http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1618178720080620

European Union states agreed on Thursday to scrap sanctions against Cuba in a move aimed at encouraging democratic reforms on the Communist island, officials said.

The lifting, agreed despite U.S. calls for the world to remain tough on Havana, will pave the way for a new dialogue with Cuba but come with calls that it address human rights concerns and free political prisoners.

On the one hand, I think this is way past due. Sanctioning Cuba for decades, while we happily trade with China, represented unbelievable hypocrisy.

On the other hand, it's sad to watch our influence in world politics continue to plummet.

But, but, Castro?

I suspect we'll drop sanction soon as Bush is out of office.

Castro what? He's been like on the verge of death for 10 years.

This is a big step for EU foreign policy.

This is indeed way past due. We still have our weapons embargo on China - which is the most important embargo of all.

The embargo on Cuba has been past it's sell-by date for 40 years, I doubt anyone, anywhere, can even articulate what its purpose is.

Drive up the prices on Cuban cigars?

Obama supports at least moving in that direction. He still wants to keep the embargo for now, but it's a start.
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Not giving Castro any credit with freedom and human rights issues, but is anyone aware of what Cubans went through under Batista? In many ways he made Castro look like a Teddy Bear.

Yeah, but he was on our payroll, so he's an Ally in the War on Terror.

Hmmm must end sanctions soon, good Cuban cigars with good cuban rum inc@!

(and of course maybe an influx of gorgeous Cuban women!!)

When they aren't contraband, Cuban cigars will probably lose a lot of their appeal.

I'd just be happy to be able to vacation there, without having to jump through questionable loopholes.

Sanctions on Cuba are so 1960s, we should have lifted them years ago. It always amazed me how we could some how maintain the sanctions on Cuba yet when it came to other countries we couldn't.

I would enjoy knowing Castro would have to watch from his deathbed as his folks began to have a more open culture.

When they aren't contraband, Cuban cigars will probably lose a lot of their appeal.

I'd just be happy to be able to vacation there, without having to jump through questionable loopholes.

Its actually very easy to vacation in Cuba as a US citizen. There are obviously no direct flights, but you stop off in Mexico. You can ask them to not stamp your passport, and they'll be happy to oblige, but even if you get a stamp it won't matter any. My girlfriend's dad goes once a year.

I had a couple friends that got hit with massive fines after coming back from Cuba (via Canada). I'm a little gun shy after what happened to them.

There was a great article in Esquire only a month or two ago about what to do in Cuba.

Aha, found it:
http://www.esquire.com/features/the-restless-man/cuba-0308
(check the other 2 links at the bottom)

That being said, my only time there was for a shoot and it seemed a little old and stale for me. You're not quite my girlfriend's dad's age ... there's plenty of better places to travel. I scuba dive (well, used to before I bought the house) 3-4 times a year and there's some beautiful islands to visit. If Cuba didn't have the embargo, it certainly wouldn't be as exciting as it is.

Cozumel is great, but you have a giant $ sign on your forehead there to all the locals. The Rivera Maya is far enough away from Cancun to be remote and beautiful and not super touristy, yet its a 45 minute cab ride to Cancun for the night life (or 15 min to Playa Del Carmen, but that area is a lot slower paced it seems). Bahamas are worth passing over, its just America Light. Bermuda is excellent, but it gets cold if you go outside of the summertime - its the same latitude as South Carolina I think. Jamaica has some shady areas, stay away from Negril, but Ocho Rios has unbelievable waterfalls and some of the better diving on the East Coast. Belize is awesome, everyone speaks English, and its jam packed with tropical jungles and beautiful views.

If anyone's rich and wants to take me back to Costa Rica though, that was the best vacation I've ever taken in the Americas. Cuba? Save the money.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL1618178720080620



On the one hand, I think this is way past due. Sanctioning Cuba for decades, while we happily trade with China, represented unbelievable hypocrisy.

On the other hand, it's sad to watch our influence in world politics continue to plummet.


I see that as a great wake-up call. Hopefully (and yes, hoping in vain I am sure) the coming election will see many of those currently in office and contributing to our downward slide tossed out, from both parties.

If people really want to talk change, fresh faces are one way to potentially affect that change.

I want to go to Cuba and buy up a bunch of '55 and '57 Chevy's so I can sell them on eBay here.

I'd love to go to Cuba myself before socialism is totally dismantled and see what it looks like pressed in its time machine amber. If you are going to go, Faervas' relatives in Cancun tell me, it's far safer to go through Mexico (Cancun/Cozumel are ideal, because it provides good cover for your being down there as a legit tourist destination) and they're very easygoing about not stamping your passport (they'll stamp a piece of paper for you). Just be careful about what you try to bring back!

Regards,
Nydia

I loved Cozumel. I want to go back, last time I was there for 5 days and dived twice daily for 3 of them.