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If Jorge Mas Canosa were alive, I cannot believe that he would approve of this. Sad day indeed, heartbreaking.

All persons born in Cuba, spouses, and children born of persons born in Cuba, should have freedom of travel from/to Cuba if they so desire.

Yes, I support all of those who want to escape that tyranny and come to the USA to seek refuge and declare their rights as free human beings to live in "freedom", which also should include the right to return to their own mother country whenever they choose.

I am basing this on the principle of maintaining freedom and liberty from these shores - and not be held hostage to the policies of the tyranny in Cuba.

The courts have spoken again and again that a persons right to travel is subordinate to the federal government's foreign policy-making duties. Translation: it's not an inalienable right. Living in freedom also means living withing the laws established by duly elected officials. Right now the travel restrictions are the law. If you agree with Obama and Perez Roque then vote for Obama. If you think the only ones that will profit from such travel are the opressors then vote against him.

No arguement on what the "courts" have ruled, other than it is the "foreign policy" which I disagree wholeheartedly in this particular case, to which I don't ascribe any 'infallibility' to this "foreing policy", since it is the same "foreign policy" which continues to mandate the idiotic "wet foot dry foot" policy on those same freedom-seeking refugees.

There are many of us on the same side of wanting to topple, eliminate, destroy, this regime - there are disagreements as to what methods to employ to bring this about.

Is Magda Montiel related to Ana Menendez? They have the same ideology and the same cara de caballo. Montiel is the wife of Ira Kurzban, the Cuban regime attorney who is presently trying to sent another child in Miami back to Cuba.

MAS CANOSAS IS FREAKING BANGING HIS SKULL ON THE LID OF HIS CASKET. How stupidly absurd is the ridiculous CANF in this case. Vaya le ronca los cojones. I hope Fred Thompson beats the shit out of Candidates.

Oh Lord! How much longer is Main stream media going to milk this Obama comment? What is Obama, some sort of infallible God or something? I was reading that Time article linked to this Babalu post and it is so insulting. The media [of which Time Magazine is one of the worst offenders] is forever trying to depict the exile community as somehow controlled by "hardline" older Republican Cubans pitted against younger progressive Cubans [who are allegedly all moving to the Democratic party] and that it is in some kind of flux with younger Cubans wresting power from their "instransigent," "rightwinged," "banana republican," "mafioso," "hate-filled," elders. I've been reading this take on us for the last 20 years! Seriously! By now, the Cubans who were back in the late 80's early 90's young are middle aged or approaching middle age and our views as a community have not "moderated" [their words]. By the way, I hate that word "moderate" because it is a cue word for Castroite [i.e. Magda Montiel, Elena Freydee].

And have you all noticed how the MSM FOREVER seeks the opinions of people like Montiel, Freydee, Lisandro Perez, Max Castro, etc...

That Time article is another in a long list of abominations.

I think wet foot dry foot like any immigration policy is a domestic policy not a foreign policy.

Henry,

Whether one agrees or disagrees with the travel restrictions, your original post was at best disingenous, and at worst an example of shallow and twisted logic. This was a poor attempt to support your position, with ad hominem attacks on those who believe the US government should not have a hand in separating Cuban families.

By way of example: What do Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Eugene McCarthy and Henry Gomez have in common? They all hate(d) Stalin and are/where anti-communists. Gee, Henry it seems you have some things in common with some rather unsavory individuals. Does that disqualify your views? Does that make anti-communism a wicked thing? Does that mean you agree with them on everything, and for the same reasons?

If you have to resort to a cheap trick like that to support your position, there must not be much to recommend it.

Im so sick of hearing about these travel restrictions. For Crissakes, folks. What about the REAL travel restrictions? Why cant Cubans come visit their families here freely? I mean, if the Cuban governmnet is so concerned with the separation of families that they openly criticize the US travel restrictions, seems to me its quite easy for them to allow the cuban people to travel outside the island, no?

of course that wouldnt help furthering the Cuban governmnet's true agenda because its all about BRINGING MONEY INTO THE COUNTRY.

And i know some folks dont agree and will say but its family or something to that effect. But look at it pragmatically. We're on the precipice of some kind of change in Cuba with the death of fidel castro, despite what any media or politicians or experts say. We cant wait a few months to see how things turn out once castro's death is officially announced? Dont you think the remaining cuban governmnet is worried about SOMETHING being that theyre being so secret and covert about fidel castro's health?

if we keep focusing on this travel restriction issue, at least for the time being, we're falling right into the Cuban government's game.

