CNN

Has anyone told Fidel that he's no longer the President of Cuba? So a state visit is out of the question, unless he tags along with his brother.
That said, it would be a good thing if President Obama spoke with anyone anywhere to ensure peace and prosperity. That would be a lot better than what we've become accustomed to.

It's long past the time when we should have normalized relations with Cuba. The past strategy was completely ineffective. And kudos to the Cuban people who have the highest rate of literacy in the Western hemisphere, have medical care for everyone and one of the lowest infant mortality rates. Things we would do well to copy. There may be enemies of America in this world, but the Cuban people are not among them.

About time to talk with this man. It is long overdue.

old news, I heard it in the radio 3weeks ago.. Kinda tired with CNN!!!

I am glad for that. It is about time that this stupid embargo on Cuba is abolished.

In Michael Moore's movie, Sicko, he presents Cuba as having a very competent health care system. Could it hurt to explore a meeting with them?

Perhaps I am naive. Why only this morning I was called a breath of fresh air and applauded for my awe and wonder. Or maybe it was my Ah and Wander.

At least one bright spot...it must all start with people sitting down at a non-bias table and opening up to discussion.

This is what can happen when the USA isn't flexing muscle....

At least one bright spot...it must all start with people sitting down at a non-bias table and opening up to discussion.

This is way happens when the USA flexing muscle....

Now this is change we can believe in ! People actually talking to each other as equals ? No, it just can't be ! It is about time that we all realized that everyone has different views of the world and how things should go. You and I are not necessarily right all the time. We have the luxury of speaking our minds without getting shot, and actually have a voice . It may not always be heard, but we still have the right to be heard. Listening to other peoples views and telling ours is a GOOD THING! The people of Cuba deserve that right ! Lets support Obama and his vision for the Country and the world, let's give PEACE a chance.

Already there is a huge difference between a President who is willing to set up a line of communication and one who would rather use the same bullying looser techniques of the past 8 years. I remember during the campaign McCain said he would not talk to certain leaders and my thought was how can you have peace if you don't try to understand other people and cultures.
I am so glad Obama is our President. Now we at least have hope of a more peaceful humanity.
You know the old saying," if you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got" and this is a perfect example. Obama put the threatening, arrogant, strong arm talk of the past administration away and let the world know a change is on the way.
What a wonderful feeling to go thru the holidays and know that we have a peacemaker as President instead of a warmonger.

Obama isn't going to shut down Gitmo.

The Castro family is not going to give Cubans any rights.

Check back in 4 years.

It is ok if Obama talks with politicians of any nation.........people need to discuss even if they do not agree..............people need to keep open minds

if you cannot talk to someone, then how can you solve your differences without killing someone. there doesnt always have to be an enemy.

And demonization to start.......3,2,1,0......................

Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men...

Time to show the world we are following the path towards a peaceful coexistance. Time to show the world why WE elected Barack Obama!

Make amends, open trade and visitation completely and Cuba could be a great friend as political winds and the pragmatic Cubans warm to America. This should have happened years ago and Castro would have long been history. America could benefit with this trade opportunity and hungry and ambitious Cubans seek better lives. A great and oppressed Cuban culture will welcome some American tourist dollars too.

the right wing will run with this. !!!!!!!!

"With Obama, one can talk whenever he wants, because we're not preachers of violence or war,"

Ohh really Castro?? Tell that to the Mob, you remember? Because they remember you very well, LOL!! And that doesn't even sound right...

I gotta say, he's at that age and old. Maybe, just maybe, he means it and wants to talk constructively BUT is gonna take a little more than to have a chat and so forth...plus, I noticed Russia has been doing some moves lately and probably wants some recognition. Is Russia O.K? LOL!!!

Why dont we share Gitmo.....as a universal jail for war criminals and high officials convicted of crimes against humanity or crimes against citzens or sovereignty.

It could be run jointly, with U.N. oversight

and its first tenants will be Bush and Cheney....and Mugabe

Then America could show the world not only that justice is being revived but that God has a sense of humor for those who use his name, or attempt to espouse his will in vain.

said what?????

Why not? Might as well bail out Cuba as we're bailing out everybody else! What's another few billions?

George Bush's actions have prevented a Mumbai type terrorist attack (or worse) in this country for the past 7 years. But many people take their safety for granted. Bad mistake.

Obama is bringing in woos diplomacy and we'll just have to see if it keeps Al Qaeda away from our shores.

Let them meet they should people are so racest come on many people think muslims are terorists not you guys lie to much.

This is the tricky.... let him come to the whitehouse. Pls Obama don't go there.

Everyone wants to speak to PEACEMAKER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA BECAUSE THEY REALISE HE'S SMART AND INTELLIGENT AND NOT STUPID LIKE GEORGE BUSH.

A 'CHANGE' HAS FINALLY COME. THANK YOU GOD, FOR BLESSING AMERICA!

This would be a great position, for the US to take. Thank you President-Elect Obama, for having the INTELLIGENCE, to clearly understand what is NECESSARY-for America to estabilish PEACE.

