Posts with the tag Cuba

Cuba hattitude

Unknown user — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:36:44 EDT

Les Américains qui ont de la famille proche sur l'ile de Cuba ont maintenant l'autorisation de les rejoindre, si elle fait partie de la famille proche, merci la diplomatie!

L''île communiste les accueillent quand ils le souhaitent et autant de temps qu'ils le veulent, une brèche dans l'embargo en plus?

En attendant, Barack Obama s'adressera au Congrès mercredi sur sa réforme de l'assurance-maladie, il a du boulot, car le système cubain est bien plus performant et juste pour les citoyens lambdas, mais aussi pour les plus provilégiés, en effet tous les frères Kennedy sont morts, tous les frères Castro sont vivants. C'est bien la preuve que le système de santé cubain est meilleur que le système de santé américain.

Espérons que la black hattitude de notre cher président Obama change tout!

To Cuba:

Thomas S. Kelly — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:33:25 EDT

To Cuba: what do you think is going to happen in Cuba when Cuba political prisoners are released into Cuba and or other countries?

The above is three questions minimum requiring at least three answers or more.

P.S. we have not forgotten about Cuba, we are very busy though.

To Cuba:

Thomas S. Kelly — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:09:54 EDT

To Cuba:

How can the U.S. best help the people of Cuba in the next ten years?

U.S. investigating potential talking points here.

FYI, Cuba

Thomas S. Kelly — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:37:47 EDT

FYI, Cuba,

100% of fly fishermen I know (thousands) want to fish for Tarpon on Cuban rivers. They all sight their desire Visit Cuba with the purpose to Smoke and Drink Cuba unique products all while there is no (0%) change to Cuba’s architecture/culture/infrastructure in-fact everyone I have ever talked to about Cuba in past does not want Cuba to change. These individuals are imagining Cuba from a sort of physical historical “Romanticized” cultural standpoint un-polluted by/with America’s familiar and predictable cultural/Corporate /items and institutions. Traveling Fly Fisherman spend more money domestically and international when traveling than any other group I can think of; in other words Cuba would be a great excuse for Americans to spend money on the American economy in preparation for a Fishing trip to Cuba.

Analysis: United States-Cuba relations begin the long thaw

Unknown user — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:29:22 EDT

That frank assessment from Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, has resonated loud and clear from the island of Cuba -- 90 miles from the southernmost point of Florida -- to the halls of Congress.

For the first time in nearly 50 years, relations between the two nations, which has a history steeped in tension, have seemed to ease a bit.

And that was no more apparent than this week, as a delegation from the Congressional Black Caucus traveled to the communist country on a fact-finding mission, with plans to deliver a report to the White House.

Breaking News!! - Controversial World Leader Passes Away...

Tony — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 01:10:55 EST

Continuing with our truthful predictions, we are hereby announcing what is a big secret to many nations, such as the one involved CUBA, we are 90+% certain that the long controversial leader Fidel Castro apparently has passed away and we confidently announce it here as a way that we not ONLY announce winning presidents in advance but also world affairs. Although, events can not be certain to be announced as this is Cuba's most sacred secret, we will kick ass when they learn that somebody who hasn't moved from this city since 2004, never has been in any country involved in this, with fewer so called friends than many people and limited resources is announcing such a tight secret to the world and to few Cubans in the island's with access to internet of this secret that whoever knows when it will be announced but according to the person involved, "Fidel never wanted to cease from existence" from this world. The real cause is still yet a secret but we have some secret evidence to say that upon being built a countryside house half a medical clinic in a jungle mountain side somewhere between Habana City and Pinar Del Rio Cities to be hidden from satellites and radars, Castro relapsed many times and the last being close to late december 2008 and that by coincidence, he may have died the same day the Cuban Revolution is celebrated on 1/1/09, so today, 7 days away from a new president on January 13th, 2009 we are pretty confident, this controversial world leader that some loved and others hated has been laid to rest. That is why this past 1/1/09 when the Cuban Revolution would be celebrated there was little to no celebration as the leader passed away or was in critical condition. Additionally, we do not know If Chavez was betrayed by his own conscience by saying a couple of days ago "I come from seeing Fidel for the last time and to us, he will live with us forever and he will never ever will be seen in public"..more than enough for that phrase, but I am gonna stunt the cuban Intelligence by providing what I consider strange and unexplained behavior of this controversial leader that influenced the world in the 60s and 70s by being successful in the armed cuban revolution, by unnamed secret sources there were reports of Fidel of either trying to commit suicide, or talking about suicide that Cuba's secret police "SEGURIDAD" placed 24 hrs monitoring of his mountainside hideout, even one that pretended to be sleeping with him, but was just to see if Castro could not choke himself with the bedsheets or use any of the plastic eating utensils to hurt himself. We never know if truth will be ever provided but it appeared as he saw himself weak, unable to walk long distance, unable to travel even to his beloved cuba and unable to see the devastation of the latest hurricanes and many other things he used to do that at one time, he was forced fed upon refusing to eat one time, that is why you never see him gaining weight, although it is also hard to gain weight by the diet he was provided for his ailment, everything put in a blender, sources close say that this bothered him after being such an influencial world leader not being able to eat cuba's famous platter "Congrief" and Caldosa, for example. was it dementia that he was also suffering?, we may never know, but this strange behavior of a person that was among 100s most influencial in the world is surprising and probably we will never know it. Will it ever be reported in his bio-book?. Did he managed to fool SEGURIDAD and finally killed himself??..misteries remain, but whatever he did, whatever happened to him, we here express our condolences to his family and the people of Cuba. Fidel Castro (RIP, Q.E.P.D), dying 2009, The year Of The Cat, and this is one of the 1st surprises of 2009. They may ask the sources and I keep saying the word introduced in my previous post, this is called HYPERINTELLIGENCE, for the 1st time in this galaxy...

Good Night All...

Renew Relations With Cuba

Jim from Campbell, CA — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:18:07 EST

With so many demanding issues for our new administration, it would be easy to continue to neglect Cuba, our close neighbor and non-threatening enemy for 50 years. It is time to establish relations with Cuba and begin an engaging process of dialog that will bring more positive actions than the embargo. Travel restrictions should be eliminated! I am an American with a family history dating back the American Revolution that established our countries unique fredoms. I married a Cuban who no longer has family there and both of us are restricted to returning to the place we were married over 50 years ago. What kind of fredom is that?

We are spending billions for attempting to bring democracy to countries far away and for causes that are so corrupt. Please encourage our new government to spend a small amount of time and goodwill toward Cuba. No money is needed! Our citizens will donate help through religious groups and service clubs, like Rotary International. Americans traveling to Cuba will be good ambassadors and demonstrate and share the values of democracy. Let's sing together the famous song: "Guantanamera" instead of being ashamed of our governments actions in Guantanamo!

US Policy on Cuba - Change for Honesty, Peace and Respect

Alain Gonzalez — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:14:46 EST

US Policy on Cuba - Change for Honesty, Peace and Respect

Barack Obama embodies what the world admires from the US. With the foreign policy on Cuba, the President and the new Congress have the opportunity to change the relationship between neighbors based on universal tenets of Honesty, Peace and Respect.

This letter intends to provide a rational, non-political recommendation to elevate the US foreign policy on Cuba in the eyes of the world from a current position of isolation. At the same time, this will resolve the 50-year conflict and facilitate the reconciliation of the cuban people. As human beings, we are response-able, we have the ability to choose our response to the reality that happens to us, rather than just react instinctively to it, letting those events shape us, dominate us. We can choose a truly rational response if we use our imagination to remove ourselves from this conflict.

Honesty

Cuban national hero, Jose Marti, revered on both sides of the political conflict, represents the ideals of independence of the cuban people. Marti not only fought for Cuba’s independence from Spain, but also warned against US intervention in Cuba. Marti lived in and admired the US, but he fought for Cuba’s independence, period.
Independence is what is truly instilled in the cuban people, as much as it is in the american people.
Unfortunately, the US did intervene in Cuba at the end of the independence war against Spain, occupied Cuba for several years, and still today, after more than a century, occupies a portion of the Cuban territory in Guantanamo. An honest position for the US would be to return Guantanamo to Cuba.
Guantanamo is not a political issue, it is an issue of honesty for the US.

Peace

The embargo is reminiscent of the cold war. The cold war is over and Cuba does not represent a risk to the US national security. The focus should not be in the past, where US companies, cuban people and government have all lost a great deal from the expropriations and the embargo. The focus should be in a future of opportunity and peace for two neighboring nations.
An embargo is not a policy justifiable for political differences. Today, it would be difficult to imagine any nation, let alone the US, a beacon of freedom in the world, to initiate an embargo against another nation based on political differences. It would be a violation of the sovereignty of that nation. As a principle, the embargo should not exist for political reasons. Thus, any political discussion or condition associated to the embargo, is not legitimate. Even the lofty goal of freeing political prisoners should not be put as a condition to end the embargo, only because it is a political issue.
Today, the embargo is not a political issue, it is an issue of honesty for the US.

Respect

Any long term relationship should be based on mutual respect. Obama should not only unilaterally eliminate all the restrictions on travel and remittances, as he has promised to do, but as a principled position based on honesty, should also return Guantanamo to Cuba and call for Congress to end the embargo. There is no need to negotiate these changes with the Cuban government because honesty is not negotiable.

Let freedom speak for itself, and let us cubans decide our own destiny.

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

WEBMASTER — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 02:26:14 EST

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Alternative Energy
Source: David Apperson

url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy

Opportunity to win Cuba as an ally

Kirk from Mesquite, TX — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:01:19 EST

We missed the chance with Hurricane Ile. but with Hurricain Paloma about to potentially devistate Cuba we may have one last chance during the current window of opportunity to show Cuba that America is not an evil country bent on global domination. The new regime has warmed up to the US, but with Russia starting to exert influence in the Gulf of Mexico, and Venezuila in close contact with Cuba, we may be missing our chance.

If they suffer damage from hurricane Paloma, lets quickly offer NON-Military-delivered humanitarian aid. Showing you care when someone is in need (vs when they have something you want) goes a long way. Fidel Castro is nearly history. We have a chance for change! Lets capitalize on it and win a new friend.

Cuba and the change it needs

Anthony from Miami, FL — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:29:57 EDT

The following opinion piece was written by my boss Chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation Jorge Mas Santos.

How to Win the Cuban American Vote
By Jorge Mas Santos
Saturday, October 25, 2008; Page A15

U.S. policy toward Cuba is at best static and at worst counterproductive, a source of increasing frustration to many Cuban Americans. This sad status quo contributes to the challenge that Cuban Americans will face on Election Day as, once again, particularly in Florida, our vote will probably help determine the next occupant of the White House.

The overwhelming majority of Cuban Americans expect the next president to abandon today's failed "wait and hope" policy and adopt a policy of support and engagement directed toward opening new avenues of freedom for the Cuban people as well as enhancing stability in the United States.

The Cuban American National Foundation, the nation's largest Cuban exile organization, has a predominantly Republican membership. Yet our fundamental interest is not partisan politics but helping to restore freedom to our brothers and sisters on the island.

We entered the new millennium expecting U.S. policy toward Cuba to follow the effective model of the West's support for Poland's Solidarity movement and civil society across Eastern Europe. It was our hope that by seeking to empower Cuba's independent civil society through unlimited support for the brave men and women on the island opposing the Castro regime, the energy and resources of the Cuban American community would be unleashed. To this end, we have been sorely disappointed.

As a direct result of President Bush's strategic blunder in 2004 restricting contact with the island, Cuban dissidents have experienced a significant reduction in material and humanitarian assistance. They are also subject to a ban on receiving cash remittances that help them and their families survive. The isolation of these and other Cubans has increased while Fidel Castro's departure from office caught the Bush administration off guard. Together, these developments have helped Raúl Castro consolidate control over the Cuban people.

These failures in U.S. policy undermine important American interests. Just as a democratic Israel is a key U.S. friend in a critical region, a democratic Cuba would be a crucial ally in furthering democracy in Latin America. Cuba is important, also, because the dissatisfaction of its people under the Castro regime is bound to have a significant effect on Floridians and Cuban Americans nationwide. It has in the past.
The next president must put a stop to America's spectator approach. To this end, we have presented the campaigns of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama with simple recommendations based on two basic premises: (a) the status quo is unacceptable; and (b) change needs to come from within Cuba. Our specific recommendations are:
• Change the rules that make it impossible to send cash aid and allow direct, substantial and unfettered aid to Cuba's dissidents.

• Lift the 2004 restrictions on travel and remittances by Cuban Americans. Removing the handcuffs that have prevented us from becoming active participants in the development of Cuban civil society will make us agents of change.

• Maintain sanctions that diminish the Castro regime's access to hard currency, which it uses to help fund its apparatus of repression.

• Engage democratic and reformist forces in Cuba, including those in the military and in the civilian government. They need to know that they can count on the friendship and support of the United States.

• Rebuild our intelligence capabilities in Cuba; they have been dismantled over the past decade, creating a vulnerability in this nation's security.

