John... Most Americans feel exactly the opposite. I.e. that it is none of our damn business what goes on in Cuba and we all know that the only reason relations arent normalized is that presidential candidates fear the potential lose of Florida at election time. Hence, everyone is beholden to one size exagerrated voting bloc in one part of one state in the Union.

This article is really less about Cuba and more about dictators in the Americas trying to influence US policy. The article cites Ortega???? Chavas from Venezuela and Ortega are best buds who support Ahmadinejad and Gadhafi. They are not, and will not become, staunch allies of the US if the US lets Cuba into the summit.

Another loss for America by the Obama administration.

How so, Gatorboy? We've had 8 previous administrations that could've done that. So why this one? Is it because you just like pointing out what you think are failures that may not lead to a second term. Hardly the case here. As long as the shadow of Fidel Castro is in control, we are not going to resume normal relations with that nation. Personally, I think we should have years ago, but I'm not in charge and there are bigger fish to fry.

The problem is that Americans have only heard about Cuba from Cubans in Miami. The majority of Cubans are happy with the Castro regime that's why America measures against Cuba hasn't worked. The Cubans in Miami think that with their tongues and screaming loud would thrown Castro out of power, they are totally lost. Only the people of Cuba can thrown out the Castro regime and they are pretty comfortable with it or they do not have brave enough people to do it like Libya and other countries.

Did you not read the article, Obama has eased its restrictions for Cuban Americans to travel to Cuba, and he would probably lift more if Cuba would show basic human rights. Try talking to someone who has lived in Cuba, and they can tell you just how bad it is, until Castro is gone nothing will change.

I agree with you regarding the selling US produce cars & merchandise, would not only help them but us as well.

It's time -- way, way, way past time -- to stop basing our policy on Cuba around what a few 100 people living in Miami think it should be. Even the vast majority of them have never even seen Cuba. We recognize and do business with far more repressive nations than Cuba. The 50+ year old embargo is not going to collapse the Castro government.

Funny how narrow minded we get. We don't have sanctions against Venezuela, in spite of the fact that Chavez modeled his government after Castro's. We had a lap dog years ago until the people of Cuba decided that it was enough. We buy a lot of oil from Chavez--only reason we don't play "big dog" with them. It's just a passed on petty school yard bully tactic to not allow trade with Cuba.

Sometime I think this government, that last functioned properly under Eisenhower, is history--actually most of the time. We have unlimited funds being paid by corporations to buy elections and favorable regulations. We've lowered the nominal tax rate to a lower rate that any time since Truman was President. It's past the tipping point---it's time to give up the huge military and stop pi$$ing the entire world off with this imperialistic bulls**t.

If Castro had played the "I'm fighting Commies" game in the beginning, like all the other tin-pot dictators in latin America, at the time, we'd have given him all the weapons he wanted, and turned a blind eye to how he ran his country. Til Castro came along, we never met a LA dictator we didn't like. The fun is going to come, when the Castro gang leaves, and the Cuban hot shots in Miami, try to go back and be "king of the hill". They'll told by the Cubans who stayed there, who they actually are: Outsiders who ran from Castro, and now speak both languages with a foreign accent.

@Ranman87

I completely agree with you. I have said for years that free trade with Cuba will do more to bring about change in that country then all these decades of isolation and the embargo will ever do. How long do we have to keep up this ridiculous charade. It hasn't worked people!!!!! It won't be that much longer till all those old "Mustache Pete's" in Southern Florida will be dead, then what? Neither of our parties will have an excuse to keep up these idiotic, failed policies. It can't happen soon enough, especially for the people of Cuba, who are the only ones hurt by all this garbage, not the government of Cuba.

The problem is that Americans have only heard about Cuba from Cubans in Miami.

And most of them have never even seen Cuba. They base their stories on what their fathers and grandfathers told them.

@TBAustin

Saying what goes on in Cuba is none of our business is tantamount to letting your neighbor beat his wife and kids on the grounds that it is none of your business.

And imposing sanctions on Cuba is tantamount to shutting off the neighbors power to "punish" him even though you know he's the only one in the house with a flashlight. So the a-hole neighbor is slightly inconvenienced while his wife and kids sit in the dark.

If you people replying here..understand the Cuban government..your answers will change in a heartbeat.

They are just letting them own a small piece of property as of now and operating a non-government business ( in last year *2011*). This country is no where near freedom..always been controlled by one person last 50 years or so.

Relax..smoke a Cuban cigar...best in the world..have plenty of them and I live in the USA!

As to the Secret Service, the best thing that could have happened is that it was made public. The biggest risk is bribery of Secret Service agents who don't want this public, and someone using that information as a way to "access" high ups" Now that the "cats out of the bag", there is no value or risk. It is just embarrassing. So is your fly down, but that fades as well.

@mike277

but is the people of Cuban who have to rise in arms and do the change. When the people from the island ask for help, then we can help better. If we have never implemented the embargo policy, its habitants would know better. Trade and information accesible to Cubans citizens are the tools that can make Cubans in the island to change their minds.

He's right, it's none of our business how another country runs themselves, and it ISN'T the same as the domestic violence issue.

It is obvious to me that there are an awful lot of people willing to defend their country and even patrioticly stand for it, while we are over here like a bunch of ignorant brain-washed zombies telling everyone that the only reason that they would defend their country is because they are a bunch of brain-washed zombies.

Ours is NOT the only and/or best way to run a country and it is none of our business how others run theirs.

Why do they not just have these Summits and omit the United States. It seems most Latin American countries all agree on the same thing. Why even include the United States ? We alway say no to everything.

Hey Roy Wilson, that respect ended with the last administration. Bush and Cheney saw to that.

Anybody remember the Cuban Missle Crisis....? Russian missles sitting in place aimed at U.S. Ready to fire until Kennedy and Ruskies found common ground at last second. Fidel pushed war to the brink, war was seconds away........ Fidel released all the Cuban crazy prisoners/criminals into U.S., etc.

Let's release Karl Rove, Norquist , Paul Ryan, Boehner into Cuba and get even with them!

Americans enjoyed Cuba for many years. It was in fact a haven for the Mafia in its early infancy. And that is one issue the government has besides the "communistic" nature of Cuba "human rights" etc. But we have MANY allies that are worse human rights violators then Cuba. China for instance is a human rights violator and a communist. ; ] The fact is we better wrap Cuba up into are nations economic interest or we will fall behind when whoever else decides to do it instead. China for instance will have a huge presence on our side of the world from the Caribbean to Cuba if they so choose to do what we choose not to do. ; ]

Cheers

Roy Wilson.

This is a lot better than the disrespect shown Bush. Remember the shadow parades in Europe and India? i think that the reason the South Americans are doing this is that they know that the Obama administration is more amenable to dialog in order to resolve issues. Definitely not an all hat, no horse administration. As a matter of fact, the Obama administration has done a lot to salvage our international reputation, after Bush left it in the toilet.

Charleyfarley said: "Wow I didn't know you cared so much. Do you feel the same way about the people in China and Saudi Arabia"

What in the world does that have to do with this article..its about joining the Summit of the Americas..China and Saudi Arabia are like half a world away..WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES!

If Cuba was a threat to us we would need to end the threat, but they pose no threat to us, there are no longer missles pointed at us from there, and we are using part of their land. IF Cuba was a threat to us or if we were really worried about causing an economic strangle on them why are we paying them for the land used at gitmo??? so there is a double standard but whats knew about that, they are bad so the citizens cant deal with them, they are the only ones that get the " wet foot- dry foot" imigration, but our government cant rent land from them and invest 1 million dollars t build a soccer field down there. the trade embargo with Cuba has been @ssnine for years.

And for all those that were yesterday yelling how what the secret service was doing on there own time does not matter, HMMMMM seems to matter after all huh? You cannot clai to be doing things for moral reason, helping the people of a country and then not be setting a moral example.

Most of the governments in Latin America are heavily left. borderline Marxist dictatorships. Those regimes welcome China with open arms since birds of a feather like to flock together. Right now those countries are also enjoying some prosperity at the expense of their resources. Then, you must remember the CIA and the Iran/Contra affair and a few other less-than-savory moments of American involvement in Latin America.

It will be interesting to see how much they love China after they loose all their resources and businesses to China, just like what happened here. American domination is waning, the emerging countries are flexing their new-found muscles. If our adminstration had a lick of sense, they wouldn't get too wrapped up in bolstering foreign economies at the expense of our own. Let China go into Afghanistan, let China go into Latin America. They will break their teeth with overexpansion. Already they are hurting because they are losing American consumers. Americans can produce everything that foreign companies provide, cheaper and better, if allowed to do so.

The problem is, until we fix our own domestic problems we don't have any real clout and won't for the forseeable future. We will become Great Britain.

As to Hilary and the Secret Service dancing and screwing and partying down, well, that sure does set a real good example. Those of you supporting Obama should tell him to get a handle on those people working for him, if you think this is something that the world isn't watching, guess again. Only bolsters the image of this country as lacking in seriousness or responsibilty. Frat house behaviours don't make for a great national image.

sandtrich

Most of the time I think you are full of it, but your 1.19 post is absolutely correct!

This conversation had been pretty good... and I was sincerely impressed..

i.e. until ROY WILSON... bringing up the partisan bickering as usual.

Grow up buddy... everyone's is not on the hate the other side gravy train.

Go somewhere else, intelligent discussions are happening here.

Go somewhere else, intelligent discussions are happening here.

They were until someone let the trolls out. Should've known anything with Obama in the title is an open invitation for an idiot parade. I'm outta here on this one. These folks wouldn't know intelligence if it bit them square in the ass.

its time to put the benefits of a open cuban first ..this childish game of starveing the Cuban people because we dont like their leader should end .. give the people of Cuba equal status with some of the other more anti American Govs in Latin America and see the benefits .. isolateing the people of Cuba does nothing to improve them or us

@Independent Jim

It'll happen one day. Hopefully sooner rather then later. You're right, the only ones being hurt are the Cuban people. The Cuban government could care less about them. At the very least, we should.

Human rights violations in Cuba? Are you talking about Guantanamo?

