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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by Dan Lawrence on Thu Dec 18 21:34:23 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by salaamallah@hotmail.com on Wed Dec 17 12:09:32 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
I suspect it will work. Re-read the first posts.

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(1248338)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by salaamallah@hotmail.com on Thu Dec 18 22:21:31 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by Dan Lawrence on Thu Dec 18 21:34:23 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
iawtp

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(1248341)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by BILLBKLYN on Thu Dec 18 23:25:23 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by salaamallah@hotmail.com on Wed Dec 17 12:05:01 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Leave her alone for what?? She killed a cop and has to answer for her crime!!

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(1249071)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 12:03:11 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by Spider-Pig on Wed Dec 17 13:16:42 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
At least Pooty-Poot isn't going to stick nukes on there now.

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(1249072)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by Fred G on Sun Dec 21 12:04:53 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by 3-9 on Thu Dec 18 14:14:11 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Haha, shaved my head too :)

your pal,
Fred

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(1249075)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 12:06:35 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 12:03:11 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Who says?

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(1249119)

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Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:07:34 2014, in response to U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by DaND124 on Wed Dec 17 10:26:50 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Associated Press

Pope's role in Cuba deal fractures Cuban-American flock

By Matt Sedensky
Dec. 21, 2014 11:28 AM EST
The key role Pope Francis played encouraging talks between Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro left fractures among his flock in South Florida, where many older Roman Catholics equate the Castro brothers with the devil.

Many Catholics worldwide have expressed pride in seeing Francis stirring hopes of progress in communist Cuba, but some Cuban-Americans say their spiritual leader betrayed them.

"I'm still Catholic till the day I die," said Efrain Rivas, a 53-year-old maintenance man in Miami who was a political prisoner in Cuba for 16 years. "But I am a Catholic without a pope."

Rivas said he cried when Obama surprisingly announced a reversal of a half-century's efforts to isolate Cuba. Then, when he learned of Francis' role, he got angry.

Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski acknowledged that some Catholics are "concerned or suspicious," but said many more exiles welcome the breakthrough, despite their suffering.

"The pain is real, but you can't build a future on top of resentments," Wenski told The Associated Press in an interview.

The Vatican has been reaching out to Cuba at least since Pope John Paul II, who declared during his historic 1998 visit to the island, "May Cuba, with all its magnificent potential, open itself up to the world, and may the world open itself up to Cuba." Discussions continued under Pope Benedict XVI, who visited Cuba in 2012. And Francis, the first Latin American pope, has advocated for an end to the U.S. embargo since participating in John Paul's visit to Cuba as the soon-to-be-named Cardinal of Buenos Aires.

Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who is close to Francis, set up the papal visits and has been decisive in improving ties between the church and the officially atheist state since becoming Havana archbishop in 1981. This frustrates some older Catholics who wanted the church to use its unique position inside Cuba to take a harder line.

"The church is contaminated," said Miguel Saavedra, a 57-year-old Miami mechanic who leads an anti-Castro group and wears a gold cross as a sign of his Catholic faith.

Exiles incensed by the diplomacy openly wonder: Was Francis strong-armed by President Barack Obama? Does he understand how terrible the Castro brothers are? Was he perhaps making a foolhardy bid to cement his change-making image?

"I don't know what the pope was thinking," said Jose Sanchez-Gronlier, a 53-year-old lawyer who said he was persecuted for his faith until leaving Cuba as a teenager, and will never forget watching the government seize a convent near his childhood home. "I see a certain naïveté in the pope," he said.

Sen. Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American from Florida who has led the Republicans' criticism of Obama's executive actions on Cuba, also took a swipe at the pope, telling reporters in Washington that he would "ask His Holiness to take up the cause of freedom and democracy."

All this is familiar territory for Francis, who has spent a lifetime navigating the after-effects of the Cold War in Latin America. In his writings before becoming pope, the Argentine church leader criticized Cuban state authoritarianism as well as the U.S. embargo, and called on both sides to talk out their differences. As pope, he wrote to both Obama and Castro suggesting that a thaw could begin by releasing prisoners.

But Arturo Suárez-Ramos, a 50-year-old Miami waiter who was a political prisoner in Cuba for 27 years, said Francis is reaching for more headlines after insisting that homosexuals and divorced people are welcome in church.

"He's trying to get a legacy at any price," Suárez-Ramos said.

The Catholic Church remains the dominant religious force in Cuba, though attendance at Mass is low after decades of official atheism. It has long provided an alternative power center where at least some criticism of the government was possible. Its mediation role could be seen as a reason to trust the promises of change that both Obama and Castro made this week, but many remain wary.

Jay Fernández, a retiree who left Cuba in 1961, said Francis acted like a beggar, taking whatever scraps of concessions the Cuban government offered.

