Barack Obama outlines Cuba policy during speech in Florida

[SupremePenguinTone]

He wants to worry about CUBA???

CUBA???

How about enforcing a half good healthcare system first!

[Skadouken]

i love obama like, but even if he has those views... that freedom is the same thing as democracy etc etc, which are fair enough.... is it any of americas buisness how another country runs itself?

[mopsius]

"Obama said a relationship frozen for 50 years "won't thaw overnight," and that Cuba can show it wants to move forward by lifting its own restrictions on Cubans' ability to travel and to voice their opinions...."(AP April 16, 2009)

Gee, maybe the US can show in return that US torturers and war criminals like Cheney and Bush are prosecuted, and that Obama is moving forward to end the prison industrial complex that Angela Davis has described in great detail.

[intermediatespecies]

mop,

US citizens have the same restrictions on travel to Cuba.

[mopsius]

Si.

[56LC]

He just overturned 5 decades of restrictions in travel, humanitarian assistance, and other policies, but stopped short of lifting the full embargo policy. Now is up to the Castro brothers to take steps toward democracy, which are unlikely. Why not end the unilateral enforcement of the Post Missile Crisis Neutrality Act & add Cuba to the U.S. as part of Puerto Rico's 51st. State. It could be the realization by force or by purchase of the Island (just like the Oslo Manifest intended in 1854).

[intermediatespecies]

What is democracy to the west? Free elections which the US can influence with funds as they did in Nicaragua with Chamorra, in Ukraine, Georgia and other locations? People are on to US based NGO's that subtely influence foreign elections. Those days are done. Castro will not change to capitalism nor democracy if the US thinks it can meedle in elections there.

[armoniamg59]

Sure, they don't even have the freedom to be friends openly with any country they wish to be. And how it is posible that the Cuban Americans have so much political power if they are a minority among a minority (Hispanics)? If Americans do not wish to be communist, it won't rub on from Cuba, China or la Conchinchina. Let others be what they want to be and do the democracy thing of free commercial trade with everybody. On the name of peace

[londonscot1]

Obama has really lost the plot regarding Cuba.

Elections aren't the only manifestation of democracy and human rights, especially when "big money" skews the agenda, as in the USA. The most fundamental human rights include healthcare, education, food and shelter, in which respect Cuba does a better job than many (most) other Third world states, and some developed nations too, despite a vindictive and illegal US embargo which the "socialist" Obama doesn't even mention!

Hypocrisy? You bet!

[mindhunter09]

the point is cuba WASNT a third world country before fidel took it over by force. it was actually the third economy in the western hemisphere. it was by no standards third worldlish. this justification by comparison to "other" third world countries is unacceptable. Cuba deserves to be what it was once..a developed free country.

[OTTEN2007]

you are only telling half of the story, please do your research give some stats as to the level of poverty and unequal distribution of wealth. You know who kept all that money... let me tell you foreign companies. We all have agendas, but some are just absurd..

[mindhunter09]

before castro there were poor people, middle class people and very rich people. SO WHAT? that happens in every free country. today wealth isnt distributed equally, rather the misery is. everyone is poor. Fidel on the other hand is a millionaire and lives like one. thats a FACT.

[londonscot1]

mindhunter09 -

So, since the majority in pre-Revolutonary Cuba did NOT have access to US-standard healthcare, education or social opportunities, where, in fact, was the "freedom" that you describe?

Have you ever been to Cuba to see the so-called "misery"? All I saw was a country suffering from an illegal, vindictive and anachronistic US economic blockade, on spurious grounds of "state terrorism" and "human rights abuses", none of which blocks US trade with China, Saudi Arabia etc etc.

[londonscot1]

mindhunter09 -

As for your allegation that "Fidel lives like a millionaire...that's a FACT".... No, it isn't a fact.

That story's been flying around for 50 years and in all that time, don't you find it odd that his numerous well-connected opponents haven't yet uncovered a single incriminating bank statement, let alone a paper trail, revealing Fidel Castro's "hidden treasure".

On the other hand, it's proven that Fulgencio Batista fled Cuba with hundreds of millions of dollars.

