The United States will restore diplomatic relations it severed with Cuba more than 50 years ago, a major policy shift ending decades of hostile ties with the communist-ruled island, President Barack Obama said on Wednesday.
Announcing the end of what he called a "rigid" policy of isolation of Cuba that had been ineffective, Obama said the United States would move toward normal ties and would open an embassy in Cuba.
Obama discussed the changes with Cuban President Raul Castro on Tuesday in a nearly hour-long telephone call. Castro spoke in Cuba as Obama made his announcement on a policy shift made possible by the release of American Alan Gross, 65, who had been imprisoned in Cuba for five years.
At the end of this article the reporter writes this:
Obama will likely face resistance on this.
Gee, ya think?
Republicans are going to lose their freaking minds over this. Especially since he is doing it on his own, and without working with Congress.
In fact Hillary's 2016 opposition has already expressed his displeasure.
Here is a timeline of US relations with Cuba just to give you an idea as to how big of a deal this will be.
Update: Oh yeah Marco Rubio is throwing quite the hissy fit over this:
"This entire policy shift announced today is based on an illusion, based on a lie,” Rubio, who is the son of Cuban immigrants, told reporters on Capitol Hill.
"The White House has conceded everything and gained little." "I’m committed to doing everything I can to unravel as many of these changes as possible," he added.
"This Congress is not going to lift the embargo," Rubio declared at the end of his news conference.
You know I think Rubio is just pissed that Obama undermined his base with this decision, and is making all of the Republicans look like obstructionists on ending an embargo that has gone on for far too long.
I think he just needs to take a drink of water and calm down.
Better?
Good for President Obama! Way past time that this was done/accomplished. And, already the Republicans are hollering that they'll 'defund' anything he tries to do regarding Cuba.
ReplyDeleteThe Republicans just cannot stand to see President Obama be successful and he IS in spite of their constant obstruction. Thank god the majority of Americans see right through their spiteful ways and deeds. Vote as many of them out of office in 2016 as possible - Republicans suck!
It's all hysterical kabuki theater to watch, as Obama plays the righties like a violin. First, the torture report is released. Their reaction? "Torture is just fine and dandy – in fact, it's downright patriotic; why it's an essential component to how we Americans should 'do business'." Then, a few days later, this is announced. Their reaction? "Cuba is guilty of torture, and we won't allow this decision by Obama to stand!!!" Bought and paid for by the American Sugar Institute?? Or American tobacco firms that do not wish to see competition with Cuban tobacco? Because, otherwise, it is beyond silliness, beyond absurd. Two-thirds of the American people support this move and believe that it is long overdue – as do most Cubans. Normalizing relations will improve conditions in Cuba: the Cuban people will meet American tourists by the droves (perhaps many who in the past vacationed in Mexico will now prefer a cheaper and safer holiday in Cuba?), and Americans will see for themselves that human rights conditions inside Cuba are certainly superior to those inside many nations we now support (Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and countless others). My opinion? Republicans are just jealous that they weren't the ones to do this, because if that were the case, they would be thinking of hundreds of ways for their cronies to cash in – at taxpayer expense, of course. The unspoken reaction? "How dare Obama do something above-board, when we could have done it under the table and had our cronies profit from it?"
DeleteGreat post Anonymous 4:37...all excellent points!
DeleteYeah, that little pissant, smarmy asswipe Rubio is throwing a huge shit fit, threatening everyone from the Pope to the President. Shame on him for not thinking that other Cuban people have the right to their freedom like his family enjoys. The only man that matters is deeply grateful for President Obama, as it should be.
ReplyDelete"Ultimately, the decision to arrange for and secure my release was made in the Oval Office," Gross said. "To President Obama and the NSC staff, thank you."
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/alan-gross-thanks-obama
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/marco-rubio-obama-worst-negotiator-alan-gross
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/pat-leahy-alan-gross-cuba-flight
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/marco-rubio-pope-cuba
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/the-moment-alan-gross-was-freed
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/cuba-embargo
And meanwhile, to Rubio's horror, Cubans start depositing money in Florida banks, coming to Florida to spend money, and American businesses start going to Cuba to make money. And in a short while, Raul Castro is replaced by a more moderate ruler, whose election would not have been possible without this move. And, just possibly, Cuba becomes more friendly to America and less friendly to China and Russia. Oh, the horror, the absolute horror!! "Please proceed, Mr. Rubio." Am I the only one noticing (and giggling about) how Obama is artfully snatching the rug out from underneath each and every 2016 clown car candidate?
DeleteBravo Mr. President!
ReplyDeleteObama just stole the ball from Rubio, took it the length of the court and dunked on Jeb Bush at the buzzer. Game over.