Immigration is no longer a "domestic" issue. When you have potential terrorists sneaking in through an open door -- whether by sea or land -- then it becomes a foreign policy issue. I'm all for eliminating WF/DF, but we also have to maintain high vigilance to prevent those who intend us great harm from coming in to the country.

As to lifting the travel restrictions, my position has been crystalline for years. Drop the embargo and impose a blockade, a real honest-to-goodness blockade. Let's see how fast the fucking communists fall after that's imposed. There is only one way to deal with these bastards, and it's not "negotiation" or "dialogue," it's the sword.

You know I think the WF/DF policy is wrong. I think we should bring Cuban American travel inline with other Americans. Only licensed travel should be allowed! If you have to visit Tia Cuca in the hospital in January and go back to her funeral in May that should be ok. However if you are going to Cuba just to show off and go on vacation (and you happen to be Cuban American) that should be banned! Touris travel is tourist travel wether your Cuban or American!

It would be difficult to enforce a policy like this and would create alot of work for the US Govt. but that would be a fair and sensible policy.

ViVa Cuba Libre y Los Wajiros del Norte!!!

I don't care one way or another about the travel restrictions...I'm never going to Cuba while the commies are there.

But why don't we focus on what is really hurting us...and that is the fact that the USA refuses to allow the organization of an ARMED resistance against Cuba. How many of our fellow Cubans are rotting in US prisons for trying to organize real opposition in Cuba. Everybody knows the commies will NEVER leave on their own.

I'm sick to death of going around and around with topics that will not really make any difference one way or another.

Estoy mariada con tanta estupidez.

Grab your rifle! I will be right behind you...

I'm sick to death of going around and around with topics that will not really make any difference one way or another.

My sentiments exactly.

First, the topic here (I don't know about other "topics")matters to those who have family in Cuba. So, it does make a difference to them/us.

Secondly, if you are so "mareado" and disgusted by this topic, then why do you keep bringing it up in your Blog? You and/or your contributors blog about it almost every other week.

Senator Barack Obama has joined the debate on U.S. – Cuba Policy (Pierce, Inside Politics 8/22/07). Of course Senator Obama is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts. He claims that “the Bush administration has made grand gestures…while strategically blundering when it comes to actually advancing the cause of freedom and democracy in Cuba." What he doesn’t realize is that U.S. efforts to promote democracy in Cuba have been more than pandering to Cuban-Americans to garner votes. In July 2006, the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba recommended $80 million to encourage Cubans to form civil society groups as building blocks for a future democracy. Millions were allocated for Internet access, civil society support, and education. The commission recommended $20 million for Cuban democracy efforts "until the dictatorship ceases to exist." The pro-democracy leaders on the island have repeatedly stated their gratitude and the importance of that assistance. That's hardly the "grand gestures" of which Senator Obama claims the Bush administration has been guilty of.

If you want an end to travel restrictions for family be prepared for an end to refugee designation as well. You can´t have it both ways.

That is ver true...with immigration debates heating up again we are walking a fine line...

LittleGator,

I know many Cubans who help their families on the island without ever going there. Indeed, they could never go back for fear of being arrested.

I'm not against you visiting your loved ones, but don't try to tell me that the only way to help them is by your personal visit.

I would rather spend my money on trying to get them out. Or changing the reason why you have to help them in the first place.

What I object to is only talking about things that will never make a change...

There are two ways that I look at Cuba...one is the reality now and another is what are the possibilities for real change in the future.

We need to address both.

I would tell the USA to get out of the way. Since they have been nothing but obstructionists for 40+ years.

The restrictions on travel and remittances by and from family members to Cuba is a topic that matters because their existence and enforcement by the U.S. government is an example of the mess that is so much of current American policy towards Cuba. The government enforces them vigorously, while at the same time allowing American agricultural interests to cut million dollar deals with the dictatorship in Havana. I oppose lifting the ban on tourist travel and other parts of the embargo. But it seems to me that Cuban Americans worried about family on the island should be shown the same "humanitarian" consideration as American farmers.

You don't have to agree with Obama to appreciate how he has re-ignited an important debate about ALL aspects of American policy towards Cuba — a debate that is best had now.

Also, the statement that immigration is not a foreign policy concern belies the fact that for decades, Cuban refugees/migrants/immigrants have received special consideration — and rightfully so — as part of the diplomatic/political dance with the bastards in Havana. It has been a question of foreign policy.

It was only when Cuban immigration policy became a primarily domestic concern, that President Clinton stuck Cubans, and the United States, with a morally bankrupt policy like wet foot, dry foot.

