Restricting Americans access to Cuba was a blunder, is now and has been for a long time. Lets restrict access of lobbyists to Congress instead.
7
As a Cuban-American Republican, I long ago concluded that the US embargo and travel ban were not only detrimental to the Cuban people but also at odds with the Republican philosophy of limited government. Everything related to US policy on Cuba during the past 55 years, from the embargo to the "wet foot/dry foot" immigration policy is anachronistic and in need of a massive overhaul. It is very rewarding to see that a long time hardliner on Cuba policy like Secretary Gutierrez has reached the same conclusion. Others in our community to step up and acknowledge the need for a new direction in Cuba policy.
7
Conflicting Republican values - making money and being self-righteously punitive
1
The only way for the better ideas and solutions to win is to freely exchange and test them in our lives.
Any assumption that we are perfectly good and that our opponents are perfectly bad is extremely biased and full of prejudice, hubris and egoism.
Nobody is perfect. That’s the truth known to the humanity for a couple of millenniums.
Embargo on Cuba in essence obstructs the free flow and exchange of ideas and protects the status quo in Havana…
Any assumption that we are perfectly good and that our opponents are perfectly bad is extremely biased and full of prejudice, hubris and egoism.
Nobody is perfect. That’s the truth known to the humanity for a couple of millenniums.
Embargo on Cuba in essence obstructs the free flow and exchange of ideas and protects the status quo in Havana…
4
The only way for the better ideas and the solutions to win is to freely exchange them and test them in our lives.
Any assumption that we are perfectly good and that our opponents are perfectly bad is extremely biased and full of bias, hubris and egoism.
Nobody is perfect. That’s the truth know to the humanity for a couple of millenniums.
Embargo on Cuba in essence obstructs the flow and exchange of the ideas and protects the status quo in Havana…
Any assumption that we are perfectly good and that our opponents are perfectly bad is extremely biased and full of bias, hubris and egoism.
Nobody is perfect. That’s the truth know to the humanity for a couple of millenniums.
Embargo on Cuba in essence obstructs the flow and exchange of the ideas and protects the status quo in Havana…
On the whole I agree.
However, "Cuban-Americans and the G.O.P. must look to the future instead of the past." demonstrates a high level of naiveté. Republicans do not look to the future, can not look to the future and still be Republicans. Maybe Cuban-Americans can help...
However, "Cuban-Americans and the G.O.P. must look to the future instead of the past." demonstrates a high level of naiveté. Republicans do not look to the future, can not look to the future and still be Republicans. Maybe Cuban-Americans can help...
1
The pandering spinelessness of this op-ed reflects the real reason for the Republicans' angst over the President's decision on the opening to Cuba: none of them would have had the political courage and vision to do make the same decision because they're too afraid of each other.
1
In the totaling up of pros and cons and past grievances on the Cuba - US relationship, I rarely see lip service given to the corruption of the Batista regime (heavy US involvement), the US Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, multiple decades of gun-boat diplomacy by the US in the Caribbean, Teddy Roosevelt's trumped up escapades after the Maine was blown up. It would help much to give a more balanced and historical review as to why relations evolved to be so bad. Fidel and his version of Soviet supported communism have been economic and political failures, but have kept his country independent.
3
Great letter very balanced and to the point.
I run a site called www.cubainternacional.com. My site is an information resource for Cuban-Americans who want to help their family members start private businesses (Cuentapropia) in Cuba. What is most needed is a balanced and intelligent approach to the new relationship between the USA and Cuba. The ability to obtain sponsorship from american sources will greatly help those fledgling entrepreneurs in Cuba create an grassroots organic free market sector.
I run a site called www.cubainternacional.com. My site is an information resource for Cuban-Americans who want to help their family members start private businesses (Cuentapropia) in Cuba. What is most needed is a balanced and intelligent approach to the new relationship between the USA and Cuba. The ability to obtain sponsorship from american sources will greatly help those fledgling entrepreneurs in Cuba create an grassroots organic free market sector.
1
Thanks Mr Gutierrez for writing honestly about Cuba-US relations. This is the right path. Overwhelming majority of Cubans and almost 70% of Americans support this approach. I can not understand these so called "Cuban-Americans" lawmakers that are just ignoring this reality.
1
As a moderate Cuban-American Democrat from Miami who twice voted for President Obama, I have come to the view that lifting the embargo--if done correctly--will help move Cuba toward democracy. (I do question whether doing it without extracting at least some meaningful concessions from the Castro government is doing it correctly.) But when reading the comments to a Cuba story I am always struck by the role reversal of liberal readers who chastise those who are hard on the Castro regime. Just like conservatives who, when it comes to the issue of abortion, are willing to dispense with their typical advocacy for less intrusion by government, when it comes to Cuba issues these liberals are quick to turn a blind eye to the real issue: the repression of human rights that they typically hold inviolate. The irony is rich when liberals argue in favor of the Castro government in one breath and in the next criticize the US government for depriving those in Guantanamo of basic due process. Were they in Cuba, on the other side of the fence at Guantamo, there's a good chance they would be jailed if they dared to express in public negative views of the Castro government. But I suppose that is an inconvenient truth that gets in the way of their bashing of Cuban-Americans.
4
Safety & security? Are you not aware that the US has one of the highest murder rates is the world, and the highest incarceration rate in the world?
3
I recall thinking when this first hit just before Christmas that we can look to Vietnam and the normalization of relations as a guide: It was just about 20 years before that our country had ended its portion of a war and yet we began-courtesy the Clinton Administration. Now, Vietnam is part of the TPP and TPA. (not withstanding your views on that subject.) Me thinx the point is that we, as a country has to continually move forward. The Cold War is over, unless you are Vladamir Putin.
2
It is time to let the free market proselytize nations instead of guns and weapons. A headlong rush to Capitalism may cause permanent harm as it did when the party oligarchs privatized Russia, or the damage from the land grab of the party apparatchiks in China that is just becoming visible. Perhaps a European style government with a powerful social net at the outset will be acceptable to all Cubans. Whatever, it's great to know that there still are some sensible Republicans.
1
Mr. Gutierrez is simply telling his fellow Republicans and "Conservatives", that the "war" with Cuba, like the Civil War is over, has been for quite a while. We just need to wake up to that reality and get on with our lives. The unpleasantness and injustices that transpired in those wars, like in all wars, cannot all be resolved and tied up nicely in a bow. We will have to write off a lot of our resentments, disappointments and anger and think of a more pleasant and fruitful future for the coming generations.
So it is time to break the defiant padlocks and chains on flagpoles and our lawbooks (Helms-Burton in this case) and put the past where it belongs, behind, and move lighter and cheerier into the future.
