Obama To Unilaterally Normalize Relations With Cuba

Townhall.com ^ | December 17, 2014 | Conn Carroll

[Kaslin]

resident Obama announced plans to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba today, including opening an embassy in Cuba.

"We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests," Obama claimed, "And instead we will begin to normalize relations between our two countries."

Specifically, the White House took three major steps today as part of their "New Course on Cuba":

1. Initiating discussions to reestablish diplomatic relations, including a U.S. embassy in Havana, and a Cuban embassy in the United States.
2. A review, by the State Department, of Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
3. Relaxing of regulations to facilitate the flow of travel, commerce, and information between the United States and Cuba.

In conjunction with the "new direction for U.S. policy," the White House also announced the release of United States Agency for International Development subcontractor Alan Gross who had been imprisoned in Cuba since 2009. The White House insisted that Gross's release was not related to the release of three Cuban spies held by the United States. Senior Administration Officials insisted that those three Cuban spies were traded for a "U.S. intelligence asset" that had been imprisoned in Cuba for 20 years.

Asked if the White House was planning on working with Congress to remove the embargo on Cuba, Senior Administration Officials stressed that was not the focus of today's announcement.

"Again, we're not focussed today on legislative action. We are focussed on what the president can do so he's not sought to initiate any process with respect to the lifting of the embargo," a Senior Administration Official said. "We're not focused today on calling on Congress to take any particular action, we're focussed on communicating this new direction for U.S. policy."

Obama's unilateral actions on Cuba today are just the latest in a series of unilateral actions he has taken without consent of Congress. Just last month Obama announced he would grant temporary amnesty to as many as 5 million illegal immigrants currently living in the United States and he announced a deal to cut U.S. carbon emissions with China. His administration has also signaled he will not seek any input from Congress as Obama tries to broker a nuclear weapons deal with Iran.

Unless Republicans in Congress show they are willing to stop Obama's actions through the appropriations process, Americans can expect many many more unilateral executive actions over the nest two years.

"Senators should also make clear that they will not allow the appointment of an ambassador to Cuba to proceed until there have been changes on the island," The Heritage Foundation's Michael Gonzales advises. "And look into the possibility of using policy riders in the upcoming Department of Homeland Security appropriations debate in February and the fiscal year 2016 appropriations process to deny the president funds for setting up relations."

[skeeter]

And congress will sit with its thumb in its arse as Obama usurps yet another of its constitutionally mandated prerogatives.

Although I understand Kennedy instituted the 'abnormal' relations with Cuba via much the same means.

[Ken522]

What do we need a congress for if we already have a dictator?

[tet68]

“We’re not focused today on calling on Congress to take any particular action, we’re focused on communicating this new direction for U.S. policy.”

The Tyrant speaks and it is done...

[blueunicorn6]

What the heck for? Give them the LIBYA treatment. If it was good enough for Qadaffi, then it’s good enough for Castro.
Is there any consistency in Democrat foreign policy? Oh, yeah, suitcases full of money. Makes you proud to be an American.

[roadcat]

The idiot in the White House hates our closest friend nations, dumping all over Canada, Australia, Japan, Israel, etc. etc., and just loves to cater to our enemy nations. Can’t get rid of him quick enough to get back to sanity. Enough said.

[logic101.net]

Once again, trying to make friends with our enemies and sticking a finger in the eyes of our friends. Although, this is one action he is taking that IS within his powers; for a change.

The action however, creates many difficulties. How about all the Cuban refugees and American citizens who's lands had been stolen from them by Castro? How about all the cigar brands that will now have to compete against the same trademark from Cuba? How will that work? Personally I have found Cuban cigars to be even more over rated than they are over priced; but my experience with them has been very limited.

Once again El-Presidente is opening up a whole new can of sticky situations. But then again that is his specialty; creating chaos. He has been taking (please excuse the spelling) Clowerd-Pivon to new heights.

[WildHighlander57]

Here’s one more illegal act by the 0....

Unbelievable.

[Louis Foxwell]

What must Obama do to arouse patriots to take back our nation?

[chajin]

“Ye gods, it doth amaze me
A man of such a feeble temper should
So get the start of the majestic world
And bear the palm alone.”

- Cassius in “Julius Caesar,” Act I, scene ii

[logic101.net]

The “President” is supposed to set policy for our international relations. It IS within his duties and powers. Of all the policy changes he has made in this area so far, this one is the least damaging. He has a talent for maximizing damage though....

[Oliviaforever]

“We will end an outdated approach that for decades has failed to advance our interests..”

How is the American Cuban policy “outdated” and the policy will fail if Obama abandons the policy.

[Veggie Todd]

Holy Smokes! What’s next? Sounds like he won’t be happy until he totally ruins this country. I guess he’s still butt hurt about November.

[Slyfox]

Now will Castro return him?

[ronnie raygun]

ALYNSKIS RULES FOR RADICALS, overwhelm the system into collapse, it’s nice to know the GOP is on board with this also

[yldstrk]

KMA

[tsowellfan]

And congress will sit with its thumb in its arse as Obama usurps yet another of its constitutionally mandated prerogatives.

I agree with you 100%.

Look at the bright side... politically.... If Amnesty prevails and the borders secured the so called "immigration" problem will no longer be a campaign issue for the democrats.

All republicans need to do is articulate their conservative ideas and they will win the votes from all races, creeds and nationalities and they will win. Conservatism (when articulated, wins everytime).

Conceding to the Cuban government is a lose lose situation for the Obama administration and democrats who stand behind it not to mention bypassing Congress to do it.

Politically BOTH can be good for the republican party (and I am not a republican).

Unfortunately, the way Obama's doing both is spitting at the US Constitution and causing damage to this great nation of ours.

I have my doubts that Republicans will be able to articulate conservative ideas because if there was an ounce of conservatism in their blood Obama would not have gotten as far as he has without having been impeached. I just don't see how one can ignore the US Constitution and claim to be conservative at the same time.

At this point John Boehner is just as guilty as Obama for allowing it all to happen.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“What must Obama do to arouse patriots to take back our nation?”

Let’s see on January 6th, although I don’t hold out much hope.

[BenLurkin]

[VerySadAmerican]

I’ve always thought it was stupid to deal with China but not Cuba. But something has to be wrong because it was done in secret. Why didn’t he include that as part of his platform?