[BartSimpson]

bootlegga bootlegga:

Based on its history of dictatorships, I'd argue that Cuba never has been free.

I'll readily concede that point.

Now it's your turn to acknowledge that as bad as was Batista fifty years ago, it is now equally wrong to support the regime that currently oppresses Cuba.

[bootlegga]

I agree that supporting Castro is wrong, but the trade embargo has failed utterly and needs to go.

If the US is so keen on fixing relations, drop the embargo and then see what happens. It would totally isolate Castro and his cronies and would set the country up for real change.

Punishing rank and file Cubans for Castro is not only ineffective, I'd argue its morally wrong too. While I have no plans to visit Cuba anytime in my life, I don't see how someone taking a trip there and spending money makes life worse for the average Cuban. I'd argue that it provides jobs and at least some small ray of hope in their lives, instead of abject poverty.

The embargo, even if every country in the world participated, would never stop Castro and his cronies from getting anything they want, simply because someone would always be there to sell it to him for the 'right price'. All it accomplishes is punishing the little people and NEVER should have been instituted in the first place. Now, it's in Castro's favour to keep it up and running, so it's hardly any surprise that he doesn't want it to change.

If the US really wants to fuck over Castro, drop the embargo immediately and either he'll be forced to change or Cubans will muster the courage to get rid of him for once and for all.

[BartSimpson]

bootlegga bootlegga:

I agree that supporting Castro is wrong, but the trade embargo has failed utterly and needs to go.

If the US is so keen on fixing relations, drop the embargo and then see what happens. It would totally isolate Castro and his cronies and would set the country up for real change.

Really? You mean like how trade with China caused China to acknowledge human rights and to have free elections?

No, we learned our lesson with China and the idea that trade alone will moderate a repressive regime is a fantasy. All it does is provide them with a bigger budget to buy military hardware.

[bootlegga]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

bootlegga bootlegga:

I agree that supporting Castro is wrong, but the trade embargo has failed utterly and needs to go.

If the US is so keen on fixing relations, drop the embargo and then see what happens. It would totally isolate Castro and his cronies and would set the country up for real change.

Really? You mean like how trade with China caused China to acknowledge human rights and to have free elections?

No, we learned our lesson with China and the idea that trade alone will moderate a repressive regime is a fantasy. All it does is provide them with a bigger budget to buy military hardware.

Just because YOU want someone to have 'free elections' and 'human rights' doesn't mean that that they want them. Statements like that are ethnocentric, because you really are saying, "Our culture is better than yours".

Given that they have had roughly 3000 or so years of history, pretty much all of it ruled by an emperor/king/dictator, maybe they simply aren't interested. Most Chinese care about improving their lot in life, which isn't surprising given that 90% of them live on a a dollar or two per day, and the rest have an income less than 1/10th of the average American. Life in China is immeasurably better than it was under Mao, and that's mostly due to increased economic ties with China. You may not see it as progress, but many Chinese do. And maybe, just maybe, the Chinese aren't interested in having another huge civil war, given that the last one cost millions of lives.

If the Chinese/Cubans/whoever want democracy, then they'll move in that direction. It's their choice to make, not yours.

Besides, if the US is worried about Cuba being able to fund a better military than the one the US currently possesses, they might as well just pack it in right now and surrender to China/Europe/the New World Order or whoever.

[CDN_PATRIOT]

$1:

5) Learn spanish


6) and have some sunbathes before vocations

7) get the Mexian citizenship

8. Buy 'Mexican Repellant' from your local Canadian Tire.

9. Visit Costa Rica instead, as they need the tourism dollars
more than Mexico.

10. Buy a novelty sombrero and some Taco Bell, and enjoy them
both from the comfort of your own home.

-J.

[EyeBrock]

"Mexican Repellant." That's kinda offensive really. Mexicans are not some sort of vermin.

[BartSimpson]

bootlegga bootlegga:

If the Chinese/Cubans/whoever want democracy, then they'll move in that direction. It's their choice to make, not yours.

And if the USA wants to trade with someone it's our choice and not yours.

So there.

[BartSimpson]

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

"Mexican Repellant." That's kinda offensive really. Mexicans are not some sort of vermin.

We put a label on our Mexican repellant, and it works pretty good. Try it out sometime. Get yourself a set of gree coveralls and put on this patch and walk into just about any bar in El Paso, Texas and see what effect it has on the Mexicans in the room.

[EyeBrock]

Can't agree with that sentiment Bart mate. Mexicans, even illegal ones, are humans.

[DerbyX]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

bootlegga bootlegga:

If the Chinese/Cubans/whoever want democracy, then they'll move in that direction. It's their choice to make, not yours.

And if the USA wants to trade with someone it's our choice and not yours.

So there.

Agreed. What better way to send the message too. "Sorry but your government engages in activities we cannot tolerate and therefore cannot do business with you".

I know you boycott Walmart based on its policies. Would you support your country severing or restricting imports from countries it considers following a path it cannot support even if it means loosing access to its goods, goods like oil?

I'm sure America can get away without the cheap crap Walmart sells but what about Oil from Saudi Arabia?

[angler57]

Our idea (USA) of sending offensive countries to Coventry,is wrong.We need to, as the Old saying goes, keep our friends close and our enemies
closer.
We should send them our Box stores. Stupid POP music and Newest fads. Flood their
picture boxes with Reality shows.
And, send adivsors from California to give Aid and Advice.

[tritium]

kenmore kenmore:

Drive to Mexico? hello!

...and what wrong with that. Done it plenty of times. Just pay for the Mexican Insurance at the border and go.

Remember, if you get pulled over for a speeding ticket, had the officer your license with 50 pesos folded up under it... makes life easier.

[tritium]

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

"Mexican Repellant." That's kinda offensive really. Mexicans are not some sort of vermin.

It's kind of racist.

What they need is some Yankee Repellant, keep Uncle Sams nose out of Mexican politics, and take up Rafael Caro Quintero, a powerful Mexican drug lords offer to pay off the Mexican national debt within five years if they let him out of prison.

The Mexican economy was as good as Canada's and the United States only 70 years ago, until the United States did what it does best, sticking it's nose into other countries politics. A lesson Canada should learn from.

The United States wanted Mexican oil and resources..

[tritium]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

EyeBrock EyeBrock:

"Mexican Repellant." That's kinda offensive really. Mexicans are not some sort of vermin.

We put a label on our Mexican repellant, and it works pretty good. Try it out sometime. Get yourself a set of gree coveralls and put on this patch and walk into just about any bar in El Paso, Texas and see what effect it has on the Mexicans in the room.

Fuck, you guys can't even secure your southern border. Give me a break.

If it wasn't for the illegal Mexican's taking the least attractive jobs, such as in meat packing and agriculture, you guys would be paying 3 times what you now pay in the grocery store.