I'm not an American; But as I see it, hostile leaders are hopeing obama is weak …like carter…and who cares if America has no friends around the world….hah….like the U.N. could do anything….look…the rest of the world just wants your money….and help…and….on and on….. And your press is so one sided …even after Bush was elected….they seem to have problems….like a ship with a bad lean.

Marie Ontario November 26th, 2008 6:59 pm ET
Isn't it amazing being a Canadian . . .
_______________________
Isn't it amazing, darlin'– that being Canadian YOU have absolutely NO say in our government? Surprise, surprise !

Now, that said, stop coming to the U.S. for TRULY quality health care !!!!!!!!

Anonymous November 26th, 2008 7:35 pm ET
Happy Thanksgiving!
___________________________

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too, "Anonymous" Coward." What the heck — YOU represent America, too. Whatever works!! God know not MUCH does right now !!!!!!!!!!!

Obama do what bush did not do, this has to be right thing cause bush ruined the republican party in the USA, and the American reputation

It's futile to try and have an intelligent conversation with McCain-ites, their problems are beyond solutions!

Let's continue to keep them in our prayers, and maybe by this time next year they will have joined the rest of us!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our fallen soilders, are returned home with a flag. I do not see Castro`s remarks , about returning with the flag as a friendly invite. Stay home Obama and clean up the Repugs huge mess., before our country starts to look like Cuba..

So, communists are the devil and God anointed Capitalists? Let's keep bailing out the wonderful capitalists at AIG, GM and those Wall Street CEOs who had multi-million dollar golden parachutes for running this economy into the ground.

Time to drop the commie boogeyman fears and realize we have become more frightening to the world than any other nation.

I don't think that Cuba fares that bad when compared to Capitalist and Free people in the Carribeans like Jamaica and Haiti.
Sometimes people have to be goaded to do the right thing
there's time for everything under the Sun, a time to war and a time for peace talks, now is time to talk
Talk to Cuba, Talk to Hamas, Talk to Iran,
Talk is cheap, War is stupid

I second that, Beverly…

Beverly in NC November 26th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

This is a new day with an intelligent President who has impressed the world with his common sense approach to diplomacy before atracking. This would be a wonderful opportunity to reach out to Cuba and see what common ground we have.
I know there are many Cuban families who have been separated for generations because of the former Castro regime.
Nothing but goodness can come from talking and creating understanding between nations.
Obama has the ability to heal our relationships and forge new ones with world leaders. The more allies we have, the more we can isolate the terrorists and make the world safer for everyone.

As the old proverb says "Like readily consorts with like."
Cicero

GRIFF…that was cute…hurt your head coming up with that one???? Loser

The Cubans are great people. And I believe the Cubans who have come to America have done well both economically and socially. They have a great community in Miami. And the Europeans who have travelled to Cuba as tourists, can confirm the peaceful and friendly nature of the people of Cuba. Cuba are not an enemy of the United States, and Raul Castro has already given the people of Cuba more freedoms, and seems to be altering the policies of his brother.

Give Cuba a chance. Why not?

Isn't it amazing being a Canadian I don't need my government's permission to go to any country in the world. I guess maybe we are the real land of the free.

I don't understand how the U.S. has managed to hand down 50 years of hate and take such pride in being a bullying nation.

Every country in world has the right to govern themselves in what ever way they see fit without another country interference.

Actually Cuba just might have a better quality of life than half of those in the U.S. if Obama doesn't get a number of his goals accomplished.

The U.S. must recognize our enemy list is not getting any smaller. Diplomacy is the only way to stop that list from growing and restore respect as well as peace around the world. No more words of war, threats and name calling. Bring about peace.

Regrading earlier comments:

Obama did not "promise" to meet with anyone nor has any opbligation to do so. He only said that "precoditions" were not a requirement.

It makes since that Obama has hired people from Clintons administration; would you have expected that he hire people with out direct experince or only people from Bushe's administration. Just becasue he has done this, does not mean that I sould have voted for Hillary. I voted for Obama and he is performing already way beyond my expectations.