"He wants to be everywhere, he wants to be liked by everyone," Fernandez said. "That's his job to be a peace guy, but it doesn't accomplish a damn thing, especially in Cuba."

U.S. bishops also have long called for an end to the embargo and for improved relations with Cuba. Engagement can do more than isolation to open up Cuban society and improve human rights and religious liberty, they said.

That message seemed to connect with some attending midday Mass at Ermita de la Caridad, a church dedicated to Cuba's patron saint.

"This is the best thing that could have happened," said Lucresia Leon, 70, who left Cuba during the 1980 Mariel boatlift, when 125,000 fled the island. She smiled widely, saying "Everything will be fixed."

Draped in the bright purple vestments of Advent, the Rev. Juan Rumin Dominguez, who arrived from Cuba nine years ago, said accepting change is not a simple thing.

"It's not easy, but the faithful people in these kinds of situations know to trust in God," the priest said. "We are a faithful people. We have confidence because God has his plan."

Historian Jesús Mendez, a Cuban exile who teaches at Barry University and has written about the Latin American church, said most Catholics will welcome the pope's intervention as an effort to increase religious freedom on the island.

"He's very concerned over the decline of Catholic fervor, primarily in Europe but also even in the United States and Canada, so of course he sees it important to have a high profile for the Catholic Church in Cuba," Mendez said.

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by AlM on Sun Dec 21 13:09:36 2014, in response to Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:07:34 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Exiles incensed by the diplomacy openly wonder: Was Francis strong-armed by President Barack Obama? Does he understand how terrible the Castro brothers are?

No. Yes.

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(1249128)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:14:17 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 12:06:35 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Cuban people who like American stuff. THIW

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Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:14:52 2014, in response to U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by DaND124 on Wed Dec 17 10:26:50 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Associated Press

Raúl Castro: Don't expect détente to change Cuban system

By Andrea Rodriguez
Dec 20, 2014 4:17 PM EST
Cuban President Raúl Castro sent a blunt message to Washington Saturday as the White House works to reverse a half-century of hostility between the U.S. and Cuba: Don't expect détente to do away with the communist system.

Castro's speech to Cuba's National Assembly was a sharp counterpoint to the message U.S. President Barack Obama gave in his year-end news conference the day before. Obama reiterated that by engaging directly with the Cuban people, Americans are more likely to encourage reform in Cuba's one-party system and centrally planned economy.

"We must not expect that in order for relations with the United States to improve, Cuba will abandon the ideas that it has struggled for," Castro said.

Also appearing before parliament, shaking their fists in victory, were three convicted spies just released from long U.S. prison terms. The last imprisoned members of the "Cuban Five" spy ring were freed this week in a sweeping deal that included American contractor Alan Gross and a Cuban who had spied for the U.S., both released from their cells in Cuba as a first step toward the restoration of full diplomatic ties and a loosening of U.S. trade and travel restrictions.

While the 83-year-old Castro spoke in Havana, other Cubans of his generation were leading a protest in Miami against plans to normalize relations with the Castro government. About 200 people showed up, most of them older Cuban exiles.

"The Cuban resistance will continue both on the island and in exile to do everything and continue the struggle until Cuba is truly free and democratic once again," said Sylvia Iriondo, an activist with Mothers Against Repression.

Castro also expressed gratitude to Obama during his speech, calling it a "just decision" to release the men who spied on anti-Castro exile groups in South Florida in the 1990s and have long been regarded as heroes in Cuba. Seated behind the three and their families was Elián González, the young Cuban rafter at the center of a bitter custody battle in 2000 between relatives in Miami and his father in Cuba.

The president closed with a shout of "Viva Fidel!" in reference to his older brother, who has not been seen nor heard from since the historic development was announced on Wednesday, provoking speculation about his health and whereabouts.

The executive orders Obama announced Wednesday can clear the way for limited exports to Cuba and freer travel by specific categories of Americans such as academics and artists, but he acknowledged his need to work with Congress to end the decades-old embargo Cuba blames for the dire condition of its infrastructure and economy.

Castro reminded Cubans that the embargo remains in place, particularly limits on international financial transactions that Cuba accuses of blocking its access to credit and international investment.

"An important step has been taken, but the essential thing remains, the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba, which has grown in recent years particularly in terms of financial transactions," he said.

Castro confirmed he would attend the Summit of Americas in Panama in April, where he is expected to have further discussions with Obama.

His address to the National Assembly follows surprise announcements by both presidents Wednesday that Cuba and the U.S. will reopen embassies and exchange ambassadors for the first time in more than 50 years.

The agreement included the exchange of the three prisoners, convicted in 2001, for a Cuban who had been imprisoned on the island for nearly 20 years for spying on behalf of the CIA. Gross had been held in Cuba for five years for illegally importing restricted communications equipment. Two members of the Cuban Five, Fernando González and René González, already had been released by the U.S. As part of the exchange, Cuba also released 53 other prisoners.

