http://www.voanews.com/media/video/dozens-arrested-in-cuba-ahead-of-obamas-arrival/3246396.html AF1 arrived in Cuba today around 4:30 pm EDT. Human rights protesters were arrested before Obama's arrival. So much for USA-Cuban relations and the new open door to Cuba diplomacy. Can't make it up.
That video does not really show much or do justice to the issue Cuba has been isolated from the US for a long, long time. It's communism government has abused it's power and it's people. With the country opening up, and the USA warming up relations pro-democracy and pro-human rights protests and movements should be expected. A natural reaction of totalitarian governments is to clamp down on free speech and open demonstrations like this. I for one am very optimistic on Cuba, I think things are going to start improving there in the near future. There will be lots of opportunity for Cubans to generate wealth via trade and tourism.
Our president sitting down and being chatty with a Communist dictator, but totally snubbing the pro-democracy opposition, is a pretty sad day in our Republic. The human rights abuses under the Castro regime is stunningly vile. And those in Cuba that yearn to breathe free air must be feeling pretty disenfranchised right now. It is yet another example of the present POTUS kissing the behind of tinpot dictators, whilst leaving relations with our friends icy. Here's hoping someone who actually gives a damn about human rights is sworn in come January.
That's how international diplomacy works. You don't just go in and start shaking things up and talking shit. Leaders have to be cold, calculating and cordial. This is how you make progress on these issues, open up the nation let the people get a taste of freedoms and gradually things will get better. Older administrations have tried the run in guns blazing strategy and it's failed miserably every time. Just look at the quagmire in the middle east and the ride of ISIS which was a direct result of going into Iraq and Afghanistan without a proper exit strategy and zero appreciation for the complex geopolitics of the region. Or perhaps you are more interested in seeing the USA return to the roots of it's foreign policy, which is overthrowing governments (some democratically elected) and installing it's own dictators like in: Iran, Guatemala, Congo, Vietnam, Brazil and Chile to name a few. I guess it's only okay for the Commander-in-Chief to kiss the asses of human rights abusing tinpot dictators when they get to pick which human rights abusing tinpot dictators fits the USA's economic and political agenda.
And when the G8 meets in Germany, protesters are arrested, when Obama goes to the UK, protesters are arrested. I would venture anywhere Obama goes there are protesters that are arrested. There are always people who are unhappy with what is being done and what is being planned. Protests are a good thing, but you have to arrest people who break the laws regarding protesting.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...433dd0-efff-11e5-a2a3-d4e9697917d1_story.html Nothing can change in Cuba overnight. First step to getting the Cuban regime to change is to at the very least show them some respect. From there gradually whoever is in office can continue advocating for change. It may take decades but as long as in the end the Cuban people get the freedoms they've demanding for that's progress.
Well, it is one way. And not too surprising that the current failure of a president would opt for that option. Another way is supporting the pro-democracy opposition to the corrupt, murderous, thieving regime, with whatever they need to grease the skids for the inevitable fall of Communism. It is coming there, eventually, so giving the Castro thugs any legitimacy is too much.
He kisses the asses of brutal communist dictators and terrorist loons while pissing off allies. And he "negotiates" by giving the enemies anything and everything they want in exchange for a few good headlines for him in our leftist newsrags. I wonder how soon it will be before Iran nukes Israel or someone out here in the west.
Yeah. Like it was his idea and decision to go there or to be cold to so called allies. What kind of a fairy tale you people live in? When a president go somewhere or do something it is never on him. He is a mere figure. Protests are made by those who doesn't realize this. He is a representative of a country and that is it. Even Putin, who looks strong and firm on his decisions is ruled by some rich shadowy people we never see. Multinational companies and the owners are spinning the world as we speak or toying with a button for destroying the world and we care about things like this because we have no idea.
Yeah, a lot of people have such short term vision. This message is not about Castro ( either one).. this message is about the person who comes next. It is no different than we did in Iran. First you plant some seeds... then you watch a moderate President be elected... then you watch the moderate President fill the congress with other moderates during the next election... then you see those moderates elect a moderate Supreme leader.... then you watch an even more moderate President follow the current moderate President. And within our generation, Iran will be the Germany-Japan of the middle east. The other method never works well. Kill 10,000 US soldiers, maim and disable another 100,000 more... than install ´our leader´ who is instantly rejected and never has control over the country. And we are $5trillion in debt for the effort.
