Cuba and US Politics

Saint.

That Bush/Kerry- movie is very poular here in Europe in mostley TV- channels. And we all know that that´s the way it is.

I have been to Cuba five times and know that bullshit from Bush is a very big lie. Among many, many other issues.

Saint, that clip is priceless, thank you! As for the issue, it is true, prostitution is severely punished in Cuba. They shot themselves in the foot economically by cracking down on it so harshly over the past few years too. As usual, Bush is full of shit. But so is Fidel, who gives most Cubans no other choice but to sell their bodies for food and shoes.

First time offenders in Cuba are now placed in "education camps" for two years, six for second "offenders."

No problem Doc. Actually I find that most politicians in general are full of hot air. Fidel included. Most of them are thieves too. No telling how many hundreds of millions of dollars Fidel has hidden in Swiss bank accounts. Same as many leaders of Latin American countries.

The scene is really depressing in Cuba. I'm not sure how guys in good conscience can report that Cuba is still among one of the best places to hobby. I really thought it was one of the worst places when you factor in the guilt factor, the sneaking around, the consequences for the girls, quality of girls, etc.

No doubt Cuba is a special place. No one can argue with that. It's just a shame how most have to live there. Things WILL change. Just will take a few more years. I'm still glad I got to go there before things change.

I think we all can have different opinions on Cuba and the politics of Cuba. Some of us are Republicans some of us Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, et al. The important thing is to discuss things intelligently and more importantly honestly. It's ok to disagree but it's not ok to start lying or spinning words someone else said.

The real shame is that most Americans don't have a clue about Cuba, the living standards of it's citizens, the culture or way of life there. I'm damn proud to be American but I'm not proud of the fact that many Americans can't even find Cuba on a map. (Hell, I think something like 1 in 6 can't even accurately point out Canada and Mexico!!). Out of all my travels around the world I can honestly and regrettably say that Americans are some of the most ignorant, stubborn, unintelligent and arrogant people. The world is a big place but most Americans don't care what happens beyond our borders.

Sad....

Saint,

Good report ...

I am not into politics; however, I love Cuba and specially the
people, they are so humble and also for me its a special place.
I love Cuban Music and thats the primary reason why I used
to go, specially the music played in Oriente, called SON.

In regards your comment about us Americans do not even
have a clue about Cuba, and also could not find it in the map,
its true. Remember years ago a lady friend on mine attending
High School she could not place in the map: Washington State
and DC.

Thanks again ... and hope before I die go again to my lovely
Cuba.

Good insights. I agree that whatever one's political leanings, Americans in general are very ignorant of the rest of the world. When I tell people I've gone to Cuba the typical reply is something like: "But couldn't you get killed there?" Americans (of which I am one) have the most ugly combination of traits: Ignorance of other cultures and their importance, arrogance and profound narcissism. A very very bad combination. I find myself a lot more ashamed than proud these days to be American. But that goes beyond Cuba.

I have extensively studied Cuban history and the history of Cuban-American politics. Bottom line is that American policy is held hostage by two right-wing Cuban-American congressmen, and that that is just fine with Fidel, who clearly cherishes the embargo he publicly decries because he knows it has kept him in power for so long. Ironic, isn't it?

Cuba is a wonderful place, because it has the most wonderful people in the world, in my experience. And they're screwed either way: Having to live miserably under Fidel or turning into another Miami Beach. Hobson's choice.

Calm down boys. You are not all that bad as you say. I know that the most americans have problems with geography and I don`t know why. Possible the schols or maybe something about your history. I think it is a middleclass- and countryproblem. Most of the americans who are travelling are very polite and nice talking to. And so are you guys. You are critisism and look at yoursef from outside which I think is very healthy, whatever country you come from.

Saint. I don´t belive Fidel has one single peso in a swiss bank. One can say many bad words about him, but he is not corrupt. He is an idealist and socialist and struggle against the capitalism - until his death. So what should he do with that money?

Keep up your good writings;-)

I can't understand american foreign policy, especially Bush's (and neigher can most of the wold). But I came across his CV which makes interesting reading,


With a CV like this you too can become the leader of the freeworld!




RESUME


GEORGE W. BUSH
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20520


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:


Law Enforcement:
I was arrested in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1976 for driving under the
influence of alcohol. I pled guilty, paid a fine, and had my driver's
license suspended for 30 days. My Texas driving record has been "lost"
and is not available.


Military:
I joined the Texas Air National Guard and went AWOL. I refused to take
a drug test or answer any questions about my drug use. By joining the
Texas Air National Guard, I was able to a void combat duty in Vietnam.


College:
I graduated from Yale University with a low C average.
I was a cheerleader.