Both presidential candidates have made clear that they want to help the Cuban people achieve freedom. But Barack Obama's forward-looking and proactive approach toward empowering the Cuban people is more in line with these proposals than John McCain's vow to continue the Bush administration's policy.

More of the same will not bring about freedom in Cuba, and more must be done to directly assist Cuba's opposition movement. Cuban Americans are wary of empty promises. But on Nov. 4, before casting ballots, we will ask ourselves two important questions: Who will adopt a proactive policy toward Cuba, and if dissidents in Cuba had a vote in our election, for whom would they vote?

The writer is chairman of the Cuban American National Foundation.

http://canf1.org/artman/publish/home_page/How_to_Win_the_Cuban_American_Vote.shtml

-------------End--------------

For far too long the politics that relate to Cuba and it's people have been highjacked by the Republican party and it's goons here in Florida, and finally, for once, it seems like change is in the air!

PLEASE if anyone that's close to the campain reads this it is imperative that we take action and implement the points that Mr. Mas Santos has eloquently stated in his article.

As a Cuban/Venezuelan/American living in Miami I can say without any doubt that if real change in the policy towards Cuba is enacted by Mr. Obama the politics of this state will change from a "battleground" to a solid BLUE state for the Democrats!

This is a state that the Republicans have short changed with it's elected representatives since I arrived here and that is exactly the reason why it has always remained "at play" every election year.

It is time we change that once and for all, it is time we help the political prisoners and the people of Cuba not just with rhetoric but with action!

Go Obama Go Cuba!

Cuba's Oil - Barack Obama Mentioned

Karen in St. Joseph, Missouri — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 23:34:29 EDT

This was in today's afternoon posting of the Times News:

Time News

How Cuba's Oil Find Could Change the US Embargo
By Tim Padgett Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008

An oil pump in Havana
Adalberto Roque / AFP / Getty

For decades, the only promise most Cubans saw in the ocean north of their island was the current that carries homemade rafts to Florida. That all changed a few years ago when geologists estimated that between 5 billion bbl. and 10 billion bbl. of oil lie beneath the waters off Cuba's northwest coast. Suddenly it seemed as though the hemisphere's sole communist nation might finally end its desperate dependence on oil-rich allies like the former Soviet Union and Venezuela — and perhaps even escape its impoverished economic time warp altogether.

Washington's own Cuba time warp got a jolt as well. The oil discovery has renewed debate over whether a crude-thirsty U.S. should loosen its 46-year-old trade embargo against Cuba and let yanqui firms join the drilling, which is taking place fewer than 100 miles off U.S. shores. Despite the Bush Administration's hard line on Cuba, Republicans in Congress have proposed legislation to exempt Big Oil from the embargo. That clamor is sure to rise — especially if Barack Obama, who is more open to dialogue with Havana, becomes the next President — now that Cuba's state oil company, Cubapetroleo, or Cupet, has announced a stunning new estimate of more than 20 billion bbl. bubbling off its shores. "This is not a game," Cupet's exploration manager, Rafael Tenreyro, assured reporters in Havana last week.

If true, those potential reserves could make Cuba a major petro player in the hemisphere. (The U.S. has reserves of 29 billion bbl.) And it could render the embargo an even more ineffective means of dislodging the aging Castro brothers, Fidel and current President Raúl. "If it really is 20 billion, then it's a game changer," says Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, a Cuba oil analyst at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. "It provides a lot more justification for changing elements of the embargo, just as we did when we allowed agricultural and medical sales to Cuba" a decade ago.

But is the Cuban calculation really on the level? Skeptics ask if the 20-billion-bbl. estimate is just a ploy to rekindle investor interest, at a time when falling oil prices could make the maritime find less attractive to the potential international partners Cuba needs to extract the oil. The effort is all the more urgent, they add, because reduced oil revenues could also make friends like left-wing Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez less able to aid Cuba with cut-rate crude shipments and capital to improve the island's aged refineries. "The Cuba numbers from my point of view are not valid," says Jorge Pinon, an energy fellow at the University of Miami and an expert on Cuba's oil business. "I think they're feeling a lot of pressure right now to accelerate the development of their own oil resources." Benjamin-Alvarado gives Cuba's geologists more benefit of the doubt; but he calls the 20-billion-bbl. estimate "off the charts." "I trust them as oil people, and their seismic readings might be right," he says, "but until we see secondary, outside analysis, this is going to be suspect."

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a government agency, made the initial estimate of 5 billion bbl.to 10 billion bbl. for Cuba's northwest offshore sector (known as the Exclusive Economic Zone, or EEZ) in 2004. Tenreyro says Cupet's analysis is based on what he calls a more accurate comparison of similar maritime oil fields like those off Mexico's Gulf Coast. "We're talking about that magnitude," he argued last week. "We have more data" than the USGS. But Cupet, an arm of Cuba's ultra-secret communist government, hasn't offered much more evidence than that. Chris Schenk, who as USGS coordinator in the Caribbean led the 2004 survey, agrees that Cuban geologists "are very good." But he adds, "We would like to see more data." Still, Schenk notes, because of the embargo and Havana's insular information policies, "we can't converse with the Cubans."

The Spanish energy company Repsol-YPF has entered into a production-sharing agreement with Cupet and is scheduled to start drilling the first real well in the EEZ next year. Other international firms, including Norway's StatoilHidro and India's Oil & Natural Gas Corp., are part of the Repsol-led consortium. Venezuela's state-run Petroleos de Venezuela is considered a lesser player because it has little deep-water drilling experience. (China is also interested but so far only involved in onshore drilling in Cuba.) Cuba is now in important negotiations with Brazil's Petrobras, which just made its own multibillion-barrel oil find off its coast near Rio de Janeiro and could, analysts say, be the major offshore drilling partner for Cuba if it jumps in.

Still, the concessions so far represent less than a quarter of the 59 drilling blocks that Cuba hopes to exploit in the 43,000-sq.-mi. (112,000 sq km) EEZ. Analysts say one reason is the daunting infrastructural difficulties facing any company that drills in Cuba: firms have to bring much more of their own capital, equipment, technology and on-the-ground know-how than usual. This year's severe hurricane damage in Cuba has made the situation worse. Canada's Sherritt, in fact, recently dropped out of its four-block contract. "Who else is going to be willing to actually come in and take the risk in Cuba?" says Benjamin-Alvarado. "In terms of proximity and technology, the only people really able to do it to the extent the Cubans need are the Americans."

Cuba now produces about 60,000 barrels of oil per day (BPD) and consumes more than 150,000 BPD. (It also produces natural gas.) Venezuela makes up the difference by shipping almost 100,000 BPD to Cuba. The University of Miami's Pinon says the more serious issue is refining capacity: even if Cuba has only the low estimate of 5 billion bbl. — which could yield more than 300,000 BPD — it needs Venezuela's investment to upgrade refineries like the Soviet-built plant at Cienfuegos. But plummeting crude prices mean that Chávez may have a lot less wealth to spread around for his petro-diplomacy projects. "Like the collapse of the Soviet Union," says Pinon, "this kind of thing has always been Cuba's Achilles' heel."

If Cuba really does have 20 billion bbl. to drill, however, it could more easily find other interested refinery investors, like Brazil. The question is whether the U.S. will want to step off the sidelines and get a piece of the action too. Kirby Jones, head of the U.S.-Cuba Trade Association and an embargo opponent, says Tenreyro's staff has been credible in the past, and he believes the new estimate is probably accurate. "So for the U.S., this becomes an 800-lb. guerrilla knocking on everybody's door," says Jones. "With that much oil, there would be the feeling that there's a real [U.S.] price to be paid for [maintaining] the embargo. It changes Cuba's economic situation drastically and makes the U.S. less relevant."

Perhaps, but in the short run it's more likely to make the U.S. more determined to do its own offshore drilling. Vice President Dick Cheney and other Bush Administration officials point to Cuba's petro fortunes as justification for opening more of America's coastline to oil production. Recent polls in U.S. coastal states like Florida support that idea, despite environmentalist complaints that both U.S. and Cuban offshore rigs will foul the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, embargo proponents on Capitol Hill have sponsored bills that would, among other sanctions, deny visas to the executives of foreign oil companies that drill oil in Cuba. Their reasoning: the more oil wealth Havana gains, the less incentive it has to pursue democratic reform.

That last part may well be true. But at the end of the day, U.S.-Cuba relations continue to exist in a Cold War time warp. As a result, in both Washington and Havana, 20 billion bbl. of oil might not be such a game changer after all.

— With reporting by Dolly Mascarenas / Mexico City

Mi Cuba Obama, tal como la he vivido y sufrido

Unknown user — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:11:53 EDT

El 3 de septiembre de 2008 es una fecha ya tatuada en mi vida. Ese dia no volvi a mi patria. Hoy soy una persona que vive en Mexico buscando otros horizontes y con esperanza de volver a ver a mi familia y a mi tierra antes de los 5 annos que me impone el gobierno cubano. No me fui de mi pais por problemas politicos sino por tratar de mejorar de alguna forma la situacion economica que vive mi familia, una mas de miles cubanas. Quizas me canse de vivir casi toda mi vida en un lugar que mide 4x4 m^2 donde no hay mucho espacio para grandes suenos.

Mis padres?, pues como la mayoria procedentes de una familia muy humilde y los cuales estuvieron muy orgullosos de que su hijo estudiara en la universidad de la habana y hoy sea master en ciencias fisicas. La revolucion?, si , es cierto que me permitio estudiar pero cuanto he tenido que pagar yo y m familia por esa educacion gratis???, de las mas disimiles y dificiles formas, desde vivir muy apretados, comer menos de las calorias requeridas al dia, pasando por vestir mal y no poder decir lo que pensamos ante cualquier persona. Yo?, fui un temprano joven comunista en los annos mas dificiles de la decada del 90, quizas muy joven para realmente analizar todos los problemas politicos que habian y existen en este momento. Hoy no soy asi, quedaron atras todas esas mentiras que repetimos hasta el desmayo. Hoy me toca luchar contra un ambiente capitalista al cual no estoy acostumbrado pero que tiene mas libertades que mi patria comunista y donde puedo al menos sonar y trabajar muy duro para lograr esos suenos.

Dicen que no hay peor astilla que la del mismo palo, y es cierto. El castillo de naipes se derrumba y las mentiras acumuladas durante tanto tiempo hoy son mis mas pesadas cadenas. Cuando vere a mi pueblo feliz? Cuando sera esa revolucion que Fidel propuso en 1959 porque es evidente que el nunca la llevo a cabo. Ha sido otra dictadura mas, la mas larga de nuestra historia. Por que se empena en decir que nuestras elecciones son las mas democraticas del mundo?? NO es asi companero Fidel, es verdad que el pueblo postula a sus candidatos a la asamblea popular, pero quien lo elige a usted? en que pais el parlamento elige al presidente, tiene que ser el pueblo!!!, en que parlamento todas las leyes y mociones son aprobadas por unanimidad en una asamblea??? por que nunca veo a nadie en contra?? por que tengo que soportar a personas que apenas saben hablar o que no entienden nada de politica, finanzas o economia votando por leyes que ni siquieran han estudiado y que carecen de toda la inteligencia para analizarla. La politica no es un juego Fidel, es algo serio, dana a los pueblos, a tu pueblo, que hoy no estoy tan seguro que sea tuyo. Cuantas cosas se sabran en el futuro? cuantas mentiras? cuanto ha tenido que sufrir tu pueblo!!! No deseo que mueras en paz, ojala estes atormentado hasta tu ultimo aliento.

La familias?? separadas por todas las injusticias a lo largo de todos estos anos. Por que tenemos que pedir permiso para salir del pais? por que no podemos hablar libremente, reunirnos, crear oposicion? Oposicion? pues cada vez que la has tenido ha desaparecido no? Donde esta mi comandante Camilo? el hombre de pueblo ? estoy seguro que el no te hubiera dejado que gobernaras asi, por eso desaparecio? por eso lo mandaste a Camaguey? hasta cuando?? cuantos errores has cometido y que nunca quieres ver? te equivocaste Fidel y mucho, muchisimo. Eres un genio para politica internacional y solidaridad con otros pueblos, pero, y tu pueblo?? por que nunca fusite asi con el???, por que Fidel?

Que profundo dolor siento por todos mis hermanos cubanos, por los de ayer y los de hoy, tengo la esperanza que el sol vuelva a salir para Cuba.

Estoy seguro que Obama saldra presidente en noviembre y empezara una nueva historia mundial. Ayer vi el debate y me parecio muy sensato que se siente con el presidente de Cuba a platicar sin condiciones, ya no habra pretexto para Fidel o inventara alguno? a lo mejor y es lo mas probable. Gracias Obama, gracias por pensar que la politica utilizada con el tema Cuba es la mas inapropiada, es asi, y tienes toda la razon, es hora de tomar otros caminos, es hora de eliminar los pretextos que siempre Fidel pone, derrumbarlos. Las medidas economicas contra Cuba influyen pero al que mas perjudica es al pueblo, el gobierno ha seguido intacto por 50 anos, como es que no se han dado cuenta de eso? ha tenido que pasar tanto tiempo para que se den cuenta? creo que la respuesta esta en que esta politica es un negocio entre miami y la habana, por eso no cambia. Arriba Obama , es hora de eliminar a toda esa gente que supuestamente quieren la libertad de Cuba pero que lo unico que hacen es gastar el dinero de los contribuyentes sin hacer nada, quitales ese dinero y ya no tendran fuerzas para nada, apoyo tu politica en este tema, completamente. Confio en que seas el nuevo presidente de estados unidos y que por fin cambien las cosas en Cuba.