ReplyDeleteToday, I had a (rhetorical) question: which will be perceived as more damaging: Bill Clinton campaigning for Hillary, or the Shrub, campaigning for Jeb, in 2016? Will Jeb be hiring Rove and Cheney to assist his ambitions as well?
DeleteMarco needs another glass of water after Obama's brilliant move. His mouth is dry from fear. How does he explain this to the Cuban-Americans who sent him into power and never want to normalize relations with Cuba?
ReplyDeleteThe Cuban-Americans are like the Israelis; a whiny bunch of idiots who want to be coddled at every turn. They suckle off the American dollar and think they can dictate our policies.
Delete
ReplyDeleteThe Cuban embargo was a joke. We were the ONLY country in the world who even cared about it. Everyone else was happily traveling to Cuba, doing business in Cuba, giving them money, trading with them, having diplomatic relations, etc.
No. One. Cared. It was a pathetic Cold War relic. It should have died the same day the Soviet Union dissolved.
Yes, exactly.
DeleteIn fact, the U.S. embargo itself was full of holes.
I know many U.S. citizens who've been to Cuba for "humanitarian" and other reasons in the last two decades.
The POTUS is doing everything he can to move us forward in his last two years of office. He is the opposite of a lame duck -- err, how about a crafty lion!
Crafty Lion... YES!
DeleteOne other result, for sure: loads of Americans (especially seniors in Florida) will be going to Cuba for low-cost medical care.
DeleteWhile Rubio was looking the other way, Obama just took his lunch money, gave him an atomic wedgie and taped a "kick me" sign to his back.
ReplyDeletegood analogy...haha
DeleteIt really is amazing how much this president has managed to accomplish so far with still over 2 years left to go. Despite all the obstruction from the "guardians of gridlock". Despite a record number of filibusters, the most unwillingness to compromise in history, the total lack of cooperation, and all of the downright ornery hate mongering, racism, and vitriol from the right. Years from now when all the dust settles, president Obama will be seen as one of the best presidents this country has ever had. By best I mean most effective and able to get things done regardless of the many challenges and obstacles that the aforementioned haters threw at him. IMO, we are all fortunate to be alive during this time to witness true change for the better in this country.
ReplyDeleteHe's been the only adult in the room during a period of childish insanity from the right. I suspect that he'll go down in history as on par with Truman, who also faced withering opposition from the right and even lower approval ratings during his time in office, but who kept us out of war with the Soviets and China, integrated the military, and held the line on the essentials of the New Deal. Obama's legacy may take some time to establish itself, but it will come.
Again, YES!
DeleteIt's wonderful to see all the positive steps this President is taking in his final two years. He seems to be fearless and not the least bit intimidated by the do nothing obstructionist party. Keep up the good work President Obama. We from other nations will be cheering you on.
ReplyDeleteThis is a HUGE deal.
ReplyDeleteAnd Rubio will be changing his tune as more and more Cuban Americans agree with the President's decision to change our policy of isolationism. I heard this morning on NPR that a slight majority agree now and that number will only get larger.
In the late 1970’s – during the Carter administration – there was a slight lessening in tension between the US and Cuba and companies started looking into doing business in Cuba, when the embargo was lifted. My ex-husband was one of those business people and he looked into the importation of Cuban cigars to the US. He went to Cuba several times to talk to government officials. I was asked along on a trade mission sanctioned by the US Chamber of Commerce. A whole group of midwestern muckytimucks flew to Cuba and we were shown around by the Cubans and allowed to roam freely in Havana.
ReplyDeleteThe last night of the trip, we were invited to meet with Fidel and other Cuban officials. It was hysterical to see all these corporate types salivating over the chance to meet Castro. (There was some grousing that we had to get “dressed up”, seeing that Fidel would probably come in a battered and torn Army uniform. He actually wore a well-designed and fitted Army uniform and he was gorgeous). He just oozed personal charm. (Of course, so, supposedly did Hitler.) We all were encouraged to come up and talk to him during the cocktail time. He spoke perfect English, though he did come with an “interpreter” – a beautiful young woman, by his side. After the reception, he was driven off in a Mercedes.
Anyway, relations were never normalised and my ex didn’t become the sole importer of Cuban cigars in half the country. I emailed him today to ask if he was going to go after the deal now. He hasn’t answered me yet; maybe he’s busy trying to get the deal back on!
This should have been done 40 years ago. Shameful policy.
I had high hopes that Clinton would normalize relations. Wonder why he didn't.
