http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8003507.stm

'Cuban President Raul Castro has said he is willing to talk to Washington about everything, including human rights, political prisoners and press freedom. '

- Interesting.

Nuke the site from orbit.

Be good to have Cuba on board and treating their people well.

After all a good source of Cuban rum and cigars would be welcome!

I went to Cuba on a shoot recently. Opening it up as a cheap tourist destination would clearly serve in Cuba's favor ... they need us more than we need them.

Don't smoke normally, however for a nice cuban.... mmm....

I went to Cuba on a shoot recently. Opening it up as a cheap tourist destination would clearly serve in Cuba's favor ... they need us more than we need them.


Back in the '50s my grandparents would vacation in Cuba, it's cool seeing the old 8mm movies and pictures of it back then.

probally has not changed. You go there now Rover and you could probally ride in the same car they did!

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gen/75404/original.jpg

Not Cuba related really, but close!

I wouldn't read too much into this.

I remember when, at a global summit, Prince Charles turned around when someone tapped his shoulder. It was Robert Mugabe, who extended a hand and - you could clearly see - Charles reacted in a second and shook it.

Of course he got a ripping for it afterwards, but like he said, he was somewhat blindsided.

I don't think I would say Obama is now best friend's with Chavez. But still, this summit is VERY encouraging, the US thawing extremely frosty ties with states they've been at tension with for decades.

Well, obviously Chavez and Castro are going to try to play him.

We will see.

Edit: Forget that.

Yes, they probably will try and play him. But I think they see the US under him as a Big Friendly Giant - I don't think they realise the *actual* change which has taken place.

Once again the simple-minded media and its pundits are confused about the nature of Americanism and language. When President Obama today inferred consideration of holding former administration officials accountable to law, he was immediately accused of violating his belief that we should "look forward." Had President Ford "looked forward" in his decision as to whether or not to hold Nixon accountable, he perhaps would have seen the Bush administration abuse of power coming and chosen to be genuinely tough on crime -- you know, "tough on crime" -- sending Nixon to jail and deterring this recent avalanche of abuse.

Further, the criticisms of President Obama's warm greeting toward President Chavez of Venezuela have been the posturing of our nation's most bitter and humanly impotent voices. Why is anyone listening to former Vice President Cheney? He's the one person alive proven wrong on virtually every topic. Then there's Newt Gingrich, who commented on the Chavez greeting as being approached wrong. He suggested that the meeting itself may not be improper, but that it should have been handled with a cold demeanor. This is a pattern of bad acting advice from bad actors. (All wimps think playing a tough guy is done in one-note coldness.) With a friend, or an enemy, our president will gain greater strategic position with a smile.

I know President Chavez well. Whether or not one agrees with all his policies, what is certainly true of Chavez is that he is a warm and friendly man with a robust sense of humor (who daily risks his own life for his country in ways Dick Cheney could never imagine). To treat such a man coldly is akin to spitting on him. As a country we've done enough of that. Say what you will, but it has only resulted in the self-celebration of our smirking spitters, while costing us international respect, American lives, and left wounds in the hands of our children's future. The Cheneys, down to the O'Reillys and Hannitys and Limbaughs, effectively hate the principles upon which we were founded. They are among the greatest cowards in all of American history. I applaud an American President who's tough enough...to smile.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sean-penn/smiles-for-smirks_b_189801.html

I know President Chavez well.

He call you at home? You hang out, go bowling, have a few beers? Mrs. Chavez invite you to the presidential estate for dinner?

Ok. I'll stop :p

In all seriousness, there was never any point in picking a fight with countries like Venezuela or Cuba. They are harmless. Its easier to keep the channels open with them while dealing directly with their Russian masters.

jedd, do you have a sufficient supply of those drugs to share with everyone?

I believe Jedd is quoting someone from Huffington post that eats at the same table as the great tyrant Chavez. I don't think that's actually him talking?

I think Chavez is a power hungry oppressive megalomaniac, but he is a democratically elected leader not a dictator.

He was elected but you might want to do a bit of research on what's happened since he's come into power. Seizing properties and filling in the base requirements for being a dictator quite nicely ;P

He was elected but you might want to do a bit of research on what's happened since he's come into power. Seizing properties and filling in the base requirements for being a dictator quite nicely ;P


I don't need to do any more research...

Remember I said this:

I think Chavez is a power hungry oppressive megalomaniac

I think Chavez is a power hungry oppressive megalomaniac, but he is a democratically elected leader not a dictator.

So are Mugabe and Jong-il. Yay?

Oh Rover, that is so not true.

I love ya man but it's quite a naive outlook to suggest democracy maintains these 'regimes'. Chavez has already bent legislation to ensure he remains in power, despite the people.

Two decades down the line, people will start to ask 'Hey, don't we usually have someone else as El Presidente by now?'

Oh Rover, that is so not true.

I love ya man but it's quite a naive outlook to suggest democracy maintains these 'regimes'. Chavez has already bent legislation to ensure he remains in power, despite the people.

Two decades down the line, people will start to ask 'Hey, don't we usually have someone else as El Presidente by now?'

SEE: I think Chavez is a power hungry oppressive megalomaniac...

He was still elected to office in what was as fair as an election as we have here in the US...hey...we advocate democracy here and will invade your country to give it to you!

Oddly enough if you think about it...might work...there were no rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon during the recent Gaza thing...that is unusual.