I don't think being an idiot makes someone unelectable....on the contrary!
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I don't think being an idiot makes someone unelectable....on the contrary!
Americans must now be more patriotic and vote for this policy:
How does that go, "... land of the free and home of the brave". Sure, but we're not "free" to go to Cuba, and if you're "brave" enough to try, it'll cost you dearly!
You've gotta luv the irony.
did a little fist-pumping when i watched this speech on the floor of the house today. flake has set off for a new republican policy flank, very far from miami in his desire for cuban sea change.
office of congressman jeff flake
news release
for immediate release: wednesday, september 15, 2004
contact : matthew specht (202) 225-2635
congressman flake withdraws amendment lifting cuba travel ban policy effort being mired in election years politics
washington, d.c. - arizona congressman jeff flake, a member of the house international relations committee, today gave the following statement on the floor of the house of representatives regarding his decision to withdraw his amendment that would effectively lift the ban on americans traveling to cuba:
"mr. speaker, for the past four years i have stood to offer this same amendment, an amendment to restore the basic right of americans to travel to cuba. the flake amendment has, for the past three years, enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the congress, and for good reason. for the past 45 years we have attempted to bring about regime change in cuba, only to see
fidel castro outlast nine u.s. presidents. all the while, his countrymen have been denied their most basic human rights.
"a compelling case could be made that our policy of isolating cuba made sense during the cold war. as a pawn of the soviet union, cuba was actively exporting the revolution with its troops around the world. but we are more than a decade removed from the cold war. we face new challenges, challenges that, it can be safely said, don't include the spread of cuban-style communism.
"our challenge is to export freedom to cuba, and for this cause our current policy is as outdated as the cars that ply the highways of havana. how can we promote liberty in cuba with a policy that denies our own citizens the right to travel to the island? how can we foster respect for basic human dignity when we tell cuban americans that they can no longer send soap and
toothpaste to their long-suffering relatives in cuba?
"have we become so blinded by short-term politics that we fail to see the long-term consequences of our policy? in a word, yes. i should note that this blindness does not only affect the republican party. the democratic leadership hasn't offered a vision that is much clearer. unfortunately, neither party can see past florida when trying to decide what to do about cuba.
"with this bill today, and in other bills this year, we will appropriate tens of millions of dollars relating to cuba. it is fitting that we ask, for what purpose? so that think tanks in miami can churn out more reports telling the congress, unsurprisingly, that we ought to continue the current policy, which includes giving them money? so that daily television programs can be produced in miami that cubans will never see?
so that a little-league team in arizona won't be able to play baseball with their peers in cuba? so that faith-based groups in indiana distributing bibles in cuba can be fined for their evangelical zeal? so that a grieving daughter in south carolina won't be able to attend her mother's funeral in cuba? as a republican, i fail to see anything conservative about these policies.
"there is a saying, "no man is an island," yet our policy assumes that fidel castro is cuba's only resident. the people of cuba have suffered decades under his rule. our policies, particularly those enacted just months ago which limit family charity, have only added to their burdens.
continued
"Unfortunately, the timing of this legislation this year does not lend itself to a reasoned and thoughtful debate about our policy toward Cuba. Our efforts in this area have always been bipartisan in nature. But, with elections so close and politics so raw, this debate would not receive the thoughtful deliberation it deserves.
"I want to thank those members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who are working so hard for a more effective and reasonable Cuba policy - those who believe that promoting freedom in Cuba is best achieved by giving Americans more freedom. Our efforts will resume as soon as the electoral
smoke clears.
"It is my understanding that Congressman Davis of Florida will offer an amendment to roll back the new restrictions on family travel by Cuban Americans. My colleagues and I look forward to helping Congressman Davis with his worthy efforts.
"With that, Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my amendment."
All right so my mother in law calls me today, and says that she filled out a letter to the state saying she was with a church group, and needs to do church work in cuba. They in turn send a request to the department of state, and 2 weeks later she is able to get on a flight penalty free. Now she is not religous but just wanted to see the family. So what is to stop mongers from doing the same?
Cheers for Congressman Flake!