DeleteWonderful news. It always amazed me that this dragged on year after year after year. I just saw a headline somewhere - something like - "Obama saw what ten other presidents did not". That says a lot about him. How many times have we been surprised when suddenly something became public knowledge and no one even knew he was working on it. Bravo!!
ReplyDeletePat Padrnos
I'm just giggling.
DeleteYou GO, Mr. President!
Not only was Obama working on it, but the Pope was working on it. How angry are all those righties that the Pope may be calling Obama (you know, the man they wrongfully accuse of not being a Christian, but who was educated in a Jesuit school in indonesia) on the phone – without their permission and behind the scenes, yet? I think that, far more than their racial hatred of Obama, they despise him even more for being smart and successful ("how DARE that n****r be, gasp, so much smarter than us – and why doesn't he fall down every time we stick our feet out to trip him?????")
DeleteFor being smart and successful and cultured, with a smart and beautiful wife he never traded in for a much younger trophy wife, and beautiful and well-mannered children. Uppity n****r indeed. How dare he?
DeleteI get more and more disgusted with Bill lately:
ReplyDeleteBill Maher Would Be Fine with President Jeb Bush ‘Because He’s Not Ted Cruz’
http://www.mediaite.com/online/bill-maher-would-be-fine-with-president-jeb-bush-because-hes-not-ted-cruz/
These people are his bread and butter.
DeleteKerry Excited to Be ‘First Sec. of State in 60 Years to Visit Cuba’
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mediaite.com/online/kerry-excited-to-be-first-sec-of-state-in-60-years-to-visit-cuba/
http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-live-alan-gross-makes-statement-after-release-from-cuban-prison/
Wow! I feel as if this and protection against drilling in Bristol Bay are two wonderful--and long-needed--Solstice gifts.
ReplyDeleteAnd, Gov. Cuomo just this afternoon, banned fracking in NY State. What a great day this has been.
Delete1:35 -
DeleteI was surprised - happily so - to hear the news about Cuomo. I was getting very nervous that he was going to cave in the end. As a NYer. I am very glad he finally made the right decision.
I think the Cuban people would vote to be come our 51st State if given the chance
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure about that, but I think most of them would love to have the prosperity that Puerto Rico has had instead of the economic hardships they have had for the past fifty years.
DeleteDon't assume Cubans hate their lives, or Castro. They have a measure of security, however meager it might be: a roof over their heads, food, access to medical care, and a real sense that all men (and women) are created equal.
DeleteSince the 1970s, the Cuba embargo has been about little more than presidential politics in swing-state Florida. Candidates had to swear they would never lift the embargo so long as Castro was in power, lest the Cuban refugees / ex-pats in Florida -- many of whom indeed lost everything when they fled -- punish that candidate and his party on election day. Brilliant move by Obama and good timing, it will seem like a tempest in a teapot by 2016.
ReplyDeleteTotally precludes the GOP using 'divide and conquer' as an election strategy in the state of Florida in 2016, doesn't it? Florida politics and fund-raising may never be the same again. LOL!
DeleteThe isolation of Cuba is a figment of the American imagination. It's like that supposed British newspaper headline "Fog in Channel; Continent Cut Off".
ReplyDeleteFrom wiki: In all, Cuba continues to have formal relations with 160 nations, and provided civilian assistance workers – principally medical – in more than 20 nations.
Certainly, diplomatic and trading relations with the United States will improve life in Cuba, but I am pleased to see that the Cubans will even consider dealing with a nation that tortures prisoners. Sanctions against the US for the use of torture wouldn't surprise me at all.
Outstanding job, President Obama! He keeps playing chess and the Republicans play checkers! He's so far smarter than the horrid bunch of them in Congress! Love that all his judges were approved too! Thank you, idiot Ted Cruz! And, thank you, Harry Reid! Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour move, Congress. Hee hee
DeleteCuba Libre! About time!
ReplyDeleteDamn straight! Claro que si!
DeleteThese myopic ignorant Repubs are forgetting history.
ReplyDeleteRichard Nixon flew to Beijing, and was able to bring huge change to China because the Chinese people got exposed to American and Western culture, democracy, media, and manufactured goods and business.
Same thing happened after Glasnost, when Reagan reached out to Gorbachev, and the Russians had the same exposure
The REAL problem here is that President Obama is doing this, and he's a democrat, he's black, and the Teaparty Taliban hate anything he does.
How easily these idiots forget their own god damn history.
Cue Caribou Barbie ranting about this, and pretendin' to have solidarity with them there Cubanos.
Like Palin even cared one dead boar about Cuba before this announcement,
Wash your mouth out with soap $arah, and don't forget your HOOOHAH!!!!
