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IDemo

(16,926 posts) Sat Nov 9, 2013, 10:50 AM Nov 2013

Obama says current U.S. policy towards Cuba ‘doesn’t make sense’ [View all]

Source: Raw Story

The United States must continue to update its policy towards communist Cuba, President Barack Obama said late on Friday, speaking at the home of a prominent Cuban-American activist.

Freedom in Cuba will come from the work of activists, Obama said, but the United States can help in “creative” and “thoughtful” ways.

“And we have to continue to update our policies,” said Obama, speaking at a political fundraiser at the home of Jorge Mas Santos, head of the Cuban-American National Foundation (CANF).

“Keep in mind that when Castro came to power, I was just born. So the notion that the same policies that we put in place in 1961 would somehow still be as effective as they are today in the age of the Internet and Google and world travel doesn’t make sense.”

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/09/obama-says-current-u-s-policy-towards-cuba-doesnt-make-sense/

123 replies

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Obama says current U.S. policy towards Cuba ‘doesn’t make sense’ [View all] IDemo Nov 2013 OP

Can't Obama do somethings by exec order and agreement to open relations up? craigmatic Nov 2013 #1

He can do a lot by executive order! Shemp Howard Nov 2013 #3

If he lifts the embargo via executive order, Arkana Nov 2013 #114

The embargo is congressional. The Prez can't wave a magic wand to repeal it. Mika Nov 2013 #10

+1. n/t Laelth Nov 2013 #32

There you go, and in their way it works for them Cosmocat Nov 2013 #112

Well if he can talk on a phone to Iran MyNameGoesHere Nov 2013 #2

Yes... restore diplomatic relations and trade with Cuba cosmicone Nov 2013 #4

Well said.... mimi85 Nov 2013 #57

Thank you, Mr. President. This sort of statement is way overdue. (nt) Paladin Nov 2013 #5

Lot of money to be made in Cuba bluedeathray Nov 2013 #6

Just think of all those 50s American cars to restore. brush Nov 2013 #14

my first thought, exctly olddad56 Nov 2013 #49

Um. You Might Want To Be Careful About Those Cars Vogon_Glory Nov 2013 #101

It's really about the body of the car brush Nov 2013 #120

More BS than a 3 ring circus. Mika Nov 2013 #7

What, exactly, are you taking issue with? n/t 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2013 #76

I take issue with all of the falsehoods embedded in the myths of US/Cuba relations. Mika Nov 2013 #85

I didn't read where ... 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2013 #98

Of course you are right, but that doesnt matter to some apologists. 7962 Nov 2013 #122

If you think anyone but Castro was in charge, look at "President" Medvedev in Russia 7962 Nov 2013 #106

Then, clearly, you don't understand the extraterritorial nature of the US sanctions. Mika Nov 2013 #116

Bu a lot of other companies can and do. Just like travel, investment, etc. 7962 Nov 2013 #121

That's like saying that the Queen is the Head of Government in the UK... Hippo_Tron Nov 2013 #109

No bill can become a law until the Queen has allowed it by royal charter and signing it. Mika Nov 2013 #115

According to your own link, Castro was made Prime Minister right after the revolution Hippo_Tron Nov 2013 #117

I can hear the likes of Palin now, "This is expected from a Marxist, Communist like Obama".... Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2013 #8

I can see Cuba... awoke_in_2003 Nov 2013 #12

Limbaugh can see Cuba from his cigar. Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2013 #13

The Wasilla Diva Wasn't Born Until AFTER The Cuban Missile Crisis n/t Vogon_Glory Nov 2013 #102

Re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, Mr. President. former9thward Nov 2013 #9

Not correct. It is a myriad of laws passed by congress. Mika Nov 2013 #26

What I said is 100% correct. former9thward Nov 2013 #30

You're right. I misread your post. Sorry. Mika Nov 2013 #34

If I had a $1 for all the posts I have misread... former9thward Nov 2013 #40

Congress would have to appropriate funding to maintain Embassy operations BumRushDaShow Nov 2013 #45

Excuses. former9thward Nov 2013 #47

There's probably some technical way of getting around it davidpdx Nov 2013 #69

Yes ... 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2013 #77

Just another excuse for not doing the right thing, ronnie624 Nov 2013 #108

No ... 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2013 #113

IOW, "its our way or the highway". Mika Nov 2013 #11

Kick out our oligarchs and favored dictator and we will still be teaching you a lesson 50 years indepat Nov 2013 #24

No it doesn't make sense dbackjon Nov 2013 #15

Cuba is one of the more progressive nations in the western hemisphere. Mika Nov 2013 #28

Cuba is a dictatorship Socialistlemur Nov 2013 #36

Sure. After your extensive research, you come to this conclusion? LMAO Mika Nov 2013 #43

well said Mika ConcernedCanuk Nov 2013 #54

But my TV said otherwise! Ash_F Nov 2013 #67

Too few people have any idea of Cuban history, and current Cuba. Judi Lynn Nov 2013 #72

Agreed Vogon_Glory Nov 2013 #103

There are now many legal ways to visit Cuba, and I urge you to do so if you can Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2013 #16

many Canadians go to cuba riverbendviewgal Nov 2013 #33

Oh, please do elaborate Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #78

Probably better to see it now before it's fully developed davidpdx Nov 2013 #70

There used to be a fantastic Canadian poster here who's been to Cuba a lot. Judi Lynn Nov 2013 #73