Interesting, but I don't expect things to rollback or change anytime soon, especially if Bushie gets (re?)elected. American policy is basically held hostage by three Cuban-American congressmen, which historically is based on a family feud: Castro v. Diaz-Ballart.
Dick Armey, a very conservative Republican, upon retiring a couple of years ago, stated flat out that the only reason the embargo was still in place was to placate Miami's congressmen and Cuban-Americans. The Cubans in Miami have always thought that someday they are going to go back and get back the property they lost. Not gonna happen. There is some change among the younger generation, though, who are more willing to pursue a "detente" with Havana.
There has always been a very strange and silent cooperation of sorts between the US and Cuba. Fidel wants and needs the embargo. It's what's kept him in power. A cursory study of Cuban American history makes clear that every time the US was about to ease it Fidel did something to prevent it (e.g. Angola, Central America, shooting down the Brothers to the Rescue planes, ETC.)
Unfortunately, through all this it's the Cuban people (in Cuba) who get screwed on both sides, which is a real shame given how great they are. Well, as they say in Cuba, "...algun dia!"
Doc,
There is a chance the Miami Cubans may get something back after Castro is dead, which, fortunately, won't be too much longer.
Once he is gone the whole scene will change and it is impossible to predict how it will turn out.
There has always been a very strange and silent cooperation of sorts between the US and Cuba. Fidel wants and needs the embargo. It's what's kept him in power. A cursory study of Cuban American history makes clear that every time the US was about to ease it Fidel did something to prevent it (e.g. Angola, Central America, shooting down the Brothers to the Rescue planes, ETC.)
WTF are you talking about? GO READ A BOOK or better yet EDUCATE yourself, FOO!
Chekist, you're right, it's impossible to predict, but I'm pretty sure they won't get back land they lost over 40 years ago. At least not directly. They'll purchase a lot of it and commercialize it, but even then, I'm not so sure things will change so dramatically after Fidel. Don't you think he has plans for a post-Fidel Cuba?
Thaj, I've gone the same way as your mother-in-law, numerous times. No problems.
Castro and Co. have detailed records of property that were nationalized. The majority of which is still owned by the government. It will take a long time after Castro is gone for people to try and reclaim property. The current laws in place will probably stay in place post Castro.Therefore going through the legal process, which definately they will have to do, will take years and years. And who do you think will be in control of this legal process? Doc Bill, I agree with you 100% regarding the Florida congressmen, but you fail to include Jeb. He by far, I believe is the staunchest anticastro. I mean most of his career has been financed by Cuban-Americians. I think he may be more Cuban-American than most. One thing is for sure, Cuban-Americans who think they will go back to Cuba and control are dead wrong, almost unanmously the Cubans agree that they are the ones who suffered while Cuban Americans lived the good life, who are they to tell us what to do.
As previously stated my father works with the State Dept, and ATF/DEA , and in a meeting today he was told that they do not forsee this travel ban /restriction being feesible much longer, and expect it to be gone by Nov. . Now usually the old man doesnt share this kind of info with me, and sure as shit on the news tonight in Miami, they were already talking about it ending before halloween. If anyone knows something else share it with the rest of us.
Indio,
If you look at the history of the last 10 to 15 years of post Communist governments around the world, one can get a good indicator of what may happen.
Some Americans have gone on to become Presidents of the newly liberated countries, such as in the Baltic states. In other countries, such as the Czech Republic, it is more mixed.
However, given the proximity to the US, the large number of Cubans in the US (and the money they have) it is inevitable that the Miami Cubans will have a deep impact post-Castro Cuba.
As Doc noted, individuals may not get land they lost, but they can always buy it back -- often on the cheap through crooked means. There will likely be a heavy rise in organized crime. This has been rampant in Russia and elsewhere. Also, big time US companies will put on a lot of heat to get their real estate and other property back or get some sort of "concession" to make up for it.
Unlike most Communist governments that have had faceless leaders, Castro has dominated the politcal scene so heavily that when he is gone, there is going to be profound change. You can take that to the bank.