Is so OBVIOUS that the US is right and most of the other countries in the world are wrong! Because that makes so much sense! The white countries must rule and dictate for the benefit of our little brown brothers!

<sarcasm off>

All you little ignorant folks need a history lesson. Castro and Che were brutal butchers and many people are still suffering as a result of the regime. Take a gander at the site, pictures tell a much better story than words. Nothing like a firing squad or direct shots to the back of the head to make one's day, right?

http://www.therealcuba.com/page5.htm

So some of you are saying since Cuba wont bend then we must. show a little weakness and we will prevail??? I'm sorry I don't share in your enthusiasm, that whole part of the world is Fuxed up and a new player (China) is in the game, big time, spending billions of what once was US dollars, its all bribes better wake up. and just how in the hell does Obama think free trade with Columbia will create jobs in the US? free trade so far has only taken from the US. who's side are the politicians on. NWO sucks. Obama's weakness on foreign affairs is showing, now I guess he will have to apologize to all of Latin America. if it doesn't say made in USA, Canada, or a true friendly nation don't buy it.

@ Dennis: It's getting harder and harder to defend your hero, isn't it? Attacking others is not really a good way of promoting support for Obama.

This is an embarrassment and a failure of Hillary and Obama in the way this administration is handling business with Latin America. Latin America could be an strong ally but Obama decide to focus in Muslim countries. The opposition of the left an Democrats in the Bush administration against Free trade agreements with Peru and then against Colombia, Panama have profound consequences. I read some comments from people that are ignorants about the problematic in Latin American and call communist countries under dictatorship, nothing more far from the truth. Brazil, Colombia , Chile and Peru are among tho most secure countries to invest, their economy grow mach faster than USA, Asian investors are heavily focusing in those countries, and we are losin this market and their friendship, because our policies are wrong. If we want those countries in our side we must must have more economic and technological cooperation. Many countries in South America are not friendly with , Castro and Chavez , but the Obama administration close their doors to them . Big failure for our President and the Secrtetary of State.

@Girl1

It's not hard. You people make it easy. By the way, Che is long dead and Castro is not long for this world. As usual, quit living i n the past. It's 2012 and moving on. You need to think about the future and not the past. This countries policies in Latin America have been a disaster since Saint Ronnie. Most of the problems we have down there we pretty much caused, but you wouldn't admit to that would you? Have you and your little cronies paid any attention over the last 20 or so years? We have completely screwed this one up. We need adults to try to figure out how to unscrew it. You are obviously not invited.

Most of the governments in Latin America are heavily left. borderline Marxist dictatorships.

MyGirl - Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chili, Argentina Peru and Ecuador are all democracies or constitutional republics. So too is Columbia. In most of these countries, the sitting President has been in office for less than 5 years.

Venezuela and Cuba are Marxist leaning dictatorships.

I think you need to get out the dictionary and look up the meaning of the word "most".

The rest of of your post is similarly misinformed and poorly reasoned.

You never disappoint.

Dennis: so nice of you to 'uninvite' those who disagree with you. Your comments are more reflective of a petulant child than an adult. I want my way, my opinions are the ONLY opinions worth listening to and I'm going to punish you for not agreeing with me. Hardly 'adult' behaviours. As to your education, it is lacking, woefully lacking. Castro's regime is alive and well, he's handed the reins over to his brother, and the oppression of the populace continues.

Now, if you were better educated and informed you would understand the relationship with Chavez, Castro and Ahmadinejad. You would be aware of Ahmadinejad's visit to Cuba. If you were better informed you would be aware of ALBA. Chavez has allowed Iran to avoid many of the sanctions, he has manipulated elections in neighboring countries, supported terrorism and is very good friends with Castro. But, then, all that happened in the 'past' and is not happening today, right?

I find it pretty ironic that Obama doesn't dare open the gateway to Cuba trade with the US. The people in Florida from Cuba hate Castro and his regime because he took thier homes and businesses and money and made the country a Socialist Nation. Isn't that exactly what Obama is trying to do? Bullying the banks, buying part of car companies. Ranting about "tax the rich". Killing regular jobs while growing government jobs, and he gets shot down because of US policies to Cuba. All I can say is BAHAHAHAHAHAH>

A example of Castro and his government would be Charlie Manson and the family running America. they are equally as charismatic. just like Charlie if Castro cant control your mind he will have you disposed of, talk about a psychopaths from hell that's the Castro regime. some one posted about the economy of Latin America they should be doing well there being bought off by everyone, unfortunately the people are all still dirt poor.

The picture MSN used for this article pointer has Obama looking like a pouting school boy.

Status-Unknown

The only thing I got from this article was Hilary deciding to go dancing at Club Havana.. The rest is unimportant by comparison.

How is Hillary wanting to dance important?

Dman: Once again, you never fail to disappoint either. Sooo quick to pass judgement with 'facts.' Now, of all the countries you mentioned, only Mexico, El Salvadore and Colombia have 'right' leaning governments and heads of state. In 2008, former Roman Catholic Bishop, Fernando Lugo, a follower of Marxist influenced liberation theology, was elected in Paraguay. A very interesting article that should help you understand the situation better comes from MSNBC.

http://www.msnbc.com/id/24244610/ns/world_news-americas/t/latin-america-gets-another-leftist-leader/

ROY WILSON-336103

"Unprecedented Latin American opposition to U.S. sanctions on communist Cuba left President Barack Obama isolated at the Summit of the Americas on Sunday and illustrated Washington's waning influence in the region."

Gee, I wonder if Obama's policies of 'apologizing' for America to other countries might be causing some of them to lose respect for us?

Roy,

Gee, seems like you are sinking to the brianb level of stupidity. Your hatred of Obama is pathetic but then we did have bush/cheney setting an extremely low bar, didn't we? You need to pull your head out of the dark place it's in. People like you are what's wrong with America today.

Imagine that. Dr Paul is right again saying that sanctions haven't worked in 50 years, what makes us believe they will in another 50. We should be trading with them and winning through economics.

You can look it up if you like.

OH...look out for that tornado

I forgot...CUBA is my problem

I have read alot of the posts by people who have to call names and berate others so that they can feel superior to them. Hey!! It's NOT working and your defense of obama makes you look even more uninformed. Obama is a trainwreck and this country needs a true leader now more than ever.

I always wonder how stupid people can be....dumb-assses (oh two(or one) many s's)

I cum here two find out

A simple (and perhaps simple-minded) observation. Perhaps the Latin-American heads of state are objecting to Obama's hypocrisy. Obama is objecting to Cuba's socialist government, when he (Obama) is as much a socialist as Castro. Only he (Obama) hasn't had as long to nationalize the U.S, and the Latin-America heads of state see his hypocrisy, while the U.S. media and Government ignore the facts..

Dman: Once again, you never fail to disappoint either. Sooo quick to pass judgement with 'facts.' Now, of all the countries you mentioned, only Mexico, El Salvadore and Colombia have 'right' leaning governments and heads of state.

Mygirl - I did not characterize the political leanings of any of the countries named; that is your supposition. I only pointed out that, contrary to your statement, none of them are "heavily left. borderline Marxist dictatorships".

Democracy <> Dictatorship. You might wish to write that down as a reminder to yourself.

As to your statement that only El Salvador and Columbia have right-leaning governments, this may well be true. But one could also make a similar statement regarding Western Europe and the small number conservative governments in power there.

Does that make they all pawns in some economic power play by China?

In your mind, perhaps so.

I will also point out, for instance, that Miguel Juan Sebastián Piñera Echenique, the sitting president of Chili, was a businessman before attaining political office. He may not fit your definition of a good, conservative leader, but he is hardly a Marxist.

BTW: China did not steal jobs from the U.S., we, as in our business leaders exported them, electing to move much of our production process to China, or to Mexico or South America, where the cost of labor is so much less. China has no such advantage relative to Latin America, where wages are much lower than in the U.S. Their interest in these countries is probably much more rooted in the natural resources available for development there, and south american countries are interested in attracting Chinese investment because it will mean more jobs there, not less.

The motivation on both sides is economic, not political.

Your characterization of China's relationship with Latin America is constructed of flawed logic, based upon false assumptions and fictitious facts.

Obama has given away billions of our tax dollars to South American countries through the IMEm bank to re-build refineries (we haven't built a new one in decades here

SMH

Are you talking abot the 5 millions that Obama offer to Petrobras , to drill for oil overthere instead here, a petroleum company where Soros own millions in stock?. I don't think this the kind of help make friends. Actually they don't need help they don't want breadscrumb from us , they want us like partners in trade.

yes Obama screwed everything -up...GROW_UP....Oh and get a life

Clint-Eastwood lives...dumb-asses

Dman

Pineira is not a Marxist, the previous President was , because he is not a Marxist like always the left is boycotting his Government. Peru is centrist , but his president Ollanta Humala run as a leftist, but the reality he is not pushing any far left agenda and also distance from Chavez who help him in his previous presidential campaign against Alan Garcia Perez.

Dennis Price you seem to have the topic fully covered good job comrade. If someone disagrees with the leftist blind view that you spew you just ring up to stupidity. The fact is that you have made no points even worth discussing. That is the problem comrade! No matter how you spin it the summit is a failure to this administration. Even a country that needs our aid for its political survival is against this administration because........ why? If you figure it out please explain because I don't understand it.

The US will normalize relations with Cuba when the oil companies start drilling within its waters. On the other hand perhaps the only reason we have not normalized relations with Cuba is because of some folks in Florida who perhaps want to keep the whole emigre/refugee thing going. Unfortunately once we normalize relationship with Cuba, then immigration laws kicks in for all folks. No wonder those folks from Cuba on that partially sinking boat was taken to South America and not through to the USA.

Anyhoo, there are those in Congress who are also pushing for normalization of relationship with Cuba and have been pushing for this for years now. Until the policy changes re Cuba changes, then the President must continue to take the stance that he has shown.

Couple of things....how is it that we have a normal relationship with China yet not with Cuba?

Do folks in the USA realize that by time some folks in Congress stop being obstructive and take their job of doing what is best for the whole of our country we will be playing catch up with the rest of the 1st world countries and China amoung other Asian countries will be owning large chunks of the USA as well as owning and investing in large chunks of countries in our region?