Obama is not gullible and he is not a commie .. these accusations did not work in the compagn, and if you really truly belive them, you are an idiot.

My father who served his country for 24 years with the 82nd &101st Airborne Divisions of the United States Army was on a plane headed for Cuba During the Cuban Missile Crisis. If he is as smart as he claims to be , then he willdecline to meet with a true communist and refuse any other offers as such. This man-Castro needs to be extinguished like one of his banned cigars! He is a true idiot and should fade away just like a one-hit wonder. Maybe we should send him some agent red, white, blue and orange………………….

This is a new day with an intelligent President who has impressed the world with his common sense approach to diplomacy before atracking. This would be a wonderful opportunity to reach out to Cuba and see what common ground we have.
I know there are many Cuban families who have been separated for generations because of the former Castro regime.
Nothing but goodness can come from talking and creating understanding between nations.
Obama has the ability to heal our relationships and forge new ones with world leaders. The more allies we have, the more we can isolate the terrorists and make the world safer for everyone.

How really sad that our United States government hasn't taken a different attitude with the government of Cuba. The only reason can be that Cuba has nothing of value (no oil, no gold, no diamonds, only old Castros and cars) that our government can take away from it. Could it be that the United States government only sees Cuba as a drag on this economy? Is that what friendship is all about? Then what about Mexico? OH I understand now… WE get drugs and law breakers from Mexico, now THATS a good neighbor to have..

i hope barack does have preconditions on some meetings because its not a safe thing to do without preconditions,,, may god watch over barack and his family durin his term,,,,^i^

Yeah Left,
That's some "family values" you guys evolved there. Sacrilege seems to have sadly taken place of rational thought too often in my former party. Christians believe Christ is the Messiah, not a politician, as you are trying to purport with miguided rhetoric and mockery.

What failed Cuba policy? Did Castro have any success spreading ccommunism to Latin America? No. Cuba has been effectively contained for over 50 years without the need for an invasion or combat. The policy has been supported by every President, Republican or Democrat. In time, just like in the USSR, the communist system will fail of it's own weight. If it takes another 10 years or 20, so what? If the Cuban people don't like the fact that there's an embargo, let them change their system like Russia did.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

That is all that needs to be said on this article. GO OBAMA!!

Does anyone even remember why the embargo is in place?

Look, it's time for us, the United States, to stop making enemies. The world is getting increasingly nasty. If it's not terrorists, it's pirates. If it's not pirates, it's some kind of natural or man-made disaster. Before too long, all of these other countries are gonna get together and leave us out in the cold.

The fact that Fidel Castrio offered Hurrican Katrina victims the aid of 1500 medical doctors, I think should be commended. Everyone wants to preach hate and separation all the time. Enough of this I say.

I agree with all the bloggers who believe that the time to end the embargo on Cuba is now, and is actually long overdue!
I do not believe in "winning" wars through embargo or fire power. For the last 40 years, the only way to win wars is through economics.
Embargo and fire power only multiply our ennemies. It is not our military that the world envy, it is our standard of living, our freedom, and our economics.
At least this was true until a few months ago. Whether we regain this advantage is yet to be determined, but with President Elect Obama's leadership, I feel hopeful that we will.

To Dee,

You are so ignorant. You just sit there and listen to John McCain and then you quoting what he saying.

Whether you like it or not all of those people are the leaders of there country and the world knows that. They won't become president or leaders if Obama meets with them. News flash, they are already the leaders.

I see absolutely no downside–and a lot of upside–in Obama meeting with Castro and beginning the long process of normalizing relations with Cuba. As someone on here pointed out, the dialog between Nixon and Mao, conducted without preconditions by the way, eventually proved to be in both countries interest. The decades long embargo hasn't worked–it only hurts the wrong people, the poor. Opening channels with Cuba would only prove to be a powerful incentive towards democracy, and capitalism, in that country.