[mindhunter09]

londonscot. you obviously havent seen the home video that ahs circulated ALL Over the news channels of fidel in his main home in havana. he lives in total luxury like a king. and its a fact because it is on video. he can deny whatever he wants, but the images speak by themselves. so much for sharing the wealth.

[mindhunter09]

Unequal distribution of wealth? How about 11 million cubans living in absulute poverty while fidel castro and his elite live like millionaires? There is ample evidence showing the way he lives..while negating his people the most simple economic freedoms like private business or even renting at hotels...(it was recently overturned..and after 50 years and even today people have to pay in dollars while earning in pesos, something none can afford.) Get YOUR facts straight.

[OTTEN2007]

how about 2 million job loss in our economy, how about the mortgage issue, so dont give me that free-enterprise bull. Name me a politician who is poor. Your analisis is WEAK. I respected though because its your opinion, but it is not untill you analize the history of latin america that you will be able to comprehend beyond what you think you know.

[mindhunter09]

how about it? that means its a fluctuating economy like every other economy. The problem starts when ONE man singlehandedly (by force of arms) takes a country hostage economically and politically.. and i know the history of latin america too well. Im not saying the US is perfect, but then again cuba's main problem isnt the US, or the embargo. Its a stalin-like dictator who cannot be justified under any circumstance. I suggest YOU look into cuba's history and then talk.

[londonscot1]

mindhunter09 -

With all due respect, Cuba WAS a deeply-divided Third World country before the Revolution, with great schools and US-style healthcare for a small, rich and mainly white / Hispanic minority in the big cities but a deeply impoverished and mainly agrarian / coloured majority with very few schools, hospitals, social mobility etc. Most of the economy was foreign (US)-owned / dependent, since US carpet-bagging after the Spanish-American war, and based on a single commodity (sugar).

[Frogstomp121]

Cuba was being controlled and exploited by the United States under the Monroe Doctrine and the Batista regime. he was their Latin American puppet running the whorehouse of the Caribbean while rich Americans were gambling in the Mafia-owned casinos or indulging in live sex shows. Meanwhile the profits were being drained by the U.S. and the campesinos were living in misery and poverty. It was a glaring contrast of poverty and wealth. It was anything but free.

[mindhunter09]

So the solution would be to take power by force, impose a totalitarian regime where not only the campesinos..but EVERYONE is living in poverty..where theres no contrast at all bewteen poverty and wealth becasue there is ONLY poverty. And, yes, cuba isnt america's puppuet anymore...but cubans are puppets of ONE man and his regime...and for your information cuba is STILL a whorehouse... because unlike back then the MAJORITY of people are hungry and have NO hope. Is it free NOW?

[Frogstomp121]

They have problems much like your country does. Neither are perfect and both can coexist.

There is also the problem of a trade embargo that has been in place for over 50 years, not something that can just be written off. The economy is stifled because Cuba cannot trade with everybody like the rest of the world can do.

[mindhunter09]

So the problem is the embargo? as opposed to a dictator who wont give up power peacefully...and that instead passed it on to his brother like a monarchy? the problem isnt a backward communist economic model that ahs FAILED everywhere? The problem isnt the opression or lack of freedoms? or the abuse? or the restrictions? No.. its the US's fault....of course....right? what came first the chicken or the egg? The dictator or the embargo? BTW cuba doesnt have problems...its ALL about problems.

[Frogstomp121]

Well I know that western democracy and capitalism is not perfect or something that every country should have to adopt. I think every country can think for themselves without having any other try to impose their ideals onto them. I also think that Cuba's problems are just that, their own.

[mindhunter09]

Amen.

[shurednichso]

"communist economic model that ahs FAILED"

Accepted,that you dont know,that there were diffrent "communistic" economic models.

And the economy didnt "fail" in the SU and didnt in Cuba.

[HitEmUp96]

Norman Thomas said this in a 1944 speech:

"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of "liberalism," they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." He went on to say: "I no longer need to run as a Presidential Candidate for the Socialist Party. The Democratic Party has adopted our platform."