Where's John McCain?

Tim — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 00:44:24 EDT

Where does John McCain's stand on these issues?

$57 Trillion in debt (incl medicare and social security)
Energy (peak oil and its consequences)
Global warming
Trade Imbalance
Education reform
Crumbling national infrastructure
Permanent underclass
Foreign policy challenges; i.e. Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Russia, China, North Korea. Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Cuba, etc. etc.

How about Sarah Palin? Do they agree with each other? I'd like to know. Where's John McCain?

The eternally imminent death of the European welfare state

de Marothy — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:51:53 EDT

All politicians lie. But few seem to lie as well, nor as often, as the (current) American Right. By 'well' here, I mean the sheer scale of their lies. You have to wonder if there's anything they can't get away with? By comparison, Bill Clinton was an amateur. He lied about sex. Who hasn't lied about sex? It's a boring lie, a common, pedestrian one. George W Bush, on the other hand, he lied to get the country to go to war.

-And people believed it!

Now that isn't your everyday fib. How many people are even in a position to make that kind of lie, much less pull it off? However, as the old adage goes, “..you can't fool all of the people all of the time”. But you can fool some of the people all the time. And by some of the people, I'm thinking about conservatives...

DISASTER RELIEF TO HAITI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, CUBA,

Raymark — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 09:52:53 EDT

THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

AMERICA CONTINENTAL 2000 PRESS RELIEF

DISASTER RELIEF TO HAITI, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC & CUBA

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America "Frees" Cuba, Saturday at 6PM

Bobbi Miller-Moro — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:21:24 EDT

The Free Cuba Film Series creates global unity.

The American public continues to speak out, wanting to see Cuba.

10 New screening locations in one week and growing fast!

Premiering tomorrow, Saturday, September 6th at 6PM in

Beverly Hills, CA - Fine Arts Theatre -

Journalist and other members of the media are speaking out for Max Lesnik,

the focus of the documentary "The Man of Two Havana's" in the Free Cuba Films Series.

Mr. Lesnik had lived his journalistic career with death threats, political warfare

and multiple bombing against his Magazine, family and his life.

All simply because he spoke/speaks out for America uniting with Cuba verse avoiding our neighbors.

"It's overwhelming clear the majority of the American population wants to unite with Cuba."

Filmmaker Luis Moro.

The first film in the series is, Cuba's Love and Suicide, a true love story set in Havana;

the second film, Havana KidZ, is the kid's version of Buena Vista Social Club;

the third film, The Man of Two Havana's, delivers true accounts of the direct family relationship between

U.S. politicians, Cuban-American terrorist and Fidel Castro.

The evening is an entertaining, uplifting and an educationally revealing experience.

The films bring audiences into the real Cuba with their own eyes.

Obama's policy on Cuba: Let's see what it is really like.

Bobbi Miller-Moro — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 04:02:47 EDT

See three extraordinary films shot on location in Havana, Cuba. The filmmakers bring to the big screen a world of undeniable passionate love, political warfare, deceit and terrorism with soulfully freeing Cuban music. Bring attention to the Cuban people and support Obama's policy. Filmmakers bringing attention to human rights in Cuba, and supporting Obama any way they can. Join us at a special one time only film screening event.

How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:40:04 EDT

How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.

Whether you are pro-Cuba or anti-Cuba, the debate may continue for centuries. One thing is certain. The nearly fifty year old, U.S. Embargo on Cuba has not worked, does not work and will not work. In stating so, we are not acknowledging, supporting or condoning Cuba’s current government.

We are saying it’s time for some of America’s voters, politicians and media to evolve with Cuba, perhaps more than any other issue. It could be said; how politicians act and vote towards the five decade old failed U.S. policies with Cuba is a clear reflection on their character.

We are saying that continuing the anti Cuba embargo policies is a clear reflection of a persons character. Whether running for President of the United States, Senate, Congress or any government leadership position; a person should demonstrated the ability to change course, try new directions and see different points of view. Especially if the policy they supported has failed for fifty years.

The anti-Cuba politicians, lobby and community is a small percentage of all populations, including the Cuban population itself. Yet the anti-Cuba movement has controlled the presidency of the United States and both political houses; including this elections Republican candidate John McCain for nearly fifty years. John McCain is anti-Cuba, while Barack Obama is pro-Cuba.

Why would any politician, business person and human continue enforcing on themselves, and worse others; a failed Cuba policy that the majority of people in America, the world and mostly the island of Cuba itself do not want? See the Election 08 FREE CUBA FILM SERIES and you will find out.

Then it’s up to you to decide when you cast your vote on “Election Moment”, if you are voting for character.

Election moment is the truest moment in any election when you, the voter stand there in the privacy of your own mind right before you vote. Only you will know if you cast a vote for character, and only you can determine the issues that reflect a person’s character. Cuba is one of those clear character issues.

Election 08 FREE CUBA FILM SERIES, is committed to bring the real Cuba to America. We’ve selected three diverse films that provide audiences with a modern day love story set in Havana, Cuba. A film that gives you a glimpse into the future with the childhood version of The Buena Vista Club, and lastly, an impacting documentary that brings to life, the hidden true history of Cuban terrorism, the U.S. Politicians directly related to Fidel Castro who continued to master mind the anti Cuba movement in the U.S. and the political families who continue to enforce their historically failed policies against Cuba on the world through violence, economics and political warfare.

Will you vote for a person who is pro-Cuba and promises to create a powerful future for America uniting the world.

Or will you vote for a person who is anti-Cuba and promises to bend history to make sure America stays the current course isolating the world.

Only you will know on your “Election Moment.”

Luis Moro

www.EveryThingCuba.com

How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:34:47 EDT

How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.

Then it’s up to you to decide when you cast your vote on “Election Moment”, if you are voting for character.

Will you vote for a person who is pro-Cuba and promises to create a powerful future for America uniting the world.

Or will you vote for a person who is anti-Cuba and promises to bend history to make sure America stays the current course isolating the world.

Only you will know on your “Election Moment.”

Luis Moro

www.EveryThingCuba.com

How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 01:29:15 EDT

How Cuba will determine the 2008 Election.

Then it’s up to you to decide when you cast your vote on “Election Moment”, if you are voting for character.

Will you vote for a person who is pro-Cuba and promises to create a powerful future for America uniting the world.

Or will you vote for a person who is anti-Cuba and promises to bend history to make sure America stays the current course isolating the world.

Only you will know on your “Election Moment.”

Luis Moro

www.EveryThingCuba.com

Getting the message out but clearly

Zebby — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:34:29 EDT

I saw the following post at another site and find it very relevant to what I have been seeing in the polls recently.

Yesterday I briefly talked about the simple facts and simplicity of the Republicans. I felt the need to expand a little more as this simplicity is one of the reasons I believe the Republican party has had more presidents in the last 40 years.

Most Americans, like many other citizens of democracies, are not politically educated. I am not talking about formal education as I have friends with Masters Degrees that cannot tell me anything about the presidential candidates or political parties.

This was illustrated to me a few weeks ago at a birthday party. A few of us started to talk presidential politics. Everyone in the group was talking about Obama. I asked the questions “

What do you think of John McCain”. One of my friends said “Who”. He did not know who he was. I had to explain Enough said…back to the point of simplicity.

The Republicans have honed their beliefs and policies into 3-4 word sentences while the Democrats have a thesis for what they believe because they want to appeal to all. For example, Abortion, Republicans are “Against Abortion” (2 sentences) for Democrats “We are pro-womens right even though we think abortion is a terrible thing” (This is the short version depending on the Democrat).

Another example, smaller government and less taxes (Republicans). Government should not be the fix it all but should help it’s citizens (Democrats). You can automatically know what Republicans are for because of these simple snippets.

These easy to remember snippets appeal to the politically un-educated who make up the majority of the electorate in the US. The messages is tweaked especially for those residents in the “Red State” who are the working class. They don’t have time to dissect longs policy statements. As they say “keep it simple stupid”.

I think it is relevant because it appears that Obama's message is not getting through the clutter that is being created by Republicans. There is no doubt in my mind that Obama is the better candidate however MacCain is gaining ground due to the fear mongering among Republicans. I believe that if Obama simlified his message he would do better with the electorate.

Case in point, republicans say they are pro life however I do not believe the republican party would ever make abortions illegal. By Democrats adopting a pro women's right to choose position they have set themselves up for republicans to label them as pro abortion.

I think immigration holds a key to revitalizing our economy. It is lost on a great number of Americans that a lot of blue collar jobs cannot be filled by US residents who have been in the country for more than say 10 years. Why, because we think we are too good for these jobs or the legal residents who could fill these positions are not hungry enough to perform well in them. Yes there are exceptions but we can not build a country on exceptions. Having had my own flooring business for over ten years I have some experience in this area.

Lifting the trade embargo against Cuba is something that should be highlighted in the campaign. With this a clear message should be communicated. First off if we can have normal relations with Russia why the heck not with Cuba. Secondly think of the trade possibilities. South Florida would boom, just make sure English is spoken.

I do not like GW Bush as a person because I think he is first of all stupid, a liar and lacking in ethics. However I do give him credit for No Child Left Behind, his HIV policies in Africa and his attempt to reform our immigration policies. Just like Obama proposed speaking with our enemy Iran (and Bush was quick to adopt albeit somewhat quietly) I believe in giving the devil his due and Obama should do so publicly in my opinion. Nothing like disarming your opponents. I know No Child Left Behind is not a perfect program but it was a start and it should be seen as something we build on.

There you have it on some of my views, now let's hear from you, yes you...

I am most interested in how do we effect change through the channels available to us.

Cuba willing to hold talks with U.S. on equal footing

Jorge Gonzalez — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:25:44 EDT

HAVANA, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez said Friday that the Cuban government is willing to negotiate with the United States on equal footing without compromising its principles.

Perez made the remarks during the Non-Alliance Movement (NAM) meeting on Margarita island off the northeastern coast of Venezuela.

Answering questions about the prospect for relations between the two countries after the U.S. presidential elections in November, he said it is premature to make any comment on this, but one thing is certain: Cuba's principled positions will remain unchanged.

These include safeguarding Cuba's national independence, building the country free of any foreign interference and opposition to the economic blockade imposed by Washington.

Source: Xinhua

Cubans for Obama

Will — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 09:16:34 EDT

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting the country where both my parents were born, Cuba. I use the word "privilege" because I had the opportunity to visit family I haven't seen in twenty four years not because permission was given to me by the United States to cross such a border. As we all know, there is an American embargo on conducting any type of business with Cuba. It is not illegal to go there. It is illegal to spend money there. Since Cuba charges a $25 fee to leave the country Americans cannot possibly visit the island without spending money there. As we all learned in school, this embargo was put into place in order to starve Castro's government and have it collapse from within. Now this is my favorite part of the story. The embargo was initiated on October 19, 1960 by President Eisenhower and still lives on today. That is forty eight years of isolation; three generations have passed and the third is entering the workforce as we speak; ten United States Presidents have been elected and left office. The eleventh president will be elected this November and his position on the Cuban embargo is extremely important.

While I was in Cuba, I noted the extreme poverty that most people live under. My uncles, aunts and cousins live in Calabazar, a suburb of Havana. While staying with them for just seven days I was able to gain a glimpse into the state of their lives. There is of course no air conditioner in the house. I was constantly sweating, even when I would lie down at night to go to sleep. There was very little hot water and the water pressure was non-existent. The quality of the food was poor, even though we were buying the best quality around during our stay there. The store shelves were empty, which caused us to go to a variety of stores to find what we needed. This includes basic goods like water. The cars are from the 50's and hanging on by thin threads. One night the car we were using broke down and we had to push it until the driver was able to start it back up again. Best of all, the plumbing system was probably the worst I have ever seen. We couldn't flush paper down the toilet, which made for a very fun and exciting trip to the bathroom.

I'm not saying that all of this is the fault of the United States government. Not at all. However, I am saying that after forty eight years our embargo has obviously failed. We need different policies in place so that the Cuban people, my family included can have a chance to live better lives. It was no surprise to find out that everyone I spoke to in Cuba, my family and their friends were Barack Obama supporters. This is because Obama could help improve the lives of the Cuban people. Obama may not be talking about lifting the embargo just yet but he is talking about initiating dialogue between the United States and Cuban leaders. This is a step in the right direction, a step that the Bush administration and the McCain campaign are unwilling to make.