Gator,

find where I stated that this issue "didnt matter". Please dont put words in my mouth.

Did you read my comment at all?

I revise the beginning of my previous comment:

The restrictions on travel and remittances by and from family members to Cuba is a topic that makes a difference ...

Marc,

Some time ago and something ive never mentioned on the blog before, when I was having my pool resurfaced, I threw one of the Cuban workers off of my property because he, and I quote "fue a Cuba a templar y vivir como un turista."

While I know that this guy's reasoning may not be the general concensus when it comes to traveling to Cuba by Cuban-Americans, and that some if not most do honestly go back to "visit" family, how the hell do you differentiate the two and police it?

You cant spit in Miami without hitting a place that sells telephone cards. You cant spit in Miami without hitting a place that transfers money to family in Cuba. You cant spit in Miami with hitting aplace that sends medicines and other necessities to family in Cuba. You dont have to actually travel there, taking in much needed money for the regime while doing so, to help family in Cuba.

Jesus Christ on a pogo stick! How long are we supposed to be paying ransom? And as long as we keep paying, what IMPETUS does the Cuban government have to release their hostages?

What, people cant wait a fucking year before seeing a family member?

Damnit man. Has fidel castro and his government have not only ruined our country and separated our families, but cut off our balls as well?

Mavi,

I have no disagreement with what you've just stated. For the record, I have never said that visiting the Island is the only way to help family. I understand, and respect those who have vowed never to visit while the castro brothers are in power. But, I think differently, and demand that same respect for my position.

Henry's post equating me (and the many other likeminded individuals) with the likes of Montiel-Davis was not only shallow, lacking in logic and a cheap rhetorical trick, but also personally insulting.

Marc,

How does it make a difference?

I'm not being sarcastic...I just don't see anything changing after all of these years of coming and going.

It makes a difference to the individual and so I'm not against helping to feed your loved ones.

But what about those who don't have anyone outside of Cuba to help them? What can they do...perhaps become prostitutes for some of those foreign tourists or emigrants?

When the US talks about policies towards Cuba, they always pretend that these are intended to change the status quo. I just don't believe that anything they currently do will actually make a change and that is the context in which I said it "didn't matter"

LittleGator...I get it now.

Soon after castro's death is announced, the U.S. should cancel all remittances and travel to Cuba for six months. Let’s see how long raulita and his cadre can hold on.

Firefly,

I agree 100% with that BUT get ready because the full scale offensive in the propaganda wars is going to be to do the exact opposite. They will portray Raul as a reformer that the US should negotiate with and that with fidel gone they will claim the last debris of reasons to keep sanction Cuba are gone too. In other words we're going to have to fight like hell JUST TO KEEP THE STATUS QUO.

Little Gator, the difference is I'm not running for office. The Cuban government doesn't endorse my positions because it doesn't see any benefit for them. Are the commies going to come out and say that they agree with Obama because the regime needs the money increased remittances and travel represent? No of course not. They aren't going to say that that's why they are pissed about the slow processing of the 20,000 visas either. They make it all about humanitarian grounds. The same spiel that Obama makes. I'm a conservative which means I have to THINK about the outcomes a policy WILL bring about not FEEL about the outcomes that WISH would come about.

We have the evidence. Travel to Cuba was much easier 8 years ago and it those "people to people contacts didn't do anything except help prop up the regime with the dollars those people brought. As val says we're just giving money to the hostage-takers with a hope that they will treat the hostages better.

That, to me is a ridiculous solution in dealing with the animals in Havana.

This discussion is forgetting a certain point about Cuba and its exiles that we must always remember:
Hundreds of thousands of Cubans who fled the island did so not knowing if they were ever coming back. Yes, some hoped that the castro regime would fall soon and they could return. But they knew the moment they walked across that tarmac to the airplane with their one suitcase carrying two-days worth of clothes after being searched and stripped of all their jewelry, momentos, photographs, etc.; after having milicianos look down their children's underwear for hidden items; after having their wives, daughters and mothers subjected to humiliating strip searches; they knew they would not return until the despotic regime in place was gone.

Perhaps we have forgotten what our parents and grandparents went through and the reasons they feel so strongly about this subject.

Alberto-Most of us have not forgotten, but thanks for the memories.

Yeah, thanks Alberto. That experience at the airport was one of the most traumatic in my life. Every time I think about what they did to us, I'm six years old again, and afraid for my life. The look on my parents face was and still is devastating to me. Esas cosas nunca se olvidan.

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