Scarah, yes and still our President is working on yet more things. So rant on you fool old hag. He does things like work each and everyday. Whats on your internet site daily. Hahaha nothing. Hahaha
DeleteLiving in Canada has awakened me to the foolishness of the US isolationism re: Cuba. My Canadian friends go to Cuba often for inexpensive vacations in beautiful resorts. They use US money which is preferred in Cuba. I have a drawer full of souvenirs from my Canadian friends from their trips to Cuba.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the day when, as an American, I can visit Cuba and bring back a bunch of tacky souvenirs for my Canadian friends.
Really, it's time. (And I thoroughly enjoyed watching Marco Rubio's head explode.)
We've been to Cuba twice over the past several years. Beyond doubt the MOST BEAUTIFUL beaches in the Caribbean. Cuba, since the fall of the Soviet Empire, has fallen into terrible financial straits, and some of the people are outwardly allowed to trade/sell goods -- the beginnings of a free market. The President's timing is excellent and, along with the Pope's blessing, it shouldn't be long before the Congresscritters see fit to legislate lifting the embargo.
DeleteIt's not hard for Americans to go to Cuba. Many have done so on various cultural exchange visas. My sister did that with a folk dance group and she's no dancer. It was more like just a group of friends using it as an excuse. Another friend s daughter just did a study abroad semester there.
DeleteBut the easiest way of all is to just go to Cancun Mexico and fly to Cuba from there. I've known quite a few people who've done that, and when we were in that part of Mexico there was tons of advertising for it.
It hasn't been difficult for Americans to go to Cuba for many years.
My parents have been to Cuba via Venezuela. I couldn't believe the photos they took of crushing poverty and everyone driving really old cars, like really old cars from the 50's and those with actual appliances in their home those were from the 50's as well. Buildings were neglected and falling down and streets were nearly unpassable due to lack of maintenance. Really sad trip for them when they left their resort area and went out amongst the people. It's nice to see that things can change for them.
DeleteYes, but now they can do it without getting a file set up at the State Department that they have done such a thing. Thus, many more people will go there.
DeleteThis is such a wonderful step to bring the relationship between the US and Cuba back into the open. The embargo was a stupid move that should have expired years ago! Way to go President Obama. Also thrilled that he has put Bristol Bay off limits to oil and gas drilling. Another gift to the American people. I love our president!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of lifting the embargo. The only regret is that it might lose its charm and become a new territory for all the
ReplyDeletefast food industry and other corporate "development."
Again Thank you Mr President, who twice won. No chads..just voters.
ReplyDeleteSarah must be fuming at how our 'lame duck' president is giving a whole new definition to that description. Sarah used that line as part of her justification for quitting, and Barack is making her look like an ass, just by being the amazing, accomplished, decisive, history making president he is.
ReplyDeleteLame duck? Looks to me more like Mighty Duck! Every other headline is him making yet another HUGE change for the better to this country, and this planet. And now it's like dominoes and there ain't no slowin' him down.
I was born in the country, I have lived here for more than 6 decades, while traveling and spending considerable time in countries outside of the United States. And I've seen and witnessed A LOT!
NEVER have I felt so proud of a president. NEVER have I felt so safe. NO ONE in my lifetime who has occupied the Oval Office has been more gracious, kind, compassionate, fair, reasonable, productive, decisive, honest, had such a core integrity and UNWAVERING commitment to a better world.
I am heartsick that he will be leaving soon, and I shudder to think of the horrors that lie ahead with a possible Republican in the White House. As far as I'm concerned, President Obama has nearly single-handedly held back the tsunami of legislation that would accomplish the destruction of rights for women, gays, blacks, indians, the poor, the uninsured...the list is immense for the things he has done to help people in this country. And not just that, but the suppressing of people's votes all over the country.
It's too bad that too many Americans are just fucking stupid, ignorant and not well-informed. And it seems to be getting worse.
In some ways, I feel as if I have witnessed the last great president in history, and it's all downhill from here. Sad, but that is the truth.
NO ONE in my lifetime who has occupied the Oval Office has been more gracious, kind, compassionate, fair, reasonable, productive, decisive, honest, had such a core integrity and UNWAVERING commitment to a better world.
Delete--------------------------------------
O come on, you know this is just another scheme in his war on America to open the doors to more non-whites, part of his Big Plan!
Enough of that nonsense; 1:33 I couldn't agree with you more. All in all, he has been the best president in my lifetime, and I worry it will be many more lifetimes before we see another.
Mildred
"Sarah must be fuming at how our 'lame duck' president is giving a whole new definition to that description."