[HitEmUp96]

A PROPHETIC 1944 SPEECH

Norman Mattoon Thomas (November 20, 1884 - December 19, 1968), and some of you are old enough to remember him running for President, he was a leading American socialist, pacifist, and six-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America.

[djtrixen]

there's another bill in the House now that, if passed by Congress and signed by President Obama, would allow Americans to travel freely to and from Cuba. If that bill passes, I know where I'll be taking my vacation this summer! :)

[yesii0923]

my family thinks that you should troduce this in spanish becuse im a 9 year old and i have to troduce for them so plz make a spanis version im beaging you

[djtrixen]

yesii0923: I see you are in the United States. Is your family also in the United States? If so, English might be a good thing for them to learn. No offense, but many Americans (like myself) get annoyed when people move to this country and don't at least make an effort to learn English. Whenever I travel, I always make an effort to at least brush up on the language beforehand.

[HitEmUp96]

I like your approach on things djtrixen lol =)

[animeownage86]

Your the type of asshole that would punish all the students at the lunch table because of one douche bag.

[HitEmUp96]

No I wouldn't. I can't believe I'm actually going to defend myself on this one, but I'm still a kid, and whoever would do something like that is a douche bag. That has nothing to do with anything I said though. Have you ever heard of life savings? 70 year olds have retirement plans, people with injuries can buy insurance and get their normal salary while out of work, and teenage moms don't have fininancial statuses, it's up to their parents or other people to help them along.

[HitEmUp96]

How about you actually learn something about our fucking government before getting into an argument that you can't win?

And it's pretty slick of you to ignore the other things I said. You people don't know the other half of the story, and you don't give a shit either. I could shove the truth in your face til I lose my breath but you're still going to say the same shit again and talk in circles over and over.

[HitEmUp96]

And I'm sure that statement makes you a hypocrite, because you sure as hell sound like one of the people that was constantly bagging on Palin's pregnant daughter. Now you're symapthizing with the teenage moms. People like that don't often end up out on the streets anyway.

[animeownage86]

First of all I could give a shit about the lives of celebritys and their dysfunctional familys and it disgusts me that it's considered news and more inmpotent to people then the real deal second I hated Plain because she was a neo-con Christian extremist with a few screws loose AND not all teenage moms have loving familys and those to help them. AND shut the fuck up I'm tiered of listening to you make your case for warmongering and inventing enemy's out thin air.

[PumaFau]

agreed

[HitEmUp96]

You still can't spell and you don't say expressions correctly. It's pretty funny. You don't even know what the "real deal" is. You just let the people around you pump ideas into your head without reason. And PumaFau, you probably don't even know what a neo-con Christian extremist is. I don't really either because it doesn't quite exist, but you're just like everyone else. You hear something that sounds intelligent and bashes Republicans and you form opinions based on it. You're both idiots.

[HitEmUp96]

Hitler was a socialist, Castro is a socialist, Lenin was a socialist, Mussolini was a socialist, and the list can go on. I'm not saying that our country will end up with the same results as theirs did, but history repeats itself. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I pray that you're not in for a surprise, but you probably are.

THE MAN SETS TERRORISTS FREE

[56LC]

I agree, that is very disturbing, but sadly a potential nightmare. The problem is not Obama so much, but the Far Left & Modern Progressives that usurped the place of the Socialist & Communist Parties for their political Gain. They lack the historical responsability and tradition that now left these Far Left third parties, tossed aside in the last election. Actually, all the Far Left Third parties blasted in the last election the Far Left & Liberal Progressive Wing of the Democratic Party.

[HitEmUp96]

You haven't the slightest idea how many times a year foreign terrorists threaten America. And however many times we're threatened is however many times those plans have been thwarted, because as you can see, we haven't been attacked in 7 years. Bush hasn't made all the right decisions but people need to give credit where credit is due. It should shame you to boo the leader of this great nation during his farewell speech. Those people are despicable, disgraceful, and are not true Americans.

[animeownage86]

...so your part of the 20 something percent of the country that is hopelessly retarded. I bet you just loved our drunk monkey and satanic warmonger.

