Ok, seriously, the only nation we have restrictions on is Cuba. There's still 190 others to go to. Not sure this is really comparable to East Germany not letting its people step foot in any non-Communist nation. We allow our poeple to go to Communist nations, Islamic nations, Socialist nations, Fascist nations...

Also, how often do you hear about people being fined and/or arrested for going to Cuba? You can bet many of the people that go are wealthy and famous, and if they were harassed, it would be front page news. Heck, the liberal media would make a big deal about anyone getting busted for going to Cuba, just to insult the government. So, fly to Mexico, hop on a flight to Cuba.
There are also a ton of other nations we do not have direct flights to. Tonga comes to mind. A nice Methodist nation. Just way too small and too far away for a direct flight. But I wouldn't mind visiting Tonga.

We actually do have people who go to Cuba for business and limited trade. My neighbor is one of them. They import food goods and health care items from the US on a regular basis.

So now nobody in the Cellar is allowed to point out flaws in the system that piss them off unless they are actively working to fix those flaws?

I don't want to waste my time fighting an uphill battle with the US Government to change the Cuba policy. It's not a priority for me. It doesn't mean I can't complain about it, or point out the flaws.

Why would I want to do something that would get me busted? When did I ever give you the impression that I was looking to get busted to make a political point?

Glatt, my backlash "do something" really wasn't intended for you (and yes, I did direct it to you). It was more about those who are bashing the US and its policies yet either don't live here or don't do anything to change it.

Yes, we are all allowed to criticize, and most of us do! It just gets to me to read someones continual ranting (and it wasn't yours) when they do nothing.

So, go ahead and sit on your lazy arse and complain. I do it all the time!

Cuz she/he is probably from one of those little bothersome places that need to trash Amereica to make them feel good about their own country. We're America and they NEED us not to be good. Its the only chance their insignificance has any chance at being relevant.

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I wouldn't call it a flaw, personally. Glatt, you have the right to complain! I'd be glad to listen.

Because it demonstrates an anti-democratic principle.

If you, as an American, call your country "the leader of the democratic world" or "leader of the free world" or "introducing democracy to Irak or to wherever ..." then I think you ought to know some of the reasons why you have been misinformed. The fact that I am not an American should definitely upset you. But for the reason that you have a better chance of hearing the facts about your own country from a "foreigner", which brings us to another reason why you've been misinformed about democratic principles - your censorship of the national media.

The truth is that there are a number of countries that practice far better democratic principles than the U.S. Do you disbelieve that?

Huh? What? Eh? Never had one.

Well I certainly have never called our country those things. And the ones who usually are calling us those things are usually idiots from other countries who have some bone to pick with our international policies. Frankly, I could give a rats ass.

This may be the only time that I agree with you Merc - well, partly anyway.

The point is that most of this international back lash is all about Iraq. Well we are stuck with that tar baby and we cannot just leave. And to all of those who think we can I would say let them stand up and be counted, including those who are currently in power or may soon hold the keys to the White House. And when the smoke clears and there is a massive genocide and relocation of people in Iraq you will hold the responsibility for the event, not me. Certainly do not ask me or my family to go back there and fix it after that.

I really believe that if the US is viewed in such a bad way by so many people it is time for us to withdraw a bit from the international scene, esp with our aid programs, and let the chips fall where they will...

Look. The U.N. was actively working on diplomatic leverage to solve Iraks problems WITHOUT war. America said that diplomacy was out of the question because Irak was in posession of WMD's - poised to strike at the world at a second's notice. It wasn't a mistake - THE U.S. LIED! When you're done smoking that pipe you can crawl (on your knees) and beg the U.N. to try to get back on the track that they had started before the United Snakes rushed in with all of their bombs and war machinerery and created a far worse problem then it ever was.

The U.N. was correct from the very beginning. If they are willing to find a solution to America's blunder then you ought to beg them to do what they can. Personally, if I had the say I'd leave the Americans there to stew in their own shit but I don't have the majority vote in the U.N. You can be happy for that.

Screw that and screw the UN. Neither I or anyone I know will "crawl (on your knees) and beg the U.N." for anything. The UN had done nothing, still does nothing, and will not do anything in the future. And last time I checked we pretty much are there in Iraq to "stew in their own shit" {mostly by ourselves with a smattering from the UK} which is why people like you have no say as to how we deal with it and your opinion on the issue is not really relevant.

Huh. AD really IS a twat.

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