Delete----------------------------------
So true. That lazy cretin seemed to think that even just the reality of an election years away (democracy? how does it work?) meant she had no choice but to sit on her ass doing nothing. It's as if she saw being elected as the end goal, not the beginning of a term of service. And the damn fool wasn't even term-limited so she could have run for re-election.
On the contrary, many lame duck officials or organizations make full use of their remaining time in office, working tirelessly to make their mark (for good or ill) before leaving office. Freed from the burdens of campaigning or having to worry about making everyone happy, they can vote their consciences without having to introduce a political calculus into every decision or action.
I have no doubt that history will be on the President's side. Palin? Pffft. A nothing. She will be completely out of the nation's consciousness within a decade or two. Her base will have died off and younger people won't know her as anything but a vague subject of late-night comedians.
If he's not stopped Obama will replace term "lame duck" with "unleashed motherducker"
DeletePost election Obama is like Muhammad Ali. 'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. The hands can't hit what the eyes can't see'.
DeleteIt's truly amazing, Cruz, Rubio, Boner, Bush, Lindsey etc. support Torture are now lecture on humanitarian issues & human rights..
ReplyDeleteThis is an issue that has not divided along party lines, historically. But thanks to Obamaphobia, it is looking like, with some exceptions, it will.
ReplyDeleteThe thing to remember about US Cuba policy, is that the loudest supporters are the Cuban exile community. These are people who still hold a grudge for the nationalization of their wealth, and will continue to view Cuba relationships in light of this. Their end goal is not a free Cuba. Their end goal is very simply to make Cuba suffer.
Well Cubans have suffered long enough. We need to stop making our policy about rich old Cubans, and start making it about the Cuban people.
George W. Bush appointed two different ambassadors to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, one in 2004 and another in 2007. During Bush's tenure as President, bilateral trade with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam grew from $1.5 billion to over $15 billion.
ReplyDeleteThe Socialist Republic of Vietnam of today is run by the successors of the government of North Vietnam, whose soldiers and Viet Cong allies killed over 58,000 American men and women.
Unless Ted Cruz and rest of the GOP are prepared to be outraged by our commercial and diplomatic relations with a country responsible for so many dead and wounded Americans, they can all go fuck themselves.
All this is in addition to the fact that thousands of American casualties were incurred fighting the Chinese troops and Russian MIG pilots in the Korean War, and that hasn't prevented us from maintaining diplomatic relations with both countries for many decades. Which means that once Cruz and the other Republicans are done fucking themselves over the hypocrisy about Vietnam, they can go right ahead and fuck themselves all over again over China and the billions and billions of dollars of trade we do with them every year.
I'm chuckling at the asswhooping that Russia has been taking since Vlad decided to play the "let's compare dicks" game with Obama.
ReplyDeleteVlad: "Yarrrrrr, gaze upon my mighty naked chest as I ride my horse! Marvel at my judo excellence!!"
El Presidente: "Heh, OK...watch me make your country worthless and turn all of your captains of industry and businessmen against you..."
...and the GOP nitwits said how much the "boy-king" was in over his head, and how dreeeeeeamy Putin was -- well embrace the suck, ya bastards.
Right, what does Sarah Palin have to say about Russia and Putin now?
DeleteFrom Sarah's FOX rant a while back:
Delete"Lookit, people are lookin’ at Putin as one who wrestles bears and drills for oil. They look at our president as one who wears mom jeans and equivocates and bloviates."
So she really believes that the world looks at those ridiculous posed photos released by Putin about how he excels at all things manly. She doesn't realize that the world sees a pathetic and desperate egomaniac who is obviously trying to compensate for his "short comings." I guess it makes sense that she believes Putin's propaganda and thinks everyone else does, given that her entire persona is built on her made-up reality (with photos to prove it!!!! -snark, snark, cough, photoshopped marathons.....).
How's Putin doing now, Sarah, with his entire economy tanking? And with the new lifting of Cuban embargo, do you still think Obama just equivocates and bloviates, you dumb bitch?
This morning, I was in Havana in a room filled with Cubans watching their president, Raul Castro, announce the news that diplomatic relations with the United States would be resumed. When his speech ended, the room filled with cheers. The Cubans sang their national anthem and stood at their seats clapping with tears wetting their faces.
ReplyDeleteWe then sat together and watched President Obama inform the American people that Alan Gross, an American prisoner in Cuba, had turned to the United States after five years, that he would remove layers of sanctions that had punished the Cuban people, and that the U.S. would set aside the Cold War policies of the past. When his speech ended, with Americans sitting alongside our Cuban colleagues, we cried, too.