[HitEmUp96]

Look, I just gave you a completely educated and logical argument and all you can come up with that I'm retarded. I can even explain to you what you just did. You read what I wrote and realized that there's no way to argue with what I said, so you tried to destroy my credibility instead.

Bush didn't just invade some country and start ruthlessly killing women and children. He found fucking Sadam Hussein- you should be proud, you piece of shit.

[HitEmUp96]

There would have been more people killed had we not went in there rather than we doing so. Do you have any idea how many people Hussein killed? I can tell you that it was more than the mere 148 whom he was convicted for.

Pull the media's dick out of your ass and think for yourself.

[animeownage86]

We went in there for oil, a foothold, and to impress papa Bush and under the guise of Saddam supporting Terror and having WMD's since those where bullshit excuses now you play the just helping the people card. Well guess what this world sucks their are a lot of country's like Saddam ruled Iraq so are we gonna invade all of them regardless of the consequences, regardless of what the rest of the world thinks, regardless to the cost of the American people... it's NOT our job to police the world.

[animeownage86]

Especially at the cost of our own people, we spend shit loads of money on people that hate our guts and want to kill us because of assholes like Bush blowing up their homes and killing their families when WE have people that need that money to keep roofs over our heads because fascist shits go vampire on the economy but that's called socialism and that's evil it's ok to give aid to our enemy's but not your own god dammed people.

[HitEmUp96]

We're giving the Iraqi people a chance. When you sarcastically say that it's okay to give aid to our enemies but not to our own people, you're wrong. Our people are given a chance. They just don't get off their ass and get a job because they don't have to. Why should we give them more money? So they can sit on their couch even longer, still draining the economy? No. Many Iraqi people aren't given an opportunity at all. It's a shame that so many people take such advantage of it.

[animeownage86]

Yup EVERYONE who's unemployed must be a lazy fat fuck... Damm those 70 year olds, people with injury's, and teenage moms that's no excuse. They deserve to be out on the street.

[HitEmUp96]

Hey, uh, just throwin' it out there-

Iraq hadn't seen democracy for its whole time in existence (which is more that two generations), and Bush went in there. Now, if that's not an "into-the-lion's-den" act of bravery then I don't know what you consider one to be. We got them to vote!

You people try to make it out like life is terrible and America is the worst place on earth. You don't understand how good you really have it.

[animeownage86]

Pretty stupid the way we deal with Cuba I mean everything in this country is from China and we gave weapons to al'qaeda during the cold war...

[tommysch]

Who gives a shit about the red Cubans. Let them starve, what the hell can they do.

[animeownage86]

Who cares about the inbred rednecks let them go without oil.

[HitEmUp96]

America runs on oil. Don't be so sure about what you say before you say it. And I don't go around calling you hippies so just chill out.

[IceyPancho]

People who speak in the name of the freedom of the Cuban people yet support the embargo are hypocrites, including Barack Obama. How can you speak in the name of the freedom of Cubans, who virtually entirely oppose the embargo, including the dissidents, yet not even practice solidarity with Cubans in opposing the embargo? Hypocrisy is the greatest luxury. I am not referring to Cubans who live in the U.S., but Cubans who live in Cuba.

[FIRECRACKER392]

Cuba dont want this shit!

[Timbasonlaoriginal]

it looks like to me that obama is the man , to many bullsh against cuba thank you to the miami cubans , is time for a fucking change,, ok say hello to my little friend obama

[FIRECRACKER392]

he`s A NIGGER! WAKE UP people we`re doomed, the beginning of the end has began!!

[ashoftomorrow]

oh no! the color of his skin varies slightly from your own and all the other idiots you know!!! What a terrible thing variety is.

[FIRECRACKER392]

@ ashoftomorrow`~ OH NO! The color of his skin varies ALOT from my own!! And yes I supose variety can be a terrible thing, not only are you an idiot, sounds like your a Nigger Lover!

[ashoftomorrow]

Actually, unless you are an albino, the color of your skin is pretty close to his. His skin is closer to the average white persons than it is to the average black person's. Not that it really matters. And I'm not surprised someone like you would find variety to be a terrible thing, you're not quite smart enough to understand something you haven't been constantly exposed to your entire life, so anything that differs from the norm in your pointless life is a nuisance to your tiny brain.