In my opinion, we will never make any change anywhere in the world unless we have open discussions with people. You cannot possibly progress by ignoring someone. Obama also wants to ease the harsh restrictions Bush has imposed on visiting Cuba and sending money there. Currently, my parents can only go there once every three years but I cannot go at all since I do not have immediate family there (parents, siblings or children). How is it right that families be torn apart in such a way? We claim to be such a humane country but we deny our people the right to visit their relatives because we do not agree with a foreign government's policies. The way I see it, while I was in Cuba I could care less about the governing power. I was simply overwhelmed by the opportunity to see my family. Are family values not the core of the American dream? I will treasure my experience there forever, because my eyes were opened to the hardships my family experiences on a day to day basis. This November I will be voting for Barack Obama in order to give my family a chance to feed and clothe their children. I hope they one day have a chance to spend money frivolously as we do on microwaves, lawn chairs and cotton candy. We live amazing lives and I hope they can someday have a taste of it. I cried when I left them at the airport for two reasons. First, I don't know when I will be able to return to see them again and that breaks my heart. Second, I felt guilty that I was returning to my great life and leaving the people I love behind to live in such misery. Hopefully, that will change soon.

Oh, and on my way out of the country my father, on my behalf, paid the $25 tax I was charged to leave. I never broke an American law!

Cuba: Must read Barack Obama and Cuba Policy.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 10:05:55 EDT

"The Character Factor: U.S. Policy toward Cuba determines elections nation wide."

The following is a list of articles related to Cuba policies, politics and Barack Obama.

Being pro or against the embargo on Cuba seems to be one question that reveals

a politicians character.

If a politician is for a Cuba policy that has failed for 47 years, they should NOT be in political office.

Please take a few moments and review some of the articles.

Our commitment is to abolish the 47 year old failed U.S. policies against Cuba.

By Luis Cuba Moro

Table of content as of June 28th - at this blog:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/blog/Cuba

Cuba: A world that works for everyone, with no one left out. Jun 27th, 2008 at 10:14 am EDT

Cuba: Barack Obama is a mulatto; does that make him a white man? - Jun 26th, 2008 at 4:58 am EDT

CUBA: The European Union's lift sanctions against Cuba. - Jun 25th, 2008 at 7:52 pm EDT

Cuba: Cuba approves, makes available lung cancer vaccine. - Jun 25th, 2008 at 12:47 pm EDT

Cuba: Obama has a 16 point lead in a South Florida poll - Jun 24th, 2008 at 8:17 am EDT

Cuba: There is no U.S. Embargo on Cuba.- Jun 24th, 2008 at 8:13 am EDT

Cuba: I'm sorry. - Jun 24th, 2008 at 6:45 am EDT

Cuba: If Cuba was a white (Och!) Country, there would be no embargo. Jun 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pm EDT

Cuba: 1,400 free photos of the Real Cuba today. - Jun 20th, 2008 at 2:03 pm EDT
http://www.EveryThingCuba.com

Cuba: The Death of Political Insanity: The Case Of Cuba. Jun 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pm EDT

Cuba: Barack Obama is a mulatto; does that make him a white man?

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:58:14 EDT

Recently someone wrote to one of my blog articles saying that Cuba is a white country.

I almost fell off my chair. They simply must be watching to much I love Lucy reruns thinking everyone in Cuba is Ricky Ricardo.

Joking a side, I assert they think that because the Cuban politicians who have high-jacked Cuba policy in Washington, DC are rich white Cubans.

I was born in Cuba. I've been back to Cuba, I've see the people with my own eyes.

Cuba is a black country.

Now I personally couldn't care less about color, etc. BUT, I can't act naive, especially with the 47 year history of white Cuban politicians in both Cuba and the United States destroying families and friends relationships with childish politics.

The "white" politicians throughout the 47 years have lived great for the most part. While the citizens of Cuba, America and the world continue to be deprived access to Cuba.

As you read on, you will see a simple logic that will support part of my claim that:

If Cuba was a white country, there would be no embargo.

First lets get clear on Cuba is a black country. In a future article, you will read why "if Cuba was a white country, there would be no embargo."

By the why, Barack Obama is mulatto, hence a black man.

Go Obama, Free Cuba!
Luis Moro
www.EveryThingCuba.com
See 1400 Free images of Cuba and you decide what color people you see.

CIA Cuba facts related to ethnic groups.

Cuba's population is
51% Mulatto
37% white
11% Black
1% Chinese (Soon to be much more given the deals Cuba has with China)

Barack Obama is a mulatto.
The majority of the world considers Barack Obama a black man, hence if you are mulatto; you are black.

Barack's mother is white and his father is black. i.e. he's a mulatto.

Barack Obama is mulatto, yet there is no denying Obama and almost everyone else is going around saying it's history that Barack is a black man presidential candidate.

No body is mistaking Barack or considering him white.

The majority of the population in Cuba is 66% black. (51% mulatto and 11% black)

I trust you, the reader have now expanded your consciousness.

I truly believe you are not racist, and now you can consider with an even more open reality.

If Cuba was a white country there would be no embargo.

Again, it's not a matter of racism; it's a function of consciousness.

Definitions of mulatto on the Web:
• an offspring of a black and a white parent
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

• Mulatto (Spanish mulato, small mule, person of mixed race, mulatto, from mulo, mule, from Old Spanish, from Latin mūlus.) is a person of mixed black and white ancestry or the offspring of one white parent and one black parent or someone 50% black and 50% white. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulatto

• often pejorative: A person of mixed African and Caucasian descent; Census: Anyone born to two 1/2 African and 1/2 Caucasian parents; Census: Anyone 3/4 African and 1/4 Caucasian or 1/4 African and 3/4 Caucasian en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mulatto

• The child of one white and one Negro parent. (One half black.) www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Samples/Glossary.htm

• A person having one Caucasian and one Negro parent; any person of mixed Caucasian and Negro ancestry. www.balchfriends.org/Glimpse/vocabulary.htm

• Person of mixed race or dual descent. It often referred to the ofspring of a black female slave and a white man. ... abolition.e2bn.org/glossary/view_glossary_0_M.html

• A person with both black and while heritage.
freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~emty/Glossary_of_Words_and%20Terms.html

• (210) - (Sp., "person of mixed race") a person of mixed white and black ancestry.
www.nmhschool.org/tthornton/tignorterms.php

Source: CIA The World Fact book.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.html

*I'm not saying the CIA is always right, (either are they); but the CIA is a much better reliable organization than Wikipedia top rely on as a source of information. No body would want to base their life on Wiki "facts".

CUBA: The European Union's lift sanctions against Cuba.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:52:45 EDT

Obama is 100% on the mark with his foreign policy direction; talking and communicating works.

Our European brothers and sisters on earth have finally said enough is enough.
The have started the process of eliminating the U.S. lead embargo against Cuba and Americans.

See full story below.
Thank you and please spread the education.
Luis Moro
www.EveryThingCuba.com

End of EU sanctions on Cuba deals US a setback

WASHINGTON (AFP) -- The European Union's decision to lift sanctions against Cuba dealt a setback to US diplomacy after Washington failed to convince eastern European allies to block the move, analysts say.

"It was a failure for American diplomacy, which did everything possible through pressure on eastern European countries, like the Czechs or the Poles, to get a different result," said Janette Habel, an analyst with France's Institute of Higher Learning on Latin America.

President George W. Bush's administration, which has stiffened sanctions against Cuba, initially expressed disappointment last week when the EU said it would end the sanctions it imposed after a crackdown on dissidents in 2003.

Tom Casey, the US State Department's deputy spokesman, cautioned US allies to "be cognizant of not taking actions that would appear to give additional legitimacy" to the Cuban regime.

But a day later the department's chief spokesman, Sean McCormack, softened US criticism, refusing to repeat the White House reaction that it was "disappointed."

"This is a tactical difference," McCormack told reporters Friday.

"The US and the European Union share common objectives in Cuba: freedom, democracy and universal human rights," he said, noting that the EU would review the human rights situation in Cuba every year.

The EU officially lifted the sanctions on Monday, hoping to encourage democracy in Cuba in the wake of the historic handover of power in February, when Raul Castro took over the presidency for his ailing brother Fidel.

The measure was largely symbolic, as the EU sanctions had been suspended since 2005. It was championed by Spain, which normalized relations with Cuba last year.

Marifeli Perez-Stable, vice president of the Inter-American Dialogue think-tank here, said Washington's hardline stance against Cuba was dented because its eastern European allies backed the EU's decision.

The US position to keep up its tough stance on Cuba "until the two Castros die is running out of fuel," Perez-Stable said.

"In Europe or Latin America, no one agrees with US policy on Cuba, whether the governments are on the right or on the left," she said.

Spain's Secretary of State for the EU Diego Lopez Garrido said the decision to lift the sanctions showed the European bloc's "independence" from Washington.

"The White House has made it known to EU countries that it does not like this move at all," Lopez Garrido said, but Brussels "has shown it is capable of ... choosing its own foreign policy path."

The United States has imposed an economic embargo on Cuba since 1962. Bush tightened the sanctions four years ago.

White House contender John McCain, a Republican like Bush, has vowed to maintain the embargo. Democratic rival Barack Obama has pledged to lift some of the restrictions on Cuban-Americans imposed by Bush in 2004.

Tom Shannon, the top US diplomat for Latin America, said in a Spanish newspaper interview that the goals of the EU move regarding democracy and human rights "are the correct ones, are the right ones."

"But we are worried that it tries to go too fast in the relationship with a government that is still stuck in a dictatorship," Shannon told El Pais.

Spain's Cuba policy caused some tension between the European country and the United States. But a Spanish official said the latest move to end the sanctions would not create new problems.

"I don't think they are interested, in the end of a term, to open a new front and fight with the EU," the source said, "especially since it was an issue that was unanimously adopted and there was no opposition from the friendly nations."

Source:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gfuDkWsYl3D2_t6BZh73hwYMGIpg

Cuba: Cuba approves, makes available lung cancer vaccine.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:47:01 EDT

Luis Moro comment on article

Cuba approves, makes available lung cancer vaccine - *See article below from: Reuters by Jeff Franks.

Luis Moro writes:

I’ve been personally aware of the high-end private negotiations that are active with certain sectors of industry with Cuba. One such area is the pharmaceutical field. I am not claiming to be an expert or authority on the topic. But I do believe this is accurate information given the source and, again, my own personal conversations with actual attorneys handling the on-going subject.

With that said, I expect that many of the pro-embargo against Cuba community will say this if false information, propaganda and more communist lies. Odds are, these will be the same people who say there is “no embargo on Cuba.”

Barack Obama now has an entire new community of voters who should move like “Chain lighting” to abolish the embargo.

Cancer patients all over America, the world; should know that in Cuba there is a possible cure for cancer. At the very least in Cuba, a cancer patient might have a viable new option. I could personally hold a grudge towards Cuba or Pro-embargo enthusiast given my mother and her brother (my uncle) have both died of Cancer. One in Cuba, without the treatment of the privileged and mom in America, without the treatment of the privileged.

With that said, the one thing that is certain, to get the treatment for Cancer in Cuba, it will take the same “product” as in the U.S.; it will take you lots of money.

Good luck and God Bless everyone who may need and actually get the opportunity to use this new Cancer treatment in Cuba. I suspect many pro-embargo against Cuba cancer patient will soon want to abolish the embargo. (Och!)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cuba approves, makes available lung cancer vaccine

Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:37pm BST

By Jeff Franks

http://uk.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUKN2435519120080624?sp=true

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban scientists said on Tuesday the first vaccine to extend lives of lung cancer patients has been approved by Cuban authorities for use and is available in the island's hospitals.

The drug, CimaVax EGF, has been shown to increase survival rates on average four to five months and much longer in some patients, they said in a news conference at Cuba's Center of Molecular Immunology.

In contrast to chemotherapy, the traditional treatment for lung cancer, they said CimaVax EGF has few side effects because it is a modified protein that attacks only cancer cells. They said it was the first lung cancer vaccine to be approved anywhere in the world, although there are others currently being tested.

"It's the first vaccine for lung cancer registered in the world," said Gisela Gonzalez, who headed the development of the vaccine, begun in 1992.

The drug is in various stages of clinical trials in a number of other countries and is most likely to be approved next in Peru, where it could be publicly available by year's end, Gonzalez said.

She said several private companies had been licensed to market the vaccine, but it will be produced in Cuba. Cost for the treatment had not yet been determined, Gonzalez said.

Other cancer vaccines under development elsewhere include one made by Antigenics Inc against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and another made by Avant Immunotherapeutics Inc and licensed by drug giant Pfizer Inc that attacks glioblastoma multiforme, the most common and deadly type of brain tumor.

FOREIGNERS WELCOME

Tania Crombet, director of clinical investigations at Havana's molecular immunology center, said people from outside Cuba can come to the island for treatment.

"It's possible to provide this vaccine to any patient, because it's available in Cuba, it's approved by the Cuban drug agency so we can market the vaccine in Cuba and we can receive patients from outside," she said.

The exception would probably be Americans, she said, who are restricted from Cuba travel by the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba in place since 1962.