This is the biggest diplomatic breakthrough between Cuba and the US in more than five decades. This means our countries can work together on issues that affect both nations’ interest and put this breakthrough to work in practical ways.
And this is a wonderful day for the families who have been separated far too long. On three occasions, delegations sponsored by my organization had visited Alan Gross in prison. We also met with the families of Cubans incarcerated in the United States, and it isn’t hard to imagine the joy they must feel. The story of this day is about their captivity and how negotiations made possible a reunion they have longed for.
Since Alan Gross was arrested in 2009, his case has been cited as the biggest obstacle to changes in U.S.-Cuba relations by Members of the U.S. Congress. As I have made my rounds on Capitol Hill in the intervening five years, I have been told by Republican and Democratic offices alike that Congress really is ready to act. What they needed was executive leadership. That is what both country’s presidents demonstrated to get us to this point.
Earlier this year, the world commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall. That event offered the prospect of finally ending the Cold War, but for the deadlock in our relations with Cuba.
What happened in the United States is that the remaining voices of the Cold War—the defenders of U.S. sanctions—have been overtaken by the voices of those who want a foreign policy toward Cuba that is appropriate for this century.
Early in his term, President Obama received the Nobel Prize not for actions he’d already taken, but for actions yet to be. Given what he has been doing in foreign policy—the nuclear negotiations with Iran, the climate change agreement with China, and this agreement with Cuba, it’s now time to say that the Nobel Committee was right: he earned it.
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/cuba-embargo-thaw-obama-our-berlin-wall
This is amazing and incredible news! I heard just as I was leaving my final staff meeting of the year. I got an alert from HuffPost on my iPhone and immediately invited two of my colleagues back to my office for a mimosa toast in our president and Mr. Gross' honor! I used up my long saved in the office minifridge "babygate breaks" champagne but that's all right- I will buy another bottle of Dom for that!
ReplyDeleteIn honor of the Gross family and the DEMOCRATIC administration which brought him home- l'chaim! Aleichem shalom, Alan & Mr. President!
It is a GREAT DAY in this Jewish African American household, my friends!
My wife was digging through a box of my (very old) stuff a while back and handed me one of my old journals which she had open to this entry from Nov 12, 1969: "It seems the best evidence you can give a Republican to convince him he's right is to show him that the policy he wants extended has thus far been an embarrassing failure by every measure possible." The Republican hawks pushing to continue the war in Viet Nam inspired that observation then, and it's apparently going to take them way more than fifty years to prove me wrong.
ReplyDeleteBy this time next year, the Koch bros will have polluted half of their drinking water, Romney will be outsourcing American jobs there, and the fundies will have an established network there whipping up hate against teh gay.
Kudos to Obama - I hope he's enjoying a nice Cuban cigar tonight.
Read all the comments & nary a troll in sight. They must all be waiting to get their talking points from the Queen Busybee. Wonder if she's waiting to see what Teddy has to say. Don't think she pays much attention to Mario.
ReplyDeleteMaybe our little troll friend is Queen Busybee, or her Busybee MiniMe, and is sleeping off her recent bender. Or maybe she's dead of alcohol poisoning.
DeleteThe trolls don't give two piddly twiddly bits about world affairs. Just like their Idiot Queen.
DeleteI'm just amazed that one of them hasn't popped up in a post about amazing changes in our nation's relationship with Cuba to prattle on "randomly" (and endlessly) about what two idiotic (and mind-numbingly boring) horny teens (one of them named starts with L ends with i) were doing on a specific (yet random) Saturday afternoon eight fucking damn years ago.
Reading that 700 hundred comment post the other day was like wandering through I Never Promised You a Rose Garden crossed with One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. And a large helping of Twelve Monkeys.
I'm reading this comment section later, Thursday morning 12/18/2014. I'm also surprised that no trolls are here. Actually, it's wonderful.
DeleteFirst the troll has to figure out where Cuba is.
DeleteThen we will hear how many folks from AK spend the winters in Cuba, how Sarah wanted relations with our allies in Cuba but President Obama didn't, how those illegal aliens from Cuba have been crossing the border to take our jobs in the sugar cane fields and cigar making factories.
One of the reasons the troll infestations get so far out of hand is the barrage of replies directed at "Kristy" or "Alicia." I have long seen those as someone's desperate attempt at damage control, trying to deflect the obvious conclusion that members of the Palin/Heath clan are themselves that far off the deep end.
DeleteMitch McConnell and John Boehner "Who's your Daddy"? Bwahahahaha.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama’s Cuba Surprise Sends John Boehner and Mitch McConnell Reeling
DeletePresident Obama’s December Cuba surprise has sent both John Boehner and Mitch McConnell reeling as the president has again demonstrated his tactical superiority over the Republican congressional leadership.