So it is time to break the defiant padlocks and chains on flagpoles and our lawbooks (Helms-Burton in this case) and put the past where it belongs, behind, and move lighter and cheerier into the future.
4
The Cuban exiles in Miami wanted the U.S. to punish the Castros endlessly for taking their property, wealth and status on the island. They succeeded in that mission for far too long. American policy was tied to a small group of angry, single minded people.
To some extent, the Cuban revolution was justified. Change was necessary and it wasn't going to happen under a harsh, dictatorial regime. Just like in Russia, however, one dictatorship was replaced by another. We helped Castro to stay in power by playing into his story that capitalists wanted to take him down. We helped to build generations of support for Castro, even while the people suffered. We made ourselves into bullies who would not stop even when the victim was lying bloody on the street.
Freedom leads to more freedom. This is the message sent from around the world over the last three decades. Once people get a taste of freedom and find a means to demand more, they don't stop. Cuba is an independent, strong willed nation and we can't ensure the pathway forward will be toward a better day. We are not in charge. But, we can stop making it worse and that is what we have begun.
If they could live for another 800 years, the "historicos" in Miami would still be shouting, "Down with Castro!". We need to move on.
17
As Republicans, except perhaps the writer, can never admit that President Obama has ever done anything right they will have to find a way to take credit for reestablishing relationships with Cuba once they realize that it was the right thing to do.
5
In general this is a positive piece. Interaction between our people will greatly help the economy of Cuba and also help us to understand the Cuban people.
1
Reports elsewhere in the Times tell a story of dissenters being locked up, artists being censored and jailed for angering the "officials."
This will never do.
We all want good things for the Cuban people but it's not right for the Castro government to continue it's repression of the outside world. Open up the internet. Allow your people free access to ideas and let them freely express their ideas. If your way is so good then you have nothing to fear.
As Frank Zappa said: "Without deviation there is no progress."
This will never do.
We all want good things for the Cuban people but it's not right for the Castro government to continue it's repression of the outside world. Open up the internet. Allow your people free access to ideas and let them freely express their ideas. If your way is so good then you have nothing to fear.
As Frank Zappa said: "Without deviation there is no progress."
5
I am one of those Americans who went to Cuba recently, avoiding the sanctioned "educational" tours, entering on my own through Mexico. The 10 day trip there included stops at the Bay of Pigs (where I learned that Cubans are still very angry about that stupid attempt to invade them), and the new war memorial to fallen Cuban Revolutionaries and Che Guevara in Santa Clara (a wealthy young man who became a revolutionary hero), and some wonderful restored colonial cities where I always felt safe.
Biking through the countryside, I saw vibrant, healthy, friendly people, with modern cars and busses, but also horse carts, and peasants plowing fields with oxen. Most get by on little material wealth, but since the rest of the world has been going there for decades there is a nice tourist industry. The most interesting thing I experienced was staying in Havana in a private B&B (called "casa particulares", made legal by Raoul Castro) in an apartment in Havana. The mixed couple who ran it and lived there had gotten a license from the government by upgrading their clean apartment with 2 lockable rooms, a private bathroom, AC and a fan in each. I had a few hours of conversation with them and found them eager to learn how to get their business to be successful with the hoped for wave of Americans. I urge the adventurous to go there, stay in casa particulares as much as possible, and meet real Cubans. Its way past time to normalize relations with Cuba, go see it and judge for yourself.
Biking through the countryside, I saw vibrant, healthy, friendly people, with modern cars and busses, but also horse carts, and peasants plowing fields with oxen. Most get by on little material wealth, but since the rest of the world has been going there for decades there is a nice tourist industry. The most interesting thing I experienced was staying in Havana in a private B&B (called "casa particulares", made legal by Raoul Castro) in an apartment in Havana. The mixed couple who ran it and lived there had gotten a license from the government by upgrading their clean apartment with 2 lockable rooms, a private bathroom, AC and a fan in each. I had a few hours of conversation with them and found them eager to learn how to get their business to be successful with the hoped for wave of Americans. I urge the adventurous to go there, stay in casa particulares as much as possible, and meet real Cubans. Its way past time to normalize relations with Cuba, go see it and judge for yourself.
16
The US Congress should move quickly and repeal the Helms-Burton Act so we can have normal relations with Cuba. We should also need to close Guantanamo and return that territory to the Cuban people. Nothing else will do.
7
I remain opposed to another Obama foreign policy debacle. As an American of Cuban heritage, I do not oppose rapprochement. However, how about a deal that allows the release of political prisoners and stop Cuban support for revolution through Central and South America first! Arming the FMLN, propping up the Venezuelan government....like his Iran deal, the President is simply giving away American largesse, good will, and American policy that has been built for decades. If the President wants to "reset" US-Cuba relations, GREAT! Lets first cut a deal that honors the lives lost and sacrificed over the decades by requiring some changes in the Cubans first.
3
isn't the dept of commerce one of the rat holes in government republicans want to shut down? Isn't the Cuban embargo the toy republicans use to keep Cuban American voters blinded to modernity?
Good for you, Mr. Gutierrez, for joining the 21st Century. Someday I hope the rest of your party will likewise make the move.
Good for you, Mr. Gutierrez, for joining the 21st Century. Someday I hope the rest of your party will likewise make the move.
4
Like all the unreformed and probably incorrigible cigar smokers, I view with regret the so-called trade agreement with Cuban dictatorship as a poor and hypocritical joke. When will we see Cuban cigars this side of the Straits of Florida?
2
Doing business in Cuba is highly risky. Read this recent report by a major company that echoes other reports:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article...
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article...
2
Cuba would have been recognized long ago but for the Florida Cubans and their political clout. The rationale for Cuban isolation because of communism, human rights violations and sponsorship of terrorism is beyond farce as we have long ago recognized and traded with Russia, China, Viet Nam and propped up bloody minded Central American dictators.
That Mr. Gutierrez cites that improvement will come to Cuba with the introduction of capitalism suggests an eventual return to the good old days under Fulgencio Batista, you know, the paradise before Castro took over. Cuba will soon become ripe for the pickings...by the children of those who plucked it clean before.
Our policy towards Cuba has been shameful...the intentional impoverishment of an island country through embargoed isolation. And isn't it more shameful to now view that induced poverty as a self serving business opportunity?
That Mr. Gutierrez cites that improvement will come to Cuba with the introduction of capitalism suggests an eventual return to the good old days under Fulgencio Batista, you know, the paradise before Castro took over. Cuba will soon become ripe for the pickings...by the children of those who plucked it clean before.