"Even though there is a new therapeutic tool approved in Cuba they probably wouldn't be able to come to Cuba to receive it because of the embargo," Crombet said. The drug has been approved for clinical trial in the United States, but its possible use there is at least two to three years away, Gonzalez said.

Cuba's state-run biotechnology sector includes around 50 research and development centers and is considered one of the most advanced in the developing world.

END ARTICLEVisit Web: http://www.nlg.org/cuba and sign up for varied perspectives on Cuba policy.www.EveryThingCuba.com See 1400 free images of the real Cuba today.

Cuba: I'm sorry.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:45:19 EDT

I’m sorry.

I did not mean to offend anyone with my recent post. If you actually read it through again, you should realize the title is not the point.

My point is not about race, rather lack of conciseness. A white rich Cuban politician out of Miami does not have the best interest of a black, white, green poor Cuban in Cuba or America. There is 47 years of evidence to prove that. AND I do agree 100% the embargo is not a race issue, but color, like gender, still a distinction that can't be ignored.

I trust you accept what I am saying next. I do not think the embargo is a race issue, it is a conciseness issue, an awareness issue. You and I are first aware of our own interest. I can bet everything I own that the most politicians supporting the embargo on Cuba have no idea who we really are, or care.

For example: most people refer to Obama as black, he is actually mixed. His mother is white. I personally don’t care, I’m for any person who actually thinks and makes decisions based on Character. I truly hope you get what I am pointing to, and by no means do I intend my point to be about race. Even though calling me “Negro” is perfectly find for most Latin’s, except of course if you are “Negro.”

I laugh at any name a person calls me. I give credit to that old school way of thinking. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Thank you for giving me your time and consideration. Luis Moro www.EveryThingCuba.com.

Foreign Policy on Cuba

Alain Gonzalez — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:38:54 EDT

Foreign Policy on Cuba

The practical purpose of this analysis is to help frame the strategy of the Obama’s presidential campaign in the 2008 elections to win the Cuban vote and change the status-quo policy towards Cuba. The goals of the new policy are to reconcile the Cuban people in and outside of Cuba, bring prosperity to the Cuban people in Cuba, and establish full diplomatic and economic relations between the US and Cuba. Over time, the ultimate goals are to restore democracy and a market economy in the island, averting the communist project. These are the views of a young man that grew up and studied in Cuba. After 27 years there, and 9 years in the US, he has an insider’s view of both sides of this conflict.

For almost 50 years the US policy for Cuba has remained unchanged. What are the goals of this policy? Penalize the government for the expropriations? Isolate the communist government? Destroy the regime? The only goal achieved so far is to economically penalize the expropriations. Other goals have not been achieved, and arguably will not be in the foreseeable future. Waiting for the death of Fidel Castro is not a solution, and will not guarantee a change in the direction of the government.

What the US needs is a new policy to deal with and destabilize a regime underpinned in repression, restore a traditional commercial partner and help bring freedom to a neighbor. For a US presidential candidate running on a new policy could win – against common believe – the Cuban vote in Florida.

The best way to confront a communist regime is to help its people free themselves by bringing communication, interaction, experiences and goods to that people. An example can be found in Cuban history itself. The most difficult moment for the government was in 1980, when the Mariel boatlift provided the escape valve to a tense political situation brought about by the “Comunidad”, only after a year that exiles started traveling to Cuba and showing the new generation of Cubans that life in a capitalist country could bring prosperity and freedom at the same time.

Communism vs. Capitalism is a battle of ideas, and it is with facts and information that you can win the hearts and minds of a rebellious and courageous people that have been oppressed by a perfectly orchestrated communist ideology more than anything else. The “Perestroika” in the Soviet Union is a case in point. It was an opening of the society and the media that facilitated access to information. Look at the impact this colossal political mistake had in changing the public opinion and contributing to the fall of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Look at how pacific the transition was overall after the masses demanded change. Let’s expose the facts and provide as much information and interaction as possible, and let them find out the truth for themselves.

My deepest pain while living in Cuba was to see the enormous advantage that the closeness of the society and total control over all types of media had in conveying the communist ideology and point of view. A lie repeated a million times over public media without contest will definitely have a huge influence in the public that listens to it. Increasing the flow of information conveying our truth will change the balance in our favor and tip the public opinion for real changes in Cuba, whatever they are, at their own pace, and brought about by Cuban citizens. Let’s respect their independence and independent judgment above all. Independence is what is truly instilled in the Cuban people and no policy will succeed if it fails to respect it.

The worst way to approach the Cuban problem is to facilitate the isolation and confrontation of Cubans against Cubans and against the US government. For too long the embargo has been used by the communist government as an excuse for the failure of the system, polarizing the situation and cultivating hatred. One of the main arguments of the communist regime has been that the control over every form of speech and political association is justifiable to maintain a unified front against the evil empire that wants to decimate the Cuban people and take over the revolution by force through direct invasion or the embargo, and subjugate an inherently independent nation, a nation that paid its price in blood to free itself from the colonial ruling, as the US did. Why continue giving this card to the regime? Once the Cubans see a friendly relationship with the US and a demonstrated goodwill, the regime will lose this argument and the Cuban people inside will start cracking the society and voicing their opinions more openly. Decades of politics of fear, confrontation and polarization of the Castro regime coupled with the unintended complicity of the US policy guided by the resentment of our exile community have not yielded the desired outcome in Cuba. America is ready for change. Cuba is hungry for change.

The embargo should be lifted by the US without conditions. Travel to Cuba for US and Cuban citizens should be free and frequent. The exile community should be united in a spirit of reconciliation demonstrating with facts that it wants the good for the Cuban people above dissent with the government. There should be recognition and respect for the Cuban government as there is for the Chinese and Vietnamese governments. Basically, it should be recognized that it is up to Cubans to decide, oppose or change the political, legal and economic frameworks of the country. A candidate running with this campaign and winning the vote will demonstrate that the same way the exile community so far has sustained the embargo, it can lift it. The US president who does it will have enormous leverage in restoring normal relations between Havana and Miami as a first step towards opening the society.

This advice is for the candidate of change, since it opposes the long prevalent views of the leaders of the exile community. However, properly explained, true Cubans will put the well-being of their own people above political views or hatred against a government, and will understand the pacific route has worked effectively in the past, while realizing the worst fears of the Cuban government. I’m confident within a decade communism will fall and I hope Fidel Castro lives to see it. We need to focus on tolerance and unity of all the Cuban people, in homeland or exile, rather than conflict and separation. It will be a monumental task to reconcile the abysm between the parties in a pacific way and help shape Cuba into a 21st century democratic society, but is one deserving of the effort because in itself will bring reconciliation and prosperity to a broken nation. Let's get to work!

Thank you for reading and for your comments, even if you disagree.

Alain Gonzalez

Cuba: If Cuba was a white (Och!) Country, there would be no embargo.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:01:22 EDT

Racism is alive and well for Black Latin’s. The irony is America goes crazy if someone other than a black person calls a black person a “N…r”.

Yet the white Hispanic community will call Afro Latin’s “Negros” like it’s a term of endearment. It’s not.

I’m an Afro-Cuban and I’m equally proud of being a black, Latin, living in America. I’m an exile, I was born in Cuba, and I’ve been back to Cuba. I’ve made an excellent film in Cuba and I can assert with plenty of facts to back it up: “If Cuba was a white Country, there would be no embargo.”

Simply look at the majority of faces in Cuba and then look at the faces of who supports the embargo in Cuba. I personally don’t think it’s intentional racism, but rather a function of limited or no consciousness. Especially by Cuban and other politicians who’s families aren’t in Cuba, don’t have friends in Cuba and are well off financially in America.

It’s been rich white politicians from Miami that have high jacked and manipulated our laws, traded congressional votes and used PAC money to keep the failed 47 years of U.S. embargo policy toward Cuba in place. These fact should wake anyone up from thinking the current politicians, Republican or Democrat, have the peoples best interest at hand.

Obama represents a transformation this country, planet and humanity could benefit from. “A world that works for everyone, with no one left out.” You the reader, may know who I am by that statement. And if you don’t know me, I trust you can see that the world many of us are standing for includes you, includes me and includes us all having a life that works. “A world that works for everyone, with no one left out,” starts with me, then you, then us voting for a new generation to lead America.

With that said, I’m voting for Obama for one simple reason; he has the character to stop the insanity of 47 years of failed politics with Cuba. With that, I believe Obama will also stop the insanity in many other political arenas in Washington, DC.

Thank you for making the time to read these words, please forward if you find they can benefit another.

Luis Moro

See 1400 Cuba images free at www.EveryThingCuba.com

An Open Letter to Obama

CCRoxtar — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 05:27:02 EDT

I originally wrote the following on my MySpace blog in 2007, when there were still a variety of candidates on both the Democratic & Republican sides of the Presidential race. I have made some editions here to reflect a race that has been narrowed down to Obama & McCain.

In a previous MySpace blog (Sicko: America's Hypocrisy Exposed) I expressed my anger & frustration over the greedy health-insurance & pharmaceutical industries that effectively rule the United States today. I can (metaphorically speaking) be Malcolm X one day, Martin Luther King the next. In that other blog, like MX (& Marcus Garvey before him) urging his fellow blacks to go back to their ancestral homeland of Africa, I expressed desire to move to England or France or the Netherlands. Unfortunately, like the dreams I had as a teenager of musical stardom & marriage, expatriation is a pipe dream. Since I can't run, I gotta fight. So now, like MLK who loved America despite the decaying of its spirit, I resolve to do what I can to reform the system.

Fortunately, the Internet can give power back to us, the common people, IF we know how to use it. Thanks to YouTube & various blog sites including MySpace, we can do for free what big corporations spend a fortune doing: making our voices heard. In that other blog I expressed frustration that writing to our (supposed) representatives in the House & the Senate yields only form letters expressing token regard for our problems. That may be the short-term outcome, but if we do it often enough (i.e., keep the pressure up) a thousand swings of an ax will fell a mighty oak. In addition to that, I will publish here an open letter to Barack Obama, whom I currently support in the race for our nation's highest office, since the race is now down to him on the Democratic side & John McCain on the Republican side.

Cuba: 1,400 free photos of the Real Cuba today.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:03:01 EDT

I just posted 1,400 photos we shot while making our history making feature film in Cuba. You can go to http://www.everythingcuba.com/ and see many aspects of the real Cuba. These are not professional photos of the perfect landmarks, or photos focused on showing you the worst of Cuba. Those types of photos exist and have their place. What you will see are simple yet excellent photos of real like in Cuba by real people like you and I. I'm a Cuban exile and I can tell you the pro-embargo Cuban exile community does not represent the majority of Cubans in America and especially the Cubans in Cuba.And for sure, they do not have the best interest of all Americans by supporting, maintaining and using every political trick available to make sure we keep destroying Cuba and it's people. This is in no way saying I support Castor's ways. I am saying I don't support anyone's way that continues to support politics that don't work going on fifty years. I'm for Obama for many reasons. And number one is his character's ability to make equitable decisions related to Cuba. So please take a moment and see the real Cuba with your own eyes and enjoy the real Cuba. Some day soon you will be able to use your constitutional right to travel and go see Cuba in person. Here are some of the people who will thank you in person for abolishing the embargo on Cuba. Luis Moro, filmmaker

www.EveryThingCuba.com SEE 1,400 EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL PHOTOS OF CUBA.

www.UrbanFamilyEntertainment.com

Cuba: The Death of Political Insanity: The Case Of Cuba.

! A LUIS "Cuba!" MORO. . . . . — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:37:25 EDT

ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN MAY/JUNE 2008 ISSUES OF

THE IMMIGRANT MAGAZINE

The Character Factor: The death of Political Insanity
The Case Of Cuba

By Luis Moro

Insanity may be defined as doing the same thing repeatedly with the expectation of a different result. A politician who supports a failed 40-year-old policy could be diagnosed with "Political Insanity". It is time we killed off Political Insanity by our elected U.S. officials. This and many more facts will be explored in the next issue of Immigrant Magazine.

Would you trust a person who continues to make the wrong decision for almost fifty years? Would you support a person who will speak in the name of helping people, PEOPLE who continuously say that person is not helping them? Would you believe a person who upon receiving a financial donation would change their vote?

"The Character Factor" is a full coverage story about the U.S. Embargo on Cuba and how a failed policy is still supported by so few even though it negatively affects so many. You will be surprised to find out how a one thousand dollar donation ($1,000) can buy a vote in Washington, DC. And even more surprising is how many politicians actually sell their votes for money. It is as blatant as one day they are against our U.S. policies against Cuba; they get a donation and the next day they vote for the failed policy against Cuba. We will explore why a few white politicians in America and Cuba strangle Cuba, a country with a predominantly black population.

With the duplicity, outright lying and misrepresentations by many of today's politicians there is one clear question that separates today's candidates for the U.S. Presidency. Are you for or against the four- decade failed, U.S. Policy on Cuba? The answer to this question could be the one answer that will determine the vote of every American.

