House panel votes to remove travel ban on Caribbean island of Cuba Read more: http:/

[Padron_26_64_4_Me]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2010/07/01/2010-07-01_house_panel_votes_to_remove_travel_ban_on_cuba.html

 

[ER Doc]

Wow. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the House votes (after passing the other "two hurdles" before coming to a vote).

Then, we've got the Senate...

However, this could the be the start of what many projected when the current administration took over.

 

[cvm4]

In Florida, where anti-Castro sentiment is high, politicians have denounced the vote as an appeasement to the despotic state.

That's the only reason it hasn't been done sooner. Every president/politician needs the FL vote.

 

[Slow Burn]

nice... i will reserve my Caribbean destination cruise!!

 

[mthhurley]

WOW...where'd this come from?

 

[tmoney2007]

That's the only reason it hasn't been done sooner. Every president/politician needs the FL vote.

Obama obviously doesn't think he needs the Florida vote. Look at what he wanted to do to NASA down there.

From what my friend told me, everything is shiny and pretty in the tourist areas and everything is falling apart 1 block back from that main drag. Castro is a grade-a a-hole.

 

[smokinpeace]

Keep the embargo in place and unenforced so I can keep getting quality Cubans tax free.

 

[benday]

Keep the embargo in place and unenforced so I can keep getting quality Cubans tax free.

that and now traveling to cuba will be awful thanks to americans mucking it up with modern shops and restaurants...there goes cuban culture.

 

[cvm4]

that and now traveling to cuba will be awful thanks to americans mucking it up with modern shops and restaurants...there goes cuban culture.

You're f'ing serious?? This board is 99% Americans.

 

[Jwrussell]

I need to read a few more articles on this to see if it is really what it seems to be. I would be surprised if this was more than a partial change, but would welcome it none-the-less. As is said in the article:

"We have tried isolating Cuba for more than 50 years, and it has not worked,"

Dayum straight. I would love to see our government as a whole finally stand up to the "Florida vote" and I live in Florida. I understand how the Cuban imigrants see this, but if something doesn't work it doesn't work. Find another way.

 

[Jwrussell]

Well I'll be damned, it actually is a full retreat on the travel ban. That's interesting.

The House Agriculture Committee’s approval of the Cuba trade bill will help increase agriculture exports to that island nation and help make U.S. agricultural goods the products of choice in the Cuban marketplace, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“This vote takes us one step closer to placing American-grown food on the tables of the Cuban people,” said Bob Stallman, AFBF president. “We are hopeful the House will expedite consideration of this bill so we can take advantage of our competitive position in the Cuban market.”

Earlier, Stallman expressed AFBF’s strong support for H.R. 4645, the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act, sponsored by Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson, House Agriculture Committee Chairman, and Kansas Rep. Jerry Moran. The bill eliminates many restrictions on exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to Cuba, as well as modifies other U.S. policies that hinder U.S. exports to Cuba.

The bill clarifies the definition of “cash payment in advance” and eliminates the need for Cuba to go through a third-country bank to pay for a U.S. product. Cuba would be allowed to directly wire payments to U.S. banks. The legislation also removes all travel restrictions to Cuba.

“Lifting all travel restrictions will have a direct impact on U.S. agricultural sales,” Stallman wrote. “Increased travel to Cuba will boost food demand in the country, and coupled with other reforms, the U.S. industry will meet increased food needs. Increased travel will also bring much needed funds to purchase U.S. commodities, given that cash will remain the only means of payment.”

Stallman said U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba have increased and declined over the years, but have averaged roughly $320 million per year since 2000.

“The major reason for the fluctuations is that the U.S. is not viewed by Cuba as a reliable supplier because of sales restrictions and the arbitrary actions of the U.S. government to further limit those sales,” Stallman said. “With timely congressional action, we expect this to soon change for the better.”

link

Hard to see how they'll keep the rest of the embargo in place if they allow this.

 

[kafreeman]

I need to read a few more articles on this to see if it is really what it seems to be. I would be surprised if this was more than a partial change, but would welcome it none-the-less. As is said in the article:



Dayum straight. I would love to see our government as a whole finally stand up to the "Florida vote" and I live in Florida. I understand how the Cuban imigrants see this, but if something doesn't work it doesn't work. Find another way.

I know quite a few immigrant Cubans that do not support the embargo.

 

[benday]

You're f'ing serious?? This board is 99% Americans.

yes i'm serious. i love america and am permanently disabled due to defending it, but we (americans) don't normally embrace everyone's culture when we invade islands for vacation. we build applebees because we're used to them and don't want to branch out...

i did't agree with the embargo in the first place, but there are some beautiful things about cuba that will be no more once travel is opened to the island. good for cuba though, they need our money, cars, and applebees.

 

[benday]

I know quite a few immigrant Cubans that do not support the embargo.

me too, my best bud fled cuba at 16 under castro and watched as castro had his father jailed and killed for helping him and his family escape.

 

[tmoney2007]

yes i'm serious. i love america and am permanently disabled due to defending it, but we (americans) don't normally embrace everyone's culture when we invade islands for vacation. we build applebees because we're used to them and don't want to branch out...

i did't agree with the embargo in the first place, but there are some beautiful things about cuba that will be no more once travel is opened to the island. good for cuba though, they need our money, cars, and applebees.

We don't build the applebees. THEY build the applebees.

If they don't have the national pride to preserve their culture, it isn't the Americans fault.

 

[kafreeman]

I would think the second we are able to visit that island legally the island will change just as fast.

There will be billions of American investment in the island, but I hope they are able to preserve their culture as it is.

 

[cvm4]

yes i'm serious. i love america and am permanently disabled due to defending it, but we (americans) don't normally embrace everyone's culture when we invade islands for vacation. we build applebees because we're used to them and don't want to branch out...

i did't agree with the embargo in the first place, but there are some beautiful things about cuba that will be no more once travel is opened to the island. good for cuba though, they need our money, cars, and applebees.

Does America do that or does the tourist industry on the island let it happen? It's still a communist state. We bring in the dollars but aren't allowed to own land or build without permission. These islands, in the Gulf and the Caribbean, can refuse any permit to build any establishment. They lose their culture because all they see are dollar signs.

 

[cvm4]

We don't build the applebees. THEY build the applebees.

If they don't have the national pride to preserve their culture, it isn't the Americans fault.

:yes: I should have just scrolled down and quoted you but didn't see it until after I posted.

 

[benday]

Does America do that or does the tourist industry on the island let it happen? It's still a communist state. We bring in the dollars but aren't allowed to own land or build without permission. These islands, in the Gulf and the Caribbean, can refuse any permit to build any establishment. They lose their culture because all they see are dollar signs.

you bring up a good point that money does corrupt a nation. but my opinion still stands with evidence that americans have a special way of changing nations by throwing copious amounts of money into tourism. we go full tilt on everything we do...it's what makes us so great and why i love this country, and it's what i dislike...it's like marriage in many ways to me.

clearly some will disagree with my opinions and i'm ok with that, we all have our opinions. but, anyone that thinks things will stay the same is a fool.

on the plus side, maybe production standards will improve on cc's. we could all use more consistent island smokes.

 

[benday]

We don't build the applebees. THEY build the applebees.

If they don't have the national pride to preserve their culture, it isn't the Americans fault.

this is the craziest thing i've read...we have them build things we are used to because we don't like change...you and i have a price for everything...we say "you want our money, you build what we like and are used to"

you think hotels are built because locals want to escape. why do we frequent the same hotels everywhere we go. why don't we rent rooms or homes from locals. some do but the vast majority of people like consistency and normals...i never understood why people wanted to feel at home away from home.