One other thing is this that China is investing in many of the Carribean Islands. Isn't China investing in Cuba too.... and in Africa and the Middle East? Isn't it time for a change in how we in the USA view the rest of the world. Aren't we wasting money protecting other countries who do not need our protection?

Why aren't we investing in high speed rail and upgrading the electric Grid, and wireless, green energy etc so that we are all connected even in the most rural of areas and not totally dependent on fossil fuels thus at the mercy of other countries?

When will folks in the USA realize that the next big war will be an economic war? Think that that big defense budget will solve an economic war in the future? Hmmmm ?

For those in the masses stacking up on guns and other high capacity and automatic weaponry, think your weapons are going to be able to defeat an economic war?

Anyhoo, who knows you may be able to exchange those guns for food and water as we seem to be polluting our land and water and even our air and seem to importing more and more foods these days.... and perhaps soon we will be importing all of our drinking water in the near future if policies do not change to address the fracking and the other pollutants that we seem to be allowing into our watersource and land these days. On the other hand, perhaps those guns may not be worth anything because who knows, other folks may be using laser as weaponry by then. Sooooo Hmmmm

Oh well....

Peace .... think for yourself.....evolve.....

Pineira is not a Marxist, the previous President was ,

Yes, that is pretty much what I said. So I'm confused as to why you would point that out to me.

My point to mgGirl was that, contrary to her characterization, Latin America is not a maze of leftist leaning, borderline Marxist, dictatorships. That world only exists in the fantasy world she apparently inhabits, the one wherein Obama is either channeling Mao Tse Tung or is a foreign born, fifth columnist of the Islamic Jihad.

Obama is just another America politician, fallible and imperfect. He is neither as sorry an excuse for a chief executive as was George W. Bush, nor the perfectly wise, second coming of Abraham Lincoln or George Washington, as some of his more ardent supporters believe.

Big Ed, love the Tin-Pot dictators. Haven't heard that one in years, thanks! Anyhow, I liken the various leaders of Piss-pot Latin countries to those of the Arab League that are of the same make and model as Cuba. Ortega? Chavez? Give the free world a break!! Piss on them!! Just like North Korea, Syria and other Tin-Pot nations of the world, family tradition seems to play on. Crap on Cuba!!

We (the US) does not need Cuba.

Have the summit of the Americas forgot about the missile crisis that Kennedy faced with Castro? Missiles to be direct at the united states of America...

Er ... it was the Soviets (now basically Russia) that put them there. Yet we have relations with Russia. Heck, we even had relations with the USSR! So what's your point?

Wow by some of the posts.This is funny. People still watching Scarface much? With 20 countries being in Latin America I hardly think they are all left leaning. And they vary in the political spectrum far more than this board. One is very Socialist run by Chavez. And one is Communist (Cuba)

You know, I really do not see the problem with Cuba. That most complain about. When I try to go out and buy something Made in the USA. It more than likely has CHINA on it than CUBA. And China is very Communist. So to leave Cuba out of our wish list for a Summit is petty.

They are no longer a threat to us here in the USA. And I do not see that ANTI CHINA movement due to a bunch of saps wanting everything cheaper. So please unless we actually boycott everything made in China. We are only Bullying Cuba because we can. And Latin America knows it. Hypocritical, is what it is. Period.

And for us to think ONE president is responsible. For whats been the norm since the Cuban missile crisis, Well that just shows how our two party system really brainwashes those who wont study history. From more than the High school drivel we pass as true. To our students. Seriously think of what the internet would do to Cuba and smartphones. If we do not start to think global as citizens we are going to be the ones missing the boat. And will be left behind by our competition Like INDIA and CHINA

Another free trade agreement? How many jobs is Obama going to give away? Well we all know his pastor Marxist Wright had a towering influence on him and Obummer calling Americans Yankees is sure to win him votes where?

Another ridiculous msnbc.com story Cuba with 11 million is a major trading partner with the 200 million Brazilians? These articles get funnier every day. Let them be leftists and let them betray their people. And let them stay HOME! Obama wants more illegal aliens from these countries who are pro Cuba? Cuba has nothing. The last important thing that Cuba exported was the cigar that Clinton used on Lewinsky!

Well said dman.

There is a bigger issue here though. than being intelligent or informed. It is mass indoctrination into a rigid ideology. You can go to any library in the country and open any dicitionary, look up facism, and they define it at something like this

1

often capitalized: a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

2
: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control <early instances of army fascism and brutality — J. W. Aldridge>

but go to dictionary.com and you can find these there.

New World dictionary

1.

any ideology or movement inspired by Italian Fascism, such as German National Socialism; any right-wing nationalist ideology or movement with an authoritarian and hierarchical structure that is fundamentally opposed to democracy and liberalism

2.
any ideology, movement, programme, tendency, etc, that may be characterized as right-wing, chauvinist, authoritarian, etc

3.
prejudice in relation to the subject specified: body fascism

AND from the cultural Dictionary.

A system of government that flourished in Europe from the 1920s to the end of World War II. Germany under Adolf Hitler, Italy under Mussolini, and Spain under Franco were all fascist states. As a rule, fascist governments are dominated by a dictator, who usually possesses a magnetic personality, wears a showy uniform, and rallies his followers by mass parades; appeals to strident nationalism; and promotes suspicion or hatred of both foreigners and “impure” people within his own nation, such as the Jews in Germany. Although both communism and fascism are forms of totalitarianism, fascism does not demand state ownership of the means of production, nor is fascism committed to the achievement of economic equality. In theory, communism opposes the identification of government with a single charismatic leader (the “ cult of personality”), which is the cornerstone of fascism. Whereas communists are considered left-wing, fascists are usually described as right-wing.

Note : Today, the term fascist is used loosely to refer to military dictatorships, as well as governments or individuals that profess racism and that act in an arbitrary, high-handed manner.

What you have here is an attempt, and rather succesful attempt to indoctrinate people into opposing, or even hating another group by redefining terms to mean that group.

The same can be said of the right wing when they say socialism. What really is going on is a new hybrid socialism which instead of owning the industries, they are regulated into submission to the point the government tells them everything they will do or they will not do business.

Classic True Socialism never really existed Germany under Hitler either. Left wingers don't understand this. It too, was a hybrid, where Hitler took over direct control of key parts of each industries and then held the threat his regime taking them over to keep the rest in line.

This is what the ACA does. It requires all health insurers to register to a government exchange. If they do not join, they cannot operate. When they join, they cannot operate unless they comply with what the Government through unelected boards, commissions, and committees determines what kind of insurance can be offered, how much it will cost, and how much people who another committee decides need help paying for it will get paid by the government.

What we have in the US is a Hybrid Scocialist system being installed. Socialism in any form always collapses under the weight of it's unreasonable demands.

Let's see if I can get the talking points down; Cuba...human rights violations...bad; China...Tiananmen Square...okay...as long as Wal-Mart has every day low prices on products produced by a floating, exploited labor market that exists at subsistence level.

Yeah...that's about right. Who "opened" China? Oh, that's right, Tricky Dick the Republican Pr!ck.

Maybe when U.S. policy stops thinking of these countries as the "Browner Republics of Raw Material" and starts respecting them, they will go along with our little program.

P.S. DB Akron, you wouldn't know socialism if it bit you on the ass. Did you know 12% of all U.S. electricity is provided by socialistic groups known as "co-ops". Yeah, they formed because investor owned utilities wouldn't provide electricity anywhere the population density was lower than 6 customers per square mile. That's okay though, those Americans can just live in the dark and "suck it". In conclusion, you rant like an idiot.

The entire Summit circus in Colombia was a a bust.

President Obama should have stayed in the US, and not gone to the Summit. He must have known he would not be widely received by Colombia.

This is a swift reality for Obama, to find out a President cannot "Negotiate with other countries" who are corrupt themselves.

Let's hope he drops the unreal idea of negotiating with Iran---it won't work.

Cuba is still a Communist Country.

What else could have gone wrong, including the SS Agents in Colombia, and Hillary dancing at the Havana Cuban Club. Pass the Cigars, please. Hilary drinking at the Club?

What a mess.

Personally I think the restrictions on Cuba are stupid. I mean I can travel to all sorts of places legally with governments no better than the Cuban government. I'm sick of a few dispossessed people of Florida controlling where I can go. Scew 'em. I hope they all drop dead soon.

The US history with Cuba goes back more than 50 years and revolves around the US inability to distinguish nationalism from communism. Cuba before Castro was ruled by Batista, who was truly a pig. Every charge against Castro may well be true, but it was at least 10 times more true against Batista. Castro only wanted to free Cuba from Batista and the mafia, he was a nationalist, and a socialist.

In another part of the world, far away, about 5 years earlier, in the mid 1950s, the US, having control of the southern half of a country, refused to allow free elections, even though that was the UN mandate for the US controlling the south half of that country. The US (or more specifically, the Dulles brothers) refused to allow that because they knew a nationalist who happened to also be a socialist would win any election. That man won the election in the north of that country, overwhelmingly, as he would have in the south.

Both of these men turned to the only available source of support and became communist in spite of what they would have wanted for their countries. History, Joseph McCarthy, and conservatism in America forced Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro to become what they were. Isn't it time that we in the US admitted that we can embrace anyone who only wants to advance their own people, and subvert them to our way of life with MacDonald's and Coca Cola (and hopefully some more genuine asperations), rather than demonizing completely innocent people like those that live in Cuba and Vietnam, but are not part of the ruling elite.

No embargoes, no wars, but rather trade and friendship and we will win. Vote for intelligence, vote for Reason, vote for your own advancement (especially if you make less than $100K a year), vote Democrat.

"Obama has not spoken of Cuba in Colombia, though he did complain that Cold War-era issues, some dating from before his birth, were hindering perspectives on regional integration.

"Sometimes I feel as if in some of these discussions, or at least the press reports, we're caught in a time warp, going back to the 1950s and gunboat diplomacy and Yankees and the Cold War, and this and that and the other," the 50-year-old Obama said.