Send Al Franken.

I find it astounding their are so many gutless and cowardly Americans that think starving a small country like Cuban and it's people with embargoes is going to somehow make them all safer.

I guess this is what you get when you have dunces in power like the original homeland security jerk who advised people to wrap their homes in saran wrap for their own protection.

Unless the U.S. takes some huge progressive steps to improve their backward culture you will just keep sliding back into a 3rd world country.

Oh and by the way those of you who are ignorant about traveling to Cuba think again. There are flight to/fm Havana everyday from Miami Internationa

"Welcome to the Obama Show" is really Sarah Palin in disguise…did ya'll know that? You betcha! Can't come up with one original idea on his/her own…just spewing hatred and sarcasm and lies…

Absolutely,,,, it is time to meet with leaders…look at Bush in the past 8 years, he didn't meet with them and look where we are in this world now.

You people just don't get it………..

I am Cuban and I support the embargo so when you people can relate to what the Cuban people went through during the revolution then and only then can you have such an unknowlegable opinion.

Jeff you need to get a life and try not to show your hate for the man so much. Maybe you did't vote for for Obama are you a McCain supporter.

To 'Frank from Peterborough':

Amen brother.

I would be happy for Obama to meet with Raul Castro at Gitmo. It would be ironic, fittingly asymmetric, and deeply satisfying to have the closing moments of Guantanamo be as a place of political reconciliation and of bringing us together with the world, rather than how it is now, as a symbol of our arrogance to and defiance of the world community, and of disdain for our fellow men.

For 40+ years we have maintained an embargo with Cuba. Exactly how much influence has it had on the regime? If we open trade with them we would quickly become Cuba's largest trading partner. I wonder how much influence that might get us?

What no one seems to realize is that Pres. Bush didn't just come up and say "hey! I know, why don't we torture ppl at this prison!" Every president has done so since the US has held foreign prisoners. THe news was just never expansive enough to inform the public. Prisoners in Guantanamo have more rights and better treatment than our soldiers get in Iraq or Afghanistan if captured. Think about it.

Is Sarah Palin in Cuba campaigning?

As a Canadian, it has always baffled and fascinated me, the way the US goes on and on about Cuba, Castro and human rights, and communism. Hello!!!! China has always been far harsher and yet your companies are invested up to their eyeballs there, your citizens travel to China with nary a blink, and you attend the OIympics there flying your flag proudly. It is utterly amazing that you persist in demonizing poor little Cuba. I guess it gives the government someone to pick on that really can't fight back…..

Go ahead Obama meet with Castro ! Castro has a long history of taking advantage of gullibles!

I'm an Obama supporter. I understood why he couldn't come out during the campaigns and announce that we should end the Cuban embargo, even though I deplored his unwillingness to take that stance. I'm not even convinced he believes that now, even though it never achieved anything.

Still, consistent with his controversial position on dialogue, it does little harm, and possibly a lot of good, to meet with Raul Castro, and, yes, all you resistors, without "preconditions". It seems to me that a 50-year embargo is a sufficient precondition in and of itself.

Rick November 26th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

Obama and Castro should get along just fine…..birds of a feather.
____________________________________________________Yo

Your comments does not surprise me. I'm surprise you took time to read the article instead of waiting for a clue from Limbaugh.

You might be surprise to know that lots of world conflicts have been resolved through constructive, tough dialogue — instead of war. Please stay away from sharp objects and children in need of intelligent conversation.

Borack Obama! The Fool who bends in the Breeze….
Go get him Obama… Use your Baby-Teeth… Give him a Big-Suck…

I realize that some people don't appreciate celebraties involving themselves in the political arena, but you have to admit that they do have some influence to matter how small.

How about letting Bush go down there before he leaves office? He is such a patriot that he should be more than willing to escort the flag back to the USA, and think how this would look for his legacy.