Our policy towards Cuba has been shameful...the intentional impoverishment of an island country through embargoed isolation. And isn't it more shameful to now view that induced poverty as a self serving business opportunity?
29
Failed policies with other totalitarian nations should not be repeated with Cuba. Foreign money pumped into China, Vietnam and Burma has not changed sociopolitical conditions for the better in those countries. Foreign money props up tyrannical regimes. The embargo is not to blame for the misery in Cuba. The embargo was actually successful. Obama's diplomacy was the failure. The blame lies squarely with Castro, the totalitarian form of government and the international community that has propped up the despicable regime with money for the past 54 years.
What is really shameful is the mass ignorance that has kept Castro in power all these years.
What is really shameful is the mass ignorance that has kept Castro in power all these years.
3
Sugar plantations and sugar beet farms may also affect our policy toward Cuba, which is not foreign policy but domestic expediency. If Florida was not a swing state, its Cubans would not have political clout.
Thought provoking. Agree, US and international Cuba policy has been a misguided, abysmal mess. I just don't see the attempt to open things up as a return to what was bad before Castro. Let's hope a new hybrid filled with opportunities in Cuba and beyond shows the path forward to shared profits and prosperity.
The process of normalization with Cuba must be open, include dissidents in Cuba, exile groups, as well as business interests and the Cuban government.
We need hearings in Congress to explore grievances and how to approach them.
The Cuban government must understand that normalization includes respect for all parties, and a path to a democratic order that supports human rights.
We need hearings in Congress to explore grievances and how to approach them.
The Cuban government must understand that normalization includes respect for all parties, and a path to a democratic order that supports human rights.
5
Those same forces that tried to turn Havana into Las Vegas are now salivating over the prospect of erecting the Venetian while driving a '57 Chevy. All i can say is Cuba, tener cuidado.
3
The opening is indeed modest and overdue. Diplomatic relations do not equate to normalization. Cuba is changing slowly but has a long way to go before it is ready for "normal" relations with the United States. It is premature to talk about Cuba as a tourist destination. Those of us who have been know that it doesn't have the infrastructure to handle many more visitors that it now hosts. Those of us who have read Cuba's investment laws know that it doesn't have the legal infrastructure to attract significant investments. Normalization will be a long, and for some in Cuba, a painful process.
1
It is a historical and sociopolitical fact that tourism and trade does not produce democratic reforms in totalitarian nations. It is also a fact that doing business with a regime that controls all aspects of society is highly risky and volatile. Entrepreneurs that have visited Cuba have stated the same. Recent economic reports buttress the aforementioned. Obama has made all the concessions, and Castro has made none. To spend money in Cuba is to support a murderous dictatorship that has killed innocent thousands without cause or trial.
U.S. tourism to Cuba is illegal. The U.S. Congress is currently passing legislation to prohibit illegal tourism disguised as educational or cultural visits. In all honesty, Obama's ill-advised, wrongful rapprochement with the Castro regime is going nowhere. Freedom for Cuba!
U.S. tourism to Cuba is illegal. The U.S. Congress is currently passing legislation to prohibit illegal tourism disguised as educational or cultural visits. In all honesty, Obama's ill-advised, wrongful rapprochement with the Castro regime is going nowhere. Freedom for Cuba!
3
The Goal of every Cuba-American should be to show the Cuban people that Capitalism and Freedom walk hand in hand - we succeed in different Country with hard work and perseverance - they can too or remain stagnant for another 56 years!
2
99 percent of the people in the U.S. who write dispariging articles about Cuba and its government — invariably called its "rigime" — have never been there. I have, with a licensed study group, and observed that there in no poverty in Cuba in the traditional sense of the word.
That is, people don't have much money, but no one is poor in the sense that they are left out of society. By law everyone has housing; there are no homeless. By law, everyone has at least a share of what there is to eat. By law, everyone has free medical care and gets a free education from pre-school through their P.hd.
There are no squalid scenes such as we can witness in "free," "capitalist" Mexico where there are literally a million people living in a shantytown at the city dump. "Poor" or not, the Cuban people have dignity,. and are far too well educated to believe that having U.S. business priorities shoved down their throat will somehow "liberate" them.
Those who talk of "rights" for Cubans are often as not talking of their own right to exploit the Cuban people — like U.S. businesses did in the good old days when the viscious dictator and American puppet Batista ran the island.
That is, people don't have much money, but no one is poor in the sense that they are left out of society. By law everyone has housing; there are no homeless. By law, everyone has at least a share of what there is to eat. By law, everyone has free medical care and gets a free education from pre-school through their P.hd.
There are no squalid scenes such as we can witness in "free," "capitalist" Mexico where there are literally a million people living in a shantytown at the city dump. "Poor" or not, the Cuban people have dignity,. and are far too well educated to believe that having U.S. business priorities shoved down their throat will somehow "liberate" them.
Those who talk of "rights" for Cubans are often as not talking of their own right to exploit the Cuban people — like U.S. businesses did in the good old days when the viscious dictator and American puppet Batista ran the island.
19
"'Poor' or not, the Cuban people have dignity,. and are far too well educated to believe that having U.S. business priorities shoved down their throat will somehow "liberate" them".
If you are so sure of that, I assume you have no objection to free, open elections in a multi-party context. Yes?
If you are so sure of that, I assume you have no objection to free, open elections in a multi-party context. Yes?
3
I'm a conservative who finds President Obama's partial opening to Cuba long overdue.
If we wish to influence another society to move toward our norms, the answer is more contact with America and Americans, not less. No force we can muster -- not the dollar, not the bullet, not the treaty pen -- is more corrosive to tyrrany than our culture.
Before a wave of music, movies and iPads, totalitarianism crumbles like sugar in the rain. It's happened before and it will happen again.
In a perfect world, this change in status would include an explicit mea culpa from the Cuban leadership and the end to repressive practices. We aren't getting that. But we've tried the other course for a half-century. And by now, almost half that period has elapsed after Soviet sponsorship ceased to be an issue.
Among nations as it is among neighbors: Sunshine is healthier than shadow, and more contact is healthier than less.
If we wish to influence another society to move toward our norms, the answer is more contact with America and Americans, not less. No force we can muster -- not the dollar, not the bullet, not the treaty pen -- is more corrosive to tyrrany than our culture.
Before a wave of music, movies and iPads, totalitarianism crumbles like sugar in the rain. It's happened before and it will happen again.
In a perfect world, this change in status would include an explicit mea culpa from the Cuban leadership and the end to repressive practices. We aren't getting that. But we've tried the other course for a half-century. And by now, almost half that period has elapsed after Soviet sponsorship ceased to be an issue.