Speaker of the House John Boehner reached deep into the empty bag of Republican talking points and pulled out the old Obama is caving to dictators line.
...Soon to be Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had even less to say. McConnell would only say that agreed with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), “Sounds like the correct response to me. I think he knows more about this than almost anybody in the Senate if not everybody in the Senate and I wouldn’t differ with his characterization.”
Rubio’s response consisted of a temper tantrum where the Florida Republican compared Obama to Jimmy Carter.
...Republican control of Congress has unleashed President Obama, and if the last two months are any indication, Boehner and McConnell are in for a very difficult two years.
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/12/17/obama-cuba-surprise.html
...Republican control of Congress has unleashed President Obama, and if the last two months are any indication, Boehner and McConnell are in for a very difficult two years.
DeleteFinally! Obama understands he will NEVER get co-operation with Congress, so fuck 'em. He's playing chess and they are kicking the board over. Such babies.
The Palin trolls don't understand the complexity of the Cuban negotiations.
ReplyDeleteThe Palin trolls don't understand... much of anything really.
DeleteEbola West Africa: Cuba leads way on medical effort
ReplyDeleteThis is from BBC on Oct. 22, 2014
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-29732291
The 83 doctors and nurses will treat Ebola patients in Liberia and Guinea.
Another contingent of 165 Cuban healthcare professionals travelled to Sierra Leone a few weeks ago.
Cuba is now the biggest single provider of healthcare workers to the Ebola crisis in West Africa, more than the Red Cross or richer nations, the World Health Organization says.
"Cuba has provided the numbers and the people," said Jose Luis Di Fabio, the WHO representative on the Caribbean island.
Not only this, but they send boats along the coast of Argentina and offer free medical care for those who need it. One side of my family lives there, and say the people are so grateful, especially the pregnant women and parents of children who need the simplest of care. Prenatal Vitamins, Vaccines, etc etc. There are no losers, the government saves money, the churches save money, and people get the care we take for granted.
DeleteAll those people I saw on the news squawking about the dangers of Cuba haven't been paying attention to everything China, North Korea and Russia have been up to.
ReplyDeleteMarco Rubio: Traded his shot at the Presidency for a sip of cool, cool water.
ReplyDeleteIt was his "Dean Scream" moment.
DeleteAbout damn time! Thanks President Obama!
ReplyDeleteRubio is one jealous Cuban. Another narcissist in the making.
ReplyDeletePresident Obama is a class act. Enough said.I rest my case.
Haven't read the comments, so if this is a repeat, my apologies.
ReplyDeleteYep, POTUS has gone and done it again. The GOP wasn't expecting this and he took a page from Mohammed Ali. "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee".
Here, in the alternate universe known as Fox, their editor compares this move with Honey Boo Boo. Gee, one would think they could come up with a better analogy, but I'm sure President Obama's having a laugh fest.
http://crooksandliars.com/2014/12/boo-boo.
Kevin Drum pauses today to take stock of the recent actions from President Lame Duck.
ReplyDeleteSo how have things been going for our bored, exhausted, and disengaged president? He’s been acting pretty enthusiastic, energized, and absorbed with his job, I’d say.
It’s funny, in a way, to think about how long ago the midterm elections seem. Seven weeks ago, President Obama was apparently supposed to be a defeated man, crushed by an electoral rebuke, pushed into irrelevancy by an ascendant far-right majority in Congress. It was up to the White House, the Beltway said, to start looking for new ways to make Republicans happy.
There’s a script that lame-duck presidents are supposed to follow, and gosh darn it, Obama would be expected to play by the rules, slipping further and further out of frame.
But given today’s developments, it’s striking to realize what the president has done over the 58 days since the midterms.
Obviously, there’s today’s historic announcement about U.S. policy towards Cuba. There’s also Obama’s breakthrough climate agreement with China, the successful secret mission that freed American prisoners in North Korea, and the sharp reduction of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
And that’s just foreign policy. Closer to home, the president has unveiled a major new immigration policy that will bring new hope to 5 million immigrants; he’s taken the lead on net neutrality; and he’s scored a series of confirmation victories in the closing days of the Senate.
All of this comes against the backdrop of an improving job market, a highly successful ACA open-enrollment period, falling gas prices, a Russian crisis that arguably benefits the United States, and the number of Ebola cases in the United States falling to zero.
The White House’s many critics don’t want to hear this, but if Obama were a Republican, it’s likely we’d be inundated with coverage about how “President Comeback just got his mojo back.”
Indeed, I continue to think about Dana Milbank’s column from two weeks ago today.