Sounds to me like Obama would like to open discussion about Cuba, and has found it frustrating - by attitudes and ideologies held by the very people who want the US to change its policy.

Regarding the missle crisis, those were Soviet missles and we have relations with Russia - Heck, we even opened relations with Viet Nam after having been at WAR with North Viet Nam and lost, so VN is now communist run (We lost 50,000 Americans to war with North Viet Nam. How many American lives were lost to war with Cuba? Ans: 0);

Regarding human rights violations, China, Russia/Soviet Union and Saudi Arabia have historically had horrible records, and we have relations with those countries; Regarding the disposal of persons who do not agree with the regime, that has happened in Mexico, most of the Latin American countries and most of the European countries at one time or another, yet we have relations with those countries. And, if we think something is going to change when Fidel Castro dies, that is nonsense. He is a shadow right now and nothing has changed. It is ludicrous to use him as an excuse as well.

(As a sidenote: My sister and brother in law go to Cuba - on legitimate visas - every year, and have for the last 12 years. They love the place and the people. My brother in law is a professional photographer and photographs Cuban life when he is there, as a cultural study. Interestingly, the image you see everywhere, including people's homes, is not Fidel Castro, but rather Che - Having been assinated so long ago, he's almost reached godlike status there.)

Question: So the US & Canada have imposed sanctions on Cuba - What about the rest of the world? Aren't they open to everyone else?... Just asking. I would guess China is investing money into Cuba as well. The "common" people are poor, but so are the "common" people in Mexico and South America, not to mention most of the Caribbean islands.

So what is it besides "outdated" thinking and "time warp" mentality? A relatively small voting block in Florida? I just can't see it, particularly when the Cuban ex-patriots WANT to travel to Cuba and send US goods to family members that still reside there.

My guess: South American tobacco. It is a VERY powerful industry which would have a SERIOUS competitor if trade with Cuba was opened. Just saying - money talks, and isn't it always about money and commercial markets when we get down to it? Perhaps it's a silly thought, but nothing else seems to make sense....

The Cuban government operates a national health system and assumes fiscal and administrative responsibility for the health care of all its citizens.^[1] There are no private hospitals or clinics as all health services are government-run. The present Minister for Public Health is Roberto Morales Ojeda.

An overall improvement in terms of disease and infant mortality rates was observed in the 1960s.^[2] AIDS is only one-sixth as common on a per-capita basis as in the United States.^[3] Like the rest of the Cuban economy, Cuban medical care suffered following the end of Soviet subsidies in 1991; the stepping up of the US embargo against Cuba at this time also had an effect.^[4] Cuba has one of the highest life expectancy rates in the region, with the average citizen living to 77.7 years old^[3] (in comparison to the United States' 77.4 years^[5]).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_Cuba

I personally think this is more about the USA being in control of other nations rather than it being about "human rights". The most important "human right" in my book is having access to affordable health care. Affordable health care is something this country can't even get a grip on.

It appears to me that the USA thinking is backwards while other nations in the world are evolving. Other nations are coming to the realization that methods used in the past just make things a whole lot worse....NOT BETTER! They are correct!

They all thought Obama had a brain in his head and things would evolve, BUT now they realize it doesn't matter who is in office whether it is a Democrat or Republican, it is the same old politics. The President is nothing other than a puppet on strings. I too am ashamed and disappointed of the President for this reason alone.

A record 7 million people -- or one in every 32 American adults -- were behind bars, on probation or on parole by the end of last year, according to the Justice Department.

Of those, 2,193,798 were in prison or jail, an increase of 2.7 percent over the previous year.

Even though data show more prison releases, the report said, admissions still exceed releases. More than 4.1 million people were on probation and 784,208 were on parole at the end of 2005.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15960666/

I believe the success and failing in a government system reflects in the prison system. It is pretty clear the system is a failure. There is a real "human right" issue taking place right in our own back yard. It is obvious I am not alone in seeing it. The rest of the world does too!

When the Cuban people get their rights..then the government of Cuba can have the rights to be part of the Summit of the Americas

hmm I think that ship has already sailed. The US has been supporting a rotating cast of Rogues, Tyrants, and Dictators for decades as it has suited our purposes ... We've helped prop up the regimes of such colorful despots as the Shah of Iran and Ferdinand Marcos. Heck we were even for Sadam Hussein before we were against him!

We've kissed and made up with Russia, China and mostly only give lipservice to the terrible human rights abuses and atroscities which still go on unabated around the world.

So that argument really doesn't hold water.

Cuba is no threat to the US. Castro is no threat to the US.
The US is like the big bad wolf, huffing and puffing against "a little piggy" Cuban government which has managed to hang on for over 50 years in the face of one of the most powerful countries in the world!

It's long past time to begin normalizing relations with one of our nearest neighbors. And stop punishing the Cuban people for the transgressions of their leaders.

btw for those who either snoozed thru the Cuban Missile Crisis ... or their Foreign History Classes - JFK faced down the SOVIET LEADER KHRUSHCHEV - NOT Castro.

A record 7 million people -- or one in every 32 American adults -- were behind bars, on probation or on parole by the end of last year, according to the Justice Department.

Well, Rubytuesday, if you can demonstrate the the majority, or even a sizable minority are either not guilty of the crimes for which they are incarcerated, or have been jailed for political crimes, such as criticizing the government, then I'd say you have a legitimate 'human rights' issue.

I doubt that you can and I doubt that you do.

Wow I didn't know you cared so much. Do you feel the same way about the people in China and Saudi Arabia?

Exactly. If Cuba would open up their labor pool and prison labor to US and multinational corporations so they could exploit the Cuban people the way they exploit Chinese workers and the way they exploited Cuba in the pre-revolution era the US would love Cuba, communist or not.

"I believe that there is no country in the world including any and all the countries under colonial domination, where economic colonization, humiliation and exploitation were worse than in Cuba, in part owing to my country's policies during the Batista regime. I approved the proclamation which Fidel Castro made in the Sierra Maestra, when he justifiably called for justice and especially yearned to rid Cuba of corruption. I will even go further: to some extent it is as though Batista was the incarnation of a number of sins on the part of the United States. Now we shall have to pay for those sins. In the matter of the Batista regime, I am in agreement with the first Cuban revolutionaries. That is perfectly clear."

President Kennedy

I like how all the Anti-Cuba people fake like they care about the "Cuban people", when all the embargo has done for the past 50 years is punish the Cuban people. It's the Cuban people who have zero chance of ever visiting their relatives in the US. It's the Cuban people that can't buy products from so many companies (have you seen their cars?). It's the Cuban professionals who have no prospects of migrating to various parts of the world. It would seem most of the "freedom" they have lost is what we have taken away from them. Sure they can't protest without risking arrest, but I think they have more important things to worry about that the embargo prevents.

Fidel has lived to be an old man and it would seem he didn't do too bad. So who is it exactly you're trying to help or hurt?

All this talk about the "dictator" and how evil a dictatorship is, but Castro overthrew a US supported dictator that we seemed more than happy with. Those unhappy Floridans are just the former one percenters who were hurt when Castro nationalized industries or kicked them out. All this comes back to is greed and the almighty dollar. We want the freedom to rape and pillage the country, Fidel wouldn't let us, so we impose embargoes and claim "its for the people"....bull@!$%#.

Daman: You're a socialist, we get it. Quibbling over left leaning vs. right leaning is interesting but it in no way removes Chavez and Castro and Ahmadinejad from the equasion. You ignore the narco traffickers in your posts and you ignore the influence and money that Chavez has in the region, why is that? Interesting that you gloss over some very important issues in your desire to spread the misinformation that Latin America is not moving into some interesting and 'progressive' directions.

There is still great inequality and poverty in the regions, great wealth resides next to incredible poverty. Nor have you made mention of the human rights abuses in Cuba and other regions. China is held up and indeed, China should be closely examined for their history of human rights abuses. Interesting how so often the countries with the worst human rights record are those countries of a communist mein and yet you embrace them. Sad how the political ideology with the worst record of human rights abuses and genocides is the one most liberals embrace. There is some disconnect between the reality of what is actually happening and has happened (history) and the desire for some utopianistic fantasy that ought to happen and will happen if only Marxist theory dominates.

Most of the governments in Latin America are heavily left. borderline Marxist dictatorships. Those regimes welcome China with open arms since birds of a feather like to flock together

@ mygirl1

The US welcomes China with open arms. Where have we outsourced our manufacturing jobs? Communist China. The right loves China. Corporate America Loves China. It looks like we are part of that birds of a feather you are pointing out.

John Williams-nam-vet I guess, you lack the power of understanding, the article forecasts that perhaps the next summit would be more like the US-Canada Summit, if both countries continue to refuse allowing Cuba, by the way most of the stuff we buy is from big communist China, I don't see any US policy trying to isolate or embargo China until "the Chinese people get their rights".

China is held up and indeed, China should be closely examined for their history of human rights abuses. Interesting how so often the countries with the worst human rights record are those countries of a communist mein and yet you embrace them.

Actually mygirl, the US federal government and it's intelligence community have been destroying democracy and supporting dictatorship in Central and South America for quite some time, beginning in the early 50's and continuing today.

Countries like Guatemala, Cuba, Republica Dominicana, Ecuador, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Chile, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama.

So while we're examining, why don't we look around our own neighborhood. You're quick to cite Castro and Ahmadinejad, and you want to blame China for swooping in to make a buck or two. We've also allowed our "so called" elected officials do horrendous acts against the basic rules and morals this country is supposed to be founded on in OUR names, to make a buck well before China joined the party.

I'll agree that Castro is a human rights violating dictator (because it's not actually communist or socialist, regardless of their claims), and Ahmadinejad is a fundamental wackjob all day.

The US has become that same thing, with the exception of it's done systematically here. We can pin a face to it, the Office of the Presidency, "vote" him or her out, and we've got a new face to blame and argue amongst ourselves about. Meanwhile the whole system, domestic and foreign policy alike, keep moving on against our wills in the same general direction against our better judgment.

Because we're the "bewildered herd" don't forget.

Daman: You're a socialist, we get it. Quibbling over left leaning vs. right leaning is interesting but it in no way removes Chavez and Castro and Ahmadinejad from the equasion.

