Cuba rolls out red carpet for historic Obama trip despite embargo

[Gerald]

President Barack Obama arrives in Cuba on Sunday for a historic visit, venturing into what was once enemy territory where a Communist government that vilified the United States for decades has prepared a red-carpet welcome.

The three-day trip, the first by a U.S. president in 88 years, was unthinkable until Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro agreed in December 2014 to end an estrangement that began when Cuba's revolution ousted a pro-American government in 1959.

Plainclothes police have blanketed the capital with security while public works crews have busily laid down asphalt in a city where drivers joke they must navigate "potholes with streets.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...-idUSKCN0WM04H

Always interesting to visit the old communist countries.


Note: Sun Mar 20, 2016 11:56am EDT

[Torplexed]

Originally Posted by Vendor

Always interesting to visit the old communist countries.

Do it quick before the Starbucks start to pop up on every corner.

[Commander Wallace]

It is a historic occasion. One benefit is now great Cuban cigars will be available.

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by Commander Wallace

It is a historic occasion. One benefit is now great Cuban cigars will be available.

Cuban cigars were always available, just had to know where to look on Calle Ocho . Anyway, in my opinion Central American cigars are a fine sophisticated smoke and have far surpassed the once quality Cuban stick long ago.

Plus unless you knew the intricancies of a Cuban cigar. You were probably smoking one of the many make fakes especially Cohibas which flooded the market.

[Bubblehead1980]

Disgusting a sitting US President would visit a communist dictatorship. Just another ridiculous episode for Barry O. However, he will feel right at home among his fellow travelers.

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Disgusting a sitting US President would visit a communist dictatorship. Just another ridiculous episode for Barry O. However, he will feel right at home among his fellow travelers.

Oh... you mean the exact same thing that Nixon and Reagan did. Terrible. Should be run out of town.

[Rockstar]

I've been in Cuban waters on business but was chased out by a Osa II missle boat. Damn thing kept on us even in International waters until that is when two armed U.S. Navy helicopters showed up on scene. Thing tucked tail and ran. I have video of that somewhere should see if I can digitize it.

Anyway I for one would love to head to Havana as a welcomed tourist this time. Heck, Id even buy 'Barry O' a beer!

[Oberon]

Thanks Obama!

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

I've been in Cuban waters on business but was chased out by a Osa II missle boat. Damn thing kept on us even in International waters until that is when two armed U.S. Navy helicopters showed up on scene. Thing tucked tail and ran. I have video of that somewhere should see if I can digitize it.

Anyway I for one would love to head to Havana as a welcomed tourist this time.

I was in Cuba two years ago. Canadians have been vacationing there for years. Nice place, nice people. I was in Jamaica last year same time as Obama was. I think he's following me around.

[Rockstar]

Thanks Obama!

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by u crank

I was in Cuba two years ago. Canadians have been vacationing there for years. Nice place, nice people. I was in Jamaica last year same time as Obama was. I think he's following me around.

American's have always been allowed to travel and vacation in Cuba. Its just that it was made to be such pain in the butt to make travel arrangments, most never bothered. We frequently ran across U.S. travelers on boats coming back from Cuba which was not against any U.S. law. What was against the law was if they had any merchandise purchased in Cuba aboard. Then we dropped the hammer on'em pretty hard.

And yes, they are nice people. I even met one of Cuba's boxing champs. He was on an inner tube trying to make it to the U.S. Towering powerful man when I first looked upon him I thought oh crap. But he just smiled and gave me a hug he was so happy to be picked up by us.

[August]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Disgusting a sitting US President would visit a communist dictatorship. Just another ridiculous episode for Barry O. However, he will feel right at home among his fellow travelers.

You mean like Reagan?

[Rockstar]

Richard Nixon meets with Red Chinas Communist Leader Mao Zedong in Beijing, February 21, 1972. Americans rejoice! All hail diplomacey and Richard Nixon.

Ronald Reagan meets the source of all evil in the world. USSR's Communist Leader Mikail Gorbachev, October 11, 1986. Americans rejoice! All hail diplomacey and Ronald Reagan.

Barrack Obama meets the last of the old guard, Cuba's Communist Leader Raul Castro, March 21, 2016. Seen today by a few as a stupid, silly, jesture by a closet mooslim who has been bent on destroying the constitution, murica, mom and apple pie.

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Richard Nixon meets with Red Chinas Communist Leader Mao Zedong in Beijing, February 21, 1972. Americans rejoice! All hail diplomacey and Richard Nixon.

...and it's turned out so well for us.

[Cybermat47]

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Disgusting a sitting US President would visit a communist dictatorship. Just another ridiculous episode for Barry O. However, he will feel right at home among his fellow travelers.

Damn US Presidents co-operating with Commies, FDR would be disgusted!