Normalize Relations with Cuba
 

I think it is about time. Let's drop the BS and do it. There are numerous strategic, economic, and political reasons to do so.

Strategic: Both Russia and China have their eye on Cuba as a place in our back yard to not only mine for wealth but to put offensive weapons in place and electronic snooping devices, if they have not already. China is planning on putting in off shore oil wells that will be in sight of our coastline, if you consider the Keys as part of our coastline. Normalizing relations will go a long way to deter these attempts.

Economic: We have a strong Cuban American community in the US. If they can overcome their Castrophobia we could have a fantastic trading partner who needs our exports badly. Food, medicine, tourism, and think about all those old cars from the 50's that are still running. Cuban cigars! Beaches. Hotels could go in and start over. It would revolutionize their economy. Lots of good reasons to do it.

Political: Face it, they are not North Korea or Iran lite. They just have political differences. Hell, even the Russians had an embassy in the US and they were (are) a much greater mortal threat to us than Cuba could hope to be, except by proxy during the Missile Crisis. Let's get over it already.

What do you think Cellar?

I entirely agree.

Well... ok.

But if they point missiles at me again I'm gonna be pissed.

That is what I am trying to prevent.

I've got no problem with Cuba.

It would be a nice vacation spot, even.

Then I am definitely in!

Srsly. This should have been done years ago. Its ridiculous the way the last several administrations have handled our relations with Cuba. We deal with all these other countries that are far worse than Cuba, yet not them.

Guess they don't have enough to offer us on the positive side, we can only prevent a further negative - eh?

Definitely normalize. Unfortunately, I have trouble visualizing the Florida Cubans letting the GOP normalize, but I guess a Democrat administration could do it.

It is a lovely place to holiday - I have done.

Isn't it a little patronising to say America will "revolutionize" Cuba's economy? You can certainly help them. And it will remove an international embarrassment (the Helms-Burton Act is widely deplored)

But yes, I fully agree that having not beaten Castro into the ground, your best bet is to pretend you never had a strop with him in the first place and remove the embargo. Kill him with kindness if you like. Just start trading again.

From the things I have read about their lifestyle I fully believe that fully normalized relations would revolutionize their economy. It is just a difference between have's and have not's coupled with proximity. It would become the new hot vacation destination for many Americans and it would be very easy to get to. Of course the Cuban government would have to open their markets as well and allow large corps to build hotels and other vacation spots. It would be a win-win.

They killed JFK and paid dearly for it, but it's time to move on and take their oil. ;)

And I'm tired of the Dominicans rolling their crepes too tightly.

They already use US Dollars for all unofficial transactions. 51st state anyone?

Whoa whoa whoa, let's not get hasty. They can be a territory, like Puerto Rico. Nobody wants to redesign the whole flag...

they just did for the new stamp. too many stripes, it seems.

Maybe all US flags should have streamers like a Military Flag, each streamer could represent a territory affiliated with the US.