Costa Rica talks to Cuba

[Imxploring]

Ed… I don’t have a problem with whomever CR wants to form relationships. My observation from the start of this conversation was that it is quite odd that Oscar (and what he claims to stand for) dumps Taiwan in favor of China and now opens up to Cuba. Thus acknowledging two regimes that would seem to be examples of everything he stands against. Perhaps when Oscar is spotted holding hands with Kim Jong-il you’ll see my point. Or perhaps you’ll choose not to draw the line there either. I have nothing against the people of China or Cuba… it’s the political system and the leadership that I question.

As to it being my business… you should take note that it wasn’t me that started this thread… “Costa Rica talks to Cuba”… and expressed the original opinion that started this exchange. I’m merely expressing an opposing view to that of the original poster that would seem to have a “different” bias to mine… but perhaps one that you more closely identify with. You called my point of view slanted, perhaps you’d like to join the actual discussion and defend or explain these latest moves by the government of CR and add something to the mix… rather than just attacking my opinion?

This is a discussion Ed… and just as you’ve made a point to form and articulate an opinion as to my views and what you perceive to be a bias… I’ve taken the time to let my view be known, why not try the same… I’m sure you’ve got one. Which surprisingly enough would quite difficult to do in the two political systems Oscar now wishes to call friends.

Edited on Mar 22, 2009 21:23

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Some people leave Cuba for the States for the same reasons tha people do elsewhere; the perceived access to more wealth. Never mind that many times, the actual cost of that wealth is an unhealthy and unhappy lifestyle. Never mind the fact that the American Dream is a lie which has been successfully sold to an awful lot of people. Never mind that there is always a segment of the human population that believes greener grass is elsewhere. You and I are examples of that, although our reasons may be different. To say that most immigrants to the US are looking for freedom is to mouth right wing propaganda and should be evidently ridiculous on the face of it.

As far as handing off power to relatives, look to your own country for prime examples of that practice. Bush, Clinton, Adams, Roosevelt, Kennedy…these are names of American ruling class royalty. People who live in glass houses…….

[Imxploring]

Sprite… perhaps we can have some of the happy folks of Cuba join this discussion and defend the wonderful open society they live in that’s run by such open minded progressive thinkers…. Whoops… I forgot… the “free” people of Cuba are not permitted to use the internet in anyway to get opposing views to that which their government control media and government allows, nor are they permitted to use the internet to express any views that are dissenting from that which they are forced to regurgitate by their “leaders”! Isn’t that what they call propaganda?

There’s a reason Cuba’s ranking was on the bottom of the Press Freedom Index 2008 compiled by the Reporters Without Borders. Cuba is “the second biggest prison in the world for journalists” after the People’s Republic of China.

So why would a country with such progressive leaders and such a happy population have to be run in such a manner? And why does Cuba have such a large population in exile that cannot go home to join the political process in their own country to make the changes they feel are needed? We know there answer don’t we…. they’d be thrown in jail the minute they stepped on Cuban soil… and their “crime”… having an opinion and expressing views opposed to the “free and open democratic government” in Cuba.

So as far a “propaganda” goes…. perhaps a good look at Cuba and what it stands for is in order. And once again… back to my original question…. why would Oscar want to open relations with such a government? Perhaps he sees the void that will open when Cuba is finally free of the Castro brothers and Cuba’s people are REALLY free?

BTW…. I checked… and the website address “WeloveCuba” is currently available, perhaps you might register the domain now… not that you see any of the current residents of Cuba joining or being allowed to express their views or opinions… but perhaps after the Castro boys are gone and the choke hold is removed from the people of Cuba… you’ll have a gold mine on your hands! 🙂

Edited on Mar 23, 2009 07:43

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The US has cut Cuba off from using the undersea cable running near the island for internet access. Cuba has been forced to use limited satellite access which severely cuts internet availability. For that reason, Cuba has had to ration access to public necessity uses such as schools and hospitals. In typical right wing bully fashion, you knock out the skinny kid’s teeth and then criticize and tease him for talking funny. Luckily, Venezuela is coming to Cuba’s aid and will be laying cable to the island.

I know a whole lot of Ticos in my area who don’t have the resources for internet access so I can say that many Costa Ricans also suffer from not having a voice in cyberspace.