Nobody can deny that U.S. Policies towards Cuba have failed over the last several decades. We all know that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. It is clear in these times of political insanity that no politician can hide from his or her history. And all politicians should be judged on their present character to determine our future. The character factor requests all Americans to bring to the forefront politicians who sell themselves. If a politician votes for and supports a failed U.S. Policy, they clearly are not able minded, equitable and perhaps even honest leaders.

It is known that in our nation's capital, legislative votes are for sale and barter. But no one will get away from the factual report revealing once and for all our nation's leaders who have lost their character factor.

Are you for a four-decade-old failed U.S. Policy on Cuba? Your character factor will now speak.

About the author: Luis Moro is an award winning filmmaker. He was born in Cuba and now resides in exile in the United States. His family has been separated for 38 years due to the failed polices of both the U.S and Cuban politicians. www.EveryThingCuba.com

Contact Luis@MoroFilms.com

The above article reflects the opinions of L.Moro and in no way the opinions of The Publishers Of The Immigrant Magazine. We welcome your perspectives on issues that affect you and the Immigrant Community at large. Please write to us at publisher@immigrantmagazine.com.

Pamela Asobo Anchang
Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
The Immigrant Magazine Inc.
http://www.immigrantmagazine.com/

Swing Lobby Politics

John Lewis-Dickerson, Atlanta — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:17:12 EDT

Obama's Genuflections

By VIJAY PRASHAD

In the last few weeks of the grueling primary campaign, Senator Barack Obama made two important visits. He spoke to the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) and to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). To both groups Obama provided some red meat. To the Cubans in Miami, he said that he would be tough on the Cuban Revolution, that never in his lifetime “have the people of Cuba known freedom” and that he would join CANF to “stand up for freedom in Cuba”.

To the Jewish American lobby in Chicago, Obama affirmed the “special relationship” between Washington and Tel Aviv, supporting Israel’s view of its relationship with its Arab neighbours and of the Occupation and going so far as to say that Jerusalem would remain the undivided capital of Israel. As the Democratic presidential nomination comes his way, Obama tacks right on foreign policy, to the dismay of many of his left-liberal allies............

ENTIRE ARTICLE- http://www.counterpunch.org/prashad06182008.html

The Guns Have Come Out of Hiding.

Kevin — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:51:52 EDT

Now that the Democratic Primary has ended, the camo has come off the big Republican guns and the Karl Rove machine and others like him have cranked up their rhetoric and their dirty tricks. Did you think it would be otherwise? While Barack raised millions and millions of dollars ethically and withought PAC and Lobbyist dollars, and while John McCain played wounded dove not able to raise money, the smoke clears and the DEATHSTAR is fully functional.

They were not cowering and quaking. They were planning and scheming, as they always do, planning a whole new crop and campaign of "LOOK OVER THERE" bombs and scares. Friends, let's be clear. This election is about ending 8 years of the most treacherous years that the United States Constitution has ever faced. Since 2001, America has turned into a near fascist state, wrapped in the American Flag and plastered with yellow "Support the Troop" ribbons printed in China. It wasn't until the Country band, the Dixie Chicks pointed the finger and said "The Emperor Wears No Clothes" that it seems people were able to see the smoke and mirrors of the most corrupt, evil administration in American History. His Accidency, George Walker Bush and his minions have had a field day in dismantling our Foreign Policy, credibility among other nations, and "interpreting" our constitution with dark glasses.

Let us not be swayed or distracted by side or wedge issues. The issues in this election are not gasoline prices, gay marriage, abortion rights or social security, although, these will continue to be important issues, they are not the the prime issues of this election. The prime issue is CHANGE. As Barack says, "Change We Can Believe In". I say believe in, because as you know, we surely cannot believe anything we have been told in the last 8 years. Let's throw in the last three years of the Clinton Administration as well. We have lost our place of esteem and self-respect in the world, and we are hated and mistrusted by enemies and allies alike. The Clinton & Bush Administration's refusal to face global warming has and will have dire consequences if we don't act now. Fortunately, Gas prices may have a silver lining. They in themselves seem to have brought about a sea change.

We must reach out to Hillary Clinton's supporters. I know because I had intended to be one before I was convinced Barack Obama was our ticket out of our National morass. Please help convince any person that supported Hillary that our votes must not be squandered on John McCain, who will perpetuate 4 or 8 more years of the same thing. John McCain does not realize or care (I am not sure which) that our country has changed, and our direction must change. A recent poll recognizes that the majority of American Citizens WANT dialogue with IRAN and CUBA and rogue South American nations. Do you seriously believe CUBA is a threat to the United States of America in the year 2008? America has dialog with Communist China, and it buys most of it's goods there and has moved so many jobs there, but we continue an idiotic ban on travel to Cuba. Travel which would help rebuild that nation.

Do not be fooled by Roveian attempts to distract you from the cause at hand. We must seize the control of this nation from sad, angry old men and return it to the people.

GUANTANAMO BAY PRISONERS

Thomas Streda — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:46:17 EDT

How do you feel about the legal status of the persons held in Guantanamo Bay without rights, on leased land from Cuba, without any U.S. Court juristiction. How do we prosecute the military or non-military combatants there without a court having no juristiction overe them?

Latinos With Barack Obama!

Tony from New York, NY — Fri, 30 May 2008 02:03:21 EDT

I want Barack Obama to end the embargo on Cuba. The people of Cuba should not have to suffer any more. Please tell Barack Obama to end the blockade on Cuba. Also by ending the blockade of Cuba it justifies the need for change. Also please support Puerto Rico chance for self-determination. It's been to long and Puerto Rico has been colonized since Spain. When the Spanish-American war occured the Puerto Rican people suffered. They did not start these wars they did not use violence. Only since Spain and when America invaded and occupied Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican people have lived a life of bombings on the shores of Vieques. Please push for our peoples right to vote for Independence or Statehood finally. But please do encourage Independence for the Puerto Rican people. Thank you Barack Obama I been supporting you since you started. I been encouraging the Latino Community to Vote for you. And I will continue to encourage the Latino Community to Vote For you. Thank You Good Friend.

New Ideas For Obama's Latin American Policy....

Heidi Jane — Mon, 26 May 2008 08:49:20 EDT

Barak Obama's position on Latin American policy, he described at the Cuban American national foundation in Miami, Florida, May 23, 2008, isn't exactly liberal.... but it is a moderate to liberal view, and well yes, educated. He suggests promoting current development agencies like AID, MCC, IDB but there really are too few details to his "plan" to grasp what he is suggesting. But what is encouraging (or maybe disbursing) is that he isn't all that far from what is going on now in terms of LAC policy. He mentions the hot button topics of Latin American policy, like the Merrida Plan, Cuban’s policy of non-engagement, Haiti’s development and construction, wile intergrading immigration and pro-Americanism into the speech. There should be a few new ideas that he could include like

promoting a technical corps instead of the peace corps for graduated countries;
meld policies of the IDB with the summit of the Americas commitments, by matching the declaration with loans done at the bank;
include subnational lending to subsovereign nation states as a new way to strengthen economic and financial systems in LAC;
help the Inter-American Foundation by increasing it's budget to provide grants for grassroots development;
add training for import and export within trade agreements ;
promote small business development through opening up the IFC's loans to Medium size business of less than an Million dollars a piece and
assist to regulate the microcredit market.

But these are just a few ideas.... I hope as the campaign goes on, we here more about his plan in further detail.

Obama Beware!

Deena Stryker — Sat, 24 May 2008 12:03:50 EDT

Those of us who see Obama as the only hope for real change in the way the United States conducts itself on the world stage fear he will be eliminated. Hillary's remark about assassination was not a moment of distraction but most likely reveals her hopes and perhaps even plans which she will deny having knowledge of if something happens.

However this may crimp Obama's style, close-up protection should be increased and he should wear protection under his clothes.

The press has been far too lenient with the Clintons. They never get it until it's too late.

On another front, regarding the speech to Cuban emigres. These people are the equivalent of American conservatives, those who think the GI education bill is too expensive. They did not want the majority of Cubans, who were poor, illiterate, without health care, to live better lives. To back any property claims on their behalf would dash any hope of improving relations with Cuba, at any time in the foreseeable future.

Continued policies towards Cuba

Pedro B. — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:34:46 EDT

The Cuban Embargo is utterly ridiculous. We speak and engage diplomatically with the communist countries of China, North Korea, Laos, and Vietnam but we steadfastly hold on to this Cold War embargo because a few influential Cuban Americans wish to economically and politically cripple the island of Cuba. An American President who was truly beholden to the interest of the United States of America would understand the great economic and political benefits of tearing down the embargo. Instead, we get President Bush and McCain basing foreign policy on the petty wants of Florida's provincial constituency. We need a President who can be above the fray of the petty squable between Cuba and its bretheren. Atleast Mr. Obama has been brave enough to tell the truth even if it cost him the Cuban vote. We need to spread the word to other Latino's and all who will listen that the current administration has no concern for us or our community.

Veepstakes: Joe Biden Trains Fire on McCain

Bolaji — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:45:52 EDT

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/05/veepstakes_biden_trains_fire_o.php

JOE BIDEN FOR VP!! He is absolutely the BEST and MOST EFFECTIVE Obama surrogate! This guy is awesome!

Veepstakes: Biden Trains Fire On McCain

20 May 2008 02:46 pm

One of the chief credentials of a vice presidential nominee is partisan toughness; you've got to be a credible attack dog against the opposing presidential candidate. Today, in the second speech Sen. Joe Biden has delivered on the topic, he lit into... heck, he bit into, his own friend, Sen. John McCain, and McCain's approach to foreign policy. It's as if one of Obama's vice presidential judges, a la American Idol, told Biden that the "category this week is a speech that links McCain to Bush."

Biden, speaking this morning at the Center for American Progress:

"Under George Bush’s watch, Iran, not freedom, has been on the march: · Iran is much closer to the bomb; · Iran’s influence in Iraq is expanding · Iran’s terrorist proxy Hezbollah is ascendant in Lebanon and the country is on the brink of civil war. Beyond Iran, Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan – the people who actually attacked us on 09-11 – are stronger now than at any time since 9-11. Hamas controls Gaza and launches rockets at Israel every day. And 140,000 American troops remain stuck in Iraq with no end in sight. Because of the policies George Bush has pursued and John McCain would continue, the entire Middle East is more dangerous. The United States and our allies, including Israel, are less secure."

Last week, John McCain was very clear. He ruled out talking to Iran. He said that Senator Obama was “naïve and inexperienced” for advocating engagement. “What is it he wants to talk about?” John asked. If John can’t answer the question, we are in trouble.

And:

What’s John’s plan for dealing with these dangers? You either talk; you go to war; or you maintain the unacceptable status quo. If John has ruled out talking, that means we’re going to get more of what we’ve had for most of the Bush administration – or worse. First, let’s end this false argument about “pre-conditions.” Senator Obama is right that the United States should be willing to engage Iran on its nuclear program without insisting that Iran first freeze the program – the very subject of any negotiations. We didn’t insist that the Soviets freeze their nuclear arsenal before we talked to them about arms control. The net effect of demanding pre-conditions that Iran rejects is this: we get no results and Iran gets closer to the bomb. Second, let’s stop the Bush/McCain fixation on regime change. We all abhor the regime, but think about the logic: renounce the bomb – and when you do, we’re still going to take you down. The result is that Iran accelerated its efforts to produce fissile material.

And:

Like President Bush, John grounds his argument for a war with no end in his assessment of the dire consequences of drawing down our forces Iraq.

Finally:

When it comes to the most urgent national security challenges we face – Iraq, Iran and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan – last week made it clear that stylistically and substantively, there is no day light between George Bush and John McCain. They are joined at the hip. There would be no change with a McCain presidency and so there will be a real choice for Americans next November.

Did McCain mean Iran or Cuba?

Robbie Monsma — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:02:02 EDT

Listen to McCain's speech about why he won't talk to Cuba but will pressure for change. If you substitute "Iraq" for "Cuba", it sounds like all the positions and predictions McCain and Bush made for overthrowing Saddam. We all know how that turned out!

Obama, McCain to offer contrasts on Cuba policy

Inspired in Florida - a Recovering Republican — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:18:17 EDT

According to today's MIAMI HERALD

Posted on Thu, May. 15, 2008

Obama, McCain to offer contrasts on Cuba policy
By BETH REINHARD
Democrat Barack Obama is slated to address the prominent Cuban American National Foundation on May 23, setting up a near-collision over foreign policy with Republican John McCain, who is delivering a major speech on Cuba three days earlier.
Their back-to-back appearances in Miami will offer one of the sharpest contrasts of the fledgling general election campaign: Obama favors pursuing democratic reforms by talking to the Cuban government and allowing Cuban Americans to freely travel and send money to the island. McCain defends the Bush administration's hard-line stance aimed at debilitating the communist regime.
''He's looking forward to making the case in person to Florida voters that they will have a clear choice between change in Washington and McCain's commitment to continuing George Bush's policies,'' said Obama spokesman Josh Earnest.
The candidates' divergent views on Cuba reflect their broader campaign strategies, with Obama seeking to portray himself as an agent of change and McCain aspiring to the image of the seasoned foreign-policy steward.