Unbelievable the amount of ignorance shown on this board. No wonder America is going down the tubes, with the mentality shown by some here, we'll be completely isolated from the rest of the world because they won't play nice with us. This is the 21st century and Cuba should not have an embargo. Guantanamo is Cuban territory and the US should stop with failed policies. How would you like for China to take part of California because we owe them so much money? Not nice, huh. Well, we're not far from that at the rate we're going. Change is needed and if Obama doesn't deliver, we need to pick someone who will in 2012 before it's too late.

smpotter says:

"Rick:
Right wing of Attila the Hun, eh ? Didn'y realize you people knew how to read."

Well sm……..just one of many things you didn't realize….including how to spell.

What's wrong with talking to the Cuban leadership, the Bush/Cheney, and the far rights way of politics is child like….that only raises more disdain for the US.

Doesn't he know Obama has agreed not to talk to tyrants without pre-conditions.

I wish we could make peace with Cuba. The long standing riff needs to be repaired…it's gone on long enough.

I can't believe the ignorance and stupidity exhibited by some of the bloggers on this site.

What possible good is it doing anyone in the U.S. to starve Cuba and/or Cubans? But I guess it's the same jerks that back the rest of the failed policies of the Republican bigots and hate mongers.

With the U.S. policy of giving automatic citizenship to any Cubans that set foot on their shores is like holding out a chocolate bar to a starving child from the opposite side of a busy 4 lane highway.

It's time for sensible people in the U.S. to understand it's up to Cubans if they want Democracy not the U.S. to tell them to do it or we'll starve your economy. Jerks absolute Jerks no wonder the world hates America.

As usual, the knee-jerk jingoists have it backwards. It is precisely the embargo that has legitimized the Castro's. To topple the regime, get a few Victoria's Secrets and Lowe's in there (not Home Depot, that would send them back to Communism). It's time the US stopped letting its foreign policy be dictated by the Miami Mob offspring of pissed-off ex-plantation owners who lost all their servants in 1958.

Sean Penn attempts to reprise his role as the Snowman, a strung out drug addict selling secrets to the Communists. Life imitates art?

But Rob does make a valid statement.

We keep the base, flag and all. Nice try, Raul.

for Rob at 4:10

The Cubans have already had a chance to see the USA's justice system up close in their own province of Guantanamo. I used to be able to brag about our system, but what they have seen belies anything I ever said. Not a good example of democracy in action. And they know the US government has forbidden its citizens from traveling to Cuba. Not a good example of freedom. I dont know how we are going to be able to sell capitalism after the trillion dollar bailout of Wall Street, money we borrowed from Communist China.

We can learn a lesson from Nixon and Mao. Opening a dialogue increases, not diminishes, the chances of democratic reforms in Cuba. Its time to end the embargo and open a productive, cautious relationship.

Obama is going to do wants best for our country, and if he does meet with Casto or whoever else it will be for the betterment of the USA

@JuanM — You do even realize that he's not even President yet, don't you? Why would he comment on something now that he can't even ethically involve himself in until January 20th at the earliest? Obama has been very direct in reminding everyone that Bush is still Commander-in-Chief until that time.

Wait till Fidel dies and Raul has a free hand to do what his brother could never do. Admit defeat and give in the capitalism. Soviet Russia did. Start by letting exports come in from Cuba and imports from the US into that country. Of course few will have the money to buy the goods but at least seed can be bought by the government and help the farmers raise more crops to help feed the people.

And about taking the flag home….we defeated Spain and won Cuba in that war. We gave the people the island and kept a small base for ships to resupply in the Caribbean. And look how they dropped the ball when they chose communism? They followed a bad leader. We are willing to help out, but they need to change leadership.

What are they going to say Juan, he isn't president yet – maybe you should get a clue!

He can learn more of their communist system to impose upon the American people. If he goes down there and surrenders to Cuba, does that mean that Castro then lives in the White House?

Hey right wingers…check out Rob's comment at 4:10.