Among nations as it is among neighbors: Sunshine is healthier than shadow, and more contact is healthier than less.
7
Whenever people talk about how bad things are in Cuba, they neglect the fact that the communist revolution was a popular one because the Batista regime that preceded it was brutal and provided benefits only for a small privileged class. Indeed, that is probably one reason Cubans that remained are leery of a change...
14
The Cuban people did not know Castro was a communist until 1961. By then, it was too late to change anything. Castro and the military had the weapons; the ordinary Cuban did not. The Castro regime is exponentially worse than the Batista regime. At least under Batista, civil liberties had not been completely eradicated. Before 1959, Cuba was a beautiful, advanced and progressive country. There was a strong, prosperous middle-class. The educational and healthcare systems were one of the best in the Western hemisphere. The literacy rate was already high and infant mortality rates were low.
Today, Cubans live in fear and are continually repressed and exploited; not just by Castro but also by the apathy of the world community. Unfortunately, Cubans find themselves in a state of learned helplessness and impotence. However, Cuba's brave dissidents are making some progress. We must all support their struggle for civil liberties and democratic reforms. Obama's plan will not work because foreign money has never produced freedom in totalitarian regimes. Obama has also shamefully ignored the blatant, ongoing atrocities in Cuba.
Today, Cubans live in fear and are continually repressed and exploited; not just by Castro but also by the apathy of the world community. Unfortunately, Cubans find themselves in a state of learned helplessness and impotence. However, Cuba's brave dissidents are making some progress. We must all support their struggle for civil liberties and democratic reforms. Obama's plan will not work because foreign money has never produced freedom in totalitarian regimes. Obama has also shamefully ignored the blatant, ongoing atrocities in Cuba.
4
Mr. Gutierrez, I appreciate your analysis but I hope you have no intention of running for office as a Republican or ever again serving in a Republican administration because there is a sizable, hard-core contingent in that party who so despise our current President that NOTHING he does can possibly be right. But I assume that your current position at Albright Stonebridge is safe and, perhaps, may even be enhanced by an opening with Cuba.
7
Does anyone notice that The New York Times rarely posts an article critical of Obama's overtures to the Castro regime? The author of this article is woefully mistaken. Since December of 2014, we have seen no economic or political improvement in Cuba. Free markets do not exist in Cuba. The so-called "private" businesses there are controlled and heavily taxed by the Castro regime. Foreign businesses are also controlled and manipulated. Castro uses foreign money to enrich himself, repress the ordinary Cuban and fund terrorist organizations. Entrepreneurs that have visited Cuba have already stated that businesses will not be able to flourish in such a controlled, repressive environment. A bona fide judicial system does not exist to address grievances. And of course, civil liberties do not exist for anyone in Cuba; not even foreigners. It is a fact that doing business in Cuba is ill-advised and highly risky.
U.S. tourism to Cuba is illegal. The U.S. Congress is currently passing legislation to prohibit illegal tourism disguised as educational or cultural visits. To spend money in Cuba is to support a murderous, repugnant regime that has killed innocent thousands without cause or trial.
It is a historical fact that commerce and tourism has never produced democratic reforms in totalitarian nations. All the money in the world will not bring democracy to Cuba. The U.S. people are being fed fairy tales. Rapprochement with the Castro regime is going nowhere. Freedom for Cuba!
U.S. tourism to Cuba is illegal. The U.S. Congress is currently passing legislation to prohibit illegal tourism disguised as educational or cultural visits. To spend money in Cuba is to support a murderous, repugnant regime that has killed innocent thousands without cause or trial.
It is a historical fact that commerce and tourism has never produced democratic reforms in totalitarian nations. All the money in the world will not bring democracy to Cuba. The U.S. people are being fed fairy tales. Rapprochement with the Castro regime is going nowhere. Freedom for Cuba!
6
Lifting the Cuban embargo would be a worthy experiment. I suspect that exposure to free markets will slowly cause erosion of the communist system. It is a bloodless way of giving the Cuban people a chance evolve into democratic capitalism.
Of course, if they use the U.S. as a model, then most of the prosperity will flow into the hands of a few oligarchs, and history may repeat itself.
Perhaps the revolutionaries had right idea after all :)
Of course, if they use the U.S. as a model, then most of the prosperity will flow into the hands of a few oligarchs, and history may repeat itself.
Perhaps the revolutionaries had right idea after all :)
6
What a revelation to read a reasonable and common-sense analysis of the restoration of Cuban-American ties. Republicans should welcome this new era; after all, they consider only the bottom line. Cuba is a poor country, but American goods and services to the island will boost the Cuban economy, improve the lives of their citizens, the money will flow into business accounts. Republicans don't care about much else. As for the angry Cuban-American population in Miami who hate President Obama because their Republican masters require it, I might suggest that you make a choice. You're either Cubans or Americans; there is no in-between. Your vibrant culture, language, history, music, artistic and athletic contributions have contributed greatly to America's cultural enrichment with positive reverberations throughout the Western Hemisphere. Back in the 70's, the Black-Hispanic-Caucasian group War had a great anthem that became popular; its title: Why Can't We Be Friends?
11
Our decades old policy toward Cuba has been flawed from its onset and contributed to much of the animosity between the Cuban government and the United States. The Batista Regime that was overthrown by Castro and the Cuban people had strong ties to exploitive American businesses and organized crime. Is that that status quo that those opposed to normalized relations prefer? We are not the victim, the Cuban people have had to suffer the consequences of our failed policies. We have more strategic and pressing concerns in this country. Return Guantanamo Bay, normalize relations, lift travel restrictions and start acting like good neighbors. It is time.
7
If most other nations in this world, including Canada and Mexico, have normal relations with Cuba, of what value is it to average U.S. citizens for us not to have such normal relations?
12
To paraphrase an old protest chant: Cuba Si! Yanqui Si!
2
but ... if we have improved relations with Cuba, won't all the other countries fall to Communism like dominoes? (sarcasm)
The better way to improve relations, whether interpersonal or international, is to find areas of agreement and build on them, rather than finding areas of disagreement and building walls. Of course, there is no evidence whatsoever that our elected representatives in DC are aware of this principle. Or perhaps they are all too aware of the partisan gains they make by building walls.
The better way to improve relations, whether interpersonal or international, is to find areas of agreement and build on them, rather than finding areas of disagreement and building walls. Of course, there is no evidence whatsoever that our elected representatives in DC are aware of this principle. Or perhaps they are all too aware of the partisan gains they make by building walls.