How's this supposed to work now, mygirl? Am I supposed to call you a fascist?

Ad hominem attacks [personal insults] are the last refuge of the inept debater. If you cannot answer the point raised, make fun of your opponents tie ...or call him a socialist.

I honestly do not regard the difference between a democracy and a dictatorship as something too small to quibble over. I'm guessing must Americans would agree.

You ignore the narco traffickers in your posts and you ignore the influence and money that Chavez has in the region, why is that?

Why is that...? Maybe because the subject was not raised by you in post 1.41, and has little direct reference to the subject of the article. Am I now supposed to anticipate whatever tangent your arguments follow?

Narco-traffickers, as you term them, have been operating in parts of Latin America for generations, and the activity has little to do with politics and everything to do with money. Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, our erstwhile ally was neither a marxist, nor a fascist. His sole interest was in staying in power ...and in making money off the drug trade.

Interesting how so often the countries with the worst human rights record are those countries of a communist mein and yet you embrace them.

I'm glad I've had a couple of stiff drinks, or I could take umbrage at how you misrepresent my words. At no point have I embraced the lack of human rights and political equality in China. I have simply recognized that China is an inescapable part of international politics and of the international economy, and that their involvement with other countries is not intrinsically evil. This is a the same stance held by every U.S. President since that noted socialist, Richard M. Nixon made his historic visit to Beijing, over 40 years ago.

Also, while nobody would call communist regimes friendly to human rights, such oppression is not a monopoly of leftest dictators. If you are at all knowledgeable about 20th century world history, then you know that the rightest dictatorships of Portugal and Spain [from the 1930s until the 1970s] were as brutal and oppressive as many communist regimes, and despite their official name [National Socialist Party], the Nazis were scarcely socialists or communists, but were perhaps the most oppressive and destructive regimes to hold power in the last 500 years.

So if it simplifies your world, go ahead and point at liberals, leftist and marxists and the main source of all that is evil in this world. I'll judge each case on its own merits.

Good night.

"Comment collapsed by the community"

What a convenient way to limit "free discourse" ... (free Speech) for those of us that try to read as many comments as possible and vote accordingly .... there is blatant manipulation of the system, to knock peoples comments off and you take offense at Denise Prices' innocuous comment? ... (Laugh) and suspend him for a week?

I Thought we were adults here, able to handle the "little" things .... Moderators aren't here to be baby sitters or parents ...

The more I watch the moderators reactions, the more I realize just how arbitrary & capricious their actions are ..... and how absurd any limit to free speech is ... a little bit of power often goes to peoples head .. this is a good example of it ... and why I take less time even looking at this site ...

Sooooooooooooo Booo Sally you are going overboard again ... get a grip on reality ..

In a few years, the US will be more Communist than Cuba and Americans will have fewer rights.

If is is a female offended Sally will get you quicker

Obama must normalize relations with Cuba post-election. The original reason for sanctions is long gone. Considering Cuba's history, communism worked pretty well for them (past tense). But now we need to welcome the changes under way there and move in solidarity with Latin America and against China, which is far, far more important. We have so much more in common with the peoples south of the border, it's a shame to waste this time on B.S.

I do not know how anyone can say Castro won. The economy in Cuba is abysmal with most of the people living in abject poverty. I have no idea what you are talking about when you mention "disallowing any land or assets claims from Little Havana." If people have claims to land or other assets in Cuba, that is up to the Cuban courts and government to resolve, not the US government. The US government can not tell Cuban expats living in the US that they need to forfeit their claim to family property in Cuba. Castro's Cuba certainly has not earned anything. Until they move away from a dictatorial government with hereditary succession in the Castro family (i.e. from Fidel to his brother Raul and eventually to whomever is next in line in the family) and allow the people to choose their leader, they have not "earned" anything.

As for normalizing relations with Cuba, I would not be surprised to see Obama make some move in that direction after the election if he manages to get reelected. He will not do it before the election because he knows it would cost him Florida. It might even hurt him in NY since there is a fairly large Cuban expat population there as well.

I do not know of opening up relations with Cuba is the right thing to do until they make more substantial moves towards democratic elections. To open up relations prior to that occurring would in effect mean legitimizing the Castro regime, which I do not think is something the US should do.

The US has spent 50 years pandering for the most part to descendants of the "upper"class and "middle" class that originally fled ahead of Castro over taking the entire country. Those days have long gone and the US is over due for normalizing relations with Cuba. Other countries including Canada have long ago allowed their countrymen to visit Cuba. We should allow people to visit back and forth with no problem. Enough already!

Why is everything in this country "post election". I am sick and tired of a do-nothing Congress and President becaue of an election coming up. We have issues that need to be addressed NOW.

Unc, u are crazy.

Exactly what did Castro win? Cuba is a tiny island nation with a multitude of problems. Cuba made a mistake in siding with the Soviets. If they had not done this, there would have been no anomosity. Cuba created her own hardships. The lesson here is: do not antagonize your bigger stronger neighbor. We have our problems, no doubt, but, we are stll a force to be reckoned with. If anything, Cuba needs to apologize to US for being such a problem for fifty years. I am sick and tired of people bashing America. Yes, we have made mistakes. We have made tactical and political errors..however, America was there when the world was "on fire" twice. President Buchannan decided the "union was lost" John Adams made grevious assaults on the constitution with The Alien and Sedition Acts, Lincoln suspended Habeus Corpus, etc etc HOWEVER, this Union Of States HAS survived. We will continue to survive and continue to make mistakes. What we don't need are our "own people" telling the world how horrible we are. I am not saying we are perfect, but keep your family fights in house. Tyrants will always hate us. Perhaps we should relax the restricions with Cuba. We are, after all, better than all of this petty bickering. Besides, it is in our best interest to normalize relations with our neighbor, but I refuse to blame this Nation for problems Cuba visiited upon herself.

President Nixon went to China. Who will go to Cuba?

Curious-17307808...

In 2002, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba.

Relations deteriorated again following the election of George W. Bush.

The 45+ year US policy toward Cuba is a complete failure. It is time to end the embargo and engage Cuba just as we have with China, Vietnam and several other countries who have either communist or non democratic governments. It's time the US did was in the interest of the US and the region and not a small vocal group of Cubans in Miami who are wrong. I have every right to criticize these Cubans since my grandparents were imprisoned by the communist in the 1950s before emigrating to the US. My grandparents at one time supported the embargo, but stopped doing so years ago before the passed away.

@Meg;

Actually, that's a bit incorrect. Cuba sided with Russia after we started picking on them first, setting up covert ops to oust Castro and setting up a covert invasion, which Castro was able to repel.

I've checked up on the history here, and I think Castro actually did everything I myself would have done, up to the point of siding with Russia.

His action was one of survival and necessity in order to maintain his government and country.

Cari, I was gorn & raised in Miami & have lived there 65 yrs & have MANY Cuban friends. I've listened to so many heart-breaking stories 1st hand from Cubans who lived it. It's not a life they're living in Cuba but an existance at best. You have no idea.

@j70141, Castro had to get food & medicine from some where & since it obviously wasn't going to be the US the Soviet (not Russia) was next on the list.

mike277, I didn't know Jimmy Carter was president in 2002.

mike277

Curious-17307808...

In 2002, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba.

Relations deteriorated again following the election of George W. Bush.

All Cuba has to do to gain US recognition is have elections why don't they do that? wake up. these people are psychopaths on a mission. they can be nice when they want to be but when they want to be otherwise look out! and for the comment on Carter well that speaks for itself. Carter is a good man but a lousy President. Obama reminds me of Carter.

Mike277, What in the wide world of politics are you taking about. Which adminsitration improved relationships with Cuba after Carter? Just another dumb comment. And Bush made it worst? No Mike, stupid people that make up facts make it worst.

I am terrified with the thought that Obama may be re-elected. If so, I fear our nation will be lost. As to the summitt. Pooooor Obama!

You got it all wrong. If the voters put a rep. in the wealthy will control the US more than ever. That will be the downfall of the US

S Williams - Post election??? Most of what obama wants is post election (kick the can down the road) Seems that most of his actions since the 2010 midterms has been to campaign for re-election. If obama had concentrated on governing and promoting unity his first 4 years he would of found he was more likely to have had a second term.

It is amusing to realize that with all the turmoil of the republican primaries, obama is still seen as having challenges in being re-elected.

pixie1 sorry, but many of my people exaggerate and talk plenty of BS. First thing is, they all had this and that, maids, sugar mills, blah, blah.

Some one is collapsing all the comments that are supporitive of the Cuban people. So, I will say it again

I have been saying the same thing for years. Just go visit Cuba, learn a little of the real history. All America needs to do is apologize for causing fifty years of hardship for the Cuban people and lets normalize relations. We basically caused the problems in Cuba to begin with.

Prosecuted? For what crime exactly?

Prostitution is not a crime in Colombia. They did show poor professionalism and should be relieved of their duties to guard the president Their acts were unseemly for the country and caused embarrassment to the office of POTUS.

Prosecuted for being dumb-asses for not paying the prostitute.

You know how to make a hormone? Don't pay her.

lilian101, you're just too vulgar beyond half!

People, pay your damn prostitutes!!!

So should old Bill Clinton, looks like Hillary is paying him back out on the town good for her hope

she had a great time and a smile on her face

R257, rumor has it that once Hillary steps down this fall that phoney marriage will end. It was all about keeping power anyway.

Someone out there have any idea why we want a free trade agreement with Columbia. Do we need more drugs? Do they need more guns? what is the deal there?

Phil-763763 Only read it in one account then it was quickly hushed up, but it did say the prostitutie was either a transvestite, or transgender, maybe they didn't like the surprise. They are obviously a bunch of unqualified who were let into the secret service. I'd love to know when and how they got into the Secret Service and who picked them to be on the up front team for the President.

Surprise suprise, OMG what is that doing there, now the secret service is going to have a pre qual team go in ahead of the pre pres team to check the situation out before hand. I think its a personal problem/matter why worry about it. you say Hillery was involved? well at least she can keep up with Bill. what was he doing at the time? having his own fun in NY? did Hillery bring him back some Cigars? I guess I'll have to read the story when the facts are out, by then it will all change. I wonder did the ? save the dress.