A well thought out response….

Rick:
Right wing of Attila the Hun, eh ? Didn'y realize you people knew how to read.

We are in very good relationship with Japan and Vietnam, who killed lots of Americans, why not with Cuba, they didn't do anything against Americans. US policy toward Cuba have been damaging the Cuban people, not the government. I hope President-elect Obama will do something good about it.
Cuban-American from Miami

And the difference between Obama and the rest of them..

Obama has the cajones to look his enemy in the eye.. not just his buddies while hiding behind the human shield we call our military.

Don't you just love it when people like Sean Penn can take time out from playing make believe and drug rehab to mettle in international affairs.

Obama and Castro should get along just fine…..birds of a feather.

Uh….so the "Office of the President-Elect" refuses to make a comment. yeah this is going to be an "open" administration.

It would be in the best interest of the US to meet and try to normalize relations with Cuba. The Russians and the Chinese are very happy to be in Latin America (the military co-operation with Venezuela is under reported in American news). China is investing heavily into Cuba, replacing the Russian influence. Raoul seems to be willing to modernize his country more than his brother was. We Canadians can travel to Cuba and many do make it their winter vacation destination and having been there, I was struck by how many people there have a positive image of the US but really despise the current president. Good relations with Castro and Chavez is very important for US security.

Hypocrisy knows no bounds. Don't talk to Cuba because it's a communist country but buy everything imaginable from China but it's also a communist country. I guess money talks and ideology walks when it comes to communist China.

Obama please be true to your word and start meeting with these leaders for that is the only way to get this country and the world back on the right track for the good of us all.

Why shouldn't Obama meet with every leader of every nation on this earth-without preconditions. The Rs had a field day with this during the campaign, but failed to make the point that they thought thier foriegn policy was better.
Without preconditions means that you can sit down with them and you can tell an idiot that hes is an idiot. Tell them that they are wrong in thier approach to whatever problem that keeps us apart. Is that a bad thing? NO. What is a bad thing is no dialog at all. Just the retoric that goes back and forth.
Didn't the Bush admin read Diplomacy For Dummies?

china good communist lentusa a trillion dollars so they would not go bankrupt cuba bad communist no money american military has to make sure they have enemies for there next war if china will bankrole another one

Not a million years will Hillary Rodham Clinton ever be the first American political diplomat to set foot on Cuban soil if for no other reason, it's bad PR.

This crystalized what's different between a politician and a diplomat.

I think Obama should to to GTMO and then open up a Home Depot and Best Buy on the base.

Let the healing begin. Set an example for others.

Paul:

The failed policy with cuba lies at the feet of the Democrate. They could not tollerate Juan Batista so they helped Castro replace him.

they got what they wanted, "Change" now you want the new guy at the whitehouse when he is installed to love up to the Castros, no problem, he wants to meet with American haters without pre-conditins.

Without per-conditions translates to "Visit with me on my terms in a place and time of my choosing" and no doubt that will be acceptable to the obama. He owes it to them.

Once again Obama Victim and Welcome to the Obama Show never let us down. Gonna let any of that hate go on Thanksgiving at least?

Sean Penn is palling around with Castro?

Since the punditry seems so interested in "pragmatism" instead of "ideology", it seems now is as good a time as any to move past idiotic Cold War rhetoric, fear of the "International Communist Conspiracy", etc. While we should reasonably expect some transparency and progress on the rights of Cuban citizens, there's no reason we cannot begin the process of establishing a co-operative relationship with one of our closest neighbors.

perfect match…………..two commies…………

Hola Comrade

And so it begins – the slow growth of Socalism in America.

All Heil All Heil the Messiah cometh!

leave us alone!!!

As a Cuban American I cringe at the sight of an American President negotiating with either of the Castro brothers. But it's time we should completely drop the embargo and show the Cubans on the island our economic power. Hopefully then can we truly influence Cuba's regime to begin a transition back towards a democratic republic rather then a socialist republic.