8
If this guy was really interested in human rights, freedom, etc., he would not be a republican. I hold many Cuban Americans in a very skeptical portion of my brain: they have benefited greatly by coming here-- what have they done to help others once they arrived? I see them as elitists, amassing power and wealth to hold over others.
5
That's what many of them werre before they got kicked out, or left voluntarily. The Florida Cuban contingent is largely made up of Batista's former ruling class and cronies, or at least it was initially and its sons and daughters have mostly followed suit. Their interest in "democracy," here or in Cuba, is questionable.
4
I do not why all the hoopla about reopening relations with Cuba. The land is very poor (average monthly income is USD $20 and owes money to everyone that has lend them monies in the past. It has a parasitic economy dependent on foreign subsidies (for 30 years it lived off the former Soviet Union and presently from a 100,000 oil barrel per day subsidy from Venezuela).
The tourism industry is run by the military. In a country of 11 millions less than 300,000 cubans are allowed to be self-employed. In other words, the fifty-six year old government reaps all the economic benefits from tourists visiting to the island.
I hear arguments that if travel restrictions by Americans end and millions of Americans are allowed to roam Cuba, this somehow will transform in a movement towards liberalization of Cuba's government. Millions of travellers from democracies like Canada, England, Spain and others too many to mention have had access and have visited Cuba in the past 20 years and the Cuban government has only increased its desire to stay in power to the detriment of its citizens.
The cuban government's control over the economy is so extreme that foreign companies in Cuba are not allowed to hire cubans directly. They get their employees from a cuban agency that charges for the services of the employees in US dollars and pays the worker a nominal amount.
The last thing the cuban people need is more tourists filling up the coffers of their slave masters.
The tourism industry is run by the military. In a country of 11 millions less than 300,000 cubans are allowed to be self-employed. In other words, the fifty-six year old government reaps all the economic benefits from tourists visiting to the island.
I hear arguments that if travel restrictions by Americans end and millions of Americans are allowed to roam Cuba, this somehow will transform in a movement towards liberalization of Cuba's government. Millions of travellers from democracies like Canada, England, Spain and others too many to mention have had access and have visited Cuba in the past 20 years and the Cuban government has only increased its desire to stay in power to the detriment of its citizens.
The cuban government's control over the economy is so extreme that foreign companies in Cuba are not allowed to hire cubans directly. They get their employees from a cuban agency that charges for the services of the employees in US dollars and pays the worker a nominal amount.
The last thing the cuban people need is more tourists filling up the coffers of their slave masters.
8
How would anyone expect an impoverished socialist totalitarian state to pay for the consequences of its revolution as a price for normalization five decades on? The world would never change if we lived by that standard. Maybe a hotel surtax in Havana, so visiting Americans can pay for Fidel's "debt" to Cuba's diaspora. Is America going to compensate Sunni Iraqis who lost everything after the US-Iraq war and installation of the Shiite government there? Is Israel going to compensate Palestinians for land and homes damaged or destroyed since 1967? Are we going to compensate Cambodia for damage to Angkor Wat caused by our bombs fifty years ago? Make your own list...it's extensive, global, and preposterous.
4
Yes, that free market you worship has done so much to raise living standards in Central America. Cuba should really take a page from Nicaragua.
3
I totally support Mr Gutierrez.
Although a bit older than him, I also came from Cuba in the early sixties and am convinced that the old policies are, well, old, but ineffective.
As I left Havana to come to an America where I became well educated, professional, college educator and published writer for the past few years, the official folks called me all kinds of names, "gusanos" (worms) the most prevalent at the time.
Two weeks ago, my recently graduated 18 year old grandson and a group of his HS classmates, went to Cuba in an educational visit where he was able to locate the Havana place where I grew up. This is the text of the staff at his hotel the day they left:
"Good morning. Dear guest. I hope that you have enjoyed our service. Have a nice day and good trip tomorrow. Come back soon for more time. Good luck. Signed: Anusis."
There were no accusations of "worm" in that note, simply a good will message. That is what we can expect from this new Cuba as Mr Gutierrez has articulated so well.
One more point. It seems to me that Messrs Rubio and Cruz would increase their credibility and political maturity if they went to Cuba and talked to the Anusises of that country before making economic decisions that don't affect them here.
Although a bit older than him, I also came from Cuba in the early sixties and am convinced that the old policies are, well, old, but ineffective.
As I left Havana to come to an America where I became well educated, professional, college educator and published writer for the past few years, the official folks called me all kinds of names, "gusanos" (worms) the most prevalent at the time.
Two weeks ago, my recently graduated 18 year old grandson and a group of his HS classmates, went to Cuba in an educational visit where he was able to locate the Havana place where I grew up. This is the text of the staff at his hotel the day they left:
"Good morning. Dear guest. I hope that you have enjoyed our service. Have a nice day and good trip tomorrow. Come back soon for more time. Good luck. Signed: Anusis."
There were no accusations of "worm" in that note, simply a good will message. That is what we can expect from this new Cuba as Mr Gutierrez has articulated so well.
One more point. It seems to me that Messrs Rubio and Cruz would increase their credibility and political maturity if they went to Cuba and talked to the Anusises of that country before making economic decisions that don't affect them here.
21
Looks like a story of Marco Rubio. He is also Cuban. Rubio is a child of Cuban immigrants who came to America in 1956. Cuba is very picturesque country for tourism. But i still don't understand why Obama wants to restore relations with Cuba which were canceled in 1962 during the Cuban missile crisis. Cuba has lot's of cheap labor for corporations of America and mineral resources.
1
Communism is dead. Just go to Berlin and stay in the old East Berlin part. It is a beacon of capitalism and growth. Cuba was a red light country for America during it's past and these enterprising people were reduced to clowns for American criminals. Now it is time to open tje country up to it's potential and join the growth that Cuba entitled to. How this little island suffered for decades and still survived is a testament to all of the Cubans that had to stay under the Castro regime.
26
Trade and investment with Cuba will not necessarily nudge the Castro regime toward any political reforms.
Western European and Canadian and Latin democracies have been trading with Cuba for decades, and they have not advanced human rights on the island any more than our embargo has. So?
All over the world, we trade with repressive regimes that ignore international entreaties. Look at trade with China, look at trade with Venezuela, look at Zimbabwe. Or in history, look at trade with Nazi Germany, look at trade with the Soviet Union.
There is no need to romanticize or exaggerate what trade can accomplish. It's just business.
Western European and Canadian and Latin democracies have been trading with Cuba for decades, and they have not advanced human rights on the island any more than our embargo has. So?
All over the world, we trade with repressive regimes that ignore international entreaties. Look at trade with China, look at trade with Venezuela, look at Zimbabwe. Or in history, look at trade with Nazi Germany, look at trade with the Soviet Union.
