US, Cuba advance dizzying thaw in relations

[Faygo Kid]

Source: Yahoo News

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Trading their warmest words in a half-century, the United States and Cuba built momentum toward renewed ties on Friday, with President Barack Obama declaring he "seeks a new beginning" — including direct talks — with the island's communist regime. As leaders of the Americas gathered for a summit in this Caribbean nation, the head of the Organization of American States even said he'll ask his group to invite Cuba back after 47 years.

In remarks kicking off the weekend gathering of nations — of which Cuba was the only country in the region not represented — Obama repeated the kind of remarks toward the Castro regime that marked his campaign for the presidency.

"The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba," he said at the Summit of the Americas opening ceremony, according to his remarks released in advance by the White House. "I know there is a longer journey that must be traveled in overcoming decades of mistrust, but there are critical steps we can take toward a new day."


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090417/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_us_cuba

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I remember, as an 11 year old, expecting nuclear war over the Cuban Missile Crisis. And we have moved no further forward since.

Until now. That took courage, President Obama, and was the right thing to do. Give it up for Barack tonight, because this is astounding.

[Dollface]

1. Obama is still a community organizer. He is just working to bring together a bigger community.

[Cha]

6. That's the way I look at it..

He has a strong foundation that has allowed him to organize the Planet if that's what it takes:bounce:

[lamp_shade]

2. I couldn't be prouder. This could go someplace, but he's choosing his words carefully.

[Wapsie B]

3. I say it's about time.

It has been far too long since we had a meaningful relationship with Cuba. Besides if anything would make freeper heads explode this sure would.

[flamingdem]

17. i like that thought !!!! nt

[tridim]

4. REALIZING whirled peas!

Obama is trying to fix everything that sucks in this World. That's why he has my support.

[Richd506]

5. I am so glad to see this happen in my lifetime

It's about time for this...

[bread_and_roses]

7. It is wonderful to see a glimmer of hope that this irrational and unjust

embargo may end, and ordinary diplocatic relations be restored in the forseeable future.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

8. Before I pass...

Treasure Lake, Cuba. Largemouth Bass Fishing.

[AlphaCentauri]

9. Can we adopt the Cuban health care model?

could an option

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

10. It is so wonderful to see so much sanity back in the Presidency

though I reserve my right to disagree on any given issue this is a torrent, not a breath, of fresh air. Apparently Raul Castro has been making similarly conciliatory noises, at least according to what I heard on the Beeb world service. This cannot but bode well.

I remember the bomb shelter in the basement of my childhood home. It was a great place to play fort or tell scary stories when I was 7. Woulda made a good tornado shelter up here in Minnuh-soda, too.

[bemildred]

11. At Summit of the Americas, the spotlight is on Cuba

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- President Barack Obama is ready to start a new era of engagement with Cuba, he assured his regional counterparts Friday.

''The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba,'' Obama said in his opening remarks at the Fifth Summit of the Americas. ``Let me be clear: I am not interested in talking for the sake of talking. But I do believe that we can move U.S.-Cuban relations in a new direction.''

His remarks followed a barrage of criticism -- before and during the 34-nation summit -- over the decades-old U.S. sanctions against Cuba and the communist nation's suspension as a member of the Organization of American States.

Pre-summit gatherings focused heavily on building consensus on the U.S.-Cuba issue and four other leaders who also addressed the region's most important gathering called for a diplomatic truce between Washington and Havana.

http://www.miamiherald.com/1370/story/1005587.html

[Mudoria]

12. Looking forward to those Cuban cigars in the future

[arcos]

14. Sorry to rain on your parade, but tobacco will be illegal by then... nt

:hide: :hide: :hide:

[ACTION BASTARD]

21. IF that happens, I'll be growing sweet Cuban leaf in my basement like the potheads do.

420 for everybody!

[Vidar]

13. OK,Obama, this is beginning to sound good. Keep Wall Street out of it.

[bemildred]

15. Obama's new foreign policy backed by former government officials

LOS ANGELES, April 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama's foreign policy has won support from former government officials and scholars, for showing remarkable changes.

The remarks were heard at a conference at the University of Southern California's Unruh Institute of Politics on Wednesday.

New changes have been witnessed by the world when the United States said it would take part in the proposed talks with Iran with other five countries -- Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany, in an attempt to find a political solution to Iran's nuclear program.

Obama has also eased Cuba travel restrictions for the first time.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/16/content_11194868.htm

[bemildred]

16. Bad for the U.S.

Ignorant, ungrammatical, but amusing grumbling from the boondocks.

Dear Editor:

Obama’s naivety, arrogance, and lack of American history knowledge became all too visible during his tour of apology. He rattled a paper sword at North Korea and by implication has sent a new message to Iran. According to the London Times, Obama’s overall message to Iran was, “Don’t develop a nuclear weapon.” Former President George W. Bush was always dead-on specific in calling Iran to halt all enrichment activity, according to the Times. While apologizing for making Europe safe while the American treasure of young lives was sacrificed, he sends a signal that nuclear proliferation is now OK. Not only OK, but while we are at it, let’s cut our arsenal and cut military spending.

Europe is, and has been, unable to defend their interests or borders because they directed their financial resources to socialism. Not we are following the same template. Who will protect us? Canada? Mexico? Europe?

I thought Obama would be bad for the U.S.; I had no idea how bad bad could be.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20090418/LETTER/904179977/1020

[Mika]

18. Ha! Not so fast.

Obama: I'll Stick With Embargo For Now
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3838834

[FrenchieCat]

19. Same story......

"The United States seeks a new beginning with Cuba"


A new Beginning Obama stated,

not.....OK, let's act like the last 50 years never happen,
and oh...Mr. Castro, do what you want about those political prisoners....
I'm not going to bother using any leverage to do anything about that...

Don't think so.

[EFerrari]

20. In order to rectify the last fifty years, the administration would have to pay reparations

to Cuba for the many assassination attempts and acts of sabotage and for harboring terrorists, and to free its Cuban political prisoners, at a minimum.

It's not fair that Obama got stuck with that legacy but, there it is.

[Vidar]

22. You've betrayed us to Wall Street & Bush's torture riegime.

You've decided to continue the embargo,Obama. Your credibility is vanishing.