell me I'm full of sh*t?

[Tinto]

Did anyone else watch that PBS documentary about him a few weeks ago? ( http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/ ) I think Castro started out with good intentions. After elected though his new found power seemed to have gotten the best of him. I see him as nothing more as a socialist dictator.

I like this one post in a recent thread on another forum:

Dr Castro is a racist, ruthless powermonger who has destroyed his dilapidated his country, exiled millions, created, trained and supported guerillas in the Americas and the rest of the world...who I wouldn't doubt is a CIA agent... after all, who sells weapons to guerrillas??? and who sells weapons to governments to combat guerrillas??? US. By creating havoc in CUba and Latin America, billions of dollars have come to the US...millions of its brightest and better educated people have left Cuba and other Latin Amrican countries...

.............

I do admire the fact that he helped toppled the Batista government and thumbs his nose, er...better make that, finger at the US.
http://www.ratepic.com/pics/showphoto.php/photo/215

Two books with differing viewpoints about socialism in Cuba have come out recently with a good write up on each. Those interested, here is the link:

http://www.socialismtoday.org/89/cuba.html

[Lostagain]

T., thanks for the interesting references and the foto link. By no means do I maintain that Fidel Castro is a saint. He is far from that. My point is that to blame him for all the bad stuff in Cuba is unfair. I truly think that had we normalized relations with Cuba many years ago, Castro would have long since retired. Our propaganda has vilified him beyond what is real. As you describe him as racist, powermonger, etc. I too could say the same thing about GW; i.e. he is a war criminal who violated international law, is an imperialist, etc. As much as I despise GW, to say those things really stretches reality to fantastic conspiracy theories and serves no useful purpose in discourse.

Fidel Castro has done his job. It is time for him to retire. It is time we end the rediculous boycott of Cuba and normalize relations with the Cuban people. Instead of asking the Cuban -Americans in Florida about it, try asking what the people in Cuba might prefer. After all, it is their country; not the second generation Cuban immigrants'. They have no more right to govern that country than I to govern Ireland.

[tranquilizar]

My, my, my, it appears we are the blue states vs. the red states. The normally well spoken LA is ramblin' and foaming at the mouth. Of course, he is a lawyer from the left coast and San Francisco at that.

Let me start by saying that the embargo was originally started by a blue president. Yes, Castro has improved access to health care and education but, Castro is an egomaniac and thug. He is a highly intelligent lawyer (similar to LA)with no understanding of the world economy. His refusal to listen to differing opinions has destroyed the Cuban economy. He is a control freak and no action that the U.S. has or will ever take will cause him to step down. (p.s. he was not elected; he led a revolution from the mountains of eastern Cuba)

LA, I do agree with you about the trade embargo. I believe that an open trade and travel policy would encourage the Cuban people to seek reform of the government after Fidel is gone. Fidel is presently tightening all political and economic controls preparing for the succession of his brother, Raul, to the presidency upon his death or incapacitation due to age.

[Lostagain]

Yup, I from a blue state, but Tq. did you really read my post? Far from "foaming at the mouth," I said that "Castro is no saint." I fully realize he and his government have done some horrible things using the same means justifies the ends logic as those who torture and kill prisoners in our current adventure in Iraq. But if you think the embargo has helped get rid of him, I want some of whacha' been smokin'. My point is that the main reason Castro is able to maintain power is our economic boycott, not his tactic of political represion. If you want to see the rapid decline of Castro's power and avoid the ascendency of Raul Castro, normalize relations with them.

Also, Tq. if I may offer some advice: Accusing me of "ramblin' and foaming at the mouth," then, by inuendo, trying to suggest that I must be some kind of far left wing fanatic because I am a "lawyer fromt he left coast and San Francisco at that" is nothing more than a personal attack that serves no purpose other than eliminate objective discussion. Please, if you want to discuss the issue, don't resort to name calling. We have enough of that in our national politics already. Challenge me on the facts and I will respect you for it. When all you do is call me names my only conclusion can be that you have no facts and, thus, are wrong.