Cuban Cigar Company Sues Michigan Cigar Shop

[MarkinAZ]

Originally Posted by akumushi

It's interesting that they are pushing so hard in this direction, ramping up for introduction to the U.S. market, you've got to wonder whether it's wishful thinking on their part, or whether they know something the rest of us don't.

...Do you think they (Altadis/Habanos SA) have an "insider" with the US Gov't on some future event regarding trade and the lifting of the embargo?

[akumushi]

Originally Posted by MarkinCA

...Do you think they (Altadis/Habanos SA) have an "insider" with the US Gov't on some future event regarding trade and the lifting of the embargo?

No, but they certainly have enough money to hire a competent lobbyist or two. With Castro very likely to die within the next decade, and with U.S. antagonism in foreign policy shifting away from Marxist states to Islamic theocracies, the climate is certainly right for an end to the embargo. In fact, as long as they don't go all Kim Jong Il on us and start pursuing nuclear weapons, a lifting of the embargo is likely, if not assured in the long run, say 10-20 years. I don't know exactly what kind of game of dice Altadis was playing when they bought into Habanos, but you can bet that one of their long term goals is to break the embargo and have sole distribution rights of Cuban tobacco in the U.S, and they will throw a lot of money at the problem until they solve it, because there is so much potential for profit there that they would be idiots not to do so.

[Commander Quan]

Is the US gov't going to arrest the Lawyer representing Cuba under the Trading with the Enemy Act?

Originally Posted by akumushi

With Castro very likely to die within the next decade

Every president since Kennedy has thought the exact same thing.

[akumushi]

Originally Posted by Commander Quan

Is the US gov't going to arrest the Lawyer representing Cuba under the Trading with the Enemy Act?


Every president since Kennedy has thought the exact same thing.

Yes, but he is 85 years old, well beyond the average life expectancy of men in even the most developed countries like Japan, and even if he makes it into the centenarian club, that still leaves him dead at the latest in 20 years. He's not some kind of God or vampire, he's going to die. He's freaking old, so it's going to be relatively soon.
As to your first question, I already pointed out that the lawsuit is being filed by the company owned by the Cuban government, Habanos S.A. which is in turn partially owned by a foreign company, Altadis, that has no obligation not to trade with them, but which also has legitimate interests in the U.S due to its umbrella corporation, Imperial Tobacco. So, the lawyer is not representing the Cuban government directly but rather the aforementioned corporations, and should thus be clear of that law.

[landhoney]

Originally Posted by akumushi

He's not some kind of God or vampire, he's going to die.

Devil?

[akumushi]

Originally Posted by landhoney

Devil?

OK, you got me there

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by landhoney

Devil?

How dare you insult the prince of darkness with a comparison to Castro. Any such talk of Fidel going to hell and the Devil may start packing his things and move.