Ok, this is the second remark like this. Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #79

Its the counter corollary to the notion that all Cuba needs is America(ns) ... Mika Nov 2013 #84

And the U.S. Government Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #88

Villifying Americans? Mika Nov 2013 #93

I think, Taz, that they're really referring to American business interests, Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2013 #95

And as I've been trying to specify all day, Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #100

US business & US gov't go hand in hand. Mika Nov 2013 #118

Businesses and the families of former "exiles" in South Florida Judi Lynn Nov 2013 #97

And as I pointed out, Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #99

Whatever the President does The Wizard Nov 2013 #17

So he admits he was born in Cuba. Aha! Kingofalldems Nov 2013 #18

open up Cuba Pres. O..people are tired of traveling to Canada and Mexico to fly to Cuba. Sunlei Nov 2013 #19

Cuba is open! It's Americans that are closed off from Cuba - by the US gov't, not Cuba's. Mika Nov 2013 #21

Cuba is open. people fly to mexico and canada-don't have to even use passport to go to cuba Sunlei Nov 2013 #22

People do the same thing with North Korea davidpdx Nov 2013 #71

Mika, I have read all of your posts on this thread. I live in Florida and am trying to Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #23

POTUS can't. The sanctions on Cuba are congressional - passed into law. Mika Nov 2013 #25

Thank you for your insight.... Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #27

Check out DU's Latin America forum. Mika Nov 2013 #29

Bookmarked! Thanks, N/T. Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #31

But don't forget Cuba abuses human rights Socialistlemur Nov 2013 #37

Yes I am aware of that.... Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #39

Don't take the word of a Cuba hater who has NEVER been there, and has no interest. Mika Nov 2013 #44

How can you be aware of something that isn't true? Mika Nov 2013 #46

All countries abuse human rights. roody Nov 2013 #63

Imagine how ... 1StrongBlackMan Nov 2013 #81

POTUS can place Cuba on Congresses back & ask Congress to give them the Gitmo buildings. Sunlei Nov 2013 #74

That's wierd, Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #80

No special cooties. No special powers to bring "democracy" either. Mika Nov 2013 #86

So, Americans, and only Americans, Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #89

Nope. That's what I said would not happen. Mika Nov 2013 #90

Actually, that was a direct quote. Le Taz Hot Nov 2013 #91

No it isn't. Reread my comment. Mika Nov 2013 #92

Our current policy just needs more time to work. Bosso 63 Nov 2013 #20

I'd say it needs fine tuning Socialistlemur Nov 2013 #38

Have you ever been to GITMO? I have though things have changed It is already a free cuban nation.... Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #41

Hablas español? Socrates? Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #51

If you are in Spain, that puts you 4 hours ahead of us. Rebellious Republican Nov 2013 #53

US cuban policy hasnt made sense beachbum bob Nov 2013 #35

Good. Wasserman Schultz was twisting herself up like a pretzel trying to justify US policy cui bono Nov 2013 #42

She kept saying that Cuba has held political prisoners in prison and MindMover Nov 2013 #58

Given that many of the human rights abuses we actually know happened JoeyT Nov 2013 #59

THE CUBAN PRISON SYSTEM - REFLECTIVE OBSERVATIONS Mika Nov 2013 #87

Very interesting. Thank you for posting it. idwiyo Nov 2013 #123

They have not made grandpamike1 Nov 2013 #48

while he is at it, how about we close the Gitmo torture chambers. olddad56 Nov 2013 #50

Good for him gopiscrap Nov 2013 #52

Every other country is enjoying the Cuban beaches and nightlife.... go west young man Nov 2013 #55

Kicked & recommended. Uncle Joe Nov 2013 #56

Lets just say current US policy doesn't make sense. olddad56 Nov 2013 #60

Debbie Wasserman-Schultz pothos Nov 2013 #61

The US Policy towards Drones doesn't make sense either, but donheld Nov 2013 #62

I'm selfish. I just want the stogies. King_Klonopin Nov 2013 #64

rticle on the official book readers in Cuban cigar-making factories: Judi Lynn Nov 2013 #66

Cool story, thanks. King_Klonopin Nov 2013 #110

+1. (nt) Paladin Nov 2013 #83

When we went, they told us there were three things we could not bring back: Lydia Leftcoast Nov 2013 #96

It's time. Now if Congress isn't stalled by Rubio and Cruz... Hekate Nov 2013 #65

It wouldn't happen under Hillary Clinton: her brother, Hugh, is married to an "exile" Judi Lynn Nov 2013 #68

Pres. O is right. Congress needs to free Cuba and give them Gitmo buildings too. Save the USA $$$$ Sunlei Nov 2013 #75

Well isn't that special. L0oniX Nov 2013 #82

Cuba embardo is looooong overdue. n/t Paper Roses Nov 2013 #94

Hey, it's only been 52 years. That embargo may work . . . any day now. tclambert Nov 2013 #104

I agree, it's long overdue. Major Hogwash Nov 2013 #105

he forgets about the mob connection spike91nz Nov 2013 #107

About time! Scuba Nov 2013 #111

we miss out on a lot of trade and people want to visit Cuba and fly direct from Miami. Sunlei Nov 2013 #119