…Obama has demonstrated a preference to mull rather than to act. Former Obama Pentagon chief Leon Panetta, in his memoir, wrote that Obama too often “relies on the logic of a law professor rather than the passion of a leader.”
Today’s historic agreement with Cuba belies such criticism – plenty of presidents have talked about a more sensible course on Cuba, but this president actually did something about it. This required some bold leadership and a willingness to take a risk on a contentious issue, and Obama delivered.
To be sure, we can and should argue about the merits of the president’s decisions. Maybe this dramatic foreign policy shift is a major step forward, maybe not. Perhaps Obama’s post-midterm moves will advance the nation’s interests, perhaps not.
But the point is, for all the chatter about a disengaged president who’s reluctant to act, the last seven weeks prove those assumptions wrong. Obama has clearly taken charge, pursuing an ambitious agenda with striking vigor.
Every pundit who carelessly throws around the “why won’t Obama lead more?” cliches clearly needs to rethink the thesis.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-obama-refuses-lead-crowd-falls-silent
President Obama is an outstanding POTUS. He'll be going down in history for so many wonderful reasons - beginning w/being half black and now operating during his second term in a horribly racist USA!
DeletePlus, he's dealt with the horrible Republican party that has done nothing but obstruct him since the day after he took his oath the first time.
Love him, respect him and congratulate him! And, send him a big, big thank you!
You mean he's living vibrantly, in the way vibrantly actually applies.
DeleteI am so proud of our President and have really come to like the new pope. This should have been done a long time ago, but like so many things that needed fixing, President Obama is like the energy bunny, he keeps ticking. He will go down in history as one of the greats.
ReplyDeleteThat he will. He brought us into the 21st century.
DeleteSTOP MAKING EXCUSES FOR OBAMA, GRYPHEN!!!
ReplyDeleteName ONE other commie country we have any relations with. NOT counting China, of course, because they have so many people it skews the stats. And not counting Vietnam because of the war. NAME ONE!!!! Oh, Colombia and Poland don't count either because... Jeebus, do I have to explain everything to you libtards?
So, you HAVE to admit that Obama is recklessly endangering everyone in line at Disneyworld by inviting Fidel to aim his nuclear missiles and 1950's era automobiles directly at our own exceptional nation!
That, sir and/or madam, is NOT the Hope and Change I didnt not vote for in 2008!!! And not again in 2012, also too.
Thank BJC with your double negatives and all, also too!
Deletedowl
I forgot, they do have all of those 1950s era automobiles. Yeah!
DeleteI'll be able to ride in them again and experience automobiles of my very young youth again. I look forward to the experience. Instant nostalgia trip. Could this be a new ride at DisneyWorld? /s
This was a three-fer for MR. President. Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush and Ted Cruz all probably envisioned running on this in some way and getting the Hispanic vote in Florida. Obama stole their thunder, kicked their ass and with the Pope's blessing, no less.
ReplyDeleteYou NAILED it! Thanks for your post!
DeleteOff topic but this is the second major story that I thought would have elicited comment from the Palins via Facebook or elsewhere. Anyone else think they may be preoccupied trying to determine the who, what, when, where and why of stories and sources that may be forthcoming?
ReplyDeleteHell, yes that's what I think. I personally am deriving much enjoyment over Sarah giving her daughters the side-eye, wondering if it was one of them, one of their friends, or one of a cadre of short lived nannies, "helpers", or "assistants"...or even something delicious like one of Sarah's sisters or Meg Stapleton. It could be any one of a hundred people and I love that Sarah can't KNOW for sure until the source herself comes forward. I'm sure both she and Todd are going back and forth constantly over who it is. They know it's someone who is the Rill Dill- one could certainly make up a statement about a fight among two or more Palins and have a 50/50 shot of it being true. But having the details like this? Bristol grabbing her father's genitals in self defense?
DeleteOh yeah. Palins be runnin' scared, yo. "Preoccupied" is the very nicest way to phrase what is likely going on within that clusterfuck of idiocy, greed, and passive aggression.
On behalf of all the Canadians who regularly spend holidays in Cuban, let us say -- you guys will LOVE it.
ReplyDeletehttp://norberthaupt.com/2014/12/18/cuba-government-longevity/
ReplyDeleteNorbert Haupt says:
I find it ironic that we put the embargo on Cuba in 1961 in order to force the government out. Instead, Castro, who took power in 1959, with his brother following, has outlasted 25% of all our Administrations, or 11 out of 44 presidents.
Also, I think the euphoria that exudes from these post comments reflects the joy of seeing our President become the alpha male we expect him to be.