Your apologetics on the Cuban condition are quite sound and that was a real eye opener on the sacrifices many have made. You're certainly right...supporting Cuba, through money and visits, only helps support Castro. It does not help the Cuban people in the long run.

It's a sad situation, but Castro is to blame, not Bush. Why is it that people keep forgetting that?

And lets not EVEN mention Jimmy Carter. What a rube.

I totally agree with you. It's a choice you make. The American government didn't make you come over here in the first place.

Being an american-born child of cuban exile parents, I've grown up knowing i have a grandmother, aunts, uncles, and cousins in Cuba. Some have made their way over here, and some have chosen to stay with their wives, kids, parents, whatever over there.

Thanks for putting that side out there. I'm so tired of hearing people here in Miami whining and blaming our government for things for which it's not responsible. I love my roots, and my people, and my heritage, but I'm not about to get illogical about it, the way some members of my community expect everyone with even one ounce of Cuban blood in their veins to do.

"I came here not to make money but to be a free human being"

Nice

Well said.

The concept of sacrifice for freedom is so foreign in our society now that I am beginning to be really concerned. I am glad that you recognize that every good thing costs - often dearly. I hope that as a people we will remember that before it is too late.

How about the fact that the Bush Administration has made $780 million in direct sales to castro?
They call it humanitarian. How many people out there believe that the Cuban people are eating perdu chicken and land-o-lakes butter. Talk about being naive. Castro is doing what all dictators do with US humanitarian aid, He's selling it on the open market, and putting the profits right into his pocket. Maybe this is what you mean with the Price of freedom.

Madtom

Tom,

I dont know if its the actual Bush administration that made those deals, however, there are plenty of states, 36 I believe, that are presently dealing with or preparing to deal with Castro's government. I have blogged about this previously. Most of the traded food stuffs once in Cuba goes to the tourist hotels, and whatever is in excess undoubtedly ends up mostly in the black market.

the Cuban people get fucked by Fidel. As usual.

Tom: Is that an actual statement of fact? I notice that it is presented in the form of a question. Please quantify and qualify your resources. Please be specific as to names, dates, etc. I am interested in the teaser and see the hook, but without something,(other than you say it's so, I mean), you get a no sale, with me.(Not that that is important).

Bill:
http://www.ustreas.gov/offices/eotffc/ofac/sanctions/cuba.txt

quote from the above
"the Commerce Department authorizes the sale and
export or re-export of medicine and medical supplies, food and
agricultural commodities to Cuba."

Try a search on US sales to Cuba

Madtom

http://enzi.senate.gov/cuba.htm

This one is an eye opener

Madtom

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/americas/11/02/cuba.usa.trade.reut/

From the above
"Cuba to date has purchased and contracted for about $500 million in food products, including shipping costs, Pedro Alvarez, Chairman of state food-importer Alimport, said.

"We plan to sign $100 million in contracts at the fair, around half with the Americans," Alvarez told Reuters."

Madtom

Thanks for this Val. I excerpted it for the blog. You add perspective to the whole issue.

My grandfather left Spain, and never returned, for political reasons. He too was an exile.
Thank you for this post.

Val: "I don't know if its the actual Bush administration

Well Val what other administration can it be, The Shadow government?

Val: "there are plenty of states, 36 I believe,

You know that the sates don't do foreign policy, "the administration" makes all foreign policy decision.
The question stands why would the Administration directly support the regime and at the same time restrict the people to people contact that helps to take back some power from the state run institutions.
I fear that the recent moves by this administration are purely political and designed to garner votes from the community.
Once the election is over the Cuban issues will be put bake in there box and the plight of the people forgotten

"the Cuban people get fucked by Fidel. As usual

Not just by Fidel.

Madtom

Tom,

Please, seriously, look it up. each state has its own representatives.

You seriously need to get a grip on reality. Stating that the US screws the people of Cuba is absurd. So $780 million goes to Cuba from the US government, big deal. Lift the embargo and all the other millions will go to fidel as well.

Por favor mi hermano, dejate de hablar mierda. Si no te gusta Bush es una cosa, pero no le heches el muerto a el.

There's only one man responsible and one ideology responsible for the shit in Cuba.

Tu eres Pionero?

Val,

Yes each state has it's own representatives, and those representatives only look out for the interest of the people of each state as it should be. The questions of trade with Cuba are a federal issue.
Don't put words in my mouth, You said that $780 mil was screwing Cubans not me. I said that allowing direct sales to the regime and _at the same time_ restricting people to people contact was going to screw the Cubans. the two situation are not the same one give benefits to both the people and the government, the other only benefits the government with no relief at all for the people.
I am not blaming the US for the problems in Cuba. I am aware that the US Has intervened in Cuba in the past, nor do I believe that it is the responsibility of the US to intervene now. It's our, the Cubans peoples responsibility.
I just feel that my ability to help change is being curtailed.

Madtom

Tom,

I am not going to argue with you anyomre. You have absolutely no idea what the hell you are talking about. It friday, its late, and I have better things to do than try to teach you common sense.

No jodas mas asere, me tienes los huevos inchados ya.

Val,

I think is early Saturday, but what could be more important that to bring freedom to the homeland?

Madtom

Val - Not one penny to Castro! Some of us are still holding the line. Castro doesn't use the money sent back, collected as payments for "relatives to visit us in the United States," or even tourist dollars to help the Cuban people. Like Saddam Hussein and other dictators before and after him, he lines pockets and fills his Swiss Bank Accounts. No, not one penny. It may seem cruel, but those that contribute are not only lining his pocket, but propping up the government and setting up the next generation of dictators.

Not one penny to Castro!
Eleanor

I wish it were true, and I agree completely with your statements. But it looks like the current situation is quit the reverse. It's all pennies to Castro. As he is the direct beneficiary of all direct sales to the island.

Madtom