[FIRECRACKER392]

Speaking of Brains, You dumb fuckin Nigger Lover,,A Nigger`s Brain is about the size of a Dogs Brain!!! look it up.....

[swaggerNskill]

he couldn't outline my d*ck!

[ashoftomorrow]

because it's so small?

[yanet197676]

obama oiga no defraude ahora su gente

que por ellos usted gano demuestre ahora lo que usted prometio aunque no sea todo pero por favor lo mas inportante grracias obama te quierooooooooooooooooooooooooo­oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ooooooo

[yanet197676]

espero que trate de q la gente tenga un seguro medico yo vivo en alemania pero estoy enterada umpoquito como es en usa que pena en alemania es muy diferente aqui hasta lo pordiosero de la calle estan asegurado es muy inportante vamoas aver si obama cambia usa obama me agrada mucho si yo viviera en estas unidos tambien hubiese votado por el me sinpatisa mucho y lo que mas me estraño que los americanos botaron por negro jajaja que bien

[yanet197676]

Estoy tan contenta que obama haiga ganado espero que cumpla con todo lo que prometio y no haga como hacen la mayoria de presidente que despus que estan enla presidencia no hacen nada. obama ahora es tu opotunidad demuestra todo loque tienes y demuestra que enverdad puedes ayudar a tantas personas esta es tu oportunidad gracias

[drchepa]

a mi tambien me ha encantado de que haya ganado, aunque algunas de las cosas que prometio quizas no las puede llevar a cabo, me encantaria que todo el mundo en USA tenga seguridad social por ejemplo y que no haya tanto desnivel de clases, ojala obama pueda llevar a cabo, peor que bush es imposible hacerlo osea que eso ya lo tenemos asegurado....!

[yanet197676]

q chistoso bueno ya veremos algo tiene que hacer obama que no olvides que el es negro y que gano porq muchos negro le apocharon su candidatura y aportaron mucho dinero hay que estar muy agradesido

[Deepstarr7020]

Obama won and Americans are happy ,because for the last 8 years we've had a president that didn't care about Americans and definitely not anyone else in the world.We will try our hardest to do better and open our doors with kindness and understanding. Free Cuba Obama 08'

[drchepa]

could happen that after the worst president comes the best one, obama is a real hope not only for the USA but to all the world.

[tribble848]

It is very difficult to justify to my teenagers why US policy is to embargo Cuba and have free trade with China. They read. They are not stupid. If we believe that trade with China will encourage them to become less communist and suppressive of their people, will it not work for Cuba? I understand many feel passionately; especially who left Cuba because of oppression. But I am asking why emotions should be the basis of policy decisions. I am hard-pressed for a logical answer for my kids.

[DogLoverMiami]

OMG! He wants to be friends with Cuba!!!!??!!! My parents came from Cuba. I've have lived in Miami all my life! Cubans DON"T WANT THIS!!!!!!!!!

[apocalyptichybrid3]

The long embargo by the US and others against Cuba is beyond ridiculous. The US is the country that should be embargoed from the rest of the world, with all the bullshit we have done to central and south American countries we should be ashamed. But why is it that Obama is now saying this? If his past record is for no change in Cuba before he decided to run for president, then him changing his view on it right before the election is suspect.

[gmakepiece]

& there ya go Obama Left Lib Dem Marxoid speaks clearly about Cuba! Amazing really & credit 2 him. Y have no others really said anything like this er, maybe ever? MacCain? & no serious action. Kill Castro & Raoul, destroy the Cuban authorities & free Cuba. Sadly, Obama'll perhaps stop at action. Obamas not an action man per se, except for fiasco. We shall see...Cuba Libre. Read The Real Che Guevara & The Idiots Who Idolize Him & Fidel Hollywoods Favourite Tyrant by Humberto Fontova.

[averitas]

Right sidebar:

Barack Obama on the Cuban Embargo

Now that's him speaking... but i'm sure i'll hear "What he really meant was", "He's thought carefully and changed his mind".

I have another video for you after that too.

