I always enjoy your postings whether I comment on them or not.
This Cuba thing continues to boggle my mind. For such a little island, it certainly occupies a lot of our politicians’ time. But that is what Cuba is all about – politics. If one were to compare Cuba to China, it’s the same darn thing as far as human rights, etc., is concerned except one is illegal the other is not for purposes of travel. In China, one can return with a zillion dollars worth of goodies because there are many interesting things to buy. In Cuba, except for hotel, food, taxis, and entrance fees to a few places, there is nothing of value to buy. One returns with almost the same amount of money one took. I returned with some Cuban coffee and a $10 t-shirt. T-shirts can go as high as $20. Cuban cigars can be purchased here in Panama so no need to bring them. The same goes with their rum. So what am I trying to say? I respect both sides of the argument. Travel for me is never a vacation. It is always a learning experience that I get high on. It’s like sitting in a wonderful, exciting college classroom learning something new. Anybody who goes to Cuba on a “vacation” has approached it wrong. When I went to China, those modern hotels had not been built yet. We never knew if we were going to have a hotel room for that night (we lucked out because we always did although there were a couple of times it appeared doubtful). But then again, China was a learning experience, and it was one of the most exciting places I have visited. Would I like to live in Cuba? Heck no. But now I can see areas of Havana in photos and on the TV news and know where the places are. They are no longer a mystery. And more than that, I can now tell if the news commenter is BSing me. That part is especially fun. Am I making any sense?
You might enjoy reading this. Capitalism's on the sly in Cuba
Ah, a stroll down memory lane.
I lived in Miami during the Castro revolution and recall a few facts.
When Castro was warring from the hills, most of the US backed him. Most of our politicians supported his effort. He proclaimed himself as the savior of Cuba. Small planes were gunrunning from small airstrips around S. Fla. The Feds would occasionally raid one of the strips, but they didn't really have their heart in it.
When Castro overthrew Batista, suddenly his real agenda came out.
The US offered aid to him, he told us to 'go to he**'. He executed hundreds if not thousands. I had several friends that had relatives shot.
Castro basically stuck his thumb in our eye. We haven't forgotten.
When he imported missiles, that was the last straw. Were they ALL removed? I don't think so.
The only way I would consider renewing relations with him is to have a team of inspectors cover every inch of that island looking for offensive weapons.