There is no need to romanticize or exaggerate what trade can accomplish. It's just business.
11
Oh my. A republican actually supporting an Obama policy. Mr. Guiterrez needs to watch his back. Will he actually be allowed to stay in the Gross Old Party?
The opening to Cuba is an obvious one, full of opportunities for the hemisphere and should be supported by Congress and not allowed to be stymies by Presidential politics. But I am afraid that politics in this country always trumps what is best for actual people especially when you are talking about conservative Obama hating backward looking Tea Partiers.
The opening to Cuba is an obvious one, full of opportunities for the hemisphere and should be supported by Congress and not allowed to be stymies by Presidential politics. But I am afraid that politics in this country always trumps what is best for actual people especially when you are talking about conservative Obama hating backward looking Tea Partiers.
8
As a 35 year resident of South Florida the normalization of relations with Cuba will mean, no longer, in the name of liberating Cuba, will the Commandantes of Coral Gables:
Blow up Cubana airliners.
Shoot bazookas at a Polish freighter in the Port of Miami.
Fire bomb travel agencies.
Car bomb radio talk show hosts.
Destroy Miami Herald newspaper boxes.
An end to the corporate welfare known as Radio/TV Marti.
The end of the Cuban Adjustment Act, where every Cuban migrant gets to stay immediately, gets a green card in 1 year, citizenship in 5 years and
$19K, per year, indefinitely, in SSI, Section 8 Housing, Medicaid and SNAP.
Without ever having worked one day in the US or paid one penny in US taxes.
Blow up Cubana airliners.
Shoot bazookas at a Polish freighter in the Port of Miami.
Fire bomb travel agencies.
Car bomb radio talk show hosts.
Destroy Miami Herald newspaper boxes.
An end to the corporate welfare known as Radio/TV Marti.
The end of the Cuban Adjustment Act, where every Cuban migrant gets to stay immediately, gets a green card in 1 year, citizenship in 5 years and
$19K, per year, indefinitely, in SSI, Section 8 Housing, Medicaid and SNAP.
Without ever having worked one day in the US or paid one penny in US taxes.
23
Mr Gutierrez, Cuban Americans like you have kept this embargo alive for Sixty years. The time is long overdue for Cuba to stand up as an independent nation, only this action will be good for Cuban people. Your people have enabled Communism to thrive on this small island by transporting millions of dollars of goods to this island on a daily basis and blocking any positive legislation from ending the embargo.
We can only hope, after all these years, Cuba can shed it's communistic behavior and survive in the twenty first century.
We can only hope, after all these years, Cuba can shed it's communistic behavior and survive in the twenty first century.
9
Republicans will continue to try to overturn this even if it is good for America. They have tried to overturn everything Obama has done since elected, out of hate. There is no reasoning with them - they work only to undo him. If the supremes negate the ACA for states, it will come back to bite them where they sit and they are already squirming and saying maybe we can keep the federal help to states (until after the next election) The only thing Obama has tried to pass that they all jumped on the bandwagon is the TPP which makes me very leery about it.
4
Right on. Let us place pettiness aside, for a change. Lets think big. Generosity pays back severalfold (almost always).
3
WIth all due respect, let's just do it! Cuba is a failed communist state... and providing Americans and Cuban people an opportunity to engage will prove to be a fabulous success for all involved, save the Castro brothers.
3
OK, I am *very* angry with those that justify punishing Cuba just for political reasons while China enjoys favored nation status in spite of their egregious human rights and environmental violations. If you are so offended by communism, why don't you support boycotting China you hypocrites ?
13
While relations with Cuba definitely need change, the American economic model does not need to be followed, and American business need not be allowed to exploit the Cuban people yet again. Viva la revolucion.
5
This is from the International Labor Org. report 1957 " One feature of the Cuban Social structure is a large middle class" " The average wage for and 8 hr day in Cuba in 1957 is higher than for workers in Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany" Cuban labor receives 66.6 % of gross national income, in the US the figure is 70%. So tell me what system do you have in mind?
1
Not working with the Cuban government because they are communist seems incongruent with our massive investments in China. Let's stop "strangling" this poor nation and see if working with them will help them change their form of government.
12
Finally a Cuban American and a Republican who gets it. Who doesn't let past emotions and votes get in the way of what is actually the right thing to do. It is long past time that America opens its relations with Cuba. We need to stop having our foreign policies decided by unforgiving children and shady politicians who have no ones interest in mind other than their own. Cuba hasn't been any worst over the years than China or Russia. Time to move on.
60
In 1998 I was in Cuba for one month, mostly to study and to enjoy the rich musical culture of the country. I had the opportunity to talk with regular people. What I heard a lot was, that they don't like their current situation. At the same time, they were afraid of any change that will allow greedy American companies and rich exile Cubans to take over their country. The way the NYT promotes Cuba lately makes me suspicious.
6
I am Cuban too and agree with the author's position du jour. I support the opening although I think the point of US properties nationalized must taken into account and negotiated with the Cuban government.
But we must look at this as a long term process: Dividends - in the form of more openness in Cuba - may not happen overnight. The key word is patience - and I think Raul Castro said this too.
But we must look at this as a long term process: Dividends - in the form of more openness in Cuba - may not happen overnight. The key word is patience - and I think Raul Castro said this too.
3
I am also a Cuban-American that came over in 1960 and studied Latin American History as a Ph.D. candidate. Even in the late 60's, it seemed to me the embargo was a failure, but it has taken 50 more years for the U.S. government to recognize that. The old policy reminds me of the definition of insanity where we kept doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. Back in the 60's we were in a war against Vietnam. We now have diplomatic relations and trade there. We never fought a war against Cuba (at least not overtly) and yet my government still does not let me travel there freely.
83
Some Republicans just cannot remember that money matters more than ideology. Nixon normalized relations with China, a genuine enemy at the time, for a buck and to spit in Russia's eye. Forgetting about the money to be made in Cuba is another symptom that Republicans have been drinking the Kool-aid. Things can only get worse for Republican hold outs now that the "southern strategy" and the Confederate flag has been "outed" as racist and pro sedition and their hatred of immigrants and women have been exposed even bankers and the truly rich are turning away. Cuba could be a good starting point for Republicans Mr. Guitterez, but it will have to wait until after the 2016 election; Florida is essential for Republicans and most still think Cuba is too hot a topic there.
1
There have been a few republicans seeking a more reasonable approach on Cuba such as Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona even as the Bush Administration was at diplomatic war with that country. Many republican congressional districts with big agricultural interests found ways to circumvent the embargo by selling peas from eastern Washington and cattle from Florida to Cuba on a cash basis.