PAST WORK EXPERIENCE:

I ran for U.S. Congress and lost. I began my career in the oil
business in Midland, Texas, in 1975. I bought an oil company, but
couldn't find any oil in Texas. The company went bankrupt shortly
after I sold all my stock. I bought the Texas Rangers baseball team in
a sweetheart deal that took land using taxpayer money. With the help
of my father and our friends in the oil industry (including Enron CEO
Ken
Lay), I was elected governor of Texas.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS GOVERNOR OF TEXAS:

I changed Texas pollution laws to favor power and oil companies,
making Texas the most polluted state in the Union. During my tenure,
Houston replaced Los Angeles as the most smog-ridden city in America.

I cut taxes and bankrupted the Texas treasury to the tune of
billions in borrowed money.

I set the record for the most executions by any governor in American
history.

With the help of my brother, the governor of Florida, and my
father's appointments to the Supreme Court, I became President after
losing by over 500,000 votes.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS PRESIDENT:

I am the first President in U.S. history to enter office with a
criminal record.

I invaded and occupied two countries at a continuing cost of over
one billion dollars per week.

I spent the U.S. surplus and effectively bankrupted the U.S.
Treasury.

I shattered the record for the largest annual deficit in U.S.
history.

I set an economic record for most private bankruptcies filed in any
12-month period.

I set the all-time record for most foreclosures in a 12-month
period.

I set the all-time record for the biggest drop in the history of the
U.S.stock market. In my first year in office, over 2 million Americans
Lost their jobs and that trend continues every month.

I'm proud that the members of my cabinet are the richest of any
administration in U.S. history. My "poorest millionaire," Condoleeza
Rice, has a Chevron oil tanker named after her.

I set the record for most campaign fund-raising trips by a U.S.
President.

I am the all-time U.S. and world record-holder for receiving the
most corporate campaign donations.

My largest lifetime campaign contributor, and one of my best
friends, Kenneth Lay, presided over the largest corporate bankruptcy
fraud in U.S. History: Enron.

My political party used Enron private jets and cor porate attorneys
to ensure my success with the U.S. Supreme Court during my election
decision.

I have protected my friends at Enron and Halliburton against
investigation or prosecution. More time and money was spent investigating the Monica
Lewinsky affair than has been spent investigating one of the biggest
corporate rip-offs in history.

I presided over the biggest energy crisis in U.S. history and
refused to intervene when corruption involving the oil industry was
revealed.

I presided over the highest gasoline prices in U.S. history.

I changed the U.S. policy to allow convicted criminals to be awarded
government contracts.

I appointed more convicted criminals to administration than any
President in U.S. history.

I created the Ministry of Homeland Security, the largest bureaucracy
in the history of the United States government.

I've broken more international treaties than any President in U.S.
history.

I am the first President in U.S. history to have the United Nations
Remove the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission.

I withdrew the U.S. from the World Court of Law.

I refused to allow inspector's access to U.S. "prisoners of >war"
detainees, and have refused to abide by the Geneva Convention.

I am the first President in history to refuse United Nations
election inspectors (during the 2002 U.S. elections).

I set the record for fewest numbers of press conferences of any
President since the advent of television.

I set the all-time record for most days on vacation in any one-year
period. After taking off the entire month of August 2001,

I presided over the worst security failure in U.S. history.

I garnered the most sympathy ever for the U.S. after the World Trade
Center attacks and less than a year later made the U.S. the most hated
country in the world---the largest failure of diplomacy in world
history.

I have set the all-time record for most people worldwide to
Simultaneously protest me in public venues (15 million people),
shattering the record for protests against any person in the history
of mankind.

I am the first President in U.S. history to order an unprovoked,
preemptive attack and the military occupation of a sovereign nation. I
did so against the will of the United Nations, the majority of U.S.
citizens, and the world community.

I have cut health care benefits for war veterans and support a cut
in duty benefits for active duty troops and their families in wartime.

In my State of the Union Address, I lied about our reasons for
attacking Iraq and then blamed the lies on our British friends.

I am the first President in history to have a majority of Europeans
(71%) view my presidency as the biggest threat to world peace and
security.

I am supporting development of a nuclear "Tactical Bunker Buster," a
WMD.

- I have so far failed to fulfill my pledge to bring Osama Bin Laden
to justice.


RECORDS AND REFERENCES:

All records of my tenure as governor of Texas are now in my father's
library, sealed and unavailable for public view.

All records of SEC investigations into my insider trading and my
Bankrupt companies are sealed in secrecy and unavailable for public
view.

All records or minutes from meetings that I, or my Vice-President,
attended regarding public energy policy are sealed in secrecy and
unavailable for public review.

PLEASE CONSIDER MY EXPERIENCE WHEN VOTING IN 2004!

Doc Bill,

You have all my respect: Well done job on your message.
I am also an american and you are correct now days, its
hard mentioned without given us the bad look.

Havana Moon,

I didn't mean to sound like ALL Americans are blabbering idiots because that's clearly not the case. I only meant that many Americans overall as a nation have those traits. As I mentioned, I'm damn proud to be American. The United States is the best country in the world as far as I'm concerned. In all my travels across the world until the day comes when I don't meet a local telling me they would love to live in the USA then I'll rethink my feelings on the USA. Whether I've been in South America, Cuba, Mexico, Central America, London, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Prague, etc. many many people tell me their dream is to live in the USA. There is a damn good reason for that.