If its not what you ordered you should not have to pay for it, thats all there is to it, if you order a girl and they send you a dude dressed like a girl thats just wrong! and these people want free trade? what will they be sending us? sex is part of life get over it.

@Shakingmyhead, In the case you describe, I would fully understand not paying unless you had already made use of the product. Needs to be a Colombian law regulating the industry... some sort of labeling for full disclosure -- fat content, additives, preservatives, and other ingredients like species and sexual classification.

Must have something to do with the water down there. Even hillary was photographed boozing it up with the girls and one of them appeared to be groping another. My, my...

Simple. Chinese, North Korean, Iraqi and Russian ex-pats don't control the swing vote in one of the most important electoral college state.

They don't control it FL either.

The US right-wing is dragging the US into oblivion. Thanks to them, China will be the pre-eminent force Africa and throughout Central and South America while Americans' prosperity continues to decrease... except for the 1% of course.

@Phil

What does the right wing have to do with this article and china in africa, and latin america? I read the article and I do believe Obama is the president and he attended there, with Hilary, both left-wings. Maybe you should ask them what is going on and how can we allow china to do those things you mentioned, while Hilary is at a cuban club dancing all night long?

@Phil

You obviously know your international relations. Cheers to you, dude!

Remember President Obama gutted the US Space program and turned it into an ego building unit for foreign Muslims.

Sheesh ... more stupidity! It was BUSH that ended the space shuttle program and what exactly do Muslims have to do with it? The answer of course is nothing.

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/rocketscience-05o.html

Phil-763763

Your response to TRH86 is not correct at all.

You are correct that America is a declining power. The radical Muslims tried to show us how weak we were in 2001, and found out that America is just as strong as ever. Our current administration is attempting to make nice with everybody by apologizing for being a strong nation. What right-wing policies are you refering to? President Obama's? Trust me, the radicals feared the US after we went after them when they tried to force their will on us the last time. Today, we are gutting our military and you are blaming the right-wing? Who's in the White House today, or is that also President Bush's fault? I don't think you understand what's going on.

If I remember correctly, JFK was the President that discontinued all relations with Cuba, and again, if I remember correctly, JFK was not a right-winger, right?

Lastly, do you realize that if we taxed the highest earning 7%, their entire earnings from every source they have, (100%), for an entire year, we would need to do that for 237 years in order to pay off what our government spent last year alone? That, my friend, is not a reasonable tax, and there would not be a middle class because the top 7% would move out of the country and take their corporations with them. At that point, the country would be bankrupt as there would be no place for the lower and middle class folks to find employment. Those miserable corporations would no longer be there for them to work for.

Lilian, poor darlin', turn off Fox and quit listening to Limbaugh. You've become delusional.

@Phil

Phil unlike Ciewywtb42mh6sps there, saying you know your international relations, I'm going to go ahead and say you know nothing about those relations. USA never forced anybody in Latin America to bend to our will, we never cared about Latin America, great example when England and ArgArgentina had a military fight over those islands, we helped England out with valuable intel on key locations of Argentina's ships. On many, many occasions we have told Mexico to stop trade and everything else with Cuba, and Mexico every time told us to kiss it, there have also been multiple times after we gave up the panama canal back to panama, we asked them to lower the costs on ships going through the canal, but they too tell us kiss it. So you are wrong on the USA has always been able to force our will on them, plain and simple we don't care about them. How are Right-Wing policies getting in the way of the issues with Cuba and Palestine? Again last time I checked it was a left-wing person as president, last time I checked it was a left-wing controlled senate. Plain and simple the left-wing always talks a big game but never does anything to fix anything. Didn't the left wing have full control of the house and senate, during bush's last two years, and obama's first year? But yet nothing ever got done with the left-wing in control. So what are the right-wing policies that are getting in the way of those two places. What is reasonable taxation to you?

No one gives a crap about latin america. Best thing we could do is wall it off and let china have the entire place. Maybe they'll export their drugs and illegals over there instead of up here. Just what this country needs is another free trade agreement with a third world country. Stop sending them aid, help and everything else. Let them fend for themselves once. They're only good for killing each other, crossing the border and smuggling drugs anyways.

62MGA and TRH86, You are witnessing revisionist history at work. Somehow, the Liberals will come up with a way to blame the Cuban situation on the right wing extremists.

The summit doesn't matter what matters is Americas decline and the free trade act is at the center point we have trade balances that are so far off balance its ridiculous, for instance we buy 360 billion from China a year and China buys 30 billion a year from us, the US cant continue with that, Obama wants to give more free trade status to more nations we should go back to the old method of trade and tax imports to protect our economy. its all about exchange of wealth and the wealth is your bank account. you think you are saving money but overall you are being bleed. free trade is a factor of new world order, and it will not hurt the one percent only you and me. the one percenters will make more and we workers will make less till everything evens out and there are the rich and there are the poor not much in between. some of you will like the socialist style and some of you will not.

@KJ, They're only good at killing each other, crossing the border and selling drugs because Americans like killing each other and buying their drugs from Latin America. Might as well add America's insatiable appetite for drugs and cheap labor to Free Trade's manifest. Everyone who buys and uses illegal drugs cares deeply for Latin America. Even China because they supply the best grade ephedrine on the planet to Latin America's crankshops. And who's the biggest market for drugs? Sure ain't Mexico! Only in America.

Phil, how droll on your comments alluding to the decline of US world power on the right.

How unfortunate that you ignore history and can't see down the road.

1. We have enabled a global economy

2. We are still considered to be the leading innovators within the world economies, however, as we continue to train foreign nationals in our universities and graduate programs we are also transferring innovation outside the country.

3. As a corollary to 2, we teach our youth to be "entitled" rather than encourage them to be inovators.

4. The biggest mover for what you call our decline lies in the population growths of china and india. Their numbers alone and their direction in becoming a consumer oriented economy puts them on the path to become the dominant economies within the next 30 years.

Americas biggest challenge will be how to best fit into an ever changing and growing global economy, not how to remain #1.

American -- interesting you refer to "enabling a global economy".

Not so long ago, "the sun never set on the British empire". Pretty much a global economy there.

Then again, the Roman Empire, while not totally "global", pretty much by the standards of the time.

Nuff said.

The cold war isn't over until AMERICA SAYS IT'S OVER. Or, possibly, until it's actually over. Which was decades ago. Humanity has become too advanced, and the planet too small, for this kind of childish crap to continue.

Yeah we need to open our schools to Cubans and give then financial aid and free tuition and minority grants so they can learn to build better weapons to deploy against us.

lilian, I just don't see where you're going with your drivel.

jackieboy: The same place that we are in with Red China after granting its population priority and in most cases, exclusivity, in access to engineering programs (in public colleges and universities) designed and intended to promote weapons development. Anyone ever tried to get to the computer mainframes in colleges and universities with a large Red Chinese student body?

jackieboy, as you can now see absolutely no where, thank the gods of this thread.

re:lilian101

do you know where China got their engineering prowness?

CORPORATE AMERICA!!! sold out by all those wonderful businesses that have all those great tax breaks and run away from this country and established businesses in countries like China

Yeah, and that's got to be Obama's fault. I read somewhere that Obama was the one who told his secret service guys to out get some.

I agree with you on this one, but has Mr. Obama EVER said ANYtHING was his fault? Really and truly. During Mr. Bush's presidency I remember a huge media deal when he was asked did he have any regrets or would he change anything. He said no. Oh my goodness, you would have thought he just said the worst thing that anyone could have said. But with Mr. Obama, most everything he has touched has either gotten worse or not better. I do thank him, however, for giving the okay to kill Bin Laden. Not necessarily gutsy but definately a good thing. There is no one that I know that is better off now than they were 3 yrs. ago. No excuses. These men and women actively seek the job of President and to continue say NONE of this is my fault weakens the office at home and abroad. I am not surprised we are not viewed in a more favorable light by even the smallest little 3rd world nations who do not want to educate their people because they they will prosper and revolt.

We need good leadership. But we have slim pickins. Did you see any candidate say he was going to change that policy?

What you just ramb led was the most incoherent nonsense I've ever heard

Terry - last I heard, Raul Castro is now head of state in Cuba.

And the people of Cuba are better off than a lot of their cousins in Florida. Let's just get the hell out of the way of other countries ways of living life.

I've lived in Miami all my life 7 the Cuban;Amerivans not only live better then most Miamians, they own most bussiness & most of the city & county Gov. is Cuban. You obviously have never talked to a Cuban immigrant in Miami.

Anything else? Gee, its to write a comment, not an essay.

What is your opinion of how George Bush (pick one) dealt with our neighbors with whom we share this hemisphere?

You're on that one Marcus.

Why do they hate us, is it something we did to them over and over again.

Obama will go down in history as one of the better presidents. You forget who created the mess he inherited...he will go down with Hoover as one of the worst.

Look if you get shot, who's to blame, the guy that shot you or the doctor trying to heal you? You seem to believe it's the doctors fault.

The WORST acting ( and I do mean ACTING ) President in U. S. History....thanks for NOTHING! History will not be kind....and you deserve every bit of it.

• "HEY -- George W,. Bush is left office in 2009. Stop talking about him. "

@rfbagger, other than just making a sweeping statement do you have a basis on which you have made your statement that you could share with me?

@Charlie, you seem to not follow politics very closely just like your pal bagger, do you have any idea what condition Bush II left this country in, or is it that you're just beginning to follow politics??

"sammy, your opinion is worth as much as the evidence you support it with."

It's been said that a person doesn't have to be stupid to be a conservative but most conservatives are stupid. People like sammy lend support to that statement.

It is sad but true....At first it seemed like President Obama had a lot of potential...but now there is just so much baggage....Fast and furious, back room deals cut for his health care plan, the "apology" tour, a miserable economy that just keeps getting worse...

At least Romney offers some hope. On economic matters he is bright, he has a proven track record, and I beleive he has the will to get our country working again.