I would love to be the neutral ground for Castro. Get rid of the embargo already.

I agree, we need a new approach to alot of things…because what we have now is not working!

COMEON OBAMA I'M SURE THEY WOULD BUILD YOU A BIG STAGE AND MAYBE SOME PILLARS!!!!!!!!

I am impressed that the leaders of just about every nation that Bush dissed is requesting to be allowed to talk to 'O'! Obviously, we should take that as a positive sign of each leader's willingness to resolve the issues that deny openess between them and the United States.

To those leaders and all others – please allow him to become President before you start demanding that he make committments and decisions that he can only make if he is President, not President-elect. LOL!

May he succeed at every turn because God knows that we do need someone to put things back right!

Lets hug it out people!

I'm glad Sean Penn helped out.

Is it a slow news day?

I feel that President Obama has an opportunity to grasp history. This would bridge the gap between the United States and Cuba. The Cuban people, thru his persona, can believe in shifting from Communism to Democracy. Also, it would be outstanding for BOTH our economies. This sounds like history is once again banging on the doors. Who better to greet it than by the same man who showed the world that our Democracy is genuine.

Not helpful, Raul. Surely you must know Barack Obama cannot meet until after he is sworn in. And the taunts and bullying could backfire. Never worked for your brother…. If you want Guantanamo returned to Cuba, you need to know President Obama will face enormous opposition. This quote ascribed to you could set negotiations back by months, maybe years. I sincerely hope I am wrong.

I read that as many as 20,000 American citizens sneak into Cuba every year via Canada or one of the islands. I wouldn't mind vacationing there myself.

Paul, you are so right. It's time for some diplomacy and talking instead of just attacking.

Obama won't meet with Castro

the cuba situation should be left alone….we should NOT under any condiction meet with that cubain leader

Paul is absolutely correct, this a miserable and failed policy to not talk or trade with Cuba. We talk and trade with China and Russia (when they were communist), why not Cuba? The stuff that happened 50 years is WAY outdated and we need to get this resolved…

It is time to turn a new page.

I hope Barack Obama will talk to Castro. Guantanamo should be closed and returned to Cuba. And let's open relations with this country and end that useless embargo which has been so detrimental to Cuban people.

Sean Penn…….??!! Go back to acting Mr. Penn.

Obama really messed up that diplomacy opportunity during the campaign.

He told one side then the other he was totally with them, thereby angering both sides. He looked good of course, but it showed his total cartoon approach to the real world.

Hopefully Hillary's expereince can help him out.

It is past time for this to come to an end. It has gone on long
enough without any negotiation from either side. Maybe
we could take one enemy off our list.

I don't think he should meet without pre-conditions. He is very brave but there is so much evil in this world. The fact that Castro is reaching out to him shows he will be a well respected president that won't hide in the White House

Well Obama DID say he would be willing to meet without preconditions. Lets see if he can back up that promise with actions…

So when is he going to meet with him or is this his first of many promises he is going back on.
People voted him in to power with no real mandate from the popular vote 53-47 except in the electoral collage.
Now he has hired almost all of the 1992 Clinton people. If that is who his supporters wanted tney would have voted for Hillary.
Same old Same old

What does it mean "to send Obama home with the American flag that waves over the US base".? I do not understand that statement, is it a good or bad gesture?

After 50 years of failed foreign policy with Cuba it's time for a new approach.

First, glad to see the able Sean Penn as apparent envoy to Cuba.
Second, waiting to hear the announcements for Obama's head-to-head meetings with Casto, Chavez, Kim and others as promised. I'm so eager to see the big-O legitimize these wonderful leaders!

I think its great that previous hostile leaders are willing to speak with Obama, I doubt we could say the same for any other American President. Everyone seems to love Obama and respect him..I'm sure some Republicans will see this as a bad thing..don't know how, but I dont see Obama being well liked as a negative thing. It's almost as if some people don't want America to be well liked globally.