But once again, like so many policies, it is your party that becomes obstructionist and Cuba is no exception. It really controls the future of U.S.-Cuban relations and the prospect for real, substantive change, including the end of the embargo, will not happen until control of congress is back with democrats.
But once again, like so many policies, it is your party that becomes obstructionist and Cuba is no exception. It really controls the future of U.S.-Cuban relations and the prospect for real, substantive change, including the end of the embargo, will not happen until control of congress is back with democrats.
13
Yes, business can transform a country, but when business means only profit, there is no limit to the harm which can occur. Best for Cuba, like porcupines, to make love carefully with the U.S. and think twice or three times about possible effects of all the money ready to be poured in. What a shame if the social reforms achieved through the Revolution were lost. On the other hand, the average Cuban's greatest complaint is "we are not allowed to work", meaning the entrepreneurial spirit is constantly undercut by bureaucracy and a governmental fear of independent economic power. That's why so many skilled and talented people have left Cuba. There's a great pool of talent that needs a reason to return and to stay.
32
With profit, there must be balance and accountability. The current Papal Encyclical explores this.
Totally agree. Often big corporate interests, perhaps with good intentions, pour money into an enterprise in a country they know little about. They get cheap labor and new customers, top officials and the government in that country reap big rewards, and the people get next to nothing.
The Cuban people are so hopeful. I just came back from an allowed visit to Cuba. In Trinidad a young man on a taxi-bicycle passed me saying, "Go Obama Go. Good for Cuba." I clapped in response and he gave me the widest smile ever. And in Santa Clara at a musical concert the spokesman for the group welcomed us and said. "We want to thank President Obama for taking us off the terrorist list. We just want to be friends."
Let's be friends! And let's not disappoint them.
The Cuban people are so hopeful. I just came back from an allowed visit to Cuba. In Trinidad a young man on a taxi-bicycle passed me saying, "Go Obama Go. Good for Cuba." I clapped in response and he gave me the widest smile ever. And in Santa Clara at a musical concert the spokesman for the group welcomed us and said. "We want to thank President Obama for taking us off the terrorist list. We just want to be friends."
Let's be friends! And let's not disappoint them.
1
[[Yes, business can transform a country, but when business means only profit, there is no limit to the harm which can occur.]]
Capitalism means profit, but capitalism also mean competition. Let the Cubans determine who can make the best plate of chicken and rice, who can offer the best hospitality, who rolls the best cigar, who plays the best jazz. And let the rest of us decide how much we will pay for all of it.
Capitalism means profit, but capitalism also mean competition. Let the Cubans determine who can make the best plate of chicken and rice, who can offer the best hospitality, who rolls the best cigar, who plays the best jazz. And let the rest of us decide how much we will pay for all of it.
1
I don't know if Gutierrez is sincere in his flip flop or not, but there's an essential flaw in his and similar arguments.
The flaw is in the reasoning that once the U.S. lifts the embargo, porous as it is, democracy and good times will follow. After all, goes this argument, the embargo has failed to to dislodge the Castros.
This arrogant and disingenuous argument ignores the fact that Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, not to mention Venezuela, China, and Russia, already do "business" in Cuba as they see fit. Tourists from these and other democratic nations already go there in the millions. So why hasn't there been any change during the last three decades since Castro opened up tourism after the Soviet Union withdrew its massive economic aid? Why do some Americans believe that U.S. tourists (think Cancun during spring break) will somehow lead those unfortunate imprisoned Cubans toward democracy? Will the American vacationers be carrying the writings of Thomas Jefferson on one hand and their mojitos in the other?
I suspect Gutierrez has been effectively lobbied by a few corporations that want to do business in Cuba. Gutierrez also knows that, as the last few months of inaction have clearly demonstrated, the regal Castros and their millionaire children and grandchildren don't want democracy and freedom. They want to stay in power, just like Batista and his children. Very little will happen as long as the Castros are alive.
The flaw is in the reasoning that once the U.S. lifts the embargo, porous as it is, democracy and good times will follow. After all, goes this argument, the embargo has failed to to dislodge the Castros.
This arrogant and disingenuous argument ignores the fact that Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, not to mention Venezuela, China, and Russia, already do "business" in Cuba as they see fit. Tourists from these and other democratic nations already go there in the millions. So why hasn't there been any change during the last three decades since Castro opened up tourism after the Soviet Union withdrew its massive economic aid? Why do some Americans believe that U.S. tourists (think Cancun during spring break) will somehow lead those unfortunate imprisoned Cubans toward democracy? Will the American vacationers be carrying the writings of Thomas Jefferson on one hand and their mojitos in the other?
I suspect Gutierrez has been effectively lobbied by a few corporations that want to do business in Cuba. Gutierrez also knows that, as the last few months of inaction have clearly demonstrated, the regal Castros and their millionaire children and grandchildren don't want democracy and freedom. They want to stay in power, just like Batista and his children. Very little will happen as long as the Castros are alive.
9
I am surprised that this writer, with an impressive business and political background, fails to mention the reason for the trade embargo: it is the brazen confiscation of American (not Cuban) property by the Fidel regime. Obama's creeping concessions ignore this elephant in the room. The issue of fugitives from American justice is also important and while briefly adverted to, their return should be a sine qua non of any further cooperation with a dictatorial regime. As should a fair resolution of the compensation issue. As a former senior businessman, I am sure Mr. Gutierrez appreciates that property should not be taken without fair payment. We are talking about businesses, lands, churches, vacation homes. These are real issues and the efflux of two generations won't make them go away. It is a cop-out to use the term "fixating on the past". It is the same past which has allowed the Cuban emigres, under conditions of American freedom, to flourish: we can't pick and choose.
1
If you speak to any Chinese descendant who lived in China there before the revolution, you would know the Communist government there did the exact same thing; my history professor Dr. Wu at Rutgers had his entire home and furnishings, which his family had owned for two centuries, stolen from him.
But stop by your local Walmart or Target and pick up ANYTHING off the shelf, or turn on your iPhone and see where it's made. Are you not 'fixated' enough on the past to avoid boycott Chinese imports?
But stop by your local Walmart or Target and pick up ANYTHING off the shelf, or turn on your iPhone and see where it's made. Are you not 'fixated' enough on the past to avoid boycott Chinese imports?
1
Paul, you seem unaware the U.S. signed a treaty with China in the late 1970's to provide an adjudication and compensation to those whose property was seized by Red China. Your umbrage therefore has no foundation.
1
President Obama has done his bit, it's time for the people to carry forward the normalisation process with Cuba. For, far from being an ideological threat, like in the past, Cuba is a fit case for US engagement, and a gateway to reach the larger Latin America with immense potential yet to be tapped collectively.