I think that most Americans don't care about his religion, or the fact that he is rich...they just want a decent job, lower gas and food prices, and to have our country regain some of the respect it has lost in the past few years (witness the recent failed summit).

Let's see what happens in November.

@stanley, any thoughts you would like to share on the repubs in the senate & congress who had announced that they would try to stop the President at succeeding 3 years ago?

Allison,

You and your fellow progressive trolls lack comprehension on both the issues and the solutions. Your parties solution is to not even bother to develop or implement a budget since 2009...you call that leadership? I call that lame! Your willing ignorance does nothing to advance the needs of the country.

Please explain to me if you guys have it all figured out why is the poverty level and unemployment is still rising after nearly 4 years? That is right we still have 1 million people more unemployed than in 2007. You are to ignorant to understand why the credit rating for our bonds is down graded and too careless to demand responsibility.

Try not paying your bills and balancing your check book for that long and just continue to write checks for any old amount and you will share prison time with Madoff. You are so blinded by trying not to be a leader that you follow any moron with the right party label. Get a grip and ask questions, make noise and demand real "change" before it is "hope" less.

Not so, Thanks for explaining our economic condition for the past four years, and not explaining it for the previous generation. Shortsightedness is your goal, and it is politically motivated. How would you explain the former Pres. Bush's leadership during the downfall before 2008, ah yes Barney, Harry, Nancy and Progressives. Can you see the fallacy in your arguement? Simple stated?

Also you imply a tremendous power that government has over the economy, yet you seem to want to banish it, or find it contrary to how you live your life....

How do you compare your personal role in our economy, with the nations ability to produce from resources and exchange them for other world currency's? You are comparing apples and oranges , as the Pizza King has stated, and not using rational history or expected national output of our intellect and production. A country with more future growth can expand their currency, dollars in our case. We have not diminished our productivity and growth for some generations now compared to other country's, yet your type preach the "coming end". You are simple absurd. Look back in history and you will find a small minority of zealots who have held your comments till their death.

Notsosure10...

Sounds like you just like being "trickled" on Notsosure! Kind of perverse isn't it?

Getting beyond the "I'm right, you're stupid" discussion for a moment, I found the summit to be pretty monumental. The president got some political cover for a necessary debate on a drug war that is clearly not working. He could never have broached this subject "at home", especially in an election year. And I thought he handled it well by clearly stating the country's position while agreeing to participate in discussions on alternatives. The drug war is a huge issue that can't be resolved by building bigger fences and getting that out on the table may represent a sea change in the international dialogue. Similarly, the discussion on Cuba raised the point that an isolationist policy that has mostly failed the Cuban people for the last 50 years warrants a new approach. Clearly, Obama won't go there because of the risk of losing Florida in the election, but a lot of leaders said what needed to be said; it's time to change that tune.

To me I see a double standard, I feel that China gets a lot of lead way on their human rights issues because they hold a large part of the global companies; but Cuba gets kicked around. Where is the logic in our foreign policies and our push for human rights and liberties for all.

for those who believe in our "unsustainable debt" and for those who want to counter them, try this link on monetary soviernty, and our role in world economics.........http://rodgermmitchell.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/the-federal-debt-is-unsustainable/

do you have any idea what condition Bush II left this country in,

Allison, I think you misunderstood my message. George W. Bush was one of, if not the worst president of all times.

On economic matters he is bright, he has a proven track record, and I beleive he has the will

How is he going to get our country working again? The only solutions Romney has offered are more tax cuts and more deregulation -- the same policies that crashed this economy in the first place. Remember -- over the last 80 years we've had 2 "businessmen" in the White House -- George W. Bush and Herbert Hoover. What kind of shape was the economy in when those two left office?

yes, further tax cuts for the much higher income will exasperate lower incomes ability to produce in our economy, but I would not call it the "welfare state" or reduce our deficit with cost cutting programs slanted toward the less fortunate. You see those unfortunate people also spend their money in our economy, and reducing Federal outlays for programs will only shrink the available money supply. Funny how neo-cons expect the fortunate to "wave the carrot" in front of the less fortunate as a entitlement to growth, with lower regulations on investment, gains, and call it "free enterprise".

"Field of Dreams" was not a political approach, yet those in the far right accept it as political Gospel.

Obama leads America from one failure to another, because Obama betrays our friends and shows weakness, if not helps, to our enemies.

Again I ask, name a single example of Obama failures. You guys spout all this crap all the time and yet can't give any examples. Who did Obama betray? How did he show weakness and with whom? How has he helped our enemies?

Obamacare, Dodd Frank Act and the keystone Pipeline to mention some without doing any research

And that's just for starters.

Sammy - Being the last industrialed democratic country in the world to have universal health care is not a failure. Being the last might one to provide universal coverage might be, but not providing it. It's pretty sad when every industrialized country in the world can afford it, and somehow you think the US cant'..

So I don't call that a failure, other than you are not smart enough to figure out what success looks like.

And Dodd-Frank......how about Glass-Steagell... that a bad law too? I can tell finance is not your strong point.

And the Keystone- Pipeline, give me a break.. The pipeline will get built, just not over the Nebraska water source that Nebraskans wouldn't support. Once they provide a alternative route it will be built. Why don't you explain how this president has taken us from importing 52% of our oil to 48% in 3 years, something no GOP in the last 20 years has been able to do...

Sammy,

What gives!? Are these failures because you happened to hear that from Rush? Do you ever do any research? Did you finish high school? Do you write in bold because that is the only way people will pay attention to your unintelligent offerings?

@culheath, they can only spout because they can only remember short phrases and brief sentences that they have heard. That's why when asked what they base their statements on they are unable to answer me or anyone else on this thread who have asked. They are incapable of free and independent thought.

@Allison,

I know, that's why I asked. And sammy's replies just indicated that he's unaware that the items he used as examples are products of congress and not Obama...the President after all does not write legislation. So it goes.

so culheath your argument is that obama can not be responsible because he doesnt write legislation? He is the president, he has veto power, and he supported each of the things sammy mentioned, since you guys seem to enjoy criticizing sammys intelligence so much why dont your try a little 8th grade government class?

culheath, allison, phil, you guys always argue the same way, call the other person ignorant so you dont actually have to debate the facts with them, the fact is obama has tried to blame everything wrong in the country on bush and take credit for everything right, it would be like Lebron blaming miami for not getting him a ring because it wasnt good enough before he got there. Obama has no sense of leadership, of course neither do house republicans but i expect more of a president as a head of state.

Jack,

I criticize anyone who spouts unsupported fact. I'm left-of-center leaning and I think Obama has come up short in a number of fields of leadership BUT I strongly object to the gratuitous and ridiculous associations made by obvious haters who would probably be comfortable with David Duke running things.

I thought racism was on the wane in the US until witnessing the unbelievable criticism of Obama on EVERY -- I mean EVERY -- issue. Tomorrow, if he made a policy statement to end all gun control, he would be criticized for being insincere and trying to "take your guns away." The guy can't win with a certain demographic in the US!

StMiller you may have hit it on the head but the last thing I would do is vote for any candidate that is born by Cuban parents and that includes future Mitt's VP candidate Rubio.

so you criticize anyone who spouts unsupported facts and launch right into not one, but two arguments based on your own hypothetical assumptions about what your opponents would think and do?

And your really that shocked that the president of the united states is scrutinized so thoroughly? Obama is being given the same treatment bush was, and clinton before either of them, THEY ARE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES! I would be more shocked if they weren't criticized on every little thing. I would also be a little suspicious because the day we stop criticizing presidents is the day we may as well just make them kings.

Your ideas would only work if you can find a way to stop the greedy people in this country from trying to take other countries natural resources. That fact is the driving force behind most all military conflicts throughout history, and will only get worse with the ballooning population of the world.

That said, your ideas make way too much sense to be implemented. How would all of the greedy corporations and politicians be able to make profit off of a commonsense solution that doesn't involve buying more and ever more expensive military toys?

It is going to take all of the other countries holding a summit, without inviting the US and Canada, to force the naysayers to at least discuss what benefits all countries, not just mainly the US and/or Canada. We have been the biggest bully in the world for decades and it is way past time to grow up and realize that the rest of the countries views matter also.

What is the US going to do if all the SA countries decide to decriminalize or even make drugs legal? Does anyone really think that the US can continue to run roughshod over the rest of the worlds inhabitants without being held accountable for it? Issues affect more than just the US and those other countries deserve to have their opinion heard whether we like the message or not. It is time for the US to grow up and realize that they are not the only ones who have a say in how this world is run.

Roadhead, if drugs were legalized throughout South America, their governments would go bankrupt and they would all have another revolution. The cartels like it being illegal.

susie you probably don't remember The Ed Sullivan Show or the evening Mr. Sullivan introduced Fidel Castro on his program as the George Washington of Cuba. Why such an introduction? Because everyone knew that Fulgencio Batista was the most vicious and cruel despot imaginable. When Castro overthrew this evil regime, the first place he went to ask for help was Washington D.C. but due to pressure from the ex-pats, we said No so Fidel went elsewhere, namely the Soviet Union which was more than willing to over aid.

Those ex-pats by the way were the instigators of the Bay of Pigs fiasco that was designed to return the casinos and other properties the Florida Cuban families left behind when they and all of Batista's allies were thrown out of Cuba.

Kind of reminds one of a person by the name of Ho Chi Minh who he came to Washington seeking help after defeat of the Japanese in WW II but again we said No at the request of the French who still thought that region was French Indo-China!

You are right. Batista was a horrible man, also. But Castro killed for the shear joy of it. Not being alive in 1959, I wouldn't know the mind set of WHY he was not given help from Washington other than just looking at how he conducted the bloody revolution. It was brutal. Maybe they didn't want to reward him. But if they had played the political game and gave him what he wanted maybe things would be different. Politics over what is ethically right. I don't think we would recognize that divide anymore. But I do know Castro nationalized the American companies that were there (they lost every thing). The embargo by the US means that no US company can trade with them. There are a lot of other countries in the world. So why are the people of Cuba in such bad shape. Because that's how you prevent a revolution.

So what you are saying is the entire US is being held captive from making reasonable and smart international policy decisions because of a small sliver of the population in FL wants to rehash 50 year old nightmares over and over again?