As far as Fidel being "corrupt". "Corrupt" is a relative term. It means different things to different people. If you really believe that Fidel doesn't have a stash of money hidden away then all the power to you. We can agree to disagree. Kind of like those senior citizens that lived very meager lives. They don't have many worldly possessions, they never spent a lot of money... then at their death you read about them donating 3 million dollars to some University. Go figure.

Jackson,

Great new board. If Kerry wins the election, which looks likely, there's a good chance that he might lift the embargo on Cuba.

Everybody wants to come to America for the MONEY. There are a few on this earth who hold different values, those that are antithetical to "The American Dream." I have met many people from many countries who wouldn't dream of living here (Argentina, Venezuela, France and most Nordic countries, to name a few). This, contrary to popular opinion, is also not the only "free" country on earth. There are many things I love about being American and many very good people here, but I'm sure I won't die here, lets put it that way. In fact the only thing keeping me here now is money: The fact that I make a good living that I couldn't anywhere else, but as soon as I'm cushioned sufficiently I'm outta here. It'll be a nice place to visit!

If Cuba wasn't a brutal communist dictatorship I'd be very happy living there. Yeah, I know, and if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle.

And on a tangential note, those who think Fidel is an idealist or even a true socialist/communist are wrong. Fidel uses the concepts of socialism and idealism in his rhetoric, but Fidel is only a Fidelist, nothing more, nothing less, and his history bears that out. It has always been all about him, not the people and not any ideals. That is consistent with his character, succinctly described as megalomaniacal narcissism.

Add that to the villiage idiot in the White House and the current state of Cuban-American affairs should come as no surprise to anyone.

I am an immigrant who is now US citizen. Lived in Europe and Africa. I was really excited when I came to the US.

I am richer than when I arrived in the US. But I am now less excited of staying. Reasons are many among them lack of openess about sex, American women, too conservative and if Bush wins in November I am out.

My 2 cents

I have done a fair amount of travelling as i love it and i have to say people around the world in general know very little about Canada my country. The worldly travellers posting here are much more aware than the average world citizen. Heck the Cubans think you live near the North Pole it makes you howl with laughter. The Americans I find on holidays are usually more friendly than the Europeans maybe a language thing not sure.

Fidel uses the state media propoganda tv and newspapers very well as many Cubans are brainwashed with anti-capitalist bull. We are of course stripping the world bare Nike underpaying workers etc meanwhile the Cubans are making 50 cents a day in Cuba rolling cigars that sell for 100 200 300 dollars in the government shops go figure. There are way too many laws in Cuba as well the locals laugh about it like satelite dishes are illegal very few can afford black market rates on dishes why? A foreigner can't live at a friends place in Cuba legally only government sactioned casas and hotels what a ripoff. Cuba is like travelling in a time machine they have sadly been left behind they due very little really except play dominos drink warm cheap rum and have sex. At least thats what I see.

Just got back from Cuba. By far my worst trip ever. Six times in all since 2001 to this complicated little island. Even with the blackouts and the harassment at customs in Havana I missed that place soon as I my plane touched down in the US. A fat homely stewardess on my flight from houston actually thought I was trying to pinch her ass when I tried to get her attention. Unbelievable. But now I remember why I put up with all the shit to go to Cuba. This is the worse I've seen that place since I've been going. More people begging than usual and just less joy all around. People are praying Jorge does not win the next election. Not that it'll make that any difference to their economic prospects but certainly in psychological terms.

Cuerno,

What happened with the customs in Havana? Did they charge you a tax for the stuff you brought? Care to share your thoughts on way things didn't go so well.

I have long held the position, girls in Cuba were secondary, on the far back burner. If dues have been paid and time has been well spent in Cuba, real relationships with 'manos should have, and ought to have been created. The conditions in Cuba have never dampened our spirits when we are together. The girls are temporary, hermanos are for the long haul.

Back in May, a guy was trying to leave the airport in Havana with 38 porno videos of Cubanas. The videos were taken from him and the cops followed up and tracked down all the girls on tape. He was questioned and was able to depart on his flight. The girls who got paid $50-$100 for the shoot, were sent off to prison for three years.

If this guy comes back to Cuba, he will be tracked and followed everwhere he goes. You thought you got hasseled by customs? You haven't seen fingered until this guy steps through the Jose Marti X-Ray machine. Porn is bad news in Cuba. Don't put yourself on the list is get searched everytime you enter Cuba.

There is another guy who posts on UMV who is really proud of his porno work in Cuba. If any of you know him, tell him to take of the photos off the free previews of his pay site. The girls are at risk if they are discovered. BTW, he gives himself strong props on how well he low-balled them. Hint, the DWB.

Another unrelated story from Havana. Two cops had a couple of girls locked in an apartment in Havana. After a couple of days, the girls had enough and started getting loud. The area CDR rep called the police to free the girls, and the police who kept them were fired.