Posted on Sat, Sep. 25, 2004
HOW THEY VOTED
Major roll call votes by area members of Congress this week:
HOUSE
1. FAMILY TRAVEL TO CUBA (HR 5025): Voting 225-174, the House blocked new administration limits on visits by Cuban-Americans with family members in Cuba. The Treasury Department rules permit one 14-day visit every three years and redefine “family” to exclude all but parents and siblings. The previous rules allowed annual visits to aunts, uncles and cousins as well as immediate family. A yes vote was to repeal new limits.
2. FREE CUBA TRADE (HR 5025): Voting 188-225, the House refused to end U.S. economic sanctions on Cuba and thus allow free, two-way trade with the communist state. A yes vote backed free trade.
The Transportation and Treasury Bill has been transformed into a CR, a Continuing Resolution. Meaning the same amount of money spent in the previous fiscal year will be spent until the next CR or a new bill is past after the election. The two measures spoke of in the previous post, died on the vine with the death of the bill until the lame duck session, when they will be brought up again.
Rep. Jeff Flake will bring up his travel provision as an amendment to said bill on the House floor in Nov/Dec.
Mentioned by Doc Bill in another section. Add the cost of the license, times X number of trips and sooner or later, you may or may not end up to <$1000. Whatever's cool with me.
A Santeria group with a religious license to travel unimpeded to Cuba reports a boom in the size of its congregation, drawing criticism and scrutiny.
By Oscar Corral, [email]ocorral@herald.com[/email]. Posted on Sun, Feb. 27, 2005.
Despite the Bush administration's crackdown on exiles' trips back to Cuba, there are still ways to travel to the island without restriction.
One seems to be increasingly popular: Go as a Santero.
Religious groups can get licenses with little trouble. And the head of at least one group that says it practices the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria acknowledged that his congregation has exploded in size since the new travel restrictions kicked in.
Jose Montoya, head of the Sacerdocio Lucumi Shango Eyeife in Miami, said that between 1996 and July 2004, he took about 60 people to Cuba under his religious travel license. Since the restrictions took effect in July, he has taken about 2,500, he said.
''Before, people didn't have a necessity, and Afro Cubans who practice our religions could travel to Cuba without a license, but now they need a license,'' Montoya said. "This is a ticking time bomb. They will give a religious license to anyone.''
Exiles who support the restrictions -- which cut exile trips to Cuba from once a year to once every three years -- say the Santeria groups are abusing their religious privilege.
The U.S. Treasury Department allows unimpeded travel to Cuba for legitimate religious reasons. The department has issued more than 200 licenses to religious groups for travel to Cuba, according to the office of U.S. Rep. Lincoln Díaz-Balart, R-Miami.
Díaz-Balart, a supporter of the new limits, has called for an investigation, which he said is being conducted by the Treasury Department.
''There is abuse and it needs to stop,'' he said. "It is wrong for someone to say that they are seeking a license for religious travel and then to use that license commercially to promote tourism, and I think it's happening.''
Treasury Department spokeswoman Molly Millerwise and other department officials could not be reached for comment.
Tom Cooper, CEO and chairman of Gulf Stream International Airlines, one of the biggest companies still operating flights to Cuba, said he has also noticed a recent increase in the number of people coming to his airline with religious licenses.
RESOURCEFULNESS
''I have my own questions about it,'' Cooper said. "I think the Cuban people are very industrious and ingenious, and I think that they really will find a way to visit their relatives in Cuba.''
During a recent interview in his office at 4315 NW Seventh St., Montoya told The Herald that he has an established track record in Miami's Santeria community and is not abusing his travel license.
Montoya acknowledges that he has no church or temple, and his office is plainly decorated, with no evidence of Santeria. His church, the Sacerdocio Lucumi Shango Eyeife, is listed in Florida corporate records as a for-profit company. He brands himself ''Maximo Sacerdote General,'' or Maximum High Priest.
Montoya said the Treasury Department's religious license places no restrictions on the number of people allowed to travel to Cuba under that license, or the frequency of visits. He provided The Herald a copy of his license.