Army Vet Speaks Against Mistreatment of Guantanamo Bay Detainees

funkfresh01 — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:52:54 EDT

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/03/21/University/Army-Vet.Speaks.Against.Mistreatment.Of.Detainees-3278241.shtml

Author: Lee Ann Holman

James Yee went from being a decorated U.S. Army soldier serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to being accused of espionage, spying and aiding the facility's detainees.

He spoke to students about his experiences Thursday night at the UT Law School Auditorium.

When returning to the U.S. for vacation after serving 10 months as chaplain, Yee was arrested in secret and accused of having classified documents in his backpack. While being transferred to prison Yee was subject to sensory deprivation, a torture tactic. He was held in solitary confinement for 76 days without being charged.

He was exonerated and honorably discharged after deciding to quit the army.

Yee converted to Islam shortly after graduating from West Point. He said it was a way to solidify his monotheistic faith in one God. Yee was hand-picked to serve as a Muslim minister to facility detainees.

While ministering detainees, Yee said he advised commanders on proper religious practices. He made suggestions on treatment of the detainees and spoke out against soldiers violating prisoners' human rights. Yee said that though he never participated in interrogation tactics, he counseled prisoners on their treatment.

Yee said he witnessed the desecration of the Quran. Prisoners also spoke of sexual harassment by female interferometers and being put in a pentagram while being forced to renounce Allah.

This treatment will not win the hearts and minds of the Muslim world, he said.

"People in the military have a gross lack of misunderstanding of the Muslim culture, which is counterproductive," Yee said.

Kristine Huskey, a clinical law professor, has been representing Guantanamo detainees since 2002. She said she believes any new presidential administration will shut down Guantanamo Bay, because it is not helping the U.S. fight terrorism and is breeding more people who hate America.

The rationale: foreign policy

Minh-Quan Nguyen — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 03:36:47 EST

As an international observer, my opinions surrounding the US primaries and election of 2008 are defined by issues that probably aren't of the top priority to the average American. At the centre of my considerations is foreign policy and the US's inevitably pre-eminent role in international relations. After eight years of botched foreign policy in the Middle East and in states such as North Korea, it's important that the next leader of the US has a renewed vision for the foreign policy that will impact upon people around the world. People are often keen to characterise Obama supporters as mindless people who are swept up purely by ideas of change without really knowing what he stands for in any regard. Having talked to many Obama supporters, and seen their opinions on the state of the nation and the state of the world, I know that to be false.

From a personal perspective, I selected Obama as my preferred candidate due to his view to encouraging better bilateral relations with countries from around the world, going away from the problematic status quo of opting for punitive measures against "rogue states". If the US is to pursue an active role in the world, it has to do so in a way that does not adversely affect its reputation. It has to do so in a way that encourages states and leaders to talk, not to turn away. I remain continually disappointed with Hillary Clinton's foreign policy - it's the key point of difference between Clinton and Obama, because all I see from Clinton is a commitment to keeping the same old policies in relation to states like Cuba. Clinton advocates stonewalling, a lack of diplomatic engagement and a high-flown expectation that other states will eventually come to see the light. That's not what I call proactive foreign policy. The advisory teams for both Obama and Clinton illustrate the divide. Many of Clinton's advisers are people who have made extremely interesting comments in the past about issues such as the Iraq war, having claimed that the US must be responsible for "regime change", nation building and the spread of democracy. That's not change. That's not the vision that people should be aspiring to. That's little more than neoconservative rhetoric.

There are undoubtedly other issues of tension between Clinton and Obama on matters of policy. But when I see the Democratic nomination race in terms of foreign policy, an issue that matters deeply to me, I see only one candidate who really has a vision to improve the world.

CUBA AND OUR FOREIGN POLICY

bekehangel — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:16:39 EST

From: www.blog.bekeh.com

In the last few days, we have witnessed a significant moment in the history of the people of Cuba. Fidel Castro voluntarily resigned as the President of Cuba and his younger brother, Raul Castro was elected by the Cuban National Assembly to replace him. While many people will argue about the significance of this moment given that power is passed from one dictator to the next, I still believe the end of Castro's administration is significant. Fidel Castro for many years carried himself as a demigod. Everyone in the island was his subject and he crushed all forms of opposition. This development in Cuba is significant because Raul Castro is less charismatic than Fidel and he has taken softer positions in recent years. There is no doubt the presence of his brother, Fidel would continue to influence most of the decisions he makes. He has clearly pledged in his acceptance speech that he would continue the revolution and seek Fidel's advice. Raul who is 76 has a short time as President of Cuba compared with the close to fifty years the people of Cuba have been oppressed. It is also early to conclude that Raul would not overturn the policies of the brother and make some history for himself.

OBAMA VERSUS JOHN MCCAIN: FOREIGN POLICY

ODEH ODEH — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 20:24:30 EST

John McCain is so archaic in his approach to contemporary realism. We are not in the Vietnam era any more and for him to foster sentiments such as East and West Block, rather than a United Block that America can further use to its advantages speaks volume about his inability to comprehend modern trend in international affairs.

Senator McCain, unlike Obama will further isolate the USA among the committee of nations and perpetuate the ridiculous and callous way the world currently look at us based on so many political blunders and fiasco.

I always wonder whether the idea of having conservative candidates is synonymous to that of an archaic person, who has lost touch with contemporary issues of both great concerns nationally and internationally. McCain wants the war in Iraq to continue, even when it is so obvious the commitment of the USA in Iraq was one in which the world abhorred, despised and totally rejected, as unnecessary and a clear use of the philosophy of militarism to cajoled Iraq into submission.

The necessity of our time is epitomized and exemplified by Obama in his foreign policy matters; peace and reconciliation without compromising national security and integrity.

The image if America rank first in order of priority to Obama, rather than those of the perpetuation of a failed policies on the basis of in the case of John McCain being classified as a true conservative!

Does being conservative implies sticking to the status quo that negate humanity by virtues of the war in Iraq, give task break and cuts to the wealthy and promote the campaign if intimidation, discrimination and as he recently pointed out about Obama; “false hope and change”?. If these are what being a conservative is all about, I beg to completely, totally and absolutely reject what it represents.

Obama is of the contemporary, while McCain is of the previous.

We must move forward with Obama, rather than stick with McCain and continue to experience the darkest era in foreign policies in the USA. The world will gravitate to Obama; while on the contrary will be repulsive of John McCain and the ideology he stands for.

Enough is enough!

God bless USA

God bless Obama

Read the following news about John McCain:

U.S. | February 22, 2008
The Caucus: McCain Hits Obama on Cuba
Kate Phillips
The Republican and Democratic candidates spar over the meaning of this week's events involving Fidel Castro's decision to step down and what that means for U.S.-Cuban policy.

Wisconsin Senator, Russ Feingold concurs with me

A Goner — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:57:48 EST

That Senator Obama has good judgment regarding people (that can be applied to foreign leaders). I wish I could say the same about Senator Clinton who naively blamed the right-wing conspiracy for lying about Bill's mess, which eventually turned out to be true, and voted for the war in Iraq. Same goes for Senator McCain who will continue the faulty judgment of the Bush Administration to trust foreign leaders who really do not have our best interests at heart. Smiling in our face and stabbing us in the back. You guess who that is! Hint: It's not China or Cuba.

See below.http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080222/cm_thenation/45289055_1

On Cuba

Gabriel — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:08:39 EST

Fidel Castro’s official resignation has added Cuba to the list of major foreign policy issues at stake in the 2008 presidential campaign. As he addresses this issue, Barack should keep in mind the following.

Cuba – a sad example of US power

Emma — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:51:18 EST

Cuba’s long term dictator is retiring. This isn’t exactly headline worthy news since he’s basically been forced to delegate his powers, for years already. Nothing much will change of course, as Castro will choose his own brother to succeed him. The one-party system will remain, just like the hardcore laws restricting the countries citizens. Today Cuba is one of only a handful Communist regimes still in power, and in my opinion this is entirely Americas fault. Cuba is one of those sad examples where America has drastically failed to accurately assess a complex situation, leaving millions of people suffering needlessly.

Barack Obama's Statement on Fidel Castro

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:04:28 EST

The following is the statement made by Barack Obama concerning the resignation of Cuban President Fidel Castro:

Today should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba.
Cuba's future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime. The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released.
If the Cuban leadership begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change, the United States must be prepared to begin taking steps to normalize relations and to ease the embargo of the last five decades. The freedom of the Cuban people is a cause that should bring the Americans together.

Statement from Barack Obama on Fidel Castro

Sarah Ramey — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:29:09 EST

Barack Obama has issued the following statement in response to the news that Fidel Castro is stepping down as President of Cuba:

Today should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba.
Cuba's future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime. The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released.
If the Cuban leadership begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change, the United States must be prepared to begin taking steps to normalize relations and to ease the embargo of the last five decades. The freedom of the Cuban people is a cause that should bring the Americans together.

The Time to End the Embargo on Cuba Has Come (a Long Time Ago)

Charles Penny — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:17:26 EST

Americans wake up this morning to a New Day, a day without (Fidel) Castro as leader of Cuba. It’s downright revolutionary. I suppose there will be few readers old enough to remember Cuba without Fidel Castro. For those who do remember, it was a Cuba quite different from the Cuba which Americans see from afar today, wasn’t it? Oh, yes, many solid American-built cars built way back when can still be seen on the streets of Havana today thanks to the embargo the US has imposed and enforced on the island.

How did this remarkable event of Castro leaving power come to pass? Did the embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba finally work? Well, unfortunately not. Old age merely took its toll on Fidel and he now goes into what will surely be a short-lived retirement on a tropical island, all without having to leave home.

For those who need a little refresher on just how long Castro held on to power in Cuba, he became its leader back in January of 1959, under the Eisenhower Administration (remember them good ol’ days; I don’t). He ruled Cuba through Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter (yes, it would seem that I know my chronology of US presidents pretty well, but am I forgetting anyone?). Oh, yes, that’s right, then there were the two terms of Reagan, followed by one of Bush I, the Clintons (both of them for 2 terms), and most of Bush II’s sad-to-say two terms, as well. All of that amounts to nearly fifty long years of suffering for the Cuban people above all.

I like these blogs because they make it easy for a person to express his or her opinion and for readers to reply, whether in agreement or disagreement, or totally off the subject if they like. So, please do. I’m at a loss here. Is there anyone out there who can explain what the purpose of the economic embargo on Cuba is? Is it to make Fidel and his cohorts in power suffer personally? If so, I doubt that has been achieved. Is it (now I should say “Was it”) to oust Fidel from power? If that is the rationale for it, is there anyone out there who can tell me with a straight face that it has worked?

Nothing seems to have worked. Even exploding cigars and a whole slew of other clandestine tactics couldn’t do the job. Worse than the other measures taken to provoke regime change in Cuba, I would contend that America’s less-than-legal embargo on Cuba effectively maintained Fidel Castro as Cuba’s dictator rather than dislodged him.

Apart from wide-spread suffering on Cuba itself, one mustn’t underestimate the importance the embargo and hostile US policy toward the island have had on US and world history in the long years it’s been in place. After all, as just one memorable example illustrates, it all came down the Cuban-exile community bitterly wanting to get back at the Clintons and the Democrats for an apparently “soft” policy on Cuba with the Attorney General having ruled that the boy Elian Gonzalez had to be sent back to the island that ensured (if, indeed, the results were what we’ve been told they were) that George W. Bush “won” in Florida, the state on which the whole 2000 election hinged. By then, though, it all should have been a mute point. How could the fate of one little boy have such a huge impact on history? Perhaps it is because America's policies with respect to Cuba were and still are misguided in the first place.

Between the infamous 2000 election and George W. Bush taking the reigns of power in Washington, I was tempted to write a letter as an FOB (that’s “Friend of Bill” if you don’t remember or are too young to) encouraging Clinton to lift the embargo then and there, as by that point, there was nothing left to lose. I wonder if he might have paid any attention to such a letter. Dunno. But, I can imagine he got others along the same lines from other concerned Americans and nothing changed.

The tiny, but enormously influential Cuban-exile community in Miami has held American foreign policy hostage long enough. Fortunately, Barack Obama doesn’t seem to owe it anything, especially as the agreement of ALL of the Democratic candidates was that the votes of Florida’s delegates to the Democratic Convention won’t be counted because Florida (and Michigan, too) violated Democratic Party rules for the 2008 nominee selection process. Also, with Obama’s Movement for Change sweeping America, it’s highly unlikely that the General Election results will all come down to Florida this time around (and, by the time Obama could implement his program for change, he’ll have already taken the oath and given the Inaugural Address anyway – ah, what a glorious day that will be!).

The time to lift the economic embargo on Cuba has come and, in fact, came a long time ago. The embargo has only resulted in deprivation for the vast majority of the Cuban people (the Castros and other high officials of the regime excluded, of course), and the raising of the Cuban people’s ire and that of many peoples throughout Latin America against the US and its policies. If the embargo was ever legal or even if it ever made any sense (both of which I believe is, at best, dubious), it would have been during the Cold War, which supposedly ended nearly twenty years ago.

