US Embassy in Cuba
 

The flag will be raised today at the embassy. One step closer down the journey.

http://news.yahoo.com/kerry-havana-b...035930955.html

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

My life is now complete.:rolleyes:

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

I really, really, really want to visit Cuba. Lift the dang embargo already.

We do business with freaking China... why not Cuba?

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Dan,
It will be awesome.
We can all then visit Joanne Chesimard and have a cigar together.

On that note, running off to my cruise before I get banned.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

I suppose this is something, but it doesn't seem to do anything at all for the people in Cuba. They already have a ton of tourism, it's not like all of a sudden the flood gates are going to open for the lower classes.

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Hell, I feel sorry for all those guys on Cuban Chrome. If nothing else comes of it, maybe all those shade tree mechanics are able to be after-market parts for their cars.

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Would be nice to see some of the old parts of Havana in person, instead of in pictures. Maybe someday... From Canadians whom I've talked to who've been there, it's really nice, and not very expensive at all for a Caribbean destination

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Meh

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Because China didn't nationalize (steal) billions of dollars worth of U.S. businesses and property; Cuba did.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Well, not yet though they've certainly bought a lot of debt that will come due one day.....

And by the way it's really not terribly difficult to travel to Cuba for anyone under an OFAC general license, especially now.

Glad to answer any questions on this as I've researched it fairly extensively.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Buying debt and nationalizing American banks and businesses are two very different things. The U.S. government issues bonds for people and entities to buy, legally. Nationalization is just theft. It's the communist way: steal from those who produce to pay those who don't in order to maintain dictatorial power. While China is communist too, they're not Stalinists; they want to engage with the world and conduct business by the rules. Capitalism, on the other hand, is the only moral economic system because it rewards effort, punishes sloth and demands that people conduct business voluntarily, as only a free people can.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Along this front I will just say that's not always the case.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

The thing that has always puzzled me is we had an embargo with Cuba and yet we continued to operate a Naval base on Cuba at Guantanamo. Now I'm all for it, but I always thought that was kind of funny.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Politics aside, it's a wonderful country to visit. The people are fantastic, the cigars excellent.
The food is pretty ordinary, but you can't have it all.

It used to be cheap to visit, now gradually C.U.C's are buying you less.

Go, enjoy. It's brilliant.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Actually, the Chinese did, in 1949...what finally opened the gates was that they agreed to pay a percentage (around 50% or so?) of the value from that time.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jledou (Post 2049346) Along this front I will just say that's not always the case.

It's not always the case with Europe, either.

Well, there ya go; they offered to make good, at least partially, while the Cuban "government" continues in their attempts to extort us further. At least the ChiComs made better effort along those lines than most debtors in U.S. bankruptcy court. Of course they had to, communism as an economic system doesn't work; you eventually run out of people who can pay for everything because there is no incentive for people to produce and achieve. All communism is evil; it's the Industrial Age's version of feudalism.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

True point though I was suggesting that one day it might happen.

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Perhaps, but as I understand it, Britain owns more of us than the Chinese. When the time comes, I'm sure that the debt will be redeemed according to our rules so I'm not too worried.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

The point above was not about the debt but rather whether nationalization ever happens after the US heavily invests and thousands of companies sets up shop over there, who knows?

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

According to your post, quoted above, it was; but let 'em try it. The U.S. will just freeze their assets, like we did the Cubans and Iranians and compensate the owners of the nationalized property from that. They have much, much more to lose than we do, and they know this.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

We captured Cuba during the Spanish-American war, along with the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam in 1898. We retained Guantanamo Bay as a Naval Base; it is effectively U.S. soil. Cuba is in no position to expel us. I think it's hilarious!

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Not exactly.
The U.S. Joined the Spanish American War to assist Cuba in its independence war against Spain.
As result of the treaty to end the war, Spain relinquished its claim to Cuba.
Additionally, it ceded Puerto Rico and Guam to the U.S., along with sovereignty of the Phillipines.
Cuba was not and has never been captured by the U.S. After the war, it began its independence as a country.

BTW, should have added:
As result of assisting Cuba, they signed a treaty with U.S. For Guantanmo Bay.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

:tu

http://ak-hdl.buzzfed.com/static/201...2840611-40.jpg

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Thanks for the clarification; I've had it wrong all these years. :tu

"When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final
arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit." --Ayn Rand

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

I thought the US has a lease on Guantanmo Bay?

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

That is correct.
I meant to say lease but had treaty in my mind from the end of war thought.

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Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

A co-worker who was fed contractor there for two years.

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

The local NBC affiliate is running a piece right now with a local news anchor covering the classic cars in Havana, from Havana. I never thought I'd see the day

Re: US Embassy in Cuba
 

Saw piece on the DailyMail about starting regular commercial flights between US-Cuba.

President needs a historic takeaway for his legacy and opening of US-Cuba relations sure looks to be it.