Late Friday, Cuban state television showed four of the Cuban Five celebrating their reunion by singing together during a private party in Havana.

Their release angered the protesters in Miami. Two women held up a sign saying "Obama's message to Castro: Imprison Americans and get 3 spies and an embassy."

Most of the estimated 2 million Cubans living in the United States are in Florida. Thousands marched and more than 350 were arrested in 2000 after U.S. agents seized the young Gonzalez and returned him to Cuba to resolve an international custody dispute. When Fidel Castro ceded power to his brother in 2006, hundreds celebrated in the streets of Little Havana, and more recently, Cuban-born singer Gloria Estefan led tens of thousands in support of Havana's Ladies in White dissidents.

By comparison, Wednesday's spontaneous protests and Saturday's planned demonstration in Miami's Jose Marti park were sparsely attended.

"I think there are a lot of people sitting on the sidelines, tired," said Andy Gómez, a Cuba expert and retired University of Miami professor.

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:15:31 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:14:17 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
That's bollocks.

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(1249138)

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:20:04 2014, in response to Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:07:34 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
So those who have an interest in continued conflict object to peace. In other news, Pope Francis is believed to be a Roman Catholic.

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(1249139)

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Fred G on Sun Dec 21 13:20:15 2014, in response to Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:14:52 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Not for nothing but who gives a shit what a couple of guys in their 80's say. Time is on our side here.

your pal,
Fred

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(1249140)

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:20:36 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:15:31 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
We'll see.

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Re: Raul says detente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by cortelyounext on Sun Dec 21 13:21:17 2014, in response to Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:14:52 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Subject corrected.

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:22:15 2014, in response to Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:14:52 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Yeah, like China's still "communist", rather than a highly-successful capitalist tinpot dictatorship whose people are mainly happy with peace and driving around in half-decent cars.

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(1249148)

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by italianstallion on Sun Dec 21 13:25:34 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by AlM on Sun Dec 21 13:09:36 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Right. Obama is weak, a terrible negotiator. But now he could strong-arm the Pope?

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(1249150)

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Re: Raulus dixit ut reditus in gratia non commovet artificium communisticum

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:30:32 2014, in response to Re: Raul says detente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by cortelyounext on Sun Dec 21 13:21:17 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
argumentum emendatum est.

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(1249152)

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:31:28 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by italianstallion on Sun Dec 21 13:25:34 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Obama won. Pooty-poot lost.

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(1249157)

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:36:24 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:22:15 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
China's still communist. "State capitalism" is in Marx/Engels writings.

If they're so peaceful over there, then why the continuous crackdown on free speech (especially over the intarwebs), the Sinkiang uprisings and the Xianggang Hong Kong protests, eh? Don't mistake repression for peace, please.

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:36:59 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:36:24 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Forgot about the continued repressions in Tibet too.

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(1249159)

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:38:01 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:31:28 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
What did Pooty-poot lose? Nothing. Stop reading your far-left sources. Most likely Putin wanted this too.

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(1249160)

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:38:49 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:20:04 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Surrender to lefties is still "peace" to you? LOL!

No, Francis is fast heading for anti-pope status.

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:40:27 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by AlM on Sun Dec 21 13:09:36 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
You got at least one of them reversed.

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(1249165)

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Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:42:00 2014, in response to Re: Raul says detente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by cortelyounext on Sun Dec 21 13:21:17 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Tell Raúl that his name is spelled without an acute accent. I dôuble-dog dàre you.

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:43:22 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by italianstallion on Sun Dec 21 13:25:34 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
I agree that Obama is too weak to strong-arm Francis. Which means Francis did this of his own volition.

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:47:39 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:31:28 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Yeah sure, "Pooty-poot lost". Is Obama moving to block this? Nope. (Besides, it's too late to.)

NY Thymes

Hawkish Russian Emissary to Visit Cuba’s Leaders

By Andrew Roth
Dec. 19, 2014
Just days after President Obama announced a historic thaw in relations between the United States and Cuba, one of Russia’s most hawkish emissaries was set to arrive in Havana on Friday to meet with Cuba’s leadership.

The emissary, Dmitri O. Rogozin, the outspoken deputy prime minister whose portfolio includes Russia’s weapons and space programs, had already panned the United States’ supposed change of heart toward Cuba as just a calculated change in tactics.

“Now they will suffocate them in their embrace,” Mr. Rogozin said Thursday on Twitter during a tour through Latin America, where he was negotiating economic and weapons contracts in Brazil, Venezuela and other countries.

There is little trust in the benevolence of American foreign policy in Moscow now, largely because of the perceived hand of the State Department in Ukraine’s revolution in February. A well-traveled but still popular joke asks why there has not been a revolution in Washington. The answer: There is no American Embassy there.