We trade and have normal relations with Viet Nam after a decade of war with them half around the world and yet can't manage to normalize relations with Cuba, 90 miles off our coast even though we've never fought a war with them all because a small group of former Cubans in FL forbids it? How stupid is that?

It's a lot more complicated than that. If it were easy and simple, Mr. Obama would have apologized for any past wrongs others have done to them and opened up the Florida ports. Must not be that easy. If he is afraid of losing Florida, then apparently he is not as gutsy as he has portrayed himself to be.

What you've got to understand is that it's not in Obama's hands, treaties and so-on are a congressional responsibility.

Mr. Bush apparently did a lot to tighten restrictions. Clinton wanted to loosen some of them and even was speakimg to Castro about that but his time was up. Bush tighten them. So apparently, a president can do something and be responsible for a least SOMETHING. Congressional oversight is a wonderful part of this great country. Otherwise we would have a dictatorship and it wouldn't look anything like a democratic or republican vision of American. Complete power corrupts completely. Thank you Founding Fathers. :)

Why was culheath collapsed?

tgmercury

I am no Obama fan, but in all fairness to him, Cuban government is not going to cooperate with the United States, so I cannot really see this as a loss for him. No other president has opened relations with Cuba either. As far as getting the americans more jobs by opening up trade with Cuba and or allowing free passage back and forth to the island, I don't see that happening. If anything you would have a flood of refugees on their way to the states demanding citizinship and taking more jobs. Our government could provide more jobs to americans if they would, but they want to sell us out and give the jobs to other countries, because of the slave labor wages paid by those countries. I don't know if I will be allowed to post the link to the abc news report that came out recently about Chinese contractors getting the job to build bridges and other construction projects in California. If it doesn't google china gets contract to build bridge in San Francisco. We have work to be done here, but this administration is selling us down the river. I have to wonder what other type of deals are going to one of our biggest competitors. I understand that there are a lot of citizens in Cuba that would initially welcome us with open arms and would promise to be patriotic americans if allowed citizenship, but once they had been here for awhile, they would want our laws to conform to their beliefs and not ours. This has happened with the Mexican population in California and is happening all across the U.S. with the Muslim population that wants Sharia law, not american law to govern their actions. I disagree with that completely. If you want to be an american, you come here and conform to all of our laws, not the ones that you were supposedly running away from.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/us-bridges-roads-built-chinese-firms-14594513

@tg, come out of the 'burbs and you'll see lots of poverty and malnourishment right here in the good old USofA.

im not sure where you've been, but the real truth about building contractors is to lower their costs, not only material, but eventually working on lowering the exsting wage structure, for the most part they "blindly" use un skilled labor un most cases illegals that are brough in by other people working with the contractor as friends, cousins, etc. Not sure if you have notced how there are more cracks on highways than lests say 15 or 20 years ago, it's because the people working on those projects were not skilled workers; it is a battle ven ocurring within the very same unions that because they are for the working man, they have their hands tied behind their backs as to who they dispatch, in most cases we even need translators on a job site; but even like that the contractors aim is to destroy the wage and health care packages skilled labor has fought for so long to create maintain as an american recognized staple for their membership, if contractors could they would even outsource the work. at ths point i even see labor unions fighting between trades for work playing the dumb card as to crossing into anothers work descriptions. its a sad time in america for the spirit for the so called american experiment got way too far ahead in to personal greed worp speed, the people in the trades now are the most selfish inconsiderate bunch of brothers and sisters maily only care about how big and full their lunch buckets are.

how come the embargo was right for south africa castro has been dictating for 54 years a lot longer than apatheid and much more brutal so george go back to playing neurotic costanza and don't opine about something you know nothing about

Mr.Tamborineman...

California has ALWAYS been of (at least underlying) Hispanic/Indian culture...get your facts straight! Or maybe just lay of the Sarah Palin history for book for a bit. No offense.

kardy

Well, I don't follow anything that Palin does, apparently you do. I get my news from several differant outlets, this liberal outlet that we are chatting on, for one. California does have a large hispanic population, not all of them legal. When I see pictures on the nightly news of your hispanic neighborhoods flying the Mexican flag over top of the American flag, that tells me that they do not believe they are in America, but have retaken the land for Mexico. California is part of America and as such, is subject to american laws, one of which, say's that you never fly any other flag higher than the american flag! Take off your rosy glasses and see the world for what it is, not for what you wish it where.

And of course we all know how Colombia and Nicaragua are so democratic. wink wink

If we would prefer that Cuba become a democracy, we aren't going to ever see it in our lifetimes as long as we treat them as an enemy and a threat - and we know that they are neither.

Colombia is a democracy. It's the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. Just like our changing administrations, some are "more" democratic than others. But the Colombians are the good guys. Please do not lump then in with the likes of Ortega, Chavez, and Castro. Nicaragua is not a democracy. They have elections but, I've been down there during some of the major ones. Nothing like the US elections. Sandanistas are in control and heavy, heavy handed. Daniel Ortega, NOT a good guy.

suzie1111

democracy of course being a code word for being a good little vassal kingdom.

Would you agree to allow Cuban membership in the OAS if the OAS gave you everything back that you lost when you and all of the other ex-pat Cubans were run out of town along with all of Batista's friends and allies by Castro? You probably want your casinos and brothels back, too, don't you?

The people in Florida who escaped when Castro took over are the same people who the people of Cuba revolted against in the first place. Why do you think there was a successful revolution in Cuba to begin with? Look up Fulgencio Batista

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batista

You'll find tidbits like this:

As news of the fall of Batista's government spread through Havana, The New York Times described jubilant crowds pouring into the streets and automobile horns honking. The black and red flag of the July 26 Movement waved on automobiles and buildings. The atmosphere was chaotic. On January 8, 1959, Castro and his army rolled victoriously into Havana.

Already denied entry to the United States, Batista sought asylum in Mexico, which also refused him. Portugal's Prime Minister António Salazar allowed him to settle there on the condition that he completely abstain from politics.

By the end of Batista's rule, described by U.S. President John F. Kennedy as "one of the most bloody and repressive dictatorships in the long history of Latin American repression," many claim that up to 20,000 Cubans had been killed.

People like you would rather be walked over by the rest of the world by countries that do not care about the USA.Stop with the USA is corrupt.So What!I think those other countries that you side with are even more corrupt and would take America down at the first chance they get.

toon, they have their "walking" boots on now and have for quite some time, didn't you know that? We haven't been a world leader in quite some time. The people in this country are poorly educated in almost every subject imaginable and most allow US politicians to tell them absolutely anything because they know that Americans are too lazy to think for themselves for the most part...it's too hard.

You see toon, you can't even see what's before your own eyes, we do have a corrupt government.

Walked over by the rest of the world? That's a bit arrogant. It is interesting that Ron Paul has long stated we should trade with Cuba. We should trade and be friendly with those nations who will reciprocate. That we need to stop the drug wars. That our monetary policy is not only sinking our country, but other countries are getting wise to the dwindling worth of the American dollar, so the flexing of muscles doesn't mean much. And that we should stop policing the world, demanding that every other country is only our ally if they do our bidding. We hold an inflexible view of what other countries are supposed to be like - is every other country and culture supposed to be just like America? I guess if you can get away with bullying them, then that works? Paul rightfully speaks out regarding putting a stop to placing strangling sanctions on other countries who will not bend to American will. And both Reps and Dems scoff at his foreign policy. It is the old but very timely policy put forth by the law of our country. With every passing week, month, year when things go badly for America, we still only feign to realize we are acting like Imperialist bullies and every administration simply continues trying to kill flies with cannons and when that doesn't work, they wring their hands. And we wonder why America is not receiving the respect it thinks it should get - by default? The American people feel alot differently about what America is - certainly we are not well represented by our leaders. It is time to let Americans - individual Americans - lead this country. That's why I listen to Ron Paul and I hear the voice of Americans, not the voice of administrations who lead by forces of greed, corruption and power. I want the rule of Constitutional law applied and bring this country back under the control of the People.

alim.....

You listen to the voice of Ron Paul and you hear the voice of Americans? Is that why he's been last in every poll since the candidacy began? I like a little about Ron Paul. But he would set this country up for destruction if he were in office. Of course, who really knows what he would do if he was in office....it's easy to blow off when you know you don't stand a chance.

And no...I'm not a Mitt fan. The best conservative leaders didn't want to deal with all the B.S.....so they didn't even throw their hat into the ring.

Jalen...

This country is already on a collision course with disaster. The sad thing about americans is they see one president after the other doing the same thing, meanwhile issues get worse, and yet are too ignorant to take a change offered from the only political figure that has been consistant with his views....no flip-flopping. He is the best economist this country knows in this day and age and is the only one that predicted the status that this nation is in at this point in time.....10 years ago he was saying this would happen if things didn't change.... He was right.

People like you are so sold on the liberal media that his views seem "EXTREME"....look out for the crazy old man!!! Who would have thought that protecting the Constitution would make a man to be "extreme". Obama steers us further and further away from the Constitution and you all do nothing but bash the only man that wants to stand up to the big government for your rights. IGNORANCE. Enjoy your government regulated life...puppet!

Ron Paul 2012

astrohemoroid...

You speak proudly because you know your guy has no chance. There are times I wish he would become the nominee - so you could see just how ignorant you are....poopet.

And let's not forget. A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for Obama.

All im saying is show pride in your country.Stop with the BS we are the main problem in the world today.The USA does more good for the world than any other counrty on this planet.SHOW SOME AMERICAN PRIDE!Thats all if you cant than thats to bad.

I agree with toons - Obama didn't show pride in being American and neither did Michelle - she said she was never proud of being an American - well I guess now that country after country shows what a laughing stock we are to the world because Obama set it up that way some of the guilt ridden American liberals are rethinking their choice. I know I have several teacher friends who voted for him that are backing out this time realizing he's a farce. There isn't a part of the world that holds us in high esteem. If yu listen to foreign news you will hear it - the other day the Danes were having a ball laughing at him.

nperk10195...

Bravo, nice pirouette there perky...spinnin' like a top.