He also provided The Herald a copy of an application people must fill out if they want to travel to Cuba under his religious license. Applicants must swear that they are part of his religion and get the letter notarized. The application named Heidy Gonzalez as an applicant and showed a telephone number. When The Herald called the number, a man named Braulio Rodriguez said Heidy Gonzalez was a 1-year-old baby and that he was her grandfather.
Rodriguez said he had no idea how her name came to be on an application for travel to Cuba and that as far as he knew, she would not be traveling to Cuba as the application stated.
When quizzed about potential abuses, Montoya pointed to another supposed Santeria group that has a religious travel license, Santa Yemaya Ministries. Montoya said his own research shows that many of the people traveling to Cuba under religious licenses today travel through Santa Yemaya.
Florida corporate records show that Santa Yemaya Ministries was established in October 2003 by Fabio Galoppi. The principal place of business address, according to corporate records, is 9741 NW 31 St., a house in a gated community in Doral. It is listed as a nonprofit company.
The official explanation given by Fabio Galoppi to incorporate Santa Yemaya, according to corporate records, is ''to spread the word of God across the world.'' Santa Yemaya Ministries' website boasts a 15-day travel itinerary in Cuba filled with Santeria tourist stops at places such as Casa Templo and The Yoruba Center.
A woman who described herself as Fabio Galoppi's wife when phoned by The Herald declined to comment. She referred questions to a Pierre Galoppi.
Pierre Galoppi, who owns Estrella de Cuba Travel in West Miami-Dade and PWG Trading Corp., confirmed that Santa Yemaya has a religious travel license. He declined to describe his relationship to Fabio Galoppi.
''I can assure you that our agency and our ministry are in full compliance with all regulations,'' Pierre Galoppi said.
'SENSITIVE INDUSTRY'
When asked how many people travel to Cuba under Santa Yemaya's license, or whether Fabio Galoppi is a Santero, Galoppi declined to comment.
''It's a very sensitive industry,'' he said. "I have no idea how many people we're talking about.''
Pedro Gonzalez-Munne, owner of Cuba Promotions, an agency that promotes travel to Cuba, said he has done business with Pierre Galoppi and is familiar with his enterprise.
''Since the new restrictions kicked in in July to now, PWG Trading has 33 to 34 percent of the total market of people that travel to Cuba,'' Gonzalez-Munne said. "Is this a situation of freedom of religions, or are they using their religion for travel and profit?''
The Santeria travel wars have spilled over into local media. Montoya said community leaders and radio commentators have singled him out for criticism on Miami's Spanish-language radio stations. That has prompted Montoya to buy four full-page ads in El Nuevo Herald since November, defending his travel practices.
''We continue to deny the disinformation campaign that some radio stations have established that intend, for politics, to violate our religious rights,'' said an open letter from Shango Eyeife published in El Nuevo Herald on Jan. 24. "Our institution has nothing to do with other people who possess licenses for our religious practices issued by Treasury.''
RELIGION AS PLOY
Ernesto Pichardo, Miami-Dade's best known Santero, who once took a case about animal sacrifices to the U.S. Supreme Court, said the groups "are not authorized, legitimate religious organizations in Cuba or here.''
''We've started doing homework,'' Pichardo said. "I've gotten people from New York, D.C., all over. They have bought into this little deal of buying into [Montoya's] membership . . . to fly to Cuba on a religious visa.''
Cooper, the Gulf Stream CEO, said air travel to Cuba plunged after the restrictions kicked in. For example, his company used to fly five planes a week with 600 seats to the island. Now he flies only about 123 seats a week. However, in the past month, he said, business has picked up again, partly because of religious-license travel.
Pichardo said a signal that Shango Eyeife and Santa Yemaya may not be legitimate religious groups is that neither has a church or temple in Miami.
He said that he doubts they have churches in Cuba, because the Cuban government has never authorized Santeria.
Gonzalez-Munne said the trend shows that people will do whatever it takes to get to Cuba, and business people are thinking creatively to make it happen.
''People are not traveling because they are Babalaos, let's speak clearly,'' Gonzalez-Munne said, using a term meaning priest. "They are traveling because they have no other way to get to Cuba.''