Your point about press freedom is countered by similar studies and opinions presented by organizations with a less biased slant than the right wing funded mouthpiece you listed. Titles don’t mean a thing. Does Reporters without borders advocate the abolishment of national borders as their title implies?

Your other points are just so much right wing rhetoric that I have been hearing for decades. A huge ignorant American audience has been ready to hear such things in the past because it backed up their erroneous belief that the U.S. was a “blessed” land superior to any other country or culture and any opposing ideas had to be evil.

I know way too many Cuban refugees who used to regularly return to visit Cuba with no problems. I don’t know of any who were ever jailed for that in Cuba In fact, in the last 6 years it has been the United States who stopped Cubans from visiting their homeland. That is being reversed now by Obama. Get your facts straight. No law abiding Cubans visiting Cuba went to jail. Period.

There are some freedoms that are curtailed in Cuba. Among them are prostitution and access to internet pornography. Only one of those morally questionable freedoms is still legal in the States and BOTH are legal in Costa Rica.

[Imxploring]

Oh please… you’ve got to be kidding me! For someone asleep at the keyboard you type amazingly well! Cuba sounds like a wondeful place according to what you’ve written! So when’s your next visit? And while you’re there pick up some real estate brochures for me! With so much going for it I’m shocked that you haven’t yet applied for residency! LOL

[edlreed]

Joke I heard from a Chinese guide.
The president of the US and the premier of China were in a Limo on the highway to tomorrow. An intersection appeared, with a sign saying “Socialism” pointing left, and another saying “Capitalism” pointing right. The US prez says to the driver “Turn right at the intersection”, whereas the premier says “Turn right, but leave the left blinker on”.
What is it you (or I) know of the machinations going on in CR? Your lending of your “opinion”, as a guest in that country, does not show an inkling of any knowledge of their needs or desires. Just your viewpoint that obviously does not work (have you humbled the Cubans enough?). Are you seriously and objectively saying that CR should not have political and economic relations with China? Your paradigm for world “harmony” fails, and continues to espouse the same ol’ crap. What in their actions suggests they aren’t acting in their best interests, and I ask you again, what is it, exactly, you are afraid of?

[Imxploring]

So Ed… do you have an opinion as to Oscars actions? Good or bad? Not that he’ll be listening… or that it really matters… I only ask if you have an idea… or a view as to the topic… nothing more. There’s noting to be afraid of… other than a president that seems to stand for personal freedoms and yet engages governments that don’t.

I have no desire to “humble” the Cubans… other than perhaps the Castro brothers… as I said I admire the Cuban people… and only wish the best for them in the future when the current leadership is nothing more than a bad memory. As for China, I think we can all figure out that Oscar’s motivation was all about the Benjamins… and nothing more.

Perhaps you might have an opinion you’d like to share as to why we’re seeing this shift… and if you believe it’s good or bad?

Edited on Mar 23, 2009 19:24

[Imxploring]

Spirit… by “law abiding Cubans” do you mean those that keep their mouths shut and not dare speak out against the policy and leadership of their government?

[sprite]

The US State Department has declared it illegal for US born citizens to visit Cuba. How’s that for curtailment of freedom to travel? The Cuban government has no such restrictions. I would have to illegally paddle my sea kayak to Havana from Miami in order to visit Cuba.

I mean those Cubans refugees who do not rape, rob or smuggle in bombs or smut while visiting Cuba.

By the way..more evidence that Arias is a smart guy when it comes to foreign relations. He made nice with the Chinese as well and now, it appears, the Chinese are going to replace the dollar with a new world currency. Get ready to wipe your hind quarters with Gerorge Washington’s portrait. A new Chinese world currency will put the dollar in the gutter, perhaps one day soon on par with the colon.

Edited on Mar 24, 2009 02:38

[orcas06]

Sprite,
Don’t you understand that Oscar Arias is working on his second Nobel Peace Prize by straightening out the little problem between China and Tibet. If you have any dollars left over maybe you could send them to me.

[sprite]

If Arias can turn any other part of the world into Costa Rica; no army, no problems with neighbors and a lot of healthy, happy citizens, then more power to him!

[Author]

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