[gmakepiece]

Want 2 know how the massive Hell of Cuba can B ignored/covered up? C Leftard journo with bad denture speech impediment? Mary Martin! "I think Raoul..." the even more vicious Communist mass murdering parasite "..is the kind of Prez that the Cuban people wanted Fidel 2 B!" Choke! Classic MSM fucker. Does she mean the 80,000 drowned or the 2 million who have escaped? Read The Real Che Guevara & The Idiots Who Idolize Him & Fidel Hollywoods Favourite Tyrant by Humberto Fontova. thepeoplescube com

[averitas]

Respect for rule of law?  Tell me he didn't say that. Too much. Go look at his votes on Cuba. What a liar.

[madarchodnawaz]

cuba 99.7% litreacy

[tuerescaliente]

WHATS THE POINT OF READING YOUR HUNGRY

[aqualordx93]

McCain/Bush. suck on it bitch. democrats can suck my balls. MARINES REP

[gmakepiece]

Raoul can easily "get the economy more efficient and get mor food on the table" Tender his entiregovernments resignation and subsequent mass suicide. The free Cuban people can do the rest. I could happily throw Raoul and Castro from a balcony, but BEFORE they start their Marxist/Orwell's nightmare speech marathon.

[IndependantCuban]

Obama has a lead with Cubans in Miami, the only Cuban reps left are old or really old! Obama 08

[ThemostRegectedName]

FUCK MCAIN

[nichsda]

barack obama is also a member of the cfr, dont vote him!

[ThemostRegectedName]

yea will all just vote fore bush. VOTE OBAMA

[nichsda]

cuba is a nice country

[GOREFISHERFREEDOM]

The Google of all Googles

Jeff Fisher Eternal Love Jane Bowell

Wedding Invitation (London) & The Ultimate World Peace Protest

(Love Park, Philadelphia, U.S.A.) Now from July 26th 2008 to August 20th 2008

Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again (Full Song)

watch?v=vXjJupEPbww&

Enjoy the video and read the comments by AlGoreJeffFisher2008 et ChadDavisErwin et GodBlessGoreFisher

[GOREFISHERFREEDOM]

The Google of all Googles

Jeff Fisher Eternal Love Jane Bowell

Wedding Invitation (London) & The Ultimate World Peace Protest

(Love Park, Philadelphia, U.S.A.) Now from July 26th 2008 to August 20th 2008

Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again (Full Song)

watch?v=vXjJupEPbww&

Enjoy the video and read the comments by AlGoreJeffFisher2008 et ChadDavisErwin et GodBlessGoreFisher

[didyoulisiten]

Since barackobamacom will not post my comments or videos, I will do them elsewhere. Looks like the elitists Obama does not want anyone who does not agree with his Socialists view to be heard from. This should not come as a surprise, that is the way a Socialists government operates.

[RichGhettoGolfin]

Google the amero stop the north american union!

smash all camaras. take control of your government

power to the people

Spraed the word!

[Endemion01]

My God, leave Cuba alone, damn it!

[tcguy999]

I think it's a moral responsability for those who live in democracy to support democracy everywhere.

[OTTEN2007]

sure, but the problem is defining democracy

[mindhunter09]

The problem with YOUR analysis and the people who support fidel castro is that they ALL live in a DEMOCRACY and have all the freedoms and economic goods that people in cuba can only DREAM of. WHy? because of a sustem IMPOSED on them by FORCE. Blame it on the Embargo all you want, but that is ridiculous. No embargo can force a man to become a tyrant agaisnt his OWN people.

[Hakkur123]

ever been in cuba, no? stfu then, btw the only thing poor in cuba is the materials, and that is to blame on the embargo

[Blackoutpr1]

@Hakkur123 come on man... i support socialism and am extremelly sympathetic towards the cuban regime... but lets not kid ourselves... average pay of $17 is shit.. and no right to challenge government policy is never a good thing... Chavez holds the key <3

[Annie22203]

thanks for posting this. very interesting. quite frankly, those things that mccain accuses obama of doing are things that we probably should be doing - perhaps not all at once - but certainly we need to take steps towards a relationship with cuba