Discounting avowed hawks like Mr. Rogozin, analysts and diplomats in Moscow met Mr. Obama’s decision with an approval that is rare in the current political climate, where a win for America is often seen as a loss for Russia.

“My understanding is that the official reaction was neutral-positive,” said Sergei A. Karaganov, a prominent Russian political scientist and dean of the School of International Economics and Foreign Affairs at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow.

Russia has long pushed for the United States to recognize Cuba and in taking that step, “one could only applaud Mr. Obama, whether you like him or not,” Mr. Karaganov added with a chuckle.

But with that approval came a message that has implications for relations between the United States and Russia: Sanctions do not work.

With the United States declaring its intention to isolate President Vladimir V. Putin, and Western sanctions contributing to the recent havoc in the Russian economy, it was a message that the Foreign Ministry in Moscow delivered bluntly on Thursday even as it lauded the decision on Cuba.

“It is characteristic that the president of the United States admitted the lack of results of many years of attempts to ‘isolate’ Cuba,” the Foreign Ministry said in a 154-word statement. “It remains to hope that Washington will soon recognize the fruitlessness of the similar pressure of sanctions on other countries.”

That was repeated on Russian television by anchors and pundits, who also played down concerns that Russia’s influence in Latin America could be diminished by the United States.

Mr. Putin wrote off $32 billion in Cuba’s Soviet-era debt this year, earning good will that will pay future dividends, Fyodor Lukyanov, editor of a Russian foreign affairs journal and the head of an influential policy group, said on state television.

“With the country emerging from isolation, Russia can now count on its active cooperation,” Mr. Lukyanov said.

Alexander Baunov, a former diplomat and world affairs columnist for the Slon news website, said that Mr. Rogozin’s diplomatic writ would be to sow doubt about the United States’ intentions.

“His mission is to be informed,” Mr. Baunov said in a telephone interview. “And he will try to convince them that they not hurry to get too close to America, because they will fool you.”

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:55:44 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:47:39 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
That was repeated on Russian television by anchors and pundits, who also played down concerns that Russia’s influence in Latin America could be diminished by the United States.

See? They're scared, and they know they can't compete. Sending over some thug of a diplomat is their last resort. They know this is payback for the Crimea.

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by FtGreeneG on Sun Dec 21 14:00:55 2014, in response to Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:14:52 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Well the US deals with other communist countries so I guess Cuba would be no different.

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(1249183)

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 14:16:14 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by FtGreeneG on Sun Dec 21 14:00:55 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
That's no excuse. Do you think it's a good thing we deal with communist countries?

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by cortelyounext on Sun Dec 21 14:18:49 2014, in response to Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:42:00 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
With all respect, I am asking you once and for all to please stop putting diacritics like those ocelots that look like small angled teardrops and those little upside down Vs above letters in words such as Raul and detente and double and other ones like that. I do not think that is asking too much.

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by AlM on Sun Dec 21 15:38:52 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 14:16:14 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Every President since Roosevelt has thought so.

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by SMAZ on Sun Dec 21 22:46:08 2014, in response to Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to "normalize" relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 13:07:34 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Who gives a shit about what the irrelevant and almost defunct Miami Mafia thinks.

Real Cubans love this Pope and his two immediate predecessors.

VIVA IL PAPA!!

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Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by SMAZ on Sun Dec 21 22:49:54 2014, in response to Re: Pope Francis' role splits Cuban-American Catholics (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by kew gardens teleport on Sun Dec 21 13:31:28 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Not only Putin.
My President also just took a gigantic defecation on Nicolas Maduro.

Barack Obama, best President in the last 62 years.

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(1249469)

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by SMAZ on Sun Dec 21 23:50:54 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 14:16:14 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
That's no excuse. Do you think it's a good thing we deal with communist countries?




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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by FtGreeneG on Mon Dec 22 01:29:40 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by Olog-hai on Sun Dec 21 14:16:14 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
How long have we been dealing with China? I say as long as they aren't committing any war crimes or human rights atrocities I don't care how they gov't themselves.

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by AlM on Mon Dec 22 02:35:05 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by FtGreeneG on Mon Dec 22 01:29:40 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
And we even need to deal with countries that are committing massive human rights violations. Just because we deal with a country doesn't mean we approve of their policies.

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Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations)

Posted by Fred G on Mon Dec 22 04:40:31 2014, in response to Re: Raúl says détente won't change communist system (US, Cuba taking steps to ''normalize'' relations), posted by AlM on Mon Dec 22 02:35:05 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
The best way to change a country is to get them addicted to your business and money.

Your pal,
Fred

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Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say

Posted by AlM on Mon Dec 22 09:54:04 2014, in response to Re: U.S., Cuba taking steps to normalize relations, officials say, posted by SLRT on Wed Dec 17 11:40:00 2014.

fiogf49gjkf0d
Chris Christie read your post.

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