Odds and ends
- A new nugget in the Myers case: the judge’s order (pdf) denying bail to the couple indicates that in 1996 and 1997, the FBI intercepted messages from Cuba referring to these agents by their code names, 202 and 634. Only later, apparently, did the FBI establish their identities. (See pages 7 and 8.)
- The Cuban American community of Phoenix, Arizona – who knew? – is gearing up to do more travel to Cuba to visit family, the Arizona Republic reports. From the anecdotes I have heard, the relaxation in regulations that occurred earlier this year – permitting family visits annually instead of every three years – has spurred an increase in travel, and it’s anyone’s guess how volume will be affected when the Obama Administration’s April policy decision is finally implemented, allowing Cuban Americans to travel without restriction.
- In this interview in El Pais, OAS Secretary General Insulza looks back at the repeal of the “archaic” 1962 resolution that suspended Cuba. He says he doesn’t believe that “one resolution is capable of producing immediate changes in Cuba,” but it “contributes to creating a different atmosphere on the island.” He is not worried about U.S. Congressional threats to the OAS’ funding.
From Arizona, to CA, to Maine, to Texas, Obama's opening up family travel has and is helping reunite the cuban family.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I am NOT blaming USA fellow exiles without family in cuba, just stating a fact, which is the following:
since the end of family travel restrictions, 1000s of Cuban families have enjoyed each others warmth and happiness. We have uplifed our cuban brothers, who need all of the uplifting they can get. Now i know all of the 'counterarguments', but you miss my point:
there is no counterargument to mothers seeing their sons without the stress of knowing it will be 3 more years of separation. Thanks you OB, you are the man! I know many Cubans who lean GOP ,but will never vote GOP again, as long as they continue this neo-con stance against the USA-cuban family -
yes there is a counterargument: the "warmth and happiness" has a cost -- the economic assistance helps the regime which perpetuates the misery family members find themselves in the first place.
ReplyDeleteDear Lefty/Walter: Sorry you and Gwen were denied bail! Will the outrages never end? Until we organize the mass campaign to spring you from the D.C. Jail, just keep the faith and continue munching those beans and franks while you dream of the lavish fare served to the ungrateful gusanos rightfully esconced in Cuba's prisons (a MODEL for the world, it goes without saying!)
ReplyDeleteAnd I was deeply impressed by your stirring defense of your predecessors from the 1950's, the Brit "spies" Kim Philby, Burgess, etc., who have been rudely attacked by the reactionaries as "traitors." Thank goodness Phil is on your side on this one, too! As you and Phil know, Philby & Co. were actually heroes, just like you and Gwen, who were only trying to make the world a safer place for dear Comrade Stalin (of blessed memory.)
I am flabbergasted by these two alleged spies.
ReplyDeleteIt's reported that neither may have spoken Spanish.
Walter is also described as "idealistic." I would call him "naive" to the extreme.
I don't know how any intelligent observer could claim sympathy for Castro-controlled Cuba after visiting it...if only for a week...unless they were treated like celebrities/politicians and kept inside a sheltered state security bubble.
A few minutes of private conversation with a regular Cuban...even in 1978...would probably have revealed all sort of resentments and hostilities...against the Castro's control and policies... and not just those of the US!
Phil Peters has had more than a "few minutes conversation" with "regular Cubans" since 1978. Yet it didn't stop him from following in Myers' footsteps.
ReplyDelete"who knew" there were Cubans living in Arizona? well, Peters, there are Cubans living in every state of the union and probably as many countries. That's what 50 years of dictatorship results in...
ReplyDelete"who knew" there were Cubans living in Arizona? well, Peters, there are Cubans living in every state of the union and probably as many countries. That's what 50 years of dictatorship results in...
ReplyDelete"That's what 50 years of dictatorship results in..."
ReplyDeleteDamn with the dictatorships, there are mexicans living in every state too (or for that matter colombians, dominicans, etc). Nice argument, BTW
i'm glad the cuban americans now can visit their relatives without restrictions.
ReplyDeletebut what the hell gives them special privilege over the rest of us who want to go to Cuba and see for ourselves what is really going on there, instead of listening to those who have political/economic agendas to promote.
it is absolutely disgusting that one group of americans have rights that others dont; isn't it one of their big points that the cubans have no rights. well until the rights of all americans are equal in this matter i don't want to hear any more of their whining.
hey a--hole 4:58, compare the numbers relative to population. You think there are DRs in Alaska?
ReplyDeleteHere an interesting approach to rights in Cuba.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.havanatimes.org/?p=9322
Insulza is a disgrace. He has set back the progress of democracy in the region 20 years. There are so many who have sacrificed their whole lives to break open Latin America's political and economic systems and he walks in and sh*ts all over their efforts.
ReplyDeleteInsulza is a disgrace. He has set back the progress of democracy in the region 20 years.
ReplyDeleteWhen are you all going to realize it is not about Insulza, not Chavez, not Ortega, not Lugo - it was EVERY single country in the hemisphere (except for the US) - who wants to integrate Cuba and sees the US policies as mean-spirited, anachronistic and counter-productive. Although I know it makes you feel better to blame a socialist for everything...
It's about Insulza's gutless refusal to stand up for the Inter-American Democratic Charter. What about that leftside? How do you reconcile the OAS allowing Cuba back in in light of the fact that its system of government violates every single tenet of the Charter?
ReplyDeleteIt should be noted that the Interamerican Democratic Charter was put in place not so much to keep Cuba out but to eliminate the possibility of military takeovers of democratic elected governments. It could be argued that the Charter helps the Left more than the Right.
ReplyDeleteVecino de NF
Anonymous June 11, 2009 5:02 PM
ReplyDelete"well until the rights of all americans are equal in this matter i don't want to hear any more of their whining."
Could you please outline your "Final Solution" to deal with Gusano Problem?
Vecino de NF