Obama has the RIGHT VISION, for America. We are blessed to have him, willing to work with other Countries-to find COMMON GROUND!

Is he still alive???? he is some thing else. 1, Castro 2, Saddam Hussain 3, George W Bush 4, Stalin 5, Hitler they all had dreams and they all have lived up to there dreams.

All are Bad Fruits and Vegies....

Our President should NEVER meet with people like this... EVER.

Sean Penn, thinks he is so cool well, when I lived in Miami, my friends aunt came over in and inner tube raft, her head was the size of a watermelon, because Castro's gorillas beat her for trying a prior time, Sean you are or were a so so actor, more a legend in your own mind. You and your chic, crowd think gangsters are people that need understanding and liberal sympathy, well perhaps but Castro he is a murder and a gangster like Hitler and Stalin and Mao, the bodies are just hidden in the forrests.

This is a necessary meeting IMO – we need to make friends with Cuba.

NO ONE SHOULD BE WILLING TO TALK TO FIDEL CASTRO.

Why do we hate Castro and Cuba so much?
How many Americans has he killed? Compared to Germany, Japan, Vietnam, Iraq, ....
What is so special about Cuba that we are determined to hate forever?
Aren/t we (allegedly) a Christian nation, one Nation under God ... love your enenmies, blessed are the peace makers, etc. – remember?
Going to church and judging others is NOT being Christian – loving and forgiving is.

Be sure to get some Cuban cigars.

It's way past time for talking with Fidel Castro and other Cuban reps. This nonsense has been going on for 40+ years – time to move on. Pres Obama could usefully shock the work by making his first foreign guest or vist to be Castro/Cuba and lift this foolish embargo. The communist system in Cuba will collapse in 5 years or less.

Dialogue, honesty and action are where America's future lies, because we certainly haven't any of that in recent years. But who really cares what Sean Penn says or thinks?

dang this man still stand stron for his princples. got to love him sometimes.

It is time for this ridiculous farce to end. There is no reason we cannot have a good relationship with Cuba. The politicians talk about their suppression on people, but look at China and some of the other countries we support and welcome with open arms.
It will be wonderful to have a president that listes and hears what other countries have to say. It is time for my way or no way to end.

Great! To dream of reconciliation is the first step toward democracy

Bring the Cubans into the American fold and end the stupid stand off.

I'm not sure just how to take Raul Castro's last comment, but I do think it's time the U.S. and Cuba resolve their differences and quit acting like a bunch of 5 year olds. Actually, 5 year olds probably act better. Considering Cuba's proximity to the U.S., I would really prefer to have them as friends and not enemies. What the hey are we either one accomplishing with this stand-off that's been going on for 50 years now???
I say, let's meet and work out our problems!

Good. It's about time that the Cuban people have a chance to experience, if at all possible, how the rest of the world has been progressing while time has stood still for the Island since 1959.
Get rid of the embargo and give the Cubans a chance to grow and prosper.

It is well past time to enter a dialogue with Castro, not because he is a nice person but because isolation creates enemies which we can ill afford. The situation between our nations has always been strained partly because Castro has a habit of exposing our faults by refusing to play the politically correct game. While Castro possesses plenty of faults, by exposing them we reveal plenty of our own. I'm hopeful that Obama will meet with him setting the stage for relations with a Castro-less Cuba in the future!!!

President of Iran.." The bed in the Lincoln Bedroom is too hard

Russia ( Daddy Bear): "That bed in the Lincoln Bedroom is just right!!!"

North Korean President:. " I'd stop my nuke program if they would put a pillow top on the bed in the lincoln bedroom"

Of course they all want to talk to Obama.......cause they know he's a push-over!!!!

stop the war in the middle east please no more killing of jewish people thank's jonathan

Boy... this is where Obama can apply all his experience dealing with communist leaders...

Wait.... HE HAS NO EXPERIENCE!!

It would certainly be a positive sign if after all these years we could move toward reestablishing relations with our neighbor Cuba and the other neighbors to our south in the Caribbean, to include Central and South America. This is clearly in our national interests and it is the right thing to do. I hope that we can grasp this opportunity and turn the current relationship into something that will benefit both parties.

Sean Penn? Please, let's leave politics in the political arena. Is he (Penn) serious, or is he practicing for a role? I think with pre-conditions, the Secretary of State-to-be and/or the President-Elect will meet with him or his brother.

There is nothing wrong with having a conversation.

Now I don't like what Raul has said. Maybe we shouldn't be in Guantanamo, whatever, but don't make those comments. We'll be less likely to talk then.

And Sean Penn? I think I'm going to boycott his movies.

I think, as the greatest power in the world, that we should have the guts to sit down with allies as well as our enemies. The arrogant cowboy demeanor of the current administration has only hurt some of our ties with allies and worsened the situation with most of our enemies. Lets sit down and see what possible solutions are on the table and try to shift an enemy to a possible ally.

Why, he is no longer in charge?