Posted on 04/27/2005 4:57:58 PM PDT by wjersey
Anti-Castro Majority Leader Tom DeLay enjoys a fine Cuban cigar
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. And sometimes, according to House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a cigar is an economic prop to a brutal totalitarian regime. Arguing against loosening sanctions against Cuba last year, DeLay warned that Fidel Castro "will take the money. Every dime that finds its way into Cuba first finds its way into Fidel Castro's blood-thirsty hands.... American consumers will get their fine cigars and their cheap sugar, but at the cost of our national honor."
DeLay has long been one of Congress' most vocal critics of what he calls Castro's "thugocracy," which is why some sharp-eyed TIME readers were surprised last week to see a photo of the Majority Leader smoking one of Cuba's best—a Hoyo de Monterrey double corona, which generally costs about $25 when purchased overseas and is not available in this country. The cigar's label clearly states that it was made in "Habana." The photo was taken in Jerusalem on July 28, 2003, during a meeting between DeLay and the Republican Jewish Coalition at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem.
"Generally, the Hoyo de Monterrey is considered a very good cigar, especially in those oversizes," says Gregory Mottola, tasting coordinator for Cigar Aficionado magazine. A review of the Hoyo de Monterrey double corona on the website www.topcubans.com raves: "Love at first sight. The beauty of the stick, is matched by it’s (sic) paradisiacal even roundness in the smoke. The Hoyo sweet tastes (crushed cacao/coffee, Moroccan leather), give this cigar a childish naughtiness character. This is a smoke full of prestige and smooth class."
DeLay's smoke may have run afoul of his principles, but it did not violate U.S. regulations at the time. However, it would now. Last September, the Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control tightened its prohibitions against U.S. citizens importing or consuming Cuban cigars. Even Americans licensed to bring back up to $100 worth of Cuban goods are no longer allowed to include tobacco products in what they carry. The regulation also noted that Americans are barred not only from purchasing Cuban goods in foreign countries, but also from consuming them in those countries.
Asked about the Majority Leader's consumption of a Cuban cigar, his spokesman Dan Allen replied there has been "no change in our Cuban policy."
He smoked this in Israel, not here, so he didn't import it.
Well at least he SMOKES his cigars! We know what Klintoon DOES with his cigars!
Not to mention I want to see the original of that image, film or digital. Methinks there could be some Photoshoppin' goin' on 'round hyar.
I smoke Cubans when I'm overseas (not as good as this one!). I didn't know Americans couldn't smoke Cubans even while out of the country. What a completely assinine idiotic law! Who's gonna bust me? Looks like DeLay got busted fair and square though.
Unfrickingbelievable.
Did I read that right? Is it illegal to smoke them overseas?
If so, I'm guilty. Multiple Montecristo #7's consumed while in the UK.
And if DeLay had refused the offer of a smoke from a foreign dignitary would that have offended the Bolton bashers?
He was given a cigar two years ago on an overseas trip. Let's make a scandal out of that.
Lord, I hope we don't get into this cigar thing again.-
Hammer, whatever you did- admit it. No one cares if you inhaled or not- so long as you PROMISE not to do it anymore.
What is he busted for? He didn't violate any laws. Someone could claim he is hypocrite for smoking a Cuban cigar, but do we know the circumstances? He may have been offered it by a host in Israel, where declining it would have been a faux-pas in itself. I don't know the details about that part.
Wait, is this a joke?
Oh my God. I first thought this was scrappleface, but it's TIME MAGAZINE!
Is this really the best they can do?
So he broke no laws, but if he does again now it would, but he isn't doing it now so what's the point?
Their desperation is bubbling over. I can't help but think even the vast uninformed middle must see this pathetic attempt to scratch up SOMETHING, anything, anything at all to hurt one of our best guys.
Can they really pass such a law? And if they can (and it appears they did) can it stand up to legal scrutiny?
Hillary has real scandal all around her and the OLD MEDIA are chasing their tails over Delay.
I meant he's been busted for contributing to the Cuban economy after denouncing it. That's all and fits under the heading of do what I say, not what I do. In other words, hypocritical. I didn't mean to imply he broke the law. Sorry for the confusion.
This whole thing has gotten ridiculous beyond all belief.
I acknowledged that possibility of hypocrisy, but again I do not know the circumstances of the cigar-smoking.
If he was offered this cigar by a host, and accepted it so as not to offend that is very different than him running down to the smoke shop to BUY one.
Wow, these people must be really desperate!!!!!!
Who in their right mind (except an anti smoking Nazi) would turn down such a fine cigar! Frankly I envy the man. You can be sure though that the dim talking heads will have a little fun with this tomorrow.
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