Barack Obama would seem to understand better than most the folly of the US embargo on Cuba, given his public statements on the issue, as reported by the Washington Post in its article “Obama Calls for Easing Cuba Embargo” on August 21, 2007. Obama may not be in favor of the evidently “radical” concept of lifting the embargo entirely and restoring full diplomatic relations with Cuba as might best enable it to become the free, democratic nation Americans would like to see it become, but he goes farther than any of the other candidates, Republican or Democrat, be they has-beens or in the race now. As the Post article states, “None of the other top presidential candidates have sought to ease the restrictions.” Come to think of it, though, Bill Richardson has also publicly encouraged rethinking on the Cuba question (see his article, “A New Realism”, in the January/February 2008 issue of Foreign Affairs), and, if I recall correctly, Mike Huckabee even talked favorably of easing restrictions (although he has since changed his mind because his previous thoughts on the issue were based on supporting rice growers in his home state of Arkansas, and now that he's on the national stage, such a posture wouldn't be appropriate in the Republican party). Well, it would seem that others have been jumping on Obama’s bandwagon, whatever their motives … and who says we don’t know where Obama stands on the issues?

To lift the embargo on Cuba or at least “ease the restrictions” fits hand-in-glove with Barack Obama’s aim (and the aim of his supporters like me) to rebuild America’s moral standing in the world. Such an action could also amount to wresting a major and all-too-long-running US foreign policy decision from a small special interest group and replacing it with one rooted in common sense and benefiting Americans at-large, the people of Cuba and America’s relations with its Latin American neighbors, in general.

Please, if you have an opinion en favor or en contra of what I am saying here, or otherwise, I would welcome it. Most of all, I desire an answer to the fundamental questions of this issue. What is the purpose of the embargo on Cuba? And, if that purpose was to dislodge Castro’s Communist regime, what evidence is there that the embargo has been effective? And, what are the implications of insisting upon a failed embargo policy for the post-Fidel Cuba and America’s relations with Latin America?

The time to fundamentally change America’s relationship with its island neighbor 90 miles south of Florida has finally come. Better late than never, I suppose.

Go OBAMA ’08!

Houston volunteer office inadvertantly insults Cubans

Michael Blackburn — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 10:42:53 EST

I've reposted below the reply I wrote to Millie from Florida, who was upset about the image from a Houston Fox station of Che Guevera in a volunteer office. She is very clear in describing why this is a problem, making me aware of the insensitivity of honoring that man. Here's the original post:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/millie/C4fY

Here's my reply:

You're absolutely right. To be honest, I was ignorant of this aspect of Cuban history and culture. That ignorance is widespread in America due to the embargo; it's gone on longer than many of us have been alive. It's certainly not taught in public school US History. Without free movement to Cuba, there is no way many American youth could have known this.

Here's the hope: as English-only white male, I do not associate with many Spanish-speaking people, much less Cubans. But Barack's message is one of Unity, and it's brought the two of us together. By following his example of listening, I understand now why this image is so powerful. There's no way I could have known that without you.

Please, accept my apologies on behalf of every WASP kid who's been denied an opportunity to learn about the proud and beautiful Cuban culture and history. I know it's hurt your work for this campaign, but I believe it is not fatally wounded.

I understand your anger. But I have to call you to be responsible as well. I reject your argument that it is the volunteer's responsibility to "educate herself" about the issues of Cuban Americans before opening an office. How could she ever learn everything there is to know about every cultural subsegment of American society? How many Cubans has she had meaningful interactions with in her life?

This the core of the argument for unity, including a shared language and cultural integration into the US, a topic many immigrants resist. It's ultimately unfair to maintain a separate society, enforced with language, and yet be insulted when someone outside your culture makes a stupid mistake.

I can't speak for your family, but I know that every person can ultimately only control their own behavior. Your choice now is to retreat, insulted, away from this campaign, or engage, commit, and ultimately educate America.

You've taken the first step. Your message has reached me. I pledge to fight the "pop" usage of this image anywhere I see it in my everyday life. I get it now, and I didn't before. I think that should give you hope that this campaign really can change America. Barack challenges us to speak up, because he knows speaking honestly can heal.

I'm a volunteer, and don't speak for the campaign. I believe this campaign stands for the values honesty, empathy, and personal responsibility.

Green Panther Opens Blog for Obama

Michael from Greenbrae, CA — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 15:05:03 EST

Sexier than Obama Girl, cooler than a hunting trip with Dick Cheney, the Green Panther blog is now open.

Armchair Analysts and Couch Potato Pundits Arise! Our day has come! Let's give Obama everything we've got!

Obama vs. Clinton: Foreign Policy is the True Test of Differences

EDB — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:09:04 EST

Do not be fooled by the arguement that there are very few policy differences between Senators Obama and Clinton. Barack Obama is in a far better position to redefine foreign policy and rebuild America's stature among the community of nations. While we're all familiar with their differences on Iraq, here's an article from Fareed Zakaria that looks at their foreign policy differences. It's aptly titled "The Wrong Experience," and argues that Clinton's too eager to please narrow domestic constituencies at the expense of a balanced approach to foreign relations:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/107578/page/1

bienvenidos !!

latinObama — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:31:37 EST

Este es un momento histórico no sólo para los Estados Unidos sino para todos los pueblos hispanos del mundo.

Barack Obama es sin duda el único lider con la estatura, la experiencia, la energía, el arrastre y las ideas que se requieren para llevar adelante el cambio que puede hacer de los Estados Unidos la gran nación que desde sus orígenes ha querido ser.

Para los latinos-USA esta es una oportunidad de oro para unirse en torno a un lider que como ninguno de los que ahora tienen posibilidades de llegar a la Casa Blanca puede entender desde su corazón aquello que es bueno para todos los americanos, sin distinción de raza, credo o ideología. Para los hispanos realmente sólo hay ventajas en apoyar a Obama.

Un poco de color en la Casa Blanca nos va a venir bien a todos!!!!!

Sí se puede!!!.... pero para hacer realidad el poder hay que trabajar y votar por Obama

Hagamoslo posible!!!!

Apoya, dona, unete, comenta, analiza sus propuestas, discutelas!!!

Este es un mes maravilloso de posibilidades, no lo dejes pasar!!!!

Vamos Obama!!!!!

Fidel Castro Hints at Retirement

Asher Heimermann — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:06:31 EST

BBC Correspondents say a letter read on state TV is the first suggestion that the 81-year-old president may give up his position in Cuba's leadership.

To read the rest of this post, please visit www.ASHERHEIMERMANN.com/blog where you can find links on this topic as well as comment on this post.

Yet Another Reason Not To Have Hillary On The Ticket

Kevin — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 23:35:10 EDT

Castro's tip: Clinton-Obama the winning ticket

By Anthony Boadle Tue Aug 28, 1:51 PM ET

Ailing Cuban leader Fidel Castro is tipping Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama to team up and win the U.S. presidential election.

Clinton leads Obama in the race to be the Democratic nominee for the November 2008 election, and Castro said they would make a winning combination.

"The word today is that an apparently unbeatable ticket could be Hillary for president and Obama as her running mate," he wrote in an editorial column on U.S. presidents published on Tuesday by Cuba's Communist Party newspaper, Granma.

At 81, Castro has outlasted nine U.S. presidents since his 1959 revolution turned Cuba into a thorn in Washington's side by building a communist society about 90 miles offshore from the United States.

He said all U.S. presidential candidates seeking the "coveted" electoral college votes of Florida have had to demand a democratic government in Cuba to win the backing of the powerful Cuban exile community.

Clinton and Obama, both senators, called for democratic change in Cuba last week.

Castro has not appeared in public since intestinal illness forced him to hand over power to his brother Raul Castro in July last year.

He has turned to writing dozens of columns and essays, but rumors that his health is worsening or that he may even be dead have swirled through the Cuban exile community in Miami in the last two weeks.

Castro's only reference to U.S. President George W. Bush in his latest essay was to say that he "needed fraud" to win Florida's electoral college votes and the presidency in the fiercely contested election in 2000.

The full story is at http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070828/ts_nm/cuba_castro_usa_dc

More foreign policy kudos for Obama

Sam Graham-Felsen — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:32:44 EDT

Steve Clemons -- another highly respected foreign policy expert -- lauds Obama's policy towards Cuba in his blog The Washington Note:

I'd say that Obama has scored a "big one." I hope Hillary Clinton modifies her position because a foreign policy that promotes Cold War era thinking is not what this nation needs to get its national security posture back in to some kind of acceptable shape.

Clemons refers to another must-read, an L.A. Times editorial "Obama's right on Cuba."

P.S. Check out this video from Barack's trip to South Carolina this week. "It's easy to be against something" he says, "but the American people want to be for something."

An Important Week in Endorsements and Foreign Policy

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:08:00 EDT

This past week is one of the most memorable moments for Barack Obama and U.S. foreign policy in newscasts. Senator Obama has received two important endorsements and laid out his plan for Cuba. Also, several important figures have taken positions on the future of Iraq and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Visit me at Blogger

CubaJournal — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 05:13:28 EDT

I invite those people who want to change our failed Cuba policies of the past 48 years to visit my blog at http://cubajournal.blogspot.com. Idiotic comments like "You are a communist Castro agent" and comments including obscenities and profanity will not be published. Thank you.

Barack On Cuba

Lisa Beyer — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:30:40 EDT

Miami Herald: CANDIDATE'S POLICY: Our Main Goal: Freedom In Cuba, By Barack Obama, August 21, 2007

Miami Herald: Obama To Talk On Cuba Issues In Little Havana, August 21, 2007
Barack Obama, who made headlines for suggesting he would meet with anti-American leaders such as Fidel Castro, plans to speak Saturday in Little Havana

Barack on Cuba

Sam Graham-Felsen — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:08:00 EDT

Make sure you check out Barack's op-ed in the Miami Herald today. He says he will grant Cuban Americans unrestricted rights to visit and send money to family living on the island, and promises to ease the embargo if a post-Fidel government begins to open Cuba to democratic change:

The primary means we have of encouraging positive change in Cuba today is to help the Cuban people become less dependent on the Castro regime in fundamental ways. U.S. policy must be built around empowering the Cuban people, who ultimately hold the destiny of Cuba in their hands. The United States has a critical interest in seeing Cuba join the roster of stable and economically vibrant democracies in the Western Hemisphere. Such a development would bring us important security and economic benefits, and it would allow for new cooperation on migration, counter-narcotics and other issues...
These interests, and our support for the aspirations of the Cuban people, are ill served by the further entrenchment of the Castro regime, which is why we need to advance peaceful political and economic reform on the island.

Barack's stance on Cuba is another piece of his bold and overarching vision for a new foreign policy -- click here for more details on how Barack will reclaim America's moral leadership in the world.

Rock Star' Obama in Harmony with U.S. Allies

V, aka VCubed/Virginia V — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:21:08 EDT

he foreign policy debate between Senators Cilnton and Obama is still being talked about. Our allies agree with Obama, that we must get out of Iraq as soon as possible and negotiate with Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and So. Korea.

Obama: Keep America safe by maintaining ideals

V, aka VCubed/Virginia V — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 04:30:47 EDT

Local write-up of Obama's 7/27 appearance in Des Moines, Iowa. Obama is cheered for his stand on negotiations with adversaries without preconditions, and is bolstered by former Iowa House Democratic Leader Dick Myers of Iowa City, an Army veteran.http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070728/IOWACAUCUS/70728010/1011/IOWACAUCUS"

Obama gets cheers for "negotiations without preconditions" in Iowa

V, aka VCubed/Virginia V — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 03:50:56 EDT

Once again Obama has shown how to criticize a policy without resorting to negative campaigning or personal attacks. On the contrary, he deflects his opponents' attacks with a laser-like focus on the issues. Here's an article that shows how this quality is appreciated in the state of Iowa: Link (If I could make html work, I would, sorry for the long address!):http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/28/america/NA-GEN-US-Obama-Diplomacy.php

Obama shows leadership where Clinton fails

LJ — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:33:13 EDT

In April of this year Hillary Clinton said, “I think it is a terrible mistake for our president to say he will not talk with bad people,” referring to President Bush’s stubborn refusal to talk with leaders of countries such as Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela, and Cuba. Yet in Monday night’s CNN/YouTube debate she essentially said that maybe she’d meet with them, maybe not – apparently unwilling to make a commitment one way or the other.

Now she’s come out criticizing Barack Obama for his willingness to engage in talks with the leaders of rogue nations. So according to Hillary Clinton, saying you’d definitely not meet with these leaders is a “terrible mistake,” saying you’d be willing to meet with them is bad too, but saying maybe you’d meet with them, maybe not, is a sign of leadership?

This nation desperately needs a change from the current administration. Talking with our adversaries, as Reagan did with the USSR during the Cold War, only makes sense. With Barack Obama we’ll get a leader who understands the importance of diplomacy. Will we with Hillary Clinton? Maybe yes, maybe no.