19
While not in favor of communism, the complete opposite which America offers to Cuba, is not just a hot deal either. The Cubans got rid of the Bush's sugar plantation ownership for a reason decades ago.
29
The issue is not what "America offers Cuba". It is what the Cuban people wish for themselves. And the way to understand that wish is to permit a multi-party system and free elections. And that power lies not in Washington but in Havana. I don't know what Bush's sugar plantation was, but we should respect the right of the people to choose the economy they want. Mr. Gutierrez well-explained the benefits of the free economy in America, from which his family but also many millions of others have greatly benefited. If Cubans were only given the choice to decide what they want, I believe they would want to take substantially the same path, but right now that is neither here nor there. The priority now is to protect America's reasonable interests (return of all fugitives, reaching a fair deal on compensation for property) and encouraging free elections.
And that means being free of dictators such as we supported in the past and organized crime which was running the island before Castro.
"We" did not create the dictators and were not responsible for organized crime "running the island". The Cuban people had a police and judicial system, had a free political system (in the 40's), and had the means to control crime and establish fair taxation and other policies. Cuba was never a colony of the U.S., but in any case, whatever Cuba "must" be, the people there should decide. Right now they can't. And America has nothing to do with that and the U.S. has nothing to do with that.
1
"Some of my fellow Cuban-Americans insist that continuing to squeeze Cuba economically will help the Cuban people because it will lead to democracy. I wonder if the Cubans who have to stand in line for the most basic necessities for hours in the hot Havana sun feel that this approach is helpful to them."
Thanks for your perspective, Mr. Gutierrez. I think with Cuba, like in so many parts of the world, our fixation on establishing "democracy" wherever we think it should be, can be counterproductive and even destructive to a people.
In foreign policy, particularly, sometimes you have to face reality and deal with things as they are, not as you would have them. This is not to mean blanket acceptance of a given political state, but to allow some vital interactions to begin the long arduous job of repairing a relationship destroyed more than 50 years ago. Like any form of "detente" (Nixon's and China, the US prying a diplomatic door open with Iran), I think the world is better off if dialogue can flourish.
And your perspective as a man who has seen both sides is particularly important. Would that Rubio and Cruz read this piece (I doubt they will) and rethink their counterproductive obsession on demanding democracy before détente.
Thanks for your perspective, Mr. Gutierrez. I think with Cuba, like in so many parts of the world, our fixation on establishing "democracy" wherever we think it should be, can be counterproductive and even destructive to a people.
In foreign policy, particularly, sometimes you have to face reality and deal with things as they are, not as you would have them. This is not to mean blanket acceptance of a given political state, but to allow some vital interactions to begin the long arduous job of repairing a relationship destroyed more than 50 years ago. Like any form of "detente" (Nixon's and China, the US prying a diplomatic door open with Iran), I think the world is better off if dialogue can flourish.
And your perspective as a man who has seen both sides is particularly important. Would that Rubio and Cruz read this piece (I doubt they will) and rethink their counterproductive obsession on demanding democracy before détente.
67
Yes. Why can't everyone use the fall of the Berlin Wall as a good example. Once present day Cubans smell the sweet scent of economic liberty through the internet and relaxed relations all bets are off for the Castro's and their out dated politics.
27
It is hard for anybody to understand why one would want to reward criminal behavior, for that is essentially what is being done by Obama. Gutierrez fails to see that in leaving Cuba he did not lose everything, he gained the most important thing, that being freedom. The Cuban people will never have that under a government, rewarded by O, that is nothing but a criminal enterprise.
2
"It is hard for anybody to understand why one would want to reward criminal behavior,"......You need to elaborate more on your position. My question is what do you see as the overall goal? Were the sanctions intended to punish Cuba for their misdeeds, or were they intended to induce them to alter their course? If the former, you might have a case. If the latter, they obviously failed and it is time to try something else. The bottom line is that foreign policy should focus on a goal, so first you have to define the goal.
3
Except we do business with several communist countries. Our largest import partner is CHINA. We do business in communist Vietnam - a place we invaded around the same time and after the Castros came to power in Cuba. We trade with countries whose human rights policies and interest regularly are in direct conflict with out own such as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Egypt. We "reward" all these countries for the same "criminal" behavior exercised by Cuba. Arguably, in recent years, Cuban interests are far more in line with our own than many of our allies or other trading partners. No, what you provide is a typical partisan response that seeks to undermine our president regardless of the stakes or policy implications for our country.
17
Does that mean Richard Nixon rewarded criminal behavior when he ended America's and China's mutual isolation and hostility? Or that every American president has rewarded, say, Saudi Arabia with what would be criminal behavior here at home where women's rights are concerned? Was every nation that traded with us rewarding criminal behavior with our legislated apartheid before 1964? Rather interesting that Obama gets cherry picked for a change in policy towards a country that many, including thousands of Cuban-Americans, think is about time it happened.
4
I remember when Carlos Gutierrez was Secretary of Commerce in the George W. Bush administration and he had a chance to help the Cuban people, which he now says is his goal. But back then, it seems to me that he was more inclined to use his position in the Bush administration to make fun of the Cubans on the island. Two back-to-back hurricanes devastated much of the island, destroying or severely damaging over 200,000 homes. Some non-vindictive nations responded with aid. Gutierrez toyed with a U. S. aid package, repeatedly holding news conferences to say that X-number of U. S. dollars would readily be sent to Cuba, but not to the Cuban government. Apparently, in keeping with the U. S. agenda regarding Cuba, the aid dollars would go only to dissidents on the island. I've often wondered if Mr. Gutierrez has ever regretted using his authority in the Bush administration to belittle the Cubans on the island in their time of special needs after those hurricanes. And likewise, I wonder if he is sincere with these congenial words or, like other extremely wealthy Cuban-Americans, he again views Cuba as possible piggy-bank?
93
Rich I agree with your analysis of Mr. Gutierrez's intentions. A bigger issue that faces this reintegration is Cuban Americans pervasive racism. The issue of race is a big one on the island of Cuba despite over forty(40) percent of its inhabitants being at a minimum of mixed race. I pray for all my fellow Cubans on the island and also applaud President Obama for having the good sense to change a failed policy.
55
A short history lesson. Presumably Gutierrez's family were Batista supporters who were economic migrants at best, at worst fleeing criminal prosecution. Let's not forget why Casto's revolution succeeded.
6
"Presumably" isn't quite history. What you say may very well be true and is important to note if it is, but flinging around assumptions not based on fact is counterproductive.
1