Open travel to Cuba, got this in the email this AM

[kyrisong1]

Don't know if this is has any real value in getting a path open to Cuba for Americans,, but I thought I'd share just in case.

I'm also not sure about having the big O on a link here but I couldn't get the link to work any other way.

Connecting Americans & Cubans through the freedom to travel - opencuba.org | supported by orbitz.com

Carole

[Traveler353]

It is going to happen, but I fear no time soon. The voters in south Florida against it have way to much money to spend on paying off politicians.:(

[Crusin6]

What is the big deal about Cuba anyway? Ok, i've heard that they have beautiful resorts and beaches that the Europeans have been frequenting for years...but, so do many other islands. Just go to one of them and you can stop the panting over visiting Cuba for goodness sakes.

 

Not interested in the politics and the history is a moot point anyway on this island, as we have been following it for at least 50 years, so what would be so all out fabulous about Cuba? The casinos maybe? Other islands have gambling as well, the beach...other islands as well.

 

 

I have many Cuban friends, , so I am not making any sort of ethnic statement here....I just want to know what is such a draw? Oh, that's right.....bragging rights....and to have one up on the other folks! sheesh!

 

flame if you feel the need

[Regguy]

Florida is too important in national elections. If it hadn't been for the Elian Gonzales incident, Al Gore would have won the 2000 election. Being part of the administration involved in the incident easily cost a couple hundred or thousand (likely much more) votes in Florida.

 

This is not a thread hijack or any attempt to open up a political discussion, whatever you think of Al Gore or anyone else. It's just about timing. Post-Castro anything can happen. But otherwise, Cuba would likely only open in a President's second term if his Vice President did not have aspirations to run for the office next.

[kyrisong1]

Politics are the reason Americans are not allowed to go to Cuba, so I guess it goes with the package.

However the whole reason for the embargo happened back in the 60s, it's time to move on.

People can talk about communists and blah blah blah, but we do NOT limit our travel to leave out communist countries, we visit China all the time and there are HUGE ethical arguments there.

I want to visit Cuba and I will be totally unappologetic about it. Anyone that doesn't, well your free to move on:D

I found the link of interest to myself and to previous discussions on these boards so I posted it, no other reason.

Carole

[maxamuus]

It is funny how we pick our friends and enemies.

 

China = Communist and has a brutal human rights record - Close friend.

 

Cuba = Communist and a so so human rights record - Bitter enemy.

 

For what it is worth i signed the petition. The travel ban & sanctions are stupid and pointless.

[PaulMedik]

What is the big deal about Cuba anyway? Ok, i've heard that they have beautiful resorts and beaches that the Europeans have been frequenting for years...but, so do many other islands. Just go to one of them and you can stop the panting over visiting Cuba for goodness sakes.

 

Not interested in the politics and the history is a moot point anyway on this island, as we have been following it for at least 50 years, so what would be so all out fabulous about Cuba? The casinos maybe? Other islands have gambling as well, the beach...other islands as well.

 

I have many Cuban friends, , so I am not making any sort of ethnic statement here....I just want to know what is such a draw? Oh, that's right.....bragging rights....and to have one up on the other folks! sheesh!

 

flame if you feel the need

 

 

Crusin6,

 

No flames, just a comment and observation;

 

If somebody were to feel the need to 'one up on the other folks,' it would be someone with a list of the locations they visited for the past 35 years even though they aren't cruise related.

 

Carnival Freedom 12 day Grand Med 7/08 (Italy,Croatia, Spain, France, Monaco)

Carnival Victory 5 day Canada 8/07

(St. John & Halifax)

Disney Magic 11 West Carb. 8/04

(Hurricane Frances extended, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Castaway Cay, Galveston)

Chandris Britanis 7 day Southern Carib. 3/89

(Panama,Cartagena,Colombia, Grand Cayman, Aruba,Montego Bay)

Costa Enrico C 7 day Western Med 7/84

(Genoa, Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Mallorca, Barcelona)

Costa Carla C 7 day Eastern Carib. 5/80

( San Juan,St. Thomas, Curacao, Martinique, Grenada, Caracas)

M/S Aquarius 7 day Agean 8/76

(Athens, Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, Istanbul, Mykonos)

Land based trips:

Disney World 72, 75, 81, 92, 98, 00, 06, 09

Disneyland 71, 82

Hawaii 1976, 86

Cancun 1986

Sonora Bay 1987

Jamaica 1987

Paradise Island 1981

Acapulco 1977

Egypt 1978

Eleuthera 1983

Tahiti 1982

Guadaloupe 1982

Italy 1976, 1979, 1984, 1985, 2008

England & France 1974

Russia & Finland 1988

Rio de Janeiro 1979

Costa del Sol, Spain 1979

Puerto Rico 1978

Spain, Portugal & Morocco 1977

Switzerland 1984

Monaco 1984

Sicily 1985

Greece 1976

 

 

You have traveled the world. You have not been to Cuba. You could pick out two or three from your list and strike off the rest as copy cat repeats so why did you bother going there?

 

I have heard of Cuba my whole life and wondered at the stories I have read and heard about what went on there and what occurs there today. I have studied maps, aerial photos, and pictures of the island and marvel at the beauty and diversity of the country and it's people. There aren't many Caribbean countries that I consider a must visit, but I must say that Cuba is at the top of my list of places I want to visit and see first hand. Granted I would prefer to visit before it opens up to the masses of people sure to flock there from the US because it will change the people and the landscape forever.

 

Speaking of maps, have you ever noticed just how large Cuba is? What other Caribbean island country can boast of such size thus such diverse topography? Cuba should have as much to offer as a few dozen lesser, but more visited Caribbean islands put together.

 

Bragging rights? Read your signature. Personally I just want to see it for myself.

[Margarita Mom]

What is the big deal about Cuba anyway? Ok, i've heard that they have beautiful resorts and beaches that the Europeans have been frequenting for years...but, so do many other islands. Just go to one of them and you can stop the panting over visiting Cuba for goodness sakes.

 

Not interested in the politics and the history is a moot point anyway on this island, as we have been following it for at least 50 years, so what would be so all out fabulous about Cuba? The casinos maybe? Other islands have gambling as well, the beach...other islands as well.

 

 

I have many Cuban friends, , so I am not making any sort of ethnic statement here....I just want to know what is such a draw? Oh, that's right.....bragging rights....and to have one up on the other folks! sheesh!

 

flame if you feel the need

 

For Canadians, Cuba is a popular vacation spot because it is so much cheaper to visit than other resort destinations and still offers the beauty of the island.

[kyrisong1]

It is funny how we pick our friends and enemies.

 

China = Communist and has a brutal human rights record - Close friend.

 

Cuba = Communist and a so so human rights record - Bitter enemy.

 

For what it is worth i signed the petition. The travel ban & sanctions are stupid and pointless.

Exactly my point, but you always put things so well.

I hope that the president listens......... it's an old sanction and should be reevaluated.

I absolutely signed too.

Carole